Panther AR .223 rifle

weedwalker · June 28, 2007, 03:56:04 AM

Anybody have an opinion on DPMS/ Panther brand AR rifles.

I've never had one and am thinking about trading to it.

Are they good, cheap, or what?

Anything on it I should look for?

cb223 · June 28, 2007, 05:03:32 PM

I have used DPMS uppers and lowers to put a few AR's together with no problems. I would buy more of them.

I've never bought a complete gun from them. I know a few who have. They like them and have no problems.

In my opinion as long as you stick with a big name (DPMS, Olympic, Bushmaster, RRA, etc) and get forged not cast or extruded uppers and lowers you should be fine.

Unless you want to spend allot more money then I would get a JP, Ed Brown or a few other custom builders. I know a handful of guys that have JP's. Man do those look and shoot AWESOME!!!!

weedwalker · June 29, 2007, 03:56:14 AM

Thanks for the feedback cb223. It's a DPMS Panther Bull Sweet 16. A3 flat top forged upper. 16" SS Bull bbl, 1 in 9 twist.

MI VHNTR · June 29, 2007, 08:55:55 PM

I've built a couple of ARs on DPMS lowers. Their parts are as good as any of the other major brand of AR makers parts. You can get a bit more info here: http://www.ar15.com/ MI VHNTR

Bopeye · June 30, 2007, 04:15:03 PM

I have a DPMS that I just got recently.......so far no complaints. I field stripped it and it seemed almost identical to the military M-16's that I was trained on.

It seems the military likes to make sure you know the in's and out's of your personal weapon.

Only owned 1 other AR and that was one that I built back in the 90's and sold it right before the ban......

Lost a lot of money on that deal. Sold it for around $300 and I think they went well over a thousand bucks not long after.

fuzz624 · June 30, 2007, 07:27:12 PM

DPMS is just as good as any of the others.I have one in an A2 and have no complaints.I also have a colt.I cant tell much difference in the recievers other than the colt is a post ban reciever.

weedwalker · July 01, 2007, 08:06:57 AM

Thanks for the info. I went over there about the trade,but, he didn't have what he said he did

so there was no trade. It was a DPMS, but with the carry handle and was a VERY short close quarters tactical kind of gun. Not what I'm looking for.

MI VHNTR · July 01, 2007, 09:44:31 PM

Quote from: weedwalker on July 01, 2007, 08:06:57 AM
Thanks for the info. I went over there about the trade,but, he didn't have what he said he did so there was no trade. It was a DPMS, but with the carry handle and was a VERY short close quarters tactical kind of gun. Not what I'm looking for.

weedwalker, just get yourself a few tools and you can change the upper and barrel on that AR to just about any configuration that you could ever want.

MI VHNTR

weedwalker · July 01, 2007, 10:15:49 PM

I know I could change it, but I'm not going to trade way under my guns value and then have to spend $$$ to get it up to what he said he had. Just a bad deal and time to move on.

Dan Carey · July 02, 2007, 10:17:54 AM

Get a rifle that is exactly what you want. The cost of changing it will eat up your beer money real quick. The barrel is the heart of any AR, get the best barrel you can, you'll never be sorry.

blackfish · July 02, 2007, 10:35:07 AM

Quote from: Dan Carey on July 02, 2007, 10:17:54 AM
Get a rifle that is exactly what you want. The cost of changing it will eat up your beer money real quick. The barrel is the heart of any AR, get the best barrel you can, you'll never be sorry.

AMEN BROTHER

I bought a RRA and ofcoarse I spented more money than I wanted or needed to ! But if you look at it over the long haul it won't be that much different and you will have what You want! When you pass it down to someone in your family they will have something of value.

ROOSTER · July 04, 2007, 07:26:30 AM

If you want you could buy a stripped lower http://www.rguns.net/009_13.html . Then buy a parts kit http://www.mapartsinc.com/productsDetail.asp?id=1246 . I just built one from there for my nephew. I chose them because they use Wilson barrels ( same as Rock River) which is what is on mine. He got the stainless barrel which is $50 more and a picatinny gas block , ace stock. He got his lower from here http://mooneysfirearms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=35 , The actual price with shipping was $139.75 for a RRA stripped lower.
Hope this gives you some ideas.

weedwalker · July 04, 2007, 11:09:51 AM

Thanks Rooster. I'm not in any hurry. I'll be looking around.

Dan Carey · July 04, 2007, 11:49:24 AM

I sell RRA stripped lowers for $130.00 plus 4.00 shipping. Stag stripped lowers for $120.00. Plus a lot of other parts.

ohiobob · July 17, 2007, 09:06:26 PM

Doesn't Stag MAKE the RRA Lowers ??? or is it that Stag makes EVERYONES Lowers? I thought someone told me about 18 Months ago that ONE Company makes ALL the High Quality Lowers?

Bob