If you have shot one, what do you like about it, what didn’t you care for?

Typically longer and heavier as expected. Usually able to be very accurate and reliable.

Things I don't like. 1 they are not standard like ar 15s they have different patterns and another all parts swap. so you just have to know what you have and what you need.

I don't like the sight hight over bore but that is part of not having any drop at the stock due to the need of buffer tube.

Handel them, read up and decide what pattern you want to go with. nothing worse than buying something and realizing all the mags you thought you had won't work or something similar.

I don't have an AR 10 for those reasons.

I have a ruger SFAR (small framed ar) and like it. Look into them here --> https://ruger.com/products/sfar/models.html

If you shop around online you can find them for $900.

ol' dad

my experience is also on the SFAR

every 308 gas gun has some issues

308 has such a wide variation if bullet weights , powder types and load velocities and pressure

you NEED an adjustable gas system every good 308 gas gun in history has had a multi setting adjustable gas system

M14/M1A ,G3 , FNFAL

308 is abusive to guns , vortex graphed the recoil impulse of a bunch of guns and the most abusive gun in semi auto 308 was the FN-SCAR they then use this to know what they are testing too as a standard if they can exceed a number of rounds of recoil with the optic on the FN-SCAR then they know it will hold up longer on anything else.

most people never get higher round counts in a 308 gas gun , when you do you break stuff , before you wear out barrels.

a SFAR with the aftermarket adjustable gas block is nice I have to check and see which one it is I know it has a lot more settings than the 0,1,2,3 that the factory gas block has.
the factory gas block worked ok in the 20 inch barrel gun to around 1000 rounds they claim a break in of about 250 you run it with more gas then back it down.
however by the time it was over 1k it seemed to be over gassed even on the lower setting.

changing ammo is also a time to figure out what gas setting to use again.
because you could be running 7.62x51 and need a more gassy setting or a hunting ammo 308win and need less gas because it sits near max with a heavy bullet.

the SFAR works well on Magpul mags so it also has good mag availability.

I have two .308 semi autos . A Ruger SFAR and a LF10 The LF has a very good trigger on it, even better than some bolt guns I have shot and said to group around an inch typically. I like them because they are .308 I bought the guns for a reason and if it ever comes about, which really I hope doesn't, then I want more than some .22 to make them stop being bad guys. I also had a PTR 91 which are different design than AR's but I passed it on before even shooting it so can't coment on it but they are tough and strong German battle rifle, mine was the American made version I was going to set it up with a suppresor and hunt coyotes but I just can't stand the thought of hunting those plastic things that I bought a Ruger American gen 2 and a walnut stock for it from Boyds. I like the concept of a scout rifle but hate having the scope that far forward , with this it can a ten round mag and keep the scope where I like it

Dad has a base models DPMS in .308 . Shot it a bit and just don't like the recoil, way to snappy for me , but that might have to do with the stock and how it's gassed more then anything. Other then that doesn't weigh too much more then most of my AR's




Another thing is if you wanna build one you better buy parts from the same company for be in the mood to do a lot of research and tinkering because THERE NOT like 15's and you can just mix and mash Everything willy billy.
For instance even though the PSA lower and BSA upper are supposed to be in the same pattern I still had to do some Dremel work to get min to fit together


Also if you wanns use a regular scope you'll need a cantilever mount or and extended charging handle. Dad don't do either and it's about annoying trying to get in the charging handle with a lower mound scope right over it.... But cantilever mount are everywhere now days so egh

I went with a creedmore and a side charger love it way more....might also help I have a fully adjustable stock on mine

I appreciate the info folks. Thank you!

Decisions, decisions.

We trained with the M14 in basic when I was in the army. They were far more reliable than the M16. The civilian version is the M1A I once read.

and after 40 years of improvements the AR-15 got as reliable and will outlast a M14/M1A and are easier to work on.


everything breaks , it is a matter of rounds to breakage and how hard they are to fix or rebuild.

if you haven't broken a gun , you just haven't sent enough rounds with it yet.

Take look at the FNAR. It is a lot like the old BAR.

Yeah was about to say all the AR/ M16 reliably problem Ive read about where from some of the first gen M16's given out in Vietnam which when you read into it past they jammed and soldier preferred the m14 , there was a lot of growing pains trying to every right wen it can.to materials lube ammo , mags ect.