Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles What are your thoughts on the DPMS Oracle..?

First off, I'm not an AR guy and have limited knowledge about them. I owned a Bushmaster Varminter once, it was a good rifle but I never could get used to that "slamming screen door" feel of the spring in the butt-stock. It went down the road to a friend who wanted it more than I.

However, due to a recent increase in home invasions and robberies, I've decided I want a decent semi-auto rifle around that I can access easily for threats of the 4 legged and 2 legged variety, and the AR's seem like the best bang for the buck. I'll just have to live with the spring rattle.

Local shop has a few of these [b][color:#3333FF]DPMS Oracles[/color][/b] for $550, I believe.

I'm looking for decent quality and reliability, but I know this DPMS isn't going to be a Noveske rifle.

Will this DPMS fit the bill? Is $550 a decent buy?

While I like DPMS for lowers (have a few, one shown below) I prefer 1/7 twist 4150 Mil-spec flat-topped uppers such as Noveske, BCM, CMMG, Spikes Tactical mainly in a 14.5" w/ perm Vortex G6 bbl format which is 7/8" shorter than the standard 16" M4 barrel and is stil 100% legal.

Like this mid-length Spikes here w/ "pencil" bbl - weights less than 8# "loaded" w/ 30rnd mag.

This is my EDC AR15, DPMS lower w/ RRA 2-stage Match trigger, Aimpoint T1, Streamlite TLR-1HP, Barnes 70grn TSX - 0-200 yards no problem.

ps - I also run RRA 9mm buffers in all my M4s which might help w/ the "sprong" you dislike...

I think an AR is about perfect for what you need. But I wouldn't trust a $550 AR for what you need. Once someone says "home defense", my requirements for reliability and quality go way up.

In that price range I'd say you're better off with a Glock or M&P, or a shotgun (and that's coming from a guy who hates shotguns for a use like this).

Whatever your choice, I'd definitely factor in the cost of a light and whatever it takes to mount a light into your cost.

A base model Colt 6920 and red dot is what I went with. A few more bucks ($900) but they have a great reputation for being reliable and if you ever want to sell you'll be way ahead.

Thanks for the info..

What do you fellas think about the Mini-14 as far as reliability? I've read about Minute-Of-Barndoor accuracy, so I'm aware of that. All the accuracy I'd need would be to run a Meth-head out of a Tool shed out to 75 yards or so.

I like them but not for what you are talking about.

most would just get the Colt and be done with it.

For about the same $$$ as the Oracle a Ruger AR556 can be had

My Mini-14's have been extremely reliable. The oldest grandson is currently trying to wear the older one out with 1,000 rounds of Wolf steelcase 55gr .223. They will both handle loads that my RRA won't. I can't say about my newest AR.

I have an early Ranch and a newer 581 Series Ranch. It took a bit to get the first one to shoot well. The newer one shot much betterout of the box.

I would recommend you get the Tactical if you want a bit more accuracy. The short barrel and flash hider seem to help.

Have you thought about their new one in .300 AAC Blackout? It has a heavier barrel on it, at least the front part. Take a look at the Test on Gunblast.

M&P-15 Sport is in that price range and have a good reputation.

not sure the 300 would be a good first gun choice due to cost of practice ammo, Gunblast posts some of the "better" groups as around 1 inch for 3 shots, one wonders how many groups had to be shot to find 3 in the 1-2 inch range. suggested retail $1000 hahahahahaha...

I stay far away from everything dpms.

The DPMS Oracle is the perfect rifle for the OP. He couldn't fit into the demographic slice DPMS is marketing to any better.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/RUGER-AR-RIFLE/1932150.uts


Upgraded parts and sights = a far better rifle/price point

Ruger AR 556 is a great value

For the most part, you get what you pay for with factory AR-15's and the DPMS oracle is one of the least expensive ones available. However, it may work perfectly fine for what you need it for. If for some reason you don't like it, factory rifles hold their value pretty well and you should be able to sell it relatively easy or modify it to suit your needs. At least hold on to it until the 2016 election, it will probably quadruple in value.

To the OP, I've owned Colt, Daniel Defense, CMMG, and Armalite, and all were reliable. None were sub-MOA, and a couple weren't sufficiently accurate to suit me, but they were plenty good enough for defensive use.

OP

A point to consider....the Oracle has no sight system

More $$ to spend

consider if they are making 25 points of margin the thing has about $412 in cost in it, this includes assembly. If your paying someone to screw it together then its done real fast to keep costs down.

Now the thing may be a tack driver, but they probably have engineered the cost out of it such that it will run about 1000 rounds and then fail.

I own a SIG piston AR, Tavor and RockRiver Varmint as well as a DPMS .308 and POF .308 and had a the low end Ruger piston gun and the low end Smith & Wesson M&P. I can tell you I still miss that little light weight Smith. Nice trigger and great accuracy. I would trust it all day long. Price is right and I don't think you would be sorry with the purchase.