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Posted: 1/28/2012 9:44:23 AM EDT
| I have been offered a DPMS 308 Carbine in very good condition with 5 magazines for $750. this seems like a fine bargain to me. Any issues I should be aware of with this particular 308 variation? |
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If it has an aluminum gas block, check to see if there is significant gas leakage. If you do purchase it, replace it with a steel gas block.
Check the bolt carrier group. Look at the gas rings, firing pin, firing pin retaining pin, and general condition of the bolt. If there are any cracks, dents, pitting, etc., the bolt will need to be replaced. Look for any significant damage to the receivers, and check if it is an older higher rail height upper, versus an AP4 with the ejection port cover and forward assist. As long as everything is serviceable and undamaged, I would jump on it for that price. I would be more hesitant if it were the older high-profile (called a low-pro) upper without ejection port cover. It would make the basis for a great upgrade platform, or left as-is if you like it that way. I prefer rifle-length handguards on all my carbines, and the 16" .308 is a good candidate for being suppressed. See if you can test-fire it as well. |
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LRRPF52
Thank you for the feed back It has the ejection port cover and steel gas block. I have not fired it yet, but will probably a bit later this weekend. Funny you mention a suppressor, As it happened between my post and this response I negotiated the rifle and a slightly used YHM QD Suppressor for a total package of 1300. I am rather pleased with this as the same can will fit on my YHM 7.62x39. This will be my first 308 in an AR so forgive me if I burden people with noob questions but does the DPMS use a standard AR Trigger? |
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Yes, the AR 308's use AR15 triggers and other lower parts kits small parts except for the bolt catch, bolt catch roll pin (it's a set screw with DPMS) takedown pin, and pivot pin in the DPMS models.
The buffers, recoil springs, bolt carriers, barrels, barrel nuts, charge handles, and receivers are different of course. They use the same AR15 bolt carrier key though on both DPMS and Armalite BCG's. So this is a DPMS AP4 with the threaded muzzle and flash suppressor already? |
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If it is an AP4, that's functionally & mechanically sound, $750 is a very decent price, imho. you can always upgrade parts later, maybe change the barrel, get a higher quality FCG, etc. best of luck Quoted: Yes, the AR 308's use AR15 triggers and other lower parts kits small parts except for the bolt catch, bolt catch roll pin (it's a set screw with DPMS) takedown pin, and pivot pin in the DPMS models. The buffers, recoil springs, bolt carriers, barrels, barrel nuts, charge handles, and receivers are different of course. They use the same AR15 bolt carrier key though on both DPMS and Armalite BCG's. So this is a DPMS AP4 with the threaded muzzle and flash suppressor already? |
| Ok closer examination and shooting It is an AP4. That has had the gas block changed out to a YHM flip up a couple of small scratches here and there. and some one drilled and tapped a single hole in the float tube. Shoots better than I can hold an aim, pretty pleased with myself but a little shocked at the cost of parts 350 for a a rail systems seems a bit steep. Any suggestions? |
$350 is the high end for 308 rail systems (SWS, PRI and Daniel Defense). Troy rails are 250 for a quad rail and right at 200 for a modular rail system. The AP4 is a pretty good rifle esp for $750, scratches will happen and usually some oil will help them disappear. If it runs good and you like the overall feel (mind you almost everything can be changed out with little experience) I would say go for it. Just be warned once you get a 308 its hard to go back to a wimpy 223 
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No reason to weigh it down with rails. If you want to keep the YHM flip-up, you'll have to work around that. I would go low-profile under a rifle-length handguard, using a Troy or JP tube.
If you need to attach something, you can add a rail where needed, rather than have hand rippers all over with weight penalty. Troy .308 TRX Handguards These are some of the lightest handguards on the market right now, and very rigid, with the ability to add rails where you want them, for an affordable price. You get better control of the gun, and have more leeway in how you set up your position with the added length of the handguard. For a 16" AR in .308, this would be my #1 choice. You can also get it Cerakoted if you want to make the finish look brand new again. |
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LRRPF52
Yes it is a AP4 and it is already wearing the YHM QD mount, Thanx for the tip on the Troy rail their shop is just down the road from my office. The style of forearm I am looking for is what YHM calls a "smoothy" essentially a smooth tube with long rail on top and and short rail at the front end of the tube a 3 6 and 9. I know what you mean about the 308 VS 223 . I barely shot my 223's after I bought my Beowulf. This is going to be bad very bad. |
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