DPMS Panther Lite 20 Rifle & DPMS Panther Lite 16 Carbine Review

5.56X45mm

Milforum Mac Daddy
DPMS Inc., the second largest AR-15 manufacturer in the country has from what I have seen a well made and well priced. I currently do not own any products made by DPMS but I have shot their rifles many times.

DPMS Panther Lite 20
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Barrel:
* 20" Length w/ A2 flash hider (birdcage)
* 4140 Chrome-moly steel, Lite contour barrel
* Manganese phosphated
* 6 grooves, right-hand 1x9 twist, button rifled
Chamber:
* 5.56x45mm
Method of Operation:
* Gas operated rotating bolt
Bolt & Carrier:
* 8620 steel bolt carrier, heat treated and plated per Mil Spec
* Phosphated steel bolt, heat treated and plated per Mil Spec
Sights:
* A1 rear sight and A1 front sight post
Weight:
* Empty - 7.5 lbs.
Length:
* 38 7/16"
Upper Receiver:
* A1 fixed carry handle and rear sight adjustable for windage only. Forged
* 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
* Hard coat annodized per Mil Spec and Teflon coated black
* Dust cover
* Shell deflector
* Tear drop forward assist
* Right hand ejection
Lower Receiver:
* Forged 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
* Hard coat annodized per Mil Spec and Teflon coated black
* Semi-auto trigger group
* Aluminum trigger guard
* Aluminum magazine release button
Stock:
* Standard A2 black zytel Mil Spec w/ trap door assembly
Handguards:
* Standard A2 Handguards, round

Each Rifle comes with 2 - 30 round magazines, 1-Nylon Web Sling, 1-Cleaning Kit, and a Hard Plastic Foam Lined Lockable Case.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/firearm.aspx?id=33

DPMS Panther Lite 16
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Barrel:
# 16" Length w/ A2 flash hider (birdcage)
# 4140 chrome-moly steel light contour barrel
# 6 grooves, right-hand 1x9 twist,
button rifled
Chamber:
# 5.56x45mm
Method of Operation:
# Gas operated rotating bolt
Bolt & Carrier:
# 8620 steel bolt carrier, heat treated
and plated per Mil Spec
# Phosphated steel bolt, heat treated
and plated per Mil Spec
Sights:
# A1 rear sight and A1 front sight post
Weight:
# Empty - 6.5 lbs.
Length:
# Extended: 36 3/8"
# Collapsed: 32 1/2"
Upper Receiver:
# A1 fixed carry handle and rear sight adjustable windage only, Forged
# 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
# Hard coat anodized per Mil Spec and Teflon coated black
# Dust cover
# Shell deflector
# Round forward assist
# Right hand ejection
Lower Receiver:
# Forged 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
# Hard coat anodized per Mil Spec and Teflon coated black
# Semi-auto trigger group
# Aluminum trigger guard
# Aluminum magazine release button
Stock:
# AP4 - 6 position, telescoping fiber reinforced polymer
Handguards:
# GlacierGuards™
# Oval, Carbine length
# Aluminum Delta Ring

Each Rifle comes with 2 - 30 round magazines, 1-Nylon Web Sling, 1-Cleaning Kit, and a Hard Plastic Foam Lined Lockable Case.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=1066


It is a Semi-automatic direct impingement rifle. Basically another AR-15. But what makes this one different? It's MSRP is $725. That's right.... $725. I've seen it marked one some of the online dealer websites as low as $693.

It's not the most advance AR-15 on the market. It's your bare bone basics. But there is nothing wrong with that. It's light, handy, and well made. You don't need the latest gizmo and doodad for your rifle or the most superduper high speed rifle with thirty rails and fluted barrel, stock, and receiver.

This rifle will work, it will hit what you aim and, and best of all it's well priced and made right here in the USA. For the price of this rifle, the only other 5.56x45mm chambered rifle that goes around this price is the Mini-14. Which uses it's own proprietary magazines which are over priced and hard to find.

I myself plan on getting a Panther Lite 20. I already have a Colt AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine with a Eo-tech, Rail system, light etc..... I want a simple rifle on the KISS idea. What's KISS? Keep It Simple Stupid.

The only thing I might add to this rifle is a small fixed 4x scope. It mounts on the carry handle and still allows me to use my iron sights. Also I will replace or paint the front sight post so it glows in the dark.
 
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