Mag choices for 308 ARs

BALLISTIC

Jack of all Trades
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 31, 2002
243
56
Vinland
I am planning on building a AR in 308. I was planning on going the DPMS style, but I see now that CMMG makes a G3 Magazine version of an AR lower. Having never seen or fondled a G3 who's magazines are better? DPMS style or G3?
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

The price of the mags is what has my interest, but I was curious as to the quality of the G3 mags. I have not seen the RRA 308, but I will look into it. So now that you brought it up...How are the FAL magazines?
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

FAL and G3 mags are great and all, but you will lose the BHO on the G3 mags (it doesn't have one).

You also have to modify the upper so the mag lips can fit up into it.

I faced your exact decision, and decided that those that can afford .308 AR's can afford the mags. I really wanted the BHO.

The cheap mags are darn tempting though, but I'd just get a HK91 type...
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

DPMS lowers are compatible with the new 7.62 PMAG, hands down the most reliable mag out for a 308 AR. From my experience with .308 ARs the mag is the weak link. The 7.62 has been my solution. Cheaper is not always better. 7.62 PMAGs sell for $21.99 on my site. Not as cheap as old G3 mags but not expensive either.
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

I have owned and still own several rifles compatible with the HK G3/91 magazines. The are very reliable and well-made mags and they function 100% out of the HK rifles. I can't say how well they'll function in an AR-platform rifle. As others have said, you do lose the bolt hold open (BHO) on the last round with the G3 setup in the CMMG lower. I understand they are working on a solution for that issue, but nothing yet. Also, G3 mags are available in a couple varieties, including the super-cheap aluminum mags that you see for $1.25/mag or so and the steel mags which are much mroe expensive. The Aluminum mags are great for range mags and lighter duty use, but were designed to be lightweight and disposable and thus, won't hold up to long-term use/abuse as well as the steel mags.

If it were my choice to make, I'd go with a DPMS/KAC type lower and run the new 308 Magpul PMAGs that Dustin mentioned. I have been running them in my POF and they are 100% reliable and will allow you to load and feed heavy, 175gr match loads in the mags. They were purpose-built around the M118LR round.
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

Magpul just released Pmags for a DPMS lower, here's the place I happened to find them online. They're 21 bucks a pop, which is fantastic IMO.

I'm also of the opinion that the Pmags are the way to go above damn near anything else. I'm basing that on my experience with several manufacturers AR15/M16 mags and I love the Pmags I have.

EDIT: I just noticed the post 2 up and another member's business is selling them. I'm not going to crap on his business for $1 difference in price.
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

Any news on quality mags for Armalite AR-10s beyond Armalite's own, and modified M1A mags? Sure seems like it would be possible for a polymer manufacturer like Mag-Pul to come up with something that could run in both the AR. and DPMS platforms.

But then, I'm still waiting for jet packs to be available to the general public...
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

DPMS...easier to get mags....Magpul has the new .308s coming out for em...most aftermarket gun companies are all using the SR25\DPMS mag setup....Cproducts also puts out mags and DPMS has em on sale once in a while now since the Obama craze is dying down
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

Just like VHS vs. Betamax or Blueray vs. HD DVD the SR25 pattern has pretty much won the format wars. KAC, DPMS, LWRC, POF, LaRue, LMT and more I'm probably forgetting about or that are still on the way. And of those listed, two have significant military contracts (KAC with the SR25/M110 and LMT with the L129A1).

Now with .308 PMags around $20 I wouldn't be surprised to see Armalite introducing a new generation AR-10 to their line to stay competitive.

Of course the SCAR-L and HK417 will be using their own mag types too, which makes no sense to me so maybe not.

I don't think I've ever seen a photo of a complete and running CMMG AR that takes the G3 mags. I've seen lots of photos of the stripped lower but none of a complete gun (modifications are necessary to the upper if you want to assemble one too).
 
Re: Mag choices for 308 ARs

C Products make good mags for DPMS 308 just bought a few and they function great. If you decide to go the G3 way let me know I've got 5 or 6 20rds I'll send you, I took a chance when they were .99cents at cheaper than dirt. Their doing me no good. Let me know.