Upper for light(ish) build

[Scott Clearman]

Of the available DPMS style uppers, is there one or 2 that are lighter weight than the others?  I'm going to build a short barrel 308 for hunting and will try to save weight where I can.

Recommendations or options?

 

Scott

[MikedaddyH]

Pencil barrel will save weight and a plastic hand rail.

[Scott Clearman]

Thanks. What about the upper receiver itself?

[MikedaddyH]

Billet 7075 aluminum without a forward assist and no ejection door....

I have not seen a plastic upper receiver in 308 yet.

I don't care about name brands on that part.  But Quentin Defense has a flatside one and it is nice.

[98Z5V]

9 hours ago, Scott Clearman said:

Of the available DPMS style uppers, is there one or 2 that are lighter weight than the others?  I'm going to build a short barrel 308 for hunting and will try to save weight where I can.

Recommendations or options?

 

Scott

It's not worth it, for what you might save.  If you don't have a lower already, this would be the way to go for weight savings, but it'll cost you $776 for the matched set.

22.2oz for the matched set.

https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/lower-parts/7075-harbinger-308-receiver-set

^^^  That's SR-25/M110/AR-10 pattern, so if you already have a DPMS-based lower, that upper (only) won't work with what you've got.

[Scott Clearman]

1 hour ago, 98Z5V said:

It's not worth it, for what you might save.  If you don't have a lower already, this would be the way to go for weight savings, but it'll cost you $776 for the matched set.

22.2oz for the matched set.

https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/lower-parts/7075-harbinger-308-receiver-set

^^^  That's SR-25/M110/AR-10 pattern, so if you already have a DPMS-based lower, that upper (only) won't work with what you've got.

That does look sexy, but....no.  I have a DPMS pattern 80% lower, mainly because I'm a glutton for punishment.  That and it's fun to put my own markings on it and call it whatever I want.

[98Z5V]

Well then, looking for something light(er) weight for a stripped upper will not gain anything, and might get you something very close to less than 1oz lighter than something else.  Just not worth it, they're all gonna be the same(ish).  Just build it out, look to save weight somewhere else.  I wouldn't do it with a pencil-profile barrel, though.  The barrel is so short, that a pencil-profile won't gain you anything, but won't be as accurate.  This is a hunting rig, so you want it to be accurate. 

This might be the best thing going, for what you want to do, and what your goals are:

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/12-5-308-tactical-government-carbine-length-ar-308-barrel-modern-series.html

MOA-Guarantee on that one.  Just use the right ammo. That barrel above weighs 29.6 oz. 

Edited March 4, 2023 by 98Z5V

[Scott Clearman]

9 minutes ago, 98Z5V said:

Well then, looking for something light(er) weight for a stripped upper will not gain anything, and might get you something very close to less than 1oz lighter than something else.  Just not worth it, they're all gonna be the same(ish).  Just build it out, look to save weight somewhere else.  I wouldn't do it with a pencil-profile barrel, though.  The barrel is so short, that a pencil-profile won't gain you anything, but won't be as accurate.  This is a hunting rig, so you want it to be accurate. 

This might be the best thing going, for what you want to do, and what your goals are:

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/12-5-308-tactical-government-carbine-length-ar-308-barrel-modern-series.html

MOA-Guarantee on that one.  Just use the right ammo. 

Yes sir thank you.  I found that barrel on sale for $110, looks like all Ballistic Advantage barrels are on sale:

https://bkingsfirearms.com/product-category/lr308-dpms-barrels/

[Scott Clearman]

In addition, as I have searched I have noticed that some uppers have the forward assist in the rear, and some have it in the deflector.  Any reason to worry about which one I get?

 

[98Z5V]

3 minutes ago, Scott Clearman said:

Yes sir thank you.  I found that barrel on sale for $110, looks like all Ballistic Advantage barrels are on sale:

https://bkingsfirearms.com/product-category/lr308-dpms-barrels/

THAT IS A STEAL!!!  GRAB THAT THING!!!  

1 minute ago, Scott Clearman said:

In addition, as I have searched I have noticed that some uppers have the forward assist in the rear, and some have it in the deflector.  Any reason to worry about which one I get?

 

Nope, doesn't matter where it's at, doesn't affect function.

FWIW, I searched for a 12.5" Pencil .308 barrel, just because - they don't exist.  For a reason. 

[Scott Clearman]

 

OK, got an upper:

https://www.deltateamtactical.com/davidson-defense-goblin-lr-308-dpms-blemished.html

blemished DPMS low profile $58.

 

[shooterrex]

I hope that works. That vendor has a pretty crappy reputation for having out of spec parts.

[Scott Clearman]

1 minute ago, shooterrex said:

I hope that works. That vendor has a pretty crappy reputation for having out of spec parts.

you mean Delta Team or Davison Defense?

I really hope it works too, I was unaware of a bad rep for either.

[shooterrex]

I do believe they are one on the same . Delta only seems to deal I'm 2 nds and out of spec parts.

[98Z5V]

On 3/5/2023 at 6:55 PM, Scott Clearman said:

 

OK, got an upper:

https://www.deltateamtactical.com/davidson-defense-goblin-lr-308-dpms-blemished.html

blemished DPMS low profile $58.

 

Bad choice.  Should have asked first, and there's a million bad reviews that can be linked for you.

Cancel that order.  Not kidding.  Cancel it. 

[98Z5V]

On 3/5/2023 at 8:11 PM, Scott Clearman said:

you mean Delta Team or Davison Defense?

Same exact shiitty company.  They have more names, too. 

[jim3326]

Is there a compiled list of the names somewhere?

[Scott Clearman]

well, not gonna lie im worried now.  We'll see what happens i guess.  I don't know enough about the large frame AR's, but I hate to post a question about every part.

 

 

 

[AngelDeVille]

upper and lower aren't where the weight savings is.

 

and shove a plug in the hole for the forward assist, true value has tons for $.39

 

I usually try to source the upper and lower from the same place, doesn't always work but I try.

[unforgiven]

If it's that heavy lift weights. Just my 2 mags 

[98Z5V]

18 hours ago, jim3326 said:

Is there a compiled list of the names somewhere?

This is the fastest way to find out all the information from the past:

https://forum.308ar.com/search/?q="Delta Team Tactical"&quick=1

Links provided in posts, information, BBB links and reports, etc. All the info has been here for years, and it's been all over the 'net for years. 

Not a company that's worth doing business with, when there are so many reliable, trustworthy vendors out there, that offer great product. 

[jim3326]

Greatly appreciated.