DPMS AR-15 or S&W M&P 15?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

tehweej

Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2009
Messages
72
Location
The Last Best Place
I am looking at saving for an AR, and our local favorite pawn shop has a special on DPMS AR's for 700 flat top w/o carry handle (m4 style) or 800 with. I can get an M&P for 950 (M4A3 configuration with detachable carry handle). Are the M&P's worth the extra?
 
I have a DPMS AP-4 with detach handle and great rifle, no problems. Get what you can afford, I've handled the S&W great rifles also, might be better than DPMS.
 
I have a DPMS (2009 production) that is very nice and does what it's supposed to. Only issue, is doesn't like PMAGS. You can get one in the well if you really really try but it wont come back out. From what I can find out, they changed a few things last year. Probably trying to capitalize on thier high mark up mags.

I have one I built from a CMMG lower that loves the PMAGS. Older DPMS also seem to love teh PMAGS. And no, it's not just my paticular rifle. Seems to becoming more common. I know of a few others as well. DPMS claims its just tight tolerences.

The M&P's are nice though. Either would probably be a nice shooter.
 
S&W and DPMS both have good reputations as do many of the other "Name Brand" AR manufacturers. I'd buy the best rifle I could afford, but above all else, practice once you've got it. Consistently dependable operation will be the "proof" it was worth paying extra for. IMO, I'd opt for the S&W, only because I've seen them work.
 
really it depends on what you want it for. if you are gonna shoot a thousand rounds or less a year or so, i would say that you will be fine with the dpms. however if you are gonna run them hard say train hard or put them through the ringer in multiple training courses (high round counts in a short period of time.) i would say go with the m&p. that is how i test my personal guns, gear and myself, in training. so that is what i base my opinion on, whet i have and done, what i have seen, and teh word of those that instruct such courses and see all makes and models in all configurations come through thier classes. dpms has not done so well in some courses that i know of. m&p's ar's and handguns have done well.
 
...why hasn't anyone posted "the chart"?
Click to expand...

The much maligned chart, that is. For guys like this, who want to know what the extra $150 buys, the chart answers many questions. I'd recommend the OP give it a read.:)
 
I am new to the AR scene, and I have no qualms about forking over another 150 "better" weapon, in whatever terms "better" is defined. I know to buy as much as I can afford, but just needed a little positive reinforcement that the Smith is the "better" of the two. I am planning on taking some sort of carbine course, funds permitting. Those look like way to much fun to pass up, so a gun that will hold up better under extended shooting sessions would be great.

Even though I could probably get a better deal online, the guy who is selling me the Smith is a local gun nut who give deals and helps people out because he is that kind of guy. So even if the Smith was the full normal retail, I would still buy it from him just to support him. Just my opinion. :D

Thanks for all the info guys!
 
I look at the M&P as more of a fighting rifle and the DPMS as a target rifle. Ive never shot the Smith but I hear they are pretty darn reliable and made to be treated fairly hard.

I have shot DPMS rifles and feel they are a great target rifle and built as such. They have pretty tight tollerances and shoot VERY accurately. If I were building an AR for distance shooting, I would pick the DPMS over the M&P. For a working rifle for defense and courses, the M&P is my choice.
 
HGUN, that's an old and outdated version. Rob's most up-to-date spreadsheet can always be found here.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&gid=5

tehweej:
Read through the spreadsheet in the link. It will give you information on the features and specs of these two rifles.
I can get an M&P for 950 (M4A3 configuration with detachable carry handle).
Click to expand...
You'd have a hard time finding a better price online for that rifle. I think Buds has this very one for $950.
 
Last edited:
I will probably shoot it at distance, just for kicks, but by no means is it to be a target rifle. I am kicking around the idea of getting a 6.5 Grendel upper for some distance work. But that is down the line. So a good fighting rifle is perfect :)
 
DPMS.

I would go with Panther even if they were more money... fortunately, they aren't ;-). BUT, that being said, S&W AR's are superb as well and it is my belief that you are not going to go wrong either way. I haven’t had any issues running my DPMS rifle hard (Run your AR BCG wet), plus it has that bolt rifle type accuracy which most Panther guns seem to posses out of the box. Plus the Teflon finish of the DPMS line really looks great, is durable and I believe assists with clean up after a range trip.

Anyways, I would go with whatever rifle feels right to you in the hands, and has the features you desire in your EBR.
 
I have a DPMS (2009 production) that is very nice and does what it's supposed to. Only issue, is doesn't like PMAGS. You can get one in the well if you really really try but it wont come back out. From what I can find out, they changed a few things last year. Probably trying to capitalize on thier high mark up mags.

I have one I built from a CMMG lower that loves the PMAGS. Older DPMS also seem to love teh PMAGS. And no, it's not just my paticular rifle. Seems to becoming more common. I know of a few others as well. DPMS claims its just tight tolerences.
Click to expand...
You really need to get DMPS to fix it correctly so it will take PMAGS. DPMS ARs have a history of being finicky about magazines they will take even before PMAGS came out. It is not tight tolerance issue..... If the lower mag well is machined within a tighter tolerance parameter of the proper dimensions than PMAGS will fit. It is more of an out of tolerance issue, that DMPS should take care of.
 
At that price, go for the S&W-- that being said, you can't go wrong with either....let us know what you get!;)
 
You really need to get DMPS to fix it correctly so it will take PMAGS
Click to expand...
There was an issue with some PMAGS needing to have the tabs sanded a bit to work well in some mag wells. Google should yield instructions, it is very easy to do yourself. I believe Magpul also ran a body exchange program.

From what I can find out, they changed a few things last year. Probably trying to capitalize on thier high mark up mags.
Click to expand...
They have modified the designs a bit but they didn't make pmags worse to try to make more money with more expensive products. Some magwells are just very close to spec, M&P rifles had some trouble with some pmags not dropping free as well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Users Feedback on S&W AR-15 M&P
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
CaliberFiveSeven
C
CavalierLeif
  • Locked
S&W M&P 15 vs M&P 15 Sport/II
Replies
8
Views
20K
CavalierLeif
CavalierLeif
S
  • Locked
Best AR-15 Manufacturer
2
Replies
27
Views
17K
jkingrph
J
M
  • Locked
**PICS** New Upper for Ar-15
Replies
10
Views
792
wdlsguy
W
F
  • Locked
DPMS vs. Bushmaster?
Replies
11
Views
3K
vanfunk
V
Back
Top