AR-10 question - Whole or seperate?

[Shark_Cage]

Sorry for the noob question.

I am looking at getting an Armalite AR-10T. The only problem is that funds are tight and the “home office” would never authorize a $2K expenditure right now. I am still worried what the current Administration (AWB II).

This would be used for target first and then SHTF (along with the Marine Magnum).

I see Armalite sells complete AR-10 lowers in the $400 range. They also sell complete uppers. It appears I could purchase a lower right now and wait till funds become available to get a complete upper. The savings over a complete rifle would be close to $400. Am I missing something here? Is there a disadvantage to buying the upper and lower separately? I was thinking warranty. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Franco]

get ready to open your wallet once you get going..between the complete rifle a quality scope and gen1 m14 pre-ban high cap mags and other hardware your gonna be spending more like $3500+..ask me how i know...

also Armalite lowers and uppers are not interchangable with DPMS,RRA, KAC upper and lowers.

Armalite also gaurentees 1 MOA or less on the "T" models..others dont

 

[vellnueve]

I'd go whole rifle just because there isn't such a huge third-party market for 7.62 uppers like there is with standard uppers.

 

[Jason]

I remember having a conversion with a dealer about this subject back in January. I believe the dealers costs are higher for a complete firearm than it is for separate upper and lower. I want to say that there some some type of tax that the dealer or manufacture pays for complete firearms but I'm not positive. Maybe a dealer on this forum might be able to answer this better.

If you can get it $400 cheaper I'd go that route. When I was looking at a Stag AR-15, it was only like a $50 difference. The only thing of concern might be how well the upper and lower are mated together. With a complete rifle I'm guessing a rifle with a lot of slop doesn't make it past QC and that they would try to match uppers and lowers. Buying separate, could result in upper and lower not as "matched." Modern machining processes are pretty darn good though so odds are you'll get a tight fitting rifle buying separate. Worst case they make wedges that go near the buffer tube to tighten up loose ARs.

 

[Shepherd]

I remember having a conversion with a dealer about this subject back in January. I believe the dealers costs are higher for a complete firearm than it is for separate upper and lower. I want to say that there some some type of tax that the dealer or manufacture pays for complete firearms but I'm not positive. Maybe a dealer on this forum might be able to answer this better.

Yes there is an 11% tax on a complete firearm.

 

[Franco]

if you are looking for a 24" AR-10T upper ive seen em for $1800 alone on gunbroker...with no lower..you can find a complete rifle for that much if you do a lil bit of your homework...the 24" is discontinued now they are producing only the 20".

ive seen complete Armalite AR-10T 24" range from $1400 to some crazy bastards asking $3000 for the complete rifle only. as with anything else it depends on the market. deals can be had , you just need to look around

oh and if you are looking for pre ban high caps..they are near impossible to find and if you do find some gen1 mags get ready to pay $60-80 per mag.

 

[Shark_Cage]

According to Armalite a there is a normal amount of "slop" between the upper an lower receiver that should not effect the rifle. I think it comes down to the warranty but then again if I save $400 even if I needed a new barrel or receiver I would break even.

I almost have my wife convinced.

 

[Lucas McCain]

You may wanbt to look into a DPMS LR-308. Same caliber, considerably cheaper. Just dont look for pre-ban mags.

 

[Franco]

You may wanbt to look into a DPMS LR-308. Same caliber, considerably cheaper. Just dont look for pre-ban mags.

the original Stoner "waffle" AR-10 mags are the only pre-ban hig cap mags that would fit a DPMS .308. but those are much more rare then the armalite gen1 pre-bans,.. ive seen them sell on gunbroker for $100 a mag when they do pop up.

 

[Lucas McCain]

the original Stoner "waffle" AR-10 mags are the only pre-ban hig cap mags that would fit a DPMS .308. but those are much more rare then the armalite gen1 pre-bans,.. ive seen them sell on gunbroker for $100 a mag when they do pop up.

Exactly my point, pre ban mags for a DPMS are a bitch so if he goes that route, he should be prepared to settle for the 10 rounders and those can be had for about $50 each. I guess that for a .308 gun, 10 should be enough though

 

[KMM696]

Another option for 20 round prebans is to buy a DPMS compatible lower from either Fidelis or CMMG that takes G3 mags. I have a CMMG on the way in, according to UPS.

The CMMG does require that the upper's mag opening be enlarged slightly, and there won't be an automatic bolt hold open on the last round. The biggest advantage is the G3 mag - finding prebans is easy and cheap. The last box of them I bought worked out to around $6 apiece for HK mags, all with preban date stamps.

 

[MassMark]

Another option for 20 round prebans is to buy a DPMS compatible lower from either Fidelis or CMMG that takes G3 mags. I have a CMMG on the way in, according to UPS.

The CMMG does require that the upper's mag opening be enlarged slightly, and there won't be an automatic bolt hold open on the last round. The biggest advantage is the G3 mag - finding prebans is easy and cheap. The last box of them I bought worked out to around $6 apiece for HK mags, all with preban date stamps.

Did you find a source for 7" .308 barrels yet?

 

[KMM696]

Did you find a source for 7" .308 barrels yet?

No.

You are a bad, bad man.



But DPMS does have 16" 308 barrels with carbine length gas tubes:

I'm thinking ADCO could turn that into a 12"-13" barrel without too much trouble.

My ears hurt just thinking about it....

 

[MassMark]

No.

You are a bad, bad man.



But DPMS does have 16" 308 barrels with carbine length gas tubes:

I'm thinking ADCO could turn that into a 12"-13" barrel without too much trouble.

My ears hurt just thinking about it....

I was thinking you should have that turned down to 7" and then have that flash enhancer added...I think it would then be perfect for Appleseeds...

http://www.armamentsales.com/enhancers.htm


.

 

[Shark_Cage]

Would anyone know if they ship complete uppers to Mass? Since the 10T is AWB complient I wouldn't think there would be an issue but this is Mass.

I have had a hard time getting them on the phone. I think they are focusing on the Nationals right now.

 

[KMM696]

I don't see why they wouldn't either, but if they don't there are other sources for their uppers. I haven't run into much trouble with companies refusing to ship parts to MA - just firearms, ammunition, magazines and reloading components.

 

[drgrant]

As an MA resident I wouldn't bother with a .308 AR, unless you can find one that takes alternative mags, unless you -really- don't care about the
capacity of the thing. Problem is there is a mismash of crap out there for .308 ARs. There is not really a "standard" for the things.

I think CMMG or someone like that is working on a lower that will take HK-91/G3 mags, which are plentiful and cheap. I'd only ever buy a .308
AR if I could get one that takes those, FAL mags, or M14/M1A mags.

-Mike

 

[KMM696]

I think CMMG or someone like that is working on a lower that will take HK-91/G3 mags, which are plentiful and cheap. I'd only ever buy a .308
AR if I could get one that takes those, FAL mags, or M14/M1A mags.

-Mike

CMMG is actually shipping the G3 mag 308 AR receivers, and Rock River has complete FAL mag rifles,too. I have a CMMG lower on the way here (according to UPS), but finance$ for the rest of the part$ are going to dictate when the build i$ done. The 308 parts make regular ARs look like a real bargain.

I came to the same conclusion as you about MA builds - if I couldn't get hi-caps, I wasn't sure it was worth it. I guess I'm going to find out......

 

[Shark_Cage]

Just an FYI,

I heard back from them regarding my question, yes.

Also, only compete firearms built by the factory have a warranty.