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AR Build, or Upgrade?
09-11-2014, 10:46 PM,
#1
AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#1
I've been looking into building my own AR fairly extensively.. just like Megadeathbaker. but I've heard some people recommending buying something like:

http://www.reddotarms.com/shop/firearms/...sport.html

And then using that as the base to modify. Any ups or downs anyone has experienced that I should be aware of?

And while I was finding the link to that gun, I found this that I like if there's any opinions.

http://www.reddotarms.com/shop/firearms/...arrel.html

http://www.reddotarms.com/shop/firearms/...sport.html

And then using that as the base to modify. Any ups or downs anyone has experienced that I should be aware of?

And while I was finding the link to that gun, I found this that I like if there's any opinions.

http://www.reddotarms.com/shop/firearms/...arrel.html
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09-12-2014, 10:00 AM,
#2
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#2
Either of these would certainly be good usable guns to start with, just the way they are. The DPMS RFA3-REC may require less modification to get it the way you would like it as it already has the nice flat top quad rail that a lot of people like. Thats the cool thing on the AR platform is you can easily modify as time and money allows.
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09-12-2014, 12:28 PM,
#3
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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That was a plus for the DPMS, as far as I could tell it's exactly how I'd dress one up, and from what I understand they make a quality gun. Since I'm new to rifles in general, I'd probably lean towards getting something like the dpms, besides the caliber, is there any major differences in the gas systems or anything that I should be paying attention to? I've done a lot of reading on various things and there's a lot of opinions, but not having much experience makes it difficult to pick out what's most important
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09-15-2014, 10:22 PM,
#4
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#4
I read this tread with interest. There are many schools of thought. Get a good trigger and mil-spec barrel, I would think are a must. I like the DPMS 308 I bought. As with all firearms there are trade offs. Some might value rail systems more. I like good iron sights on all my rifles.

The ideas others are coming up with and doing, and the reasoning for doing it is of interest to me. We can always learn a lot!

The ideas others are coming up with and doing, and the reasoning for doing it is of interest to me. We can always learn a lot!
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09-16-2014, 12:23 PM,
#5
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#5
That's one of the main things that caught my attention with these guns. There's so many different ways to put one together, and each has it's own personality. Hopefully in the next couple days I'll scope out some things that I like and put them up here to get some opinions from everybody.
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09-16-2014, 08:32 PM,
#6
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#6
I have found with my DPMS, that the basic rifle is a great value. Pretty good quality components, at least in their .308 offerings.

I'd be interested in how other modify theirs and why. You can learn a lot from the answers to that question!

I'd be interested in how other modify theirs and why. You can learn a lot from the answers to that question!
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09-16-2014, 10:51 PM,
#7
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#7
Very good point... i like the challenge i think mostly of setting one up, but I'm headed in the direction of getting the dpms.

I keep thinking without enough experience it would be a lot like thinking in circles trying to pick what I want when I haven't experienced enough to know the difference.

Why did you choose a .308 instead of the 5.56 nato round for yours?

I keep thinking without enough experience it would be a lot like thinking in circles trying to pick what I want when I haven't experienced enough to know the difference.

Why did you choose a .308 instead of the 5.56 nato round for yours?
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09-17-2014, 05:31 PM,
#8
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#8
Why .308? Longer range, heavier hitting round. Better against light body armor and better against cover. My primary reason is if you are engaging 2 legged types, you can move on to the second target rather than having to watch results. Plus I already have other .308 rifles. I do own two 5.56 rifles. Nothing wrong with them.

5.56 is way more popular and is a good round. But in open country, .308 is better, IMHO. Plus I figure in a SHTF scenario, many people will have AR15 type rifles, and I want to outgun them. Another factor is if you are hunting (deer or bigger game out west) .308 is a better round. I don't believe you can even hunt deer in Illinois with 5.56. The US Army can always call upon heavy weapons, we would not be able too.

The one trade off is weight. 10 x 20 round magazines (200 rds) weighs much more than 8 x 30 round magazine (240 rds). Add into that another 2 lbs plus of weight for many .308 battle rifles.

5.56 is way more popular and is a good round. But in open country, .308 is better, IMHO. Plus I figure in a SHTF scenario, many people will have AR15 type rifles, and I want to outgun them. Another factor is if you are hunting (deer or bigger game out west) .308 is a better round. I don't believe you can even hunt deer in Illinois with 5.56. The US Army can always call upon heavy weapons, we would not be able too.

The one trade off is weight. 10 x 20 round magazines (200 rds) weighs much more than 8 x 30 round magazine (240 rds). Add into that another 2 lbs plus of weight for many .308 battle rifles.
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09-17-2014, 09:10 PM,
#9
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#9
Hmm... after looking into it more I see your point. I'm not able to purchase either any time soon... But things like this are why I'm looking now. I would like to save up to by a rifle that will "do it all". Whether it be self defense, sport, or hunting. Most likely it would be a SHTF, defensive gun, and hopefully hunting. I will definitely be looking into which I prefer. Only time will tell, depending where I am when I am ready to purchase one.

which DPMS did you go with? I've liked the Recon line that they have, and if I remember right they do offer that in the .308 as well

which DPMS did you go with? I've liked the Recon line that they have, and if I remember right they do offer that in the .308 as well
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09-18-2014, 07:50 AM, (This post was last modified: 09-18-2014, 07:51 AM by BelieveIn308.)
#10
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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(09-17-2014, 09:10 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: Hmm... after looking into it more I see your point. I'm not able to purchase either any time soon... But things like this are why I'm looking now. I would like to save up to by a rifle that will "do it all". Whether it be self defense, sport, or hunting. Most likely it would be a SHTF, defensive gun, and hopefully hunting. I will definitely be looking into which I prefer. Only time will tell, depending where I am when I am ready to purchase one.

which DPMS did you go with? I've liked the Recon line that they have, and if I remember right they do offer that in the .308 as well

I purchased a DPMS LR-308 Lite (There is a picture of the gun in the Gun Porn Section on the forum). However, this I purchased as long range sniper type set up. If you are looking for a good AR-10 type platform that I really like, take a look at the Ruger SR-762 too. When you get into the .308's they are not like AR15's in that a some of parts are proprietary to the weapon manufacturer.

The one I purchased is on the RDA website. The Recon line looks Ok to me. RDA can order up what ever you choose. They are great about special orders.
(09-17-2014, 09:10 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: Hmm... after looking into it more I see your point. I'm not able to purchase either any time soon... But things like this are why I'm looking now. I would like to save up to by a rifle that will "do it all". Whether it be self defense, sport, or hunting. Most likely it would be a SHTF, defensive gun, and hopefully hunting. I will definitely be looking into which I prefer. Only time will tell, depending where I am when I am ready to purchase one.

which DPMS did you go with? I've liked the Recon line that they have, and if I remember right they do offer that in the .308 as well
I purchased a DPMS LR-308 Lite (There is a picture of the gun in the Gun Porn Section on the forum). However, this I purchased as long range sniper type set up. If you are looking for a good AR-10 type platform that I really like, take a look at the Ruger SR-762 too. When you get into the .308's they are not like AR15's in that a some of parts are proprietary to the weapon manufacturer.

The one I purchased is on the RDA website. The Recon line looks Ok to me. RDA can order up what ever you choose. They are great about special orders.
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09-27-2014, 04:40 PM,
#11
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#11
I was thinking about this a while ago. In the end it seemed to make more sense to buy a gun to build on. You at least have something in hand to shoot. And you dint have as many lose parts. Than unrealized I have an ak, and that suits all of my needs
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09-27-2014, 07:17 PM,
#12
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#12
Yeah I think that's the route I'll end up going. I really like the idea of building one, but I think I would get way more out of getting one to start and building that up. Also that way leaves room for deciding what I really want to get...
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
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09-27-2014, 09:57 PM,
#13
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#13
Is there something that interest you in the ar platform particularly? As I mentioned I thought about it, but in the end I decided against it.
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09-28-2014, 10:29 AM,
#14
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#14
Mostly it was just ask of the options and availability. So really it was cause I figured it would be a safe bet since I didn't know (don't know) much about any of these. I was always going back and forth between and ar and ak, but like I said, I figured the ar would be a safe bet.

But now that I'm reconsidering all of this overall... Why'd you prefer the ak?
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV

But now that I'm reconsidering all of this overall... Why'd you prefer the ak?
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
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09-28-2014, 06:30 PM,
#15
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#15
I like the simplicity if the ak, there isn't much to go wrong with it. The only issue I ever had with it was a spring that wore out. I replaced it with a steel plate. So I won't gave that issue again. I like the cheap cheap ammo. It will eat the steel cased cheap import ammo with no problem. It makes shooting it and storing ammo much cheaper. I have spoken to ar owners who say that there ars have issues with steel cased ammo.
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09-29-2014, 07:16 AM,
#16
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#16
With the AK's is there any different setups? Like is there a particular one that is better than the rest? I know there was a thread about a different receiver, but not having looked into them, I'm not sure of the differences
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
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09-30-2014, 09:22 AM, (This post was last modified: 09-30-2014, 09:24 AM by RJDSRT.)
#17
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#17
Check out the Zastavas, Century, M+M and arsenal - they are pretty awesome.
"Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars."

"Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars."

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09-30-2014, 11:05 AM,
#18
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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They have an special magazines every few months and they do a good job to tell you what's out there. I have an underfolder, it wasn't my first choice, but the price as right. In the end I made some adjustment and it's all corrected noe
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09-30-2014, 12:44 PM,
#19
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#19
I'll check those out! Any that your recommend staying away from?
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

— Luke 22:36, NIV
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10-01-2014, 01:29 PM,
#20
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade?
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#20
Stay away from polymer lowers.... sad
"Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars."

"Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars."

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