So - question

[mythree]

Is this M&P 10 just a re-badged DPMS

 

[freedoom]

It is not. the only thing DPMS about it is the barrel nut compatibility.

 

[rojodiablo]

Is this M&P 10 just a re-badged DPMS

I'd have to see the source for parts, but in a nutshell.......YES.
The lowers and uppers are coming from some forge, and are a match with the rest of the DPMS based platform rifles. As to barrels, triggers, etc? I would have to say the rifles are built with available parts, and this means there is likely no way S&W has all the pieces in place to make their own complete system on the AR platform rifles.

They dropped the 1/8 barrel from the Sport, and are using a commercially supplied 1/9, but not exclusively. Some still come with the 5R, 1/8 barrel. But not many.
There is a reason S&W has not dropped 10,000 of these rifles onto the consumer market given the demand: They can not get enough parts to make the rifles and ship them out. Just like everyone else........

(EDIT) This in NO WAY means these are anything less of a rifle than were S&W making them 100% in-house. These rifles meet the industry standard, and work just like the DPMS, BM, etc. Which means- they work very well.

 

[Drag]

Smith&Wesson stated on ARFcom:

Most of the "major" components on the M&P10 are proprietary to S&W. (Barrel Extension, Upper and Lower Receiver, Bolt and Carrier, Receiver Extension, Buffer and Buffer Spring, Ambi-bolt and Mag release.) You can use standard AR15 trigger groups, free float and drop in rails, flash hiders, stocks ( mil-spec collapsible) sights, pistol grips etc.

The Barrel Extension IS proprietary. Other companies barrels will NOT work with the M&P10 unfortunately.