DPMS Panther opinions

[Arthur Dent]

Saw one at the local gun dealer. I like the looks and pretty much everything about it.

Anyone have experience with DPMS firearms?

 

[223 Gunner]

I think they are o.k. I believe they are all milspec.

 

[LPMan59]

They are not milspec. I have seen some seriously scary dpms guns at arf.com.

There are better options for the same money.

 

[Arthur Dent]

What sort of options?

 

[firehawk1]

I shoot a DPMS, and I have experienced no problems with it. I will say from what I could gleen from several sites it is their bolts that are the most prone to failure. Simple fix, I bought and run a BCM BCG as insurance. Possible problem solved.

As far as parts go, all the "add on's" as far as upgraded Mil Spec parts, all have all fit and functioned perfectly. Two seperate uppers, the BCG, stocks, sights etc... I did have to lightly sand the PMags I bought as they fit alittle tight in the magwell. No big deal IMO. I also like the fact that DPMS come with an unnotched hammer. No mod needed to shoot my TacSol .22 upper.

Just spent the day shooting my new Palmetto State Armory upper with the DPMS lower. Functioned perfect. It ran Tula, Federal, Herters, and PMC ammo as did the DPMS upper that came with the rifle. MAN am I sunburned!

If you're like me, and most likely 99% of all AR owners, and have no plans on fighting a war with an AR, IMO a DPMS is just fine. BTW, Bud's has one model for $589 with free shipping.

 

[grizman]

They are not milspec. I have seen some seriously scary dpms guns at arf.com.

There are better options for the same money.

+1 DPMS are most definately NOT mil spec not even close!

 

[firehawk1]

What sort of options?

According to the "experts" at M4carbine.net... you have 3. Colt, Noveske, and Daniel Defense.

About ALL the rest are worthless junk.

 

[trophyhunter]

According to the "experts" at M4carbine.net... you have 3. Colt, Noveske, and Daniel Defense.

About ALL the rest are worthless junk.

LaRue and LMT don't get honorable mention over there? Tough room...

I dislike the fit of the DPMS lowers I have owned and handled, they all seemed noticeably looser when pinned on the uppers as compared to a few other brands. Aside from that they all sent rounds down range just fine.

 

[firehawk1]

LaRue and LMT don't get honorable mention over there? Tough room...

I have seen those names mentioned there too. I'll concide, they receive Honorable Mention.

 

[LPMan59]

What sort of options?

Lots of options for the same or a little more:

Spike's and PSA have some great deals going. You could also get any of the mid-level ARs for around $800- S&W, RRA, Stag, BM, Armalite etc. ,

I put together a mil-spec A4 for $775 out the door. DPMS has a history of poor products- out of spec parts, mislabeled barrels, FUBAR chambers, improperly staked gas keys, etc

Now, that's not to say that every DPMS is a POS. Every company, even the top ones like DD, LMT, KAC, Noveske, BCM, Colt, etc put out a lemon. But some companies do this more often.

 

[LPMan59]

Look @ the job DPMS did on my .30 remington ar - Sniper's Hide Forums

DPMS 308/7.62 Sportical... any experience with them? First-hand reviews? Range-reports? - Page 1 - AR15.COM

 

[WebSnyper]

BTW, Bud's has one model for $589 with free shipping.

Atterbury had a new DPMS of some sort (not sure of model) for $575 when I was there on Friday.

I have no first hand knowledge of their quality, but from reading DPMS would not be my first choice. Do your research and make your decision.

 

[Donnelly]

I have two DPMS AR15 rifles. One is a Panther Lite 20" barrel, and the other is a M4gery with a chrome lined barrel. I guess that means I do have first hand knowledge. I have sent hundreds of rounds down the Panther Lite and over a thousand down the M4. No problems ever with either one. Somehow both came with gas keys staked properly as well. I must just be one lucky son-of-gun.

I am planning on switching over the A1 upper receiver on the Panther Lite to a flat-top A3 upper receiver. I was a little impatient to get my first AR15 when I bought that one. I plan on staying DPMS when I do that.

 

[lnholmes]

. I did have to lightly sand the PMags I bought as they fit alittle tight in the magwell. No big deal IMO

I just finished my ar and used a dpms lower. Pmags do the same thing on mine. Other than that it is a good lower for the money I think.

 

[chraland51]

Man, with all of the bad things everyone is saying about DPMS, I had better not shoot mine any more for fear that it will blow up in my face or accidentally shoot the guy beside me at the range. I am now afraid that it will just come apart in my hands the next time it is fired. I am getting the urge once again to toss all of my firearms into my apartment pond because they are all unsafe pieces of junk metal. The next threads I see will probably be bashing the crap out of Tauruses and then Rugers.

 

[LPMan59]

I love fanboys. They are always comepletely rational and add so much to the discussion.

 

[223 Gunner]

I built a DPMS Lower, stripped lower + DPMS LPK, I have a Bushy upper on it, it runs just fine, no issues what so ever. I guess I got lucky on my lower?

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

I love fanboys. They are always comepletely rational and add so much to the discussion.

Yeah how dare they post an opposing view from people who own and are happy with their crappy guns.

 

[LPMan59]

Wrong. Its the sarcasm and whining attitude that gets old. If your rifle runs great, that's awesome. But don't tell a newbie that hamburger is the same as prime rib or a pinto is the same as a camry. Dpms earned its reputation for a reason.

 

[Donnelly]

No one said that DPMS is prime rib. I said mine run fine. They are what they are, entry level AR15's at a entry level price. Most of us will only use them as range toys, and for that purpose they work just fine.

I'm not sure which is worse, fanboys or irrational bashers...