DPMS - Common Problems?

[Asmodeus6]

I was just reading through this thread here;

http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/407...refer-why.html

The concern has been raised to a number of issues concerning these rifles, and others like it that are not "top tier" as far as some people would consider in AR rifles.

I'm already in the process of upgrading some of the fit and finish of this rifle. (Stock, rail system, break, grip, etc) But if there are things that would increase the reliability of the weapon I would like to stop where I am and factor those things in to the global monetary cost of things planned.

I would like a well rounded performer I can depend on. The downside is, its bought and paid for - so "leave it alone and go buy a colt" doesn't do me much good. I paid $600 for this rifle, (bought ON electon day!) and I'm sure I will exceed that and then some by the time it is where I want it.

Now, lets focus on some of the prime issues that are show stoppers that I CAN fix. Their causes, and how to spot them. I am trying to gain some ground here, as many of you are advanced well beyond where I am with these rifles. I'm asking for a bit of a ketchup. Before any of these things fall into the 'too late' category.

There is maybe 300 rounds through the rifle. So its possibly still in the time frame where things can be fixed before they cause damage to other components, or the receivers, chamber etc.

Many of you are adamant about certain aspects of these lower tier rifles being piss poor, or unreliable. I'm asking for your worst, but also a little direction in how to spot if they are an issue in my rifle. This may be even more relevant to me because I have the red headed step child of AR15's. Entry level DPMS - Sportical.

My rifle;
DPMS Sportical
A2 flash hider - (Primary Weapons FSC556 on the way)
16" Lite-barrel 1x9 twist no chrome
Site rail gas block (loose as a goose - tightened)
AP4 hand guards (being replaced with yhm/larue/omega?)
Flat top - M4 ramps No forward assist, no dust cover (replace for d/c?)
Park bolt carrier group - M16 profile, but half taken down at rear section.
(More than SP1, less than M16, no cutaway for hammer catch)
Standard charging handle. (Appears to wear crazy fast on left side. Finish is just coming off like hell.) Add tactical latch?
Standard trigger (DPMS receiver rug - stock trigger is fine to me)
Standard grip (MIAD? Tango down?)
Folding BUIS - Now I paid $69 ea. But they look JUST like GG&G front gas block one. And the rear is push button take down / multi-aperture as well.
Pardus stock 6 pos (Magpul CTR coming)
Here are some pics for proper identification. When I bought them (BUIS) they were in baggies. Not that this is even a big deal, they seem to work perfect. Front post is painted white because I can't friggin see it in any low light conditions. (trijicon tritium fr/rr drop in replacements highly considered)












Problems encountered thus far:
Stripping the next round. It would eject, but not strip the next round.
-Solution:
Tighten front gas block so gas stays in the gun. Imagine that.

That's about it.

Shoots more accurately than I can at this point. I need more seat time with aperture sights. Coming from an AK I pretty much hate them. I'm used to a mid ship / muzzle end sight configuration and can't seem to get the mid / mid sight platform of the AR. From a rest I can pick the center out of targets @ 50yds like it was my job. (no feat I know) Standing forget it. They spread to 4" or worse. And with the AK I can do that moving rapid fire at the same distance.

Its comfort level at this point. I'll get my butt out there and get better.


Its obviously not a combat weapon. But if I'm going to spend money on it. Then it might as well improve in area's of reliability as much as it does anywhere else. I'm sure there are things I am completely oblivious to that could be potential problems down the road. So if you wanted a prime opportunity to throw some garbage at the lower tier AR15's. I'm asking for it.

Really. But if you are going to list concerns, try to give me the warning signs if there are any as well. I'm trying to learn as much as I can here.

Thank you guys as always.

[Guns4Fun]

I think you are making more out of this than there is. Some people just like their "brand" better.

I have no personal experience with DPMS so i can't say anything "failed" on one. I would be willing to bet that the average Joe shooter will not experience any "real" problems with one. It isn't like the average shooter is putting thousands of rounds down range on full auto every day. Most shooters are lucky to put 1k down range a year.

The things i see as important
Keep it clean and lubed
keep an eye on the extractor and spring
keep an eye on the gas rings on the bolt
keep it clean and lubed
keep it clean and lubed
oh, and keep it clean and lubed

OOPS forgot to add also make sure the bolt carrier is properly staked so the bolts don't come loose.

As for signs look to make sure there is no wear on the extractor and replace the spring / oring when you have problems. It doesn't hurt to have a few spares around. As for the bolt gas rings, look for carbon build up and make sure the "gaps" are staggered and not in line.

[Asmodeus6]

I probably will put more than 1k rounds downrange in 6 months. Per gun. Maybe not so much in the winter but I like to go out and shoot. This usually equates to some target shooting, followed by moving and shooting, followed by moving as a group and shooting. And to finish off the day a mag dump or two. In the cold, its maybe reduced to 60-100 rounds and mostly target shooting. In the warm, 250-300 rounds a session is not uncommon.

Needless to say - you won't find me at a range. I have private property to shoot on - and I make good use of it whenever time allows.

I learned to keep it wet for storage, and keep oil bottle in my pocket so before I roll up to the line. I add a couple drops to the BCG, and receiver surfaces. Cycle the charging handle to disperse, fresh mag. Good to go.

I know a good bit of what I saw could very well be exaggerated, opinionated justifications for people spending 3x what I did. However... there is always truth to the $ = quality game. So if it gives me information to wade through, and I actually catch something before I have a problem. Its worth being knee deep in it. How do you make sure the gas key is properly staked? Check for rotation against the tamp marks? Or is there any other kind of orientation of the gas key that can be out of spec? Such as (does it center itself perfectly with the screws?) out of center installation making it ride harder on one side. Etc.

[Legion_Prime]

Where is the wear on the CH? You said left side but is it on the inner surface, the outer left side, any on tip? The gas key should be staked so that the displaced metal is touching the bolt. However it is possible that the bolt may not have been tightened properly possibly causing the key to rotate or flex slightly on the carrier. Does the bolt hold open on the last shot? If not it could be possible that gas is leaking from the key and short stroking. It could also be weak magazine springs or a sticky follower, what kind are you using and what follower is in them? As far as the gas rings go, as long as they hold the bolt in the carrier I wouldnt worry about them, just put a drop or two of oil on them upon reassembly. They will work fine with all the gas ring gaps lined up or even with only one ring in a properly functioning rifle. Beyond that most will be up to personal preference. Check which version of the CTR you ordered as the reciever extension DPMS uses with the Pardus stock in not a milspec tube.

[Asmodeus6]

Where is the wear on the CH? You said left side but is it on the inner surface, the outer left side, any on tip? The gas key should be staked so that the displaced metal is touching the bolt. However it is possible that the bolt may not have been tightened properly possibly causing the key to rotate or flex slightly on the carrier. Does the bolt hold open on the last shot? If not it could be possible that gas is leaking from the key and short stroking. It could also be weak magazine springs or a sticky follower, what kind are you using and what follower is in them? As far as the gas rings go, as long as they hold the bolt in the carrier I wouldnt worry about them, just put a drop or two of oil on them upon reassembly. They will work fine with all the gas ring gaps lined up or even with only one ring in a properly functioning rifle. Beyond that most will be up to personal preference. Check which version of the CTR you ordered as the reciever extension DPMS uses with the Pardus stock in not a milspec tube.

You'll have to excuse me. I suffer from douche-lexia. Its when you say left, but mean right. It had slight wear on the left outside edge on the charging handle, but its even worse on the right. There is some on the bottom too.

There is also a shiny path in the receiver on the right side too where it has taken the anodizing off the inside of the receiver. (In the charging handle groove. Could this be simply from me pulling it not 100% straight back and it riding harder on the right since I'm tugging slightly left. Like / <---








I always blame user error first. Components second.

Bolt always holds open. Mags are DPMS black mags with green follower.

Bolt is snug in the carrier. It pulls out with slight resistance. When you break it down for cleaning.

The key screws are staked. The key is not?















Bought CTR commercial. It is definitely a commercial tube.
The most wear on the rifle appears to be the cam pin. It looked like it caught an asswhoopin' from the first time out shooting it. I know it pivots metal on metal. But everything else looks like its shot 300 rounds. It looks like its seen 3000. Typical?

[Guns4Fun]

The bolt carrier looks properly staked to me.

I get a little wear on my charging handle on my colt too. It isn't as bad as yours and i've got a couple thousand rounds through mine. I don't know that i'd be worried too much since the charging handle doesn't move durring operation and the wear is on the outside. Although, it does look like you might have some wear on the inside toward the back in that one pic. I can't tell for sure because my monitor sucks and all pics look like crap on my monitor (it is my monitor not your pics). I'm no expert so maybe someone else that has more knowledge can explain why you are getting the drag on the charging handle that you are.

[Grizz2720]

I have had DPMS for a little over a year and can say I have had no problems at all. I did have one plastic snap cap that would get stuck in the barrel. It came 2 in pack 1 works fine, one always get stuck so I don't use the bad one. I have tried different brands of ammo and all fed with out a problem.
Grizz

[Asmodeus6]

Initially I thought it might be the Wolf. Everyone said, oh yeah, you have to shoot brass. The polymer, and laquer case stuff sticks in the chamber when it gets hot and it won't extract. Etc.

I contemplated selling the gun. I shoot as much as possible so if I can't run cheap ammo through it I can't afford to shoot it. Period.

My buddies unclean - filthy dirty whore of a Bushmaster eats anything and everything he throws at it. So I held out hope. Then after a fairly rapid string I saw puffs coming from the the gas block. Residue on the barrel. Tightened it up and its been fine since then.

[synergy]

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7376
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=16152
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=11176


Theres a start, if you're still curious.

[Asmodeus6]

Had I read all that I would have never pulled the trigger. And probably not had an AR at all. Being purchased on election day... things went downhill fast from there as far as availability and price.

I probably would have looked for a FAL instead.

Well, to be honest, its disheartening at best. But I guess what I'll do is break it. Then fix what breaks until it stops breaking. Its like pounding your head through the wall instead of just against it.

Mine does not appear to have some of the "typical" DPMS problems though. The bits about the chamber not being 5.56 really concern me. I guess they shouldn't because I don't really buy brass. But I was planning on getting a hold of some. Probably not the best idea if I like my face.

Eh, I'll run with it. If it breaks, it seems most of the problems can be rectified with the purchase of an upper.