By RP, Loyal Customer On 11/06/2009  After researching the "AR-10" family of rifles, I decided to add one to my collection. I love the .308/7.62 x 51 cartridge and, having owned FALs, M1a, CETME, and other NATO caliber rifles, wanted something brand new that offered the same power. The new "AR style" design was a natural. I also only wanted an 18" barrel which is easy to carry. The DPMS LR308 B rifle is the identical length to the original pencil barrel AR-15. The length of the receiver of these new rifles makes up the difference in overall length.
When I received my new rifle, I was impressed. It came with its own custom hard case, two DPMS 19 round mags, cleaning kit, and strap sling. I opted to use a tactical sling I already owned, however.
There has been a lot written about these new rifles. They are still cutting their teeth and, hopefully in the future, there will be some agreement between manufacturers so parts will interchange between them, just like the AR15 family of rifles. But, today, you still have important differences between them. The DPMS rifle, however, is a quality piece, prepared to handle this serious cartridge and do it reliably and accurately.
From the outset, I had zero issues with this rifle. Fit and finish were perfect. I could not put a single piece of paper between the upper and lower when closed it fit that perfectly. Upon disassembly, I found the components adequate if not excellent quality. There were no metal shavings and the barrel and chamber looked perfect. When I took it to the range for the first time, I was rewarded with a perfectly functioning rifle. I tried both DPMS magazine without a hitch. I also had three C-Product magazines which also performed perfectly. They are all "drop away" mags, too, yet they lock up perfectly not unlike an FAL and much easier than the CETME.
I could not be happier with my purchase. I have had no problems with feeding from the mag which seems to be the one most reported issue. Maybe DPMS had begun to pay more attention to that one complaint. It''s evident to me that the DPMS mags I received had been ''fitted'' to this rifle although the C-Products mags work perfectly as well.
I would recommend this rifle to anyone wanting to step up to the super accurate, powerful AR family of rifles. In my opinion it''s what the AR-15/M16 platform should move into. While the original. .223 cartridge is ultra-accurate, the 7.62 x 51/.308 cartridge has an easy time of being super accurate out to 500 yards with plenty of power. All up, with a sling and magazine installed, however, the LR308 with the 18" bull barrel weighs in at 11 pounds, 4 ounces. Add 19 rounds of ammo and you''ve got your hands full. Still, the recoil is no more than any other semi-auto in this family of rifles and the muzzle is easy to control even with rapid shooting. I''m using an Aimpoint Comp ML2 red-dot and mounted on this rifle, 200 yard rapid shots will easily group all within the 9 ring if not on the bull with an experienced shooter.
I just couldn''t be happier and would do this all over again.
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