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Posted: 8/17/2025 9:21:59 AM EDT
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I remember when they came out. For a shot while, they were all the rage. They seemed to be taking off. PSA made a clone of them and then had to stop making it cause from what I remember reading, DPMS stepped in and said no-no. Then the bankruptcy happened and DPMS went away for a while, and the G2 stopped being made. Everyone seems to have forgotten them. Seems a few other companies made their own versions of the same idea. Some with parts interchangeability, some not. Seems most people that had/have them seem to like them. Myself included. I bought one of the "bull" models. It has the heavy (bull) barrel. I set it up as a pseudo DMR rifle. Magpul PRS stock, target style grip, sampson handguard, adjustable gas block, two stage match trigger, and had the barrel threaded. I topped it off with a vortex viper pst gen 2 5-25x50. It is still my go-to semi auto target rifle, and I can shoot sub moa with it with handloads. I really like it and I do not think I would hesitate to buy another G2 if I used one popped up for a good deal. The SASS model always looked kinda nice. I was happy when I saw PSA bought DPMS and then very disappointed when they did not put the G2 back into production. I really feel like they dropped the ball and missed the mark by not doing so. For people who think there is not a market for this rifle, I see that ruger disagreed and made their own version of the concept and it seems to be very popular. So who here still has a G2. Do you still like it? Is it still relevant? Would you hesitate to buy one if it was in good condition for a good price? |
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At one time, there was a company making new barrel extensions. Edit: looks like they still are. https://defense-depot.com/shop/ols/products/dpms-gii-barrel-extension-dpm-gii-brr-xtn1 Looks like they are making several G2 parts. This is good to see. https://defense-depot.com/shop/ols/products |
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The SFAR has been very popular for good reason. I was ready to buy a G2 when that all went upside down. Still wanted a small frame .308, and POF was the only one going. They use chamber flutes to assist extraction, that and the price turned me off. Mostly the price. I don’t know what kind of voodoo there is in the bolt design in these. Compared to my large frames it looks comically tiny. Maybe we were just so used to the overbuilt original design. Ruger may have missed the mark on a few spots, but overall I’m really happy with my SFAR. Reliable, not expensive and reasonable accuracy. Recoil is manageable without the brake, with it, a pussycat. PSA should have run with a G2, not sure why the sat on that. |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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They should have become the new 308 AR standard. The LR308 made the 308 AR viable again by being open source and having parts availability. Most won’t admit to when KAC was viewed like a 1980’s supercar. It will be fast, but reliability will be suspect. The LR308 brought the 308 AR to the working man’s hands, and it did so with a great reputation for both reliability and accuracy. DPMS launched the G2 at the height of 308 AR popularity but with Freedom Group, it was shaky ground. In 2012-2013 FG was trying to sell DPMS after the Sandy Hook shooting and their legal battles. There was no open source cooperation as they did with the LR308, and mismanagement and internal struggles with Cerberus were becoming public. PSA bought them in 2020 after FG went bankrupt, but chose to focus on their existing wildly unimpressive 308 instead. Between Covid panic buying and POF introducing the Rogue, that was probably the best bet. While the G2 could have become the new standard for lower cost 308 AR’s, it was only a matter of time before POF’s innovation spawned a cheaper contender. PSA likely recognized the obvious evolutionary vacuum POF had created. With the Ruger SFAR launching in 2022, the G2 saw all of its hope go out the window. While the G2 could have been cheaper than the SFAR, it still would have been an uphill battle competing against the designs that took AR15 barrel nuts. Their 308 AR’s have never been able to achieve the popularity or reputation of their 5.56 guns, so going up against a household name with a direct to consumer business model would have been a struggle in its own right. Could it be revived? Maybe, but only one way. The new receiver forgings would likely push cost higher than their existing 308 AR’s. Even if they do that, they would need to utilize an AR15 hand guard and have spare parts availability moving forward for anyone to notice it. Then they have to hope they can derail the Ruger, which admittedly is quite a chore after so many years. I would love to be proven wrong, but I think the G2 is a dead bridge in the history of 308 AR innovation. |
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I still have and really enjoy shooting my GII Hunter. DPMS knew darn well that people would pay a pretty decent amount of money for this style of rifle and then turn around and run the cheapest ammunition found in the back alleys black market. I believe the gas port on the barrel was .125, I believe. After a heavy buffer, a heavy recoil spring and an adjustable gas block, my rifle is about as brutal as being "attacked" by a herd of golden receivers. Suppressed makes me smile. I don't have any proof in pictures but with 165gr Nosler Ballistic tips and H4895 powder, my GII shoot sub MOA. Factory barrel and (Gasp!) Moly. The rifle really shot well AFTER I learned how to shoot a gas gun properly. It's not as easy as everyone thinks, it's a completely different animal from a bolt. Either use a process for making a good shot but the process is different. I was able to hoard a few GII parts from DPMS but I will start ordering from the business above, Thank you Defence Depot! I keep my eyes on the used gun sites looking for a take-off original DPMS barrels, if I can find another hopefully as good as the one on my rifle, I would probably pick it up if I could. I'm not sure if any barrel maker makes a barrel for the GII. I'm still happy with my GII and would buy another if I found one. My son's DPMS is a shooter too. |
| Defense Depot sells the barrel extension. They also have barrels for sale occasionally. I picked up a 12.5 from them. Craddock still has barrels listed on his site. I know MosTek will build you a barrel if you send in an extension, I'm sure other custom makers will as well. |
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Originally Posted By mtwarych: I still have and really enjoy shooting my GII Hunter. DPMS knew darn well that people would pay a pretty decent amount of money for this style of rifle and then turn around and run the cheapest ammunition found in the back alleys black market. I believe the gas port on the barrel was .125, I believe. After a heavy buffer, a heavy recoil spring and an adjustable gas block, my rifle is about as brutal as being "attacked" by a herd of golden receivers. Suppressed makes me smile. I don't have any proof in pictures but with 165gr Nosler Ballistic tips and H4895 powder, my GII shoot sub MOA. Factory barrel and (Gasp!) Moly. The rifle really shot well AFTER I learned how to shoot a gas gun properly. It's not as easy as everyone thinks, it's a completely different animal from a bolt. Either use a process for making a good shot but the process is different. I was able to hoard a few GII parts from DPMS but I will start ordering from the business above, Thank you Defence Depot! I keep my eyes on the used gun sites looking for a take-off original DPMS barrels, if I can find another hopefully as good as the one on my rifle, I would probably pick it up if I could. I'm not sure if any barrel maker makes a barrel for the GII. I'm still happy with my GII and would buy another if I found one. My son's DPMS is a shooter too. Yea mine was grossly over gassed too. I installed a slashes heavy buffer. He was the only person making one for the G2 at the time (maybe still is?) I know it is a rifle length stock/buffer tube, but the buffer is shorter than a standard AR rifle buffer, but longer than a carbine one. I also installed a tubbs flat wire recoil spring. I think the adjustable gas block I have is a SLR one. I also had a local smith thread the barrel, and I installed a muzzle brake. After doing the above, it shot much smoother and nicer. With 168 or 175gr SMK's and the right powder, it is easy to do sub moa. As far as trying to find take off barrels, I would probably just buy a new barrel extension from the place linked above. The any gunsmith worth their muster can make you a new barrel. |
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I have one and still use it. I use a post sample RDIAS in it for full auto. I'm in FL where SS's are illegal but I would think it would work with a G2. I was really hoping that now that MGI / Hydraweaponry is back that they would make a .308 magwell for the modular lower....but instead they came out with a huge non-modular 308 lower. Maybe they didn't want to deal with all the other proprietary parts. I have a couple G2 barrels made from FJ Feddersen Hybrid Polygonal barrels...I haven't even gotten around to using them as I don't have spare upper. Anyone know where to get an upper other than waiting for one to show up on an auction site? |
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I have hee-hawed for the last couple years about buying/building a 308 tactical style rifle, but never fully jumped in. I wanted something a little shorter and lighter than my bull barrel G2 and something to just blast with. After posting this thread I started doing some looking/digging and found a new old stock G2 SASS for $879 That's cheaper than I have been seeing some used ones sell for. I could not help myself and FO. Funny part is, they are a gun store a little over a hour away from me, but I ordered online and had them ship it to my ffl where I live. I would have lost more money taking time off work and burning gas to drive down there, then the $20 they charged me for shipping. Looking forward to trying this thing out. I did confirm last night, that a RB/DTT FRT15L3 does fit the G2, and it passed the function test. I did not live fire it, as I am not going to shoot forced reset in my accuracy barrel. Looks like another FRT is on the list of things to buy. |
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I like my GII. Every now and then I see a .308 AR for sale and my interest makes me look at it. Then I remember the GII and realize I don't need another .308 AR as the GII does what I need it to do. I did replace my handguard and gas system (SA adjustable as I thought I might get a suppressor for it some day). |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
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Originally Posted By amphibian: I have a couple G2 barrels made from FJ Feddersen Hybrid Polygonal barrels...I haven't even gotten around to using them as I don't have spare upper. Anyone know where to get an upper other than waiting for one to show up on an auction site? I don't know if they're legit. |
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Just for sits and giggles, I did a GII search on everyones favorite gun selling website yesterday. Believe it or not, there is an original 260 barrel and handguard for sale. I'm happy with my 308 but if anyone is interested, it's on Gunbroker. Also, Mr. Jeeps-And-Guns, I'm having problems with the new website and can't figure out how to get to my messages. When I finally end up mad and pissed, I'll have my son figure it out for me. Just FYI. |
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Originally Posted By mtwarych: Just for sits and giggles, I did a GII search on everyones favorite gun selling website yesterday. Believe it or not, there is an original 260 barrel and handguard for sale. I'm happy with my 308 but if anyone is interested, it's on Gunbroker. Also, Mr. Jeeps-And-Guns, I'm having problems with the new website and can't figure out how to get to my messages. When I finally end up mad and pissed, I'll have my son figure it out for me. Just FYI. It was nothing major, just a link to GB. You mentioned you were looking for take off barrels and I found some new ones on there for a decent price. Not sure if it is the type your looking for or not. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1120680679 |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: That will never happen, sadly. Yea the older "fullsize" DPMS pattern was the closest we ever got some some type of a industry standard, as that pattern seemed to be a little more common/popular than the Armalite pattern. I do feel like if DPMS had stayed in the market and continued to refine and upgrade the G2, that it could have become the standard for "small frame" 308's. They were protective of the design and stopped PSA from making a clone (pepperidge farms remembers) and did not want to license the design to other manufacturers. I think that, coupled to them "going down with the ship" during the big bankruptcy is what killed off the chance of the pattern taking off. I still feel like if PSA brought back the G2 under the DPMS name it would start selling. |
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Originally Posted By FrankW134: If the industry would standardize on a small frame .308 I'd jump in. Let's go KAC. It's like Ruger and POF have done exactly that, which is why JJE-owned DPMS hasn't reintroduced the G2 despite owning the TDP. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By seabass25: At the NRA show in Atlanta this year, PSA had a DPMS G2 on display. The rep said they were coming. They said that at SHOT two years ago too. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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I picked up my G2 SASS I got from the above link. It is in fact new old stock. Now sure where these have been setting for the last 5 years, but who cares. It was a good price. Magpul PRS stock, harris bipod, magpul BUIS, ambi safety, and a unknown (in house made possibly) 2 stage trigger. Looks like it was test fired at the factory, then wrapped up and set for 5 years. I have it field stripped right now to clean and lube. I am ditching the goofy flash hider and will be installing a muzzle brake. I just ordered a superlative adjustable gas block for it. I will probably install a reflex sight on it, just have not decided yet. And a FRT of some sort 
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i bought one, .308 G2 24" stainless bull bbl. i had my own bad thoughts before purchase but after i shot the rifle with my own 168gr Sierra match bullets over 41.5grs of H4895...i wished i would have bought 2 or 3. this rifle is an absolute "tackie". actually i got bored shooting this @ 300yds. i could`nt keep from getting very tight groups. and i`m not the greatest of shooters. |
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Originally Posted By lx2008: i bought one, .308 G2 24" stainless bull bbl. i had my own bad thoughts before purchase but after i shot the rifle with my own 168gr Sierra match bullets over 41.5grs of H4895...i wished i would have bought 2 or 3. this rifle is an absolute "tackie". actually i got bored shooting this @ 300yds. i could`nt keep from getting very tight groups. and i`m not the greatest of shooters. Yea my "bull" model has been great. I had wanted a semi auto precision scoped rifle for a long time. At first, I bought a M1A super match, older all USGI parts, paid a pretty penny for it. Decked it out with the best scope mount I could get and a expensive scope. I could not get that damn thing to shoot for shit. No matter what bullet, powder, or anything I tried, it was just poor accuracy. I ended up selling it, took a few hundred dollar loss in doing so, and bought the DPMS G2 bull for less than half of what I paid for the M1A. Straight out of the box, slapped the scope on it I took off the M1A, and I was instantly shooting groups a fraction of the size with factory crappy ammo. I changed out the stock for a magpul PRS, installed a SLR adjustable gas block, heavy buffer (10 oz), tubbs flat wire recoil spring, and a RRA 2 stage varmint/match trigger. I also had the barrel threaded and eventually installed a sampson handguard. With my handloads I can shoot sub moa all day. |
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I have a G2 hunter with the 20” lightweight barrel. Had it threaded and added an SLR adjustable gas block. I’ve hunted suppressed with this gun for over a decade now, it’s been very reliable and surprisingly accurate, I get right at 1 inch groups with the barns 150g ttsx and adjust over that with the fusion loads. Probably have over 2000 rounds on mine, still in great shape with some wear showing on the bcg. I shoot it much less now because I’m concerned about parts availability. I would buy it again in a heartbeat. |
| Friend bought one when it first came out. Pretty sure he had the carrier rails hitting the buffer tube and the primer flow from the firing pin hole size others mentioned back then at the beginning. Didn't they shorten the rails at the back of the carrier and change the hole for the firing pin tip in the bolt on later ones? |
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Originally Posted By j3_: Friend bought one when it first came out. Pretty sure he had the carrier rails hitting the buffer tube and the primer flow from the firing pin hole size others mentioned back then at the beginning. Didn't they shorten the rails at the back of the carrier and change the hole for the firing pin tip in the bolt on later ones? Have not heard of the carrier rail thing. But I do remember reading some stuff about firing pins and holes in the bolts. I think I remember them either changing the firing pins or the bolts, or maybe both. Mine has not had this issue. Maybe I got mine after the issue was fixed. I was cleaning out some stuff in the gun room and actually found the receipt for when I bought my bull model. 2017. I've had it longer than I thought. |
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I love to see the G2/Gii getting some mentions around here! We're a bit biased, but we believe strongly that it's the superior, and right-sized AR10 platform. Thank you to everyone building with our parts - we don't have much of an advertising budget, so word of mouth is everything. We're doing everything we can to keep parts available for this platform, with lots of new stuff on the way. Keep an eye out for new barrels, handguards, and build kits coming in Q4 |
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Originally Posted By DefenseDepot: I love to see the G2/Gii getting some mentions around here! We're a bit biased, but we believe strongly that it's the superior, and right-sized AR10 platform. Thank you to everyone building with our parts - we don't have much of an advertising budget, so word of mouth is everything. We're doing everything we can to keep parts available for this platform, with lots of new stuff on the way. Keep an eye out for new barrels, handguards, and build kits coming in Q4 |
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Originally Posted By DefenseDepot: I love to see the G2/Gii getting some mentions around here! We're a bit biased, but we believe strongly that it's the superior, and right-sized AR10 platform. Thank you to everyone building with our parts - we don't have much of an advertising budget, so word of mouth is everything. We're doing everything we can to keep parts available for this platform, with lots of new stuff on the way. Keep an eye out for new barrels, handguards, and build kits coming in Q4 Nice to see a place making parts for these. I know where to go when I need parts. Do you have any plans on making a ambi mag release? I would love to have a couple for the two G2's I have. |
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Originally Posted By DefenseDepot: I love to see the G2/Gii getting some mentions around here! We're a bit biased, but we believe strongly that it's the superior, and right-sized AR10 platform. Thank you to everyone building with our parts - we don't have much of an advertising budget, so word of mouth is everything. We're doing everything we can to keep parts available for this platform, with lots of new stuff on the way. Keep an eye out for new barrels, handguards, and build kits coming in Q4 Very interested to see all the G2 parts on your website, before seeing this thread I thought G2 support was basically non-existent. I didn't see receivers, are you planning on bringing out a line of uppers and lowers? Also any chance that 12.5" G2 .308 barrel gets a mid length gas system for the folks running cans out there? |
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Originally Posted By Gtscotty: ...are you planning on bringing out a line of uppers and lowers? Originally Posted By Gtscotty: ...are you planning on bringing out a line of uppers and lowers? Yes! Originally Posted By Gtscotty: Also any chance that 12.5" G2 .308 barrel gets a mid length gas system for the folks running cans out there? Possibly, but it'll be a while. |
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Originally Posted By Jeeps-And-Guns: ...Do you have any plans on making a ambi mag release? I would love to have a couple for the two G2's I have. Not a standalone ambi mag release, but we will most likely offer a KAC/LMT style left side mag release button on our ambi receiver set. |
| I don't remember PSA making a clone of them when was that and what were they called? I've seen them talk about them for a long time but didn't know they actually made some. The bigger guns must sell well because I can't think of a reason for them to not bring them out. I think if I wanted one now I'd get a Ruger but they don't have a ton of configurations available and don't do parts. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: I don't remember PSA making a clone of them when was that and what were they called? I've seen them talk about them for a long time but didn't know they actually made some. The bigger guns must sell well because I can't think of a reason for them to not bring them out. I think if I wanted one now I'd get a Ruger but they don't have a ton of configurations available and don't do parts. |
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Originally Posted By November5: It was the PX-10, it wasn't available for very long. Originally Posted By November5: Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: I don't remember PSA making a clone of them when was that and what were they called? I've seen them talk about them for a long time but didn't know they actually made some. The bigger guns must sell well because I can't think of a reason for them to not bring them out. I think if I wanted one now I'd get a Ruger but they don't have a ton of configurations available and don't do parts. Hmmm that sounds vaguely familiar maybe I saw it and didn't realize what it is. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-px-10-18-mid-length-308-win-stainless-steel-15-keymod-lightweight-moe-rifle-516446415.html |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By seabass25: PSA had a G2 on their DPMS rack at the NRA show this year. And at SHOT two years ago in the DPMS booth. With the POF and the Ruger on the market, what's the point? |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By backbencher: And at SHOT two years ago in the DPMS booth. With the POF and the Ruger on the market, what's the point? |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: And at SHOT two years ago in the DPMS booth. With the POF and the Ruger on the market, what's the point? Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By seabass25: PSA had a G2 on their DPMS rack at the NRA show this year. And at SHOT two years ago in the DPMS booth. With the POF and the Ruger on the market, what's the point? Neither of them are really builder friendly especially Ruger. Eventually there will be something where people can truly pick and choose everything and it will be better. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By November5: I think POF and Ruger took it too far. Shoehorning .308 into a 5.56, while neat, is a bit too far in my opinion. The G2 was just right, almost a rebirth of the original AR10. I think it's a far better balanced system. Originally Posted By November5: Originally Posted By backbencher: And at SHOT two years ago in the DPMS booth. With the POF and the Ruger on the market, what's the point? Is there somewhere that shows a direct comparison between all the sizes? I still don't think I've held either the Ruger or POF |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By bluemax_1: Anyone know if Super Safeties work in G2s? I test fit a RB/DTT FRT15L3 into my G2 and it fit and passed bench testing, however that is as far as I took it. I wanted the trigger in my AR15, so I only test fit it in the G2 before installing it in my AR15. So I would think a SS might work, but I can not verify. If the ARC-fire's ever ship, I will be installing that into my AR15 and will then move the FRT15L3 into the G2 and do a live fire test. |
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Originally Posted By Jeeps-And-Guns: I test fit a RB/DTT FRT15L3 into my G2 and it fit and passed bench testing, however that is as far as I took it. I wanted the trigger in my AR15, so I only test fit it in the G2 before installing it in my AR15. So I would think a SS might work, but I can not verify. If the ARC-fire's ever ship, I will be installing that into my AR15 and will then move the FRT15L3 into the G2 and do a live fire test. Originally Posted By Jeeps-And-Guns: Originally Posted By bluemax_1: Anyone know if Super Safeties work in G2s? I test fit a RB/DTT FRT15L3 into my G2 and it fit and passed bench testing, however that is as far as I took it. I wanted the trigger in my AR15, so I only test fit it in the G2 before installing it in my AR15. So I would think a SS might work, but I can not verify. If the ARC-fire's ever ship, I will be installing that into my AR15 and will then move the FRT15L3 into the G2 and do a live fire test. Thanks for the reply. Was wondering if their proprietary bolt carrier might be an issue. |
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