Bushmaster vs DPMS

[wvglockguy]

My trek to find an affordable AR has lead me to the DPMS and the Bushmaster. The 2 are within $9 of each other and are almost identical in looks and specs. Is one more easy to customize than the other? Does one 'rate' better than the other?

Thanks!

[Il Duce]

Scrap both and get a Primary Arms one for 599

[tugboat]

I have a Bushmaster and Love it. I cannot say anything good or bad about a DPMS. But I've never had one problem out of my Bushy!

[Guest twpayne75]

Scrap both and get a Primary Arms one for 599

If you mean Palmetto Arms I'm with you.

I have used several DPMS lowers over the years. Their fit and finish has always been nice. Never really been impressed with them or Bushmasters rifles. As a low cost starter rifle either will probably do. How much do you perceive shooting this rifle?

I would look toward a kit to save money. Also it's cheaper to decide what you want to do with it and build it the way you want versus buying a rifle, stripping the things you don't want and then adding what you do.

I have built many using their kits. * J&T AR-15 Parts & Accessories - Black Rifle Specialists

Great products. Great to deal with.

Edited December 2, 2011 by twpayne75

[Guest TnTnTn]

I own both and can't see any appreciable difference. Don't know which models you are looking at but I would take a really hard look at the DPMS Oracle as a first rate AR at a great price. A lot of the AR community doesn't like DPMS but mine are excellent rifles. Lots of snobbery out there in the AR world. Afaik they are all very customizeable.

Killed two deer with my AR yesterday!! TTT

[Guest vthokies03]

buyem both!!!!

Both are quality.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Call Predator Custom Shop in Knoxville. They are a local shop that builds excellent rifles for less than you mentioned.

Their barebones M4 carbines are $750.

Dolomite

[Il Duce]

If you mean Palmetto Arms I'm with you.

I have used several DPMS lowers over the years. Their fit and finish has always been nice. Never really been impressed with them or Bushmasters rifles. As a low cost starter rifle either will probably do. How much do you perceive shooting this rifle?

I would look toward a kit to save money. Also it's cheaper to decide what you want to do with it and build it the way you want versus buying a rifle, stripping the things you don't want and then adding what you do.

I have built many using their kits. * J&T AR-15 Parts & Accessories - Black Rifle Specialists

Great products. Great to deal with.

Yeah sorry i meant Palmetto State

[JeffL]

Not all DPMS barrels are chrome lined. Bushmaster barrels are, and they use 4150 barrel steel instead of 4140.

[tnhawk]

I've had a DPMS for a few years and it hasn't been a problem. It and Bushmaster seem to be about equal.

[Caster]

I've had a couple of bushmasters, a 20" A3 and a 16" CAR. Both shot well, no malfunctions, the 20inch was extremely accurate. They were just rattle traps. The 20" sounded like an AK when you shook it. Obviously that meant nothing to function or accuracy; like I said it shot great. NOW, after getting my feet wet building a few, I wouldn't buy one from anyone. BUT, I wouldn't be ashamed of or afraid to face zombies with a bushmaster....provided I hit the range a couple of times with it first;)

[leroy]

Call Predator Custom Shop in Knoxville. They are a local shop that builds excellent rifles for less than you mentioned.

Their barebones M4 carbines are $750.

Dolomite

This is good advice. The Predator guys are great guys. I was there yesterday, and there is a pile of rifles needin homes there.

leroy

[peejman]

Not all DPMS barrels are chrome lined. Bushmaster barrels are, and they use 4150 barrel steel instead of 4140.

Those differences are completely insignificant for 95% of users. Depending on how the steel is made, they could even be opposite of what you expect.

[JeffL]

Those differences are completely insignificant for 95% of users. Depending on how the steel is made, they could even be opposite of what you expect.

I think $9 is worth it for the chrome lining.

[peejman]

I think $9 is worth it for the chrome lining.

Chrome lining only matters if you never clean it and shoot corrosive ammo. Some info suggests that non-chromed barrels are more accurate. But if you want chrome lining, I'll agree $9 is quite a deal.

[mikegideon]

Chrome lining only matters if you never clean it and shoot corrosive ammo. Some info suggests that non-chromed barrels are more accurate. But if you want chrome lining, I'll agree $9 is quite a deal.

The accuracy difference is small... insignificant if you're shooting a red dot with crappy ammo. There is a LOT to be said for ease of cleaning. I'm not talking about powder spooge. I'm talking about the copper fouling that's GOING to happen with something as fast as a .223.

Regular chrome moly barrels don't go on my AR's anymore. They're either chrome lined for the high volume stuff, or stainless for accuracy. If there was a big cost difference, it may be a tougher decision. Fact is, the cost difference is minor. I don't mind cleaning my rifles, but I'll take reduced brush strokes any day.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Chrome lining only matters if you never clean it and shoot corrosive ammo. Some info suggests that non-chromed barrels are more accurate. But if you want chrome lining, I'll agree $9 is quite a deal.

Chrome also helps with longevity during normal use with normal ammo, not just corrosive stuff. Chrome lined chambers are also slicker to help with extraction as the gun gets fouled. Even if you never fire corrosive ammo chrome lined bores do have benefits over non chrome lined bores. They tend to be slicker so they do help with cleaning.

With that being said I prefer stainless over chrome moly or chrome plated. It offers the corrosion resistance with the accuracy of a non chrome lined barrel. It may not have the wear resitance of a chrome lined bore but my most used gun has more rounds through it than I could ever count and it still holds 1/2" at 100 with my handloads.

And as I always say plan for the worst so for $9 chrome lined bores are a no brainer. Even if you think you will not need it it is better to have it because you never know if you might need it down the road.

Dolomite

[peejman]

Chrome also helps with longevity during normal use with normal ammo, not just corrosive stuff.

Can you quantify "longevity"? Are we talking 3000 rds or 30,000 rds?

[Dolomite_supafly]

From what I have read, not observed, chrome lined bores add a substantial amount to the lifespan over non chrome lined. I have read 15K or even more rounds before seeing any problems related to wear. Barrels that are not lined supposedly only last 5K or so before starting to show issues related to accuracy.

I wish I had the funds to test a barrel to failure.

But as I have said I have not observed it personally and only relying on what others who do have experience are saying.

There are also other variables that affect barrel wear. A 7 twist barrel will wear out quicker than a comaprable 9 twist barrel. Additionally a gun that sees full auto or full auto type fire will see a reduced lifespan because of the additional heat.

Dolomite

[wvglockguy]

Thanks for all the replies!! I am def gonna check into the Predator Custom Shop (didnt know that place existed) Not sure if I wanna try to tackle the task of building my first one or not just yet, but I have sorta looked into it. If I were to build one I'm not sure of what things I would and wouldn't want on it, thus my thinking of just buying the first one and going from there.

[mikegideon]

From what I have read, not observed, chrome lined bores add a substantial amount to the lifespan over non chrome lined. I have read 15K or even more rounds before seeing any problems related to wear. Barrels that are not lined supposedly only last 5K or so before starting to show issues related to accuracy.

I wish I had the funds to test a barrel to failure.

But as I have said I have not observed it personally and only relying on what others who do have experience are saying.

There are also other variables that affect barrel wear. A 7 twist barrel will wear out quicker than a comaprable 9 twist barrel. Additionally a gun that sees full auto or full auto type fire will see a reduced lifespan because of the additional heat.

Dolomite

The life increase is going to be significantly more than the additional cost. Chrome lining, which cost me $35 each on the last two barrels, is a no brainer.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Thanks for all the replies!! I am def gonna check into the Predator Custom Shop (didnt know that place existed) Not sure if I wanna try to tackle the task of building my first one or not just yet, but I have sorta looked into it. If I were to build one I'm not sure of what things I would and wouldn't want on it, thus my thinking of just buying the first one and going from there.

If you decide to build I can help you out. I would recommend you get with a few AR owners to try their setups out. It can save you a lot of time and money when trying to figure what works for you and what doesn't.

If you decide to buy look at the S&W MP Sport. They have a lot of good features for the money. And because there is a standard upgrading or swapping parts are easy. They have a 5R barrel and MPI tested bolts both of which make for a good gun to start with.

Dolomite