Colt AR-15 A4 vs DPMS Prairie Panther

[Grazing Bit]

Can anyone compare these? The purpose is for predator hunting. And would anyone know if the DPMS is has chromed lined or phosphate internals? I know the Colt is chromed lined but I can't find anything on the DPMS.

 

[SlickerThanSnot]

both will work equal well for predators. 99.9% sure the dpms is not chrome lined. no experience with colt, but my experience with dpms rifles is good and they are good shooters.

 

[Grazing Bit]

The nice people at DPMS have just told me that the Prairie Panther is phosphated. So can anyone tell the differences, advantages, and disadvantages between crome and phosphate. Doesn't the military use phosphated bolts?

 

[1badshee]

Chrome line barrel is generally less accurate.

2 very different rifles, dpms is built around hunting and has a free floating barrel also, the colt doesn't.

 

[Redleg84]

I'd go with the DPMS over the colt.

Phosphate internals is simply the coating on the bolt and carrier group (yes it's what the military uses). Other coatings are sometimes used such as chrome, but it doesn't affect the operation at all and shouldn't be a determining factor. The inside of the phosphate bolt carrier group is going to be chrome lined regardless.

The barrel on the Colt is most likely chrome lined, which is good for reduced wear with high amount of shooting, but is usually less accurate. The DPMS is a stainless barrel which normally gives better accuracy.

Don't worry so much about the bolt, I'd focus on which has a better barrel and trigger, which would be the DPMS.

 

[1320racing]

DPMS, My buddy had a prairie panther in snow camo. Shot great, we both shoot the heavier 75gr or 77gr bullets but I remember it shot a lot of loads 1moa or under. Never saw it malfunction.

 

[C.Jay]

Put the Colt by your nightstand and the Panther in the gun rack of your truck.

 

[204 AR]

My old Hbar Colt has never failed in maybe 3k rounds and is more accurate than you'd think. However the Prairie Panther is set up better for hunting and on average will be more accurate.

 

[Foxpro.223]

Not that there is anything wrong with the DPMS, it is a great rifle, but go with the Colt and dont look back.

 

[Roscoehd]

I have been shooting a prairie panther for 3 years and have no complaints, just tear it down and clean it good before you go hunting, I went out @ -10 and called in a double and heavy oil in the gun would not cycle and I missed an opportunity at a double, the 1 - 8 twist does like 77 grain ammo