Millett DMS / P.E.P.R.

[rtorc]

Hey guys:

I'm a new guy who has been reading A LOT on here on Calguns. With the information I gathered I've already purchased a YHM complete upper and a Daniel Defense DDM4 complete lower. I've put almost 1,000 rounds through my AR, getting acquainted with my rifle and trying to become proficient with my iron sights... Now I'm in the market for some entry-level optics.

I'm considering purchasing a Millett DMS-1 for my YHM Black Diamond Specter XL upper. I have found the DMS sold with a P.E.P.R. at SWFA for $264.95 (link below). I had a few questions that I was hoping some of the members would help me with:

http://swfa.com/Millett-1-4x24-DMS-PEPR-Combo-P42148.aspx

1. From the specs and diagrams that I've been able to find, the forward "offset" on the P.E.P.R. (from the rear most of the mount to the base of the rear scope ring) is about 1 inch. Can someone tell me what the offset is on the LaRue SPR-E? I'm trying to figure out if the P.E.P.R. provides enough eye relief for the DMS. I don't know what my shooting style is (NTCH, etc) so I'd like to err on the side of caution with getting a mount that will provide me with enough eye relief.

2. Can anyone who has done business with SWFA tell me about their customer service? I have read a lot about some DMS scopes having fungus issues, so I want to make sure that I can get good CS from the retailer. And, is $264.95 a good deal? I have found it to be $5 cheaper as a combo than buying both items separate.

3. Finally, if anyone has a DMS-1/P.E.P.R. or DMS-1/SPR-E setup, would you mind sharing some feedback and/or pics.

If you've read this far, THANK YOU, I know my post is long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,




RT

[elSquid]

Calgunner Maxicon's big page o' AR scope mounts:

http://www.maxicon.com/guns/optics/one_piece/ar15_onepiece_mounts.htm#burris

http://www.maxicon.com/guns/optics/one_piece/ar15_onepiece_mounts.htm#larue

-- Michael

[Nessal]

Can't give feedback on the Millet but the PEPR has worked perfect for me. It is a very solid mount for the price. I was in the same situation as you. I don't mind paying top dollar for quality products. All the parts on my rifle are of top quality. I was on the market for a good mount and it came down to Larue. But I have some bitter reservations about that company so I decided to go with something else. I don't regret my purchase one bit with the PEPR. It mounts very solid with 6 torx per ring. The only thing that I would have liked is if they added a QD feature. But for the price, you really can't complain.

[maxicon]

I've got a DMS-1 in a PEPR, and it's not got as much forward offset as an SPR-E. It's about the same offset as the CAA DVSR mount (though it's a much sturdier mount than the DVSR).

The whole forward offset thing is hard to measure without actually mounting the scope, as the scope offset can be limited by either the front or back ring, depending on which one the scope hits first.

In any case, the key is to note where the eyepiece is relative to the charging handle, and how that works with your shooting style.

I don't shoot NTCH, but even so, an eyepiece right above the charging handle is a little too far back for me - I like it to be about 1" ahead of the charging handle, which means extended mounts (or extended rails with rings).

Here's a pic of someone else's setup. You can see that the DMS-1 can go a little further forward in the mount, putting it about 1/2" ahead of the charging handle. This works OK for me, even though I'd like a little more offset:

[Barney Gumble]

DMS with SPR-E

[bombadillo]

Love my PEPR mount. Can't say much for the millet except i've looked at it myself and for the money, i'd rather spring for the Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x20 instead. Much better for the money if you ask me. Its got great glass and warranty is great. SWFA has them for 279.

[fcr]

I have dealt with SWFA and they have treated me well in my transactions. Haven't had any warranty issues to deal with.

[maxicon]

Love my PEPR mount. Can't say much for the millet except i've looked at it myself and for the money, i'd rather spring for the Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x20 instead. Much better for the money if you ask me. Its got great glass and warranty is great. SWFA has them for 279.

Yeah, it's a trade-off between features and performance, and it depends on your use. I'm a big Leupold fan, but I've been using my DMS-1 a lot and enjoying it as a plinking scope.

For a simpler, lighter, quality scope without frills, the Leupold's hard to beat for the price. For more features (illumination, CQB reticle) with decent performance at a reasonable price, the DMS-1 is great.

Here are the key differences, as I see them.

- The Leupold has better glass and coatings, which will be important during marginal conditions (like low light) and give better resolution at long ranges, as well as a generally brighter field of view.

- The DMS-1 is a true 1x, while the Leupold is 1.5x. This is mostly an issue shooting with both eyes open at minimum magnification. Some people handle this just fine, other people have a hard time with the different view for each eye. You have to try to find out if your brain processes it well for you.

- The DMS field of view is 23' high mag, 90' low mag, while the Leupold is 28.5' and 75'.

- The Leupold reticle is duplex, and the DMS-1 is a CQB circle/dot. I find the DMS much faster than duplex for acquisition and fast shooting, while the duplex is more accurate for precision shooting. You can get different reticles from the Leupold custom shop, like the German or mildots, but that runs the price up.

- The DMS-1 is illuminated (though it washes out in bright light, leaving the black reticle), and the Leupold isn't. This also helps the DMS-1 target acquisition when the illumination shows.

- The DMS-1 weighs 18 oz, and the Leupold weighs 9.5 oz.

- Leupold has great service and warranty support. Millett used to, but since they've been acquired by Bushnell, there have been reports that service isn't as good as it once was.

- The Leupold is better made, with better quality control, and is a more solid scope overall.

If I were buying an inexpensive scope for Serious Business, I'd go for the Leupold, but I'd probably look at saving more for a Trij TR-24 instead. For general fun shooting, I like the DMS-1 a lot for the money.