AR-15 BS Thread

I enjoy my LWRCI piston guns greatly and would happily take them into harms way. In fact I would choose the LWRCI way before I would choose the HK offerings MR556 or 416 seeing as I have shot all three. YMMV

 

Its hard to beat LWRC!

 

^^^what he said.

Just to elaborate on that a bit, if the barrel is stamped as 5.56, you can shoot a .223 through it. However, the same does not hold true for the reverse. As I understand it, and someone please correct me if i'm wrong, the 5.56 bullets are higher pressure. This means that a gun designed for the 5.56 can handle the lower pressure generated by the .223, but a gun designed for the .223 may not be able to handle the higher pressure generated by the 5.56. I've tried searching high and low to find someone who can give me an accurate and straight forward answer to the differences between the two bullets, and that isn't as easy as it sounds. Maybe I just haven't gone to the right source (i.e. TacomaWorld) .

Now, a little more about that gun. You will hear gun nuts slam all the entry level AR rifles. Maybe I just don't know enough about them all, but I love mine. I bought that same DPMS Oracle 5.56 last year before Christmas for a heck of a deal. I compared it to a lot of the higher end $1500+ rifles that they had on the shelf, and there were very few differences. The biggest difference is that some, not all, of the more expensive rifles had a manganese phosphate coating. I spoke with several people who told me that is absolutely unnecessary unless you are planning on firing thousands of rounds at a time on full automatic (i.e. police or military). Obviously that is not the case. Aside from that, the higher end models all had more expensive options. Same upper and lower receivers, same bolt carrier, same barrel. That Oracle 5.56 is basically the same gun, just stripped down. I figured I could get that for less than I could build, have a model to go off of when I decide to build another, and add to it as funds became available. I also liked the flat top for the option of adding a scope. I don't care for the carrying handle. I plan on replacing that cheap handguard with a nice free-float quad rail when I get a chance. Mine is accurate and smooth...can't ask for much more than that. And it only took me 6 rounds to get it sighted in. Rounds 7-9 were all withing a quarter of an inch at 100yds.

 

I'd sell the DPMS and use that as a cheap stepping stone to a bit better platform (Colt, BCM, DD....). You could sell it NIB for about 600-700 depending on where you are. Then just add $400 of your own money and get a pretty sweet rifle for cheap. But if you aren't really planning on getting into the AR platform just enjoy your DPMS.

 

I think I may buy that BCM handle.

 

it makes a way better "schlick" sound anyways

 

I still have yet to shoot mine.

Hell, I have yet to shoot my .40 i bought in august..lol

 

Hunter -

There is no one right answer out there. I think you'll end up with a nice build. You really can't go wrong using Noveske, LaRue, VLTOR, and / or LMT.

One thing to consider...piston vs. DI is parts. You indicated a SHTPF (I add proverbial) scenario and I would imagine that DI parts would be easier to find. But, then again this is coming from a guy with a dozen extra Geissele triggers and just as many matched bolts and Noveske barrels in various lengths and contours in his gun room. But, then again I can shoot a barrel out in a month or so. But, if you are building a piston gun...get some backup parts for the critical items in a short stroke system.

Take your time and put the right parts together and you'll be happy. If you get a question you can't answer...send me a PM and I'll see if I can point you in the right direction or put you in touch with the right folks who can.

One last thing...check out the Aimpoint T-1's...they are great optics. If I were to go only one optic package though I would do an ACOG / RMR combo...probably a TA31ECOS.

Also, start picking up some M262 MOD 1 when you can...or some similar loads from Stan Chen (ASYM) if you don't plan on loading or reloading.

- Mark

 

Ah the whole SHTF and DI parts are better, lol. You most likely aren't going to find any spare parts lying around anywhere because the people who had them, will have them. So are you planning on picking parts up from weapons laying around everywhere? Why not just use that weapon or at least the upper. Do you really think you are going to have the time and tools to be swapping out parts from one AR to another. Yes DI parts are not proprietary and are much more plentiful and there is alot to be gained through commonality, but trying to use the SHTF argument to justify one system over the other has too many holes in it to be taken seriously. One advantage pistons might hold over DI in a SHTF scenario is the fact they are a bit less finicky over different kinds of ammo. In the end its a matter of personal preference. A good piston gun will runjust as well as a good DI gun and vice versa. I appreciate piston guns because I shoot suppressed and I like SBRs, I shoot a wide range of ammo so it made sense for me. I also shoot a ton when I do shoot and I like the ease of maintenance afterwards.

 

Thanks for the advice you guys! That was definitely helpful. I think I'll hold on to it until I get the hang of this AR stuff. I'm pretty excited!!! I'm kinda bummin because I have a chance to pick it up until December 8. I'll try to remember to post a picture up when I do though!

 

We used to use the 416 as duty rifles. Their crap! We barely could keep them running.

 

I think you may want re-read what I said. I certainly was not making an argument based on a SHTPF scenario. Mr. White indicated that was something he was considering...and there is no denying that there are more DI AR's out there than piston...simple math my friend...and you don't need any tools to change out the majority of AR parts...DI or AR. Add an armorers wrench to your plans and you can do whatever you want to an AR.

- Mark

 

I have been hearing the same from AWG, 3rd, and 7th groups guys as well. I don't know if they have them in their gear lockers or if they are hearing it second hand. The guys from 7th group I have spoken to have said the LWRCIs kick ass though.

Without a vice? Like I said, in such a scenario you would be more likely to add your shit to an already existing rifle. So what you start out with really doesn't matter. Personally I would prefer a cleaner operating system with less maintenance needs in said scenario. The likelyhood of you shooting thousands of rounds that you have to scavenge is about nil. So thinking parts are going to wear out is kind of a moot point. You are only going to shoot what you need to shoot.

 

FYI EVERYBODY - LA Police Gear is have a Woot-style "Countdown" sale on their site right now...I've seen some good deals go by already!

http://www.lapolicegear.com/sad-list.html

 

Thanks for the assistance! I will definitely keep you in mind as I continue my build. I have been around weapons my whole life and shot a lot of AR's/M16's, but this is my first time building one, so I'm sure I'll have some questions and run into some opportunities to learn. Thanks again

 

The LWRCs are the go to for a reason. Then again I'm working one of their 308s that's having issues but I think it was the end user changing out parts that caused it. Short stroking, FTE etc.
our rifles were such crap we moth balled them and then sold them to the FBI lol.

 

Is the .308 the new reper one with the side charging handle? I've heard some mixed reviews on them.

 

That is the only .308 they make. I have a 16" one and it is a laser beam. Runs like a champ too. They had teething issues in the very beginning because they designed it around Cproducts magazines and right before they were produced Cproducts changed the mags without warning anybody. They fixed all the rifles that had issues on their dime and I have to say I am rediculously impressed with mine. It was between the REPR and the OBR and I am glad I went with the REPR. A couple guys on the LWRCI forum just did a Costa Ludis Heavy Rifle course and have a couple great AARs on it. All REPRs in the course finished with flying colors while a couple of the other .308s had major issues, one completely deadlined on the first day.

http://forum.lwrci.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12554

Pictures of my REPR



Yes I like LWRCI, they are an American company with a good group of guys working for them that make innovative products that absolutely work. If it ever gave you issues they would work on the thing until it didn't and it wouldn't cost you a dime. Doesn't matter if you are the fifth or the tenth owner they will get it right. I have seen them start warranty claims on a holiday. In fact SFS you might just want to send the one you have to them and let them get it right.

 

If you're looking for a good AR .308 gun...I am personally a fan of LaRue, LMT, LWRCI, and custom .308's by RW Snyder. Like Sleeper said LWRCI has worked out their magazine issues with the REPR and you should be able to run MagPul magazines with ease...I haven't had any issues. If you have issues...like Sleeper said...send it to them and they will take care of it, period.

On the HK416 I only know of a few units in the US military that are using them...some with success...others with speed bumps. I think it depends on the unit armorers...they have a lot to do with the success of a weapon system. Some of the units that are using them are going back to DI AR's and are switching to 300BLK uppers. I am interested to see what some of the suppliers are going to be offering at SHOT in January.

Sleeper - did you swap your SOPMOD stock out for the carbine stock?

- Mark

 

this might be a stupid question, but is there a 308 upper made for the ar-15 that takes the magazine through the side and is still semi-auto?