 thatguy 
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Joined: Jul 2001  VA, USA
 Posts: 4277 Feedback: 0% (0) |
Posted: 9/18/2012 10:49:29 AM
[Last Edit: 9/23/2012 12:07:37 AM by thatguy]
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT I really like the AP4, BUT with the Recon i could add a vertical foregrip to the rail - which I have never tried, but when hunting i usually hold just in front of the mag well and I think I would like the vertical foregrip. I dont see me adding anything else to the rail though.. Do you like the foregrip? How hard would it be to add a small rail to the AP4 free float so I could add a vertical foregrip? The AP4 is lighter than the Recon by almost .5 # which I like.. But the recon has the SS barrel and a different muzzle brake. The AP4 is on sale for $1,130 locally and they also have the Recon but its about +$100 more (not sure if they would come down or not). Based on what pricing I can find online for the AP4 the difference is less than $40 before shipping and transfer fees Thoughts on either of these? Thanks brian ============ UPDATED 9/23 - Sportsmans Warehouse in Roanoke had the AP4 for $1130 (on sale, normally $1160) and the Recon for $1199 I pulled the trigger on the Recon... Even thought the specs says it weighs more, the Recon seemed better balanced and as mentioned in other posts it has the nicer magpul grip and stock... The recon would be sitting at my house tonite - BUT here in Virginia they require 3 forms of ID for an 'assault weapon' - I only had 2 forms with me, so i had to put a NIB Recon on layaway.. going back to pick it up in a few days.. I also picked up 250 rounds of Georgia Arms ammo to break it in with.. thanks for all the input Brian |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 12:35:38 PM
[Last Edit: 9/18/2012 12:57:28 PM by Espos1111]
Well, the AP4 has carbine gas vs. the mid of the Recon. Carbine is a little harder on the gun and recoil is a bit more. But it is a .308 so its gonna kick either way.
The Recon has no FSB so no problem with a scope down to 1x (over 3x you don't see it anyways). Also with no FSB you can change tube/rail easily and at will. Adding a rail is not that hard on the AP4 but, I would think, you would have to remove the tube first so you can get the hardware attached to it on. I did this with one of my slotted DPMS tubes using MOE accessories. Your also set up for a suppressor with the Recon if you so desire and a better stock. A carry handle on a .308 is a waste to me as these are my long range shooters and with my eyes irons are best left to under 100 yards, so a scopes a must (for me that is). All in all for only "about +$100 more" I would get the Recon. If you want something that you can customize a bit after the fact look for an Oracle. Same basic configuration as the AP4 but no FSB and you could probably find it for under a grand. You can then add rail of your choice, gas block of your choice and FS of your choice for around $100 w/ a DPMS rail. Here's a pic of my set up: 
I went with a rifle length slotted tube over an 18" bull barrel. Except for that it is basically an Oracle. FF tube was $60 from JSE surplus. |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 1:36:52 PM
Thanks for your thoughts.. YOu have given me more to think about...
Brian |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 1:43:00 PM
[Last Edit: 9/18/2012 4:10:33 PM by DVntDom]
Or get a Bushmaster with mid length gas and a 4150 CMV chrome lined barrel.
That's what I did. |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 9:17:30 PM
bump for night crew
Brian |
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Posted: 9/19/2012 11:57:20 PM
[Last Edit: 9/20/2012 12:04:49 AM by StealthyBlagga]
I picked an AP4 off a prize table and modified it for 3-gun competition; I chopped the FSB, replaced the short FF tube with a rifle-length version (short handguards SUCK), wrapped the handguard with paracord (for heat management), then added a Miculek muzzle brake. Optic is a Meopta K-Dot that I had lying about. Changing the PG was a PITA because the selector spring hole needed to be modified.
The result is a short, handy tack driver that is 100% reliable. Its a bit heavy, but at least that dampens recoil. Food for thought: 
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RegionRat
Member
Team Member
Joined: Jun 2010 CA, USA
Posts: 1127 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 9/20/2012 2:07:15 AM
Beautiful rig!
Does the paracord work for you in terms of heat management? I noticed you didn't add any short sights, are you going scope only? |
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Posted: 9/20/2012 7:04:54 AM
Originally Posted By DVntDom:
Or get a Bushmaster with mid length gas and a 4150 CMV chrome lined barrel. That's what I did. Me too. Bushmaster .308 ORC (stock # 90702). Bud"s had them for $1100 recently. It is fully interchangeable with DPMS. |
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Posted: 9/21/2012 3:47:04 PM
[Last Edit: 9/21/2012 3:48:12 PM by StealthyBlagga]
Originally Posted By RegionRat:
Beautiful rig! Does the paracord work for you in terms of heat management? I noticed you didn't add any short sights, are you going scope only? Thanks. I am even better looking 
The paracord works better for heat management than any other solution I have come across. Looks good and is cheap and easy too. This is strictly a match gun, and with a high quality optic adjustable quickly from 1-4x with a cattail, so I see no need for BUIS/short-range irons on this rifle (if you need BUIS in a 3-Gun match, your match is already toast). My self-defense rifle has BUIS of course, even with an Aimpoint sat on top. |
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Posted: 9/22/2012 9:26:20 PM
I have shot both, and bought the Recon. I liked that it came with the free-float and MBUS out of the box. Plus, mid-length gas, the recoil is a little better. With that said, it is heavy, and the stock trigger sucks balls. Be prepared to spend a little more money!!!
Her's my baby!!! 
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Posted: 9/23/2012 12:02:26 AM
Updated in OP..
Brian |
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FreezinSig
Rugger Hugger
Team Member
Joined: Nov 2010 AK, USA
Posts: 599 Feedback: 100% (11) Link To This Post |
Posted: 9/23/2012 12:12:12 AM
I have played around with the Recon and loved it. Recoil was less than other semi 308's I have owned and balanced nicely. I have not shot the AP4 and the only other DPMS I have played with is the R-25 that remington slapped thier name on. I never shot it standing so I can't give much of a comparison.
For the SS barrel and the other goodies, $100 more for the Recon seems like the deal to me.. |
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Posted: 9/23/2012 3:54:30 PM
Originally Posted By FreezinSig:
I have played around with the Recon and loved it. Recoil was less than other semi 308's I have owned and balanced nicely. I have not shot the AP4 and the only other DPMS I have played with is the R-25 that remington slapped thier name on. I never shot it standing so I can't give much of a comparison. For the SS barrel and the other goodies, $100 more for the Recon seems like the deal to me.. I was mistaken it was only $60 more for the Recon - it would have been only $30, but they had the AP4 on sale.. Im glas someone mentioned the Recon - on my first visit to Sportsmans Warehouse they only had the AP4.. I hope to go pick it up on Tuesday.. Brian |
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