The GII Compact Hunter from DPMS Panther Arms Part I

DPMS, Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services of Huntsville, AL, has been in business for approximately nineteen years. The company’s founder Randy Luth managed the business from a military contract parts supplier into the second largest manufacturer of AR-15s serving military, law enforcement and civilian markets.

DPMS developed full manufacturing capability very early on, inclusive of receivers and barrels. DPMS was acquired by the Freedom Group in 2007, its founder retired in 2009. Five years later, DPMS is still charging ahead as a leading MSR, component part and accessory manufacturer under the Remington Outdoor Company’s prestigious umbrella.

The GII Compact Hunter is optimized for woodland hunting from its lightweight and 16″ barrel to its 4 round magazine. No multi-railed, can opening, scissors cutting, flame throwing front end. Just a very strong, but very light weight carbon fiber floating handguard. The grip is soft and resilient, the length of pull is adjustable and the 308 Winchester chamber is ideal for a short barrel firearm. Under 7 lbs, the Compact Hunter is lighter than most AR15 types.

Not the same old thing in a different wrapper…

The GII Compact Hunter feels like a lightweight AR15 in balance and handling and control location while delivering a major increase in power. The GII is a clean solution to the problem of liking the MSRs design and function, but not liking the lack of AR15 power or any of the small capacity substitute cartridges that attempt to make up the power deficit. The GII also solves the problem of liking the power of the traditional AR10, but not liking its excessive weight and bulk.

The DPMS’s GII is a bit of a hybrid that represents many refinements/enhancement in weight and size reduction, function and reliability while adding compatibility with popular AR15 accessories and component parts. AR15 and AR10 conventions are used to avoid the unclear use of the sometimes ambiguous terms “NATO” and “MSR”.

The GII upper and lower forgings are made from 7075 Aluminum alloy, Level III anodized and Teflon coated. The upper and lower receivers have been reduced to near AR15 size and strategically reinforced (1) for greater strength. The distance from top of Picatinny rail to bore centerline ( 2) has been reduced to a little over an inch. The brass deflector (3) has been redesigned for improved function and the ejection port length has been increased. The distance aft of the magazine well to the face of the buffer (4) is the same as a AR15, 4.5″. Overall, the GII receiver is only 1/2″ longer than an AR15 and 5/8″ shorter than a traditional AR10. 

The trigger guard (5) is integral to the lower receiver for additional receiver stiffening. The magazine well is (6) flared to speed loading and moderately radiused at the front to provide a good gripping surface for folks who like a mag well hold. The GII accepts many standard AR15 pieces; stocks, A2 pistol grips, fire control components, etc. The GII utilizes AR15 standard takedown pins and a redesigned barrel nut facilitates the use of AR15 floating handguards.

The GII Hunter’s light weight, but very strong carbon fiber handguard is presented by the manufacturer as .223 MSR standard; MSR=Modern Sporting Rifle. Not long ago a .223 MSR was referred to an AR-15 or M-4 standard, but I took a nap and the whole world changed. I think the MSR label makes sense and, eventually, I will use that terminology. I just want to make sure we are all on the same page.
 

The gas tube and aft portion of the gas block fit neatly inside the mid length handguard.  As a hunting rifle, I appreciate the absence of cheese grater quad rails, lights, sights and rocket launchers found in some of the more highly accessorized G.I. Joe spec rifles. Notice the fluted stainless but Teflon coated barrel… if you want to. Sorry, trying to see what it would feel like to be a liberal Democrat.

Monolithic Bolt Carrier

In the 1957 low budget thriller, The Monolith Monsters, monolithic rocks from a meteor threatened a sleepy Southwestern desert community. I was never sure quite how as they had no feet and they were too rigid to move in a serpentine fashion. The GII’s bolt exhibited no such behavior, at least in my presence, so I was not surprised to find that DPMS meant that its monolithic bolt carrier is part of a system that is intractably indivisible and uniform.

DPMS reduced the bolt carrier’s mass while increasing its strength, then machined it to accommodate forward assist. The carrier has an integral gas key tower with a removable gas key extension. The carrier is made of 8620 steel, the bolt is Carpenter 158. The reduction in mass means lighter reciprocating assemblies, which means a sharp reduction in felt recoil; the GII has soft recoil.

The GII bolt’s improved geometry relieves stress lines while increasing strength and lockup. The design  permits the use of a smaller diameter barrel extension. The GII’s firing pin is made of forged Titanium. 1) The GII has twin ejectors for additional reliability. The extractor coil spring present in most ARs and is prone to fatigue and failure has been replaced with a 2) solid elastomer spring. 3) The extractor is made from a stronger alloy. In combination, this new design assures extended life and reliability, while allowing reduction of  upper receiver size and weight.

The GII has a pinned steel double scalloped feed ramp that offers improved feed of a wide variety of bullet types. Above, an upside down, but right side out picture of the smaller, stronger barrel extension.

So where does this leave us?

OK, I have noted everything I know… well, maybe I know a little bit more, but that can be found in our prior coverage of the DPMS GII Hunter, the full length version. With the GII obviously taking a nap, I’ll take a break her, collect some suitable accessories and come back after live fire when I have something to offer, other than it is a heck of a rifle.

The GII Compact Hunter from DPMS Panther Arms Part 1
The GII Compact Hunter from DPMS Panther Arms Part 2