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Posted: 7/15/2006 10:15:29 PM EDT
| Are DPMS lower parts sets mil-spec? |
Brownell's says they are mil-spec. |
SOMETIMES! And sometimes they're filled w/out of spec crap; like bolt hold opens that don't fit right and gouge the upper, front takedown pins that are oversized and won't fit, triggers w/unpolished engagement surfaces----and that's just the problems I personally have had. It seems to be a question of most parts being ok, but one or two out of spec pieces in a set. I've gone to ordering individual pieces by three different aftermarket suppliers from Brownells. That way a set costs me just a couple of bucks more than the DPMS sets, but if I get a bad piece (I haven't yet) I can send the individual part back to Brownells for replacement. 
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Stag, RRA, and Armalite are tops for fit and dark finish imo DPMS LPKs are a lighter colt grey, and the ones i got were either missing a pin or 2 or they were out of spec for tight lowers 
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www.armalite.com/library/techNotes/tnote01.htm |
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I just did a short review of two DPMS kits I received. Compared them to two RRA kits I already had on hand... www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=288250 As for Armalite, my experiences with their products have been less than stellar to put it kindly. I'd would trust an off the shelf Hesse/Vulcan more than an Armalite. There are far too many other good, quality vendors out there for me to ever consider buying another product made by Armalite (Colt, LMT, RRA, etc....CLR, the new and improved "ABC")
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Doesn't "tight lower" kinda hint that the lower is the issue!!!!!!!!!!!! I understand what your saying but that is a bit contradicting! |
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strange, I have three DPMS LPKs in a Colt SP2, DPMS, Ameetec lower and have had zero failures of any kind. and these are not closet queens. many thousands of rounds through them. I would bet my life on them. ETA: also, DPMS does not put that stupid cut in the face of the hamer "to prevent slam fires" |
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I have used and sold both DPMS / STAG LPKs. They are both nice kits but STAG is a little nicer. There's nothing wrong with DPMS kits from what I've seen and I've seen and installed 100s of them. The only complaint I have is their roll pins are just too dang large. I've ruined several lowers trying to install these. Now I just buy roll pins in large qtys from STAG. BTW, the safety is much cleaner and crisper on the DPMS than any STAG I've used. |
| I don't know about the lower part kits but I have heard horor stories concerning their uppers. Supposably their charging handles are so far out of spec that they will either heat up to the point cooking the anodizing or wont fit at all. I just personally stay away from them. I really think if you are building a rifle though not everything is just going to fall together and you do have to consider there will be some sticky parts. Yet the frequency with which it seems issues crop up with DPMS parts just seems to be to often to be mere coincidence. |
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I just got my DPMS kit from Brownells. For about $45 w/ my C&R FFL discount, they are a pretty good deal, but they do not measure up to RRA or Bushmaster. They are fine for most builds, but if you really want top notch parts, look to the higher end kits. The quality of the parts are not as good and the strangest thing of all is the DPMS A2 grip is noticeably smaller than the A2 grips in RRA and Bushmaster kits. It is shorter and thinner in cross section and front to back distance. 
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I have not been pleased with their LPK's and won't buy another one. Out of spec parts suck and aren't worth a $2 savings if you don't have in-spec parts to replace them with. I now have 11 lowers of various makes and to this day have not found a single one that would accept the front hinge-pin that came in my first DPMS LPK. The funny thing is I like the DPMS lower I have just fine. I wouldn't have any problems buying a stripped lower from them, but I won't be putting their parts in it! |
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