^^^ Thanks ^^^

So what is the majority concensus? Ar15 bolt catch is enough, or should I use the bigger DPMS 308 bolt catch

Never mind the DPMS 308 bolt catch, I just read the OP over again...

Just finished installing my DPMS .308 parts kit....everything fits and works. As mentioned the bolt catch is a little tight against the hammer and needs slight sanding/milling down. That's all.

I used AR15 parts on mine except the bolt catch. I used a DPMS .308 catch for this. The fit was snug and it seemed to be dragging against something. After closer examination, I could tell the surface of one side of the catch had irregularities on the surface - like flashing or something. I ground this off, then covered the bare metal with a cold blue compund, and the catch works perfectly. Having tried both the .308 and AR15 catches, the DPMS .308 catch provides more surface area to engage the bolt and is definitely more robust. I am sure either will work.

That is the review/answer I was looking for!!

Thanks 1811

Lets talk a little about stocks or to be more correct ––BUFFER TUBES. I have read what I can find so far and its seems a regular M4 mil spec 6 position tube will work. The Armalite 308 tube will work also. (are there 2 different 308 Armalite tubes?) Have not seen anything about DPMS 308 tubes working. Also have seen conflicting info if the Vltor A5 system will work.

Maybe I should be asking what the difference between the DPMS size 308 carbine tubes, Armalite 308, Vltor AR10 from a regular M4 milspec tube? Will all "308" tubes work with the Ma-ten set?

I understand the buffer/spring is determined by what tube/stock is used and there seems to be enough info to answer those questions for me but the tubes have me confused.

Does anybody know if the standard Vltor A5 system will work on the Ma-ten? Is there any advantage of using it over other options out there for the 308 Ma-ten?

My build will be using a 16" mid gas barrel with suppressor one in a while.

The DPMS tube is an M4 style tube. The M4/DPMS .308 tubes will need a shortened buffer. You can get it from either DPMS or Slash

The Armalite/Vltor .308/A5 tubes will all work with a standard carbine buffer.

The A5 is basically a Vltor .308 tube, as such you can use the tube with your MA-TEN, but with a standard carbine buffer and spring.

Just make sure its a 308 Carbine buffer and not a regular AR-15 carbine buffer

If you are using a standard Ar-15 buffer tube or a Magpul UBR, as JoshAston stated, you will need a special shortened 308 carbine buffer.

I have a Slash buffer in my MA-TEN using a UBR stock.

If you are going to go the route of the AR-15 buffer tube, on a supressed gun, then you may want to consider the heavier of the 2 slash buffers.

So basicly the threads/size of a "308 buffer tube" is the same as a standard M4 type 556 tube? Then why sell diff tubes?

But the most important thing is... it makes no difference of what tube I use as long as I get the right buffer/spring to go with the tube I pick?

- The 308 carbine tubes are slightly longer than a standard AR-15 buffer tube, to accomodate the longer buffer. hence that is why you need a shortened buffer for a AR-15 tube

-yes, most important is picking the right combo of buffer/spring/and tube.

That is also a good point on the spring.

if you use one of the shortened buffers in a AR-15 tube you will aslo need a modded spring, Slash sells the spring on his site also

Ok guys, I've gotten a little farther in the build. Bought a used 11" Rainier Arms rail with DPMS nut off the EE. Good unit, you can tell he used channel locks or something to tighten the nut, other than that it's pretty flawless. Finally got some money and will be submitting paperwork to SBR it.

What tools do I need to assemble the upper?
Are you guys using a DPMS multi tool?
What about a holder for the upper while torquing the barrel?
Anti Seize or Moly B?

Some Pics:

VERY NICE!

What tools do I need to assemble the upper? - DPMS panther claw, a torque wrench & crowsfoot wrench (see note below) or large crescent wrench
Are you guys using a DPMS multi tool? -I am not
What about a holder for the upper while torquing the barrel? see DPMS panther claw above
Anti Seize or Moly B? -I used hi-temp anti-sieze on my MA-TEN but I have used Moly on my ARs


IIRC the Rainier Arms rail is made by Sampson. If this is true then, I would have to assume that the barrel nut is the same. I used a sampson rail, i emailed sampson before I built the rifle, they said to use a 36mm wrench, so If the sampson rail and rainier rail use the same barrel nut then you can buy a 36mm crowsfoot for your torque wrench here, but it might be worth it to email rainier to see what size it is. other wise you can use a large crescent wrench, but you wont know what to torque it to.

Thanks Panther. I have a couple more questions.

Did you use anynkind of torque sequence? What is the final torque number?

Do I need go, no go gauges?

What i did was smear some anti-seize on the threads (a little bit goes a long way) then torqued it to 50 ft/lbs. Then loosened it thenthen torqued it back to 50 ft/lbs. Sampson told me the torque spec was 40-90 ft/lbs. I know from ARs you want to stay at the low end of the spec. But t wet spec is a litle higher. So i just pickes 50 as a good number.

As far as go/no go gauges, it is always a good idea to check head space. There is a thread some where here in the ar variants forum that has a set being passed around. I bought both my barrel and bcg from rainier arms. They checked head space for me.

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Alright, thanks Panther.

In its infancy...

Rainier Arms 11" Rail
Armalite BCG
Noveske 16" Barrel
Magpul PRS

Trying on different outfits...

UBR won out but the VLTOR was a good deal lighter. Balance was fine with the VLTOR but the UBR was impressive enough to sacrifice the weight difference.









Complete build specs:

Rainier Arms 11" Rail
Armalite BCG
Noveske 16" Barrel
PWS FSC30
Magpul UBR
Heavy Buffer from 762SASS
Giesselle SSA-E


Also, a few comments on the build:

1.) When going for a lightweight build, ditch the bipod when possible. Handling characteristics change completely even though it's only 15oz on the front.
2.) My Noveske barrel slid right in, no need to heat, just had to work it a little back and forth.
3.) The PWS brake works very very well. Noise is minimal for the shooter and brings the recoil down to 5.56. Shooting indoors with a wall next to you is obnoxious though.
4.) I've been having trouble getting this to cycle completely. Others have mentioned similar issues that went away after 200 rounds or so. I'll update when I get to that point.
5.) Giesselle trigger is nice but I don't see a huge difference between this and a Rock River (when a Rock River is working properly) to justify the $100 difference. Nearly every RRA trigger I've had to send back due to grittiness which is almost always caused by the trigger hitting the edge of the selector.

Nice Rifle!

Super nice build. I'm jealous!

What gauge has everyone used to check headspace? I've got everything but a head space gauge and don't know if I should buy my own or pay a gunsmith to check it. I don't plan on building a load of 308 rifles but I don't want to get shafted by a smith...

What did everyone else do?

There was a thread about a gauge being sent around to each person who put there name on the list, so you might be able to get in on that deal. Personally, while I probably won't build very many .308's or .243's, or .260's, or 7mm-08's (all use the same gauge) I will likely build a few and more likely fool around with the ones I have so I'm planning to order a gauge when I put my Midway order together in a week or so.

I think I will have to chance it on the headspace, unless someone has access to a 6.5 creedmoor set. Rainier didn't have one.

anyone using a noveske QD endplate on their ma-ten?

I was going to, but then decided to go with the Troy end plate. It fits the angled rear portion of the MA-Ten like it was designed for it:

I have one I'm going to stick on it next time I have it on the work bench for something. Great little gadgets.

I'm still undecided on what brake to go with . What brakes are you guys using & how are they running ?