Dark Storm Industries

[DroBrens]

Im looking into buying my first AR. Although Ive done some shopping around, I keep going back to the Dark Storm Industrie's DS-15 (featureless). Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with the gun or manufacturer? Any other recommendations would be great also.

Heres the link:
Dark Storm DS-15 MOE Featureless 5.56 Rifle Black ODG DS15-MOE-FL5-ODX

 

[GUNSICK]

It's too much $, wait a while prices are coming down on everything.

 

[DroBrens]

I appreciate it, Gunsick. I actually have been to a couple of stores in my area and they have not been less than $1100, online also. That gave me the impression that this was a good deal lol.

Just wondering, how come you say prices are coming down? I have no problem in waiting! Lol

 

[GOYABEAN]

I appreciate it, Gunsick. I actually have been to a couple of stores in my area and they have not been less than $1100, online also. That gave me the impression that this was a good deal lol.

Just wondering, how come you say prices are coming down? I have no problem in waiting! Lol

Check out @Bullet Guy could probably fix one up for you

 

[kev74]

Dark Stain made a name for themselves by improperly citing the State Gestapo in reference to the safe act, and insinuating that only their (overpriced) product was compliant.

F them. I was hoping they drove themselves out of business by now.

 

[Airborneguy]

$1100 for an AR now is absurd.

 

[DroBrens]

Any recommendations on where to look instead? I feel like im looking in the wrong places lol

 

[wdeister08]

They used substandard parts they themselves make. Buy a really good complete upper, a stock/grip of your choice, a quality bcg, charging handle, lower + lower parts kit, and a couple mags for under $800. You'll easily have a way better gun than what you'd get at DSI. They're ripoff artists who have given me blatantly false info more than once. Wouldn't trust a gun they themselves made.

 

[Jem45472]

I can't bring myself to even go to the darkstorm website after the bs they pulled.

 

[kev74]

I appreciate it, Gunsick. I actually have been to a couple of stores in my area and they have not been less than $1100, online also. That gave me the impression that this was a good deal lol.

Just wondering, how come you say prices are coming down? I have no problem in waiting! Lol

Buy a lower. Buy a kit. Buy a spur or Thordsen. You'll have a nice AR for $550 - $600.

PTAC 16" 1:7 M4 Rifle Kit - 23898

 

[wdeister08]

Any recommendations on where to look instead? I feel like im looking in the wrong places lol

If you live on or near LI consider Campsite, call and ask for Paul or just to on down. He's there everyday except Tue/wed or wed/thur. Forget which. Guy will treat you right whether you buy a complete AR or need help putting one together. They have a bunch of parts there to help.

Jerry's is good too, but he keeps limited hours. Usually night on weekdays, and saturday afternoons. He's an AR builder

 

[DroBrens]

Buy a lower. Buy a kit. Buy a spur or Thordsen. You'll have a nice AR for $550 - $600.

PTAC 16" 1:7 M4 Rifle Kit - 23898

Thanks alot @kev74 !

 

[Target]

PTAC is PSA's entry level kit. Not terrible but the Freedom is supposed to be better quality/ fit & finish.
CHF ( cold hammer forged) barrels are said to be the ones to get.

Decide on what features you want and get a kit with them.
I got a kit with a Magpul handguard then swapped it out to a Keymod . At the time , keymods were not offered.
I like mine. Decent trigger, easy to assemble. The kit will have everything needed but the lower, a mag and sights.

PSA does have a crowned barrel vs one with muzzle break. They don't show one in a kit or assembled upper but they may swap out wiht a threaded barrel.

 

[Marine Cpl]

It may seem intimating but putting together a lower receiver is easy and done with common tools. YouTube is your friend.

The hard part is assembling an upper. The good news is that you don't have to if you don't want to. They are cheap enough too. Here is a compliant one below.

Sanders Armory Original 16″ CROWNED Parkerized Barrel Upper Package

 

[Uzi]

You can always build yourself one. It is fun, and you might appreciate it more than a generic store bought rifle.

 

[DroBrens]

Holy crap lol. I knew asking was going to be my best choice. Thanks alot for the knowledge and support guys. I will take all of this and try to narrow my options down. Im even more exited now lol

 

[Eddie Gunks]

I have ar15s that start at $599.

Come on up and we will get you fixed up.

 

[li02liberty]

Stay away from dsi. Overpriced crap that will stop working. As said before if your on the island go see Paul at campsite. He has a knack off parting you with your cash in a nice friendly way.

 

[Bananabandit]

My AR parts, nothing top end, but basic AR was half that. Or go to Edweird and get fixed up

 

[carpediem]

Dirt Star Industries still trying to stick it to ny residents? Probably friends of Andy Pander.

 

[dsdmmat]

DSI is still in business? Hmmmm

 

[hoodfu]

It's funny to see the "they're still in business?" comments here. They recently opened a new location with their own range. Their store is the nicest and most modern gun store on Long Island at this point. They're not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Dantheman]

Just a suggestion...if you go with a Thordsen stock, consider getting a 45 degree ambi safety like the Talon and an extended magazine release. Ergonomically those controls work much better with the Thordsen. Worthwhile upgrades in my opinion.

Dan

 

[DroBrens]

Just a suggestion...if you go with a Thordsen stock, consider getting a 45 degree ambi safety like the Talon and an extended magazine release. Ergonomically those controls work much better with the Thordsen. Worthwhile upgrades in my opinion.

Dan

Thanks for that, Dan. I will consider it since I am definetly going with a Thordsen stock.

 

[CarpNY]

It's funny to see the "they're still in business?" comments here. They recently opened a new location with their own range. Their store is the nicest and most modern gun store on Long Island at this point. They're not going anywhere anytime soon.

The reality is that the people who know and care about the crap they pulled are relatively few (despite being over-represented here) compared to those who are blissfully unaware. As you say, like it or not, they aren't going anywhere.

 

[Calculon]

Lots of good advice here. Building is your best bet as you'll learn how it all works and understand how to fix/upgrade as needed. If don't feel like taking that on go see BulletGuy. Eddie is a stand up guy.

 

[DroBrens]

Lots of good advice here. Building is your best bet as you'll learn how it all works and understand how to fix/upgrade as needed. If don't feel like take no that on go see BulletGuy. Eddie is a stand up guy.

Yeah I've decided that im going to build. I've been looking into all of the links and info that the guys have shared with me. Now im just working on figuring out what I need to order. Theres still some things im unclear about but I will keep with the research!

 

[GTN]

Build it the way you want it the first time not buy a off the shelf then replace all the accessories later driving the costs way up.
I bought a stock M&P-15 thinking I'll be happy with the stock forearm, sights, trigger and stock. Only took 1 month before I replaced them all at close to the same $ as I paid for the rifle

 

[CarpNY]

The hardest part of building a lower is not launching a pin or detente somewhere that you can't find it. There are tools made for some of these (for example, the front pivot pin spring/detente) and you can take steps to minimize the chances of losing it, like installing it inside of a plastic bag. Most of the tools needed (other than an armorer's wrench) are in most home workshops. With uppers, the tools that you really need to do a barrel install correctly (1/2" drive torque wrench, 1/2" breaker bar, (re)action rod/block, go/no-go gauges, etc) are less common. Worth investing in if you think that you will (it's addicting, so you probably will) build a few uppers down the road. However, a prebuilt upper on a home-built lower is a good start to the hobby.

 

[Karpteach]

If you live on or near LI consider Campsite, call and ask for Paul or just to on down. He's there everyday except Tue/wed or wed/thur. Forget which. Guy will treat you right whether you buy a complete AR or need help putting one together. They have a bunch of parts there to help.

Jerry's is good too, but he keeps limited hours. Usually night on weekdays, and saturday afternoons. He's an AR builder

The guy your talking about is Paul. He's a great guy and and amazing long distance shooting instructor. All the Campsite guys are GTG. No I don't work there or make a commission.

If you want to know more about DSI. Look at the LI gun forums. They are a joke!!!!