Plinker AR-15 comparisons

Thinking of adding another AR to the fold. Looking at the DPMS Oracle and the Diamondback DB15. Anyone have a preference of the two?

Why one over the other?

The one you find cheapest. They're all about the same.

That's what I was thinking. Thanks for that. I've got an H-bar 20" that I like to 'get serious' with. Just wanted something to help make empties!

If the diamondback has a poly lower I would steer clear of it. Other than that, but the cheaper one and spend what you have left on a trigger and ammo haha.

Um...No.

While different brands may look similar, they're not all about the same.

If a person wants another AR solely for being able to say "I have X number of AR's" anything will probably work.

If a person wants to shoot 50 rounds a year , again, anything will probably work.

With quality AR's selling very inexpensively right now, it should be an easy choice.

Yes.

In the cheap-o AR field, they're all about the same. DPMS, S&W, Colt, Bushmaster.. pretty much the same product.

Is an Oracle comparable to a JP? Not even close.

I suggest you look into barrel and receiver alloys, and you'll see the materials used in the sub $800 AR's are the same.

I have had a Oracle for a couple of years, no issues and shoots sub 1 MOA. Stay from Polymer lowers.

and that choice is?

I'm not saying a person needs a Noveske or a Knights. I'm simply stating that money can be better spent even on the cheaper end of the spectrum.

Colt in the same paragraph as Bushmaster? Wow.

Here's a solid rifle that will hold resale value, had actual quality control inspections and is in your $800 range.

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6720

I think you're confusing what Colt used to be. They are sold in Walmart. At least they were a couple years ago. Best value would be S&W Sport in my book.

And can you tell me why it is so much better than a $500 Oracle? Or is it only because the guy at the gun store told you so?

To the OP, just over five bills will get you a good rifle. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/70770

Please do get the Oracle, then remember this thread when it chokes.

Funny that alloy specs were brought up then you linked a rifle with a 4140 barrel. No mention of what the bolt or carrier is made from. Wonder why that is? Buffer weight? We already know the gas port is on the large side just because it's a DPMS.

Material specs not being mentioned by DPMS is because they don't want to rat themselves out. They'd rather try to sell an AR by looks and cost.

I'll be the first to admit that most AR owners will never shoot out a DPMS. They'll rock a Tasco red dot with NC Star back up sights being content that they own an "AR".

It'll come out once a year to shoot on a static range. It'll be sub-moa with Wolf steel cased ammo by all accounts of people who were present. High fives all around.

I can see I won't be a good match for this forum.

If anyone is interested in learning how to spend their hard earned money in an efficient manner head over to M4carbine.net. You don't need to join to read stickies.

Walmart had legit 6920's for awhile at great prices. Colt does have some newer stuff that was farmed out like the 6900's.

Tough to go wrong with a 6720 or 6920.

I will agree that the S&W Sport is a decent rifle for the money.

The last time I checked, Colt was the one that did not have receiver or barrel materials posted on their website.

Also, I have put better than 10,000 rounds through my dpms upper, and have had no issues with it. Does it hold sub moa with wolf ammo? Hell no. Does it do so with my handloads? You betcha. That rifle and myself have won 3 gun matches against guns that cost easily twice as much.

The information is out there. Colt uses "Mil-Spec" in the correct sense. As in adheres to the TDP. Other manufacturers (not all) erroneously use the term. They may meet material requirements but they fail to meet the inspection/quality control requirements.

If you shoot 3 gun, you've seen guns have failures. More often than not it's repeat brands you've seen before. You also know 10k rounds isn't a big milestone.

I don't doubt that you out run rifles that are two times or even three times the cost. It's the guy pulling the trigger who wins, not the gear. But, your gear can stop you from winning.

I shoot with guys who pull first place finishes with DPMS's. I also shoot with guys who pull last place finishes because their DPMS wouldn't run.

You, as well as I, know a few hundred bucks between a gun that may or may not run versus one that will should be a no brainer.

The firearm itself is the cheapest and most critical part to shooting. Ammunition alone will easily be twenty times the cost over the lifetime of the firearm. Why not set the OP straight now when he's making the Step 1 decision?

Leaveammoforme, you need to read the OPs subject and original post. He asked for opinion on a plinker and comparison between two different models. He didnt ask for the m4carbine.net rundown of tiers. You're on a hunting forum and you'll find that most guys here own ARs just for fun. When it comes to real world use and practicality, the AR is not the first tool in the toolbox that we grab. This is not m4carbine or arfcomm and you wont find many armchair operators and internet commandos that get caught up in tiers of AR quality.

This may be the greatest post I've ever read on THF.

It's not about tiers, it's about making an informed decision.

I hear the consensus here. Enjoy the plinkers.

I would vote PSA. I've had great luck with mine and can be had for less than $600.

^^ That's another good option. I think they have the rifle kits (includes everything but a lower) for $400.

Ouchie, that hurt. Well, not really. lol

The dumb hogs I shoot don't seem to really care if I'm using my DPMS or my Colt. We're not trying to impress them though.

But what happens when SHTF? Don't you want a top-tier-tier-one rifle while you defend your five gallons of dehydrated Beefaroni from the less prepared people that are armed with cheap-o rifles?

But it's not "cool" to say you have a PSA rifle.

Me and my sons have PSA rifles. Even they have different tiers of components. Their better barrels are CHF, Mag-particle and high pressure tested and produced by FN.

They also have "lower quality" uppers at a lower price point. We have one of the stainless barreled uppers and it has run fine in some pretty sloppy weather.

No, I'll just use my .410.

I bought the Aero Precision OEM from Brownells at $559 minus a 10% online cupon they had in their website which brought it back to $503; then bought my choice of stock and handguard, plus the ring and hardware to mount my non free floated handguard (it is sold ready for a free float handguard), for a total just a bit over $600. Their complete model AC-15 is $699.
Getting the OEM and adding your own cheaper stock/handguard keeps the final price just in line with other entry lever ARs.

The only thing about the Oracle that I know about is if you mount BUIS. A standard front sight won't work, you have to buy a tall front sight. If you look at an Oracle you'll see the gas block sits lower than the picatinny rail part of the receiver.

Other than that I feel they are good rifles, and if you aren't going to use BUIS then it is a non-issue.

You mentioning no BUIS on an AR would make some people's heads explode.