DPMS or Red Rock Arms

E

Ernie708

Inactive
Hey Guys,

New to the forum, found the site while researching my next gun.

I could use some advice here. I am wanting a AR style .308 cal. just because I want something accurate and dependable.

I am just a weekend target shooter. I have my "fun" guns, a S&W M&P AR15-22 and the Ruger Charger .22lr. These are great plunkers but, I really enjoy longer range target shooting and that's what the new gun is for.

I don't hunt so, weight is a non issue.

My choices (as right now anyway!), is the DPMS Panther with the 24" bull barrel with the upgraded trigger group, stock, optics mount, and tripod.

The other choice is the Red Rock Arms LAR-8 Varmint with the 26" bull barrel. This one comes with most of the upgrades already.

With all of the add ons to the DPMS, the price is comparable to both.

Keep in mind, this is pure want and not a need. I have my self defence covered. This is for pure recreation and does not have to fill any specific task except the fun of accurate shooting.

The $1,500.00 question, what are the advantages of either?

Thanks for the help!
 
IIRC, the RRA has a 2 stage match trigger, and a cryo-treated barrel (I'm not sure the Cryo really helps much). FWIW, in my Free-Floated, Heavy Barrel, 20" RRA LAR-8, I'm getting about 0.60 MOA (when I do my part). I have encountered two problems with the LAR 8. First, the rifle lacks parts commonality with the SR-25/DPMS .308 rifles, which seem to have the most after-market support. Second, the hammer pin tends to walk out of the rifle, requiring KNS anti-rotation pins.

I have seen good accuracy with DPMS .308 rifles. They are compatible with .308 PMAGs (~$17/mag), BCM Gunfighter .308 charging handles, and do not require a stock extension if you want to install a Magpul PRS.

Here's my LAR-8:

DSC_0222.JPG
 
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I have a DPMS lightweight LR308L.It works fine.Rock River makes good stuff from the little I have seen.It is my understanding when the military does repair on its rifles Rock River parts are authorized to be used.A cautionary point you may want to investigate,what magazine does the RR take?I am thinking it may be the FAL mag.Once upon a time I was told the FAL mag and the AR platform are not an ideal match.I am not saying I know that from experience.I have no experience with a RR 308.Just do your research before you buy.You might look at Armalite.too.
 
I am a DPMS LR-308 owner and it is good the one you are looking at has a trigger upgrade, because the stock DPMS trigger is rough. Try to handle both; see how they feel. Oh, they are heavy. Otherwise, if you are the type who wants to tinker and modify, then choose DPMS, because more parts are out there.

Yes, the LAR8 takes an FAL mag. Should not be a problem except there is a limited supply of new magazines, and the used ones are not cheap anymore; some of the used are good, some are beat up.
 
I would read this FAQ, it shows the differences between the various manufacturers.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=62&t=378850

You well hear a lot of chatter about the cost of magazines, today it's a wash as they all run about the same price. There are a lot of these on the used market with some good buys on Gunbroker. Any of the platforms can be reliable tack drivers with a good barrel.

I choose the AR10 ArmaLite platform because I prefer the time proven M14 magazine design.

Noveske N6 upper on a ArmaLite NM lower.
case02.jpg
 
So, what I am seeing is that there isn't any major advantage to either. I guess it will boil down to availability and which one I think is better looking.

You answered my question in as much as there doesn't seem to be any big problems with either rifle.

That's what I was after, didn't want to make a $1,500.00 "oops"!

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep you posted.
 
So, what I am seeing is that there isn't any major advantage to either. I guess it will boil down to availability and which one I think is better looking.

You answered my question in as much as there doesn't seem to be any big problems with either rifle.

That's what I was after, didn't want to make a $1,500.00 "oops"!

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...

I would suggest you look at each component on DPMS and RRA websights and see the vaulue of what is all included above a standard AR-15 set up from each. Part by part

Both companies are very successful and reputable.

You are not going to get a bad rifle either with DPMS or RRA, it really comes down to the options you get for your money vs what you want/need.

You can get a full tactical set up quad rail, but would you really need to attach anything to it, such as lights or lasers?

If you are not planning for all those bells and whistles that cost a lot of money to slap on there, then a Quad Rail System would be a waste of money. Something like a Free Float Tube would be better then or just standard polymer covers.

The Ar-15 you really need to consider each part one at a time.

-Do you want a scope? OR Will iron sights work good too?

-Do you like the idea of a forward handle grip on the stock OR is a standard rifle grip better for you?

-Do you want BUIS to be able to attach and reattach a scope for different shooting.
 
Cost wise the RRA, DPMS, and Armalite are pretty close. I chose the DPMS because it is based on the SR-25 platform and parts/accessories are more commonly found and are usually better priced. Out of the cheaper .308 AR's the DPMS is the only one that is based on the SR-25 platform. The RRA uses FAL magazines which I have heard or and seen several failures with. The Armalite uses M14 magazines and a different barrel nut/extension, and a few other parts are Armalite specific. The single stage DPMS trigger was definitely not the best, but I have pulled much worse. I changed mine out to a Geissele SSA trigger and could not be more happy with it.

There are no middle of the road with .308 AR's like there is for AR-15's. It is either a $1k-$1.4k gun or you jump straight to a $3.5k+ gun. I am happy with my DPMS and after all the stuff I added or changed plus spare p-mags I have about $2k in it.
 
OK, now what

OK, I've decided on the RRA.

I hate to ask but, I live in rural Arizona so, where does a guy go to spend the $2k?

There is a small shop in town that is a DPMS dealer and he does most of his business on the Internet. I am going to stop by his shop and ask about the RRA deal.

As I stated earlier, I'm a newbie at this stuff. All my other guns have been bought at local shops so the FFL deal was easy.

Just so you are all ready, next question, scopes!!!

Thanks for all the advice, it really helps.
 
RR...good choice! Buy the upper and lower on-line where you get the best deal. The lower is the "rifle" and you'll need an FFL to complete the transaction. The upper can be sent through the mail without problems.
 
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