AR Sponsor
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - DPMS Quality/Reputation (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/17/2005 12:51:18 PM EDT
|
I see lots of AR-15 manufacturers praised here, but rarely is DPMS mentioned. I ask questions and BM, Armalite, Stag, RRA, Colt, and a few others always come up, but rarely does anyone mention DPMS. Any reason for this? Just curious. Thanks! |
| I think they are "okay"----some folks really like them, others don't. DPMS certainly isn't one of the "majors", like Bushmaster or Colt; the other thing that hurts their reputation is that they aren't/have never been a USGI supplier/subcontractor. Then too, for example, DPMS barrels are not milspec----4140 steel, not 4150, and it seemed that they were really late in the 'game' coming up with chrome-lined barrels----those are the type of things that result in their reputation being less than stellar. |
|
They have a bad reputation for reliability in my LE area. I know several LEOs that wanted to save $150, so they bought DPMS. All 4 LEOs that I know have had nothing but problems with their DPMS M4 rifles. Two rifle are currently being sent back for inspection due to the severe problems. The other two rifles are not even shoot anymore, after being only 2 years old. All 4 LEOs stated they wished that they had now spent the extra money and bought a better rifle. |
Yeah well I am sure the DPMS will stand by their product so all those LEOs have to worry about is when their rifles will be back from the factory. I had a friend who had a problem with a DPMS LR .308. He contacted DPMS about his problem and they asked for his FFL to ship the rifle to their factory in St. Cloud MN. DPMS had the rifle fixed and returned with extra mags, and promotional grear the next week. So if your LEO friends are having problems with their rifles and two of them are not being used then they should only blame themselves for not contacting DPMS to get the rifles fixed. I own DPMS rifles and I am just as happy with them as my Colts. DPMS gets a bad rep around here for the most part because when people hear DPMS the think about the cast rifles that were made over 10 years ago. And because DPMS rifles are less expensive than Bushmaster and Colt people think they are junk. Well the only junk AR15 is made my Vulcan or Hesse...same thing. |
What in Gods name could be wrong enough to take the entire firearm out of service?  An AR15 is just made up of a series of "groups", ie., fire control group, bolt group, buffer and tube, upper, gas tube, barrel. If he can't fix it, perhaps it is broken because he didn't know how to maintain it? ETA: I'm waiting for my new DPMS M4 upper to get here in the mail. I've used LPKs and other small items from DPMS without problems. |
DPMS ROCKS!|
I ordered a dpms lower parts kit a while back. The parts were not black...they were more like a cosmoline color. The quality was bad. There was no notch in the safety selector. There was a small pit of missing metal on the bolt catch. I would not recommend them. erik |
| I have sold, assembled and worked on many hundreds of DPMS's. I have had fewer problems with them than any other brand. I think they are the best looking AR from the factory. They will shoot with any of the other brands. Some of the problems I have had are some lower parts have come out a different color. This happens when the parts are parkerized in different batches. I have one upper returned because of a buldged barrel. I highly suspected that it was user error. DPMS replaced it with no questions. I have had a very very few customers comment about them being finicky about ammo. I have not experienced this problem myself. DPMS does include an insert telling you what ammo not to use. I have heard rumors that when other vendors run out of parts they contact DPMS. If that is true, it is a comment on the quality of DPMS parts or how desperate other manufactures need parts. When I sell a rifle or part I emphasize that I stand behind what I sell. I ask that once the customer uses the product that he gives me feedback. Overwhelmingly the comments are positive. I am not saying DPMS is perfect, but in my considerable experience, they come close. Oh and their plastic magazines were crap. |
I recently shot the Ft. Benning Three Gun Challenge Match. I met the owner of DPMS - who was a very nice guy - who puts his $ to support the sport of 3 gunning. I also shot with 4 LEO's - three of which are full-time weapons training officers for their departments. All of them swore by DPMS and their customer service. I don't doubt your experience, but I've seen other results. |
Better rethink your position....  DEFENSE PROCUREMENT MANUFACTURING SERVICES INC CAGE Code: 40554 Status: ACTIVE Date CAGE Code Established: 5/23/1986 Last Updated: 7/19/2005 |
|
Hehehe, Anyone think that Oly never was a military supplier.... SGW INC (Schuetzen Gun Works, aka Olympic Arms) CAGE Code: 4S779 Status: Active Date CAGE Code Established: 12/3/1983 BUSHMASTER FIREARMS INC CAGE Code: 7Z500 Status: Active Date CAGE Code Established: 2/2/1985 Last Updated: 4/4/2005 ARMALITE INC CAGE Code: 1PV46 Status: Active Date CAGE Code Established: 4/10/2000 Last Updated: 12/19/2005 LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL CO CAGE Code: 3W544 Status: Active Date CAGE Code Established: 11/27/1982 Last Updated: 4/28/2005 MEGA MACHINE SHOP INC. CAGE Code: 3DS19 Status: Active Date CAGE Code Established: 2/22/2003 Last Updated: 12/14/2005 CMMG INC. CAGE Code: 3DUU1 Status: Active Date CAGE Code Established: 2/25/2003 Last Updated: 1/27/2004 AMERICAN SPIRIT ARMS Your search criteria yielded no results, please verify your search parameters.  HESSE VULCAN ARMS Your search criteria yielded no results, please verify your search parameters. SPECIAL WEAPONS (AZ) BOBCAT WEAPONS Your search criteria yielded no results, please verify your search parameters. |
|
I tried to assemble 3 DPMS carbines from lowers from parts (all DPMS). Several pins did not fit and all of the buffer tube plates were complete junk. I had to get replacements from another source. Since they have been built the one of the three I have seen shot works okay but their parts are not always standardized. There are some excellent DPMS rifles out there, but there are some dogs also. |
+1 DPMS is a huge sponsor of 3-gun matches. If you get a chance, check out their tri-gun match that they do in the summer. It usually sells out well in advance, and it's an excellent match. They also donate rifles to a good number of shooting match prize tables around the country. I've never had a problem with any of their stuff. |
You would be wrong! DPMS uppers and lowers are made out of 7075-T6 Aircraft Aluminum Alloy, hard coat anodized per Mil Spec and Teflon coated. Belittle them if you will, just do it with the truth. |
| It is more of the name game here. I have built several AR15's using DPMS parts exclusively and my first AR15 was a DPMS factory gun. I have to say that the DPMS fit and finish was much better than the few Bushmasters I have seen and shot. Only RRA is more particular to finishing detail that I can find. I have NEVER had a problem with anything I have ordered from DPMS from their parts to their complete AR series of rifles. |
Very wrong. www.dpmsinc.com/223.asp |
|
<------- runs 1 BM (factory) 1 RRA (factory) 4 DPMS striped lowers - 1 Whisper - M4gee - 1 with a DPMS 20" .22 - 1 reserve DPMS is dandy to me. Randy Luth - big cheease / owner type dude did f*ckin handsprings to make sure I was happy when the .22 upper I bought from Brownells took a dump on me. DPMS rocks. Anyone that says different may have either gotten the occasional lemon (that they all crank out) or simply doesn't know which end is up. Good luck |
DPMS has not supplied complete rifles, but they have been selling parts to the military for quite some time. |
|
It's a stupid name game. Like the morons that spend WAY too much money on a Chevy truck just because it has a Z71 on the side. Guess what, it's the same as a 4x4 with just some extra options (that you can get cheaper if you just added it onto a base truck). But hey you know it's personal preference and who am I to shrug that. Fit, finish, whatever. Does the rifle go bang every time you pull the trigger and hit where you're aiming? DPMS's do. Mine do. I have a couple of Colts too. I bought them when I was new to shooting. Since, I just build uppers for them, 'cause having to consider everything for large pins is annoying. BTW, when did Brownell's become a source of GOOD information. I would think that the manufacturers website would be a better resource. Just me? DPMS is a first rate company, with the best at its ownership and customer service. So if you want to spend more money just 'cause it has a horse or a snake on the side...go ahead. But if you are more concerned with shooting the rifle rather than it collecting dust in the safe, cabinet or on the wall, buy a DPMS. SPC Richard A. White, Senior Medic 249th MP Detachment (EACF) Camp Humphreys, ROK |
|
I bought a DPMS and am very happy with it. I hear many people sing the praises of Rock River on this forum. I have no doubt they are great firearms. After all so many people here can not be mistaken. I thought only Colt and Bushmaster used 4150 (mil spec) barrels most others, unless I am mistaken, including Rock River use 4140. Does it truly make that much of a difference?????? Granted I am new to the AR platform but I did a great deal of research prior to my purchase. I found DPMS better priced and was highly reccommended by the person I bought it from. |
|
"What in Gods name could be wrong enough to take the entire firearm out of service? An AR15 is just made up of a series of "groups", ie., fire control group, bolt group, buffer and tube, upper, gas tube, barrel. If he can't fix it, perhaps it is broken because he didn't know how to maintain it? ETA: I'm waiting for my new DPMS M4 upper to get here in the mail. I've used LPKs and other small items from DPMS without problems." ------------------ I understand what you are saying by the series of groups. I have no idea what is wrong any of them. All of the rifles were fully taken apart, cleaned, and properly put back together. Two of the Officers are prior Marine Corps. They still would not fuction nor shoot properly. The DPMS rifles were all sidelined by the Chief due to the severe nature of the problems. They are junk. |
|
Just got through a 3 day Pat Rogers class. One guy had a DPMS 20" rifle that would not lock back. He said the rifle was stock, but I couldnt see it. Either the but stock screw was too long or there was something else wrong, but the buffer would not go back far enough to lock open. Another guy had a DPMS bolt group (marked D) in a Colt gun. Why I have no idea. Gun started having trouble on the first day. Stopped working all together the second. Assistant instructor loaned him a Colt bolt group and the guy finished the class without a problem. Guy came in to where I work with a DPMS one day. He wanted some upgrades to it, adjustable stock, change the A1 eciever to a flat top etc. I changed the stock, se haid he would be back in a week for the upper. When he came in the next week, the lower had cracked where the reciever extension goes in the lower. It craked in two when his rifle accidentaly fell out of the rifle case. I have not seen good things from them dont recommend them and avoid working on them. |
|
AR-15.comers and Fellow shooters, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. Make sure we all ask for more guns and ammo for Christmas presents. Thank you to all who have supported DPMS. 2006 is our 20th anniversary in the business and we could not have done it or made it without the support from friends and customers like you. Regarding US government contracts DPMS typically does not bid on larger US Military contracts due to the overwhelming red tape, low price and other requirements. By the way DPMS did not bid on the DEA contract that was awarded to Rock River Arms. We have however supplied our rifles to the following Police departments and US Government agencies: United States Border Patrol United States Marshall Service United States Customs United States Counter Terrorism United States Secret Service Minnesota State Patrol Hoover Dam Police Texas Rangers The list goes on. The complete list will be on our website under Law Enforcement. We currently have DPMS rifles in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also have security contractor’s teams with Hundreds of DPMS rifles in Iraq. The Jordanian Army Special Forces have over 500 DPMS AP4’s that are being used to assist and defend Jordan. DPMS Also supplies thousands of rifles to Law Enforcement departments all over America. Our market is the American shooter who desires an AR with options. All DPMS fire control parts are made per Mil-spec material and heat treat specifications. We use 4140 steel on our barrels because it’s the 21st century. Regarding Chrome lined barrels DPMS has manufactured thousands of chromed lined barrels for our customers and our competitors. We offer chromed lined barrels as an option. All the best to gun owners of America and God bless our troops; Randy Luth President DPMS |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - DPMS Quality/Reputation (Page 1 of 2)
AR Sponsor