I’m probably going to be buying myself a DPMS 11.5" SBR quite soon and wanted some up-to-date opinions on them. Firstly, I’m from South Africa, so my options for SBR rifles are very limited. I know there isn’t much love for DPMS on here, but I don’t have many options. I do own a Colt 6920 and DD M4v5, amongst others, so I’ve got go to guns, if necessary.
I would like to know what is actually wrong with the DPMS 11.5" guns. These are the specs I have and some info from a friends visual inspection, and personal opinion and one a rifle off rifle, I understand that. I’ll have a choice, so will inspect it myself.
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[li]Barrel is 11.5" with 1/9 Twist and chamber 5,56 = also marked on the barrel.
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[/li][li]It has proper M4 feed ramps
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[/li][li]Properly staked gas key
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[/li][li]Comm receiver ext / buffer tube
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[/li][li]Modified Commercial bolt carrier (not m16)
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[/li][li]Decent mil spec trigger
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[/li][li]Nicely finished and very good upper/lower fit
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[/li][li]Bolt is 158 Carpenter steel
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This looks kinda OK to me? I’m happy to change parts if necessary, but if the basics are OK, then I’ll be happy. I understand that they batch test and this isn’t ideal, but are their parts prone to failure? Has anyone experienced a failure? I always have a spare bolt handy anyway.
On the build side, I’m happy to stake a bolt and a castle nut if necessary, so that’s not an issue. Does anyone have any insight on the gas port, is this correctly sized or should I change buffers and springs for more reliability. I’m happy to beef up the extractor too, if I have to.
Is there anything I’m missing or forgetting? Thanks in advance.
If you are limited due to local laws, importation, etc…I would seek someone out that can cut and rethread the barrel. Then open the port up to .076 (if its an 11.5") and be done with it.
IG, are you suggesting I cut a DD barrel? Or open the port on a DPMS?
Local laws don’t discriminate SBRs from other barrel lengths, but importation of them is much more difficult.
I can get another 16" DD rifle, but cutting the barrel creates a significant amount of paperwork.
I was hoping the DPMS was going to be a SBR option that’s actually good enough and while there are better out there, when they’re not available, the DPMS is better than nothing? I just want to make sure I’m not missing something as to why they get a bad rep.
They have a bad rep because they are garbage. Their chambers are known to be less than 5.56, they have enlarged gas ports, BCG’s that are less than stellar, etc…
I know things may be difficult but if you can’t get quality and cutting down the DD barrel isn’t an option then I would simply stick with what you have. Of course there are the other issues like crappy carrier key stakings, and other issues. Nothing would make me want to have a mediocre SBR over a solid 16" carbine.
Thanks, I take it you don’t like them The chamber isn’t a major issue for me, that can be fixed if it’s a bit tight, but you can’t make a gas port smaller, which is an issue. BCG’s can be replaced and key can be staked if necessary. Thanks for your insight though, it’s appreciated and has helped me find more of less what I wanted to know. I don’t plan on selling anything I have, just adding to it.
Nope, not at all. There are restrictions, and you need some sort of dedicated status (collector or sports shooter) but you can own most semi-autos. You just need to jump through a few hoops. We’re making an effort to ensure that we increase the number of AR’s in SA About 5 years ago there were only a handful of old SP1 rifles and carbines knocking about.
That’s exactly what I’m trying to find out. I still want an SBR though…
In Europe, the barrel is the firearm like the AR lower is in the U.S. I’m not sure but I believe that’s also true in South Africa which would make selling the upper & replacing it a bit of a problem
There are no SBR regulations. While we used to only licence the barrel, now it includes frames and receivers. So an upper is a new firearm, as is a barrel. It’s easier just to licence a complete rifle.
I know it’s not ideal and I would have had a batch to chose one from, so I would have tried to avoid this. I’m pretty sure people have reamed chrome lined chambers, but I know it’s far from ideal.
US SBRs aren’t really an option for us because of US SBR laws. DPMS makes a compliant 11.5" with a 5.5" flash suppressor. I can have this removed in SA with no issues. If I cut a barrel in SA, I need to apply to have it shortened as the barrel is a licensed part, so more headaches.
It’s more a case of me wanting an SBR and this was a cheap and easy option, if it was good enough. I can get an SBR from Canada or Europe if I want.
I’m looking into something other than the DPMS now. - I’m taking your advice
I’m not tracking so help a broer out. Those barrels have a 5" hider that is permed to the barrel. I have never removed one, but I can’t imagine it’s real easy. Are you saying that you can legally remove that thing, but you cannot cut down a barrel w/o paperwork?
Yes, I wouldn’t be changing the barrels dimensions. We don’t have any restrictions on barrel lengths, minimum lengths, mag capacity or attachments. I can buy a suppressor over the counter and walk out with it, but it might take me 6 months to get my licence for a firearm.
I can’t imagine that it will be too difficult to remove, but I obviously wouldn’t be using it again.
The chamber isn’t a major issue for me, that can be fixed if it’s a bit tight, but you can’t make a gas port smaller, which is an issue. BCG’s can be replaced and key can be staked if necessary. Thanks for your insight though, it’s appreciated and has helped me find more of less what I wanted to know. I don’t plan on selling anything I have, just adding to it.
About 5 years ago there were only a handful of old SP1 rifles and carbines knocking about.
