DTA SRS-a1... talk me into/out of it?
- Thread starter bsand
- Start date
I owned a SRS A1 with .338 and .308 conversions, I also shoot left handed.
I switched to shooting right handed with it, it was annoying for me to lift my head every time I racked it. So I'd suggest getting left handed action.
The only problem I had was I dropped the buttpad on the shop floor while cleaning. 2 of the six plastic locking tabs broke off, I admit my fault. I then sold the rifle to a fellow CGN'er as it still shot and functioned fine. He was aware of what had happened. I've ordered a replacement aluminum buttpad for him. I've talked with Desert Tech directly. They say it's never happened before, but why would the make a replacement aluminum part then? I've been waiting 1 year for the part now. Which was because they've switched their retail and parts distributors here in Canada, almost 2 year process. Desert Tech would not ship me the replacement part.
I hope this becomes easier for people down the road as far as parts and a availability is concerned.
I did however enjoy the rifle while I owned it. And I'm still in touch with the new owner until he gets his part. And he's loving it too.
Just my experience.
I switched to shooting right handed with it, it was annoying for me to lift my head every time I racked it. So I'd suggest getting left handed action.
The only problem I had was I dropped the buttpad on the shop floor while cleaning. 2 of the six plastic locking tabs broke off, I admit my fault. I then sold the rifle to a fellow CGN'er as it still shot and functioned fine. He was aware of what had happened. I've ordered a replacement aluminum buttpad for him. I've talked with Desert Tech directly. They say it's never happened before, but why would the make a replacement aluminum part then? I've been waiting 1 year for the part now. Which was because they've switched their retail and parts distributors here in Canada, almost 2 year process. Desert Tech would not ship me the replacement part.
I hope this becomes easier for people down the road as far as parts and a availability is concerned.
I did however enjoy the rifle while I owned it. And I'm still in touch with the new owner until he gets his part. And he's loving it too.
Just my experience.
Last edited:
I have had my DTA SRS A1 for 3 months now.
Love it, looking for Covert Hand Guard, 260 Barrel and 338 Barrel, then I can rest, I will not need any other rifles.
I have had ZERO problems with this rifle, quirks or issues.
This was shot today, at 100 yards at HAHA gun club.
Ammo was Norma Match, 168g.
This was my last 5 round group and is typical out of this rifle, I have had better and worse groupings.
This was shot from bench with Atlas Bipod and builtin Monopod, ATRS Rings and Sightron SIII 32x.
There is nothing bad I can say, or anything that I don't like. Only my HK P7 gets the same range time.
Love it, looking for Covert Hand Guard, 260 Barrel and 338 Barrel, then I can rest, I will not need any other rifles.
I have had ZERO problems with this rifle, quirks or issues.
This was shot today, at 100 yards at HAHA gun club.
Ammo was Norma Match, 168g.
This was my last 5 round group and is typical out of this rifle, I have had better and worse groupings.
This was shot from bench with Atlas Bipod and builtin Monopod, ATRS Rings and Sightron SIII 32x.
There is nothing bad I can say, or anything that I don't like. Only my HK P7 gets the same range time.
Correct, 175 SMK is what I have been told will be perfection in this rifle. The DTA 308 ammo is 175g...for a reason I would assume.
What are you not impressed with? The SRS?
There are apparently 4 dealers in Canada now: Calgary Shooting Center, CFRAM, Reliable Gun and Ellwood Epps (who apparently was telling half-truths about gen2 10-round magazines). Hopefully that means more parts availability? I know before the only dealer was Dlask, which are is no longer the case.
I just realized I can't ever get a SAC 223 conversion, as SAC has zero plans on making a left handed version.
Celichi, I hope I get similar results, I should have mine in 2 weeks!
Nice, that will be a long two weeks....just put me in a coma and wake me up when it's in right? hahahaha.
You should have that same results...these rifles are built properly and built well.
I am a Lefty as well!!!! I think we should find all the Left Handed SRS owners and have them contact SAC for that 223 Conversion.
I was also sad to hear he had no intention of making a LH version....what about Primal Rights? I think they have custom work for DTA?
I have yet to remove my barrel...I am wondering if there is a difference between a LH Barrel and a RH Barrel? Would there be?
So I wonder is SAC would do any LH work?
Hi guys, I don't spend much time here but after reading some of this thread I thought I might try a share. So Hi.. i'm Dinger, I have a gun addiction...... I have 2 SRS's and a dozen or so bbls in assorted calibers. Not a pro but I've played with em my fair share. Never had any issues with dirty mags aside from them being sub 10rnd 
. I've found that a little "moly" grease (Canadian tire) on the bolt and in between the carrier sleeve turns that little bit of chatter to silk *Little tip from my buddy Russ over at DTA*. As far as action speed like anything a little practice goes a long way. I don't feel the action to be any slower than conventional if you're practiced. The bolt does not like to be soft stroked and you can't single feed certain calibers off the tray as the cartridge shoulder wedges between the lower two bold lugs in the raceway. You CAN single feed but you have to start the round with the shoulder past the first set of lugs.. haha funny story 2015 JC Steel PRS match last year had a stage I like to call F&*# DTA where you had to single feed as many rounds as possible at 200yd bowling pin popper on the clock *unlimited rounds* and you could NOT use that time to load a mag.. My team mate and I practiced hand feeding on the floor of our hotel room the night before and actually killed that stage so there goes that excuse! The trigger is adjustable but if you find that there's just a little too much creep even with the lowest setting just file the tip of the transfer bar a few strokes at at a time to bring it in and then set the creep back so that you have safe engagement. I have an extra transfer bar or two lying around so if you muck it up buzz me and I'll send you an new OEM one. haha (Hang my head in shame) I have shot plenty left and right handed as this skill is a frequent requirement at PRS matches in every god awful position imaginable... it's not ### but its doable with the correct amount of motivation. A fair trade off for the accuracy they produce with every conversion i've used. I shoot a little PRS, last year I rode an SRS in 6.5cm to a 19th place tie out of 235+ shooters at the Snipers Hide Cup in spite of the 6 round mags. I only shot it for two matches and switched to my 6.5cm Coyote for the rest. It's a different flavor for sure but I would not discourage anyone from buying one. The economics of the conversions and caliber versatility is appealing to some high volume shooters that don't like waiting on gunsmithing and don't care to own a half dozen or more rifles at full cost **As awesome as a safe full of PR's is**. Also if they have them the guys at the CSC are great to deal with. They've always taken care of me. Hope this is received well.. Some guys like em some don't.. I never could get happy with that pistol grip.
Good luck in your decision.
Dinger
. I've found that a little "moly" grease (Canadian tire) on the bolt and in between the carrier sleeve turns that little bit of chatter to silk *Little tip from my buddy Russ over at DTA*. As far as action speed like anything a little practice goes a long way. I don't feel the action to be any slower than conventional if you're practiced. The bolt does not like to be soft stroked and you can't single feed certain calibers off the tray as the cartridge shoulder wedges between the lower two bold lugs in the raceway. You CAN single feed but you have to start the round with the shoulder past the first set of lugs.. haha funny story 2015 JC Steel PRS match last year had a stage I like to call F&*# DTA where you had to single feed as many rounds as possible at 200yd bowling pin popper on the clock *unlimited rounds* and you could NOT use that time to load a mag.. My team mate and I practiced hand feeding on the floor of our hotel room the night before and actually killed that stage so there goes that excuse! The trigger is adjustable but if you find that there's just a little too much creep even with the lowest setting just file the tip of the transfer bar a few strokes at at a time to bring it in and then set the creep back so that you have safe engagement. I have an extra transfer bar or two lying around so if you muck it up buzz me and I'll send you an new OEM one. haha (Hang my head in shame) I have shot plenty left and right handed as this skill is a frequent requirement at PRS matches in every god awful position imaginable... it's not ### but its doable with the correct amount of motivation. A fair trade off for the accuracy they produce with every conversion i've used. I shoot a little PRS, last year I rode an SRS in 6.5cm to a 19th place tie out of 235+ shooters at the Snipers Hide Cup in spite of the 6 round mags. I only shot it for two matches and switched to my 6.5cm Coyote for the rest. It's a different flavor for sure but I would not discourage anyone from buying one. The economics of the conversions and caliber versatility is appealing to some high volume shooters that don't like waiting on gunsmithing and don't care to own a half dozen or more rifles at full cost **As awesome as a safe full of PR's is**. Also if they have them the guys at the CSC are great to deal with. They've always taken care of me. Hope this is received well.. Some guys like em some don't.. I never could get happy with that pistol grip. Good luck in your decision.
Dinger
Hi guys, I don't spend much time here but after reading some of this thread I thought I might try a share. So Hi.. i'm Dinger, I have a gun addiction...... I have 2 SRS's and a dozen or so bbls in assorted calibers. Not a pro but I've played with em my fair share. Never had any issues with dirty mags aside from them being sub 10rnd
Good luck in your decision.
Dinger
Thanks for your review! I run an SRS in .308
I am curious about filing transfer bars for adjustment. Is it possible to get pics? short tutorial?
Are all your barrels from DTA or did you source any custom? Possibly in Canada?
I just got mine from Epps and they were great to deal with and had an awesome price. 26" 308, anyone have a good starting place for a load for me? I have a bunch of Hornady 168 bthp around but have been reading that they really like 175's....
Being a lefty that has never owned a left-handed gun, I find the left-handed ones feel awkward
I find cycling the bolt with my right hand quite natural feeling and fast when shooting prone or bipod because my hand remains on the hand grip/trigger area. Shooting standing-up is where it gets a bit funky with cycling a right-handed bolt gun left-handed. The reason for me was the same reason you are running into now: availability. I knew if I bought and got used to a leftie that I'd be limiting my options going forward, so I didn't.
Obviously there are circumstances where it is less than ideal, like firing a semi. But for a bolt I don't see it as a big issue.
I'll make a range report thread on the weekend. I'm extremely nervous/excited at the same time, hopefully I'm good enough shooter to let the rifle perform to its 1/2 MOA guarantee. Its one of those things, you spend all the money and the moment of truth is when the first 5 shot groups are done.
I've probably dry fired the damn thing about 200-300 times already, the bolt is already getting wear marks haha. Starting to get really really smooth, but it NEEDS to be ran hard. If you go slow you can feel the telescopic part of the bolt bind up a little bit, but if you rack it like you mean it, It's smooth. The trigger on this rifle is AMAZING! there is like zero creep, you can barely tell when it's going to break.
