I am looking for my first AR platform rifle and I see that Dunham’s has the DPMS Oracle 5.56 for $499. It is optics ready so I have to account for a sighting system.

The main purpose for the rifle is to familiarize myself with the platform and home defense. The only accessory I plan on mounting is some type of light.

The Oracle gets good reviews from purchasers on sporting goods retail web sites, but the sample size is small. Can any DPMS owners give me their thoughts on this model?

My oracle that my wife use, we had for 3 years. That DPMS always ran, in hot or cold weather, cheep ammo or my reloads, that Oracle ran with no problems.

I have the DPMS Sportage which is the same as the Oracle except it doesn't have the forward assist and the dust cover. It is accurate and is totally reliable and I've run lots of ammo through it..

A good friend recommended the Oracle and I bought one last December. Haven't been to the range yet due to time, weather, work, etc. I installed a Magpul Gen 2 MBUS Rear Flip Sight and a UTG front sight.

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USAF Retired

$499 is amazing when you think about what you get. I've had this one for 10 years. I'm not sure how much more the AP4 Panther is over the Oracle but go for it. I also have a COlt6920. When I got the Colt I was going to sell the DPMS but it is such a good shooter I couldn't let it go. It has shot everything I have thrown at it and is amazingly accurate. My eyes are not what they used to be and I'm going with a magnified optic, I just cant see very good thru the Aimpoint.

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Cubicle commando hero.

I've got one and love it. $499 is a really good price. Buy it.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Thank you all for the input.

I'm going to buy it today. I don't want to get into the work week and miss out on the sale price since they have a no rain check policy on firearms.

Get yourself some Magpul front and rear sights and learn how to shoot it first, and then worry about an optic.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

M4carbine for real input

I bought a DPMS Oracle from Dunhams several months ago for $499
on sale. I have a Leupold 1-4X scope I plan to mount on it but I
haven't gotten around to buying a scope mount for it yet. I think simple
is better so if you're commited to using an optical sight why spend
money for sights? Since most of us aren't going to be going into
battle carrying our ARs then it's unlikely we'll ever have to actually
depend on "back up" sights. Look at how many hunting rifles wear
scopes only. I bought it partly because of the good press the American
Rifleman gives to the DPMS line. Something probably not commonly
known is that some other brands of ARs are built on lowers purchased
from DPMS. DPMS's warranty is three years vs the one year that most
other companys give.

Both my sons and I have a DPMS. All came with no sights. They both have red dots, I'm cheap and have an old Weaver 2 1/2 power. Youngest is looking for another to build on.

We have Colts, Smiths, Rugers and a DPMS. They all work perfectly fine, but we have the most rounds downrange in the DPMS and it has never had a hiccup. $499 is a steal.

I grabbed it yesterday just before they closed. Picked up ammo and a red dot for it also.

Brought it home. Read the manual, watched a few videos and then stripped it down. Cleaned/lubed it and mounted the red dot.

Now I just have to get to the range.

Thank you all for your advice and comments.

Bill