Durability of DPMS lpk?

[Big_E]

I was wondering about the "mil-specness" of the DPMS lower parts kits.

My current Franken AR (BCM midlength, magpul and various furniture on a SI Defense lower) I want to be as rugged and durable as possible. No, I do not plan to use this for zombies nor am I an operator. However, I will for sure use the rifle in a carbine course or two in the future.

I know the lower parts see very little stress and some higher end kits (Daniel Defense) have better finish on the parts and less variations in size of pins and such, as well as some having a slightly better trigger.

So, if I am putting 1,000 rounds or more down range over a weekend, should I worry about anything in the DPMS lpk failing? I wan't this rifle to be super reliable, and it has been so far.

On a side note, how good are the Spike's Tactical lpk's? Or Tactical Innovations if you have experience. I assume the a majority of all lpk's are manufactured in the same build house.

 

[C-grunt]

My duty gun is a Bushmaster which is owned by the same company as DPMS. If they have the same LPK then I would say they are not good. I have had several parts in the lower break on my Bushmaster. Several other Bushmasters at work have had the same or similar problems.

But then again we dont baby our guns. My parts all broke during our 4 day 40 hour qualification class where we shot thousands of rounds. Id say somewhere between 3-5 thousand rounds went through that rifle in a week.

Ever since they replaced the parts with Colt parts I havent had a problem.

 

[henschman]

Nothing to worry about, their LPK's are as durable as any. If you want a step up, don't get a more expensive mil spec trigger... it will still be a crappy heavy mil spec trigger. Get a Geiselle SSA if you want durability with a better trigger.

 

[RatDrall]

There is very little stress on any parts in a lower. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Captains1911]

Nothing to worry about, their LPK's are as durable as any.

This is BS. If you want the most reliable durable parts, DPMS should be on the bottom of your list. This is proven through track record.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I've used a range of parts kits including DPMS and in my experience DPMS is tied for worst, as far as fit and function. It basically works, but it's all clunky and tight and loose and awful, compared to better LPKs where everything fits just right.

G&R LPKs are about the best readily available, don't cost much more than any other options, and are currently in stock:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=GRT-LPK

When they are out of stock or trying to pinch pennies, I would use a Spike's Tactical, Palmetto State Armory, or Armalite, with little preference among those. The first two use mostly LW Schneider parts, which is also what Colt uses. G&R uses mostly LMT parts, which are different but just as good, and consistent. With G&R I can rely on every single part being quality, while with Spike's or PSA I just don't know if they might (or not) have cut corners on some parts that don't have markings.

The only part that's really likely to break is the disconnector, and you should have spares on hand. But many other parts just won't work as smoothly with a cheaper LPK.

 

[Big_E]

Ok thanks for the replies everyone. Seeing some mixed opinions.

I think I may dedicate my current lower to a varmint rig or something and go with an all new lower with a better lpk.

I don't mind the GI trigger, I was thinking about getting a Bill Springfield job on it or have one of my local smiths do it.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I was thinking about getting a Bill Springfield job on it or have one of my local smiths do it.

I wouldn't recommend either option. If you basically like the GI trigger but want better, get an ALG Defense "ACT", which is basically a GI trigger with polishing at the factory, and then coated with low friction coatings. It's very similar to the Spike's Tactical battle trigger, but a little better. $65 at many places, barely more than a Springfield "job" will cost you and with no reliability concerns.

 

[Big_E]

Thanks for the info. I like how that sounds

 

[Trent]

I just installed 10 lower parts kits from DPMS on to Stag arms lowers.

MOSTLY it went well. Triggers were pretty nasty, gritty feeling.

I had 1 bolt hold open lever that was just FUBAR from the factory. I had to take it out to my shop and machine a bit of steel off of it so it'd fit properly - it was "twisted" for lack of a better word, and when inserted, would just jam up in the slot SOLIDLY.

So.. not a fan of the triggers. They can probably be smoothed out. And I had one "defective" part - should have been caught in Q&A because it was impossible to fit it in to a standard receiver.

Otherwise, they work.

 

[powder]

Ok thanks for the replies everyone. Seeing some mixed opinions.

I think I may dedicate my current lower to a varmint rig or something and go with an all new lower with a better lpk.

I don't mind the GI trigger, I was thinking about getting a Bill Springfield job on it or have one of my local smiths do it.

Here ya go-check them out and surf for some deals...


http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=LPK-LTG

 

[GCMkc]

My DPMS's lower parts kit has been fine and has had zero malfunctions. I've shot other stock factory trigger on different AR15's and they feel the same to me. I'm not too picky on triggers because I'm usually shooting for fun.

I can't vouch for any other aftermarket triggers but there should be some good ones out there if you want to spend a little extra coin.

 

[Captains1911]

My DPMS's lower parts kit has been fine and has had zero malfunctions. I've shot other stock factory trigger on different AR15's and they feel the same to me. I'm not too picky on triggers because I'm usually shooting for fun.

I can't vouch for any other aftermarket triggers but there should be some good ones out there if you want to spend a little extra coin.

For the record, how many rounds do you have thru the rifle with the DPMS LPK?