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DPMS G2 - where are they?

3K views 26 replies 8 participants last post by  njl 
#1 ·
I've been thinking of an AR-pattern .308 and like what I've read so far about the DPMS G2 series...either the AP4 (or MOE version of that) or the Recon. I've stopped in and called a few local shops and these rifles seem to be unicorns. Nobody stocks them. Nobody's even seen one. They've been out for a while, no? Are they in short supply, or just unpopular and not a commonly stocked item?
 
#5 ·
My Gen1 has 2300 flawless rounds through it.

Honestly I think people kindof got over the .308 thin and DPMS lept a little far ahead of the curve with their proprietary G2 platform that they werent willing to support in the aftermarket. I think most people wantimg an AR value at least some degree of parts interchamgeabilitiy, and most people figure if you are going to buy a $1200 proprietary semi-auto .308, you might as well buy an M1A.
 
#6 ·
I suspect most people are happy enough if they can mount an optic of their choice, swap out the stock, and the mags aren't proprietary. That's all I've really done with my ARs. I did try a different set of handguards at one point, but even that, I swapped back to the original ones.

I can see wanting to ditch the quad rail on the Recon in favor of a lighter weight handguard, but AFAIK, there is at least one compatible aftermarket manufacturer option there.
 
#11 ·
I'd really like to handle one first. It doesn't help that DPMS's "Dealer Locator" link is broken and points to a page that has no Dealer Locator.
I've never seen a dealer without a few DPMS's in stock lol.
 
#12 ·
I was doing some more research today, and found Adams Arms makes a "small frame" .308, if I understand correctly, on the same dimensions receivers as the DPMS G2. Adams is piston driven, in the same price range as similar DPMS G2 rifles, and similar weight. They don't come with any sights though.
 
#13 ·
.308 pattern ARs are all over the map. I have been through 6 of them, including a DMPS G2 and a much earlier DPMS Panther .308. The G2, like many products hailing from the Big Green stable, has a great design and spotty QC. It is a step forward and fixes several of the flaws in the .308 pattern ARs...but it is highly proprietary which, to me diminishes the value since parts would have to be made, or pried out of Customer Service. You are "stuck" with their barrel too, which is nothing to write home about. If you are okay with a 10K service life and don't plan to mod the internals and operating system, it is a good choice.

What is interesting is that no less than 5 companies have attempted to "copy" the small frame G2, mostly with huge headaches. Two companies gave up, one went out of business. If I wanted to choose between the AA and the DPMS, I would likely go with AA just because of the better QC and Customer Service.

When I sold my G2, I replaced it with a DD5V1. It has many enhancements and the operating system upgrades that the DPMS has...plus a great warranty and Customer Service. Yes, still a proprietary barrel, but they are CHF and very accurate. The G trigger, ambi controls and enhancement of the BCG make a rifle that does not need anything done inside. Yes, it is expensive, but I think it is the best on the market for what I want to do with it. I did change out the stock and grip, but otherwise, it is a Cadillac.
 
#15 ·
Yeah, their website / marketing needs a refresh for sure.
I complained to them about the broken "Dealer locator" link, and got a response that they only sell through distributors, not direct to shops, so they don't have any "dealers" to locate and really don't know who sells their rifles.

At this point, I think I'm leaning toward Adams Arms. The fact that they don't provide iron sights adds to the expense there though, and because the front sight would likely be on the railed gas block (or radiator :) it can't be an inexpensive Magpul polymer unit.

They're in-state and "local enough" that if it had any serious problems, I could drive it there myself, assuming they allow walk-in customers.
 
#16 ·
I think I've more or less decided on the Adams Arms Patrol Enhanced, unless I find something to convince me otherwise. It's not free-floated, but is lighter than the Patrol Battle rifle that is. Neither of the Adams rifles comes with any sights, and with the front going on the gas block, it's got to be something that won't melt. I like the idea of the Magpul Pro LR (all steel, and distance adjustable rear).

I stopped by a shop today that had a barely used Ruger SR-762 (asking $1495), but AFAIK, that's not small frame. It had some scuffs on the bottom of the handguard, and I really have to wonder why it was traded-in so young.
 
#17 ·
I never did find anyone stocking any small frame .308 ARs locally. I should be picking up an Adams Arms this weekend. Should be interesting. It doesn't come with any sights...so I ordered those separately, and should have them tomorrow. If I'm really lucky, I might get to shoot it this weekend.
 
#18 ·
Picked up the Adams Arms yesterday and shot it today. It's a cool little rifle for .308. It does have some issues though, and it'll be interesting to see if it has to go back to Adams for some work, or if they'll send me the parts. One of the issues, I expect I can fix (needs a new FCG or at least portions of it...let's just say, as is, it's not legal or safe to load >1 per magazine). The other, I have no idea...it appears to be just barely short stroking on IMI M80...so it'll strip rounds from the magazine, but not hold open on empty.

The Magpul Pro sights I chose for it were a bit of a PITA to get adjusted, but I eventually got there. A couple of times, I noticed the rear was no longer fully upright, but I'm not sure if recoil did it, or if I bumped it. If recoil is doing it, I may have to look at replacing it with something that has a pin holding it in the up position.
 
#19 ·
That is disappointing.

A "small frame" .308 AR seems like a great idea but if it is so proprietary that you can't change anything, that is a huge step backward. If it is unreliable, that is even worse.

I'm going to have to keep recommending a DPMS LR-308 LPK and aluminum free float tube and get everything else LR-308 pattern from good companies like JP, TM, ACE, Criterion, Vltor and PRI.

Also build it in 6.5 Creedmoor.
 
#20 ·
Many of the parts are supposed to be standard AR15 parts. I don't know if they did anything to the FCG or just happened to find one that's out of spec, or if the trigger/hammer pin holes are "off".
 
#21 ·
Many of the parts are supposed to be standard AR15 parts. I don't know if they did anything to the FCG or just happened to find one that's out of spec, or if the trigger/hammer pin holes are "off".
Or, the buffer system is too short (abrupt) in recoil. That is a problem that has plagued many short frame .308s.
 
#22 ·
They've been making these for at least a year and a half (I think they were first shown at the 2015 SHOT Show), so I'd like to think the design is fully functional, and the issues mine has are execution/QC issues and not design issues. The FCG issue, I'm fairly sure can be fixed by either swapping out the FCG or removing some material from the bottom front of the disconnector.
 
#23 ·
Not sure I would go all the way to "fully functional". I have seen more than one recently where one person shoots it and there are no issues. Hand it to another, and "oh my". That means the window is small. The ones I have worked on needed a shorter buffer and that fixed the problem. One of those was bought last month.
 
#25 ·
Not sure I would go all the way to "fully functional". I have seen more than one recently where one person shoots it and there are no issues. Hand it to another, and "oh my". That means the window is small. The ones I have worked on needed a shorter buffer and that fixed the problem. One of those was bought last month.
Your mention of that prompted me to remove and examine the buffer/spring before packing the rifle up to send in for service. I didn't weigh it or check the makeup of the weights in it, but its already using a carbine size buffer.

I also figured out while examining it before packing it up that it probably wasn't short stroking. The bolt catch just doesn't get enough engagement with the magazine follower to catch the bolt. This is apparently an issue that people have been dealing with for quite a while in small frame .308s (found posts about DPMS G2's having this issue with Gen3 PMags, which is what Adams includes with the rifle and what Botach sent me when I ordered several additional). It seems kind of an odd problem to last so long...it's not like it should be rocket science to come up with a bolt catch design that works. Apparently, the common fix a year and a half ago was to modify the Gen3 followers such that they get higher in the mag when empty. When I get it back, I'll see if I have to go that route. I can't see sending it back repeatedly for a bolt catch that doesn't work properly, if the only issue it causes is not holding open on empty with the mags it's meant to use.

On the one hand, I feel kind of silly for sending it in for service at all...I'm pretty sure I could easily fix the trigger issue. On the other, a >$1k rifle ought to function properly and safely right out of the box. Whoever put the lower together really screwed up, and its probably best that they're aware of such issues and put a stop to them before they end up in court or out of business over it.

Kind of sucks to get a brand new gun, take it to the range once, and have to send it off for service :(
Had I been a little more cautious and actually function checked it at home, it wouldn't have even made it to the range. That's probably not true. I probably still would have sighted it in...but wouldn't have loaded >1 round per magazine.
 
#26 ·
Oh, trust me, these all had carbine buffers too, and manually cycling, they work fine. At speed, with the way over-gassed .308s, the buffer does not have enough travel (or dwell time) to allow the follower to come up and 1. Feed the next round, and/or 2. Lock open on the last shot.

The first one I "fixed" was for one of the companies sponsored shooters...after the gun had been back to the factory twice and they deemed it GTG. That is why there are now shorter than carbine .308 buffers on the market and some of the guns that run from the factory use these already.
 
#27 ·
Ah...well, I didn't measure, but I did take a picture of the buffer and spring, so I can compare when I get it back. So, I don't really know if its carbine or "shorter than carbine" length.
 
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