Anyone own a DPMS AR15 rifle?

[Armueller2001]

As soon as my tax return and economic stimulus checks get here, I'm going to be "investing" in a politically incorrect assault rifle, A DPMS AR15 lower and upper from JSE Surplus over in Cape Girardeau. I had a couple questions about it though -

Is DPMS a good brand to buy or should I spend another $100-200 for a higher quality one? Or possibly just buy the DPMS lower and a higher quality upper? I'm estimating about $650 base cost right now for the DPMS. Does anyone have experience with the accuracy/durability of this brand?

I'm probably going to buy a .22LR upper for it as well, how long does it take to switch uppers? Do they make 30 rd mags for .22LR?

I'm undecided if I want a red dot sight or a scope on it... maybe I'll buy both lol. Hopefully the DPMS is accurate enough to make a scope useful. I'll probably buy an accu-wedge too because they're cheap.

Any other advice is greatly appreciated... thanks guys!!

[Amen-Ra]

I own a RRA ar-15 so I cant give a first hand impression of a DPMS rifle, but they are a well known brand and it should serve you well. Changing the upper should only take a couple minutes, and I'm unsure if they make 30rnd mags in .22.

[Pacman]

I have a DPMS AR in 5.56. It's a great little rifle - shoots where I point it. I can't really talk reliability because I just don't shoot it a lot. But it's never had a problem...

[DigMe]

Bassturtle has one too. You'll occasionally here someone down DPMS but I've always had a good impression of them. I almost got one but ended up buying a Stag lower and RRA upper. I'm sure I would have been perfectly content with a DPMS though.

bc

[2Loud4You]

Ummm, I think you meant rifle, not assault rifle. I know you threw the politically incorrect part in there but no need to give the anti gunners any "ammunition" in their fight to disarm us.

That being said, I don't own an AR-15 only because I don't have a use for it....but it would be cool. I think I'd prefer a Thompson with a drum magazine if I were going to buy a rifle for the cool factor.

[Asa Samuel]

Why are there no pics in this thread

[Armueller2001]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Why are there no pics in this thread

Here's my buddy's DPMS rifle... probably pretty similar to what mine will look like

[FL Knifemaker]

I want on of their .308's...........in desert digi camo I know a guy that works for US Optics and he could probably hook me up with a scope I just never have time to go shooting, so I'll probably just buy more basses instead

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by Armueller2001

Here's my buddy's DPMS rifle... probably pretty similar to what mine will look like

That looks yummy!

[El Kabong]

Let me put it this way, if you just want an Ar to plink with and show off to your buddies the DPMS should be fine. If you want a good rifle to actually use then get something better.

read the threads here:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7355
especially the one titled "Oh No! I bought a Bushmaster/RRA/Stag before I knew better!" by Rob_S

My recommendation would be a ADS from G&R Tactical they are around $800 or so fully staked and setup. Plus Grant is a great guy and will stand behind his guns.

[Armueller2001]

Originally Posted by El Kabong

Let me put it this way, if you just want an Ar to plink with and show off to your buddies the DPMS should be fine. If you want a good rifle to actually use then get something better.

read the threads here:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7355
especially the one titled "Oh No! I bought a Bushmaster/RRA/Stag before I knew better!" by Rob_S

My recommendation would be a ADS from G&R Tactical they are around $800 or so fully staked and setup. Plus Grant is a great guy and will stand behind his guns.

Thanks for the advice... I might spend the extra cash on a better rifle rather than upgrades for a crappy one. Do you have a link to the ADS, I can't find it on G&R's site.

Looks like there is a major quality difference...

[benthughes]

I recently got a Smith and Wesson M&P15T and, so far, really like it. The rifle is very tight, has a great stock rail system, Troy battle sights and a nice crisp trigger. The AR-15 format is so incredibly versatile.

DPMS is good for your recreational shooter as long as you keep it reasonably clean and lubed ( like all AR-15 I guess). A step above bushmaster IMO. I'd reccomend the Smith in the same price point or get the upper and lower from LMT for a pretty dern nice unit.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by benthughes

I recently got a Smith and Wesson M&P15T and, so far, really like it. The rifle is very tight, has a great stock rail system, Troy battle sights and a nice crisp trigger. The AR-15 format is so incredibly versatile.

DPMS is good for your recreational shooter as long as you keep it reasonably clean and lubed ( like all AR-15 I guess). A step above bushmaster IMO. I'd reccomend the Smith in the same price point or get the upper and lower from LMT for a pretty dern nice unit.

I have the Troy sights on my LMT upper. Of all the folding sights, I like them the best. The S&W is a nicely made/finished rifle, having those sights would be the clincher for me if I was buying another AR!

If money was no object, I'd buy a CNC machined lower from JP, JP internals, LMT upper, Troy sights, optics based on type of gun/barrel length, etc.

[spade2you]

I'm a big RRA fan.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by El Kabong

Let me put it this way, if you just want an Ar to plink with and show off to your buddies the DPMS should be fine. If you want a good rifle to actually use then get something better.

While I'm not going to win Camp Perry with my DPMS AR, it's a really solid, reliable rifle. I'd take it hunting, with open sights, and feel more than comfortable at hitting out to 300 yards.

Maybe its more the magician than the wand...

[burk48237]

I'm not a big fan of M4carbine nets Mil-spec argument. First, for the record, only the Colt (not available to anyone but LE or Military) can truly call itself mil-spec, because it is the only one that goes thru the inspection process (plus a few fill in FN's). Second, many of the mil-spec parts are selective fire or full auto, and not available on civilian and even some LE weapons. So to say something measures up to mil-spec is absurd. Their is such thing as civilian legal Mil-spec trigger group, or bolt carrier or bolt.

I use to sell in Police supply for SWAT teams, we sold hundreds of Bushmasters and never had one return or failure issue. I know of a local SWAT team that just purchased DPMS and is very satisfied. M4 rags on the Bushmaster especially (I suspect because of their popularity-and Bushmaster doesn't advertise there). But if you go to camp Perry, you'll see more off the shelf Bushmasters, then all other AR's combined. And those guys are getting 3" groups with open sights at 500 meters! I am on my second Bushmaster, and the only FTF's I've experienced, even during break-in were due to a bad magazine. Since switching to the Israeli thermolds I have had zero failures.

M4 has a lot of people claiming to be operators (Blackwater types) who claim they wouldn't trust RRA, S & W, or Bushmaster when their lives are on the line. Well perhaps, we might want to ask the DEA, DOD, and most of the major police SWAT team operators what they think? I think you'll be fine with a DPMS, our local county sheriff SWAT team thinks so too!

[burk48237]

I would suggest you also check out this forum here. Both forums have some highly opionated people. But I always get the feeling when I'm reading M4 that it is a one note club.

http://www.ar15.com/

[Georynn]

Got both a RRA and a DPMS (and a Bushmaster as well).

I've put thousands of rounds through my DPMS, with no hiccups. I can hold a 4 inch group @ 350yds all day long..., my only complaint with it was the finish (some alumahide from brownell's fixed that issue).

I haven't put quite as much brass through my RRA yet. Its in a rather compact configuration, and when I take it to the range people HATE to see me bring it. They wince more from that short-@$$ barrel than from my .338 bolt-action. (It may be the 2 foot tongue of flame that comes from the barrel with every shot.)

I wouldn't use a Thermelt mag in anything... if by chance your rifle gets hot, you'll find out why the IDF stopped using them...

[DigMe]

Good points, burk. I haven't put that many rounds through my RRA+Stag combo yet but I'm definitely not nervous about it going kaput on me.

bc

[spade2you]

The only problem I had with my RRA was when I was using some really cheap 40 round mags with recycled ammo. I jammed bad a few times, but switching to regular military and Bushmaster mags and using Remmington and Winchester ammo hasn't had any problems (knock on wood).