I’m looking to buy a large frame AR in 308 - this would be my first AR-10 - and I’m going to be shooting suppressed 90% of the time.
I have been eyeing the LMT and am strongly leaning in that direction but I see reports that it is overgassed for a can. I have considered buying the 20" barrel and having it cut down to 16", hopefully leaving me with an appropriate port size for that length when suppressed. Obviously this adds significant cost, but it would be worth it as long as it works as intended, and of course I could then have barrels in 2 calibers.
Are there better options for an off the shelf 16" gun that isn’t overgassed with a can?
Has anyone here cut down an LMT 18" or 20" barrel that can report on function with/without a can?
Cans that might be used - omega, sandman s, maybe sandman k.
Sample size of 1, my DD5V1 seems a tad under gassed from the factory. It wouldn’t cycle Federal XM80CL for the first couple hundred rounds. Heavier weighted rounds and other makes of 147-149 grainers worked fine.
With the suppressor it would cycle the Federal just fine, no gas to the face, soft shooting, hearing safe (to my ear at least). Now that things have worn it a bit it cycles the XM80CL just fine un-suppressed but is still a pleasure when shooting suppressed. I’m using an Omega attached to the muzzle break. If I had to do it over again, I would probably not do the DD, mostly due to cost. It was touted as being the best thing going when I bought it, but several other makers have come out with decent AR10s at lower prices since I bought mine. There is always the build your own option as well.
Have you thought an adjustable gas block or gas port reduction inserts (I’m spacing on the name, MarkM and I think Pappabear have used them) as a cheaper option. Buy the rifle you want for the features you want and then fine tune the gas as needed.
The LMT MWSes have pressed on gas blocks that are very difficult to remove, as they are hydraulically pressed on, and also have a 45° gas port, so a gas port insert or new AGB is going to be a very expensive option. I believe they also run straight gas tubes, so the new EZCustomTune gas tubes aren’t an option, either.
Might have better luck running one of the Gemtech .308 adjustable carriers.
My buddy has a PWS MK216 308 it’s a dream to shoot suppressed. I believe he uses the 2nd setting on his adjustable gas block(takes about 2 seconds to adjust with tool through hand guard)it will eat any ammo you want to feed it right out of the box, cycle like a dream and if there is any blowback I can’t detect it. The ejection pattern is right ~ 3-4 o’clock. I think he’s had it close to 5 years now maybe 4, but has run the stink out of it that rifle is a tested performer it’s been hunted and shot a ton. Just checked their web page the 16" are back ordered, but they have a sale on the 20" for a shade under 2k. I own the Mk 116 Mod-1 7.62x39 same thing runs like a dream and I pound steel cased through it never had a single FTF or FTE took 5 hogs with it last night none took a step. Only reason I didn’t do the 308 is weight b/c most all our shooting at night is offhand standing in fields and I’m getting old that few pounds is a lot for this old fart helps with my accuracy on a long night of toting around a rig. Lordy after looking at the price for LMT 308s I can’t fathom buying one that isn’t suppressor ready and perfect out of the box for that kind of coin.
Thanks for the info fellas. I had dismissed the DDM5 based on so many reports of their 556 rifles being overgassed, leading me to believe the same would be true of their .308 guns so I will have to take another look at these and find some more reports of suppressed usage.
PWS really wasn’t on my radar either - I was vaguely aware of them but I have never had a piston AR and therefore hadn’t really considered them either but an adjustable gas piston gun may be a great option for shooting with a can.
PWS was not only my first piston AR(old bring back SKS), but also first adjustable gas block. Never had any issues with DI guns all the way back to my first Colt Sporter HBAR they run great. Having said that in my book the price for a 308AR can get hefty and for a smidge under $2k PWS gets you quite a lot
I have a PWS MK216, and I use it suppressed 90% of the time. It’s a great rifle for the money. The recoil is very mild compared to other AR-10 style rifles I’ve used, the gas adjustment is easy to operate and works well, and most of all it is accurate and reliable.
If you are planning on going suppressed I highly recommend the PWS.
I just built an Aero M5E1 and went with a Rainier Ultramatch (rifle gas) barrel and SLR adjustable gas block. Between the accuracy guarantee of the barrel and Aero’s customer service I have no concerns going forward. Not too mention by doing it myself I know everything is done correctly and gas is tuned based on my ammo exactly.
While not usually mentioned Zev is making a great large frame 308 that would work very well in an always suppressed setting.
Zev Technologies and Mega Machine merged in 2017. Mega was allowed to retain their production facilities and while it wears the Zev name it is very much a Mega rifle made in the same Mega facility. The rebrand was a mistake considering the reputation Mega had carved out for themselves.
The reason I recommend them is that beyond being a well made 308 rifle with good features they also ship with an adjustable gas block that allows for the end users to bother restrict or bleed off excess gas to tune the rifle to your choice of suppressor. The wedge lock rail is amazing and is among the only rails constructed from 7075 Al instead of 6065. Disregard, Looks like this has changed on the zev marked rails and they are now 6000 series. They are also about 8 pounds empty and feature am I controls. They are worth taking a look at. Lastly, they are my preferred sr25 pattern so you can later buy LMT MWS or Larue uppers should you do decide.
If I were swapping the suppressor on and off often I would go with a Larue PredatOBR. The Gas block on mine is great and gasses the 16in fun perfectly with or without my sandman s. It is also a very accurate rifle, but you pay for it in weight.
I’ve never shot my LaRue OBR suppressed since I live in a commie state but it does have an adjustable gas block. It’s a tack driver. I would assume it would be awesome with a suppressor.
I run an AAC 762SD on my scar heavy. I do get a fair amount of gas to the face, but I shoot lefty so its somewhat expected. I was surprised how well it shoots for a 16 incher. I was out just a few days ago and using the reticle in my ACOG I was easily hitting head size rocks out to about 520, and that was with some old South African ball.
The current versions of the DD5 run well suppressed. Especially the DD5v2 version. Tame it even further with an A5 tube, orange Springco, and a H2 carbine buffer and its amazing to shoot. Feels more like 5.56 than 308. Haven’t had a single hiccup suppressed with my DD5v2 setup like this.
