D9Firearms

With the current delay in production of most AR-15’s and LR-308 rifles from DPMS, and the others we order from (Rock River & Bushmaster) we decided to develop premium .223 rifles. Generally we don’t stock or order many .223 rifles since they seem to be a dime a dozen (or found in trash cans at gun shows) unless they are requested by a client or are a premium variant such as the RRA varmint or DPMS varmint

What we have found is that most of our clients were replacing significant amounts of parts on rifles, so we decided to make a transition to primarily buying all new factory standard parts for non-substitutable parts (springs, pins, receivers, bolt & carrier) and building our premium .223 rifles from there. (We are able to reduce the cost and provide exactly what our clients want.) Additionally, we test fire each rifle prior to shipping and guarantee our work.

Wanting to do something a little different but still gear it towards varmint shooting yet flexible for potential urban action we looked too White Oak Armament for some options and chose the Squad Designated Variant Marksman barrel to start with. We have since ordered the 16” SDVM version.

The barrel is a 20” SST bull barrel, with the main body (.980) necked down to .750 fore end. The main body also has deep flutes that reduce the barrel by almost 1lb and increases cooling capacity. (The fore end is not fluted and gives a clean cut look (Marine) and would offer negligible cooling or weight reduction benefits.) The barrel is threaded for your choice of a flash hider, brake, or suppressor. The barrel has a 1:7 twist rate that is excellent for delivering heavier bullets (55grn & up).

Upon the initial inspection I immediately noticed the depth of the fluting, which on this barrel reduces close to 1lb of weight and effects cooling rate. The milling at the gas block is distinctly different with a rounded trim. We also added the M4 feed ramps which are patently obvious. The overall external barrel look and feel was a perfect match for our planned project.

For our rifle we added all the tactical parts (latch, trigger guard, mag release, bolt release, & safety) and Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) free float 4 rail & picatinny gas block. Not all the tac latches or 4 rail free float guards are necessary but we do recommend the tactical carrier release. On our next rifle we are going with a JP Rifle Vtac hand guard.

We installed the CAA 6 position stock, which is more robust then a standard collapsible, has a rubber butt pad, & risible cheek piece. For the money this is an excellent choice ($70). The Magpul PRS would be a good second choice especially for variminting.

We also went with the Timney drop in single stage because it was feeling more like a business rifle (for taking out insurgents, drug running federalalies, pedophiles, and other glittering jewels of humanity causing global warming by breathing) then a varmint rifle. Another feature we really like is the 1:7 twist, which will offer better ballistics for a heavier grain bullet 55+ (thus preventing the threat from getting to close). This will be our first 1:7 twist barrel but we are looking to getting better results for longer range shooting.

We have already started our next one, which will use the same barrel designation only in the 16”. The 16” will offer a better platform if you plan more free hand shooting.

If you are interested in a D9Firearms custom .223 with a White Oak SDVM barrel please contact us.

I felt it worth discussing since several people have asked the question of accuracy on the DPMS LR-308 rifles when comparing barrel weight (AP4, heavy, bull) and barrel length (16”, 18”, 24”).  To clarify, we define accuracy as bullet grouping.  For example, out of a 3 shot group at 100yd, if my shot placement has all three bullets under 1” center to center, this would be a sub-Minute of Angle (MOA) accuracy, which is very good.  Additionally, at 200yd this would be all 3 shots under 2” and so on.  We define drop compensation (holdover) as how many inches a bullet drops at a specified distance.  For example if you sight your rifle in at 100yd, at 200yd you may need to place the cross hairs at 2” above the desired point of impact.

Most people feel they are giving up accuracy when selecting a shorter and/or lighter weight barrel.  In general, ours and our clients’ experiences with these rifles, regardless of the barrel length or weight, will shoot sub-MOA.  In my opinion, the accuracy of the bullet delivery is primarily compromised by the shooter, ammo, and fire control system (trigger), unless you just happen to get a lemon rifle which we haven’t heard of.

However, the question still remains do you sacrifice accuracy when going from a 24” bull down to a 16” AP4?  The answer in my opinion is yes and no.  Inherently a 12lb bench rifle with a bull barrel seems like it would be more accurate because of its weight, barrel diameter, length and you would be shooting off of a fixed rest.  I personally find I am more accurate with this setup since the weight of the rifle is less affected by my movement and I’m shooting off of a rest.  However if you put both guns side by side in the same setup (trigger, rest, distance, etc.) they will shoot relatively with the same grouping accuracy.

So the issue is what do you sacrifice or gain with barrel length and/or weight if they both have relatively the same accuracy.  With a shorter barrel the bullet has less distance/time to build velocity, before the bullet exits the barrel and releases the gas pressure to atmosphere.  With a longer barrel the bullet will have more time to effectively use the gas pressure to build more velocity before venting.

(The higher the velocity, the flatter shooting trajectory it will have, but not necessarily more accurate.  Meaning that a 16” barrel sighted in at 100yd may drop 2” at 200yd where as a 24” may only drop 1”.  This doesn’t mean the 24” is more accurate just flatter shooting for longer ranges and inherently will deliver more energy on target.)

So when choosing a rifle you must determine what type of shooting you want to do?  If you are thinking brush gun for deer hunting and some field shooting that you will be carrying, the LR-308AP4, T, or L would be an excellent choice.  (This doesn’t mean these guns will not perform out to 500yd.)  The LR-308B would be a close second with an 18” bull barrel.  If you’re thinking target/varmint then the LR-308, B, C would be good choices.

We generally recommend the LR rifles for the following conditions:

Deer or Bear Hunting, Tactical or 3 Gun Shooting: (DPMS LR-308AP4, T)

-Typical range 0 – 300yd.

-Free hand, minimum non-supported shooting.

-Brush, open field, collapsible stock easier for carrying & lighter weight, faster target acquisition & maneuverability, or when fleeing from a really angry bear.

-AP4 is optimal for suppressing an urban insurgency.

Deer Hunting or Mid range tactical/sniper or target shooting:  (DPMS LR-308B, C or D9 Custom Rifle):

-Typical range:  0 – 500yd.

-Limited freehand, supported shooting platform.

-Light brush, open field, bench.  With a collapsible adds to more maneuverability in brush and general carrying.  Recommend a bipod (but adds front end weight when freehand shooting.)

-LR-308B or D9 Custom is a good bridge between tactical and bench shooting.  This is an excellent choice for suppressing urban, rural or any other type of insurgency.

Bench Shooting:  (DPMS LR-308 24”)

-Typical range:  200 – 800yd.

-Completely supported shooting platform.

-Open range.

-Excellent for not letting the insurgents get close.

Hopefully the provides you with additional information to make the best choice possible for your shooting needs when choosing a DPMS LR or D9 Custom LR firearm.  Please contact us and we would be glad to provide you with a long range AR platform rifle.  (If we don’t have it, we probably have it on order, or will build to your needs.)

We are always looking for ways to better serve our clients and offer up more options when it comes to procuring firearms.  Over the past two years we have predominantly used Jerry’s Sports Center and RSR Group, both of which have served and continue to serve us well.  Recently a new client of ours requested a firearm that Davidson’s had on special and asked us to procure it for him.

Although the other two wholesalers had them available Davidson’s had a slightly better price and had a better shipping rate.  We decided to send in our information and setup an account.  Teresita, our sales “babe”, contacted us immediately.  She was very enthusiastic about telling us about the different programs they offered.

Several things impressed me about her enthusiasm, she didn’t care that we were not a mega gun store.  She asked about our business and then discussed how Davidson’s could contribute to our growth as if we were going to be the next full line mega store.

Several benefits that we found that will add service and economic benefits to our customers are:

1.               When shipping a handgun from a wholesaler overnight shipping is required and cost anywhere from $25 - $40 for one handgun.  Davidson’s offers flat rate shipping for one or multiple handguns and the option to add long guns or other items, therefore cutting time and shipping expenses significantly.

2.               Any firearm purchased through Davidson’s is guaranteed that if it fails they will ship a new one overnight, (if it’s in stock), and you return the defective one to them.

3.               You can order a firearm directly from Davidson’s website and have it sent to D9Firearms.com.  You pay a down payment to them and the balance to D9 when it arrives.

4.               Davidson’s also advertises for D9Firearms by listing us as a dealer and has a link to our website.

Another issued that impressed me about Davidson’s & Teresita was that when she was explaining Davidson’s she stated they are not always the lowest price and she asked if we dealt with other wholesalers.  We answered that we did and she said that’s good because that would benefit D9Firearms by being able to have multiple sources.  My impression is she is as interested in selling us guns as she is seeing our business grow.

We kicked off our account with her with the 10 gun purchase, which also helps out getting better pricing for the next year.

If you’re interested in a firearm that Davidson’s carries please contact us or log into Davidson’s at http://www.galleryofguns.com/ and we would be glad to get it on order for you.

D9Firearms will be setting up a table along with our good friend the “GunLawyer” at the Topeka Gun show at the Topeka Expo Center on July 19^th & 20^th.  We will be bringing a smattering of items we have available.  If you’re interested in any of the items listed below let us know before then.

-Tikka T3 Varmint 308 (Total Tack Driver)

-Remington VTR 22-250

-Ruger Charger 22LR Pistol

-Hungarian AK-47

-Benelli Nova 12ga

-Kahr PW-9 9mm

-Savage 17HMR

-DPMS LR-308AP4 w/& w/o 4 rail

-DPMS AR-15AP4 w/chrome barrel, 4 rail, compensator

-DPMS LR-308 24” SST w/Miculek

-DPMS LR-260 24”SST

-CMMG .223 stripped lowers (parts available)

-Sightron 4-16 optics

-Taurus 24/7Pro Compact 9mm

-Ruger MKIII 22LR (Contact us for a Gemtech suppressor)

If you can’t make it and are interested in any of the items we have or need something else please contact us here at D9Firearms.

Thanks and hope to see you all out there.

Shown above is not Dennis’s rifle but similar.  This is an DPMS AP4 w/Miculek and Koelbel gas block.  The only difference is the barrel contour.  The “T” has a straight heavy barrel. 

Several weeks ago I received a call from Dennis a big time deer hunter over in North Carolina looking for a DPMS LR rifle for deer hunting. He stated he had limited experience with AR style, but had an idea of what he was looking for.

Dennis described the problem they are having out in NC with an over burgeoning deer population. He stated it wasn’t uncommon to see 50 head of deer come out into a field at one time. Additionally, he indicated he takes about 20 a year and the state is basically saying take as many as you can.

So after getting the run down, Dennis was thinking about a LR-308L w/18” heavy barrel, which would be an excellent choice, if we could get one. One of his concerns was weight of the rifle compared to his 243 bolt gun he’s currently using, weighing in around 6 – 7lbs. I offered up the option of the LR-308T & LR-308AP4, which we have outfitted deer hunters with before, but have the 16” barrel.

Dennis wasn’t quiet buying it and had concerns of accuracy, recoil, and weight. Since he was primarily shooting in the 0 – 250yd range (brush & open field) and free hand shots were common, I felt the 308T or AP4 would be an excellent choice and given the shorter barrel length would be excellent for the brush as well. Additionally, having a collapsible stock on the rifle made packing it a lot easier.

I addressed the recoil issue with a Miculek compensator. Naturally this adds decibels to the shooter especially in a confined area but in the open is less noticeable and the recoil reduction in my view is worth it.

Dennis still had reservations with the accuracy statements I had made about this rifle being able to deliver sub-MOA. It’s a struggle to believe a semi-auto gun will deliver sub-MOA accuracy but I offered him several examples of feedback from clients that supported my claims. Additionally, I mentioned that a trigger job would definitely enhance his accuracy as well.

Well Dennis decided to go with the LR-308T and we got it set up and shipped out to him. I asked him to let me know how it goes after he gets it out. Dennis forwarded an email to me and also called me as soon as he had left the range after test firing the gun.

(I paraphrased some of Dennis’s comments for consolidation purposes.)

Darrel-

I just got back from the range, man I could not believe how well that DPMS LR-308T shot. I was using Federal 150 grn soft point bullets (the cheap ones) shooting at a target 105yds out, 2 bullets touching, the 3^rd was only 3/8” away. I also tried Winchester 150grn and Remington 150grn soft points and neither one would group. I also tried Winchester Supreme 168grn soft point and it held under an 1” at 105yd in about 10mph and light rain.

“The money quote” Best trigger pull on any rifle I have ever shot. My gun out shot a Remington 700 308 w/bull barrel, man that dude was pissed when my semi-auto shot better then his bolt. I gave him your website so you may expect a call. (That or a nasty letter.)

Everybody was impressed with my gun and I let everybody shoot and we learned quick not to stand to close to it from the percussion from the compensator was right tight. I can’t wait to try your hunting load in it and as you said in one of your emails that this gun would be a deer processing machine.

The gun cycled flawlessly and the recoil was nothing and the muzzle jump was barely noticeable. Our gun club kills over 200 deer a year and now I have a gun that should increase that number. I can’t wait to try it on a heard of deer as they come out of the swamp and hit the corn fields with 20 hounds on their butts that DPMS will be smoking.

If you have any questions about a DPMS LR-308T or AP4 deer slaying machine contact us here at D9Firearms. If you have any questions about culling deer in NC, we will forward your name on to Dennis. If you are some kind of limp wristed, sissified, tofu eating, tree hugging nut bag, I’ll have Dennis’s 20 hounds contact you.