Any gun gurus out there that can answer a few questions about building an AR-10? I have recently purchased a Palmetto State complete lower and want to continue little by little finishing my AR-10. After doing some research I have realized that building an AR-10 is not like building an AR-15. My question is, should I just purchase a complete upper that matches my lower to make sure that everything is compatible, or am I going to save a lot more money piecing the upper together?
OT: AR-10 build question
- Thread starter pdub0351
- Start date
Will start by saying I've never built an AR-10. But have a buddy with A LOT more $ than me - buys stuff to buy it since he works all the time - and he said they're is not nearly the standardization in AR-10s that there is in AR-15s. Take it for what it's worth, buy an PSA upper to eliminate the chance of mismatch. They sell good/decent stuff - assume you're not preparing to take on the government. And if you're not in a rush with the current presidential administration, should be able to wait out until there is a deal
Will finish by saying GO TO HELL OLE MISS
Will finish by saying GO TO HELL OLE MISS
DS I apologize for using these blasphemous words.
Go Here: http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/outdoor/
Get a user name and ask your question. There are folks there that live and breath gun build outs. Chances are someone will talk you all the way through your project.
Once you get your answer, never go there again. That will show them.
Oh, they like MSU folks just fine.
Go Here: http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/outdoor/
Get a user name and ask your question. There are folks there that live and breath gun build outs. Chances are someone will talk you all the way through your project.
Once you get your answer, never go there again. That will show them.
Oh, they like MSU folks just fine.
The 308 AR platform is a pain in the *** to piece together. If it were me, I would buy a complete upper from PSA and move on with life. The truth is, now that the election scare is over, prices are about to plummet and inventory will soar for a little while as manufacturers geared up for a Hillary win sell off large amounts of product. Palmetto makes good enough stuff that I would trust their complete upper. If it gives you any problems you have their Factory warranty to fall back on and their customer service is solid. Buy as basic an upper as you can and change pieces and parts as you see fit unless they have an upper in stock that is exactly what you want.
Just buying and installing a rail on my Adams Arms 308 was a pain in the ***. I want no part of sorting through what parts fit DPMS patterns and what parts fit the Armalite (the only true AR-10) pattern.
Just buying and installing a rail on my Adams Arms 308 was a pain in the ***. I want no part of sorting through what parts fit DPMS patterns and what parts fit the Armalite (the only true AR-10) pattern.
Good advice above. Just buy the PSA upper and be done with it. If you do want to build, I'd suggest selling your PSA lower and get an Armalite. They seem to have the most aftermarket accessories. I built my AR10 from an Armalite. I do like having it but I'll add this. Of all my AR rifles, this one sits in the safe the most. Why? AR-10 is a heavy beast compared to other ARs. I've carried it hog hunting several times and carrying it gets old and tiring. I didn't find that it did any better than a 5.56 or .300 Blackout in killing hogs so I went back to carrying a lighter AR.
This has been the knock on the AR-10 since Day 1. Eugene Stoner designed the AR-10 and presented it to the US Army. The army rejected the design and requested a rifle that shot a smaller cartridge. Stoner went and modified his design and came up with the AR-15, which the Army adopted as the M16.
Just sell one of your children if you have one and buy a KAC SR-25. I have no experience with this platform, but from everything that I have read, KAC makes one of the few that works well.
That KAC might have name recognition, but a lot of guys that used the SR-25 in theater hated them. They are accurate, but any quality 308 AR will be accurate. The biggest issue was reliability. If you are going to spend anything close to KAC money, it would be MUCH better spent on a rifle from Larue Tactical, GAP, JP Enterprises, or POF. All of those rifles would be way ahead of the KAC SR-25.
Also, while Armalite makes a very good 308 AR, their AR-10B pattern rifles do not accept Magpul PMags which is a deal breaker for some people. Their newer AR-10A pattern rifles will accept PMags though. I would say the DPMS/SR-25 pattern rifles are far and away more popular and easier to find parts for these days because DPMS flooded the market with so many affordable rifles in their pattern. To muddy the water further, Rock River uses, or at least used, a FN pattern mag and DPMS has released their Gen2 rifles which have a much smaller, lightweight receiver, but use a totally different pattern that is not compatible with their older style uppers and lowers. See what I mean? The water is murky with 308 ARs and you are going to spend a bunch of time and effort selecting parts unless you find a super helpful gun shop that knows how to help you.
Also, while Armalite makes a very good 308 AR, their AR-10B pattern rifles do not accept Magpul PMags which is a deal breaker for some people. Their newer AR-10A pattern rifles will accept PMags though. I would say the DPMS/SR-25 pattern rifles are far and away more popular and easier to find parts for these days because DPMS flooded the market with so many affordable rifles in their pattern. To muddy the water further, Rock River uses, or at least used, a FN pattern mag and DPMS has released their Gen2 rifles which have a much smaller, lightweight receiver, but use a totally different pattern that is not compatible with their older style uppers and lowers. See what I mean? The water is murky with 308 ARs and you are going to spend a bunch of time and effort selecting parts unless you find a super helpful gun shop that knows how to help you.
I've often debated whether or not to build one but a couple friends built them and it was frustrating. I've decided to save up for a m1a instead
I've built several and I can't imagine what could be frustrating. If you'll spend a few minutes watching YouTube videos, the process is pretty straight forward.
The only thing that might possibly be tough is if you're trying to hammer in the roll pins for the mag catch or the gas block. Just use a bench vise to push them in and you're golden.
Maybe they were use to building 556s. I don't know. I was frustrated building my 556 but I have zero patience, especially when a tiny spring shoots across the house and it takes two hours to find
Biggest issue with M1As is trying to keep a scope zeroed. They were never meant to be scopes rifles, so the scope mounts were all reverse engineered. They are not as inherently accurate as the AR platform 308s though they can still be shooters. Everything about the M1A is expensive. I just spent $300 on parts just to run my M1A Scout suppressed. It's just an old, out-dated system and unless you are leaving it bone-stock with iron sights, it can be expensive and frustrating. I bought mine for nostalgia, but I shoot my 308 AR a lot more and have much higher accuracy expectations for it.
I like put the lower receiver in a ziploc freezer back when working with the small springs and detents. That way if one gets away from me, it will stay contained in the bag.