Sharrie*1

Kimber45, I just finished building a ar308. It is based on a SI Defense matched upper/lower receiver. Si is real good quality stuff and a matched set is available in their web site (just google SI Defense). Now, as for the parts, some do interchange with the standard ar14 some do not. Be careful what you order!! AR10 stuff is often different from ar308. It seems the most manufacturers will say that their parts are DPMS compatable or Armalite (AR10) compatible. Others still, as tbill stated are all together different. When getting a barrel and nut, the Ar10 will not fit the AR308. Anyhow, just after I finished my build, I found that POF has a new gen 4 upper and lower. So, I had to have one :-) It is really sweet! I am a lefty and the POF has true ambi controls. The gun is really put together well and NO play between the upper and lower. I would give them a look as well. The web being what it is, you have no problem finding the info you need. Fulton Armory is a good source of parts (they call them FAR308). My barrel came from Rainier Arms. They have many different grades to choose from. I have not shot mine as of yet, but I was told that it was real well finished by the person that installed the brake (JT Custom Guns). Speaking of brake...Be careful that the brake you get is finished. The one I had pinned on was not finished to the proper size. I only found that out in my final cleaning. That is when the gun went to JT Custom Guns to be finished. Jack did a great job of making it all right (no he was not the one who initially installed the brake but that is another story) Hope this helps

I am kind of new at building ARs my self. Like you, I found varying opinions on head spacing. I decided to buy the tools and be sure. From what I understand, if the head spacing is not correct, it could be a bad day. I do understand that if you purchase good quality parts (which I did), there should be no issues. But, I decided to error on the side of safety, and have checked every gun I have built (2 in 5.56 and one in 7.62 x 51). All were within spec by the way. For me, the piece of mind was worthwhile. Yes the tools cost a bit, but I had no fear as I pulled the trigger the first time at the range. Just my feeling, and I am not an expert!

Honestly, unless you hit it just right, I have not found amazon's prices to be as good as other places. And, god knows amazon does not support this forum in any way. I would go to the vendor that regularly contribute here first. MidwestPX is a good example as is pk90. Also, there are a lot of good sales for the holidays...keep your eye peeled and you can save a buck. My problem with saving a buck is I now spend more elsewhere :-)

Hmm...I just paid $18 for shipping to nj on 2 stripped lowers last week...I didn't think that was crazy...I guess it goes back to buyer be aware...I have not noticed the different shipping rates on sale vs non sale in the past. I am gonna have to look out for that. 9% is crazy on taxes...wonder what real estate taxes are?

$30 off $200 with coupon code SAVE30

I had the same problem with a vltor upper. I used a bit of emery cloth on the upper. I think the coating was a bit thick. I thought about a rubber mallet, but decided if, for some reason, I wanted to take it apart, I wouldn't be able to. The emery cloth (real fine) worked. In fact, I did not take it all the way down to shiny aluminum. Just removed a bit and tried it until it slid right in. O and, yes, I did lube it on final install.

Out of Stock, but thanks! 5/1/14 @ 5:18 PM

Another update on my ordeal...Last night I sent Primary Arms an email explaining that their site was not correct and that they were selling a dangerous product. So first thing this morning I got an email that the site was fixed and a heartfelt thank you for letting them know. The email said that the individual was going to escalate the issue to see what they could do. Before lunch is was contacted by Primary Arms (I believe it was the manager). He told me that they wanted to make it right, and that they were going to refund all the money that I paid getting this job straightened out. I was also thanked several times for bringing this to their attention. In the end, this was a great lesson for me (and others that read this on the forum); and, I found out that Primary Arms is a reputable business. One that I now intend on dealing with again in the future.

Mikka, I cannot comment on legality or brake vs comp vs flash hider as I still have a lot of learning to do. But, I do know that an ar15 barrel is 1/2" thread and an ar308 barrel is usually 5/8" thread. So, it would be hard to get the .308 comp on a ar15 barrel.

So here is an update of my ordeal. Jack at JT Custom Guns sent me a PM that he thought he could fix my problem. Being in the position I was in, I took him up on it. So, I talked to his machinist with the options open to me. He recommended that I remove the pinned muzzle device, drill it and reinstall. Mike (the machinist) also explained that it may be possible that he would need to pin the brake on the top if the holes did not align when he reinstalled the muzzle device. I asked him to remove it and let me know how it looked. Literally a couple of hours later, Jack called me back and informed me that the device was off and that the person who originally pinned the brake (a shop in Rahway) really didn't pin it too deeply. Usually, this is bad. For me it worked to my benefit. So anyhow, the device was removed and resized (so that a 308win projectile would pass). The brake was reinstalled, pinned and I must confess, it looks great. So, I dropped of the barrel on wed. night and it was complete and ready to go on thurs. night. I must confess that I am a newby at building AR type guns even though I have a couple AR15s under my belt. This is my first AR308. That being said, here is a valuable lesson that I learned. Check the muzzle device prior to having it installed. Also, be careful where you have your muzzle device pinned. Old School - I did look at the tool you suggested at Midway. As it turns out, my cost was only slightly more than the cost of the tool plus shipping. And, now my pin is flush and blends much better than the original pin. I do truly thank you for your suggestions though! Thanks to all that helped me. I hope this helps a newby out there that may have been in a similar situation if they did not read this thread.

Old School, thanks! I guess .015" larger than the barrel is about right. Man they have a tool for everything :-)

Measuring the last port in the brake I get .305 with a dial caliper. I am not thinking the bullet will make it thru.

I am cool with bringing it to a gunsmith...have over $550 invested in the barrel, nut, gas block and muzzle device. I just hope they can do it now that the device is pinned on which means the gas block and nut are also permanently installed.

Ok, so I purchased a muzzle brake from Primary arms. It is a Seekins ATC. The text on Primary Arms says "No special gunsmithing required." So I pick one up and install it. Today I am oiling the gun in preparation for the first shooting and I notice the patch is tight going thru the brake. So, I do some looking and see on the Seekins site and it says "Seekins Precision's gunsmith ATC is designed to be installed by a gunsmith depending on caliber and install preference ...The center bore is shipped undersized and may need to be enlarged depending on caliber" So, here I am with a muzzle device that it pinned on to a barrel with a gas block and barrel nut already installed. My question at this point is what are my options? Can I drill it out with a drill? What size do I drill it in order to work on my AR308? Can the inner diameter of this brake be cut in a lathe now that it is fixed on the barrel? Honestly, I am just glad I cleaned this gun prior to shooting it, it could have been disastrous!! Currently the inner bore is .305."

Their shipping doesn't make sense, agreed, but, it is hard to beat some of their pricing and you do always get your order. I guess when we order from PSA we need to mentally prepare ourselves for the long wait in order to get the great prices. I do remember my first order from them...I was really mad that I had to pay my credit card bill for the items that hadn't shipped. Then I read on this forum and others that they are really slow, so, I waited them out. Now, I just understand it will be a while. If I am in a rush, I look elsewhere.

As others have said, PSA is SLOW to deliver, and they charge the card when you order...BUT...they have deals that are hard to beat and you always get your order, just not when you want it ;-)

They have blem stripped uppers for $49.99 as well. www.palmettostatearmory.com

big five, I am still kinda new to the ar scene. What I did was purchase my first ar. It was a stag with standard milspec trigger. Then, because of the guys on here, I built an ar. Then as some would say building an ar is like eating potato chips...u cant just eat or build one...or two or three... Anyhow, after shooting the stag and building a couple ar s with a standard lpk, I tried a geissele SSA-E. Now that I can appreciate the difference between a milspec and a top of the line trigger, I use the geissele every time now. If you start with the best trigger available, I am not sure you would appreciate the geissele. So, I would recommend that you buy a LPK now, build your gun, shoot it, then when you build your next (not if), try the spendy trigger of your choice and enjoy. Don't forget you can go back and replace the trigger at any time! What ever you do, shoot and enjoy!!

Was surprised to see they have blocked to 15 sr25 308 mags...scored 3...Thanks!

I did Steve...Thanks so much for the speedy reply! Gonna have to look into some other forum sponsors. Thanks again.

agreed!

On your advice, I emailed Steve. I will update when he gets back to me.. Thanks for the advice, and I would rather support a fellow member than Heritage Guild...but they are like 4 miles from me...lol

Just talked to heritage guild in rahway today. They have no problem doing it. I cannot attest to their work, but I will be bringing my barrel there in the next week to get pinned and welded, then we shall see how they do.

In my life I have never sold a gun....SO...I think you should keep what you have and purchase a BCM upper. Then you can compare for your self.

Ok, here is an update. I just got the brake installed today (12/7/13). The carbide bit was just the ticket. Drilled like butter. Welded the barrel. I think it looks for the first attempt, but I may have the next one done professionally :-) Anyhow, thanks to all that responded to my cry for help!! Merry Christmas!