What should I know?

[cwkelle]

I'm going to order a new DPMS LR-308 AP4 this week....I understand the trigger stinks, so a two stage is going to get ordered too....I know the mags are 50 bucks a piece, but they come with two so I'm okay with that....If I'm correct I can use 7.62x51mm nato rounds in it since its chambered in 308.

Well boys take it away, plan on spending around 1200 give or take, any other rifles I should look at? I like the sights on this rifle, RRA has a similar one but it looks like the handle is part of the mold so it doesn't have the flat top rail......


Thoughts?

heres a pic of her, gonna start stock, but down the road a quad rail, yadda yadda

[sniper7]

looks great! RRA makes a flat top version. I think it is just part of their selections you have to pick on the drop down menu.
all great guns, post pictures when you get yours and give us a range report with some accuracy tests.

yes 7.62x51 and .308 are the same and can be shot in your gun.

[BadShot]

What's the intended use? Long Range, Battle Rifle (short to med), bench rest? The intended use would lend itself to suggestions for additions.

Out of the box though, check the bolt carrier group, replace the extractor springs with a more liable set or at least buy the upgrade kit for when, not if, springs start to fail. Check the gas key staking, make sure that's good and solid. If not and if you're in the Denver area, I'm sure KellyTTE would be happy to help correct that issue.

Consider a new stock, flip down BUIS, optic type depending on intended use, LaRue or Badger rings/mounts for said optic if needed. A sling and bi-pod (if needed).
Oh and most importantly.. ammo.. lots and lots of ammo.

As for other .308 options. There are several that are in the high end range, e.g. well above your stated budget but their quality speaks for itself. That would be the LaRue OSR and the LWRC R.E.P.R.. If you're dead set on the AR platform, the DPMS or RRA is what you'll be able to get for that price range. Both require a but of tuning and initial love.

[DD977GM2]

Magazines are not that bad.
Check them out here and they are not as expensive as you would think.
C-Products stand by their product and kick ass to boot.

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/316.php

[w748]

For mags you can get Cproducts or Pmags. DPMS mags may or maynot run , luck of the draw. Cproducts and Pmags are 1/2 the price and all mine are 100%.

[cwkelle]

this is going to be a shtf rifle. I had no idea ar's need that much tweaking, I knew they needed more maintenance than a ak due to the nature of the design, ie gas system, but hawt-dawg that sounds like a lot. RRA lar-8 are about as as easy to find as a pot of gold, dpms is pretty easy and other than the trigger I've read its just a stamp.

I really like the look of "tactical" rifles like the ar, I first fell in love with the ar-15, but then wanted something with a bit more punch. And i figure if I ever make it back to missouri to hunt with the family I could scare the crap out of them with my evil black gun, lol

[Zundfolge]

yes 7.62x51 and .308 are the same and can be shot in your gun.

That's not quite accurate.

Commercial .308 is not the same as 7.62x51. .308 is usually loaded hotter (and there are a couple of very minor dimension differences).

This isn't an issue with your DPMS but it is an issue for some older surplus 7.62x51 rifles (like Spanish Mausers and Ishapore 2A1s).


As a general rule, 7.62NATO is ok in .308s and .223 is ok in 5.56NATO but not the other way around.

[SU405]

My wife just got the DPMS AP4 for $1156.23 out the door at 5280 Armory.

Not too bad.

[Zundfolge]

My wife just got the DPMS AP4 for $1156.23 out the door at 5280 Armory.

Not too bad.

No, not bad at all on two counts. 1) good price on the boomstick and 2) you have a wife that buys rifles! (mine just buys shoes)

[The Extractor]

Make sure the stock is locked BEFORE you shoot. My buddy almost got an eyefull of scope.