AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 So I searched all over this forum and couldn't find anything about muzzle brakes, so I thought I'd... Just kidding. >:D You know those friends that do the thing that really annoys just to get you riled up a little and then say just jokin' man!, fully expecting to get it right back? Yeah, that's me. I also briefly considered naming the topic, "Question about my DPMS AR-10" See? I am learing this place. Hoping you guys appreciate my slightly off-kilter sense of humor. But seriously, I have a question about my shiny new mongrel 308AR (DPMS Sportical upper, PA-10 lower). I bought the DPMS Sportical complete upper from Brownell's because it was actually in stock. It was the height of the panic a few years back when you couldn't find anything and I thought I might try assembling a .308 AR from what I could find. Anyhow, I bought the really, really, ridiculously high rail version, without knowing what I was getting myself into. Now I'm shopping for a free-float handguard for it, and I am wondering what dangers may befall me if I do not choose wisely. I know I am not going to find (nor am I looking for) a handguard that had a rail matching my receiver rail height, but I read in one thread where the mismatched rail height or a handguard that fit too snugly to the receiver could cause accuracy issues. From what I understand, I need a 308 specific handguard as the barrel nut is slightly different? At least that is what 'some guy' told me. I don't need matching rail heights, just want something lightweight and functional. I saw somewhere a carbon-fiber octagonal cross-section handguard with keymod slots in it, but not sure if it is available in a 308 version. TL;DR - With my very high rail receiver (what is it actually called?) what handguards do you recommend and what should I stay away from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 This "not the newest guy" is working out alright, already... <lmao> Post a pic of your upper receiver, man - you have that giant-high DPMS bastard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Here she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Holy $hit, that's the giant one... Honestly, buy a stripped upper receiver, very first, and swap it out. Seriously. <thumbsup> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) More than likely you will need to remove the Barrel nut any way for a Free float , but if you like the scope height & it works for you , keep your Upper Receiver , no need to spend the extra cash for a new Upper receiver if the one you have works for you . Yes , you will need a DPMS 308 compatable Hand Guard . An Armalite AR 10 Hand Guard will be different, so keep to the DPMS compatable . A lot of Manufacturers descriptions read AR 10 , but mean DPMS type so you may have to call or email the manufacturer just to make sure . Not sure what you read about the Hand Guard being too tight . Look at the web sight of the Manufacturer for install instructions . You may be referring to a screw on Hand Guard , where it is ,in its self the Barrel nut . If that the case , there is a Torque setting for all AR type rifle Barrel nuts & its its 35 - 50 #'s with a max at 80 # , depends on the Gas Tube path , for it to pass through the Upper Receiver , as said , follow the Manufacturers instructions & you should be fine . Most of the screw on Hand Guards , use a strap wrench to install & no real way to get a true torque reading any way, but again , follow the Maufacturers instructions . It helps to make a post title about what you need info for <thumbsup> Edited July 16, 2015 by survivalshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) this one? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/295049/dpms-free-float-tube-handguard-high-quad-rail-lr-308-rifle-length-aluminum-matte :) Wash Edited July 16, 2015 by washguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Holy $hit, that's the giant one... Honestly, buy a stripped upper receiver, very first, and swap it out. Seriously. <thumbsup> I have considered doing that, but: 1. This one seems to work fine and other than the high rail I don't have any issues with it. 2. I have rebuilt car and truck motors, maintained missile guidance and tracking radar systems for the Navy, but I have only just begun to learn about doing anything more than cleaning these AR pattern rifles. I don't really have the tools yet either. I know, I know, no excuse, I need to get going on that. If I were to swap out the upper receiver, what would you suggest? More than likely you will need to remove the Barrel nut any way for a Free float , but if you like the scope height & it works for you , keep your Upper Receiver , no need to spend the extra cash for a new Upper receiver if the one you have works for you . Yes , you will need a DPMS 308 compatable Hand Guard . An Armalite AR 10 Hand Guard will be different, so keep to the DPMS compatable . A lot of Manufacturers descriptions read AR 10 , but mean DPMS type so you may have to call or email the manufacturer just to make sure . Not sure what you read about the Hand Guard being too tight . Look at the web sight of the Manufacturer for install instructions . You may be referring to a screw on Hand Guard , where it is ,in its self the Barrel nut . If that the case , there is a Torque setting for all AR type rifle Barrel nuts & its its 35 - 50 #'s with a max at 80 # , depends on the Gas Tube path , for it to pass through the Upper Receiver , as said , follow the Manufacturers instructions & you should be fine . Most of the screw on Hand Guards , use a strap wrench to install & no real way to get a true torque reading any way, but again , follow the Maufacturers instructions . It helps to make a post title about what you need info for <thumbsup> Thanks for the good info. I made the post title as a bit of a joke (ok, after a few beers), but you're right it would be better if it were on topic. this one? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/295049/dpms-free-float-tube-handguard-high-quad-rail-lr-308-rifle-length-aluminum-matte :) Wash Thank you - that looks like it would work, but 1.7 pounds? Ugh. I'm hoping I can find one lighter than that. Also, I don't need four full rails. I think the only thing I'll want to mount is a bipod and maybe a sling swivel. Edited July 16, 2015 by AZ Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) I was just trying to see if that one is the right height...not that exact one...you should get a regular height upper and go from there. theres very few rails of that real high height :) Wash http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=900465 post #8 describes your upper? There is only one rail for that upper easy peasy...get a new upper Edited July 16, 2015 by washguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) If the gun runs, and the height works for you, I'd say leave it alone. It's really just an aesthetic thing at this point. If you want to run irons you have a problem, but you are good to go with the scope. I'd go with one of the smooth free floats, like the JP or similar. You can add a rail if you need one or just leave it be. I'm sure one of the Phoenicians will help you out when the parts come in. Judging by the pic, if you swapped to a low upper, you might need new rings as well. Edited July 16, 2015 by blue109 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Thanks guys. This one seems to run fine so far. I kinda like the slick-side aesthetic, too. I suppose if I could find a slick side upper with a lower rail height (brief searches didnt turn anything up) I'd consider it. Good point on the rings. Those are the Weaver high, so I guess I'd have to look at extra high. I'd really like to spend the next bit of funds on a lightweight free float handguard, low profile gas block, muzzle brake and bipod. Swapping to a different receiver woudn't gain me much function and would set me back at least a few hundred bucks. <thumbsup> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I'd really like to spend the next bit of funds on a lightweight free float handguard, low profile gas block, muzzle brake and bipod. Swapping to a different receiver woudn't gain me much function and would set me back at least a few hundred bucks. <thumbsup> Thats your problem...there is no lightweight free float handguard for your upper... :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Yes , don't forget the low pro Gas Block , you will need it to have the FF Hand guard to go over it , unless you just want a Carbine length FF hand Guard . If you replace that railed Gas Block , with a Low Pro , you can get a FF hand guard as far out as the end of you Barrel. JP 's has some nice ones , as said above , you can add rails if you want , Fulton Armory may still have FF hand Guards that have add on rails also.There are a bunch out there, Google is your friend , see something out there you like & ask if it will fit . In the photo below , both have add on rail at the 12 o'clock position , the shorter Barreled 308AR in front , is an older JP Modular FF HG , VTac , they don't call it that any more , the 20" in the Back is a Fulton Armory ( which I think is made for FA by JP"s ) both rifles have rifle length Gas Systems , Both Hand Guards are 12" & thats why you see the Gas Blocks , your Carbine Gs system will be under a 12' & 9" Hand Guards . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 <thumbsup> Thats your problem...there is no lightweight free float handguard for your upper... :) Wash There are as many as for any other DPMS pattern gun. Hes not worried about matching rail heights. If he chose a modular rail it wouldn't matter at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) I was thinking I'd probably end up with something like this, but need a place to mount a bipod and prehaps a sling swivel. Edited July 16, 2015 by AZ Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Get a Lancer tube instead. It'll have attachment points to add rails for a bipod or whatever else you wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Hey Dean..do you have an ar15.com act? One of those tubes is in the classifieds for 60 shipped like newhttp://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_120/1452102_DPMS_13_Carbon_Fiber_handguard___60_shipped.html You can always drill a couple holes and install your own rail sections. PRI and YHM both sell rail sections with the curved underside for a round tube. I did it on a Clark customs tube. Worked great. Edited July 16, 2015 by blue109 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 There are as many as for any other DPMS pattern gun. Hes not worried about matching rail heights. If he chose a modular rail it wouldn't matter at all Okay if he's not gonna match rail heights he's got a crap load of choices :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 If you have the money I'd rock that Lancer for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 If you have the money I'd rock that Lancer for sure. Oooh, that Lancer is puuurty. Hey, I do not have an arfcom account; would you mind getting the guy's email address for me and I'll hit him up? $60 shipped is too good a deal to pass up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Will do home slice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Dean Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 I'm just about $1000 into this for everything, so maybe I'll keep rolling with the 'cheap ass bastard' theme and see how far that gets me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I'd really like to spend the next bit of funds on a lightweight free float handguard, low profile gas block, muzzle brake and bipod. Swapping to a different receiver woudn't gain me much function and would set me back at least a few hundred bucks. <thumbsup> Dean, don't sweat it - you just described it to yourself, and maybe didn't realize it. This one is running. Make it a long-ish range precision rifle, and let it be. Spend future funds on the next rifle, build it, and put whatever you want on it. Use this one as a learning tool, tweak minor things. The NEXT one will be a monster... <lmao> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) And the next....and the next...lol IM sent on that carbon rail. Edited July 17, 2015 by blue109 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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