advice for my first AR-15 Bushmaster vs. DPMS

[PapaG]

After resisting for about forty years I bought an almost new Bushmaster (looks just like our old Viet Nam rifles...no collapsible stock, etc). $650 cash. First load with some nice Sierra 55 grain soft points and starting load of Varget in some new LC cases gave me, in order, 1 3/4", 1 1/4", and finally 3/4" at 100 yards. Never had a rifle "out of the box" with no load workup do anything near that. (3-9X scope).
I'm happy with my Bushie.

 

[95XL883]

As someone who is just starting to consider an AR-15, I find this thread very helpful. It seems like I always have a lot of projects going on so when I do buy, it will be a complete gun and most likely new. No knock against anybody who builds their own; I just don't have the time. Thank you all for the specific mention of complete guns. From a newbie's view, the S&W Al referenced is very appealing. (It would be my third S&W. #1 has performed flawlessly. #2 had a hex screw that stripped and their customer service was great.) I would hope it's resale would be pretty good with the S&W name on it. The Palmetto State looks good too. I just hope they have some available when it's my time to spend $$. Thanks again.

 

[goon]

95XL883 - my hope is to eventually find a used M&P sport at a decent price. Even new I don't think they're going much over $600. I'm hoping to stumble on to one for $450-$475 eventually on the used market and snatch it up.
And I'm hoping the BCM I midlength I want so much turns out to be as much rifle as I hope it will be.

 

[TITAN308]

I've owned numerous 308 DPMS rifles over the years. Never had a problem with them. Just my 2 cents.

Hell we are using one for our big project.

 

[LiquidTension]

The M&P Sport can be had for $550 if you look around. The PSA for $599 is also a lot of rifle for the money. I've seen too many improperly staked carrier keys on Bushmasters to buy one. I've got one of the original M&P15s that has been flawless (except when I swapped the bolt/carrier with a CMMG but that's another story) for over five thousand rounds, most of them suppressed and therefore very dirty.

The bottom line is that for the same money you can get either a PSA or a S&W, both of which are higher quality rifles than the Bushmaster. I've never shot a DPMS so I won't comment on them.

 

[justice06rr]

I can't comment on DPMS, but before I got into the AR15 M4 platform I looked into it becaue of the low cost. I ended up buying a slightly used Bushmaster M4A3 Carbine for an excellent deal. From my experience and research on AR's, the Bushy rifle I got was within acceptable standards (M4 feed ramps, properly staked gas key, mil-spec buffer and tubes, etc).

I hear a lot of good things about the PSA rifle right now esp because of the cost (if you can find one in stock). Currently I have a Spikes lower with a RR upper and have no issues with it so far.

To the OP, try to get a PSA/Spikes/Bushmaster and steer clear of DPMS for now.

 

[Captains1911]

The bottom line is that for the same money you can get either a PSA or a S&W, both of which are higher quality rifles than the Bushmaster

This is the point. It doesn't matter that people are happy with their BMs and DPMSs. The fact is better quality can be had for less money.

Also, the guy who say's he's satisfied with his whatever rifle and shoots less than 1000rds a year thru it should not be considered a reliable source.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Also, the guy who say's he's satisfied with his whatever rifle and shoots less than 1000rds a year thru it should not be considered a reliable source.

we shot ours 2060 rounds on our last shooting day only. over 20000 total to date.

i'm in my fourth decade of buying and shooting ar15's. i consider myself a reliable source for my own information and subsequent decisions.
(when i bought my first there was only 1 brand)

 

[LiquidTension]

Pat Rogers has good things to say about the M&P and he probably sees more rounds go down range every year than just about anyone else.

 

[Aiko492]

I own the DPMS Panther Lite and Daniel Defense V2. For target shooting the DPMS is fine. But for home defense, security, professional use, hard class use- I only use my DD. It s the only AR I own that I trust my life with.