Recently I got my hot little hands on one of the new FN America rifles for 2015. This one is the FN-15 DMR or Designated Marksman Rifle. It’s designed to shoot accurately. More specifically, it’s designed to shoot longer and heavier projectiles accurately. Does it? Let’s find out.
What makes a DMR a DMR?
If this rifle claims to be for a designated marksman, then it needs to have marksman-like features and do marksman-ey things exceptionally well. Let’s take a look at the specific characteristics first, then later we’ll get into more detail on accuracy performance.
The standard DMR configuration already includes a slew of Magpul goodies.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the whole rifle is longer than the typical AR-15. That’s because it has an 18-inch, match-grade barrel. It’s hammer forged, chrome plated and chambered in 5.56mm NATO, so you’re good to go with either .223 Remington or 5.56mm military ammo. Partnered with the extended-length barrel is a mid-length gas system. The longer barrel provides extra velocity over the standard 16-inch barrels with most ammunition while the longer gas system chills out the recoil action noticeably. AR-15s chambered in .223 Remington / 5.56mm NATO don’t have much recoil to start with, but this one takes soft shooting to a whole new level.
The 15-inch hand guard is long enough to cover the mid-length gas system.
Capping the end of the muzzle is a Surefire ProComp 556 muzzle brake. The brake has large side ports which make the rifle somewhat loud near the shooter. There are two small ports on the top of the brake pointing upward and slightly back, presumably to keep the muzzle from rising and enable fast follow up shots. The muzzle brake is plenty effective. While shooting offhand or from the bench, I could detect no real muzzle jump, so staying on target was easy. As nice as the muzzle brake is, the first thing I would do is put a 5.56mm suppressor on this rifle, perhaps something like a SilencerCo Saker 556. Yes, it would make a long rifle even longer, but I’m thinking the combination of the 18-inch barrel, mid-length gas system, and a silencer would make this an exceptionally fun gun. The included Surefire muzzle brake is not suppressor compatible, so I would probably mount a standard flash hider for a suppressor mount. I really can’t imagine that this rifle would start jumping from recoil if I switched from a brake to a flash hider.
That is a rifle length gas system.
Correct.
A “standard” AR-15 is a semi-auto M-16 and has a 20″ barrel.
You are too accustomed to the CAR / M4 versions.
Great birthday present thanks for the idea 🙂
I just got one for father’s day. Can’t wait to put a few rounds down range.
I have this very rifle and it is in no way comparable to the old 20″ AR as used by the military or as found in the civilian market. With a great trigger like the Timney I dropped into mine I can make a single ragged hole one can cover with a dime at 100 yards and by a silver dollar at 200 using a Burris ‘regular ole scope” on an offset mount and when shooting the lack of muzzle rise keeps me on target for rapid follow up shots that are beyond the wet dreams of even the most ardent DI in the military.
FN has supplanted Colt as the supplier of our armed forces for their M4’s and that should finally throw the dirt into the burial hole that Colt has been digging for itself for decades with their incredibly stupid marketing ideas and practices. If ever a company deserved to go out of business it is Colt….and I would have always chosen an FN over a Colt firearm of any kind at any time…FN actually does things like check quality control and to my knowledge has never had to recall products because of manufacturing errors…Colt and Volkswagen are the kings of recalls……in short for the past half century Colt has a lot in common with pure and simple crap.