I'm back again with another question on AR 15 selection. In addition to the Bushmasters, I'm also looking at the DPMS rifles...specifically the Panther A3 Lite 16, Panterh 5.56 Nato Sportical and the AP4 Panther Carbine 16".

Use would be for home defense and target practice at the range.

Any opinions or problems I should know of with these?

I own an AP4 Carbine and have had no issues whatsoever.

I own a DPMS Sporticle. No problems so far, of course I've only put about 1k ammo through it, five or six different kinds, with only one jam due to a magazine malfunction (not a DPMS magazine, btw).

It's a good gun.

I like and prefer the M4 platform so I have to say the AP4

+1 if your going DPMS

years ago I owned a colt and had weird issues with it I sold it... now I own a DPMS and have nothing but good things to say about it... I really was put off for a long time after that colt fiasco... but every brand of anything you buy there will be someone with an issue with something.... I spent three years spec'ing out what I wanted in an AR and DPMS was finally the only place that had just what I wanted .....

Good Luck with all the flavors out there....

AP4 or Daly D-M4.



TS

IMHO go with the AP4

Never had a problem with DPMS. As for Bushmaster, Remington and DPMS are all made by the same company I believe. Think they also own a big share of Chrysler as well.

I hope like hell Chrysler is not part of that company.

Yes they are owned by the same company but they all three still do their same production like they did when they were not owned by others.

Bushmaster makes the .204 and .223 Remington ARs (R-15) and DPMS makes the .243, 7mm-08 and .308 ARs (R-25). Other than that it's exactly as Neil says.



TS

Chrysler was owned by the parent company before they went bankrupt.

Just bought my DPMS A3 lite a couple of months ago and I love it. Shoots similar to my buddy's Bushy M4 (except the rockNroll switch). Just know that the A3 pencil barrel heats up, quick but cools quick too. Great value for a rifle, just remember the A3 doesn't have a rear BUIS so expect to shell out an additional $120+ for a decent rear sight (went with Midwest Industries SPLP BUIS).

I was also looking at the sportical but it was stripped down (no shell deflector, front BUIS, or rear BUIS) so you'll end up paying more in the long run.

Whatever rifle you decide enjoy it!

im real excited about getting a dpms. i only hear good things.

My buddy bought an AP4 last year and really likes it. After he shot it a little he noticed that the front sight post was off a little. He sent it back and they fixed it for free.

I've had the AP4 carbine for about 8 months now. No issues or problems. Love it!

spend the extra and skip the sportical It is missing the shell deflector and forward assist

I was considering the sportical (and the lo-pro) and ended up choosing another, but it seems debatable whether you actually NEED the forward assist and/or the shell deflector. I DO like the AP4, but if you find a great deal on a sportical i'd just have to evaluate how useful I really thought those particular features actually were. If we are talking list prices, then i'd probably skip the sportical as well.

Forward assist is pretty crtical if your magazine fails to feed properly. If you have it, press it and the round will chamber. If you don't have the assist, well I don't know what the hell you do...

This post has been edited by Toro Azul: November 16th 2009 2:38 AM

you new guys. Glad to have you on board.

I have a DPMS and really like it. Still my favorite AR.