A DPMS Lower?

[texcaliber]

Today I just recieved my DPMS lower from the shop. Now come the tough part.......what should i build and with which parts? I am thinking of a 556nato due to problems with my Bushmaster but I really could go any caliber/setup. As for the Bushmaster I have talked to gunsmiths and to Bushmaster(1yr. warranty) and have been told that it was a simple fix.........simple has cost me enough$ that i rather build a new one. NO JOKE! So any and all input yall.

Tex

[m25operator]

I'd first list my criteria.

1) heavy or light.
2) accuracy requirement.
3) trigger weight.
4) collapsible stock or fixed/adjustable.
5) fixed sights or optics, or both.
6) caliber may be determined by what you will use it for, and your desired magazine capacity and or availability of that cartridge.

Answer these questions for us, and it will be easer to answer you.

[Pathfinder]

Today I just recieved my DPMS lower from the shop. Now come the tough part.......what should i build and with which parts? I am thinking of a 556nato due to problems with my Bushmaster but I really could go any caliber/setup. As for the Bushmaster I have talked to gunsmiths and to Bushmaster(1yr. warranty) and have been told that it was a simple fix.........simple has cost me enough$ that i rather build a new one. NO JOKE! So any and all input yall.

Tex

Tex, I'm doing the same thing, DPMS A-15 lower. I grabbed DPMS' lower kit (springs, mag release, etc.) when it was on sale at MidwayUSA. I am back to looking at going 6.8SPC upper, and as a result I am looking for good quality parts, like Magpul grip upgrade and LMT collapsible stock, railed forehand on the upper, etc. Never having done this before, I have a steep learning curve, like finding out just what exactly as split pin detent is.

But M25 is right, what do you want to end up with and for what purpose - A1, A2, M4, or something unique? Whacking prairie dogs is a tad different purpose from wanting 800 yard hits.

[texcaliber]

I'd first list my criteria.

1) heavy or light.
2) accuracy requirement.
3) trigger weight.
4) collapsible stock or fixed/adjustable.
5) fixed sights or optics, or both.
6) caliber may be determined by what you will use it for, and your desired magazine capacity and or availability of that cartridge.

Answer these questions for us, and it will be easer to answer you.

I will try my best m25operator,
1) Light
2)Sub 2MOA
3)Is OK on the DPMS Lower but after a good break-in brought down to 4.5-5lbs.
4)I live in AWB State of MA so would love collapsible but going to probably get ACE stock
5)Both and would very much like to CO-witness them
6)Its a 223/556 lower and I have yet to own one which ran mint and really like the ability to find preband 30rd mags in my location.....but i am open to persuasion on this one.

If I am leaving out any need-to-know information let me know

tex

[AR 15 Rep]

As for the Bushmaster I have talked to gunsmiths and to Bushmaster(1yr. warranty) and have been told that it was a simple fix.........simple has cost me enough$ that i rather build a new one. NO JOKE! So any and all input yall.

Tex

What was the problem with the Bushmaster??
The DPMS lower should work fine, I actually sell the DSC brand but for the most part they are made to the same specs, regardless you should be able to use the 7.62X39, 6.8SPC and the 300 whisper rounds with a 5.56 / .223 lower here is the round comparison side by side.  First is the .223 then the 6.8 SPC, 7.62X39, and the 300 whisper.

[Sponsor]

[Michael Bane]

I built up a lightweight CAR on a DPMS lower using DSC/J&T parts, and it was a nice little gun (the yellow-stocked carbine you see on SG occasionally). I screwed around with the trigger until I got tired of pretending I knew more than I did and dropped in a Timney trigger.

I'm thinking of using it as the base for a .450 Hornady top end.

Michael B

[texcaliber]

What was the problem with the Bushmaster??

  I have had a constant probs. with feediing and ejection and have gone though a lot of $ trying to fix it. Trying mags, ammo(wolf worked the best NO JOKE), parts, gunsmith fees, and finally talked to Bushmaster and told them my story and they informed me of the one year warranty. Enough time and cash that them asking me to "send it to us and taking a look will not cost ya much more" has left me with a bad taste. So now the only thing stopping me is the location( State AWB)

The

I actually sell the DSC brand

is new to me any links would help AR rep. Thanks


As for Michael's

the yellow-stocked carbine you see on SG occasionally

i was thinking of coyote brown or Uncle Ted's zebra pattern. Later a bright color maybe...........maybe no. 

Tex

[CurrieS103]

I built my AR with a DPMS stripped lower, internals and a DPMS complete upper.  No problems!

[texcaliber]

Sorry I didn't add this sooner but I would like to shoot heavy bullets out of it. Thinking 60+ to 70 gr. 

What do you think?

Tex

[m25operator]

Here's the way I would play. I'm going with reasonably priced stuff here.

1) 16" DPMS A3 upper 1/9 twist, if your going to go with heavier than 69 grain, go with 1/8 or 1/7 twist. 400-500 new.

2) The above should do it, especially with quality ammo, and or free floating forend.

3) Do as you say, I coat my trigger parts with brownells action magic plus ( trigger job in a jar ) , or the most reasonable that I have seen is the Chip McCormick,  3.5 lbs and modular. I have currently an accuracy speaks, ( 3.5 and I like it, single stage), bushmaster 2 stage national match, ok trigger, Geislle match, Oh my, 1.5lbs, not recommended for the light of heart. Stock parts polished and springs adjusted, 4.0lbs and ok. Armalite 2 stage match, very nice 3.0 lbs.

4)  good choice on your part - I have the ace sopmod collapsible steel with the meat tenderizer butt. Nice.

5)  The sky's the limit here, so much to choose from.  I have a eotech 512 with Troy buis, as they were meant to co witness, and the eotech is not tinted or have any magnification. I also have an aimpoint comp ml2 with yankee hill buis, the are usable but are in the bottom half of the aimpoint, not the center. If you go with a magnified sight, get a quick release to use the buis, or make sure the lowest power is 1 power. Doing research on this can drive you nuts, kind of like picking archery equipment, there are 50 offerings for each individual component. Sorry.

6) You answered that one.

Personal preference on flash hiders, if it matters to you, for a true flash hider I do like the vortec, as a muzzle brake I really like the Miculek, inexpensive and works like a champ.

My DPMS 16 as above with a cheapy aluminum ff hand guard and the Miculek brake with the aimpoint comp ml2 will do 20 shot 2" groups at 100 yards off the bench, with private label 223, loaded with Hornaday 52grn match hollow points.. It does have the accuracy speaks trigger and ace sopmod stock. Remember that is a 2 moa dot with no magnification.

Greatest of luck with your new build.