Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics

Notices

Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics Post Your General Gun Topics and Non-S&W Gun and Blade Topics Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-08-2009, 10:34 PM
Rafter-S Rafter-S is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Telephone, Texas
Posts: 111
Likes: 14
Liked 46 Times in 19 Posts
Default AR style rifle in .308 caliber

The local gun store I visited today had an AR style rifle laying on the counter. It was a DPMS Panther in .308 caliber, with 16" barrel. It looked good and appears to be of high quality.

My questions are for you gentlemen who have experience with AR style rifles. Is DPMS one of the higher quality brands? (I am interested only in the ones in .308 caliber) Are there other makers who make an equivalent, or higher quality rifle?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Rafter-S
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-08-2009, 10:42 PM
Bob R's Avatar
Bob R Bob R is offline
US Veteran
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southern Nevada
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 29
Liked 549 Times in 216 Posts
Default

Quote:
higher quality rifle?
Stoner SR25

Armalite AR10. There are several versions of the AR10 including a new match rifle.

DPMS and the others probably bulild an adequate 308 AR platform for what 99% of the people do with them. But if you want superb accuracy look at Stoner or Armalite,IMO.

bob
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-08-2009, 10:58 PM
jughed440's Avatar
jughed440 jughed440 is online now
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: yonder
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 4,190
Liked 3,547 Times in 950 Posts
Default

as stated, Armalite is a cut above the rest.

Rock River and DPMS do make very nice rifles though.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-08-2009, 11:04 PM
leswad's Avatar
leswad leswad is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 2,537
Liked 3,172 Times in 573 Posts
Default

.308 caliber... REALLY LOUD!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-08-2009, 11:09 PM
m1gunner m1gunner is offline
US Veteran
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: middle Ga.
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 211
Liked 610 Times in 301 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by leswad View Post
.308 caliber... REALLY LOUD!
Even more so with that short barrel.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-08-2009, 11:29 PM
sar4937 sar4937 is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: southeast nebraska
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 731
Liked 330 Times in 166 Posts
Default

My DPMS has been trouble free. DPMS has one of the best warranties going. I know you are looking at an off the shelf rifle, but the DPMS web site allows you to option out a rifle any way you want, and then generates a price and build sheet.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-09-2009, 01:22 AM
sparkgap sparkgap is offline
Absent Comrade
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Farmington, MO
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

My DPMS was a great rifle, no issues. And I sold it to someone on here.

Bob
__________________
Bob
KDØQCE
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-09-2009, 02:12 AM
JOliver JOliver is online now
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: West Tennessee
Posts: 482
Likes: 165
Liked 436 Times in 141 Posts
Default

I havent tried the DMPS but they do look good and their prices are in the 223 range...I have the Stoner SR which I love,cant beat it long range.
I have the Armalite AR10 which is very nice but my favorite is my Bushmaster .308 ...16 inch flattop with a decent piece of glass ...its a shooting fool...dont get me wrong the Stoner and Armalite are super nice but they were super expensive to me so they should be a tad more one...if you can get a DPMS that does good for a good price GO FOR IT

I dont shoot 223 ARs anymore ...have several but dont like them at all after going 308.
Jason
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-09-2009, 08:53 AM
Hofstet's Avatar
Hofstet Hofstet is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Northern MI
Posts: 530
Likes: 4
Liked 51 Times in 13 Posts
Default

LMT, Lewis Machine Tool. Very high quality AR style rifle.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-09-2009, 11:17 AM
Len's Avatar
Len Len is offline
US Veteran
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MI
Posts: 318
Likes: 26
Liked 261 Times in 60 Posts
Default

I've fired several friend's 308's, differing manufacturers.

Purchased a DPMS LR 308 about two and a half years ago. Only tweaks were a comp trigger [Geisele] [I believe all EBR's come with "ok, but not great" trigger assemblies] and a Leupold VX III scope.

Best guess is approximately 5000 rds. through it by now.

It was reasonably priced, very accurate from day one, and rock solid. One FTF, but that was found out to be one round of pinched brass out of the box.

More expensive to shoot than the 223, louder, longer range...therefore, more fun.

All the brands mentioned are good guns...but I have never regretted the DPMS purchase.

Len
__________________
Qui me amat, amet et canem meum
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-09-2009, 11:39 AM
ladder13 ladder13 is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,787
Likes: 57,921
Liked 53,033 Times in 16,539 Posts
Default

Bushy 308, shoots alot better than I can. Flattop with muzzle brake. I think only made for a year or two.
__________________
Sure you did
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-09-2009, 01:42 PM
7shooter 7shooter is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: In the Cloud
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 2,252
Liked 1,872 Times in 582 Posts
Default

I have a DPMS AR 15 that shoots great and is reliable. I know shooters who have DPMS 308's and have good things to say about them. I was told that early DPMS 308's had problems due to their plastic mags but that is no longer an issue since they went to metal mags. The only serious complaint I have heard is that it takes so long to get one since the factory is close to 200,00 orders behind in spite of having extra shifts.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-09-2009, 02:20 PM
mxbob mxbob is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Port Hadlock WA USA
Posts: 276
Likes: 458
Liked 78 Times in 46 Posts
Default

I have the Armalite and it is my "Go To" rifle. I have had it a few years and just great. I looked at the others but finally decided on this one, no complaints.
Bob Ray
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-09-2009, 02:49 PM
Muddyboot's Avatar
Muddyboot Muddyboot is offline
Member
AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber AR style rifle in .308 caliber  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 6,475
Liked 4,037 Times in 921 Posts
Default

Anyone have an AR in 6.8, I'm thinking of getting one and would like to get some opinions.
__________________
OGCA Member.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
223, bushmaster, scope


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rifle caliber dies alwaysoutdoors Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 8 01-30-2017 07:47 PM
Caliber choice -- revolver style Cal44 Ammo 39 10-26-2015 09:25 PM
Caliber Choice - S&W Style Llando88 Ammo 27 09-29-2015 10:35 PM
Rifle Caliber Model 19 6" Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics 17 12-09-2013 01:13 PM
WTB .416 caliber rifle bullets 29aholic WANTED to Buy 1 11-04-2010 11:34 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:12 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)