[Nikdfish]

I got lucky this past December and won a local VFD monthly gun raffle. The prize was my choice of a weatherby 270 bolt gun or cash equivilant. Since weatherby 270 goes $2 -$3 a round I took the cash. So far I've used the cash to order a 300 BLK AR15 upper from DSA (16" SS barrel, carbine length gas system) plus some reloading dies & components. Still thinking about optics but did go ahead and pick up a Magpul MBUS so I can try it out when it comes in.

Nick

[mgregg85]

I've been thinking about picking one of those up, please give us a range update when you shoot it.

[Nikdfish]

Just got an e-mail from DSArms, my upper is on back order. No estimate given for when it will ship. :banghead:

Nick

[NG VI]

Congrats, and downsy on the delay.

Gotta turn this into a review when it arrives, you know.

[Nikdfish]

Just an update...

Spoke with CS at DSA and it looks like the end of the month before any more assembled uppers will be available (stainless or black). So I've got from now til next month to get set up to assemble some sample loads. (I'm not big into reloading, just using a single stage press and this will be my first time doing a rifle load).

Nick

[Nikdfish]

Followup:

After 109 days on backorder, I just received an email this evening from DSA indicating they were in the process of filling my order for a stainless 300 BLK upper. Sure enough, when I checked my credit card site there was a pending charge for the proper amount. Hopefully I can add pics & a review in the near future...

Nick

[ritepath]

Glad to hear it's finally on the way...:)

[viking499]

What twist does the barrel have?

[Nikdfish]

What twist does the barrel have?
Last I heard, 1 in 8. It doesn't appear in the online info on their site.

Nick

[oldpapps]

DSA ZM4 Forged 7075T6 A3 Upper Receiver; 300AAC -DSZM4CBU300SS - 16" Stainless Barrel, 1-8 TR, Carb length

And

"We did all of our testing using a standard buffer and spring. We tested both standard and sub sonic ammo on both semi and full auto. We had zero failures during our testing.

Thank you for choosing DS Arms.

Mike Fowler
Sales Manager
DS Arms"

So the twist is 1 in 8. I don't shoot sub sonic of full auto but its nice to know... I guess.

Received my early notice yesterday and expect shipping info at close of business this afternoon. That has been DSA's pattern in the past.

[Nikdfish]

Update:

I ended up having to send my upper back for exchange shortly after it came in. The barrel crown just didn't look right - well it wasn't really a crown, just where the barrel ended. It looked to have what can only be called "porosity". (one person who saw a closeup picture commented that it looked like it had been attacked with an ice pick). After I posted a closeup of it online, a DSA rep saw it and commented that it didn't look like anything he had seen on their barrels, that he'd like to get it back & send out a replacement.

After I followed up with a call, they emailed a UPS call tag so it could go back on their dime & back it went. I just got an email this afternoon with the UPS tracking number for the replacement that is going out. I hope to have it by Friday!

Fingers crossed on this one!

Nick

[Nikdfish]

Well it was waiting for me at the house this PM. I am very happy with the quality of the replacement - no comparison at all between it and the first upper received.

First one received:

http://www.skhowell.com/images/DSA-crown3.jpg

Replacement:

http://www.skhowell.com/images/DSA-2-crown-3.jpg


I picked up a new BCG & charging handle a while back plus a MBUS & an inexpensive 1x4 scope (Bushnell Banner). I bore sighted the MBUS and scope (w/Laserlyte bore sighter) this PM so I'm set for a range trip.


Nick

[FullEffect1911]

Good call on sending that first one in for replacement, that didn't look good at all. Looking forward to hearing how the range trip turns out for you.

[Nikdfish]

I just got back from a range trip to christen the DSA 300 BLK upper I just received (replacing the first one received). It was a quick trip since thunderstorms have been popping up yesterday & today.

http://www.skhowell.com/images/DSA-300-BLK.jpg

It was mainly a trip to check function & get somewhat sighted in. I only used one surplus GI 20 round magazine. The upper was mounted on a Double Star lower with a DTI lower parts kit. I went through 20 rounds of Remington 115 grain, starting out with 1 & 2 round magazine loads at a time then going to 5 rounds. Only the very first round failed to lock the BCG back on an empty mag. Once I was properly on paper I was pretty much finished with the factory loads.

I then ran through 20 rounds each of reloads done with 147 grain M80 pulls and Sierra 125 grain spire points (#2120). Each done in 4 5 round batches with different H110 loads. Although I wasn't shooting for accuracy (at a bench, but no rest) I did notice some loads appeared more consistent than others. I definitely need to get out & practice more...

There were no malfunctions, jams, FTF, FTE, etc. Brass ejected to roughly 3:30 - 4:00 maybe 8 feet. There is a nice brass smudge on the brass deflector now.

Basically, I'm a happy camper!

Nick