6 of the Best Tactical and Hunting ARs from DPMS Panther Arms

DPMS Panther Arms MOE Warrior — DPMS MOE Warrior: DPMS’ Enhanced Tactical rifles come in both basic and special-purpose configurations. The MOE Warrior is a standard M4-style carbine chambered in 5.56mm NATO that is available with either black or Flat Dark Earth Magpul furniture, including the MOE stock, forend and pistol grip. The front sight is a fixed A2-style unit while the rear sight is Magpul’s MBUS folding unit. The MOE Warrior is also equipped with an AAC flash hider/sound suppressor adaptor.

DPMS Panther Arms Tactical Precision Rifle — DPMS Tactical Precision Rifle: Also included in the Enhanced Tactical line is the Tactical Precision Rifle, or TPR, in 5.56mm NATO. The rifle features a 20-inch, match-grade, stainless steel, 1-in-9-inch-twist barrel and an M111 modular handguard. A fixed Magpul MOE rifle stock provides a solid foundation for taking precise long-range shots. The TPR is set up for use with a magnified optic and, as such, does not come with any sights. But, like the MOE Warrior, the TPR comes ready for a sound suppressor with an AAC flash suppressor/adaptor.

DPMS Panther Arms LRT-SASS — DPMS LRT-SASS: The first model in DPMS’ Tactical Precision line of .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO rifles is the LRT-SASS (Semi-Auto Sniper System), which features an 18-inch, fluted, Teflon-coated, stainless steel, bull barrel. DPMS has set up the LRT-SASS with a JP Enterprises trigger, a free-floating quad-rail handguard and a Magpul PRS stock. The pistol grip is designed for precision marksmen, while the Panther flash suppressor reduces the flash signature. The LRT-SASS is a serious rifle that is well suited for military and law enforcement tactical use.

DPMS Panther Arms 3G1 — DPMS 3G1: For 3-Gun competitors, DPMS offers the 3G1 in both 5.56mm NATO and .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO. The 3G1 has been field tested by the DPMS team and features proven components, including an 18-inch barrel and a free-floating VTAC handguard. For furniture, the rifle comes with a Magpul CTR stock and a Hogue pistol grip to provide a solid interface with the shooter. To improve the competitive performance of the 3G1, DPMS equips the rifle with a single-stage trigger from JP Enterprises and a muzzle compensator designed by Jerry Miculek.

DPMS Panther Arms Prairie Panther — DPMS Prairie Panther: DPMS offers nine different rifles, in a variety of calibers and configurations, in its hunting line. The Prairie Panther comes chambered for the .223 Remington and is available in three different camouflage patterns while the Arctic model is white. This series of rifles is designed to be both lightweight and accurate, and to that end, these rifles feature carbon-fiber handguards, skeletonized stocks, and fluted, 20-inch barrels. The Prairie Panther is set up with a flattop upper receiver for mounting a magnified optic and does not come with any iron sights. Weighing only 7.15 pounds, this is the perfect rifle for varmints and small game.

DPMS Panther Arms Blackout — DPMS Blackout: The DPMS Blackout is built to harness the ever-popular 300 Blackout cartridge. The Blackout comes equipped with a heavy, 16-inch, chrome-lined barrel with a 1-in-7-inch twist rate and DPMS’ modular, free-floating M111 handguard. The modular rail allows the user to mount Picatinny rails where they are required, thus reducing weight. Since the 300 BLK cartridge is at its best when it is not heard, the Blackout carbine comes with the AAC Blackout flash suppressor/adaptor. The rifle’s stock, grip and trigger are standard M4-style components.

If you’ve been to a major shooting event or trade show, chances are you have seen the DPMS Panther Arms truck and trailer. The graphics on the sides of both make them impossible to miss.

Indeed, DPMS has a large presence, both in marketing and in market share. To be honest, I had to do a little research on the web to learn that DPMS stood for “Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services.” The company was founded in 1985 by Randy Luth as a consulting company for government contracts. But what started as a small machine shop has grown into the second-largest manufacturer of AR-15 rifles. The company also sponsors a competitive shooting team that has been extremely successful.

RELATED STORY: Gun Test – DPMS’ Fast-Handling 3G2 Rifle in 5.56mm

DPMS offers a wide variety of rifles in a number of calibers. The company not only builds rifles in the traditional 5.56mm NATO and .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO, but also offers rifles in .204 Ruger, .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, .338 Federal, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.8 SPC and, of course, 300 Blackout. DPMS offers eight different lines of rifles with multiple variants in each. Included in the gallery above are six ARs in particular that we like for tactical and hunting applications.

For more information about DPMS Panther Arms, call 800-578-3767 or visit dpmsinc.com.

This article was originally published in ‘Black Guns’ 2017. For information on how to subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

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