DPMS AP4 AR-15 M4 Type Rifle -- Review

I have long had a passion for guns - collecting and shooting them is really a passion of mine. I really appreciate the fine craftsmanship and machinery of a quality firearm. I have always been a handgun person, with only a slight interest in long guns for hunting. I really enjoy shooting my Ruger MKIII at paper, blowing off a brick of .22 at a time. The butter-like trigger pull of my Taurus cowboy action .357 is always a joy, and I cannot get enough. I had never really considered getting an "assault" rifle. I saw them as military, and of no use to me. I wasn't against people buying them of course - I was just not interested in owning one.

A few months back, when politicians began to blame the drug violence in Mexico on guns purchased in America, I got to thinking about the prospect of never being able to own a tactical rifle. Right about this point, a friend of mine with connections to DPMS, presented me with a deal of a lifetime. When the consumer couldn't find an AR-15 to save his live for under $1,000, my friend was able to get me a DPMS AP4 for $500. I couldn't pass it up. I thought I'd buy it, and then resell it for a profit. I wasn't interested in black guns, remember?

After waiting for two months for my gun to arrive from the factory, I finally got the call I was waiting for. I did the background check, then rushed home with my DPMS in its large hard black case.

Opening the case proved to be challenging. The clasps are very tight, and opening them can injure your fingers. I found it easy to use a butter knife from the kitchen to pry the clasps open!

The DPMS AP4 came with two 30 round clips, sling, cleaning kit, carry handle, telescoping stock and bayonet lug. I had to stand back and look at the rifle for a moment. I saw beauty in this gun I had never seen before. It was well build, felt solid and was easy to field strip. I marveled at the wonderful design and engineering. I began to love this gun, and I hadn't even fired it yet.

I had never fired an AR-15 type rifle, nor had I ever experienced 5.56 or .223. I took my gun up to the mountains and loaded a 30 round clip. As I stood there, cocked and ready to go, I had no idea what to expect. I squeezed the trigger, and a smooth shot came out and hit the target right where I was aiming. There was very little recoil. WOW, accuracy out of the box, smooth trigger pull and mild recoil. I fell in love instantly.

Without any sight adjustments (had no tools, and was free standing in the woods) I was able to skip a soda can around at 50 yards with ease. On a bench with the gun sighted in, it will be a tack driver.

I loaded another 30 round clip and decided to try a rapid fire. The gun squeezed off 30 rounds with ease. After 180 rounds, I realized that while super fun, I really couldn't afford to shoot more. With hesitation, I packed up and went home.

The instructions that came with the rifle were clear on how to field strip and clean the gun. I found the design and ease of the AR-15 impressive. After cleaning the gun, I re-assembled it, and just looked at it for a while. I had purchased an AR-15 and I love it.