Walmart DPMS Panther Light??

g.willikers · March 1, 2012, 01:41 PM

A young neighbor has been hankering for an AR, but never could quite afford one.
Today, he said that the local Walmart is selling the Panther Lights for well under $600.
Any reason that he should or should not buy one?

Hansam · March 1, 2012, 01:46 PM

Where do you live that Walmart sells DPMS rifles?

If he's got the money and can legally buy one he should.

g.willikers · March 1, 2012, 01:55 PM

Apparently lots of Walmarts have gotten back into selling guns and ammo.
According to info on the subject, it all depends on local markets, how well they sell and the local laws.
The news surprised me, too.
Our local ones have always had ammo, but now they have decent selections of long guns, too.
If you haven't looked at the ones in your area lately, it might be worth a look, now.

Technosavant · March 1, 2012, 02:01 PM

I'm not sure which exact model that is (I see on their website they have a 16" lightweight profile one they call the Panther A3 Lite), but it should be just fine for an entry level AR. At under $600 you'd be more likely to do worse, not better, for the same price. It doesn't have the chrome lined barrel or many of the other specs you'd expect on a nicer rifle, but for that nicer rifle you'd be paying another $200-300, too, so you can't expect all that either.

The lightweight contour barrel will be rather more maneuverable and lighter than the traditional government contour (or the heavy barrels that tend to inhabit this price class... the heavier profiles are often cheaper because there's less work that goes into them).

For the money, I'd think it would be a good buy.

g.willikers · March 1, 2012, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the reply.
I'll forward it to him.
Anyone else?
The young fellow can only afford to do this once, so he'd like to get it right.

boostedtt91 · March 1, 2012, 04:32 PM

3-4 of the local walmarts sell guns, but nothing crazy like AR's or anything. Its mostly a 5-10 shotguns and 5-10 rifles like Savage 308's, Ruger 10/22 and such. They seem only really sell Ruger, Savage, Mossberg and a couple misc no name guns.

Quickdraw Limpsalot · March 1, 2012, 05:29 PM

Most Walmarts around central Kentucky have a Bushmaster or Remington AR in the case.

kokopelli · March 1, 2012, 08:14 PM

1. Bushmaster owns/makes/contributes parts to DPMS AR's. This is a quality product. It will shoot and shoot well.
2. He will not find that rifle anywhere for even the same price, let alone for less.
3. He can change the configuration-accessorize later as he needs or wants too.
4. If he is not on his way to buy it right now, he needs to go!

brmfan · March 1, 2012, 09:27 PM

As Techno said if it's his first AR then it'll be fine. He can always upgrade as his interests develop.

Aiko · March 1, 2012, 09:59 PM

SW Sport would be my choice for close to that price point. The Panther Lite was my first AR a few years ago, it shot fine but corners were cut I.e. bolt carrier was not properly staked.

g.willikers · March 2, 2012, 07:11 AM

Thanks for all the prompt replies.
It sounds like this rifle should suit his needs.

boostedtt91 · March 2, 2012, 07:46 PM

Well i went to walmart last night to pick up some shells and believe it or not, there was a DPMS AR15 in the case for under $600 i believe it was. Its a flattop, so they must of just starting getting selling them, cause it wasn't there last week.

emcon5 · March 2, 2012, 07:55 PM

Reno area stores carry them. Seems like a pretty good starter evil black rifle®.

boostedtt91 · March 4, 2012, 09:55 PM

well it hasn't even been a week and that AR is gone already at my local walmart, so they are selling fairly quick it seems

Hansam · March 4, 2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

well it hasn't even been a week and that AR is gone already at my local walmart, so they are selling fairly quick it seems

Not surprising at all at that price point.

model18 · March 5, 2012, 04:59 AM

saw a SIG 556 in Sou. Pines, NC Walmart $995 couldn't believe it!!

sserdlihc · March 5, 2012, 08:08 PM

The Walmart in Simpsonville S.C. also sells DPMS Panther AR's.

boostedtt91 · March 5, 2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Not surprising at all at that price point.

yeah, but even at that price you can get better quality ones. I guess its probably more so that people that never really got into AR's or know much about AR's are the ones buying them

Hansam · March 5, 2012, 09:39 PM

I'm a bit slow then on AR rifles since I haven't bought a fully assembled one in years. Tell me then what AR rifle can be bought for "well under $600" as the OP stated that's going to be better than the DPMS Panther Light?

This isn't a challenge - just curiosity so I can direct people who are new to ARs to these better rifles for the same price...

semi_problomatic · March 5, 2012, 10:03 PM

Walmart is also selling SIG 556 and 522's. Also saw a tag (but no gun) for the mossburg 577T...or the .22LR that looks like the AR. But the AR's I saw were over $600 and the SIG 556 was over $800. They're both gone now so I guess they sold. They still had the SIG 522 for $498. And a ruger mini-14 for $600 somethin.

Justice06RR · March 6, 2012, 10:48 PM

It seems Walmart has started carrying AR's recently, as I saw the same DPMS AR15 at my local Superwalmat for $587 without optics.

It would be a decent starter rifle for a newer shooter on a budget. As he progresses and learns about the AR platform he can very easily (and cheaply) upgrade any parts he wants. That is the beauty of the AR15.

Go tell him to buy it and get some ammo too!

March 1, 2012, 01:41 PM	#1
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Walmart DPMS Panther Light?? A young neighbor has been hankering for an AR, but never could quite afford one. Today, he said that the local Walmart is selling the Panther Lights for well under $600. Any reason that he should or should not buy one? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 1, 2012, 01:46 PM	#2
Hansam Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 763	Where do you live that Walmart sells DPMS rifles? If he's got the money and can legally buy one he should. __________________ This is who we are, what we do.

March 1, 2012, 01:55 PM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Apparently lots of Walmarts have gotten back into selling guns and ammo. According to info on the subject, it all depends on local markets, how well they sell and the local laws. The news surprised me, too. Our local ones have always had ammo, but now they have decent selections of long guns, too. If you haven't looked at the ones in your area lately, it might be worth a look, now. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 1, 2012, 02:10 PM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Thanks for the reply. I'll forward it to him. Anyone else? The young fellow can only afford to do this once, so he'd like to get it right. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 2, 2012, 07:11 AM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Thanks for all the prompt replies. It sounds like this rifle should suit his needs. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 1, 2012, 02:01 PM	#4
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	I'm not sure which exact model that is (I see on their website they have a 16" lightweight profile one they call the Panther A3 Lite), but it should be just fine for an entry level AR. At under $600 you'd be more likely to do worse, not better, for the same price. It doesn't have the chrome lined barrel or many of the other specs you'd expect on a nicer rifle, but for that nicer rifle you'd be paying another $200-300, too, so you can't expect all that either. The lightweight contour barrel will be rather more maneuverable and lighter than the traditional government contour (or the heavy barrels that tend to inhabit this price class... the heavier profiles are often cheaper because there's less work that goes into them). For the money, I'd think it would be a good buy.

March 1, 2012, 04:32 PM	#6
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	3-4 of the local walmarts sell guns, but nothing crazy like AR's or anything. Its mostly a 5-10 shotguns and 5-10 rifles like Savage 308's, Ruger 10/22 and such. They seem only really sell Ruger, Savage, Mossberg and a couple misc no name guns.

March 1, 2012, 05:29 PM	#7
Quickdraw Limpsalot Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2004 Location: Rural Kentucky Posts: 478	Most Walmarts around central Kentucky have a Bushmaster or Remington AR in the case.

March 1, 2012, 08:14 PM	#8
kokopelli Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2009 Location: Ky Posts: 202	1. Bushmaster owns/makes/contributes parts to DPMS AR's. This is a quality product. It will shoot and shoot well. 2. He will not find that rifle anywhere for even the same price, let alone for less. 3. He can change the configuration-accessorize later as he needs or wants too. 4. If he is not on his way to buy it right now, he needs to go!

March 1, 2012, 09:27 PM	#9
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 557	As Techno said if it's his first AR then it'll be fine. He can always upgrade as his interests develop.

March 1, 2012, 09:59 PM	#10
Aiko Member Join Date: June 19, 2011 Posts: 77	SW Sport would be my choice for close to that price point. The Panther Lite was my first AR a few years ago, it shot fine but corners were cut I.e. bolt carrier was not properly staked.

March 2, 2012, 07:55 PM	#13
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Reno area stores carry them. Seems like a pretty good starter evil black rifle®.

March 4, 2012, 09:55 PM	#14
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	well it hasn't even been a week and that AR is gone already at my local walmart, so they are selling fairly quick it seems

March 5, 2012, 04:59 AM	#16
model18 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Posts: 419	saw a SIG 556 in Sou. Pines, NC Walmart $995 couldn't believe it!!

March 5, 2012, 08:08 PM	#17
sserdlihc Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,454	The Walmart in Simpsonville S.C. also sells DPMS Panther AR's. __________________ Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration. Aupleius If someone doesn't like you, that's their problem! Milton Childress

March 5, 2012, 09:39 PM	#19
Hansam Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 763	I'm a bit slow then on AR rifles since I haven't bought a fully assembled one in years. Tell me then what AR rifle can be bought for "well under $600" as the OP stated that's going to be better than the DPMS Panther Light? This isn't a challenge - just curiosity so I can direct people who are new to ARs to these better rifles for the same price... __________________ This is who we are, what we do.

March 5, 2012, 10:03 PM	#20
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	Walmart is also selling SIG 556 and 522's. Also saw a tag (but no gun) for the mossburg 577T...or the .22LR that looks like the AR. But the AR's I saw were over $600 and the SIG 556 was over $800. They're both gone now so I guess they sold. They still had the SIG 522 for $498. And a ruger mini-14 for $600 somethin. __________________ Freedom's just a word. If I'm gonna die for a word, my word is jello...

March 6, 2012, 10:48 PM	#21
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	It seems Walmart has started carrying AR's recently, as I saw the same DPMS AR15 at my local Superwalmat for $587 without optics. It would be a decent starter rifle for a newer shooter on a budget. As he progresses and learns about the AR platform he can very easily (and cheaply) upgrade any parts he wants. That is the beauty of the AR15. Go tell him to buy it and get some ammo too!