I am in the market to buy a Ar-15 and I am looking into a S&W M&P15 or a DPMS Panther. Anyone have any experiance with either of these?
I had the same question you did and the same decisions to choose from, s&W, dpms, and doublestar. What is your budget? I had around $700 to spend.
DPMS is not mil-spec at all and no chrome lined barrel, they also only have a 3 year warranty
S&W has good customer service and a lifetime warranty, decent rifles for plinking, but again, not mil spec or chrome lined barrel
A buddy on the other forums I use linked me to this:
http://www.classicfirearms.com/palmetto-state-armory-ar-15-rifle-m4-optic-ready-w-fn-barrel
It's on sale right now, but probably not for long.
Everyone knows PSA for their good rifles and good CS. Granted it is no Colt, but it's still very good for the money. Chrome lined barrel, all parts are mil-spec, lifetime warranty. $700+fees
I just bought one a few days ago and it's getting shipped, all you need is a rear sight for it.