Dta SRS Questions

[TarScar]

Hi all, so I'm looking into getting a DTA SRS either new or used for a good price. And I just wanted to know the main differences between gen 1, gen 2, and the A1? I know the A1 is the newest model but does that automatically make it a gen 2 or is it possible to have a gen 1 A1? Any info is much appreciated, thank you!

[M1Kev]

There are subtle differences between the two, but you really should just get a Gen 2 (SRS-A1) unless you get a screaming deal on a Gen 1.

Gen 2 has an adjustable cheek riser (not available on Gen1), smooth forearm with a continuous top rail and positions to bolt on side and bottom rails if you desire (Gen1 has integral quad rail). The monopod is a standard feature on the Gen2 (optional extra on Gen1). Gen1 and 2 use different barrel extensions, but the Gen2 can use both whereas Gen1 is limited to Gen1 extensions.

With the Gen2 release, the colors are limited to FDE and Black from the factory, the OD Green is no longer a stock option, but you can purchase OD panels as upgrade parts.

Overall it is a very fun rifle to own/shoot.

[Cypriss32]

What do you think is a "good" price. Based on what I've seen for sale. Good luck on a "good" price. Your better off buying new. The newest model has features that warrant the price.

[hj_S14]

The SRS A1 which is Gen 2 has more padding on the stock as well. More comfortable when you shoot 338 or 300

There are subtle differences between the two, but you really should just get a Gen 2 (SRS-A1) unless you get a screaming deal on a Gen 1.

Gen 2 has an adjustable cheek riser (not available on Gen1), smooth forearm with a continuous top rail and positions to bolt on side and bottom rails if you desire (Gen1 has integral quad rail). The monopod is a standard feature on the Gen2 (optional extra on Gen1). Gen1 and 2 use different barrel extensions, but the Gen2 can use both whereas Gen1 is limited to Gen1 extensions.

With the Gen2 release, the colors are limited to FDE and Black from the factory, the OD Green is no longer a stock option, but you can purchase OD panels as upgrade parts.

Overall it is a very fun rifle to own/shoot.

[brando]

The Gen 1 barrel extension indexes off of a pin in the receiver. Since 2009 I've replaced it twice, which is no big deal but a bit annoying. The pin can get bent from being too forceful with the barrel but just from personal experience it tends to get bent over a few years with just normal use. One time the bending was obvious and the barrel wouldn't seat properly. The second time it was much trickier to diagnose as it was causing a slight yaw to the barrel and throwing everything off significantly. In both cases, once the problem was identified, the solution was a quick and easy fix. In the first case DTA sent me a handful of replacement pins and like I said, I've gone through two.

The Gen 2 barrel extension indexes off of the feed ramp which is a much more robust design. Because of this large notch compared to the small Gen 1 notch, Gen 2 barrel extensions will fit both Gen 1 and Gen 2 chassis, but Gen 1 barrels will only fit Gen 1 chassis.

The A1 adds an adjustable cheekpiece, softer buttplate and easier release button and slick forearms that use addon rail sections. Most Gen 1 rifles made before 2010 do not include the cutout in the bottom of the receiver for the monopod. Many Gen 2 rifles made starting in 2010 included the monopod cutout so one could be added after the fact. Many Gen 2 rifles made after 2012 can be upgraded to A1s by swapping out some parts, but Gen 1 rifles require the skins to be modified to use the new buttplate, for example.

Bottom line, a good deal on any of these version is great. Personally, I would lean towards an A1 but if there was a standard Gen 2 for cheaper, I'd go that route. The adjustable cheekpiece is totally unecessary (in my opinion) and the slick forearms or buttplate are an easy addon if it was really important to you. And the vast majority of barrels out there that you'll come across are already going to be with Gen 2 extensions. However, it's easy to get Gen 1 extensions to make your own and if you order barrel conversions directly from DT, they can fit them with the proper extension.

[TarScar]

Yes it seems like it would be really fun! To be able to change calibers and hit out to longer ranges on a whim. The OD doesn't really matter to me as I prefer FDE anyway. Thanks for you input!

There are subtle differences between the two, but you really should just get a Gen 2 (SRS-A1) unless you get a screaming deal on a Gen 1.

Gen 2 has an adjustable cheek riser (not available on Gen1), smooth forearm with a continuous top rail and positions to bolt on side and bottom rails if you desire (Gen1 has integral quad rail). The monopod is a standard feature on the Gen2 (optional extra on Gen1). Gen1 and 2 use different barrel extensions, but the Gen2 can use both whereas Gen1 is limited to Gen1 extensions.

With the Gen2 release, the colors are limited to FDE and Black from the factory, the OD Green is no longer a stock option, but you can purchase OD panels as upgrade parts.

Overall it is a very fun rifle to own/shoot.

[TarScar]

What do you think is a "good" price. Based on what I've seen for sale. Good luck on a "good" price. Your better off buying new. The newest model has features that warrant the price.

Sub 4K to my FFL for an A1 I think would be fair. But a good price for me to jump on a gen 1 know long the differences pointed out, it would have to be closer to 3k.

[TarScar]

Wow! That's a lot of good info right there lol ok well I think I'll lean towards an A1 just so I can get all the newer stuff and don't have to mess it it much. Question for you, it might be a bit noob, but can you use a gen 1 bolt with a gen 2 or A1 rifle?

The Gen 1 barrel extension indexes off of a pin in the receiver. Since 2009 I've replaced it twice, which is no big deal but a bit annoying. The pin can get bent from being too forceful with the barrel but just from personal experience it tends to get bent over a few years with just normal use. One time the bending was obvious and the barrel wouldn't seat properly. The second time it was much trickier to diagnose as it was causing a slight yaw to the barrel and throwing everything off significantly. In both cases, once the problem was identified, the solution was a quick and easy fix. In the first case DTA sent me a handful of replacement pins and like I said, I've gone through two.

The Gen 2 barrel extension indexes off of the feed ramp which is a much more robust design. Because of this large notch compared to the small Gen 1 notch, Gen 2 barrel extensions will fit both Gen 1 and Gen 2 chassis, but Gen 1 barrels will only fit Gen 1 chassis.

The A1 adds an adjustable cheekpiece, softer buttplate and easier release button and slick forearms that use addon rail sections. Most Gen 1 rifles made before 2010 do not include the cutout in the bottom of the receiver for the monopod. Many Gen 2 rifles made starting in 2010 included the monopod cutout so one could be added after the fact. Many Gen 2 rifles made after 2012 can be upgraded to A1s by swapping out some parts, but Gen 1 rifles require the skins to be modified to use the new buttplate, for example.

Bottom line, a good deal on any of these version is great. Personally, I would lean towards an A1 but if there was a standard Gen 2 for cheaper, I'd go that route. The adjustable cheekpiece is totally unecessary (in my opinion) and the slick forearms or buttplate are an easy addon if it was really important to you. And the vast majority of barrels out there that you'll come across are already going to be with Gen 2 extensions. However, it's easy to get Gen 1 extensions to make your own and if you order barrel conversions directly from DT, they can fit them with the proper extension.

[M1Kev]

I wish you luck on the pricing, I did the same thing and ended up waiting years before I just bit the bullet. Oakland Tactical (vendor on CGN) had a sale price that was very reasonable (just over $5k with shipping, tax, and DROS) for a 308 with a 22" barrel. At the time, they did not have any 26" barrel's on the shelf, so I ran with it. I wish I had waited for the 26", but other than that it has been very worth it.

All of that said, the initial investment for the chassis and conversion kit was just the tip of the iceberg. You get a expensive rifle, you'll want the best glass you can afford. Your expensive glass will need nice rings... This ends up being one costly rabbit hole to dive down.

[WHITE MAMBA]

I picked 2 fully loaded gen 2 a1's under 4k used. Right now there are some going new for $4k

[brando]

Question for you, it might be a bit noob, but can you use a gen 1 bolt with a gen 2 or A1 rifle?

Yes, there are actually four generations of bolts:

Rev 1 - teardrop handle on curved stem, single piece body

Rev 2 - spherical handle on curved stem, single piece body

Rev 3 - spherical handle on curved stem, interchangeable bolt face

Rev 4 - spherical handle on angled stem, interchangeable bolt face.

They all fit all generations of bolt extensions. The change to the interchangeable bolt face made manufacturing more efficient as more of the bolt assembly could be built to a common spec and just the bolt face needed to be made to .308WIN, .300WM and .338LM case specs. This allows made it a little cheaper to be able to shoot different cartridge families because all you had to do was replace the bolt face. However, almost everyone just gets a separate bolt instead because it makes it much faster and easier to swap out cartridges. I think the angled bolt handle stem on the Rev 4 was a further simplification of the manufacturing process.

[brando]

All of that said, the initial investment for the chassis and conversion kit was just the tip of the iceberg. You get a expensive rifle, you'll want the best glass you can afford. Your expensive glass will need nice rings... This ends up being one costly rabbit hole to dive down.

One the upside, you end up saving money in the long run as you start acquiring more barrels. A single SRS with scope and barrel isn't very cost competitive compared to a custom rifle and scope. But when you have one SRS, the best scope you can afford and then three or more barrels, you're running a lot cheaper than three custom rifles and three comparably good scopes.



My collection:

20" 6.5x47L 1:8.5 Trueflite custom

36" .338LM Improved 1:10/9 Bartlein custom

26" 6.5x47L 1:8.5 DTA factory

18" .338LM DTA factory

18" 12.7x48mm 1:9 Trueflite custom

16" .308WIN 1:8 DTA factory

26" .338LM 1:10 DTA factory (not shown)

[JMP]

One the upside, you end up saving money in the long run as you start acquiring more barrels. A single SRS with scope and barrel isn't very cost competitive compared to a custom rifle and scope. But when you have one SRS, the best scope you can afford and then three or more barrels, you're running a lot cheaper than three custom rifles and three comparably good scopes.

I agree that the scope savings is a primary incentive of going DT. With all of those barrels, how much variance do you get in your zeros?

[brando]

Most are within a mil of center. I log the windage and elevation offsets in my ballistic computer for a particular barrel and load and that offset gets incorporated into the ballistic solution. That's one of the advantages I've found with Field Firing Solutions over others.

[ar15barrels]

I log the windage and elevation offsets in my ballistic computer for a particular barrel and load and that offset gets incorporated into the ballistic solution. That's one of the advantages I've found with Field Firing Solutions over others.

Ballistic FTE does this too.