Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

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Stubb

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Minuteman
Oct 19, 2009
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Atlanta, GA
#1
Both the Mega MA-TEN and Iron Ridge Arms IRA-X caught my eye as upper/lower combos for assembling a DPMS-pattern .308 carbine. I'm happy to pay for quality, but the IRA-X is twice the price of the MA-TEN. Can anyone comment on what the IRA-X offers to justify that premium? I could purchase the MA-TEN along with a Lothar Walther barrel and matching bolt for the price of the IRA-X.

Edit: Not sure how I missed JD Machine Tech! Any comments on their receivers would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,

Andreas
 
#7
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

I just received my MA-10 yesterday and started my build. overall so far my only bitch is the barrel/upper fit is TIGHT!
I heated the upper a little and CLP'd it and it still was a tight fit. FYI, do the math on this build and unless your building something thats not commercialy available, look at just buying a LMT MWS. it adds up quick IMHO
 
#8
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tom Olson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FYI, do the math on this build and unless your building something thats not commercialy available, look at just buying a LMT MWS. it adds up quick IMHO </div></div>

Will do. I'm considering the MWS as well but can't say that I'm thrilled by the proprietary barrel, particularly since replacements from LMT run around $700.

How's the fit between the upper and lower on your MA-TEN?

—Andreas
 
#9
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Andreas</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tom Olson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FYI, do the math on this build and unless your building something thats not commercialy available, look at just buying a LMT MWS. it adds up quick IMHO </div></div>

Will do. I'm considering the MWS as well but can't say that I'm thrilled by the proprietary barrel, particularly since replacements from LMT run around $700.

How's the fit between the upper and lower on your MA-TEN?

—Andreas </div></div>

on proprietary barrels for the LMT MWS, you can now have barrels converted to fit:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2165968#Post2165968
 
#11
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

I have a IRA lower on my LR-308. Got it at an intro price for some bling (it's in the white) and sold my stripped DPMS lower to a buddy. Nothing better than anything else out there.

Frankly, I think you can pick up a DPMS combo or order the upper & lower (DPMS) from Brownell's. Don't get sucked in to matched upper/lower silliness. The fit of the upper to lower on an AR has nothing to do with it's accuracy since (basically) the sights are mounted to the barrel. So...a quality barrel, chamber, bolt and carrier are much more important (and my factory DPMS LR-308) drills.

Rich
 
#12
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hopps</div><div class="ubbcode-body">on proprietary barrels for the LMT MWS, you can now have barrels converted to fit:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2165968#Post2165968
</div></div>

That's good to know! I tracked down some pictures of MWS barrels on this site, and paying $200 for the conversion seems reasonable given the massive size of the barrel extension. I suspect the mounting system is why an LMT MWS weighs a pound more than a KAC EMC.

—Andreas
 
#13
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

the upper/lower fit on my Mega receivers is perfect, installing the barrel is a bitch,, I had to heat the upper and freeze the barrel with dry ice to get it to slide in. this is with a Noveske 6.5 creedmoor barrel. glad I went to high school to figure this out,,,,
 
#14
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

I've been asking around and trying to figure out what a custom gunsmith like GAP or JP does differently to build an AR-10 type rifle that I can't do myself and haven't really gotten a good answer. If I used high quality components (receiver, bbl, bcg) and put it together myself it should be the same rifle, right? This may seem like a stupid question but I really don't know and I'm trying to decide if I should build myself or buy from somebody.
 
#15
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jason8251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been asking around and trying to figure out what a custom gunsmith like GAP or JP does differently to build an AR-10 type rifle that I can't do myself and haven't really gotten a good answer. If I used high quality components (receiver, bbl, bcg) and put it together myself it should be the same rifle, right? This may seem like a stupid question but I really don't know and I'm trying to decide if I should build myself or buy from somebody. </div></div>

If you have the necessary tools and feel comfortable doing it then go for it. The thing is a rifle built by a known gunsmith is a known quantity; something built in a garage by Uncle Bob and his drinking buddies isn't.
 
#16
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

An AR is one of the easiest platforms to build, take a look on Brownells website for their videos and armorer's tools
 
#17
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

There are some little tricks that help reliability more than anything else IMHO. The vast majority of "accuracy" tricks are pretty standard fair (good barrel, good chamber cut and finished, etc.).

I used the AGI videos and talked to some builder friends and my AR's (haven't built a LR-308/AR-10 yet). Building its big brother shouldn't be any more difficult.

Rich
 
#18
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

Thanks for all the suggestions. I pinged a couple of high-power shooters, and they came back with a thumbs-up for the Mega, so I'll likely go that route unless I come across a screaming deal on an MWS. Just need to sell a few things first…

—Andreas
 
#19
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

If it's any help to you I just ordered a MA-TEN set from Talon Arms in Cali for $555 shipped (that's with Mil discount but the standard price was still 10% below Mega's MSRP.) The dude says he gets a new shipment in about every 2 weeks or so.
 
#20
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jason8251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been asking around and trying to figure out what a custom gunsmith like GAP or JP does differently to build an AR-10 type rifle that I can't do myself and haven't really gotten a good answer. If I used high quality components (receiver, bbl, bcg) and put it together myself it should be the same rifle, right? This may seem like a stupid question but I really don't know and I'm trying to decide if I should build myself or buy from somebody. </div></div>

If you have the necessary tools and feel comfortable doing it then go for it. The thing is a rifle built by a known gunsmith is a known quantity; something built in a garage by Uncle Bob and his drinking buddies isn't.</div></div>

The tools are an issue. I have built a couple of them, and the price of all the necessary tools does add to the build price. If you are just going to build one, I would look seriously at commercial stuff. I couldnt find all the parts that I wanted in one on one already produced, so built one. then another one.
 
#21
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

I was an Armorer in the Marine Corps, building one of these rifles yourself should not pose a problem as long your somewhat mechanically inclined and have the basic understanding as to how these rifles operate. Get yourself a good set of tools and gauges, take care of them and they will last you for many builds! Sure they will be expensive, but you will save allot of money in the long run. Once you gain enough knowledge, you can make a few bucks on the side building rifles or working on them for others.
 
#22
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscbigdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a IRA lower on my LR-308. Got it at an intro price for some bling (it's in the white) and sold my stripped DPMS lower to a buddy. Nothing better than anything else out there.

Frankly, I think you can pick up a DPMS combo or order the upper & lower (DPMS) from Brownell's. Don't get sucked in to matched upper/lower silliness. The fit of the upper to lower on an AR has nothing to do with it's accuracy since (basically) the sights are mounted to the barrel. So...a quality barrel, chamber, bolt and carrier are much more important (and my factory DPMS LR-308) drills.

Rich
</div></div>

ive had two sets that ive owned so far. neither were tight. granted the barrel and scope/sights all on the upper makes the upper/lower fit not "crucial" i guess you would say, but when the fit makes your rifle rattle around like a maraca in a latin band, its not the most confident thing to feel as your upper flops side to side. then it will lead to other stuff not fitting, pretty soon the whole thing is sloppier than a gloryhole in a gay bar. you gotta have a smith tighten them up, its kinda beyond the average guy. im happy to hear MEGA is tight.
 
#23
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

What other stuff doesn't fit? The upper and lower are joined by the front pivot pin and the rear pin, with the hammer being the only other point of contact on the firing pin. As long as the pins are there, you're good.

That said, I am a bit of a hypocrite in that I do use Accu-Wedge's. Not that any of my rifles rattle, but I do like the snug feeling. Has had zero effect on accuracy/precision. If you're concerned, highpower shooters often add plumber's goo between the receivers to marry the two together.

Point being that folks get so sucked into that AR lowers need to be from [fill in the blank] tactical company in order to get a "quality" receiver/receiver set. The odds are VERY good that the advertised company doesn't make the receivers. Just ordered them from the machine house that also makes Joe-Bob's Blaster's. I've said it before on here, as long as the holes are in the right place and line up, it'll be more than fine.

Rich

 
#24
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

I just completed a MA Ten upper lower combo I got from aimsurplus.com for $499 shipped. I ordered the rest of my parts from Rainier Arms. I heated up the upper with a heat gun and the barrel slide right in. I used the RA 16" UltraMatch with a DPMS extension.
standard.jpg

standard.jpg
 
#25
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: archad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just completed a MA Ten upper lower combo I got from aimsurplus.com for $499 shipped. I ordered the rest of my parts from Rainier Arms. I heated up the upper with a heat gun and the barrel slide right in. I used the RA 16" UltraMatch with a DPMS extension.
standard.jpg

standard.jpg
</div></div>

Ok. So how does it shoot?
laugh.gif
 
#26
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

That's a great-looking build and similar to what I have in mind. What scope and mount combo do you have planned? Let us know how it shoots!

—Andreas
 
#27
Re: Receiver combo for .308 carbine build

Well I went to the range today. I put my Primary Arms budget scopeon tell I get my IOR Valada 1.5x8. I ran down the 100ydrange
hung up my 2 targets up. My heart was pounding range was gonna close@ dusk. I fired 10 shots @ the left target 1st. I looked the through the spotting scope and was disappointed.I realized I had not even cleaned the barrel since I built it I cleaned it real fast waited about 5minutes and got my breathing/heart calm as much time as I had before dusk. I shot the group on the right target last.I measured my triggers pull #'s and it was 5.5lb. It is a JT so I ajusted it down to 3.5lbs a few minutes ago. And the BABC is just amazing.

standard.jpg

Ammo used
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5 shot avg 16" barrel
standard.jpg

Targets@100yds
standard.jpg

10 shot target up close
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5 shot target up close
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