AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/28/2013 6:04:46 PM EDT
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I'm new to this forum group. I've owned Guns Pistols, rifles and shotguns for over 40 years but I'm new to the AR series rifles. A friend of mine owns a gun shop in my home town and has 2 AR's I'm interested in. One is the new Colt LE6900 and the other is a DPMS I think it's a Sportical. They are both 223 5.56 NATO. I would use it as a plinkster. I have an SKS and plenty of pistols but would like to get an AR to take to the range. Wouldn't be used for anything rough and I have very little time with work to get out and fire that often. I've not saw a lot of info on the Colt and about 50 50 on the DPMS reviews. My friend assures me DPMS makes a good rifle. Mostly looking for honest opinions on the Colt. I've got Glocks, Rugers and low end pistols and don't have any problems for the most part with any of them.
Any info would be GREAT. I'm buying 1 of these Tuesday. Thanks and This is a GREAT forum !! |
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It's about 100 less but has pep sites on it. I like both but just Leary about the colt from some of the forums saying they aren't really a colt. They arent. The guys that posted above probably don't know what the LE6900 is. I would go with the DPMS over the LE6900, just because I know what I'm getting from DPMS. That thing, they call a Colt, is not even close to what a Colt looks like when assembled correctly. The level of uncertainty makes it unappealing Cheap handguard, unknown barrel and bolt manufacturer, non-staked castle nut, different parts kit(non-Colt safety selector), etc. |
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It's about 100 less but has pep sites on it. I like both but just Leary about the colt from some of the forums saying they aren't really a colt. They arent. The guys that posted above probably don't know what the LE6900 is. I would go with the DPMS over the LE6900, just because I know what I'm getting from DPMS. That thing, they call a Colt, is not even close to what a Colt looks like when assembled correctly. The level of uncertainty makes it unappealing Cheap handguard, unknown barrel and bolt manufacturer, non-staked castle nut, different parts kit(non-Colt safety selector), etc. Thanks ! I know Colt is a great name but its not even listed on their website. I know DPMS is not the best brand but for what I'll be using it and how often my friend that owns the gun shop ( I've been friends with him for almost 30 years ) assures me DPMS is a good not great but good and reliable rifle. Thanks for the info. |
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It's about 100 less but has pep sites on it. I like both but just Leary about the colt from some of the forums saying they aren't really a colt. They arent. The guys that posted above probably don't know what the LE6900 is. I would go with the DPMS over the LE6900, just because I know what I'm getting from DPMS. That thing, they call a Colt, is not even close to what a Colt looks like when assembled correctly. The level of uncertainty makes it unappealing Cheap handguard, unknown barrel and bolt manufacturer, non-staked castle nut, different parts kit(non-Colt safety selector), etc. Thanks ! I know Colt is a great name but its not even listed on their website. I know DPMS is not the best brand but for what I'll be using it and how often my friend that owns the gun shop ( I've been friends with him for almost 30 years ) assures me DPMS is a good not great but good and reliable rifle. Thanks for the info. DPMS is a great company. I have first-hand knowledge of their customer service, and it is excellent. |
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Is this even a question....... get the Colt The things I've been reading about it say the Colt is actually made by Anderson Manufacturing in KY. If that's true I think I'd rather get the DPMS. I take so many guns out when I go to the range it would probably only see1000 RNDs a year at most . Too many toys need to get rid of a few. Can never have too many I guess. |
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Eh. I'm no big fan of the 6900.
But I think I might balk at a Sportical if you offered to give one to me. And/or I would cannibalize it immediately and probably keep nothing but the lower. First thing's first, that ridiculous, cheesy, thick, heavy extruded upper would have to go - it's one thing to omit the forward assist and ejection port cover - it's another thing to roll out that monstrosity. No thank you. The 6900 has a 1/8 barrel rather than the DPMS 1/9, giving you more flexibility with ammunition. The 6900 is also free floated and comes with a single stage match trigger. The Sportical's gas block is just clunky, and the "Glacier Guards" are poor excuses even for plastic handguards. The LE6900 comes with the Damage Industries improved M4 stock - nothing terribly special, but there's nothing terribly wrong with the M4 stock to begin with - plus it integrates a QD sling swivel socket. On the other hand, the Sportical's ridiculous stock actually slopes the "wrong" way - if you notice, almost every "enhanced" stock out there slopes forward towards the toe... some brilliant designer at DPMS somehow conceived of the ridiculous "Pardus" stock, which, by the way, will snap exactly where you expect it to at the toe the moment you inevitably have to "mortar" a stuck case out of the poorly reamed DPMS chamber. I'm in the "LE6900 is not a true Colt" camp, but frankly I'd still take the gamble on a relatively unknown manufacturer with a decent looking product than a known piece of crap. If you were getting another DPMS model... I might be a little bit more forgiving, but the Sportical is their cheapskate model, and it shows in just about every feature. I used to work at a range that had Sporticals among others as rentals, so while I've never owned one, per se, I've got trigger time, not to mention shop time, behind them. ~Augee |
| Nothing wrong with the DPMS for some light range work. I would be leary of a "licensed" Colt made with parts produced by who knows what companies. You should save some cash that could be used for flip up sights, cheap optic, ammo, etc. I wouldn't normally recommend either of the 2, as I can get a full PSA for $800 down the road from where I live, but I am also not a brand whore that will tell you that neither of those rifles are worth owning. I even owned a Sportical for a few months right before first American election mistake, I took it home for $599. I put about 1000 rounds through it with no issues (non-ammo related). It later sold for quite a bit more than that (after the election) when it was time for me to upgrade. Served me fine as it should you. |
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Is neither an option?
A DPMS is a DPMS and the 6900 really isn't a colt (1:8 twist) AR15.com unboxing review of Colt 6900 Wait it out and buy a quality AR instead of buying an AR just to buy an AR. I bought a Stag years ago because I wanted a rifle with doing zero research into MPI, twist rate, gas key staking, etc... That Stag now has pink Magpul furniture on it and is the S/O's AR and I have upgraded after learning about ARs. The only reason why you should buy either is if you have an AW ban going into effect right f––king now and need to get an AR grandfathered in. If that is not the case, I'd save my money and buy a quality AR once they become available. Colt 6920MP-B in stock DSG Arms for $1,175 right now, I don't know what your budget is but I think that is reasonable. |
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Is neither an option? A DPMS is a DPMS and the 6900 really isn't a colt (1:8 twist) AR15.com unboxing review of Colt 6900 Wait it out and buy a quality AR instead of buying an AR just to buy an AR. I bought a Stag years ago because I wanted a rifle with doing zero research into MPI, twist rate, gas key staking, etc... That Stag now has pink Magpul furniture on it and is the S/O's AR and I have upgraded after learning about ARs. The only reason why you should buy either is if you have an AW ban going into effect right f––king now and need to get an AR grandfathered in. If that is not the case, I'd save my money and buy a quality AR once they become available. Colt 6920MP-B in stock DSG Arms for $1,175 right now, I don't know what your budget is but I think that is reasonable. This. I wouldn't buy either of the two original choices. I would go to DSG arms or GT Distributors and buy a real Colt 6920. |
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Brand snob aside you will get every inch out of a DPMS as any colt or any other AR rifle. It's a modular system for a reason. Don't like the BCG buy a BCM, don't like the buffer, buy a H buffer. Don't like the upper buy a BCM upper. People make it sound like a DPMS or any other AR rifle is a POS if it's not a colt or meets "mil spec" Buy what you can get & afford. For your stated purpose there is ZERO wrong with a DPMS. Upgrade a few parts if you want to put ii in serious use & be done with it.
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Brand snob aside you will get every inch out of a DPMS as any colt or any other AR rifle. It's a modular system for a reason. Don't like the BCG buy a BCM, don't like the buffer, buy a H buffer. Don't like the upper buy a BCM upper. People make it sound like a DPMS or any other AR rifle is a POS if it's not a colt or meets "mil spec" Buy what you can get & afford. For your stated purpose there is ZERO wrong with a DPMS. Upgrade a few parts if you want to put ii in serious use & be done with it. So you are suggesting that he buy a DPMS and then spend another $250 for a BCM BCG and another $500 or so for a BCM upper? I think I'd just skip the DPMS and go with a BCM to begin with. |
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Colt. End of thread.... This +1 Buy the Colt it is so much better than a DPMS their really is no comparison. Someone must not know what a Colt 6900 is . Colt sold the fuck out if you ask me on that one... pure shit that they allowed their name to be stamped on. Go with DPMS 4real... any other colt would win this battle but not the 6900 |
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Colt. End of thread.... This +1 Buy the Colt it is so much better than a DPMS their really is no comparison. Someone must not know what a Colt 6900 is . Colt sold the fuck out if you ask me on that one... pure shit that they allowed their name to be stamped on. Go with DPMS 4real... any other colt would win this battle but not the 6900 Have you ever used one? The 6900 is not for me, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend one, but to call it "pure shit," I'd like to know what you are basing that assessment upon? |
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I'd go Colt--even if it is the bare bones 6900 version. Free float, 1:8 twist--what's not to like over the sportical? Hell, it even says "Colt, Hartford, Connecticut" on the lower receiver. Where does it say that it's licensed? I'm almost afraid to wait it out. No telling what' will happen with firearms anymore. I've got plenty of firearms including an AK type, just no AR. My budget is basically what I can find at this point and I've been told its a 6 month wait to order anything. Thanks for all the info !!! |
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Just from what others have said I would probably pass on both rifles and pick up one you know you would be happy investing in.
Depending on your location you could walk into a PSA right now and get a PSA 16in middy or carbine for $799. I'm no AR expert, but I like it just as much as the Colts my department issues out and the 6920 my father has. Would I pick a real Colt over a PSA? Not sure, the main reason I sought out a PSA rifle is because they are machined and built locally right here in Columbia SC which I think is really cool. |
| If you can, wait. Save a little more money and HOPEFULLY everything and especially everybody calms down and goes back to normal. IF thats even possible. But anyways, wait a little bit and try to save for a 6920. Orrr a 6940! I have both and absolutely love them. The 6940 my wife suprised me with for my birthday and the 6920 is hers. One of the reasons I/we wanted Colt is because there is nothing you "need" to add/change. Colt makes an extremely high quality rifle. Im not a Colt fanboy and i dont have anything against DPMS. I just have Colt and I know I love them. I dont have a DPMS and im not going to give my opinons about them because I dont have any expirence with them, but like everyone else has stated already, get a REAL Colt. |
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Eh. I'm no big fan of the 6900. But I think I might balk at a Sportical if you offered to give one to me. And/or I would cannibalize it immediately and probably keep nothing but the lower. First thing's first, that ridiculous, cheesy, thick, heavy extruded upper would have to go - it's one thing to omit the forward assist and ejection port cover - it's another thing to roll out that monstrosity. No thank you. The 6900 has a 1/8 barrel rather than the DPMS 1/9, giving you more flexibility with ammunition. The 6900 is also free floated and comes with a single stage match trigger. The Sportical's gas block is just clunky, and the "Glacier Guards" are poor excuses even for plastic handguards. The LE6900 comes with the Damage Industries improved M4 stock - nothing terribly special, but there's nothing terribly wrong with the M4 stock to begin with - plus it integrates a QD sling swivel socket. On the other hand, the Sportical's ridiculous stock actually slopes the "wrong" way - if you notice, almost every "enhanced" stock out there slopes forward towards the toe... some brilliant designer at DPMS somehow conceived of the ridiculous "Pardus" stock, which, by the way, will snap exactly where you expect it to at the toe the moment you inevitably have to "mortar" a stuck case out of the poorly reamed DPMS chamber. I'm in the "LE6900 is not a true Colt" camp, but frankly I'd still take the gamble on a relatively unknown manufacturer with a decent looking product than a known piece of crap. If you were getting another DPMS model... I might be a little bit more forgiving, but the Sportical is their cheapskate model, and it shows in just about every feature. I used to work at a range that had Sporticals among others as rentals, so while I've never owned one, per se, I've got trigger time, not to mention shop time, behind them. ~Augee They also had a Windham at the shop along with 2 more DPMS but the other DPMS were 308's and I'm not sure I want it bc they were more of a hunting style rifle. The Windham was a nice looking gun and was told they were made by the ppl that started Bushmaster. It was a 223 and looked great. I wasn't as interested in these 3 . They were $1100 and more. I'm not opposed to paying that for either one but didn't know enough about them to pay that for the Windham. |
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So how many of you people saying get the Colt actually realized this isn't the 6920, let alone not even manufactured by Colt? Get the DPMS. I know it's not a colt except for the license. That's what makes me Leary of it. I'm also not sure the DPMS is a Sportical. The DPMS is what caught my eye, then when he showed me the Colt ( I'd never heard of the LE6900 ) I was interested in it. After I got home and researched the Colt that's when I started seeing the info on it. He also has a Windham ( 223 ) I'm not sure of the model and 2 more DPMS in the 308 not sure the models there either. The 223 chambered DPMS was $930 and the Colt was $950. ARs are hard to find around here especially at a good price. I've been told the wait when ordered is a min of 6 months. Don't really want to wait that long and the gunshop owner I've known for over 20 years. |
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Brand snob aside you will get every inch out of a DPMS as any colt or any other AR rifle. It's a modular system for a reason. Don't like the BCG buy a BCM, don't like the buffer, buy a H buffer. Don't like the upper buy a BCM upper. People make it sound like a DPMS or any other AR rifle is a POS if it's not a colt or meets "mil spec" Buy what you can get & afford. For your stated purpose there is ZERO wrong with a DPMS. Upgrade a few parts if you want to put ii in serious use & be done with it. So you are suggesting that he buy a DPMS and then spend another $250 for a BCM BCG and another $500 or so for a BCM upper? I think I'd just skip the DPMS and go with a BCM to begin with. No. I'm saying it's a modular weapons system & as such parts can be upgraded to better ones down the road if needed. |
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It's about 100 less but has pep sites on it. I like both but just Leary about the colt from some of the forums saying they aren't really a colt. They arent. The guys that posted above probably don't know what the LE6900 is. I would go with the DPMS over the LE6900, just because I know what I'm getting from DPMS. That thing, they call a Colt, is not even close to what a Colt looks like when assembled correctly. The level of uncertainty makes it unappealing Cheap handguard, unknown barrel and bolt manufacturer, non-staked castle nut, different parts kit(non-Colt safety selector), etc. Thanks ! I know Colt is a great name but its not even listed on their website. I know DPMS is not the best brand but for what I'll be using it and how often my friend that owns the gun shop ( I've been friends with him for almost 30 years ) assures me DPMS is a good not great but good and reliable rifle. Thanks for the info. DPMS is a great company. I have first-hand knowledge of their customer service, and it is excellent. I had a DPMS that was flawless as well. |
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I have a DPMS Oracle. It does fine for range time and basic home defense. It's lightweight and I hold my own with my friends at 100 yards and has had zero malfunctions thus far (~600 rounds through it). If that's all you want, you'll be fine. Run it wet and inspect it after firing and you should be fine. If it breaks, then call DPMS.
While I tend to agree with Augee when looking at specs, I don't know if I could recommend the Colt. I have no experience with it, but it sounds like no one else does, either. That's a little scary to me. Too much junk out there. It would depend on the requirements Colt puts on the manufacturer when it comes to quality. If you want some HSLD "go to war" gun, then I don't think I would buy either. |
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It's about 100 less but has pep sites on it. I like both but just Leary about the colt from some of the forums saying they aren't really a colt. They arent. The guys that posted above probably don't know what the LE6900 is. I would go with the DPMS over the LE6900, just because I know what I'm getting from DPMS. That thing, they call a Colt, is not even close to what a Colt looks like when assembled correctly. The level of uncertainty makes it unappealing Cheap handguard, unknown barrel and bolt manufacturer, non-staked castle nut, different parts kit(non-Colt safety selector), etc. Thanks ! I know Colt is a great name but its not even listed on their website. I know DPMS is not the best brand but for what I'll be using it and how often my friend that owns the gun shop ( I've been friends with him for almost 30 years ) assures me DPMS is a good not great but good and reliable rifle. Thanks for the info. DPMS is a great company. I have first-hand knowledge of their customer service, and it is excellent. I had a DPMS that was flawless as well. I picked up my 1st AR today. I got a GREAT deal (I think) DPMS Oracle. paid $580 plus a 25 auto (I paid $75 for). I got the gun plus he threw in a red dot scope with it. . With the mixed reviews I didn't want to pay to much for it and this being my 1st AR I want to get a feel for them. I'll probably buy another next year if I like the AR's better than my other guns I have. I got this to socialize with friends and my daughters BF, they are all into the AR's and pistols which I already have quite a few. Is their anything I should upgrade or just leave it alone ? This will only be used for plinking and of course the occasional zombie LOL ! it looks great and with the scope I'm pretty sure I got a good deal for my 1st one. Any advise would be great and THANKS to everyone for the INFO !! This is a GREAT forum for info !!! |
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A year ago I have asked "ALMOST" the same question... my was between Colt vs LMT.
I decided on a Colt LE6940. (After 2 months of researches). Just a FYI... Per Colt " all of the colt civilian rifles were builded in Colt Canada." which, doesn't means anything. I have put over 700rds on my LE6940 never jam once... I have even used some reloaded 556. A co-worker has a DPMS Carbine, it jams all the time reload or factory. |
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A year ago I have asked "ALMOST" the same question... my was between Colt vs LMT. I decided on a Colt LE6940. (After 2 months of researches). Just a FYI... Per Colt " all of the colt civilian rifles were builded in Colt Canada." which, doesn't means anything. I have put over 700rds on my LE6940 never jam once... I have even used some reloaded 556. A co-worker has a DPMS Carbine, it jams all the time reload or factory. I've been looking for quite some time and have got VERY mixed reviews on the DPMS brand. I know 2 people that have them and have had no problems with them at all. the reviews are all over the place on DPMS and I guess if you get a lemon it would make sense to rip them. for my 1st AR I didn't want to spend alot on it and if I like the gun I'll probably buy a few more. The deal I got on this I just couldn't pass up. At this time, and it may change soon they are hard to find at a decent price and the wait for ordering one is 6 months min I've been told. The owner of the gun shop I purchased it at is a long time friend of mine and assured me he hasn't had any problems with them and it will be fine for what I want. I'm just looking for something to have fun with and will probably be lucky to fire 500 RNDs a year. I hope i didn't get a lemon !! Thanks for the input and if I like the ARs I'll probably go all out on the net one and get a true Colt. The Colt he had in stock was the LE6900 and it's not made by Colt, they sold the license to another company to make a cheaper AR for them. |
| Finally got to take my new DPMS out to the range today. My son and I fired over 100 RNDs through the Oracle in about 3 hrs at the range. Also fired 50 plus through my Glock #23 and 30 RNDs through my SKS. No jams what so ever from the Oracle !! Love the gun. One of my favs to fire. Only using red dot scope as I'm waiting on my irons to get here. Fired low end brass 55 grain through the Oracle with not 1 jam in her the whole time out. I think with any rifle some people get lemons. I LOVE THIS THING ! |
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I'm throwing this wrench in there to add to the fire:
If you are "anti-union", keep in mind that Colts are built by the UAW. I know MANY here are anti-union and they'll turn a blind eye to that. This LE6900, I know nothing about other than the negatives I've read here, but the DPMS, seems to be a solid rifle for what it is based on personal friends having bought them just before the "panic rush" went full tilt in late December. They have had no issues yet with them. But then, it seems that the AR rifle is the only firearm that people seem to believe you have to get the best when I've yet to see the comparable type conversations occur in regards to handguns. |
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I'm throwing this wrench in there to add to the fire: If you are "anti-union", keep in mind that Colts are built by the UAW. I know MANY here are anti-union and they'll turn a blind eye to that. This LE6900, I know nothing about other than the negatives I've read here, but the DPMS, seems to be a solid rifle for what it is based on personal friends having bought them just before the "panic rush" went full tilt in late December. They have had no issues yet with them. But then, it seems that the AR rifle is the only firearm that people seem to believe you have to get the best when I've yet to see the comparable type conversations occur in regards to handguns. With handguns, there are only a very few designs amongst which there is more than one manufacturer of the same design. At the end of the day, you pick the gun you want at the price point you want, without worrying if someone else makes the exact same gun, but better because there's only one source for it. The decision cycle begins and ends at "I want this kind of gun." In the AR world, that's where it starts. As an example, you see much of the same heartburn and teeth gnashing with 1911s as you do with ARs. ~Augee |
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The 6900 was made by Anderson Mfg, and not by Colt. It was a commercial product, and discontinued on 01May2013 due to customer complaints Really! Wow, ok, that's great info to have. I saw some ads for the 6900 and knew it was a "licensed" Colt but didn't realize it was _that_ crappy... Thanks! |
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The 6900 was made by Anderson Mfg, and not by Colt. It was a commercial product, and discontinued on 01May2013 due to customer complaints I'm sure it will be a collector's item in a few years now, LOL. I like the rollmark. I still think they should use the old Coltec logo, but then again you can't see the rollmark with it shouldered. |
My first and most accurate rifle was a DPMS Sweet Sixteen. Never a single failure and extremely accurate with my handloads. I love my Colts but haven't seen a 6900 in person. I think it is a little tricky for them to use the 6900 model number. I am sure a few were sold by newdies thinking they were buying a 6920. Enjoy your DPMS, now go shoot the iss out of it!!!!!! 
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