Best Compatabilty?

[aturi]

Hello:  I am completely new to the AR platform, my total experioence being in handguns.  I am a failry good amateur gunsmith with anything to do with Glocks or the 1911 platform.  I have no experience with rifles.  However, I am planning on taking up the AR platform for recreational target shooting.  I have access to an range with targets out to 500 yards.  I would like your advice on which manufacturer offers the best compatability with the general AR15 platform.  Am I correct that a AR10 comopents should as rails, lowers and such should be compatabile with the AR10 platform.  If so is Armalite the best bet in terms of a manufacturer?  Thanks for any reply. 

[imschur]

Im not sure if any are "best" but the DPMS/KAC wins with parts availability and low cost magazines at this time imho. Armalite are fine weapons as are KAC,DPMS Fulton Armory etc

[Madhouse]

First, welcome aboard aturi!    <thumbsup>

Are you asking about compatibility between the AR10 and AR15, such as lowers and uppers?  The major components like those are not compatible, the mag well on the lowers are completely different sizes, etc.  Maybe I didn't read your question correctly?

[Dusty44]

My own understanding is that the AR-15 class rifles in .223/5.56 are all (?) built to the mil-spec standards and (almost) all parts and assemblies are interchangeable.  The AR-10 class is not subject to mil-spec requirements because it was never bought as such by the government.  Therefore,  any 7.62x51/.308 Win AR-style rifle or subassembly will only be compatible within the brand/manufacturer's offerings and even then proper checking and homework is necessary.  That said,  a lot of parts will be generally compatible.  Use a lot of caution before ordering parts.

[SWshooter]

The AR's both 10 & 15 are great platforms to start building rifles. The 15's are probably better for a first effort, a lot more parts available at a lot cheaper prices. Anything 15 that's mil spec should be interchangeable with anything else mil spec. I just finished an M4 clone with a piston kit and have just $706 in the whole gun. It functions well is is surprisingly accurate. The 10's take alot more study as not all uppers and lowers are interchangeable, nor magazines, nor barrel nuts. Right now I would try to find a lower that would take G-3 mags as they are plentifull and cheap.

[SWATSniper]

aturi, I am also "new" to the .308 AR platform. While I was issued an SR25 as a duty rifle during my service in law enforcement I have never built on until now.

I do have, what I consider, extensive experience with the .308 round, having a background as a USMC trained SWAT Sniper, I mainly used a .308 for over 8 years. I also have, what I consider, extensive experience with the AR-15 rifle, having been a "Patrol Carbine Course" and "Rapid Deployment/School Shootor Responce" Instructor. These courses mainly used the AR15 platform. I was also sent to Colt's Armorers school by my agency to better aid me with teaching these courses.

Having that said, I did some research before starting the current .308 project. I decided to go with DPMS for several reasons, most of which are stated already in this thread. Their lower accepts the 20 round Mag-Pul P-Mags, their prices were the best for the quality of their product and the availability of their parts (excluding the recent lead times) were the best of the current AR10 manufacturers.

The problem, as stated already, is that there has never been a "technical specification package" developed for the AR10 unless you consider the one Stoner did WAY back in the 50's? The military has this for the AR15, that's why their is such a thing as "mil-spec". They never did this for the AR10 as a designated "AR-10" rifle platform, they simply accepted the rifle that KAC designed as the dedicated marksman rifle.

So, having used the KAC SR25, I decided to go with the DPMS LR308 platform. I have saved the money that I could have spent on the SR25 and so far she is a pure tack driver! Although it is still a work in progress I am very happy withthe DPMS I have built. She is keeping up, and waxing the collective rear ends of some of my buddy's who are still active SWAT Snipers using their "bolt" guns.

I have a "bolt" in my safe and wouldn't sell it for the world. This build was something I wanted to do for a fun rifle and one that I was going to build myself. So far, GREAT! 

[98Z5V]

After gunsmithing on the 1911s, you'll find that building anything-AR is a piece of cake.  <thumbsup>