DPMS Panther Carbine and 11.5" AR's.

[Warm Bore]

Hello all,

Although I'm not new to AR's I am new to "owning" one. I've shot mostly 20" platforms and usually have some thousand rounds of ball ammo, cleaning kit, dozen or so mags, etc. in my safe. However, I never got around to purchasing one. So I need some advice...

A local shop has the DPMS Panther Carbine:

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=1069

for a helluva deal but I have zero experience with short barrel AR's. This one is 11.5" 1x9 barrel with a pinned 5-1/2" flash hider (to make it legal). Are there any cycling issues with 11.5" AR's?

I would normally be looking at a full size AR but after handling it I was impressed with fit, finish, and handling. It is light but more importantly it balances more rearward since the barrel is shorter making it VERY fast to handle. I think this would make a very quick home defense AR.

Any opinions would be great but I'm really interested in cycling issues on 11.5" guns, if they exist.

Thanks all,

WB

[PRONE2]

I have one and have had 0 problems after about 2k rounds. If it's a good deal get it, I don't think you will have any problems. However the pins are very tight to pop out, but that's no issue either.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

1. My first AR was an 11.5" Olympic with 5" permanently attached flash hider. Unless you just really like the retro XM177 look, there aren't many upsides to them.

2. The shorty ARs are harder to make run reliably than 14.5/16/20" ARs. There is just less room for error from ammo variance, weak extractor spring, weak mag spring etc.

3. Part of what makes .223 effective for home defense is velocity - you are sacrificing a fair amount of velocity but will still have a 16" long barrel in handling.

4. The permanently attached flash hider will make modification or changing accessories a pain.

5. If I was going to try an 11.5", DPMS would be pretty low on the list. I've had enough issues with their stuff in longer rifles that I am skeptical of their ability to produce a reliable shorty.

6. Blast and muzzle flash will be enhanced on the 11.5", even with the 5" flash hider.

7. If you really like the look, they make a 16" barrel where the flash hider comes back over the barrel to give you the same look without the problems.