ultraviolet70 Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Hi I'm new to the forum and really need some help.I recently decided to build a Black Gun in .308/7.62 I have built a few AR-15 platforms and didn't think this would be that much different, wow was I wrong. I was thinking that most manufactures uppers and lowers would be compatable like the AR-15 so when I found a .308/7.62 lower assembly at a local Dealer for a good $ I bought it on whim thinking no big deal just order an upper and put it together.Well it's a Rhino Arms model RA-5D 7.62 and I can find almost no info except for a link to their site that is really no helphttp://rhinoarms.com/So if anyone has any info or suggestions PLEASE HELPFrom the curve at the back by the buffer I can tell an Armalite upper will not work it looks similar in shape to a DPMS and/or RRA but I know they are different in lenght and all I have to go from is pics online if anyone has any ideas or any measurements I could take or any more pics that would help please tell me.Sorry for my first post being such an ordeal, but I have no idea where else to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 I would definitely take them up on this offer, and call. Looks like DPMS, but the length of that lower might be deceiving, with the milling going on there. Might be RRA-compatible. <dontknow>Hit them up: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 The curve at the back looks just like my DPMS lower. The spacing on my front and rear takedown pins (center to center) is right at 6 & 7/8 inches and the length from the flat just above the rear curve to the forwardmost edge of the receiver (the front of the forward takedown pin boss) is 8 & 7/16 inches. Hope this info is of some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Thanks for your quick replies guys.I'll bring my 12" caliper home from work tomorrow and take some measurements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Welcome from the midwest Ultra lots of info here as you have seen. <thumbsup> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planeflyer21 Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Ultraviolet, welcom from AZ!You came to the right place!Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Thanks for the greetings guys looks like I found a good group to join in with.Got an e-mail from DPMS looks like their upper will not work.The response was "if I had .250" take down pins their upper would work".WellJust got home and measured and the take down pins are approx .280" in diameter. Looks like this lower may be going back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Sounds like a POF setup?... <dontknow>Check into a POF upper before you send it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I checked their website and brochure. If compatibility is an issue, why not just buy their upper too? The rifles look real nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'm now getting mixed input.I received an e-mail from Rhino Arms saying the DPMS upper will work.The store where I bought the lower says they have built rifles using the Rhino lower and DPMS upper.I found extended takedown pins for the DPMS and measeured them and they were 9/32 like the pins in the Rhino lower.But in two e-mails from DPMS now they have stated the pins are 1/4" and not 9/32, I'm wondering if the customer service rep I'm getting is confusing the measurment with the AR15 platform pins which I know are 1/4".So I'm hoping someone out there has a DPMS LR308 and a micrometer or caliper and could measure the diameter of one of their takedown pins and end this confusion for me.Thanks again to everyone this forum has already been so helpful.Unforgiven where in the midwest are from I'm in MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Brother Ultra I'm in northwest Indiana,been thru Mo. many times beautiful state people super most of the time took 55 down going to Texas.Jesse James hideout,Merrimack Caverens.Stopped in Joplin,Springfield. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfury Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have a DPMS LR308 - just measured the pins with a caliper and they look like they are 0.277" diameter. If you need any other dimensions just ask! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Welcome form the midwest brother Starfury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have a DPMS LR308 - just measured the pins with a caliper and they look like they are 0.277" diameter. If you need any other dimensions just ask!Mine too, 0.277" smallest I got with my dig. calipers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks for all your replies and help guys. Sounds like the rep at DPMS is a bit misinformed on his own product.Also sounds like a DPMS upper is the way I'm going, I'll decide and order it next week. I'll let you guys know when I decide which upper.Thanks again, definitely glad I joined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Actually just got off the phone with the owner of Rhino Arms (very nice and helpful guy, actually called me). Informed me the DPMS upper will definitely work and as I assumed the rep I was corresponding with was an idiot and was mixing up the measurements 1/4" fro the 5.56/.223 for the 9/32" for the .308 pins.He also told me he was surprised I found a lower separate as this an older style and they no longer sell their lowers separate from the uppers. He said I could purchase an upper and it would work and fit but would not look right since the have redesigned the receivers and my best bet was still the DPMS as it wil fit and look the best. It's nice to find a honest company as opposed to one just wanting to sell your their product.So this means zero doubt I'll be going with a DPMS upper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 If you're going to build the upper, consider Fulton Armory for the stripped upper receiver (disregard if you're buying one complete).DPMS changed the rail height on their flat-top uppers. The original height was used by companies when free-float rails started coming out for these (the DPMS varients), and you have more options for free-floats with it. Fulton Armory stripped uppers are at that original height.There are many companies that make free-floats in both heights now, but some companies that still don't - and only make the original height-match. Just more options for you if you get your stripped upper receiver from FA. <thumbsup>I only know of ONE company that makes a free-float ONLY for the new-height uppers, and that's DPMS themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Thanks for the info.I am going with a complete upper though. I am going to be using for target shooting as well as hunting so I did not want to go trouncing through the woods with a 24" barrel, would have prefered 20" but DPMS only offers their upper with an 18" barrel and figured that would still make for a rifle that can shoot better than me. I'd planned on ordering directly from DPMS this weekend, but I found one on GB that was actually more than I'd planned on getting from DPMS for a couple hundred less than they were going to charge me.I'm guessing the rail height will not be an issue as I am installing a scope only and no iron sights (upper I purchased has a smooth gas block anyway).http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=271041742Have also purchased a few items to mod out the lower and finish the rifle how I want.I am left handed so Norgon ambi mag release and ambi safetyA2 buffer tube, spring, and buffer to go with ARFX skeleton stockOversized takedown pinsTimney trigger for 308 single stage 4lbMags (2) 20rd P-mags and (1) DPMS 10 roundHarris Bi-podTacOps charging handle Luepold scope mount/riser, for the time being I have a 50mm Bushnell scope that has been sitting in the safe that I'll use (picked it up a couple years ago for a $ I couldn't pass up and haven't had anything to put it on)I think I've got everything but ammo (and of course the upper but it's paid for now and will be on it's way soon).I'll update with pics as I start to put it together, maybe throw a couple pics of my other black guns out there if anyone is interested (have .223/5.56, 6.8spc and a M&P 15-22).Thanks again to everyone, this forum has been very helpful and informative.If you're going to build the upper, consider Fulton Armory for the stripped upper receiver (disregard if you're buying one complete).DPMS changed the rail height on their flat-top uppers. The original height was used by companies when free-float rails started coming out for these (the DPMS varients), and you have more options for free-floats with it. Fulton Armory stripped uppers are at that original height.There are many companies that make free-floats in both heights now, but some companies that still don't - and only make the original height-match. Just more options for you if you get your stripped upper receiver from FA. <thumbsup>I only know of ONE company that makes a free-float ONLY for the new-height uppers, and that's DPMS themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 I am left handed so Norgon ambi mag release and ambi safetyThe Norgon ambi mag release is a really great piece of gear - I only run it on one rifle (Spikes billet 5.56 gun), but it is nice. For the Ambi safety, I only have ony recommendation, but there's really nothing out there that can even come close to this - The Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety Selector - the BADASS. Honestly, don't even look at anything else. No joke. A2 buffer tube, spring, and buffer to go with ARFX skeleton stockMake sure that spring and buffer are .308 specific - the 5.56 counterparts will NOT work in a .308 semi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraviolet70 Posted January 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 I have the Norgon ambi in one rifle and really like it, but Troy actually makes a release now that is only 2/3 the pricehttp://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=45108/Product/AR-15-M16-AMBIDEXTROUS-MAGAZINE-RELEASEI have the Troy in two rifles and it is actually easier to use than the Norgon (not that I don't like the Norgon) but the Troy would not have worked in the Rhino lower due to ribs on the lower. As far as the safety I have DPMS ambi safeties in all my rifles and for the price have been pleased with them. I would definetly like to run the BADASS, but I can't justify twice the price. Plus already had an extra DPMS ambi safety left from a build that didn't happen.Buffer tube, spring, buffer and stock were bought as a package from Midway http://www.midwayusa.com/product/993474/dpms-buttstock-assembly-dpms-lr-308-a2-sythetic-blackAnd they had the ACE on salehttp://www.midwayusa.com/product/760499/ace-skeleton-buttstock-99-overall-length-ar-15-aluminum-blackThis way I can play around and swap stocks out till I find what I really like between the Skeleton, solid or could even reinstall the other buffer tube assembly and try out the many collapsible stocks I've accumulated.I may still breakdown and pick up a BADASS safety to try out. My only fear is if I like it as much as you say I'll be out another $240 changing all my DPMS ambi safeties for the BADASS ;DOh yeah forgot to mention Hogue grip to replace the horrible generic one.The Norgon ambi mag release is a really great piece of gear - I only run it on one rifle (Spikes billet 5.56 gun), but it is nice. For the Ambi safety, I only have ony recommendation, but there's really nothing out there that can even come close to this - The Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety Selector - the BADASS. Honestly, don't even look at anything else. No joke. Make sure that spring and buffer are .308 specific - the 5.56 counterparts will NOT work in a .308 semi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 I may still breakdown and pick up a BADASS safety to try out. My only fear is if I like it as much as you say I'll be out another $240 changing all my DPMS ambi safeties for the BADASS ;DThat WILL happen if you "try one." Just warning you now... <thumbsup> <lmao> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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