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Posted: 1/9/2016 2:33:50 AM EDT
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New member, please help.
I’ve decided I need more horsepower and an AR10 is in my future. The premium piston versions like POF, PWS, LWRC, Sig 716, and premium impingement versions like Daniel Defense etc. are out of my price range. I’ve decided on the middle of the talent pool direct impingement systems as they seem to be well made too. For example: DPMS, PSA aka Palmetto State Armory, Armalite, Colt, Fulton Armory and Windham Weaponry. I like RRA but they don’t accept PMAG’s which is a deal breaker for me. I’m leaning towards Windham and Fulton. Do you have feedback on any of these brands? Any I have not listed that you would recommend? Some say the Ruger and S&W are ‘budget’ rifles and are not for heavy use. Any thoughts? I’ve read if it’s not MILSPEC don’t buy it for heavy use. Is this true? What are the specs for “MILSPEC” and why is it needed? Any related links? How do I get this info from the mfgr’s because it does not appear to be available from some? What is hpt/mp bolt & bolt carrier testing? Is it necessary for heavy use? My understanding is it detects surface defects on the metal that’s it. I realize if it’s tested and fails it was still tested. The price for this is low so why not? Money is expensive and I want this purchase to be the last of its kind I make. I do understand in this category you get what you pay for. Looking forward to learning from all of you! |
I Built a AR-10 from PSA and love it. It took forever (seemed like it) for them to get the upper I wanted (SS 20" with key-mod rail) in stock, but it was well worth the wait. I have no experience with the other brands when it comes to the AR-10, but I know I'm completely satisfied with PSA. For the rifle itself I think I only paid a total of $900. Now, with everything added.... um.. yeah, haha! Of course I'm sure what I paid for everything on mine to include the rifle is just a drop in the bucket for what others have spent on theirs.  |
| Thanks for the feedback. From your picture I can see you built a sweet rig. I don't have the talent to do that. Other than PSA, what do you think about the other brands I've listed? If you had to choose one off the shelf which would you choose. The only thing that scares me about PSA is the low price compared to the others. It seems too good to be true. Volume will be approx. 500 rounds per month. |
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Quoted: Thanks for the feedback. From your picture I can see you built a sweet rig. I don't have the talent to do that. Other than PSA, what do you think about the other brands I've listed? If you had to choose one off the shelf which would you choose. The only thing that scares me about PSA is the low price compared to the others. It seems too good to be true. Volume will be approx. 500 rounds per month. I'm not sure how they have such good prices, but I've bought my fair share of AR parts from them and so far Ive been very pleased. Whatever you decide to do, stick to one company when it comes to building your AR-10 platform (if not, do a ton of research on mixing brands) or buy a complete rifle. I'm not a expert by any means and I could be wrong about something I said, but so far what I've purchased has worked for me. Good luck! |
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There isn't any Mil-Spec for AR-308s.
Although the platform has been around for 50 years, there hasn't been any consumer market to speak of until recently. While most manufacturers stay close to a pattern, not all parts from all manufacturers are interchangeable. You can buy a completed AR-308, or build one, but know that if you buy one, the parts you find on the aftermarket may not fit without modification (or at all), and if you buy parts to build one, you need to buy and of the parts from a single manufacturer, or you may have to alter/modiify the parts you buy before they will fit or function. Lots of people have purchased both the Ruger, and S&W. I haven't seen anything that says they are only meant for occasional use. |
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I just did an 80% build with a Modulus Arms lower, Fulton Armory lower parts kit, Magpul stock, and Aero Precision upper & buffer assembly. I haven't done any price comparisons lately for complete rifles, but the upper assembly was the middle-of-the-road that I was looking for. It cost a lot less than the most expensive brands, but is absolutely gorgeous. I'm very pleased with the quality. (I almost went with Fulton - I've read very good things about them also.)
One thing you'll have to decide is whether you actually want the Armalite/Colt AR10 pattern, or if you want the LR 308 pattern, which is the DPMS equivalent. There are a lot more manufacturers who use the LR 308 pattern, so you'll have more choices there, and this is the pattern that accepts PMags. The Aero upper fits perfectly on the Modulus lower, but I bought the upper completely assembled, with the charging handle and bolt carrier group, because I didn't want to end up with a bunch of parts that may not fit together. |
| For many years here in NZ, AR15s were very expensive - we're talking over NZ$5K for a Colt of any description. Then along came Windham at about half that price. Because they were the first reasonably-priced ARs (I am completely ignoring the Chinese made 'Ranger' line, of course) a lot of guys run Windham as their only ARs, and for several years they were probably the single most common brand on the line at most shoots. I have never yet heard a serious complaint. Take it for what it's worth. |
| I have a number of Windhams, although none in 308. Personal experience has been excellent, both customer service and performance. I have even taken advantage of their free gunsmithing. I had a 1/7 barrel installed in a Stag upper for just the cost of the barrel from Windham. Saved me the time for doing it myself and was back in less then 2 weeks. |
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