DPMS Oracle

kilotanker22 · March 17, 2019, 05:26 PM

What's the word on these rifles? I know there are in the same price range as the M&P 15 Sport. How are they built? Quality Barrel?

I am considering taking one of these in on a trade...

Theohazard · March 17, 2019, 08:43 PM

They tend to work well for most owners. But keep in mind that in order to keep the price point low, DPMS made a bunch of compromises compared to what’s found on higher-end rifles (as many budget AR companies do). Those compromises might affect reliability and will certainly affect durability compared to most models at a higher price point. Personally, I’d take the Sport, S&W doesn’t make as many compromises with that rifle.

Here’s an article on a complete tear-down of the Oracle. You can see where DPMS cut corners to keep the price low:

https://primaryandsecondary.com/auto...racle-5-56-mm/

kymasabe · March 17, 2019, 09:51 PM

My experience is they're not as well made as s&w m&p, Ruger ar-556 or even most PSA rifles.

Charlie98 · March 18, 2019, 08:57 AM

I got one on a trade, ran 1000 rounds through it last Christmas. My observations... it's a decent rifle at it's price point, it is not a Colt, et al, however. I thought the barrel was mediocre. It did run 100% with factory ammos.

BWM · March 18, 2019, 10:01 AM

It is a good knock around gun one that you throw in the truck 98% if the people that has a AR will never shoot it enough to wear it out if they take care of it. It takes 1000,s of round to wear it out if they do not HOT loads in it it will lose some on the accurate but not bad good luck

RAfiringline · March 18, 2019, 10:21 AM

I bought a pencil barrel oracle a few yrs ago, I've put 6108 rds. through it, mostly Tula 55g.

With Federal gold ammo, at around 300 rds., I got 1.5 moa, with Tula about 2x that. After 5000 rds, the moa was close to the same as after 300.

Only 1 stoppage with a squib round, totally ammo fault not rifle.

As I see it, they probably save money on QC and maybe materials. If 1 in 500 more expensive ARs is a lemon, maybe 1 in 250 DPMS ARs are.

imashooter · March 18, 2019, 04:18 PM

I have several ARs. Bought my Oracle about 3 years ago new. Has always functioned well and is as accurate as my others. Interestingly, the upper to lower fit is the best of all my ARs. No light visible through the seam. Yet the pins require little effort. It is what it is. I think either gun will be fine for you. I do know that it appears DPMS sells more parts for builds or replacement than all other major manufacturers combined. They can't be that crappy.

riffraff · March 18, 2019, 09:55 PM

The nice thing about S&W is the warranty, I dont think there's anything great about them though - rather have an Aero. No idea on DPMS.

March 17, 2019, 05:26 PM	#1
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	DPMS Oracle What's the word on these rifles? I know there are in the same price range as the M&P 15 Sport. How are they built? Quality Barrel? I am considering taking one of these in on a trade... __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

March 17, 2019, 08:43 PM	#2
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	They tend to work well for most owners. But keep in mind that in order to keep the price point low, DPMS made a bunch of compromises compared to what’s found on higher-end rifles (as many budget AR companies do). Those compromises might affect reliability and will certainly affect durability compared to most models at a higher price point. Personally, I’d take the Sport, S&W doesn’t make as many compromises with that rifle. Here’s an article on a complete tear-down of the Oracle. You can see where DPMS cut corners to keep the price low: https://primaryandsecondary.com/auto...racle-5-56-mm/ __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

March 17, 2019, 09:51 PM	#3
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	My experience is they're not as well made as s&w m&p, Ruger ar-556 or even most PSA rifles. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

March 18, 2019, 08:57 AM	#4
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I got one on a trade, ran 1000 rounds through it last Christmas. My observations... it's a decent rifle at it's price point, it is not a Colt, et al, however. I thought the barrel was mediocre. It did run 100% with factory ammos. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

March 18, 2019, 10:01 AM	#5
BWM Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2013 Location: SW IN Posts: 438	It is a good knock around gun one that you throw in the truck 98% if the people that has a AR will never shoot it enough to wear it out if they take care of it. It takes 1000,s of round to wear it out if they do not HOT loads in it it will lose some on the accurate but not bad good luck __________________ Man that likes guns. Navy. USS Ponchatoula AO 148 USS Vesuvius AE 15

March 18, 2019, 10:21 AM	#6
RAfiringline Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2014 Location: western US Posts: 290	I bought a pencil barrel oracle a few yrs ago, I've put 6108 rds. through it, mostly Tula 55g. With Federal gold ammo, at around 300 rds., I got 1.5 moa, with Tula about 2x that. After 5000 rds, the moa was close to the same as after 300. Only 1 stoppage with a squib round, totally ammo fault not rifle. As I see it, they probably save money on QC and maybe materials. If 1 in 500 more expensive ARs is a lemon, maybe 1 in 250 DPMS ARs are. __________________ Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything. You need to take your time, in a hurry. Wyatt Earp

March 18, 2019, 04:18 PM	#7
imashooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 395	I have several ARs. Bought my Oracle about 3 years ago new. Has always functioned well and is as accurate as my others. Interestingly, the upper to lower fit is the best of all my ARs. No light visible through the seam. Yet the pins require little effort. It is what it is. I think either gun will be fine for you. I do know that it appears DPMS sells more parts for builds or replacement than all other major manufacturers combined. They can't be that crappy.

March 18, 2019, 09:55 PM	#8
riffraff Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2016 Posts: 629	The nice thing about S&W is the warranty, I dont think there's anything great about them though - rather have an Aero. No idea on DPMS.