OK, well it's review time. The lower arrived well packaged, bagged and with a light coat of oil. Unlike the last stripped DLASK lower I handled (with the white surface etched lettering) this one seems to be very uniformly finished and has no residue in ANY of the milling recesses or pin chanels from the anodizing process with the exception of the buffer retainer recess which cleaned out in about 4 seconds with an old .22 cal bore brush.
One thing I was a little disappointed at was the somewhat careless way the front of the mag well had the forging seam cleaned up. (see pics). Better than the DPMS lowers generally are, but certainly not Colt or Armalite machining either. Such a shame really as the rest of the machining on this lower is really first rate. Oh well, I can live with it.
Although I was warned by more than a few CGN'ers via this thread and by pm that I'd have problems with a DPMS parts kit due to tight pin holes on DLASK lowers and the I should use Armalite parts like Dlask does, my DPMS kit assembled onto this lower like Lego. Not a single issue with fit. The only problem I encountered is that one of thedetent pins was improperly heat treated and immediately had the tip shear off when I first worked the rear takedown pin. A call to Wolverine fixed that. Ironically I ended up with Armalite detent pins after all, but the rest (including roll pins) were DPMS. The roll pins went in fine. I used the "vice grip method" as outlined on AR15.com simply because I wanted to see if it would work. It worked great, by the way. I have roll punch pins, but I wanted to test this thing out and the myth that the DLASK lowers don't take normal roll pins well. I consider that myth now debunked. Roll pin holes are DEFINITELY in spec, at least on these newer engraved lowers.
The RRA buttstock went on without incident, though I might re-install it this week and use blue loctite. Probably doesn't need it, but I've seen too many butts come loose at matches causing the takedown detent spring to launch - effectively ending the shooter's day
One complaint I do have is that the DPMS safety selector seems to be machined off about 2 degrees and sits canted in the lower. I pulled a Colt selector from another gun and checked - it fitsstraight - so it's the DPMS part. The selector still functions 100%, but it's definitely machined off a few degrees. No matter, I'm likely going to replace it with an ambi selector anyhow in the near future.
Went with the Matech BUIS described above. A rather interesting design used by some US military units. Some guys love them, other's not so much. So far I like it and I like the elevation adjustment features and it seems very solid.
Another problem I encountered was with the brand new Armalite complete upper (1/9 chrome lined) I got from Valley Guns. The A2 flash hider was spun on with just a little loc-tite and NO WASHER! I called VGS to ask for a replacement and they refused to send it to me. Oh well, lots of other dealers to use in the future who understand customer service. Wolverine sent me one right away for a moderate fee. Stupid thing is this upper most certainly came from Wolverine before VGS got it in inventory to sell and it's likely the washer was omitted at the Armalite factory. Typical I got stuck paying for it
At least everything snugs nicely on the lower with even less shake than in the Colts I've owned. Nice.
Here she is all finished (with the exception that I'm replacing this aimpoint mount with the new Promag GG&G style cantilever for a better co-witness).
All in all, I have to say that everything I was told about the DLASK lowers with respect to quality control problems, non-milspec machining and fit, and parts sensitivity turned out to be 100% FALSE. This lower went together with as few problems as I've ever seen any lower have during assembly. Dlask is selling these newer engraved (way better looking than the old white lettered ones IMHO) lowers for $250 plus tax and shipping. That's only about $20 or so more than most imported American made lowers. Frankly, from now on I will have no qualms recommending to friends to buy the DLASK unit and support a Canadian manufacturer.
If anyone has any questions or comments, I'd be happy to post more info.
