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+--- Thread: Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel (/showthread.php?tid=24337)
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-05-2022
Hello. I am new to this forum, so first off, a hearty welcome to all. Yes, I have been bitten by the 6.5 Grendel bug (I am not seeking any cure). I am thinking about either a bolt action or an AR15 in this caliber. Since this specific forum pertains to AR15s, my question is about that. Specifically, the Diamondback AR15 in 6.5 Grendel. I can get one of these fairly quickly and it is within my budget (no more than $1,000). What I have read about the Diamondback AR15s in 5.56/223 has been good but I have not found much about their AR15s in 6.5 Grendel. Have any of you had a chance to own one or know someone who has? If so, are they reliable? From what I've read, it seems that AR15s in 6.5 Grendel in general can have issues with feeding. I am not looking for a SHTF rifle, as I already own such a weapon, nor will I be firing this much except for sighting-in and hunting deer and hogs (hogs taken for meat and no need yet for eradication though I'm sure that is coming). So, I don't need a top-tier weapon but I do need for it to be reliable? One potential negative I see in this Diamondback model is that it weighs 9.1 #s unloaded. Since I hunt almost exclusively from elevated stands and, thus far, have not had to walk more than 200 yards to any of them, this may not seem like much of an issue. However, I am not a spring chicken anymore and don't know how I'll like the handling qualities. Just for reference, the bolt action 6.5 Grendel I am considering weighs 7.8 #s unloaded, so I am not opposed to rifles with some weight.
Thanks in advance for any input you may have. One last question I just thought of: Are any other AR15 brands I should be considering, given what I've stated above (primarily about reliability and price)? Be good.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - peak98 - 03-05-2022
If you already have an AR, Id suggest purchasing a really nice upper. Youll have $$ left over for ammo, optics, mags, etc.
Here is what Id spend my cash on at this time.
https://www.larue.com/products/larue-complete-18-6-5-grendel-match-grade-upper/
Ive never shot/handled any Diamondback weapons so I no opinion there.
peak98
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - just_john - 03-05-2022
S4S, for starters, I am about to roll over 75 yrs. To date, I've built or helped to build about 60 MSRs. For the most part, one can be built with hardware store hand tools. Just a few specialty tools will yield a better build. They are really quite simple and can be done in an hour or so. My only experience with Diamondback is a barrel I bought for a build for one of my grandson's ( a Grendel ). Even going so far as to recut the chambering, I cannot get it to feed properly and am not sure why. One thing I have learned is that Diamondback is owned by Taurus and ( even after working in a LGS for a long time ) I have not found a Taurus that I would pick up off a sidewalk if one was abandoned there. I did have higher expecations with Diamondback. Oh, well.
There are a number of on-line shops where good MSR's can be picked up for well under $1K. Just get a good local FFL to handle the transfer and it is a simple process. If you are close to an Academy Sports and Outdoors they have ready-mades in their catalogs or can handle the transfer ( $40 ).
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-05-2022
peak98, I wish I did own an AR15, as just adding an upper would be the thing to do but unfortunately I do not.
just_john,I was hoping not to hear that about Diamondback but that's what I needed to hear. Your suggestion about on-line shops offering good MSR's (especially for well under $1K) is what I will do. A bit of advice needed: Which MSR manufacturers are "good"?
Thanks to you both for taking the time to respond.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - just_john - 03-05-2022
S4S, every one will have a story about the good guys and the bad guys. I just took a quick look at Primary Arms, Alexander Arms, Moriarti Arms and others and they all have Grendels at various price points. And, with MSR's you don;t have to get the upper and the lower from the same place. I had a recent episode with Moriarti and must say that they have an extraordinarilly GOOD service group. They really went an extra mile ( or two ) for me.
The upper can ship straight to you, the lower must go thru an FFL. Or, find an inexpensive complete 5.56 MSR and then just get ( as stated above ) a Grendel upper. You may be able to do that and still stay under a $!K ( not counting optics ).
Some thoughts, with MSR's flexibility is a key justification. There is a growing group of manufacturers who build synthetic uppers - the barrels are molded in place so avoid them.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-05-2022
Thank you for the much needed input.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - VASCAR2 - 03-05-2022
Here is a link to the google custom search feature for the 6.5 Grendel forum.
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=016368947416500061353:paqd_0xcu1o&hl=en
Forum member with 18 Diamondback Tactical.
https://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?19517-Range-Report-Diamondback-18-quot-Mid-length-upper
A forum member HuntTx uses a Diamondback 6.5 Grendel and seems to do well using it on hogs. Using the custom search feature most threads are about Vortex Diamondback scopes and not Diamondback Firearms. If I had a $1000 to spend Id look seriously at the LaRue Tactical ultimate upper. Id then buy a stripped lower and assemble it with a good trigger. Another option is buy a complete lower from Palmetto State Armory for $150 and buy an upper. It is very easy to assemble an AR-15 lower but the PSA complete lowers are gtg. You can always upgrade the trigger later.
The LaRue 6.5 Grendel have a great reputation on this forum but PSA has 6.5 Grendel uppers in stock. PSA has good customer service if you get a lemon but overall their 6.5 Grendel uppers get good reviews. I wouldnt buy an upper any cheaper than Palmetto State Armory. With the price of ammo it is cheaper to buy a quality upper/barrel than to waste time and ammo only to find out your cheap barrel sucks.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/barreled-upper-assemblies.html?caliber_multi=6.5+Grendel
Palmetto State Armory Lower
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/lowers.html
LaRue Tactical Ultimate Upper.
https://www.larue.com/products/larue-complete-18-6-5-grendel-match-grade-upper/
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-05-2022
VASCAR2, Thanks for those valuable tips, especially about not to go cheaper than PSA on the upper.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - cole2757 - 03-05-2022
I have an 18in DB grendel and havent had a single malfunction. No complaints. Only added a CMC trigger. Also got a DB in 5.56 back when they were under $400 and it has run perfect as well. Nothing bad to say about the 12in PSA upper either. A lot of theirs come with adjustable gas blocks to which is a plus if you have a silencer
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-06-2022
cole2757, Thanks for that bit of information. Would you happen to know the weight of your DB Grendel? I ask this because the ones being offered currently by DB weigh 9.1#s unloaded. This seems overly heavy to me, as all the AR10s on their site that I looked at were less than that. Thanks again for responding.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - cole2757 - 03-06-2022
According to my bathroom scale it is about 9 lbs with a primary arms 14x scope. Its lighter than my AR10 for sure though. Its also an 18in, PSA with a vortex 6x scope. I also wanted a lighter option so i got an upper from Grendel Hunter. Its a 16in fluted barrel with a lightweight handguard and a 6x scope. Ive been happy with it as well.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-06-2022
Thank you for the information.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - LR1955 - 03-06-2022
SS:
For what it is worth to you, I have one of their PCC's in 9mm and was pretty surprised that it has functioned with any 9mm load I have put through it. Not sure if it was by accident or design but being able to trust it will function with any 9mm so far is a good thing seeing as I have seen more expensive PCC's fail to function unless they are very clean and are shooting specific loads.
Kind of like a Sherman Tank of the PCC's though. Will take a lot of abuse but is heavier than a PCC needs to be.
If I were to buy a Grendel upper from them, I would go into it understanding it will be reliable but heavy.
LR-55
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-06-2022
LR-55, Yes, I agree that DB is on the heavy-side at least in what I saw for their 6.5 Grendels. Thank you for the info about the reliability of your specific DB. The heaviness I "may" be able to deal with but it has to be reliable. I obviously have much to consider before I purchase a Grendel.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Newguy - 03-08-2022
My best advice to you would be to buy a complete lower from PSA (palmettostatearmory.com) and a complete upper from LaRue. They just pin together. While you're waiting for your LaRue go ahead and order a complete upper from Grendel Hunter.
That's what I did and I can heartily recommend both. Now that I think about it I also have a Palmetto upper in 6.5 Grendel. I recommend that as well. While you're waiting for the PSA to ship stay away from Brownells.com because they occasionally have a sale on SOLGW India Match grade uppers and you may end up with one of those too. Hmm now you understand how I ended up with 5 AR15s. LOL
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-08-2022
Newguy, yes I do understand!! Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) my budget is not as big as yours for such things. My wife is doing home renovations and I think I may have to do what was done in the movie "Paint Your Wagon" - tunnel under my home and catch any spare change that falls through the cracks.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Newguy - 03-09-2022
I hear ya. It's much easier to take bite size chunks! Wait until you start putting your own uppers together if you ever do. All of a sudden an extra gas block turns into an upper build ????
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-10-2022
Believe me when I say that the light bulb has gone off about AR's in general. You're only limited by your imagination (and pocket book). Only now am I thinking about separate uppers and lowers and all that good stuff. I can get the Ruger Elite 452 Trigger Lower Unit and a complete 6.5 Grendel BCG Upper with 18" SS barrel, full-auto BCG, etc. ,etc. for much less than the Diamondback AR would have cost. Problem is that I really don't know much about BCG Uppers or the Ruger Lower. I'll figure it out.
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - FLshooter - 03-11-2022
Diamondback is a Florida Co. So Im not gonna badmouth them in anyway. I got a lightly used diamondback AR 15 223 16 rifle for a very low price off a buddy. Nothing wrong with it. I later sold it to another buddy who is new to ARs.
I think diamondback is a budget gun. If youre on a budget, get it and shoot it for a while. You can always swap out the barrel to turn it into a great shooter! As far as I can see,they use good parts.Good as any!
Reliability of Diamondback AR15 (Model # DB1565DBDB) in 6.5 Grendel - Shootin4Stars - 03-12-2022
FLshooter, thank you for the information. At this point I need to mention that this AR would mostly be used for deer/hog hunting and the annual checking of zero before hunting season. I may take it a few times to the range with some of my other weapons, especially if I decide to reload for this caliber (ie, I already have presses, scales, limited quantities of various powders like H335. RL7 and Hunter plus a few others. Where I currently hunt, 250 yards is the longest shot I would have with < 125 yards being the average range. What I don't have are small rifle primers but I'm sure I would be able to eventually find some). I have the scope - a Sightmark Wraith 4K Mini digital NV.