New Improved DPMS receiver

[ricochet]

OK guys, I finally got my new DPMS receivers today. I had sent back the first 3 (#7,8,9, 10X).
First impression was great. Still the big lettering and logo, still black as black can be, but the finish looks much better. These may not look good to you, I like'em.

Second, building one. I used a cherry STG kit for this. The barrel threads are tight, this is better than loose, but required a little work and lube, but I still like it.

Timing- the barrel was tight but timed to maybe 11:00-11:15. I then cleaned the threads and barrel, then used threadlocker to make up for the timing. Crunched threads, but using a level, the top of the rail is off by maybe a couple 1000's, no problem.

Headspacing- this is where improvement is needed most. Luckily I had a larger LS. I used a .271 and is still a little loose, maybe a .273 is the ticket. I can live with this, but will not advise you to till I try the next one, maybe better.

Parts fitting- Everything fits great, went together real good here.

Swivel pin hole- this was a problem on the prototypes, they got it right and tight.

Assembling upper to lower- here is a small problem, I have to rectify. They lock, but not securely, will update as I figure this one out.


Overall- I can and will build very usable rifles from these, they are not totally correct yet. If you want a lower cost receiver with big writing, go ahead and buy one. It will require a little tinkering and fitting though. They have room for improvement, but have made up much ground compared to the prototypes. The locking shoulder problem needs rectifying, but overall I like'em. I bet they would be crucified by Gunplumber but they are new to the game, and DPMS is one of the good guys.
I will post on build 2 this weekend. :)

[ August 21, 2001: Message edited by: ricochet ]

[Stg 58]

You got yours already? No sign of mine yet.hows the fit of the lower? mine had a gap at the recoil plate when locked together.any new pics? Thanks

[ricochet]

STG58,
The upper and lower fit very tight. There is no gap at all (with this lower, anyway). I am working a lot of hours for a few days, so cannot shoot it, nor fit and build another. The only thing that bothers me is the large locking shoulder required, but I can live with that.
This is only 1 receiver (of 3) and I will not form an oppinion on just one build. I can screw together another one (an L1A1) hopefully Saturday, and either an R1 or a G1 if only they would get here. No bbt, but the G1's should get here soon (I hope) :D

[sam i am]

How about a couple of snap shots. I hear they are a little different.

[mp]

Type I or III or inch? Does it have the correct cuts for whatever design it is? Thanks.

[ricochet]

They are not correctly a type one or type 3. They are a type 3 with type one mag cuts. They are also cut for inch dustcovers, kind of different. Hold on for another couple days, my second timed off, will add more tomorrow. They are different (flat black)but not bad looking, just as Dodge says, Different.
I will post more tomorrow evening on these...

[Newbie2FALs]

They are not correctly a type one or type 3. They are a type 3 with type one mag cuts.
FWIW-
If you look at an IMBEL kit,you'll see that the Demilled Uppers on these rifles had the same profile that you mention.

[ricochet]

Dan,
I do not remember seeing any of the IMBEL kits that had these cuts. I did see bunches of type 3 receivers and bunches of type 1 receivers, but do not remember any that were part 1 and part 3, I could have missed a few tho.


Please don't anyone get me wrong. I still like these receivers, and I know DPMS is a quality company who will not build second rate stuff. The company has tried to contact me, but I have been living at work. These are a work in progress. :)

[ August 25, 2001: Message edited by: ricochet ]

[ricochet]

Range report on DPMS STG rifle. No problems, everything was fine. Functioned at setting 5.5 on DAG and RG. Did not really test for accuracy, as it was raining, but all shots were on the paper. I will say this is a keeper and I feel better about these receivers.
Barrelled 2nd receiver. It will require a slightly larger Breeching washer (L1A1 kit)than I have found listed (by .003), then a locking shoulder of .264-.265 looks to be in order, but haven't crunched the threads. Threads were tight.
Barrelled 3rd receiver. I tried 2 R1 barrels, 1 G1, and 2 L1A1. Timing is a little late, times to between 12:00 and 1:00 with each barrel. So one of the Williams breeching washers of .003 or .005 should get me in the ballpark. Then I'll check headspace.
I cannot say that these are plug and play receivers yet, I can say with a little effort, they are usable. You may prefer not to use a breeching washer on a metric build, but I prefer this to peening. Don't give up on these. DPMS did contact me and they want my input, as these are still early models. You may not like the logo or color, but the color matches up nicely on my G1 barrels, and the logo is different. Since these are not for sale, I like'em.
I believe the 3rd batch from DPMS will be even better. I'm keeping mine. :cool:

[Stg 58]

Congratualtion on your Dpms build.Got mine togther also.just need a .266 shoulder.have one for trade? Strange why no one but you and i and one other have posted building one on these recievers.The have to have sold more the 100 at least.Good luck

[ricochet]

TO BE FAIR,
I just got my 2 Williams lightweight receivers. I just tried to time them with 5 different barrels.
First, they feel light as a feather. I am impressed.
Second, They look great. Finish is dark and nice looking if you like dark (I like all finishes as long as consistant). Machining marks are nonexistant, -impressive.
Third, Building, I tried 5 barrels and 2 with the max size breeching washer, they all overtimed. Am I mad, NO. Am I going to slam them, NO. Am I waiting for correction, Yes. Will I advise you not to buy, Hell no.

Moral of the story-- We have more choices. If anyone looks at Hesse receivers, they can see that slowly they get better. If you look at DPMS, they are rapidly getting better. If you look at Williams, they also have room to improve. I look at effort and I must award this. I will buy DPMS and I will buy Williams. Learn from our experience. Soon these will be very good, now they are not the best. FN made mistakes, DSA made mistakes, I expect good usable products, not perfect when young, nor was I.

[gumby]

I got my 2 DPMS receivers on a Friday. I discovered that they timed at about 11:30, later than I might have wished. The worst part was that I calculated that I would need a .279 LS. (.264 + 3 pieces of tape). So I sent them back and ordered a couple of Entreprises receivers. Hope they work better.

[ricochet]

Hey Gumby,
The 2 DPMS receivers ,so far, that I have worked on required larger than spec LS also. Not that big tho. My Entreprise receivers have all been in the low to middle .260's. You will like your Entreprise most likely, but I am not giving up on DPMS yet. I do not blame you, DPMS has room to improve.
Mine, so far, are work, but can be made to work.

[gumby]

I got 2 Entreprise receivers. (Lawrence is a great guy) I put one together and discovered that I needed about .269 LS. Took that barrel off and put it on the other receiver (after adjusting the timing) and discovered that I only needed a .255 LS. I like the second and will try the first with another barrel.
Overall, I like the Entreprise better just from an aesthetics standpoint.

[Zak]

I'm just about finished with my DPMS / Imbel kit rifle so I'll add my experience....

The biggest trouble I had other than the locking shoulder (anyone have a .270?) was threading on the barrel. After about 1/4 of the way on it got really tough to turn. It wasn't cross threaded & two other barrel did the same thing, cleaned threads & it got a little easier but not much. About 12 reps of tighten further, loosen, clean, tighten etc. it finally timed at 10:30.

Everthing else fits great, I'm finishing the rifle in basic black so the receiver finish actually matches very well.

Zak