Question on building a .308 AR

[Motor Man]

I'm planning on Building a 308 AR (dpms style) and have some questions. Is the lower parts kit the same for a 308 as it is for a 223 AR? Is the stock, buffer tube/buffer Also interchangeable? How about free floating hand guards?

[ImpaktechUSA]

Everything is the same except take down pins and bolt catch you can use mil spec buffer tubes but you need a car10 buffer and spring for 308 and 308 hand guards are larger than ar15 hand guards

[Pauliedad]

Been wondering about this as well. Sounds like we're stuck just buying an AR 10 LPK. Is buying an AR15 LPK, setting aside the pins and catch just to have to find those ala carte make sense?

[Motor Man]

I haven't seen any ar10 lower parts kits, do they exist? So from what I understand the only parts that aren't compatible between the 223 and 308 versions are:
Front and rear pins
Bolt release
Buffer and buffer spring

Is that correct? Where do you guys recommend getting these items?

[sleepur606]

There is one manufacturer, the name escapes me, that has a lower parts kit for their .308 platform in which the magazine catch is bent slightly to better catch the magazine. It may be DPMS, but I'm not sure.

As far as availability, you should be able to find either DPMS or Armalite lower parts kits at the normal retailers like Riflegear, Rainier Arms, Brownells, etc.

[bsumoba]

CMMG LPK for 308

[atdski07]

Everything is the same except take down pins and bolt catch you can use mil spec buffer tubes but you need a car10 buffer and spring for 308 and 308 hand guards are larger than ar15 hand guards

Arent the springs slightly stronger too? Either way I went with a dpms 308 lpk for my build. If your in the greater san diego area T3 in Carlsbad had a couple kits last I was in there.

sent from my tin foil tent via d.o.s. using a apple computer with a floppy drive

[TygerAR]

On the Mega and POF I've found that only the bolt catch is different (longer). I've found the pins to be that same. I think the larger pins are being phased out. As for hand guards: Barrels, hand guards, mags, and bolts are different, even among 308's. Make sure they are SR-25/DPMS style and not AR-10/Armalite. I think Rainier Arms and JP Rifles are good places to start your wish list.

[rareair]

The 308 LPKs also come with a set screw for the bolt release lever. The AR15 LPK comes with a roll pin.