AR 15 Purchase Choice

[Sadiesinner]

im looking at several DPMS AR's at the local gun store.
i have owned a couple other DPMS rifles in the past. None in the setup that i am aiming for now.
I'm looking for a general shooter that i can take out and run several clips through at the garbage dump. shooting cans n bottles within 50 yrds.

Lo Pro $700 - Sportical $700 - AP4 $900 (except with an A2 Stock)

I plan on getting aftermarket products (stocks, grips, etc) so im not concerned with the OEM furniture. The other makers all run in the $1100 range so Im not really considering them.

Is the lo pro bull barrel going to perform any better than the standard barrels?

the AP4 comes with a front sight, detach carry handle, standard upper (w dust cover). if im going to be using holo optics the extra $200 seems to be a waste. Am i missing something?

 

[longdayjake]

I personally am not a fan of the DPMS bull barrels. The one that I had was extremely tempermental and would not shoot any better than my Rock River midlength stock barrel.

 

[BushyGuy]

whats wrong with Bushmaster? they run 900.00 now, DPMS Panthers are prone to jammin and they dont stake the bolt carrier group key on very well.

things to look for

good barrel-Chrome lined
BGC key staked
recoil buffer tube and recoil buffer
trigger group 2 Stage
5.56x45mm NATO chambering
Magnetic Particle tested barrel

It would be nice it Bushmaster would start chrome lining the BCG anyways Bushmaster will outlast most of the AR15 and still have good accuracy and resale value.

 

[Sadiesinner]

well the place where im shoppin from has bushmaster, S&W MP and camo Rem's
all $1150 and up.

and what's "stake bolt carrier group"

and the ones im looking at have the fixed A2 stock, im buying an aftermarket collapsible stock that comes with the buffer, tube and spring. what specifically am i looking for in a good buffer or spring?

 

[Frankl03]

Here's one for you. S&W M&P 15 flattop CDNN $799. That's tough to beat!

Gunbroker has some good prices on them too:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143661053

Same rifle buy it now $748

I think I would take a S&W AR15 over a DPMS.

 

[Sadiesinner]

well i have never used gunbroker but there are some good deals on the MP15 so i lined up a local dealer who will take shipment for me. now i got a couple new choices. I do like the MP15 but the local stores are all charging list price, so i never considered gettin one.

my question is on the ORC Model (optic ready, compliant) model it comes with a pinned stock. Can i change out just the stock and use the buffer tube, etc? i planned on getting a Magpul CTR. Or would i have to get a whole new buffer tube, buffer, spring, etc?

i like the Non flash-hider barrel. thats why im considering this model. and its the cheapest.

 

[Sadiesinner]

ok so i got the M&P15 OR (in my hands for only $785)
thank you frankl03 for the gunbroker link


Chambered 5.56 nato
Staked BCG & Castle nut
M4 feed ramps done right
Chromed barrel, chamber, bcg
Doesnt have the "H" stamped buffer
Standard trigger
I dont know if S&W magnetic checks the barrel??

best part... 5 free 30rd MAGPUL mags (after mail-in rebate from S&W)

now im just waiting for my eotech, magpul furniture set, and a few other accessories

I am a happy man!

 

[Frankl03]

Great!. My son-in-law just bought one like it. The free mags just seals the deal.

Post a range report and pictures!

 

[Gtscotty]

I just picked up the exact same rifle cdnn, I just couldn't turn down an M&P-15 for the price. For what its worth, the sales person at the local gun store (Clydes Armory) told me that smith and wesson MP tested their bolt, but not the barre... I have no Idea whether thats true, but for most of our uses, as long as Smith and Wesson uses good manufacturing techniques on the rifle, voids and inclusions really shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Sadiesinner]

can someone tell me if S&W uses the MIl Spec buffer tube or the Commercial buffer tube.

i dont have a caliper to measure it myself.

i got my Magpul CTR on and it does have a little play even when friction locked. i bought the commercial one (assuming) but think the mil spec will fit better, tight like it should be.

 

[MrFox]

S&W uses the mil-spec buffer tube, IIRC.

 

[MrCleanOK]

You need a mil-spec stock. Should have checked that before you ordered it.

 

[Sadiesinner]

well luckily i get to exchange the stock for the milspec one.
i assumed Smith & Wesson was "commercial". my bad.


here are some pics (while waiting for the new ctr)

new rifle


upgrades



eotech view

 

[Quentin]

So S&W doesn't use the milspec receiver extension? I thought they did...

You got a commercial tube?


Edit, oh, I see... it was the Magpul CTR that was commercial. Oops!

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

DPMS is an excelent choice. I like going with a cheaper rifle that isnt cheap on quality. It leaves more money to accessorize

Seriously, If you ever break one of their rifle parts just replace it with an RRA part or Wilson Tactical part.

I am a huge fan of DPMS, their parts are excelent fit finish and quality. They are talked down by people who drop big bucks into a Colt or LaRue. People cant get over that DPMS is up to par quality with bushmaster, Ive had both!

 

[spyderdude]

Congrats on the M&P15 OR. I would highly recommend flip up iron sights as well.