Last month, the folks over at Genesis Arms released the Gen-12 AR-10 12-gauge conversion upper. A 12-gauge AR? You got that right. Basically, this thing mates to a standard DPMS Gen 1 pattern .308 lower. Here’s a blurb on the upper, as well as a list of features, found on the official product page:
Genesis Gen-12 Upper
The GEN12 upper will work with either the shorter DPMS buffer tube or the longer Armalite AR10/ 308 tubes. The center of the upper is the short recoil system which cycles the action, so there is no gas tube or piston. The cyclic rate can be tuned by adjusting buffer weights and springs by the end user.
The upper will reliably feed both 2 ¾” shells and 3” shells on a standard short DPMS 308 buffer and spring. It will cycle birdshot or magnums and most everything in between. This is sold as an upper so this does not require a FFL to purchase; however, you are responsible to know the laws in your state and purchase accordingly.
Genesis Gen-12 Features
- 7075 Billet Aluminum receiver, hard coat anodized Milspec type III
- 13” freefloat Handguard with MLOK with top picatinny rail, allows the use of red-dot optics, tactical lights and other accessories
- 12-gauge barrel (18.5”) chambered for 2 ¾” and 3” shells finished in black oxide
- BCG and barrel extension Black Oxide finish
- x1 Magazine (5rnds)
Our buddy Graham Baates recently received a Genesis Gen-12 upper for testing. He decided to slap his Gen-12 onto a DoubleStar lower to see how it ran. Graham wound up testing out birdshot, buckshot and slugs on this setup. Watch the video above to see how it performed. Below, see his basic tabletop overview of the Genesis Gen-12 AR-10 12-gauge conversion upper.
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active U.S. Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army, Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side.
