Wow! You are lucky that you didn't have a catastrophic failure. I have heard of gas key's coming loose because they are not properly staked and causing the whole upper to blow apart. Sounds like you avoided this but unless you staked the gas key nuts then I woudn't shoot it again.

 

you should replace the gas key screws they are considered single use items

take the key off. the surface under thekey and the bolt carrier where the key sits needs to be cleaned before you shoot it again. this is because when you fired it while loose gunk got in there and it will leak and start prying and eating the metal leading to a bad failure later.

torque to 55inch pounds and stake them. staking is driving a bit of metal into the heads of the screws on each side using a center punch and hammer.

staked gas key screws

 

Yes, as to any AR15 semiauto BCG will work, BUT do you want just any BCG? I would look for a FA(full auto) BCG from BCM, Rainier, Spikes, Fail Zero, PSA(read the description good), or other well known Company that sell (quality) BCG. Just get a good quality Phosphate Coated/Mil-Spec BCG and don't look back. Right now their really cheap as a complete unit(compared to the panic). There is some Bolt differences to look for. Either C-158 or 9310 Steels. 9310 Steel isn't mil-spec per se, but the Bolt is a step up over C-158 steel, from what I understand and are having good results so far.
DPMS does use C-158 steel for their bolts, but they only do "batch testing" of the lot. So while good, it's still not up to mil-spec. Also the Carrier's aren't chrome lined.

 

you should replace the gas key screws they are considered single use items

take the key off. the surface under thekey and the bolt carrier where the key sits needs to be cleaned before you shoot it again. this is because when you fired it while loose gunk got in there and it will leak and start prying and eating the metal leading to a bad failure later.

torque to 55inch pounds and stake them. staking is driving a bit of metal into the heads of the screws on each side using a center punch and hammer.

staked gas key screws

Just to be safe, I would replace the gas key and screws. As much as companies usually charge for shipping, you might as well do it as an assembly. Never know if firing without the screws properly staked caused a crack you can't see. I make it a practice to not re-use either screws or key for that reason.

 

Chas,
I have a extra one of these for sale . Nickel boron coated . They work great and require minimal lubrication although I still suggest lubrication . $125 shipped to your door . I thought I ordered 5 of them and 6 showed up and I got billed for 6 . I have had it in the safe just sitting waiting on another project to start but Im trying to unload some extra stuff to start a different project . 8620 carrier, and 158C bolt

 

Just to be safe, I would replace the gas key and screws. As much as companies usually charge for shipping, you might as well do it as an assembly. Never know if firing without the screws properly staked caused a crack you can't see. I make it a practice to not re-use either screws or key for that reason.

I'll second that

 

you should replace the gas key screws they are considered single use items

take the key off. the surface under thekey and the bolt carrier where the key sits needs to be cleaned before you shoot it again. this is because when you fired it while loose gunk got in there and it will leak and start prying and eating the metal leading to a bad failure later.

torque to 55inch pounds and stake them. staking is driving a bit of metal into the heads of the screws on each side using a center punch and hammer.

staked gas key screws

The keys are only staked OE at the top. I got them tight but I'm not going to take a chance. It is still under warranty (3 years) and I've contacted DPMS to see if they will take care of it.

Thanks for the info
Chas


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Thanks for all of the info. I've contacted DPMS to see if they will stand by their 3 year warranty. I only use factory loads and it is SUPPOSED to be chambered for 5.56. This has been a good firearm for my use and as it was my first AR and I wanted to be sure that I liked the AR format. A long time friend of mine owns the LGS that I purchased it from and he had not had any problems with the DPMS brand.

I take 5-7 firearms when we go to the range and this AR has been flawless and very accurate with my Vortex Strikefire red dot. I purchase at least 2 firearms a year and I've been thinking of buying another AR. I will definitely be buying a better AR but I'm glad (as of now) that I did purchase a DPMS to get used to and tinker with the AR format. For the price I paid it seemed to be an OK brand to start with. I can't leave any of my firearms alone and I figured that it would have very little DPMS parts after I got finished with it. Their lowers are pretty well made and most other parts will be swapped out.

The moment of truth will be told shortly about DPMS. Thanks again for the info
Chas


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Chas,
I have a extra one of these for sale . Nickel boron coated . They work great and require minimal lubrication although I still suggest lubrication . $125 shipped to your door . I thought I ordered 5 of them and 6 showed up and I got billed for 6 . I have had it in the safe just sitting waiting on another project to start but Im trying to unload some extra stuff to start a different project . 8620 carrier, and 158C bolt

Thanks for the offer !!! I've contacted DPMS as it still should be under warranty. I'm going to upgrade anyway no matter what DPMS does.

I'll keep that in mind but I've been looking at a Spikes TAC.

Thanks
Chas



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Not sure if this is a reason to move away form DPMS.
Obviously it served you well thru many rounds...

 

Not sure if this is a reason to move away form DPMS.
Obviously it served you well thru many rounds...

Yes it has but I'd like to have a spare BCG anyway and if DPMS will replace the defective one that could be my spare. The rings are also very loose. It was never like that before. It has been a very good firearm and I have nothing against DPMS at all unless they will not stand behind their warranty.

For my use Comm or Mil Spec probably doesn't mean a lot. I'm not a fanboy for any firearms but I do prefer some brands based on quality and price. I do like Glock, Walther and Ruger. I've always had great luck with those brands.

Mil spec seems to be a lot tighter with less wobble IMO. Also I've heard the gas block on DPMS is larger. That's one of my questions about the BCG. Will a mil spec BCG work OK with the DPMS gas block or should I change that out also for better performance ?

Thanks for the reply
Chas


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Mil spec will work fine in what you have.

 

Glock is great! My grand pa has a gun from this brand and it's always fun firing rounds with it.

 

1) Return the DPMS BCG for a replacement, and keep it as a spare.

2) Buy an upgrade. I'd aim for $80-130 spent ($180 for a BCM is nice, but doesn't make sense for an Oracle in my opinion). The Spike's you like is fine. AIM Surplus and PSA also tend to have really great BCGs around $100. AIM has nice NiB for $99.95, free shipping...I'd buy it rather than the Spike's...and I have and like both.

 

I received a response back from DPMS this morning (I contacted them via email last night) and they said to send it to them and they will replace it. That was very easy and a very punctual response.

I just sent them an email back to ask

Should I

Remove the firing pin and cam and just send the bolt and carrier ? I've never had to return a firearm for service.

Thanks
Chas


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You shouldn't need to return the complete Rifle. Only the BCG. It isn't considered a firearm.

Did you ask for a Prepaid Return Label----since it's under warranty? There shouldn't be any money out of pocket.

 

You shouldn't need to return the complete Rifle. Only the BCG. It isn't considered a firearm.



Did you ask for a Prepaid Return Label----since it's under warranty? There shouldn't be any money out of pocket.

I'm not returning the whole rifle only the BCG. I wasn't sure if I should remove the firing pin and cam before I ship it. I sent an email to DPMS to ask.

I think they are sending it along with a box.


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Glock is great! My grand pa has a gun from this brand and it's always fun firing rounds with it.

I've got a Glock model 23 in 40 cal and Walther PPKS in 380. Both are great handguns. I also purchased this year a Ruger SR9. Also great for the price !!


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Yes it has but I'd like to have a spare BCG anyway and if DPMS will replace the defective one that could be my spare. The rings are also very loose. It was never like that before. It has been a very good firearm and I have nothing against DPMS at all unless they will not stand behind their warranty.

For my use Comm or Mil Spec probably doesn't mean a lot. I'm not a fanboy for any firearms but I do prefer some brands based on quality and price. I do like Glock, Walther and Ruger. I've always had great luck with those brands.

Mil spec seems to be a lot tighter with less wobble IMO. Also I've heard the gas block on DPMS is larger. That's one of my questions about the BCG. Will a mil spec BCG work OK with the DPMS gas block or should I change that out also for better performance ?

Thanks for the reply
Chas


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All of the BCG's that members have posted on this thread are high quality and will serve you well. I recommend personally that the carrier itself is milspec due to additional material tends to slow down the cyclic action a tiny amount(not enough for you to notice), which can reduce jamming, and has generally smoother action. I personally use SAA, and it works fine. One of my rifles has BCM, and I can tell a difference, but not enough to go change all of them out. I don't think you should go change out the gas block unless it is broke or leaking. Gas blocks either work or fail, unless you get an adjustable one. One of mine has an adjustable JP block so I can adjust for different ammo.

 

Not sure if this is a reason to move away form DPMS.
Obviously it served you well thru many rounds...

Obviously any company can have a few slip through the cracks. Sounds like this one missed the QC a little. 2000 rounds before problems is a considerable amount of ammo.

 

Obviously any company can have a few slip through the cracks. Sounds like this one missed the QC a little. 2000 rounds before problems is a considerable amount of ammo.

It's a DPMS..... they ALL slip through the cracks! DPMS = Doesn't Pass Military Specifications

 

I received a response back from DPMS on the BCG. I sent the complete BCG (bolt and all) as that's what they told me to do and also that they will replace it. I went ahead and sent it on MY DIME ($8.75 shipping) thinking I would get the replacement back sooner as I was on vacation this past week.

I asked them about an ETA to receive the new one and they said 3 weeks after they received my defective one. I sent a copy of my receipt for the firearm purchase and a description of the problem along with the BCG.

Any person in CS could spend 15 seconds and see that the keys and the rings are loose. How could it possibly take 3 weeks to figure this out to ship the replacement ? I realize I'm not the only customer with problems with DPMS but surely they have different tiers of warranty inspection and repair and return of their product !!!

I'm happy that they are going to replace it but with vacation time I didn't want to be without my AR for the week that I would finally have some time to get to the range.

One of my LGS's had a PSA BCG (full auto) for $109.99 and I also purchased a heavier Buffer and spring. It is A LOT smoother and has been cycling flawlessly!!

Thanks for all of the info !!! Back to work tomorrow

 

DPMS has a spotty record on quality assurance and customer service. Hope it eventually turns out well for you.

 

Fstetd, can you give your experience with DPMS to back your statement of "spotty record"? My DPMS dedicated .22 lr has shot thousands of rounds without mishap and CS told me they will stand behind their product if I break it.

 

Fstetd, can you give your experience with DPMS to back your statement of "spotty record"? My DPMS dedicated .22 lr has shot thousands of rounds without mishap and CS told me they will stand behind their product if I break it.

Fair enough. Most recently, I was test firing a build at Knob Creek range a few months ago. A couple of gentlemen a few tables down from me had purchased their AR's from Cabela's at about $500 each, which sounded like a good deal. They were using steel case ammo, as was I. I could hear them cursing over my own rounds being shot. When I was done testing my rifle, I walked to their tables to see what the problem was. Upon initial inspection, I noticed the barrel nuts were not centered so they were pushing against the gas tubes some. When I looked at the bolt carriers, neither one was sufficiently staked, and one was loose. I advised them to take their guns back to Cabela's and see if they would make it right.
My first AR was a DPMS carbine. After about 20 rounds, the buffer detente popped out, and I had a double tap. It took me a while to get it apart as the buffer was in the upper receiver a little. After putting it back together, I noticed that the only way to get the tube to properly hold the detente in was to screw the tube in so that the buttstock was about 10 degrees off center. Either the tube or the lower receiver threads were hand tapped, not CNC'd. I tried to get DPMS to do something about it, but they blamed it on the ammo.(I had purchased Wolf ammo at the same time and it was on the same receipt. I learned never to do that again.) They never would tell me how the ammo caused it. I ended up getting a Bushmaster buttstock assembly, which had a lip on the tube just for that purpose. Nowadays, most collapsible buttstocks have a lip just for that reason.
Ibmikey, most of the time DPMS rifles are OK, and I will be the first to say that there are sufficient enough people like yourself who have a good experience with them. Unfortunately, when there are shortages due to political events such as Sandy Hook, they turn up the speed on their assembly lines and a lot higher rate of mistakes occur than in other brands. Gas keys don't get properly staked, barrel nuts not properly aligned, etc.
One other thing: I don't have any way of measuring it, but I have been told by more experienced gunsmiths that some of the lower rated AR manufacturers use .223 barrels, not 5.56, even though they are stamped 5.56, which have a problem with the steel case ammo as it expands a little more when fired.