New here with interesting find

[Shadetree]

Hello everyone and glad to be here.  I am officially an owner of a DPMS LR-308 Gen 1.  I was actually looking for one because it seemed DPMS had it together prior Freedom Group.  It was a safe queen and everything appears to be a quality build.  I am excited to shoot it the next time I am visiting my daughter at her farm.  I have it set up for medium range shooting.  The only thing I added was the prizm scope and flash hider.  The quad rail is done nice and I am trying to figure out if it is a factory installation?  The rails on the gas block are drilled and tapped with a size and rear contour that matches the block perfectly.  They were definitely made for this rifle and everything looked perfect when I took them off with no marks on the finish.  It sure looks like it could be factory and DPMS had extensive choices back then with options.  Either way I just love it.  I have read what I could find on it but would be interested in any views members may have.  I do know that it is heavier and a bit longer than updated rifles, but I don’t mind that.  I have read about some extractor issues but that is no big deal changing that out if needed.  Thank you all in advance for any replies and am excited to dive in deeper.

 

[Shadetree]

I forgot to add that it has a 16" barrel and I was lucky to have the original DPMS magazine included with the purchase.

[Armed Eye Doc]

Welcome to the forum!  Nice looking rifle.  I hope it shoots well for you.

[Shadetree]

4 hours ago, Armed Eye Doc said:

Welcome to the forum!  Nice looking rifle.  I hope it shoots well for you.

Thanks, hope it's not a safe queen because it doesn't run. lol 

[shooterrex]

If there is a problem and it doesn't run. There is enough knowledge here to fix it and have it running. Not to worry.

[Shadetree]

3 hours ago, shooterrex said:

If there is a problem and it doesn't run. There is enough knowledge here to fix it and have it running. Not to worry.

I appreciate that shooterrex.

[98Z5V]

That's legit, dude.  I'm confirming it for you right now, as the real deal first Gen DPMS LR-308 receivers.  

In the old days, I could tell you when the lower receiver was made, to the month and year, but those databases are gone now.

[98Z5V]

I can't see your serial number close enough, but does it end with a "K"?...

[Shadetree]

3 hours ago, 98Z5V said:

I can't see your serial number close enough, but does it end with a "K"?...

No 

[Shadetree]

15 minutes ago, Shadetree said:

No

I'm excited that you are familiar with the gen 1's 98Z5V.  I'm not trashing newer DPMS rifles, but it is just interesting to have a first production one before DPMS moved to Alabama shortly after.

[Shadetree]

Here is a video of early DPMS that is interesting historically.  I saw my quad rail on here in the video, minus the gas block rails.  This would be at the Minnesota plant under original owners.

[shooterrex]

The gun shop I worked at for years in Indiana. The owners wife shot for Team DPMS in 3 gun matches. We had their AR's in the shop even when the distributors couldn't get them.

[Shadetree]

3 hours ago, shooterrex said:

The gun shop I worked at for years in Indiana. The owners wife shot for Team DPMS in 3 gun matches. We had their AR's in the shop even when the distributors couldn't get them.

That's an interesting place to be for insider knowledge shooterrex.  You saw some of their stuff first hand, as it came out, and knew someone who shot their competition stuff.  Very cool!

Edited Sunday at 05:44 PM by Shadetree

[98Z5V]

12 hours ago, Shadetree said:

No 

 

12 hours ago, Shadetree said:

I'm excited that you are familiar with the gen 1's 98Z5V.  I'm not trashing newer DPMS rifles, but it is just interesting to have a first production one before DPMS moved to Alabama shortly after.

DPMS sold factory-built rifles, LOT'S of them - and they sold stripped receivers.  Everything that came off the production line was serialized.  Some went to the build line, others were determined to be sold as stripped receivers.  Once the lowers were determined to be sold stripped, they went back to serialization and they stamped a K at the end of the serial number.

That's how you know if you have a factory-built rifle, or something that someone built from stripped receivers.  Your rifle appears to be a factory-built rifle.  

I won't say I know everything about the DPMS line, but I know alot about them.  My first .308AR was a DPMS built from stripped receivers, and that was the 2009 timeframe.  Back then, there wasn't much out there to build from.  

Believe it or not, that upper receiver is made from an extrusion, and the lower receiver is machined billet - there were very few ways to make them back then,  and about the only receivers that were forged were the Armalite AR-10 receivers.

[Shadetree]

2 hours ago, 98Z5V said:

 

DPMS sold factory-built rifles, LOT'S of them - and they sold stripped receivers.  Everything that came off the production line was serialized.  Some went to the build line, others were determined to be sold as stripped receivers.  Once the lowers were determined to be sold stripped, they went back to serialization and they stamped a K at the end of the serial number.

That's how you know if you have a factory-built rifle, or something that someone built from stripped receivers.  Your rifle appears to be a factory-built rifle.  

I won't say I know everything about the DPMS line, but I know alot about them.  My first .308AR was a DPMS built from stripped receivers, and that was the 2009 timeframe.  Back then, there wasn't much out there to build from.  

Believe it or not, that upper receiver is made from an extrusion, and the lower receiver is machined billet - there were very few ways to make them back then,  and about the only receivers that were forged were the Armalite AR-10 receivers.

Thank you for that information 98Z5V.  That was important details that you can't find on the web, from what I have gathered.  Not much out there so much appreciation for it.

[Shadetree]

I read briefly somewhere that DPMD offered DI or gas piston on the shorter barrels, but which ones exactly, it didn't say.  They called, in the article, DI as cheaper most likely because it has less parts.  It really is down to preference but there are advantages to gas piston.  Mine is DI and I am ok with that.  Probably other manufacturers do it too but I'm not an expert on the AR platform.  I'm really an AK man but I am liking this LR-308 a lot.  It cleans easy enough too, and I like that, and feels good in the hand also.  Probably the best thing is it's black and looks bad a**. lol    

Edited Monday at 06:42 AM by Shadetree

[Rsquared]

Welcome aboard from the peoples republic of Marylandstan.

Nice looking rifle you've got there my man. As others have said, collectively, the brain-trust around here can get just about any rifle running right.

[Shadetree]

14 hours ago, Rsquared said:

Welcome aboard from the peoples republic of Marylandstan.

Nice looking rifle you've got there my man. As others have said, collectively, the brain-trust around here can get just about any rifle running right.

Much appreciated Rsquared.  Just remember that it's not over until the fat lady sings.

 

[Shadetree]

I guess I never really introduced myself properly because I was excited about my new rifle.  I am also mentioning this because of where Rsquared lives and I shoot in Virginia at my daughter's farm in the mountains.  It could get tricky because I live in North Carolina.  I plan to go there after I get back from a cruise we booked for the beginning of August.  I am retired and have been around guns my whole life.  I guess I am old school, just short of being a Fudd.

 

I am thinking about putting a fixed buttstock on this rifle but could use some advice.  I just briefly dug in and getting a used factory one may be difficult.  I'm going to keep looking around and see what pops up.  I saw some with these stocks on guns when I was shopping for the one I have now.  I really like the way they make the gun look and it would be comfortable to shoot also. 

Edited Tuesday at 09:36 PM by Shadetree
grammar

[Magwa]

I have had one for over 14 years killed a bunch of elk deer and other critters with it . It is still amazing accurate for a gas gun as many here can attest to I also have a 6.5 creedmoor barrel and upper for it and it is just as accurate as the 16 inch 308 upper a fine fine weapon system.

[Shadetree]

7 hours ago, Magwa said:

I have had one for over 14 years killed a bunch of elk deer and other critters with it . It is still amazing accurate for a gas gun as many here can attest to I also have a 6.5 creedmoor barrel and upper for it and it is just as accurate as the 16 inch 308 upper a fine fine weapon system.

 

Very nice!  Well, there you go, proof is in the pudding.  I'm happy for both you and me now, with this rifle.  I'm afraid that I probably will never be able to have a trophy elk in the background of my pics though.  I have no problem holding up the tail of the group, just as long as I can shoot my rifle and plink my way to happiness.