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Posted: 11/19/2010 5:02:24 AM EDT
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I am about to start my first build and I am looking at buying an all in one (minus the lower) kit. I was looking at the DPMS Oracle kit. I wanted some feedback to make sure I am not making a mistake and buying a lemon. I have read through the board and not found any postings about an entire DPMS gun, The price is right. I figure if I am going to make any mistakes, I can make them now, and then do any hardcore customization later.
Thanks for the sage advice! thedoc Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin |
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I just built my first AR using that exact kit plus a RRA stripped lower. So far I've only ran cheap 55 grain ammo through it (federal bulk, etc). First few mags wouldn't bolt hold on the last round but once it was broken in that stopped. Besides that not a single hiccup in about 800 rds.
I'm far from a marksman but I can keep a 1.5" group at 100 and stay on an 8" target at 300 all day with that cheap ammo. I have no complaints. YMMV Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile ETA: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=513269 (has a rail and scope, but will give you a general idea of the kit.) |
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There are a few manufacturers that I like better, actually quite a few. That said, my opinion is this, these rifles will suit Joe Average just fine. By this I mean the guy that goes into the hills or to the range and shoots 200-300 rounds a month, doesn't need his life to depend on the rifle, doesn't expect to put it through the riggers of a carbine course with any frequency. If DPMS has a particular weak link or the area they've been lacking in the past is their Bolt Carrier Group and their use of commercial as opposed to mil-spec parts (i.e. stocks, buffer tubes etc.). I haven't seen the bulk of complaints on DPMS like I did a few years back and they sell a lot of rifles. It takes a good deal of time to overcome a bad reputation. I have a few of their parts kits and one of their lower receivers. I actually quite like their lower, their lower parts kits are just so, so. I have no complaints. |
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DPMS is ok. But the thing about buying that kit is you'll probably be over spending after its all said and done.
What is your budget... and what are you going to CHANGE on that rifle? You'll more than likely get a better rifle for the money if you just build it from scratch and buy what you want to begin with.. example.... are you going to change the stock? pistol grip? trigger guard? handguards? Change the BCG? Put on a free floated rail system? these are typical changes people make to their rifles... And they all add cost on to your build... and why not just spend that money on what you want to begin with.. instead of just buying a rifle kit and then buying everything to change it. buy it once. whats your budget... what is this rifles "role"... what do you want it to be/look like? Also keep in mind.. a rifle is basically a barrel and a BCG... if you have a quality barrel and a quality BCG youll be good to go... DPMS's oracle will shoot... but it definitely by no means has what you would call a quality barrel or a quality BCG. |
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I built a Light Weight Carbine for the wife. The upper I used was Del-Ton. I ordered the upper minus the bolt carrier group. I used a LMT BCG and lower parts kit, built on Essential Arms lower.
I have used DPMS parts and never had any problems, but there's lots to choose from out there. |
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The only mod that I was planning was a free float hand guard with a quad rail... and since I'm in the "great" state of CA I need a bullet button. After reading the advice posted here I will do some research on barrel types and BCG.
Oh BTW this build was going on a spikes lower not on the DPMS... This is my first of what I am sure will be a few black guns. So there are a lot of areas where I don't know what my preference is. I figure this is the time to learn and on the next build I can build my perfect gun. Again thank you to everyone for the great input! thedoc |
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