I am looking to purchase a new AR-15 in the next two weeks. My local gun dealer can get a DPMS A3 M4 with one 30 round mag and a cleaning kit for $925 plus 6% Michigan tax. I know the price is pretty good, but my question is, is a DPMS a good rifle? I've looked at S&W, Bushmaster, Armilite, they arte all a little more but is the quality really that much different? I know Colt's are about 20% more IF you can find one. Any advice would be appreciated.

I bought one and from what I hear is they are a solid company.  Mine came really nice and tight out of the box.  There are slight things that could be upgraded by yourself in the far far future that might wear out faster, but that is the same or similar with other AR's.  I can't give you a complete write up, since the gun is really new to me.  But everything is the way I like it and I like perfection.

I love mine...

Mine was solid.

My first black rifle was an A1 DMPS lightweight.
I never had a problem with it.

$925 is high for a dpms, but not in the post election economy

From what I've heard they're very good rifles for the price. In fact my brother and I just bought one last week to add to our collection.

have a dpms ap4 upper on a bush lower that i just put together... put 1000 rounds of wolf threw it with zero problems so far.

1K? WoW more like $700 otd around here.

There is a local dealer that has one minus the carry handle for $850.00. I may get that one instead.

You would be lucky to find any at all in Jersey since the election. I'd buy it for $925.00

I have a Panther Lite 16.  It's DPMS's version of a CAR 15, A-1 carrying handle.  I am happy with it so far.  I have only had one malf in 400 rounds, 400 is by no means a lot but the ftf happened 150 rounds in, the rest have been golden.  My only complaint is their factory trigger on the entry level rifles.  I am not sure about the rest of you guys but mine has a gritty trigger.  When I get some more $ I am going to put a better one in.  If I could do it again I would get a flat top, go for it.  I got it for 7 bills a while ago, those little guys have gone up a bit.

I have only had mine for 2 weeks (16" flattop) and it feels awesome. The trigger felt great, I shot sub MOA first day out (after only 2 zero groups) and it is tight enough to feel solid but no feed problems in first 300 rounds using cheap FMJ. I think the DPMS has all of the quality that you need in an entry level rifle. With no upgrades, I feel like I could stake my life on this baby. Some people complain about the rear takedown pin but I like the tightness. My M-16 in the Army (yeah, i ain't no spring chicken) rattled way too much and did not perform reliably, several jams in less than a few hundred rounds. I researched for 3 months before I decided on the DPMS. And I think I got the last one in Kansas City

OK, I'm ready for 2009... hopefully I "wasted" my money... Oh, BTW, thanks to Barack for the excuse I needed to give my wife to justify this latest purchase

I just ordered a bunch of uppers and lowers and have had about a dozen DPMS rifles in diferent configurations and havent had an issue till now

two m4 uppers with the roughest chambers I have ever seen  one failed to extract first round fired had to be ramroded  the other damnear wouldnt eject an unfired round I shudder to imagine what it would have taken to get them out had it been fired any way they tell me 4 week turn around on unfired weapons leaves very unsatisfied customer  im currently seeing what the cost would be to have them both polished and send them a bill