freetheeagle Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 I am relatively new to AR's and currently own a Colt LE6920. I am considering buying an AR chambered for one of the popular short action loads. I am pretty well set on a .308 but would consider one of the other rounds using the 308 as a parent case. Due to availability and cost of ammo I have just about eliminated the other calibers such as the 300AAC, 6.8SPC, etc. My entire working career has been spent supporting US industries so I have narrowed my search to rifles made in America so Armalite and most of the FAL's are out. I don't intend to drop a load since the primary purpose is target shooting and home defense (preferably <$2K). With that price point KA, LMT, Larue, and Baer fall out of the equation. That leaves Colt, CMMG, RRA, S&W, DPMS, and Remington as well as a few small manufacturers I haven't listed. Can anyone provide me with feedback you have had from direct experience with any of these that would be helpful in making a decision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 CMMG seems to have lots of internet complaints. RRA and Smith use several proprietary parts. People seem to love the LAR8. I think the jury is still out on the Smith. DPMS seems to be the most common standard for parts. Most of the rifles are vanilla out of the box but easily upgradeable. I don't know anyone with a colt but its probably nice. Do you plan on keeping it factory or adding parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Armalites are made in Illinois. I think Colt costs over $2k. DPMS,Remington and Bushmaster are the same gun. Read the forum threads here on CMMG 308's. S&W is a brand new option. Wont see much feedback on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibiwan Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 I'm happy with my CMMG MK3. Bought new about a month ago, had some very minor issues (wrong bolt catch) but that was quickly rectified by CMMG sending me the correct one. Other than that it's running like clockwork over 350+ rounds. No jams/FTE/FTF's at all. No real signs of being overgassed either - shell casings land reliably 6-10' away at 4-5 o'clock. I'm getting pretty decent sub-MOA groups so I guess they've fixed the issues with their earlier 308's. -S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Good to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 I am a fan of Rock River made in Ill..Both in 5.56 & .308/7.62 have been flawless.Also have used and ordered Palmetto State Armory from S.C. uppers in 5.56 with hammer forged barrels again flawless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 An Armalite AR-10A will cost under $2k and is made in the US. It'd more than suffice for a range and defense rifle. Colt and Armalite also make a 7.62x39 rifle. If you wanted a new caliber, but didn't want to break the bank on ammo cost. Does Colt make a .308 other than the CM901? I know that rifle is a lot more than $2k.... Although, it's damn we'll worth every penny (Damn you Pappy!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freetheeagle Posted August 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Thanks for the feedback on Armalite. I had read so many posts in recent weeks on various sites about Armalites not being manufactured in the US that I didn't do the research I should have done. Stupid of me to take it at face value. Won't do that again. Good to have another choice in the basket. Thanks to all of you for setting me straight. Since I am relatively new to AR's I plan to keep whatever I decide on factory until I learn more about them. As I get more exposure I will learn my gun and my preferences and I will probably start to modify it to meet those then. In the short term my only plans include installing sights/optics and have also started researching that also. In the meantime I will dig deeper into the information available both on this site and other places on the net and will also look at some of the other manufacturers that all of you have listed. Again, thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikedaddyH Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Armalite flashbackhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=Qy4rN7l&feature=player_embedded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibiwan Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 (edited) Armalite flashback video no worky. -S Edited August 19, 2013 by shibiwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikedaddyH Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Second try promo Part 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freetheeagle Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Been doing more research and spent time today visiting various shops. I like what I have seen about Armalites and the reviews for the S&W MP10 I have read have all been good. I like the fact that you order RRA's built the way you want but have seen mixed reviews. While their chrome moly barrels are cryogenically treated I haven't seen any confirmation about chrome lining. Does any know? They use FAL mags and I have read quite a bit - conflicting as is frequently the case - about them vs. Pmags. Any opinions? Lots of mixed reviews about DPMS so I am a bit Leary. I also understand the R25 is a DPMS marketed with Remington's label. Saw a Sig 716 today at a LGS priced within my range. Nice gun but heavy. My LGS says it is manufactured in the US but once again haven't found anything to confirm yet. The reviews I have seen score it average on accuracy with mostly negative comments about the trigger. Several recommend replacing it with a Giessele or similar but that will push it above what I was hoping to spend. Anyone have personal experience with one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 (edited) Well, if you've liked what you've read about Armalite's........then why wait? Jump on in brother.....the water is warm. By the way......don't look at my tag line. I wouldn't want you to think that I'm a biased opinion or anything. Edited August 25, 2013 by Rsquared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Wouldn't of thought of it ,if you hadn't brought it up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 So, what are you sayin? I'm just trying to be neutral. <lmao> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 DPMS manufacturers A LOT OF RIFLES. Sure a few have issues but problems seem to drown out the good of anything on the web. There a re many happy DPMS owners. They also support their products very well. Being a FAL owner I love the fact that the RRA uses what was once plentiful and inexpensive magazines. Whatever you buy will need a trigger upgrade. The only complete .308 I purchased was an Armalite AR-10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freetheeagle Posted August 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Most of my LGS's are small and don't have much in the way of inventory. In fact the only one I have touched is the Sig 716 I mentioned. So I have not actually put my eyes and hands on one of the Armalite's I am interested in. According to my Armalite dealer he has some more coming in so I hope I can soon. As for the others most of them are happy to order anything you want but don't stock .308s in an AR platform because so many buyer want to custom order them anyway. They are also very scarce on the local used market. I am making a trip next month and hopefully my travel schedule will allow me to attend a major gun show while there. Hope to get a chance to see some more then. Anyone have opinions they would like to share about the different barrel manufacturing techniques, i.e. SS vs. cold hammer forged, vs. 4140/4150 chrome lined, and there impact on accuracy and long term reliability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibiwan Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Correct me if I'm wrong.... SS or Cr-Mo barrels are about the same, longevity and accuracy wise. Chrome lined barrels are supposed to have a slightly longer life at the expense of a little reduce accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy1600 Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Does Colt make a .308 other than the CM901? I know that rifle is a lot more than $2k.... Although, it's damn we'll worth every penny (Damn you Pappy!!!) Hater!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Haters gonna hate.... At least until I get to NY and get to play with yours!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy1600 Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Anytime brother!! Planing a trip to the shot show in January...waiting for registration to open.. Let me know if you want in, I will register you under my FFL... Sorry for the hijack... And by the way if you have not figured it out yet the Colt LE 901 is a great shooting rifle and worth every penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Much to my surprise, my wife just said "you should go." If you can make this happen, I'll bust ass to be able to attend. It's only a 5 hour drive or 45 min flight for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluzjamer Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I have a DPMS LR 308 that I really like and it shoots fine. My son in law just ordered a SW MP10. Is there anything I need to know about oiling and greasing it before firing? Any break in procedures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaRKle! Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I have a DPMS LR 308 that I really like and it shoots fine. My son in law just ordered a SW MP10. Is there anything I need to know about oiling and greasing it before firing? Any break in procedures? Shouldn't be any different than a normal AR-15. Lube and shoot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Much to my surprise, my wife just said "you should go." If you can make this happen, I'll bust ass to be able to attend. It's only a 5 hour drive or 45 min flight for me. Quoting this one right here, just because... Rob, I'll find out tomorrow about my time off - forgot to ask if they'd approved it - but Dawn Marie is good during SHOT. She's off. If I can't get you a room, this late, you're bunking with us. If that's the case, bring range muffs and a blindfold. I'm just sayin'... <hump> <laughs> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.