So, about two months ago I purchased an unfired DPMS AP4 upper from a gentleman who had an ad posted on armslist. I met him face to face to inspect and purchase, and everything looked just fine upon initial inspection.
First first firing resulted in a failure to feed rate of roughly 1 in 10. The cases were deeply gouged and scratched, correlating clearly to the feed ramps. I noticed this only seemed to happen when feeding from the right side. The cases that fed and ejected properly also exhibited scratches that matched the ramps (on the right side). Upon closer inspection of the the feed ramps on the barrel extension, it was clear that there were some "issues" with the right sides ramps/lugs. It wasn't wear, but rather sharp edges/burrs, and a very clear difference between the right and left side of the extension. It doesn't even seem to be something I could simply buff out, even if I wanted to. There is no question this is a DPMS upper, with clear barrel markings and all. The seller seemed like a great guy, and I met him at his place of work (this was not some shady, back alley deal where I could never find the seller again).
I contacted DPMS last week about the issue. Their first response (via phone) was that of "isn't our product, we ship in a different packing material". After going over the markings, it was made clear that it WAS in fact an upper of thiers. I did not receive (nor expect) any sort of paper work to accompany the upper when I bought it. I sent them a photo of the ramps, and they've acknowledged the clear differences between the two sides. Thus far, they have suggested that there is one of two possibilities: either that the upper was assembled via multiple parts, and then sold under their name, or, that there was a mistake made on their end. In my most recent email, I pointed out that I know how difficult it is for the average AR owner (even many gunsmiths) to attach a different barrel extension, and that I cannot imagine why the seller would undertake such a task to sell an otherwise brand new (no doubt there) upper under such circumstances.
I'm awaiting a response from them after I've sent my second email (which included a clear photo of the barrel, marked "DPMS 5.56 1-9").
Any thoughts on where to go from here? Has anyone else have any experience with DPMS's customer service before? Thus far, they have acknowledged that it MAY have been a manufacturing error (things happen sometimes, I get that), but the end result of this all remains to be seen. I just want a damn rifle that does what it's supposed to without ruining my brass/ammo. Any thoughts, info, or assistance would be appreciated. Will provide photos this evening once home from work.
First first firing resulted in a failure to feed rate of roughly 1 in 10. The cases were deeply gouged and scratched, correlating clearly to the feed ramps. I noticed this only seemed to happen when feeding from the right side. The cases that fed and ejected properly also exhibited scratches that matched the ramps (on the right side). Upon closer inspection of the the feed ramps on the barrel extension, it was clear that there were some "issues" with the right sides ramps/lugs. It wasn't wear, but rather sharp edges/burrs, and a very clear difference between the right and left side of the extension. It doesn't even seem to be something I could simply buff out, even if I wanted to. There is no question this is a DPMS upper, with clear barrel markings and all. The seller seemed like a great guy, and I met him at his place of work (this was not some shady, back alley deal where I could never find the seller again).
I contacted DPMS last week about the issue. Their first response (via phone) was that of "isn't our product, we ship in a different packing material". After going over the markings, it was made clear that it WAS in fact an upper of thiers. I did not receive (nor expect) any sort of paper work to accompany the upper when I bought it. I sent them a photo of the ramps, and they've acknowledged the clear differences between the two sides. Thus far, they have suggested that there is one of two possibilities: either that the upper was assembled via multiple parts, and then sold under their name, or, that there was a mistake made on their end. In my most recent email, I pointed out that I know how difficult it is for the average AR owner (even many gunsmiths) to attach a different barrel extension, and that I cannot imagine why the seller would undertake such a task to sell an otherwise brand new (no doubt there) upper under such circumstances.
I'm awaiting a response from them after I've sent my second email (which included a clear photo of the barrel, marked "DPMS 5.56 1-9").
Any thoughts on where to go from here? Has anyone else have any experience with DPMS's customer service before? Thus far, they have acknowledged that it MAY have been a manufacturing error (things happen sometimes, I get that), but the end result of this all remains to be seen. I just want a damn rifle that does what it's supposed to without ruining my brass/ammo. Any thoughts, info, or assistance would be appreciated. Will provide photos this evening once home from work.
) some of the little, itty bitty, tiny things to look for prior to purchase of an upper/new AR.