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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - DPMS (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/25/2010 4:18:00 PM EDT
| Anyone have experience with this company? |
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I have a ton of their stuff in AR and LR platforms. Don't let the DPMS haters trash a good company and wave you off. There are too many people where if you are not discussing their favorite brand they try to tell you it is crap, but DPMS is as good an any. I have used their uppers, lowers, LPKs, BCG, and a couple of barrels in many builds and I have never encountered a major problem with their stuff.
I do own Colts, Bushmasters, Rock Rivers, and a bunch of others and IMO the DPMS is as good as any of them. I will admit I am not a real big fan of their barrels but I am also not a fan of any other arm's makers barrels, including Colt or any of the others mentioned. I do quite a few custom calibers and I generally gravitate toward Pac-Nor barrels or other high quality barrels, not production barrels where only one in a hundred actually get checked and put under the scope. |
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DPMS sells more civilian AR's than anyone else, they also have the greatest amount of available calibers to choose from.
An AR from DPMS is fine, yet other (better) options are available. They make EXCELLENT .308 AR's, yet their 5.56 offerings don't get as much respect due to mass production "shortcomings". |
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I have been shooting AR's for the last 20 years, At that time the recomendation was always ABC Armalite Bushmaster Colt;
then DPMS came out with AR's that represented a real value in the price . They are a little rough as far as exterior finish,but the rifle was built to fired not sit in your "Study" or safe next to fine shotguns and custon rifles. DPMS rifles were ment to bust iron targets in 3 gun comepetions,kill coyotes , preditors (both 2 and 3 legged !!!) Drag around the desert,mountains and swamps.You don't cry if you get a ding or scuff and still hit your target. Don't get me wrong I have bushmasters and colts and they are excellent 
Now we have BCM,Spikes,La Rue,POF,Stage and more  etc and these brands are amazing very close to perfection.
These comanys are small compared to Bushmaster,Colt,DPMS and may be very well be custom,handmade AR's using the best steels and other components 
Right now I have 4 DPMS,1 Colt and 1 Bushmaster in the AR platform my next AR after I can get more ammo,mags reloading stuff will be BCM . Probably a while though the safe is getting very crowded and the funds are getting very tight. Hope this ranting helps,Just my impression of over 20 years with AR's Latter John |
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All I'll say about DPMS is it will go bang when you pull the trigger under favorable circumstances. Keep it clean, use good factory manufactured ammo (make sure the chamber is 5.56 or just .223) and check that bolts aren't loose and springs are still working. Replace parts that break or don't work right. Do your part and it will serve you well. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I have FP retaining clips that I cant pound into place with a hammer, and two broken bolts. I am not a fan.. YMMV. Captian Obvious here but are you putting them straight? I had a DPMS bolt carrier that I couldn't get the pin back in but when I looked at it from the back end it would go in at a downward angle missing the other hole. So after lining it up visually it went in without any problems. May not be your problem but I'm just throwing it out there... Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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your're going to get alot of negative replies about DPMS on here, but if your main purpose for the rifle is a range/hunting gun then they are ok. They've sold alot of guns over the years and would not have lasted this long if they put out alot of junk. Oly & Blackthorne have also put out a lot of junk over the years & they're still around too. |
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I have been shooting AR's for the last 20 years, At that time the recomendation was always ABC Armalite Bushmaster Colt; then DPMS came out with AR's that represented a real value in the price . They are a little rough as far as exterior finish,but the rifle was built to fired not sit in your "Study" or safe next to fine shotguns and custon rifles. DPMS rifles were ment to bust iron targets in 3 gun comepetions,kill coyotes , preditors (both 2 and 3 legged !!!) Drag around the desert,mountains and swamps.You don't cry if you get a ding or scuff and still hit your target. Don't get me wrong I have bushmasters and colts and they are excellent
Now we have BCM,Spikes,La Rue,POF,Stage and more etc and these brands are amazing very close to perfection.
These comanys are small compared to Bushmaster,Colt,DPMS and may be very well be custom,handmade AR's using the best steels and other components
Right now I have 4 DPMS,1 Colt and 1 Bushmaster in the AR platform my next AR after I can get more ammo,mags reloading stuff will be BCM . Probably a while though the safe is getting very crowded and the funds are getting very tight. Hope this ranting helps,Just my impression of over 20 years with AR's Latter John WHAT!!!!!! NO ARMALITES..........you have the B and Cs and Ds....no As....well that is a fine thing to do....  LOL
To the man's question....DPMS IS A NICE RIFLE TO OWN...I know several guys that have them and they like them....they are reasonable on price and have a lot of options.... And if anyone wants to say they are junk "because".....let us remember "all" manufactures occasionally have issues or something gets out that shouldn't have....I have learned this by experience... shit happens......and I hear their customer service is pretty good as well....I will say that I have heard they make some tight ass chambers...but other than that.....a good buy for the money....and this is coming from a double ArmaLite owner.....which by the way is a great rifle too..... Just remember that AR stands for ARMALITE...
SASS |
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I was a DPMS hater until I shot my cousins "lite" version (basically an A1 carbine clone). When we got out to the range I realized that my cousin never lubed it and it was BONE DRY. I wasn't to concerned because it wasn't my rifle and my cousin didn't care, so we shot about say 50 rounds of Wolf 62 gr thru it. Not a single hickup, I was expecting jaming to the 10th power Certianly not the best, but not the worst. There isn't much difference in price if you go with a Stag, and it is a much better gun IMO. I had a model 1 that I loved, I sold it to fund a ground up build. In the budget M4 style rifles, I don't see a good reason to purchase anything less than a Stag. |
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I have FP retaining clips that I cant pound into place with a hammer, and two broken bolts. I am not a fan.. YMMV. Captian Obvious here but are you putting them straight? I had a DPMS bolt carrier that I couldn't get the pin back in but when I looked at it from the back end it would go in at a downward angle missing the other hole. So after lining it up visually it went in without any problems. May not be your problem but I'm just throwing it out there... Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile You are supposed to put them in straight? Sonofabitch...... |
| I have a lo-pro carbine and it works well. I use it for target practice and keep it for home defense reasons. I did upgrade the BCG to a BCM and the only issue I have ever had was a double feed issue. I figured out that the mag feed lips had gone bad, replaced magazines and the problem was solved. Issue had nothing to do with DPMS. Not a bad rifle over all. |
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I disagree that they're "as good as any."
For $800 you can get a Spikes. On paper, the Spikes is a vastly superior carbine. For anyone who does his research, to me it makes no sense to choose a DPMS over a Spikes for a similar price. For example I didn't do my research and I have a Bushmaster(that has never failed me). I plan to keep it. However, I was stupid to buy it with the likes of BCM and Spikes available for a similar price. I just hadn't done my research. I don't think there's anything wrong with DPMS, but I want the best I can get for my dollars, and I don't think DPMS is it. |
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I would no way call DPMS Tier I because they simply aren't. However they make a decent rifle. One of the most accurate rifles I ever shot was my DPMS Sweet 16, that thing was a tack driver. I sold it and bought a Spikes M4LE. The Spikes won't be as accurate as the Sweet 16, but the components will be of higher quality and I would rather have a M4 rifle than a tack driver.
The OP needs to explain to us what his needs are, what rifle are you looking at? How much $$$$ ? Their predator rifle may be a great rifle for $500, but that same rifle at $800+ just isn't as good when you look what else you can get from others for the same price. Get my drift? Lots of variables that will greatly affect the bottom line. NCH |
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They are GTG. Especially the 7.62's, all of ours have been 100% reliable and problem free. As a matter of fact my partner was the only person to get 4 out 4 hits at 800 yards at a low light sniper match a month ago with his DPMS SASS. Thus spanking many a 3k dollar wonder guns.
Its the Indian, not the bow. DPMS will out shoot most people out there. My Bushy 308 ORC (rebadged dpms) is sub MOA with factory ball ammo. For every one person you find with a problem, there probably are literally thousands working just fine. |
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currently have 5 DPMS AR's , a 5.56, two 6.8's, a .260 rem and a .308.
all weapons are 100% reliable. all shoot under 1 MOA, with the 5.56 at just over .5 MOA and the .260 at .3MOA(altho the .260 has a custom Kreiger bbl) iv sold 3 DPMS rifles, all were 100% reliable and shot under 1MOA. I happen to know that DPMS supplies several MN PD's and SWAT and TAC teams. there are some other systems out there that are very sexy guns(like the LMT MWS/or the OBR) but they cost alot more. once you have a gun that has good fit and finish, is reliable and accurate, spending hundreds or thousands more for a few degrees of improvement doesn't make alot of sense to me.(unless you have the cash to burn )
Like my .260 rem, i could have bought a whole rifle for what the bbl alone cost me, but i had the money and wanted to get under half MOA. |
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I have a DPMS AP4 and Bushmaster HBAR. The finish on the DPMS is far superior to the bushmaster. the fit is compairable but the accuracy of the Bushmaster HBAR is better but i give the credit to the heavy barrel and the free float.
DMPS is a great entry level AR when outfitted with nice hardware. Mine sports YHM rails and enough magpul goodies to shake a stick at with a nice troy flip up on my rear. Alot of folks will say not to drop any change on goodies or upgrades on your DMPS but i say if it serves you well treat it well. with 5000 down the tube no malfunctions and no broken parts. It still looks and shoots like the day it came out of the box. The only things i dislike about DPMS is the commercial buffer tube and the castle nut is staked... Makes it a PITA putting on a single point attachment. I say you are good to go. Even if you where taking to the sand pit for a tour i think you would be ok. Ive ran mine dry and not cleaned it for months and 1000's of rounds and still goes BOOm every trigger pull. |
| Dont have any of their weapons but I used a DPMS LPK for my last build, very nice trigger IMO. Also got one of their no-handle rear a2 sights, very tight and distinct feeling increments for adjustment. If the rest of their parts are like these I wouldnt be afraid to try more. |
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My experience with them, a friend of mine bought one, and it had major issues with steel cased ammo every time we'd go to the range. The guy was an AK fanatic, and thought ARs were nothing but trouble. He finally decides he wants an AR, and without doing much research buys a DPMS that another local had for fairly cheap. The DPMS had major issues with Wolf and other steel cased ammo. This of course convinced my friend that he was right all along about ARs, and that all ARs suck.... Other than that, I know that the local police had bought several as patrol rifles for the dept. They had a huge number of problems with them, and the officers hated them. I'm not exactly sure what issues they were, I was just told that they were having serious issues with the DPMS carbines the dept bought... |
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DPMS sells more civilian AR's than anyone else, they also have the greatest amount of available calibers to choose from. An AR from DPMS is fine, yet other (better) options are available. They make EXCELLENT .308 AR's, yet their 5.56 offerings don't get as much respect due to mass production "shortcomings". That was pretty much the story where I used to work selling guns.The 5.56 rifles were a little lacking in fit and finish, but the .308 guns were impressive.I forget how many we sold, but not one of the .308's ever came back for repairs.Can't say the same for some other .308 battle rifles from other makers(and not just AR pattern rifles). For the price I would go with Spikes or a Stag in 5.56, but they are decent plinking/fun guns. |
| A Panther Lite 16 is the only AR I own. I just got it late last winter (see my join date) from a guy I don't really know very well, so I'm not sure how much mileage it already had on it at the time. I've pumped 1400 rounds of a mix of PRVI, PMC, Rem, Silver Bear, and handloads through it with no issues what-so-ever. Accuracy is as good as any other mil type carbine I've ever shot. If I ever do a build I'll probably use higher end parts, just to see what all the shouting is about, but for now I'm happy with this little shooter. |
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If you want a SHTF/self-defense carbine, DPMS is not for you. For as much as you'll pay for a bottom of the barrel model (Panther lite) you can get a Spikes ST-15 M4 LE, which is vastly superior. The DPMS may be fine if you're not shooting it much (non-chrome-lined barrels wear out MUCH faster than chrome-lined barrels) and keep it clean and in good condition, but the aforementioned criteria are NOT what you want to have to deal with in a fighting rifle.
I used to have a Panther Lite 16". It was fine for what it was, but I could have gotten a much better product for the money. I now have a Spikes. Even if you just plan on using your AR as a range plinker, there's NO reason whatsoever to pay the same amount of money for a less capable rifle. |
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If you want a SHTF/self-defense carbine, DPMS is not for you. For as much as you'll pay for a bottom of the barrel model (Panther lite) you can get a Spikes ST-15 M4 LE, which is vastly superior. The DPMS may be fine if you're not shooting it much (non-chrome-lined barrels wear out MUCH faster than chrome-lined barrels) and keep it clean and in good condition, but the aforementioned criteria are NOT what you want to have to deal with in a fighting rifle. I used to have a Panther Lite 16". It was fine for what it was, but I could have gotten a much better product for the money. I now have a Spikes. Even if you just plan on using your AR as a range plinker, there's NO reason whatsoever to pay the same amount of money for a less capable rifle. First, like I said, many departments in MN use DPMS AR's. so Police, sheriffs and Tac Teams DO use it when SHTF/ self defence. I own and have owned several, and they have never failed me. second, all DPMS rifles have the option to be chrome lined(except sst), in fact most are chrome lined, very few are shipped out without. non-chrome lined bbls are generally more accurate then chrome lined. a non-chrome lined bbl dosnt have significantly less life, the chrome lining is more durable in full auto fire and resists rust better. that's it. I always find it funny when ppl say that this brand is "vastly superior" to the DPMS but never say why... the DPMS is reliable(thousands of rounds without malfunction), accurate(everyone that I have owned has been better then MOA), and durable(no broken parts besides worn out gas rings from use). how does your brand do that better? the first AR i bought was a DPMS lite 16. it served mainly as my critter and plinking gun. was always left loaded by the door. accruate enough to hit chipmunks at 100 yards. it would go for months and thousends of rounds without cleaning, just sitting by the door. the only malfunctions i ever experianced with it were due to a bad batch of cheap greek millsurp ammo with buldged necks. it also went with me through several carbine coarses, qualification coarses back when i worked armed security, and a few classes when i got into law enforcment. I sold it only to get the funds to build my ideal M4 setup, altho i still miss it and regret the loss. |
| My DPMS has always gone bang when I pulled the trigger. No problems whatsoever. DPMS does warn against using steel cased ammo because of the coating that is on that ammo building up in a chamber and causing problems, however I've used cheap steel cased rounds in mine with no problems. |
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If you want a SHTF/self-defense carbine, DPMS is not for you. For as much as you'll pay for a bottom of the barrel model (Panther lite) you can get a Spikes ST-15 M4 LE, which is vastly superior. The DPMS may be fine if you're not shooting it much (non-chrome-lined barrels wear out MUCH faster than chrome-lined barrels) and keep it clean and in good condition, but the aforementioned criteria are NOT what you want to have to deal with in a fighting rifle. I used to have a Panther Lite 16". It was fine for what it was, but I could have gotten a much better product for the money. I now have a Spikes. Even if you just plan on using your AR as a range plinker, there's NO reason whatsoever to pay the same amount of money for a less capable rifle. First, like I said, many departments in MN use DPMS AR's. so Police, sheriffs and Tac Teams DO use it when SHTF/ self defence. I own and have owned several, and they have never failed me. second, all DPMS rifles have the option to be chrome lined(except sst), in fact most are chrome lined, very few are shipped out without. non-chrome lined bbls are generally more accurate then chrome lined. a non-chrome lined bbl dosnt have significantly less life, the chrome lining is more durable in full auto fire and resists rust better. that's it. I always find it funny when ppl say that this brand is "vastly superior" to the DPMS but never say why... the DPMS is reliable(thousands of rounds without malfunction), accurate(everyone that I have owned has been better then MOA), and durable(no broken parts besides worn out gas rings from use). how does your brand do that better? I agree with you 100%. Seems the only thing lacking is the BCG not being tested. Other then that most people here will never notice the diff in 4140 steel and 4150 in semi use yet its glorified. Other then that it's minor differences that people assume. I don't own any DPMS but I laugh at all the comments about "vastley superior". Hlaf the negative material about DPMS has just been regurgitated 100 times over. |
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If you want a SHTF/self-defense carbine, DPMS is not for you. For as much as you'll pay for a bottom of the barrel model (Panther lite) you can get a Spikes ST-15 M4 LE, which is vastly superior. The DPMS may be fine if you're not shooting it much (non-chrome-lined barrels wear out MUCH faster than chrome-lined barrels) and keep it clean and in good condition, but the aforementioned criteria are NOT what you want to have to deal with in a fighting rifle. I used to have a Panther Lite 16". It was fine for what it was, but I could have gotten a much better product for the money. I now have a Spikes. Even if you just plan on using your AR as a range plinker, there's NO reason whatsoever to pay the same amount of money for a less capable rifle. First, like I said, many departments in MN use DPMS AR's. so Police, sheriffs and Tac Teams DO use it when SHTF/ self defence. I own and have owned several, and they have never failed me. second, all DPMS rifles have the option to be chrome lined(except sst), in fact most are chrome lined, very few are shipped out without. non-chrome lined bbls are generally more accurate then chrome lined. a non-chrome lined bbl dosnt have significantly less life, the chrome lining is more durable in full auto fire and resists rust better. that's it. I always find it funny when ppl say that this brand is "vastly superior" to the DPMS but never say why... the DPMS is reliable(thousands of rounds without malfunction), accurate(everyone that I have owned has been better then MOA), and durable(no broken parts besides worn out gas rings from use). how does your brand do that better? the first AR i bought was a DPMS lite 16. it served mainly as my critter and plinking gun. was always left loaded by the door. accruate enough to hit chipmunks at 100 yards. it would go for months and thousends of rounds without cleaning, just sitting by the door. the only malfunctions i ever experianced with it were due to a bad batch of cheap greek millsurp ammo with buldged necks. it also went with me through several carbine coarses, qualification coarses back when i worked armed security, and a few classes when i got into law enforcment. I sold it only to get the funds to build my ideal M4 setup, altho i still miss it and regret the loss. Ok, here is why: 1) DPMS has an AR15 bolt carrier as opposed to the more durable M16 bolt carrier in the Spikes 2) DPMS uses inferior barrel steel (4140) as opposed to the higher grade mil-spec 4150 used in the Spikes 3) DPMS does not properly stake their gas keys (mine wasn't); Spikes does 4) DPMS does not stake their castle nuts; Spikes does 5) DPMS does not pressure test or MPI their bolts; Spikes does 6) DPMS uses 1:9 twist; Spikes uses 1:7 7) DPMS does not use shot-peened bolts; Spikes does 8) DPMS does not chrome-line their barrels (unless you special order them that way  ); Spikes does
9) DPMS does not pressure test or MPI their barrels; Spikes does I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of right now. The issue isn't whether or not your DPMS AR's have happened to run well. That's great. The issue whether or not DPMS AR's will have a statistically higher rate or risk of failure than AR's with mil-spec components. The features in top-tier rifles (Colt, BCM, Spikes, DD, Noveske) serve only to minimize these rates of failure. The vast majority of these features have shown to be effective in this regard. Therefore, a rifle without these features will tend to be less reliable. That doesn't mean that they'll all be turds; it only means that they run a higher risk of failure (but keep in mind that running a higher risk of failure does not mean that it will fail necessarily). It's really as simple as that. |
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My DPMS has always gone bang when I pulled the trigger. No problems whatsoever. DPMS does warn against using steel cased ammo because of the coating that is on that ammo building up in a chamber and causing problems, however I've used cheap steel cased rounds in mine with no problems. It's not the "coating" on the steel case that the problem. This is a myth. It's the dirty foreign powder used in the manufacture that gums up the chamber. The steel case doesn't expand like the brass case & there is not as great of a seal with the steel case & it allows the dirtier carbon to foul the chamber more. It has nothing to do with the coating on the steel case. |
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My first AR was a DPMS AP4 (purchased five years ago) and after several thousand rounds I've never had a misfire or anything break on it; nothing (parts wise) has been replaced ont it. Like the majority of those who've commented, keep it clean and it'll work as advertised. FYI, I purchased a LE6940 a few months back and I prefer to take my DPMS to the range; maybe it's a 'first love' kinda thing??
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I've owned one for 10 years now. My friend just got one last week and I was pleased at the fit and finish. The upper and lower fit tightly together. He was shooting 3 MOA with an EOTech and 16".
I was also shocked the plant has moved. Apparently they grew so much in the past years they had to build a new plant and move from Becker to St. Cloud. Plus, I like the fact they're built in MN. |
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I've owned one for 10 years now. My friend just got one last week and I was pleased at the fit and finish. The upper and lower fit tightly together. He was shooting 3 MOA with an EOTech and 16". I was also shocked the plant has moved. Apparently they grew so much in the past years they had to build a new plant and move from Becker to St. Cloud. Plus, I like the fact they're built in MN. This is not an indication of quality. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - DPMS (Page 1 of 2)
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