DPMS Panther Vs. Superior Arms

Jonathan68W · 02-08-2009, 10:54 AM

Hello everyone, I'm looking at purchasing my first ar-15 carbine very soon and there's two models i'm looking at that I can purchase (I have heard colt is the best but I cant afford it).
Basically The carbines i'm looking at are built like the "m4" carbine.
The main thing I am wondering about is which one is more reliable compared to the other..
Superior Arms makes one for around 900 but to get the removable carrying handle thats another 85 dollars, not to mention it only comes with one mag.
Superior Arms Inc. - Products
Then there is the DPMS Panther AP4, Ive found a place that will sell an unfired one to me for around 1,100.
Online Store — DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories.
Thank you all for any help with this.

mtncrash1 · 02-08-2009, 11:19 AM

I would probably go with the DPMS. I have a Bushmaster and have looked into DPMS quite a bit lately. Dont know much about Superior as a company.

knightRider · 02-08-2009, 11:35 AM

Dpms .

milproakron · 02-08-2009, 02:54 PM

I have a DPMS and I'm very happy with it. I didn't know their AP4 model ran that high though. They sell other versions (without the m203 cutout profile barrel - standard barrel) for much less than that. I paid $699 for mine, but that was before the gun craze after the election.

This is what it looked like out of the box. came with hardshell case, sling, cleaning kit, and two magazines. I've since added quad-rails, a CAA butt-stock, accessories.. etc.

Darkfront · 02-08-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtncrash1

I would probably go with the DPMS. I have a Bushmaster and have looked into DPMS quite a bit lately. Dont know much about Superior as a company.

Now that DPMS and Bushmaster are owned by the same company, there's probably going to be some crossover, like Ford and Mercury. That said, I own a DPMS and I love it.

captsquirrel · 02-08-2009, 08:46 PM

I don't know anything about superior but I also have a DPMS and it's great. I couldn't be happier with it.

Seven© · 02-08-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knightRider

Dpms .

x2

Jonathan68W · 02-08-2009, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll be going for a DPMS

Jonathan68W · 02-08-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milproakron

I have a DPMS and I'm very happy with it. I didn't know their AP4 model ran that high though. They sell other versions (without the m203 cutout profile barrel - standard barrel) for much less than that. I paid $699 for mine, but that was before the gun craze after the election.
This is what it looked like out of the box. came with hardshell case, sling, cleaning kit, and two magazines. I've since added quad-rails, a CAA butt-stock, accessories.. etc.

Yea, with everything selling like hotcakes I expect to pay over a thousand.
It can take a foregrip without modification correct?

rl356 · 02-08-2009, 09:46 PM

Know nothing about superior, but I have a DPMS that I could not be more pleased with. Came with everything mentioned previously, and is darn accurate out of the box at 75yds. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

Darkfront · 02-08-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan68W

Yea, with everything selling like hotcakes I expect to pay over a thousand.
It can take a foregrip without modification correct?

Assuming you mean a vertical foregrip, you would have to at the very least get a screw-in rail for your handguards to mount it on. It's very simple, and only really requires a screwdriver.

Recon 173 · 02-14-2009, 09:27 AM

I've handled the DPMS firearms and they are okay. I ended up buying a Superior Arms for my needs. When I went to get the rifle, I got a tour of their plant. They have quite the set-up and make parts for various other companies that produce M-4 type and AR-15 type rifles. If you have any kind of M-4 carbine or AR-15 rifle there is a pretty good chance that some of the parts actually came from Superior Arms' facility. I am not saying that they make entire guns for other companies. But it is not unusual for different companies to buy parts from competitors to use on their rifles if the delay for certain parts is to take too long. I haven't regretted my Superior Arms purchase since the day that I got it.

Paper · 02-14-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recon 173

When I went to get the rifle, I got a tour of their plant.

Did you actually purchase directly from Superior Arms? The reason I ask is that I currently have a couple Superior Arms stripped lowers on backorder, and I'm not far from Superior Arms and Rock River Arms plants. I wouldn't mind taking a tour of both. (Just to see the process) I'm less than 2 hours from the Quad Cities and wouldn't mind taking a ride down there on the motorcycle, once the weather straighten out..

Just wondering..

nostraboys · 02-14-2009, 10:29 AM

Go with STAG ARMS! I have one and the quality has been compared to a Colt. Very affordable and dependable.

02-08-2009, 10:54 AM	#1
Jonathan68W Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Great Midwest Posts: 13	DPMS Panther Vs. Superior Arms Hello everyone, I'm looking at purchasing my first ar-15 carbine very soon and there's two models i'm looking at that I can purchase (I have heard colt is the best but I cant afford it). Basically The carbines i'm looking at are built like the "m4" carbine. The main thing I am wondering about is which one is more reliable compared to the other.. Superior Arms makes one for around 900 but to get the removable carrying handle thats another 85 dollars, not to mention it only comes with one mag. Superior Arms Inc. - Products Then there is the DPMS Panther AP4, Ive found a place that will sell an unfired one to me for around 1,100. Online Store — DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories. Thank you all for any help with this.

02-08-2009, 11:19 AM	#2
mtncrash1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,621 Images: 3	I would probably go with the DPMS. I have a Bushmaster and have looked into DPMS quite a bit lately. Dont know much about Superior as a company. __________________ Mike

02-08-2009, 11:35 AM	#3
knightRider Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: you know where Posts: 3,777 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 17	Dpms . __________________ God doesn't give rights. Men have to fight for them.

02-08-2009, 02:54 PM	#4
milproakron A "We the people" person Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 1,085	I have a DPMS and I'm very happy with it. I didn't know their AP4 model ran that high though. They sell other versions (without the m203 cutout profile barrel - standard barrel) for much less than that. I paid $699 for mine, but that was before the gun craze after the election. This is what it looked like out of the box. came with hardshell case, sling, cleaning kit, and two magazines. I've since added quad-rails, a CAA butt-stock, accessories.. etc. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Resist! Last edited by milproakron; 02-08-2009 at 02:57 PM.

02-08-2009, 08:46 PM	#6
captsquirrel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 1,569	I don't know anything about superior but I also have a DPMS and it's great. I couldn't be happier with it. __________________ "I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution." Werner Von Braun

02-08-2009, 09:26 PM	#8
Jonathan68W Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Great Midwest Posts: 13	Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll be going for a DPMS

02-08-2009, 09:46 PM	#10
rl356 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 398	Know nothing about superior, but I have a DPMS that I could not be more pleased with. Came with everything mentioned previously, and is darn accurate out of the box at 75yds. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

02-14-2009, 09:27 AM	#12
Recon 173 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 45	I've handled the DPMS firearms and they are okay. I ended up buying a Superior Arms for my needs. When I went to get the rifle, I got a tour of their plant. They have quite the set-up and make parts for various other companies that produce M-4 type and AR-15 type rifles. If you have any kind of M-4 carbine or AR-15 rifle there is a pretty good chance that some of the parts actually came from Superior Arms' facility. I am not saying that they make entire guns for other companies. But it is not unusual for different companies to buy parts from competitors to use on their rifles if the delay for certain parts is to take too long. I haven't regretted my Superior Arms purchase since the day that I got it.

02-14-2009, 10:29 AM	#14
nostraboys Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lake Winnipesaukee Posts: 426	Go with STAG ARMS! I have one and the quality has been compared to a Colt. Very affordable and dependable. __________________ "To disarm the people was the best and most effectual way to enslave them" G. Mason 1788