Frankh252

Awesome. Glad this is here for reference. "Never return something borrowed unless it is in as good or better condition than it was when it was borrowed. If it isn't, replace it or pay for it"

SLR Rifleworks Solo series 14" handguard/rail http://slrrifleworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_107_113&product_id=420 Going on a low-profile DPMS 308 Oracle, to replace the hi-profile Fortis Switch 12 that doesn't fit. Of course, now I'll have to get all necessary parts to turn the Fortis into another complete build. Let the fun continue!

I have a few military buddies who think the reliability of the piston system is better, gives a reduction of carbon buildup on the BCG and requires less carbon scraping and cleaning. Con's would be more moving parts to maintain or repair/replace. Now, I'm not thinking of changing the system on my 308, nor do I prefer either over the other, but I would consider getting a piston-type 5.56 if it provides benefits that warrant it.

I'm not aware of anyone saying you have to prefer one over the other, or change one to the other. If you like changing diapers, knock yourself out.

Thanks, Jtallen. My 308 Oracle is impinged & works fine. Thinking about buying a AR15 piston-type but just fishing for input.

Any thoughts, pro's & con's, comments, opinions, build tips, reliability comparisons, preferences, etc etc?

I like your attitude, Wolfgang. I'll just call mine an LR-308 and leave the AR for the AR's, which I appreciate for the 5.56's ability to let a grunt carry much more ammo, if necessary

I've been somewhat divided about it myself, between thinking they're being uppity and respecting the pioneering engineering that developed the AR platform in the first place.. After I made the OP I did some looking into Armalite's history and learned that the original company has been sold & resold and isn't even owned by those original pioneers anymore anyway. So now when I hear "Armalite" I can't give it the same respect as I would if it were still the original company. For me it doesn't have anything to do with the quality of their guns and I'm sure they are very high quality and I would have no problem buying one, I just tend to respect the pioneers that develop things and less so those who buy out companies to make profits off of other people's designs.

I tried the same thing with my Oracle but the shortest height riser I could find is 1/2". It is too tall for the DPMS gas-block, so instead of being too short without the riser it is too high with it. I don't know the height needed but it is less than 1/2". If YHM has one that is the correct height, I don't need it now because I decided to put a rail on it so I could attach a bipod, flashlight and BUIS.

Designing it for glass or red-dot type sights only reminds me of the USAF's decision to remove close-combat guns from fighter jets and rely on missiles only. I reckon I don't completely trust technology to always work or for glass to never get broken and prefer a durable backup for when/if the rest fails. Just seems like it would make a lot more sense and be just as easy for DPMS to make the gas-block rail the same height as the receiver rail and avoid the issue altogether.

I was searching for parts, such as a lower receiver kit, as spares for a new DPMS LR-308 and saw many forums along the way. Looked at a lot of them and this one was (is) the best. Great people here, at least the ones I've run across so far ;)

If anyone wants to unload an eotech give me a holler. I'd be interested if it's still in good condition.

They wanted to create a niche to generate more sales maybe? Personally, I didn't buy it for the toolless removal feature I just liked the looks and still do. And for the $$ that is similar to other rails, combined with my inexperience with builds, I just didn't realize it wasn't an already proven platform and imagined it to be as high of a quality product as others. Seems there are doubts out there but like so many other things, reviews can be mixed for pretty much anything and for a myriad of reasons.

Ingenuity is the mother of all invention; and necessity, curiosity and tinkering too.

I'm sure y'all are right about the nut mod and I'm not going to be trying it. Even though the rail is a little high it still does everything I need it to do, except allow for a good BUIS setup, so it'll suit my purposes while I decide on another. And I'm glad to see the MLOK mention, haven't heard of that system before. On initial review it seems MLOK is the superior system (to me anyway), has more available accessories and can adapt to keymod rails. I guess we'll have to wait & see if one or the other system dominates the market. After looking at all the rail selections I've seen linked in these posts, so far I'm leaning toward one of the SLR Solo's at http://slrrifleworks.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_107_113 but I'm in no hurry and intend to consider the options much more carefully before buying again. Happy building & shooting, guys. Time for me to get ready for work.

I'm no machinist but it looks like it would be a simple matter to measure the gap and then take that much material off the receiver-end of the barrel nut. Since the barrel nut and the handguard would both move that much closer to the receiver, there shouldn't be an issue with the clamp not engaging the groove in the barrel nut like it is supposed to.

Many thanks, washguy. I really appreciate all the help you guys have been.

Sweet. Those are nice

There is a big difference in the two, no doubt. I sure hope I never have to use it for a someone, mostly because I know I wouldn't have a problem doing so if necessary. It is primarily a home defense platform after all, but it is perfectly suited for deer & hogs too.

The barrel on mine is stock DPMS and doesn't have the sharp edge issue. I ordered the wrong handguard is all (bought a high-profile handguard for a low-profile receiver). Since it was my fault, I'll bite the bullet & keep it as a lesson. Might come in useful someday for someone with a high-profile DPMS LR-308.

I love that idea! "Hey honey, I screwed up and bought the wrong part, so now I have to buy a bunch of other parts to fix it." I think I'm coming down with gun-builders fever and don't want no doc.

Crap. Just noticed I put this one in the wrong area.

Shoots great, not a single malfunction and is very accurate, although I only have 100 rounds through it yet. I put a Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5x10 w/BDC reticle on it for a closer look if I ever have need to shoot that far. The only thing I don't like is that nobody seems to have OEM parts for it. Maybe nothing will break, maybe it will. Or maybe I could lose a spring or pin while cleaning it some day, who knows. What I want is reliability and sustainability and that will require parts should they ever be needed. Live & learn. Before I decide on another brand, now I know to check parts availability before buying. With this DPMS, compatible parts seem to be the only option out there and I've heard a lot of talk about them not always fitting right. Reaching out and touching someone with it is not in my game plan unless it's an absolute life or death emergency.

A few months ago when I first started thinking about getting a semi-auto in the AR platform, I didn't know anything about the difference between an AR-15, AR-10 or AR-308 (except for ammo size). All I really knew was I wanted more punch than a .223/5.56 for hunting deer and I have always respected the .308Win. The first place I heard about the difference was in this forum. When I was looking around for my first AR-type weapon, I happened across a site called deguns.net and bought my Oracle from them because it was the best deal I could find ($739) while our local Academy Sports was $999. Now, after what I've heard from some members about Armalite's trademark for the AR-10 name, I find the deguns.net site curious because they don't seem to know (or care) about it and list every brand as an AR-10, including the one I bought. If Armalite is required to protect their trademark interest, they may want to speak with deguns.net

82Halo, had I bought the correct height rail I could live with the gap. The feed ramps on mine feel a little rough but I haven't had any problems with it feeding so I'm leaving it alone.