berettaprofessor
Member
Based partly on desire, partly on stupidity, and elated by several successful AR15 lower builds, I've wanted an AR10 for years and since the complete rifles seem a bit pricey compared to AR15's, I decided to build one. Recently, Stag announced they were releasing an AR10 upper LH receiver based on DPMS compatibility (yes, I like LH AR's, but that's another discussion), so I jumped on it and ordered one, figuring I'd buy a decent lower later and complete it. The saga:
1. July: Hmmmm...in reading further, I found out that Stag's AR10 uppers have a unique angled fit, different than DPMS upper rounded patterns, so it would best if I order a Stag lower and do it soon while they're available. And look, Stag just emailed me a sale on Stag AR10 lowers and LPK's. Sold!
2. Look, there's an email with a sale on Stag's 308 buffer tube and buffer. Sold! Added a PMAG adjustable stock.
3. September; Lower assembled; still waiting on upper receiver (Stag had difficulties with magazine tolerances). Might as well start looking for a barrel; hmmm...received email of sale on Stag 308 barrels and low profile gas blocks. Good price, probably decent barrel; 18 inches, chrome-lined. Sold!
4. Late September: Previously bought a Stag barrel and now there's a sale on Stag 308 bolt carriers? Hmmm...probably the safest way to be sure of good headspace. Sold!
5. Early October: Still waiting on upper; might as well look for a handguard. As some will remember, I posted a question here asking about the best AR 308 handguards and the majority suggested either carbon fiber or Midwest Industries. Hmmm...pretty pricey all of them. Why are aftermarket handguards more than the cost of either lowers or uppers? Wait, MidwayUSA has a slightly blemished 12" 308 DPMS-compatible Midway Industries receiver on clearance for $140. Checked Stag website again; yes, DPMS compatible handguard should work. Sold!
6. Mid-October; Upper receiver arrived. Great quality, fit to lower is perfect. It was a long wait but I'm impressed with the quality. Begin to assemble. Mount barrel, tighten nut, place gas tube and block, slide over MI handguard. Wait...why is the top rail on the handguard lower than the top rail on the receiver? Check handguard packaging; yes DPMS compatible, 0.150 tang. Check Stag website closer, specs on upper receiver say the tang is 0.210? Look at Stag proprietary handguards; tang is 0.210, labeled "high DPMS". Evidently there are two DPMS standards. Bite the bullet and order the Stag 13" MLOK handguard $180.
And that's where I'm at now, waiting on the new handguard with an unassembled rifle since the new handguard will have a new barrel nut. Yes, I'm an idiot. But lessons learned:
a) I think this is a pretty good example of the variation in AR10 compatibility that makes it a challenge to assemble one from scratch.
b) yes, ultimately, all the sales on parts means I put together an AR10 for just above $1060 including the FFL transfer of the lower ($30), if we subtract the $140 spent on the MI handguard that I can't return. With that mistake thrown in, maybe not so good a deal overall, but on the other hand, a comparable Stag LH 308 on the Stag website is listed at $1650.
c) given all this, I'd recommend that unless you really just want to assemble an AR10 for the grins and giggles, you should just purchase a proprietary complete rifle. I've essentially got a completely Stag AR10 LH, minus the Magpul stock. It's a great rifle with good finish and fit, but I could have purchased it complete for just a few hundred more and with none of the headaches.
Anyone else with similar stories? Cmon, make me feel better!
1. July: Hmmmm...in reading further, I found out that Stag's AR10 uppers have a unique angled fit, different than DPMS upper rounded patterns, so it would best if I order a Stag lower and do it soon while they're available. And look, Stag just emailed me a sale on Stag AR10 lowers and LPK's. Sold!
2. Look, there's an email with a sale on Stag's 308 buffer tube and buffer. Sold! Added a PMAG adjustable stock.
3. September; Lower assembled; still waiting on upper receiver (Stag had difficulties with magazine tolerances). Might as well start looking for a barrel; hmmm...received email of sale on Stag 308 barrels and low profile gas blocks. Good price, probably decent barrel; 18 inches, chrome-lined. Sold!
4. Late September: Previously bought a Stag barrel and now there's a sale on Stag 308 bolt carriers? Hmmm...probably the safest way to be sure of good headspace. Sold!
5. Early October: Still waiting on upper; might as well look for a handguard. As some will remember, I posted a question here asking about the best AR 308 handguards and the majority suggested either carbon fiber or Midwest Industries. Hmmm...pretty pricey all of them. Why are aftermarket handguards more than the cost of either lowers or uppers? Wait, MidwayUSA has a slightly blemished 12" 308 DPMS-compatible Midway Industries receiver on clearance for $140. Checked Stag website again; yes, DPMS compatible handguard should work. Sold!
6. Mid-October; Upper receiver arrived. Great quality, fit to lower is perfect. It was a long wait but I'm impressed with the quality. Begin to assemble. Mount barrel, tighten nut, place gas tube and block, slide over MI handguard. Wait...why is the top rail on the handguard lower than the top rail on the receiver? Check handguard packaging; yes DPMS compatible, 0.150 tang. Check Stag website closer, specs on upper receiver say the tang is 0.210? Look at Stag proprietary handguards; tang is 0.210, labeled "high DPMS". Evidently there are two DPMS standards. Bite the bullet and order the Stag 13" MLOK handguard $180.
And that's where I'm at now, waiting on the new handguard with an unassembled rifle since the new handguard will have a new barrel nut. Yes, I'm an idiot. But lessons learned:
a) I think this is a pretty good example of the variation in AR10 compatibility that makes it a challenge to assemble one from scratch.
b) yes, ultimately, all the sales on parts means I put together an AR10 for just above $1060 including the FFL transfer of the lower ($30), if we subtract the $140 spent on the MI handguard that I can't return. With that mistake thrown in, maybe not so good a deal overall, but on the other hand, a comparable Stag LH 308 on the Stag website is listed at $1650.
c) given all this, I'd recommend that unless you really just want to assemble an AR10 for the grins and giggles, you should just purchase a proprietary complete rifle. I've essentially got a completely Stag AR10 LH, minus the Magpul stock. It's a great rifle with good finish and fit, but I could have purchased it complete for just a few hundred more and with none of the headaches.
Anyone else with similar stories? Cmon, make me feel better!
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