I am under the impression that in order to own a AR you need to pay a tax stamp. Am I wrong on this? If I am wrong, then I can spend a little more for a lower.
The lower is what they classify as the firearm don't they? So I am planing to order the lower threw the place I get my firearms.
No full auto in Illinois.
You might need to verify IL laws, but as far as Federal, you're good.
Just keep in mind that building an AR10 isn't like building an AR15. The lowers and uppers are proprietary. Once you choose a lower you pretty much have to find parts for that certain lower. Ex. DPMS parts for DPMS lower, Armalite parts for an Armalite lower. MEGA makes a pretty nice AR10 platform too. From experience, DPMS parts are easier to get but Armalite stuff is a bit nicer in my opinion, but you also pay a little more for the name.
This is becoming less and less true as more companies are getting into the "AR-10" game. One thing for sure, Armalite is only compatible with Armalite.
I think I have found a lower suitable for my build:
http://www.snipercountrypx.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=6535
and the internals:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=...87_a_7c3466_a_7c231000250_d_231000250_d_10893
The specs say the: "
308 Kit fits DPMS LR-308 series lower receivers and compatible .308/7.62mm lowers"
So I am thinking it will fit the lower I picked out, will it?
This is mostly going to be a fun range gun so I would like to keep it chambered in the 7.62 round. So am I going to need parts for a 7.62 or will these .308 parts work?
All so will any pistol grip and stock fit on a AR-10 or is that going to have to be pacific to the lower receiver as well?
Thanks for all the information so far! I'm going to try to start the build here at the end of the month. So pics will eventually make their way on here. My first AR build by the way.
Many AR-15 parts are AR-10 parts as well. The pistol grip will be one of those things. Certain two stage triggers specify that they are compatible with .308 ARs, but standard AR triggers should be sufficient.
That lower & parts kit will be fine. The only thing I don't like with DPMS is that they machine in the straight triggerguard; there's no option for a larger one for use with gloves.
That Rainier kit, coming with a two stage trigger is nice.
Awesome! thanks for the link. The more and more I research it, I am going to go the Armalite route since a lot of people are saying when they think of a AR-10 plat form they think of Armalite. An they are based in Illinois so that is a plus.
I have never fired a AR plat form so I think I will stick with the Armalite trigger in the package and if I don't like it I will change it out. Is there any triggers out there that wont work with the Armalite body?
The reason people say that is because the AR was developed by Armalite and the original design was in the larger caliber.
Personally, if I were to build one from scratch, I would stay away from Armalite for two reasons: 1) their stuff tends to be more expensive than comparable parts from other makers and 2) because they have almost
zero interchangeablilty with parts from other companies.
If you build an Armalite, not only will you spend more, but you'd be advised to keep more spare parts on hand, simply because if it breaks and everyone's out of stock, you're stuck until the supply chain is filled again. If you go with DPMS, you'll have a lot more options for parts, both in uppers and small stuff.
I
might consider buying a whole Armalite, if the price were right. The price, however, is rarely right.
Their website kinda sucks, but RRA has good stuff too.
http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=254
They don't seem to sell lowers; I'm not sure if they're getting them from another company or simply not selling their own. They have everything else though.
The main things, aside from the obvious (receivers, barrels, bolts, mags, etc), that are going to be .308 specific (oh, and when you get to the upper, I'd go with a 7.62 chamber, rather than a .308 chamber...my only regret with my DPMS) are stock/buffer tube/spring/buffer and the handguard and gas block. A lower parts kit is a lower parts kit (unless it's for a Colt or Armalite, then they're specific).
Having priced all of this out in the past, unlike an AR15, building an AR10 is
significantly more expensive than buying a base rifle an customizing it. I bought my 18" DPMS .308 "optics ready" (AKA no sights) for under $1K. Scoped it, changed the stock, pistol grip and I'm putting in a two stage trigger. I might, at some point, change the handguard, though now that I have my AR15 (I was originally going to go AR10 only), it's not really necessary. I put a set of Magpul BUIS on a set of 45 degree rail adapters since they won't cowitness with my scope.
Oddly, if you'd taken my rifle and split it into a complete upper and a complete lower, retail would've been a few hundred dollars more, it wouldn't have been test fired and I wouldn't have a .5MOA guarantee from DPMS.
