Bushmaster or DPMS?'s, New to Assault Weapons.

[Avenger29]

That chart is quite outdated. and it only compares certain models from quite a few years ago.

Actually having handled and looked at the rifles in that chart will show it is false!

The original chart was rather crude, but the current one is very much up to date and much better, plus excellent explanations- a prospective AR buyer would do very well to research as much as possible, including carefully reading each explanation of what The Chart is looking at.

 

[Frankl03]

You can get an S&W M&P 15 for the mid $700s on Gun Broker.

Her is an example with a buy it now price of $748:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143229842

That is a high quality Ar at a great price. You may be able to get a DPMS cheaper but why would you.

 

[Evenflo76]

Really? Did you even look at it, or just went by memory from the original chart?

YES, I did... and it still states that the DPMS ap4 does not have M4 feed ramps or staked gas keys. Also, the OP did not state either model was an M4gery

That chart is a comparison of commercially available rifles to the ones built for the military for their spec( without the happy switch, of course ). The OP asked for a comparison between Bushmaster and DPMS. Not which manufacturer makes the closest thing to a DOD issue M4 rifle, with "desirable features"

If you want to spend $1000 or more to have "exactly" what the troops have, enjoy.
The fact still stands that all of those extras are not necessary for a semi-auto which will not see the type of abuses the troops put theirs through.

 

[MM60]

I have the Bushmaster Carbon 15 R97S and it is great; it's mostly carbon fiber and stainless steel, so it's very lightweight and highly resistant to rust and corrosion.

I'd like to get a DPMS DCM, but I would add a telestock and an A3 rear sight/carry handle.

I think that DPMS offers a wider variety of rifles and carbines than Bushmaster, as you can see here:
http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/category.aspx?id=3
http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/category.aspx?id=4

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

My AP4 does have M4 ramps(poorly done) and a staked key(poorly done)---that's why I'm "fixin" it.

I'll probably get out the hammer and punch and stake the key myself---and then upgrade the extractor and spring. There's no help for the crappy barrel and upper rec other than using it for a backup/plinker.

 

[Maj Dad]

I've owned a few ARs, and I can tell you that I will only buy a complete rifle to start with. The first I bought, an SGW, in about 1983 or 4, had intermittent feeding problems, and I finally called the company & they had me return it. It seems the rifle was a put-together by the dealer (it was new when I got it) and not a complete unit. Nonetheless, they mated the upper & lower (and I believe replaced the upper) and it ran like a swiss watch. I learned something then & have remembered it. I know there are lots of uppers that run smoothly on assorted lowers, and I don't say never; but if I am starting from scratch, I will go for the whole banana.

I bought a DPMS CAR this past January, for several hundred less than the other brands at the Columbia, SC Jamil Temple gun show, after looking at all of them. Quality is top-notch, it shoots all manner of ammo without a hiccup, and that is what I wanted. Anyone who buys a more expensive gun is exercising their right to do so; if you're on a budget and want quality, you can't go wrong with DPMS. I will say the damned latch on the included hard case tore my finger nail opening it & I bled all over the dealer's table. He apologized, so did I.
My 2 cents.

 

[wojownik]

I have three Bushmasters (2 x 20" XM15ES2, and on 16" Patrolman M-4gery).

I had several problems with the upper on my first 20" Bushmaster, ans several things were out of spec. Bushmaster promptly repaired the upper, but there were additional problems. I finally replaced that with a J&T upper, and am very satisfied.

On the other hand, my two later Bushmasters have both been 100% right out of the box.

No experience with DPMS, so I can't compare.

I do have a Colt 16", and am very impressed with that rifle. Just "feels" more solid that then Bushmaster Patrolman.

 

[FlyinBryan]

the thing about the chart is that it says my gas key isnt staked properly, but it is staked properly. its a bushmaster. (at least according to 65 out of 68 thr members) i have pics if anyone wants to see.

i think either would make the o.p. happy unless he cares more about what folks say than how the rifle actually performs.