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Old September 10, 2013, 05:16 PM   #1
Fireman179
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DPMS Question

Can I get a opinion on the DPMS Recon in 223? I think I have fell in love with that rifle, but have never owned a DPMS. I have a Armalite carbine and a Colt Sp1. Im not new to AR's just new to DPMS.
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Old September 10, 2013, 05:35 PM   #2
geetarman
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You will get a lot of folks who do not like them for various reasons.

I have two. One .308 and one .223. No problems with mine and they are pretty well thought of where I shoot.

Nice, serviceable rifles that don't cost an arm and a leg.

The only thing I have done with mine is put Timney triggers in them.
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Old September 10, 2013, 06:15 PM   #3
Fireman179
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I understand they aren't a Colt or a Armalite. I just don't want to drop a fortune in another AR. I want one to be my fun gun/truck gun. My other two AR's have too much sentimental value to get beat up and dinged.

I just want some experiences with Dpms and thank you for your response.
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Old September 10, 2013, 06:27 PM   #4
murphjup
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I just purchased a DPMS Recon in 308. only have 25 rounds through it but do far so good looks like its made well.

Seems like a lot of Bang for the Buck to me...

For the amount of shooting Im gonna do with it Im sure it will last for years...

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Old September 10, 2013, 06:36 PM   #5
rep1954
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My first AR was a DPMS 16 Lite, the model with the A1 upper receiver. I bought it NIB for $625.00 and wish I never had let it go even if it was to a relative. It was a great shooter and reliable to boot. I am in the middle of building an AR pistol right now and I am using a DPMS chrome linned barrel in the build.
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Old September 11, 2013, 09:45 AM   #6
Fishbed77
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For the same money, I'd get a PSA, which is a superior rifle.
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Old September 11, 2013, 10:43 AM   #7
Fireman179
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Never heard of PSA, anybody have a dpms oracle?
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Old September 11, 2013, 10:47 AM   #8
HopeandChange
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If you know you're buying a recreational blaster/truck gun that you don't plan to count on for life and death... there's nothing wrong with running a DPMS.

There's plenty of owners out there happy with them.

Not sure what they cost or what the specific config you're looking at is... but as pointed out.. you're probably not far from PSA, or BCM stuff which is going to be higher quality.
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Old September 11, 2013, 11:04 AM   #9
hodaka
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No snob points but very good rifles. I own 2 now but have bought and sold several others. My next AR will be a DPMS LR-308 or 260.
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Old September 11, 2013, 01:16 PM   #10
Fishbed77
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Quote:
Never heard of PSA, anybody have a dpms oracle?
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...te-armory.html
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Old September 11, 2013, 02:13 PM   #11
HopeandChange
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Quote:
No snob points but very good rifles.
The implication that people buy a quality gun for snob/bragging rights irritates me to no end.

There are clear and quantifiable materials and manufacturing differences between a DPMS gun and a gun made to the Mil TDP.

Does everyone NEED to get a full spec gun? No... not really... and a DPMS gun my fit the exact needs of a shooter. Those of us who run a lot of rounds through our ARs and use them for defense, work, or whatever.... don't want to settle for a gun with short cuts in materials or manufacturing.

I run some aftermarket AR uppers, etc. that don't meet the TDP... but I limit their use to recreational shooting.
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Old September 11, 2013, 03:55 PM   #12
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It may not sound like it but I am a high volume shooter. I'm looking for a AR that will last but not break the bank
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Old September 11, 2013, 06:52 PM   #13
hodaka
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My point is that folks spend a lot of money for those little horses on the side of their lower. I shoot a fair amount also, probably a few thousand round a year for each rifle and I have not had issues. Most of the "quality" features are marketing. Do what feels right.
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Old September 11, 2013, 11:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
It may not sound like it but I am a high volume shooter. I'm looking for a AR that will last but not break the bank
Then you really do need to look at PSA.

Thou shalt not deny PSA thrice before the cock crows! Or something like that...
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Old September 12, 2013, 12:24 AM   #15
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If you are a volume shooter and intend to put thousands of rounds into the rifle, then don't get the DPMS. PSA, Colt, or S&W might be better for that use.

Now if this is a truck/fun gun that will only see a limited round count, then go for it.

I'm not a brand snob either. I've owned Glock's, Colts, along with Keltec's and Taurus guns. Pick a gun according to your purpose.

How many rounds do you intend to shoot for this rifle? If its just a few hundred rounds a year, the DPMS is fine. If you want to shoot 5k rounds or more including steel cased ammo, I'd look elsewhere.
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Old September 12, 2013, 12:52 AM   #16
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It will be a truck gun and range gun. It will see over 1k rounds a year. So where should I look?
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Old September 12, 2013, 02:41 AM   #17
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If you want a dpms get a 308 or any of the other Lr chamberings. They are much bettet builds than the same companys 223/5.56 offerings.
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Old September 12, 2013, 07:00 PM   #18
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PSA quality control is spotty to say the least. Buy a rifle from somebody in the business to BUILD rifles, not sell parts and build rifles in their spare time.
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Old September 12, 2013, 09:06 PM   #19
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Quote:
PSA quality control is spotty to say the least. Buy a rifle from somebody in the business to BUILD rifles, not sell parts and build rifles in their spare time.
This opinion is definitely in the minority. Everything I have from PSA has been top notch. The only complaint I'be had with them is s-l-o-w shipping.
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Old September 17, 2013, 10:08 AM   #20
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The DPMS stuff is fine but it doesn't have the internet buzz. Any self-respecting mall ninja would not admit to owning one however because the internet says it is not cool!
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Old September 17, 2013, 05:07 PM   #21
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A nice fellow at the range let me try out his DPMS Oracle, that he bought at Walmart for less than $600 last year.
It was the one without a dust shield or sights.
It shot just fine, even with the cheapie steel cased ammo that he had.
For the short time that I was able to shoot it, it was accurate and reliable.
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Old September 18, 2013, 06:05 AM   #22
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I have DPMS .22LR that gobbles ammo like it had stock in Federal cartridge and a LR 308 that is an easy shooter and does not care where the ammo came from. I also have several other AR's and all shoot equally well. Buy what you like the best, it will perform.
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Old September 18, 2013, 11:33 AM   #23
Quentin2
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DPMS in .308 seems to be good for the money. However in AR-15 calibers they have a big problem: PSA, which offers higher quality for the same money. If you already have a DPMS you like, that's great but if you're considering buying one then compare with PSA. Same goes with Bushmaster, Windham and other comspec ARs off the LGS rack - PSA gives you more for the money.
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Old October 13, 2013, 05:56 AM   #24
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Many look down on the DPMS brand and a lot have no experience with them. I have had several from a standard carbine to an AP4 and have finally settled on their Mk 12 SPR model. I have never had any reliability issues and have found DPMS to be more accurate than others. My current MK 12 achieves .357 MOA with my loads using Hornady 75gr match bullets.
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Old October 13, 2013, 07:38 AM   #25
Ibmikey
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I see a lot of comments about PSA, good comments, and will add my own experience with the two PSA's next to my DPMS 5.56, .308 & .22lr. Each of the five rifles are well made with extra features to enhance their use and have never missed a lick shooting a variety of ammo (no steel case). My BCm looks just as nice but is no better shooter, in fact the heavy Government contour barrel PSA is the tightest shooter of the bunch followed by a Delton midlength. Point is with the AR platform used in a sporting role, an accurate reliable rifle should meet all needs no matter who assembled it.
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