AR-10 308 AR Compatibility Reference Guide – Note this page will be a work in progress. For the benefit of visitors, the decision was made to publish upon creation and keep updating.
AR-10 308 AR Compatibility Reference Guide
This website was born in 2006 to bring some clarity to the confusion that surrounded the Armalite AR-10, DPMS LR-308, and Rock River Arms LAR-308 rifle platforms. These three brands were not the only 308 AR/AR-10’s at the time, but they did dominate the market and the majority of the questions here and on the forum.
Today the AR-10, 308 AR landscape has changed tremendously. Armalite offers the AR-10 in its pre-ban configuration compatible with DPMS LR pattern magazines or, more importantly, Magpul LR magazines aka “308 PMAGS”. DPMS has modified the LR-308 several times. DPMS recently released the innovative DPMS GII, which downsizes the LR-308 and brings it closer to the AR-15 in size and compatibility. Not to be outdone, Mega Arms also has its version of the G2.
The significant change though, as we predicted in 2006, shooters would seek out a rifle more potent than the .223/5.56 AR-15 and what better choice than the father of the AR-15, the AR-10 (308 AR, AR308). Today nearly every AR-15 manufacturers now offer a .308 Winchester offering, with many also including other short action calibers such as the 6.5 Creedmoor in their product mix. We had hoped that by now, 308 AR/AR 308 designs would have been standardized. That is simply not the case. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. The AR-10/.308 AR market is now saturated with hardware. To differentiate themselves, rifle manufacturers are taking substantial creative and artistic liberties in their designs.
All these changes made us realize a reboot of sorts was in order. There are too many .308 AR/AR-10 brands and model variations for us to know every detail. We will now publish what we know as we learn it dynamically. This page will grow to a series of pages. We encourage visitors to share what they learn as well as ask questions. Be patient with the questions as we are a small staff. If your need is urgent and you do not get a prompt response, please ask on the forum and share the results back here on the main site.
AR-15 vs 308 AR vs AR-10
Anything 308 related is massively bigger than AR-15. While the DPMS GII brings the sizes closer, they can never be equals. This is simple math. The .308 Winchester Cartridge is substantially longer than the .223/5.56. See for yourself.
Safety Note: If you’re reading this page with the intent of building your own AR-10/.308 AR or upgrading a factory rifle it’s best if you have familiarity and prior experience with the AR-15 platform.
AR-15 Lower Receiver Visually Compared to a 308 AR Receiver
As you can see in the picture, an AR-15 lower receiver is substantially physically smaller than a 308 AR and AR-10 lower receiver. A DPMS GII is sized in between the AR-15 and AR-10.
AR-10 and AR 308 Receivers
When this site started back in 2006, we mostly had to contend with three different 308 AR platforms. The Armalite AR-10 (two types) DPMS LR-308, Knights Armament SR-25, and Rock River Arms LAR-308. The other major brands at the time, Fulton Armory, JP Enterprises, and SI Defense (now Falkor), were all DPMS compatible, as were the newcomers like Mega Arms. These days it’s a different world as there are many dozens of companies producing 308’s. A vast majority of these guns can be considered DPMS compatible as nearly all use the Magpul LR magazines standard, DPMS barrel-style extensions, and bolt carrier groups. With that said, today there is a lot of creative design liberties. These liberties can be classed as cosmetic, proprietary, or both. Shooters find out the hard way that if they want to add an additional upper or lower to their existing rifle that they are stuck with the same brand. DIY guys, take notice! If you like to swap parts, especially adding additional uppers, you should investigate your options in advance. I typically suggest Mega Arms and Aero Precision as safe buys with easy to get uppers and lowers. Lastly, if anyone has any info on brand compatibility, drop us a message.
Rock River Arms shares some compatibility with others, but nobody is making aftermarket parts for LAR-308. Stick with RRA parts
308 Bolt Carrier Group
The 308 Bolt Carrier Group is a critical difference between the platforms. We do not believe in mixing different bolt carrier group parts to make them work with a platform they were not intended to.
Currently, we have multiple incompatible 308 bolt carrier group designs.
- Armalite AR-10 Bolt Carrier Groups should only be used with Armalite AR-10 Rifles or rifle barrels with an Armalite Barrel extension and it’
- POF 308 Bolt Carrier Groups utilize a roller bearing design that can only be used in POF 308 Rifles.
- Rock River Arms LAR 308 Bolt Carrier Groups are about an inch longer than DPMS and Armalite therefore can only be used with RRA 308 Rifles. This additional length is also the reason RRA LAR-308 needs a 1″ spacer to use a fixed stock like the Magpul PRS
- DPMS GII Bolt Carrier Group Is a brand new design and it’s unknown if it will work with other similarly sized weapons such as Mega Arms.
- DPMS LR-308 remains the most common 308 Bolt Carrier Group. It’s the closest thing we have to a “standard”
A few notes of caution. In years passed the 308 AR/AR-10 bolt carrier groups were often the most difficult part to obtain and constantly in a state of shortage. Today there are dozens of companies eager to fill the void. Some BCGs are very good while others are total junk. The key to personal safety, reliable function, and repeatable accuracy is a properly locked bolt. Do not buy based on price alone. Please have a gunsmith verify headspace or check it yourself with a set of quality headspace gages. The number one issue we hear about rifles that don’t cycle properly and the cause is often the inferior bolt carrier.
Picture of a 308 AR and AR-15 barrel extension
308 Barrels & 308 Barrel Extensions
The DPMS pattern barrel extension is the most common. This translates into many 308 AR barrel options. RRA LAR 308 will also work with a DPMS barrel. The Armalite AR-10 barrel extension is not dimensionally identical to the DPMS. Therefore Armalite AR-10 rifles must use barrels designated for the Armalite AR-10 and vice versa.
This is where it gets confusing. Some vendors and 308 barrel manufacturers incorrectly refer to all things .308 as “AR-10”. This is misleading, to put it mildly. Fortunately, in their specifications and fine print, most websites will specify actual platform compatibility. If you don’t see the information call the company or drop them a message. If you learn anything share the information with us.
Some aftermarket 308 barrel companies offer both AR-10 and DPMS platforms. Specify and order carefully.
308 Barrel Nut and Upper Receiver Threads
The barrel nut and upper receiver threads follow along the same lines as the Armalite AR-10 and DPMS pattern differences. The manufacturers use two different threads.
- Armalite AR-10 barrel nut threads are 1-7/16” and 18 TPI-3A
- DPMS pattern barrel nut threads are 1-7/16” and 16 TPI- 2A
Reports are some newer manufacturers are possibly using proprietary barrel nuts but we have not confirmed this as of yet.
Note: when we refer to the barrel nut threads we are referring to the internal threads. The external threads are a function of specific handguard mounting and have nothing to do with barrel installation.
308 AR, AR-10 Recoil System
The 308 AR, AR308, and AR-10 Recoil System is easily the most challenging part of the 308 AR/AR-10 platform to understand. The reason for this confusion is there are significantly different ways to achieve the same goal. That goal is the safe and proper function with minimum recoil. The recoil system consists of the following three components.
- Receiver Extension Tube, also known as the Buffer Tube – This is the long black tube that internally houses the Recoil Buffer and Recoil Buffer Spring. Externally the buffer tube secures the buttstock to the rifle. Generally speaking, there are two classes of the receiver extension tube, Carbine Length, and Rifle Length. There is also an option for “Commercial” and “Mil-Spec”. Always choose Mil-Spec.
- Buffer Spring – The buffer spring is the long coil spring inside the receiver extension tube. The buffer spring like the buffer tube is available in Carbine Length and Rifle Length
- Buffer – The buffer is the cylindrical weight held captive by the buffer spring. The buffer is also the interface between the buffer spring and the bolt carrier group.
Now for the confusing part. If we keep esoteric recoil systems like JP Lo Mass and Endine out of the conversation it will be slightly easier to explain the two major systems Armalite AR-10 and DPMS. Both companies offer rifle and carbine systems but they are not the same. My preference is for the Armalite system (and VLTOR A5)
Armalite Recoil System
Our friend and former Armalite Armorer Pat Raley provided us with this explanation.
The buffers and buffer springs between the AR-10 / .308 style rifles and the M-15 series of rifles are different. Not just length, but weight also. They are both close in size but yet different enough where they should not be interchanged. Now as for receiver extension tubes… (this is mostly for ArmaLite rifles) There are 3, I say again… 3… I spell t h r e e different size receiver extension tubes. The rifle length is the same for the AR-10, as it is for the M-15. The carbine receiver extension tubes are different. The AR-10 is longer to allow the larger bcg to make the distance. In theory. .. you can not use an M-15 receiver extension on a AR-10.
(Another story at a different time)
Click to review complete Armalite M-15 and AR-10 Buffer dimensions and part numbers.
Armalite AR-10 Carbine
- Armalite AR-10 Carbine Buffer Dimensions – 3 1/4″ Part Number EC0120
- Armalite AR-10 Carbine Buffer Tube Dimensions – 7-5/8″ Part Number 10207025
- Armalite AR-10 Carbine Spring Dimensions – Max 11-1/4″ Min 10-1/6″ Part Number EC0040
Armalite AR-10 Rifle
- Armalite AR10 Rifle Buffer Dimensions – 5.2″ Part Number EA1090
- Armalite AR-10 Rifle Buffer Tube Dimensions – 9-11/16″ Part Number EL0370
- Armalite AR-10 Rifle Buffer Spring Dimensions – 14-1/8″ Part Number EA1095
DPMS Recoil System
DPMS uses an AR-15 receiver extension with a short .308 specific buffer and .308 specific buffer spring.
Rifle Length Gas Tube Differences
Rifle Length AR-10 308 and AR-15 Gas Tubes
The rifle-length gas system is another crucial difference between the Armalite AR-10 and the AR-15 and 308 AR/AR 308. Armalite uses a gas tube that is approximately .325″ longer than an AR-15’s or nearly all 308’s. In addition to Armalite, Futon Armory also uses the AR-10 rifle length gas tube.
Magazine Compatibility: AR-10 vs 308 AR vs AR 308 vs AR15
All parts of this Compatibility Reference Guide are essential, but magazine compatibility is undoubtedly near the top of the most important (and confusing) details of the various 308 rifles. By now, you, the reader, understand that a .308 Winchester rifle cartridge is too long to fit an AR15 magazine or receiver. No further discussion is needed. Now things get complicated. Let’s begin with Armalite.
Armalite AR-10 Magazine Compatibility
AR-10A Magazines
Armalite offers two styles of lower receivers, AR-10A and AR-10B. Armalite also uses two different magazine types. The Armalite AR-10A uses the original “waffle” magazines. The AR-10 waffle magazines are now ancient history. Today the Armalite AR-10A ships with the common Magpul LR 308 PMAGS. These are considered “DPMS/KAC SR-25” compatible magazines and are as close to an industry standard as we have. It should also be noted that the “DPMS/KAC SR-25” magazines are, in fact, the original AR-10 and 308 AR magazines.
AR-10B Magazines
AR-10B magazines are Armalite specific. The AR-10B magazines are based on M14 magazines and came to be the Armalite standard due to availability during the Clinton era assault weapon ban.
Read the AR-10A versus AR-10A page.
308 AR, AR 308, and SR-25 Magazine Compatibility
While the AR .308 rifles may not have a mil-spec designated magazine to keep things simple they do have one magazine style that has become predominant. The DPMS 308 style magazine is unquestionably the most universally accepted magazine for 308 AR. Basically, unless you have an Armalite AR-10B or an RRA LAR 308 there’s a 99 percent likelihood that your 308 uses the DPMS/SR-25 magazine. Other than DPMS who uses their own steel 19 round magazines most everyone else standardized on the Magpul 308 PMAGS. BTW that’s a good thing. The Magpul are typically ultra-reliable and half the cost of DPMS branded magazines.
Rock River Arms LAR-308, FAL Magazines, and Everything Else
Previous page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Is a Rock River Arms (RRA) LAR-08 a DPMS Pattern 308 AR? Answer: No, Rock River Arms LAR-308 Rifles are a proprietary design.
- Question: Can I use an AR-15 Upper Receiver on an AR-10 Lower Receiver? Answer: No, Armalite AR-10 and DPMS LR-308 (308 AR, AR 308) pattern Lower Receivers are substantially larger than an AR-15 Lower Receiver.
- Question: LR-308 vs AR-10? Answer: DPMS LR-308 is a model designation of the DPMS Panther Arms 308 AR/AR 308 Semiautomatic rifle. The LR-308 is also frequently referred to as DPMS/SR-25 Pattern. AR-10 is the model designation of the Armalite AR-10 large frame 308 AR/AR 308 class of semiautomatic rifles. Both rifle platforms share many parts but they are not completely interchangeable. Confusing the answer many shooters refer to all 308 AR/AR 308 rifles as AR-10. This would be like stating all polymer framed 9mm handguns are Glocks.
- Question: Can I use an AR-10 Upper Receiver on a DPMS LR-308 Pattern Lower Receiver? Answer: No
- Question: Can I use an AR-10 Lower Receiver on a DPMS LR-308 Pattern Upper Receiver? Answer: No
- Question: Can I use a DPMS LR-308 Pattern Lower Receiver on an AR-10 Upper Receiver? Answer: No
- Question: Can I use a DPMS LR-308 Pattern Upper Receiver on an AR-10 Lower Receiver? Answer: No
- Question: What’s the difference between Armalite AR-10A and Armalite AR-10B? Answer: Read This
- Question: How do I build an AR-10? Answer: Read our AR-10, 308 AR Rifle Build Guides.
- Question: What is the difference between an Armalite AR-10 Rifle Length Gas Tube and an AR-15 Rifle Length Gas Tube? Answer: The AR-10 Gas Tube is .354″ longer than that of an AR-15, 308 AR, and AR 308. Fulton Armory FAR-308 Rifles use an AR-10 Rifle Length Gas Tube on applicable models.
Links to Other 308 AR | AR-10 | AR 308 Content
Manufacturers | 308 AR Compatibility | Charging Handles | Carbon Fiber Barrels| Barrels | AR Rifle Build Guides | AR Receiver Selection Guide | Trigger Selection Guide | Bolt Carriers | Armalite AR-10 Rifle Parts | AR-10 Rifle Barrel Selection Guide | 308 Scope Selection Guide | Tools | Scope Mounts |
