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Posted: 8/20/2026 11:47:27 PM EDT
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Thinking on and planning 308 build. I'd like a functional upper and lower. I like triangular hand guards and a military style gas block without the sight on it. I expect I'll have to get a barrel and hand guards and gas block myself. What's a good economy rifle to look for? |
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You should look into the problems we have had building those. Most came out fine, if upper/lower were from the same maker. There is no standard like we have with the 5.56 side, even though the fire control group is mostly universal. There is a tacked thread with old info up top of this sub forum. Probably some more builder guys will chime in, I’ve only put one together and even with a DPMS upper/lower it was a fight to get reliability. All the ones I’ve bought as complete guns were much better. |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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Here is some old but relevant info. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/-/121-413443/? |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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VA, USA
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I'm looking for an assembled rifle. Something affordable, that I can change to the hand guards and gas block I want, if need be. Something assembled, stainless barrel, 7.62 chambered with the lowered gas block, triangle handguard, no carry handle , no forward assist, and scope ready would be better. I'm not into the free float stuff. I'm a 1980s Vietnam era equipment trained for jungle warfare Army vet (Who served in the desert). |
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Budget, look at PSA. Aero was a good choice but they’re dead in water at the moment. Consider the gas block and whether it will have a suppressor. Consider the gas system. I only do rifle length, nothing shorter in large frame. Different creatures than the AR15, most definitely. Budget friendly is PSA these days. |
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My bad, it sounded like you wanted to build. PSA might be the way. They have plenty of choices for sure. Shame dpms hasn’t come back in .308, mine were gtg. I like this Ruger sfar. I guess Ruger didn’t, I think they are discontinued? If you wanted to try the small frame .308s They are out there. POF is one. Very similar to the sfar. They shrunk the lower and BCG. Attached File If you can find an old dpms they were pretty solid and shouldn’t be $. They will be heavy. I got 700$ for this one I sold recently. It was a good one. Attached File Also, I get the triangular hand guard thing, but they aren’t very popular. Possibly some retro set might work . |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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The old DPMS guns were built well. They are the "standard" in terms of parts compatibility and easily worked on and customized. I regret not buying an extra one back then. |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
Joined:
Jan 2023
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VA, USA
Joined:
Jan 2023
Posts:
17
EE: 0% (0)
VA, USA
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I understand. I know what I want. Unfortunately, other people don't want the same. I end up having made, or making, what I want. I miss my gun shop I had. It was set up in a small, antique mobile home. It actually had built in turn signals, I believe one like it may have been on an "I love Lucy" episode. I did barrel relining, ceramic coating, antique gun repair. That's what I hope to have again some day, only not that particular trailer! A mobile office, about 12x40 would be all I would need. If I ever fire up the hot tanks, I'd have a separate building like I used before. |
Joined:
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VA, USA
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I’m a big fan of the S&W M&P-10. It has most of what you want. I’ve had one since 2013-2014ish. It’s been a reliable gun for me. I’ve beat the heck out of it in multi-gun matches. M&P-10 |
“Firearm springs sometimes are made to be air soluble.” CSM Woods
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