Anyone have a DPMS Sportical?

[tju1973]

I am money tight, but want to get a foot into the AR world-- While I was looking to do a build from scratch, I stumbled across the DPMS Sportical---

I am no gun snob, so if you want to trash it, then in a constructive way do-- I am really looking for actual owners and people who have shot one--

First, I carried an A2 for 6 years in the Marines (0331) grunts-- I never used the FA except when using blanks-- which I never ever shot in my rifle after I was a corporal..., I am a righty, so the deflector is sort of not necessary for me, and the dust cover, while nice, is not that important or a deal breaker. My A2 had a broken spring for like 6 months and the cover flopped around, so I kept it secured with duct tape, electrical tape, or medical tape...

I would probably put a set of flip of UTGs on it and some sort of optics--not sure which-- but really down the line.

I figure that if I get it, I will keep it as is (except sights) until I can afford maybe a Colt-- or a Ruger (my good friends husband just got the Ruger AR and loves it)-- and then maybe get a different upper, or turn it into a dedicated .22--

Just wanted real world opinons, and please keep it High Road...

Thank you in advance...

 

[HoosierQ]

Well, I do not. However my boss (well not my boss, the boss - the CIO) and my buddy both bought one each back in March. Neither of them are what you'd call "AR Guys". Both love their Sporticals.

Even though it is a "low-end" model by definition, there is a lot going for it. It has a very solid feel and has a very high-end stock from what I can tell...I am not an "AR Guy" either.

Anyway, both these guys are older and know guns and they really like the Sportical. My buddy said it really reminded him in some form or fashion of an M1 Carbine, basic, light, fun as heck to shoot and for him so far, real reliable.

Wish I had some first hand news to give you. Good luck.

 

[Birdmang]

I have had one for about 6 months. I have shot maybe 3000 rounds out of it, some good ammo and some relatively crappy ammo. I have had no problems. I clean it regularly, probably too much. The cases shoot out to the right and a little back, and I don't shoot in sand or dirt so the dust cover doesn't matter anyway. I had a scope mounted and then got some iron sights. I love it. Best $550 I have ever spent.

 

[j21blackjack]

I had one and loved it. No problems whatsoever.

 

[yosarian]

While I dont own one my cousin does.His sportical has about 800rnds through it without a hitch.Buy and enjoy it.

 

[mcdonl]

I liked mine. Just didnt care for the AR platform... more of a bolt guy I think.... I went with a pistol caliber carbine and a new pistol from the proceeds of the sale.

Great gun though.

Leroy

 

[Werewolf]

It's a fine rifle if what you are looking for is a relatively inexpensive, functional, reasonably accurate (it ain't no bolt gun), semi-automatic longarm in .308.

If you're looking for an evil black rifle look elswhere (though I imagine some of the sheeple out there might be a bit frightened by the pistol grip an EBR the sportical definitely is not).

 

[Evenflo76]

Mine works great. You do not need to spend more to get in to the AR world.

 

[LegalAlien]

I made the same investment about 5 months ago. Got one for a decent price on Gunbroker at the time. Now they are listed for even cheaper than I got mine for.

I am not an AR expert, but I enjoy the shooting sport. My DPMS Sportical with only about 150 rds through it now (cost of ammo!!!!) is a pleasure.

The way I see it, this EBR is a means to an end. It is not a high usage Runandgun machine, but I am confident that it will get the job done if/when needed.

If we ever get into a SHTF scenario, my philosophy is that the Sportical will be a handy tool to use

 

[hub]

I don't have a sportical but I do have it's close relative the Lo Pro Classic. It's a great rifle I have not had any problems with it at all. It's really accurate any the only complaint I have is the factory trigger sucks, it's heavy and gritty with some creep. Well for a precision shooter it sucks but it can also be fixed pretty cheap. That's true of most standard AR triggers anyway so I suggest to get the rock river 2 stage if you can.

As for the slick side receiver I think it actually looks pretty good and is light weight. Most complaints I've heard are that it lacks a forward assist, dust cover, and a deflector or that it's extruded aluminum not forged.

I was a Marine also and like you said I never needed a forward assist except for blanks. Any marine who has fired a few hundred blanks in a rifle with a BA then had to go clean it knows that blanks are supposed to be buried in a cat hole when no one is looking.

To me the dust cover is not needed mine is a target/varmint rifle.

And like you said I'm a righty so the deflector is not needed on mine either. It seems to throw most of my brass back around to around 4-5 o'clock in a pretty close pile with out denting up the cases. That's pretty nice when you pick them up to reload.

As for the Extruded 6066 aircraft aluminum receiver I have no complaints and it seems to be very sturdy, I've had mine in a vice and removed the barrel to install a free float tube. It was on there tight and I put quite a bit of torque to it to remove and then again to install lining up the gas tube with the holes.

I think the sportical would be a good lightweight AR and if you don't like the slick side reciever you could always get the Lite 16 for a little more.