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Posted: 5/14/2012 6:46:39 PM EDT
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My wife was trying to be great and buy me an AR just cause. I cannot even think about returning it, you married guys understand. She bought me a DPMS model A15 Flat top. My problem is it has a very short picatinny rail on top off the action, and an inch or two on the top of the gas block which looks to be a quarter of an inch shorter. It doesn't have any iron sights or really any place to mount some with the Eotech on there. The forearm doesn't have any rails at all. The forearm is also 6.7" long, and I can't seem to find any replacement furniture to change it to. It shoots ok with my Eotech on it, but I need to put some kind of back up sights on it. With some back up sights and a flashlight I could live with it as it is, as I already have a nice primary AR (A S&W AR in 5.45 X 39).
I just need some help with this one. I can bolt on accessories, but I'm no gunsmith. Thanks |
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Sir, from what I read....with all due respect, you are making a mountain out of a mole-hill.
It's not a big deal. The same replacement parts that fit every other AR will fit your DPMS. It's not an odd-ball and there is nothing wrong with them. I own two just like what you describe. If you simply want to add iron sights to the gun as is, all you have to do is get a standard rear sight of your choosing, it won't matter which one. Then purchase a front sight that is made to sit on top of the gas-block. There are several manufacturers of these type including YHM, MI, etc, etc. And they will be marked specifically for gas-block use, as they will be made taller than standard. So please, don't sweat it  .......I think your wife done good!!
I hope this helps some with your concerns!! Congrats on the new rifle...  
P.S. I meant to also add that any standard carbine furniture will fit. Don't worry about them being 6.7" or whatever long. That's just how it is. You can install the furniture as is, or replace the gas-block with a low-profile unit and go even longer. That's actually what I wound up doing in the end. |
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A smaller gas block that would allow me to put on a new forearm with rails would help some of my problems. The picatinny rail on the reciever is totally covered with my 512 Eotech, but I guess I could move it forward onto a new forend and give me room for BUIS. All the AR's I've had previously have already had all vthe rails I needed, so I've never dealt with any of this. I'm an old ex cop who is really a pistol shooter compared to rifles except deer guns, so I'd really appreciate any help.
Dan |
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I'll admit, I am confused. Are you saying that the upper receiver on your DPMS has a shorter segment of top rail that other AR receivers you've used, or that other ARs you've used had rails extending forward over the HGs and/or FF rails in place of HGs? Also, which model DPMS is it? IIRC, most or all of their receivers now say "A15" but the models have different names (Sportical, Oracle, etc.). I currently own several DPMS ARs and have owned many more over the years, but I've never seen one with a shorter-than-normal top rail. Give us a little more info and we can probably suggest a solution. Thanks.
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No big deal. We only want to help you out. The previous poster is correct about the "A15" being kind of generic. I think most all of their guns say that. I am not completely clear on which model you have either. Just me guessing lead me to believe it might be an Oracle. A picture would speak volumes to us and help answer any questions you might have easier.
Just for the record I do on an Oracle myself. Two of them actually. Gratuitous gun pic here. Obviously I didn't like the short handguard you spoke of. And I hate the gas-block that they come with. It's aluminum and has a tendency to move, as in, let go when heated up. I fixed the problem temporarily by using red loctite on the two set screws. I fixed it permanently by replacing it with a low-profile unit and adding a 15" MI Gen2 SS free-float. 
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http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7008/misc028.jpgI'm going to try to reply to several posts at once so forgive me if I miss a question. I'll post a couple of pictures that will hopefully clear this up. As far as a model, as you can see in the pics, it gives the manufacturer and list the model as A15, and below it is a serial #. I cannot find any other model name anywhere on the firearm.
All the other AR's I have or had always had a rail on the forearm so there was always plenty of room for any accessories I wanted to put on. All I really want to put on it is a set of BUIS, a red dot, a flashlight, a sling, and a vertical foregrip (grippod), I'm not trying to carry any extra junk on it, just the pieces I consider neccessary. As far as the rail on the gas block, I was trying to explain that when the weapon is held horozontilly the gas block rail is lower in height by maybe a quarter inch or so. If I can get a different forearm with rails on 3 or 4 sides I can work with that. I thought that where the forearm was an odd (to me) length, 6.7" according to the DPMS manual I would have to find one the same exact length. One of the replies I received says any replacement forearm for a forearm will work. If this is the case I guess my problems are solved. Thanks for the replies I've received so far. |
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I'm not seeing your pics, and don't think others can either. I'm going to make your links hot here and then try to post your pics for you below. http://dpmsphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/13 http://dpmsphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/13#12 For what all you want to mount, it sounds like you really need a rail system in place of the HGs. There are all sots of options, from no-mod bolt-ons to full free-float set-ups (pros and cons for both). |
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Ok. Can see the pics now. It's setup just like I thought it was. The EoTech can be moved up a couple of notches allowing room for any standard rear sight. The gas-block that is one there can be used to mount a front sight as well. But as I mentioned in a previous post if you are going to be using the standard gas-block make sure you buy a gas-block compatible front sight. They are made taller than normal to account for the lower gas-block.
You need a front sight like this one here...............HERE Of course there are many other options and brands but you will need one like this if you are using the gas block you have now. Your gun will accept any drop-in carbine handguards of your choosing. Just make sure you order one that's compatible with carbine gas systems if you intend to keep it fairly "stock". My suggestion for you to save you some money while you are getting a feel for the gun is to order some handguards like the Magpul MOE's.......Like these because they are much more comfortable than stock, easy to put on, and are adaptable for grips, rails, etc. Very budget friendly as well. I absolutely hate the fat stock DPMS handguards, but hey, that's me. You really only need to get you some good sights, and move the EoTech up a couple of notches. Then go shooting. Words of advice: Heed my warning when I tell you this. If you are keeping the stock aluminum gas-block, please remove one set-screw at a time and re-install with red loctite. If not you will be kicking yourself in the ass later when the gas block turns loose and you lose your zero. Ask me how I know.... 
By the way, NICE RIFLE!!!! , mine looked exactly like yours does now only a short while ago. Here is a bad pic of mine when I was using the standard gas-block. It was equipped with cheap sights and Magpul MOE handguards that I dyed "bloody mess" in color. Even though the picture is not the best you can see how the front sight is taller. pic Hope this helps. |
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So one last question. Anyone know how to find the model, if it's something besides the "A-15" as it's marked? The only other marking I see is the barrel length and twist stamped in the underside of the barrel. The pic I posted shows all the left hand side of the receiver, nothing marked on the other side.
Thanks, Dan |
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Quoted: So one last question. Anyone know how to find the model, if it's something besides the "A-15" as it's marked? The only other marking I see is the barrel length and twist stamped in the underside of the barrel. The pic I posted shows all the left hand side of the receiver, nothing marked on the other side. Thanks, Dan If you still have the case it came in, and if the sticker is still on it, the model name should be on the sticker. Barring that, look through the models on their website and match up the options/specs with what you have: http://dpmsinc.3dcartstores.com/Versatility––Value_ep_80-1.html |
| You can also send DPMS an email giving them all the information on the side of the gun. Model and serial number. It took them a little while to get back to me, but when they did they gave me the exact model, build specs, and birth-date of mine. They stay busy, but I get the feeling they take good care of their customers. |
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