By Steven Pope

After looking at several of the rifles on the market, I settled on the G2 Recon. Price was right and the options were good. And besides, somebody has to buy a first year model so the rest of you can find out if they are worth it.

I bought my rifle online, sight unseen, first time buying a gun of any kind online. So leaps of faith on two fronts here. No one near me had one, let alone knew that a new version was out, so it was purchased sight unseen.

I was pretty excited about it and could not wait to get it, and so far I am very happy with my purchase. I was/am a little leery about all the new design changes, but like I said, someone has to be the first so I gambled.

When I pulled it out of the box to do the pre-transfer inspection, I was quite pleased with the fit and finish. The lines were good, no gaps, everything fit nice and tight, like I would expect. The finish was flawless, basically it looked like I would expect a 1,400 dollar rifle to look.

After paying my $20.00 transfer fee, I took it home and proceeded to put three rounds through it because the sun was setting and I just could not help myself, I was so excited about finally having it. Then I went inside and did a field strip and clean. Again, nothing that I would not expect. Everything seemed to look good, fit good and function good.

The only issue that I have noticed is how the Nikon M-223 mount fits, either the mount is a little out of spec or my top rail is, as its on as far as my gun smith could get it without putting some real effort into it. As it turns out, its location is about where it needs to be, so I have not taken the time to look into it.

I purchased a few P-mags before the rifle showed up, and got them loaded up and ready to go. And so far, they have performed perfectly with no flaws at all. I have also emptied the factory magazine a few times and it, too, has been flawless.

This last Saturday I had about 45-min to an hour to go sight it in, so I took it out at last light and sighted in. Before I knew it, I had put a total of 50 rounds through this thing and they all functioned perfectly, no malfunctions of any kind.

All shots were made from a bi-pod under the front and a sand bag under the rear.

I was shooting hand loads that I developed for my 308 bolt rifle I use for hunting. The round is a 165 grain Speer BTSP over 43 grains of IMR 4064. In my bolt gun this combo gives me clover leafs at a 100 yards with a fully supported rifle. In the G2 we were close, but my shooting position is horrible, I am really hunched over the table. And that position really messes with how a short fat guy breathes, but it was good enough that I think I could come real close to duplicating those clover leaves, if I could get a good shooting bench set up. I seated the bullet to magazine length. I had zero feed issues, everything functioned perfectly.

After I got the scope sighted, I started plinking. I was having so much fun I did not realize that I had burned through all the ammo I had, I have never shot more than a box of 308 in one sitting so to go through 47 was a lot, but it was incredibly fun.

The recoil was very pleasant and easy to handle, which is good since one of the roles I hope this rifle will be able to fill is a hunting rifle for my son when he is old enough to hunt. The trigger is good, for me any way. I do not anticipate upgrading it.

On several forums, many people suggested that I skip the 16" barreled guns and go no less than 18", due to noise and muzzle flash. So I was kinda worried about the noise and flash when I was shooting the other evening. But, to be honest, I think my M&P Sport has more noise and flash than this does. I did not start shooting ‘til the sun was behind the closest mountain, making it optimal conditions for seeing muzzle flash.

After sighting in, I decided it was time to just do some plinking. I was surrounded by black volcanic rocks with lots of white stuff on them (no idea what the white stuff is) which made them perfect targets for the conditions. Let’s just say that if they had been deer or elk, I would have had a lot of explaining to do if Fish and Game would have caught me. There is just something cool about the sound of a bullet smacking a rock at 200-300 yards. Plus, for a guy like me, it feels good to have the audible feedback letting me know I really did hit the rock.

Overall, I think this is a well put together rifle that, so far, shoots very well. Since sighting in, I am over 100 rounds and zero malfunctions. The rifle is pleasant to shoot and just plain fun.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: DPMS claims that the rifle is lighter than previous versions. From what I have handled in the local gun shops that seems to be very accurate. This gun is light and easy to handle. Another point DPMS makes in advertising this rifle is the nice neat pile of brass that it makes while ejecting a spent case. I have found this statement to be understated somewhat. While doing load development I discovered that the loads the rifle likes best seem to land in a circle less than a foot in diameter. For a reloader, this is a pretty good bonus.

Target Market: This rifle would be well suited for several applications, including hunting, 3 gun competitions and law enforcement/security.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

One of the major advertising points of this rifle is the compatibility with AR-15 parts from the mag-well back, fire controls and buffer tube.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The DPMS G2 Recon .308 Rifle is only available in black.

What others are saying?: “I'm surprised this hasn't been the talk of the semi-auto forum...i expect the snubs at M4carbine and lightfighter forums to pretend the earth hasn't shifted, but not here...

As much as i hate to parrot company line, I think DPMS has changed the game.

If the new GII rifles live up to DPMS's hype, and they aren't known for failures or quality issues, I believe DPMS will cause the market to change.

Even if there are teething problems, the 308 AR market will eventually follow DPMS's lead after some resistance and consternation of course.

I have two DPMS rifles...looks like I'll be adding one of these to my stable. I'm especially interested in the 20" hunter model...although it should have been designed with a threaded barrel.” - TX_Flyboy, Snipers Hide

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