www.dpmsinc.com 1-800-578-DPMS • 24” SST FLUTED BARREL • .223 REM. PANTHER BULL 24 SPECIAL • 20” HEAVY BARREL • 5.56 x 45mm PANTHER CLASSIC • 16” AP4 BARREL • 6.8 x 43mm SPC 6.8mm AP4 PANTHER CARBINE • 16” BULL BARREL • .22LR REM. PANTHER .22LR • 16” HEAVY BARREL • .308 WIN PANTHER LR-308T • 18” BULL BARREL • .308 WIN PANTHER LR-308B • 20” SST FLUTED BULL BARREL • .300 REM SAUM PANTHER LR-300 • 24” SST BULL BARREL • .308 WIN PANTHER LR-308 Made in the USA.
SERIAL NUMBER INFORMATION Record the serial number of your DPMS/Panther Arms firearm! # (When holding the firearm the serial number will be found on the left side of the firearm, stamped on the magazine well): and a description of it: Make a copy of this operations manual and proof of purchase/sales record. Maintain these items in a secure safe or fireproof container. These materials will be necessary if the firearm is damaged, stolen or returned to DPMS/Panther Arms for warranty or repair.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Warnings & Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 General Handling Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Dangerous Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Use of Safety Selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WARNING If this firearm is carelessly or improperly handled, unintentional discharge could result and could cause personal injury, death or damage to property. FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, this Operations Manual contains important instructions, warnings and safety procedures that must be understood BEFORE using your DPMS/Panther Arms firearm.
GENERAL HANDLING CAUTIONS 1. Do NOT alter or modify your DPMS/Panther Arms firearm, and have it serviced regularly! 2. Always handle your firearm as if loaded. 3. Never point your firearm at anything you don’t intend to shoot. 4. Always make sure your firearm is not loaded and the bolt is latched open and to the rear before laying it down or handing it to someone else. 5. Never leave a loaded firearm unattended. 6. Always be sure bore, muzzle, chamber and action are clear of obstruction. 7.
“SAFE” Rifle will not fire. Selector lever cannot be on safe unless rifle is cocked. Always place on SAFE when loading and unloading. “FIRE” Rifle will fire one round each time the trigger is pulled. FUNCTION CHECK SAFE Note: Remove magazine and make sure your rifle is unloaded and there is no ammunition in the chamber. Point in safe direction. Pull charging handle to rear and release. Place on safe. Pull trigger. Hammer should not fall.
.204 Ruger 5.56 x 45mm 6.8mm Rem. SPC .223 Rem. 7.62 x 39mm Includes the Following Rifles: Panther Classic Sixteen Pardus Rifle Panther Lite 16 Panther 20th Anniversary Rifle Panther Carbine Panther Bull Sweet Sixteen Panther A2 Tactical 16 Panther Bull Twenty Panther Bull Twenty-Four Panther AP4 Carbine w/Miculek Comp Panther Race Gun Panther AP4 Carbine Panther Bull 24 Special Panther 6.8mm AP4 Carbine Panther Super Bull 24 Panther 6.
SIGHTS 1. Rear sight can be adjusted for both windage and elevation and has a dual aperture peep sight, one for short range and one for long range. 2. When flipped forward, the aperture is marked O-2 for zero to 200 meters. When using this setting the elevation knob should be set at 8/3 low or 6/3 for detachable carry handle or flat top rear sights and at its lowest position. 3. When the aperture is flipped back, it is set for using the long range sight.
ZEROING SIGHTS 1. Set elevation to 8/3 low or 6/3 for detachable carry handle and flat top rear sights, then raise it one click. No further adjustment should be made during zeroing. 2. Flip aperture to small long range sight. 3. Set aperture to mechanical zero by adjusting windage until sight is aligned with center line on scale under sight. 4. Carefully aim and fire at bull's-eye on target at 25 meters: Fire ten rounds to establish a group. 5.
LOADING CAUTION: Always check that ammunition is clean and undamaged before using the forward assist. Forcing damaged ammunition into the chamber could result in personal injury or death to you and others and damage your rifle and property. The use of reloaded, hand-loaded or high pressure ammunition can be dangerous and will void the warranty. To load a magazine… 1. Use only ammunition for which your firearm is chambered. 2.
CLEAR YOUR RIFLE 1. Place selector on SAFE. If weapon is not cocked, lever cannot be pointed toward SAFE. FIRING NEVER load a cartridge into the chamber until you are ready to fire the rifle. FIRE 2. Remove magazine Do NOT disengage the safety until the rifle is pointed in a safe direction and you are ready to fire. To Fire… 1. Always wear ear and eye protection when firing your weapon. 2. Load firearm as previously described. 3. Set rear sight to range required. 4.
MAINTENANCE Your DPMS rifle is based on military rifle design and is very rugged but proper maintenance is necessary to keep it in good working condition. .223 CALIBER Field Stripping/Disassembly 1. Press take down pin in from left of lower receiver (it may be necessary to use a punch as the fit between upper and lower may be very tight). Pull it out the right side until it comes to a positive stop. 2. Pivot lower receiver down and away from upper portion of receiver. 3.
MAINTENANCE 8. Drop firing pin out rear of bolt carrier. 13. With a punch, remove the extractor pin from the bolt assembly. CATCH IT! GIVE CAM PIN A1/4 TURN AND LIFT OUT 9. Remove bolt cam pin. 14. Remove the extractor and spring. DO NOT remove the spring from extractor. 15. Press top of extractor spring rubber tip to test spring function. USE PUNCH 11. Remove bolt assembly from carrier DON’T SEPARATE SPRING FROM EXTRACTOR 13.
THOROUGH CLEANING upper receiver Be sure to include: CLEAN WITH RBC (Rifle Bore Cleaner) • All areas of powder fouling, corrosion, dirt and rust • Bore & chamber • Locking lugs START AT RECEIVER • Gas tube Use a worn bore brush to get outside surface of protruding gas tube (get sides and bottom from bottom of receiver) .223 CALIBER GO RIGHT THROUGH THE COMPENSATOR OR END OF BARREL.
THOROUGH CLEANING lower receiver group • Clean areas of powder fouling, corrosion and dirt • Wipe dirt from trigger mechanism PIPE CLEANER • Clean buffer and inside lower receiver extension CLEAN DRAIN HOLE CAUTION Do not use wire brush or any type of abrasive material to clean aluminum surfaces. ACTION SPRING AND BUFFER With the rifle disassembled, thoroughly clean, inspect and lube so you have a reliable weapon you can always depend on.
LUBRICATING GUIDE Lightly Lube - A film of oil barely visible to the eye. Generously Lube - Heavy enough so that it can be spread with the finger. Remember to remove excessive oil from the bore before firing. LUBRICATING .223 CALIBER Upper Receiver LIGHTLY LUBE: BORE & CHAMBER, OUTER SURFACES OF BARREL AND FRONT SIGHT, SURFACES UNDER HANDGUARD, DEPRESS FRONT SIGHT DETENT SEVERAL TIMES TO WORK LUBE INTO THE SPRING.
LUBRICATING Lower Receiver Group GENEROUSLY LUBE ACTION SPRING TAKE DOWN AND PIVOT PINS BUFFER INSIDE LOWER RECEIVER EXTENSION INSIDE PARTS LOWER RECEIVER WARNING DO NOT interchange bolts between rifles BT-16 BT-02A BOLT - Cracks or fractures, especially in the cam pin hole area. Bolts that contain pits extending into the firing pin hole need replacing. BT-14 FIRING PIN RETAINING PIN Replace if bent, broken, or badly worn. BT-17 CAM PIN - Replace if cracked, chipped or missing.
ASSEMBLY New extractor has a silicone insert w/spring. Be sure not to lose it. If the spring comes loose, put the large end of spring in the extractor and seat. 1. Insert spring and buffer. 2. Insert extractor and spring. WARNING .223 CALIBER Don’t switch bolts between rifles. 3. Push in extractor pin. 4. Slide bolt into carrier. STAGGER RING GAPS TO STOP GAS LOSS 5. Replace bolt cam pin. WARNING Be sure that the cam pin is installed in the bolt group.
ASSEMBLY 9. Engage, then push charging handle part way. 11. Push in charging handle and bolt carrier group together. BE SURE BOLT IS STILL UNLOCKED 12. Join upper and lower receivers. 14. Close upper and lower receiver groups. Push in takedown pin. 13. Engage receiver pivot pin. CHECK THE selector lever BY PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK CAUTION Selector lever must be on safe before closing upper receiver. SEE PAGE 6. RELEASE DELTA RING 16. Snap on sling. HOLD DELTA RING DOWN 15.
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS EXTREME COLD a. Clean and lubricate rifle with gun lubricant. Keep it moisture-free. b. Operate controls through their entire range, at intervals, to keep them from freezing up. c. When your rifle is not being used and kept outside, protect it with a cover. HOT CLIMATES a. Inspect rifle and bipod more frequently, especially the hidden surfaces of bolt carrier group, forward assist assembly and lower receiver components. Make certain they are lubricated using gun lubricant. b.
.22LR Includes the Following Rifles: Panther .22LR Panther DCM .22LR Panther AP4 .22LR Training Rifle Panther.22LR Pistol Panther DCM .22LR Panther AP4 .22LR Training Rifle Panther AP4 .22LR Pistol 21 .22LR CALIBER Panther .
Before continuing in this section, please be sure you have read pages 4-6! SIGHTS The .22LR bull barrel and the AP4 training rifle can have a scope, reflex sight or other sighting device mounted directly to the Picatinny Rail on top of the receiver. The AP4 can also utilize a detachable A2 sight or carry handle, and the DCM rifle comes standard with national match A2 sights. The front sight of both the DCM and the AP4 rifle is adjustable for elevation during zeroing.
LOADING THE RIFLE Make sure the rifle is pointed in a safe direction and the safety is engaged at all times while loading the rifle. NEVER allow your fingers or other objects to contact the trigger while loading or unloading the rifle. Do NOT disengage the safety until you are ready to fire and have the rifle pointed safely downrange. 1. 2. Ensure that the selector is in the “SAFE” position.
FIRING THE RIFLE Firing Preparation Before firing your rifle, practice your stance, aim, rhythm and breathing for a steady aim with your firearm unloaded. You should practice firing on a range before going hunting or before using your firearm for any other type of shooting. 1. Always wear eye and ear protection when firing your weapon. 2. Load firearm as previously described. 3.
MAINTENANCE Your DPMS rifle is based on a military rifle design and is very rugged but proper maintenance is necessary to keep it in good working condition. Field Stripping Disassembly (Make sure your rifle is unloaded, with no ammunition in the chamber.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Bolt assembly should be closed in the forward position. Press the rear take down pin in from left of lower receiver (it may be necessary to use a punch as the fit between upper and Pivot Pin lower receivers may be very tight.
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS Extreme Colda. Clean and lubricate rifle using a gun lubricant. (Break FreeTM, Mil-TechTM, etc.) Keep it moisture free. b. Operate controls through their entire range, at intervals, to keep them from freezing up. c. When your rifle is not being used and kept outside, protect it with a cover. Hot Climatesa. Inspect rifle more frequently, especially the hidden surfaces of the bolt assembly, and lower receiver components. Make certain they are lubricated with a gun lubricant. b.
TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Check For What To Do Won’t Feed Magazine not fully seated Adjust magazine catch. (Press button on right side. Turn catch clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen.) Won’t Chamber Dirty or corroded ammo Damaged ammo Carbon in chamber Replace ammo Replace Clean Double Feed Defective magazine Replace Short Recoil Defective ammo Carbon or dirt in carrier Replace Clean Selector Lever Binds Needs oil Lubricate lubricant with gun ATTENTION: Please Note: .
.30 CALIBER Panther LR-308 .
CAUTION: Always check that ammunition is clean and undamaged before using. Loading damaged ammunition into the chamber could damage your rifle and could result in personal injury, death or damage to property. 1. Use only ammunition for which your firearm is chambered (Photo 29-A). 2. With front of magazine forward, place a round between the lips of the magazine with the bullets pointed forward. Press the round until the magazine lips retain it.
.30 CALIBER UNLOADING THE RIFLE 1. 2. 3. Set selector to “SAFE” position. (Photo 30-A) Press magazine catch button and remove magazine. (Photo 30-B) Pull charging handle to rear and push in lower portion of the bolt catch. If a round had been in the chamber it would have been ejected. Make sure to visually check to make sure that the chamber is empty. If last round in magazine had been fired, bolt and carrier should already be held to the rear, if the magazine was in place.
Panther .308 rifles feature a Lo-Pro style upper receiver. These rifles have a Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny Rail on the top of the receiver. This will accept Weaver based rings and mounts. Standard size rings will be sufficient for scopes with objective diameters less than 40mm. Larger diameter scopes, depending on the size of the objective lens, may need either a riser or high rings.
.30 CALIBER MAINTENANCE 9. 32-A Tilt bolt face up and remove firing pin. 10. Push bolt in towards the carrier until it rotates and comes to a stop. 11. Remove cam pin by lifting it out away from bolt and carrier. 12. Pull bolt forward out of carrier. (Photo 32-A) 32-B 13. Depress buffer, maintaining pressure as buffer is under spring tension, to prevent it from being ejected when buffer retainer is depressed.
Lower Receiver • Clean areas of powder fouling, corrosion and dirt. • Wipe dirt from trigger mechanism. • Clean buffer and inside lower receiver extension. CAUTION: Do not use wire brush or any type of abrasive material to clean aluminum surfaces.
.30 CALIBER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS Extreme Colda. Clean and lubricate rifle using a gun lubricant. (Break FreeTM, Mil-TechTM, etc.) Keep it moisture free. b. Operate controls through their entire range, at intervals, to keep them from freezing up. c. When your rifle is not being used and kept outside, protect it with a cover. Hot Climatesa. Inspect rifle more frequently, especially the hidden surfaces of the bolt assembly, and lower receiver components. Make certain they are lubricated with a gun lubricant. b.
Problem Won’t Feed Check For What To Do Dirty or corroded ammo Dirty magazine Defective magazine Too many rounds in magazine Restricted buffer assembly action Clean Clean Replace Take out excess Take out buffer and spring, clean .30 CALIBER TROUBLESHOOTING Magazine not fully seated Adjust magazine catch. (Press button on right side. Turn catch clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen.
THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY This DPMS/Panther Arms firearm is warranted to the original retail customer for Three Years from the date of purchase against defects in material and workmanship. All parts and labor or replacement at our option are covered.
AMMUNITION WARNING Due to a number of calls and comments concerning AR-type rifles, we have incurred feeding problems with the following: A) 1. Israeli ammunition 2. Korean ammunition We have heard and reviewed several reports of problems with many manufacturers’ rifles using this ammunition. The problem appears to be the bullet contour and the overall length of the cartridge, which is contacting the rifling before firing.
SHOOTER NOTES Date 38 Notes Ammo
RIFLES • PARTS • ACCESSORIES DPMS offers a complete line of AR Rifles, Parts and Accessories Call for a catalog or visit us online at www.dpmsinc.
3312 12th Street SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304 Phone 1-320-258-4448 • Fax 1-320-258-4449 www.dpmsinc.com • email: dpms@dpmsinc.
