New To The AR "scene"...

[Vito_Corleone]

I am looking at purchasing (pretty much already got it) the 11.5" Panther from DPMS. I've heard mixed things about DPMS, most of which have been good.

This will be my first long gun, so I know very little about them. Is there anything I should know about this gun in particular, or DPMS the company... or AR stuff in general?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Edit: I would also like to know the best place to get .223 ammo. I just purchased some at Walmart not realizing it was JHP (cheapest stuff they had at $9 and change). The closest Wally to me doesn't appear to carry any plinking type .223 (unless I missed it, the people there aren't very helpful/knowledgeable either).

 

[Onmilo]

Decent rifles.
If you are lucky enough to live in a state that actually allows you to legally possess a short barrel rifle count your blessings.

 

[MMcfpd]

Academy usually has blue box Monarch, which is steel case Barnaul, and Gander Mountain often has Wolf. I've been buying all of my ammo, except .45, online for a while now.

 

[jpwilly]

If you got the 11.5" bbl with the extended fixed flash hider that makes the the bbl 16" I'd say you should have gotten the 14.5" bbl with the fixed flash hider. Those really short BBL's lose quite a bit of velocity in 223. The DPMS is high quality...I own two DPMS AR's!

 

[Vito_Corleone]

jpwilly: Thanks for this info. Would be it be possible to just swat it out for the other barrel at some point? I was drawn to this weapon because of it's compactness. I don't think I'll be shooting long distances with it, probably just doing some competitions are here and some plinking.

I love this forum, thanks for all the quick replies guys.

 

[Vito_Corleone]

MMcfpd: Those sites don't seem to sell online and they aren't close to me SC. Looks like Midway or Cheaper Than Dirt might have to suffice.

 

[2TransAms]

Black rifles are an addiction. Now you're hooked. I sold mine a year ago and I've been jonesing ever since. A friend of mine has a Dissipator for sale,and it sure is tempting. Curse you,family responsibilities!

Now,you could swap the barrel,or I'm sure someone will be glad to trade uppers with you. But under 100 yards,the short barrel still keeps a 5.56 round well above fragmentation velocities.

Cabela's has decent prices on .223.

 

[Vito_Corleone]

Cheaper Than Dirt wants $10 for 40 rounds. That's ridiculous. I'd rather just pay the few bucks extra at Wally and get it same day.

Thanks man, I'll check Cabela's.

 

[Chris B]

Would be it be possible to just swat it out for the other barrel at some point? I was drawn to this weapon because of it's compactness.

It's possible to swap the barrel out to acheive all kinds of configurations, barrel lengths and a multitude of different calibers. The 14.5 inch with permanent flashider mentioned before will be the same length as the 11.5 inch with flashider unless you're getting an SBR.

Those really short BBL's lose quite a bit of velocity in 223.

Remember this if you are considering using the rifle in any sort of HD capacity. It is widely accepted (and by that I mean not one person agrees on the subject) that the 14.4 inch barrel of the military M4 is the shortest one can go and expect reliable fragmentation/ expansion.

 

[Outlaws]

Why on earth would you want an 11.5" barrel with a 5" flash hider?

 

[Vito_Corleone]

Outlaws: Without getting technical (because I couldn't if I wanted to), it's a sexy gun and I like it.

I imagine that if a BG comes into my house and needs to be dealt with, this gun will suffice. If not, there's always the P220 the 1911 or the myriad of other weapons I have at my disposal. Not to mention my dog.

Long story short, I know very little about these weapons... and I like sexy guns.

 

[Kentak]

This is my opinion, okay? If the law in your state requires a 16 in, barrel, it seems to me there is not a single advantage in getting a shorter barrel with a permanently attached flash hider that brings the length up to 16 in. You gain nothing and lose velocity, range, and lethality.

K

 

[Vito_Corleone]

Point taken for sure, but I don't intend on 100+ yard shots with this thing, I only got it cause I wanted an AR and it was a good price and again, a sexy gun.

IF I do discover that the shorter barrel is affecting things in a negative way, I'll just upgrade to a better upper or barrel as I said.

I'm very happy to have these different perspective and that may have swayed my current decision if I'd already not held the gun and liked it to much.

If long guns are anything like my short guns (I've amassed a respectable collection of handguns), I'm sure this won't be the last AR/long gun I purchase.

My only concern is it that some of the negative I've heard about DPMS aren't an issue and all the positives are going to work in my favor.

The input from you guys in invaluable and I hope to hear more, as well as become MUCH more knowledgable about the weapons.

Quick questionL How are Dick's .223 prices? They don't appear to be listed online but there is on right down the road from me that I will have to check out tomorrow.

 

[Vito_Corleone]

Guys don't stopn now, this is invaluable inormation.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Last I checked AIMSURPLUS.com had some good 5.56 for sale. Prvi

 

[swingset]

Rather than replace your barrel, pay the $200 tax stamp and have the 5.5" FH taken off and thread that baby at 11.5".

SBR's are handy, and 11.5 is still a good weapon for CQB.

 

[TacoMalo]

I've never shot a short barrel so I can't say if it's a great setup or not but I have a Bushmaster 16" and it's a nice little rapid ammo dispenser I used to go thru 150-200 rounds per outting now I'm in stockpiling mode due to the prices. Wal-Mart has Remington box of 20 for $6.47 55gr FMJ, this is what I usually buy but lately we've been going cheapo and buying monarch 55gr FMJ from Academy for $4.75 per 20.