Ever since a 20-year-old man was able to nearly assassinate the former President of the United States from only 400 feet away, SOFREP has been inundated with questions about what kind of weapon may have been used, how it was configured, and what kind of damage could it do at a range of approximately 400 feet (how far the shooter was from Mr. Trump).

We’ve just learned that the weapon in question is a DPMS (Panther Arms) DR-15 16″ that fires a 5.56 NATO round. Many thanks to the Fox News Blog.

Trump Rifle 2
Everything that came in the box from the manufacturer.

This Video Shows the Weapon Being Fired on a Range

Watch SOFREP CEO and Founder Brandon Webb’s Video After-Action Report Below

Dead Shooter
The Secret Service counter-sniper team has neutralized the would-be assassin. However, his weapon cannot be seen from this vantage point. Image Credit: NY Post

About the DPMS (Panther Arms) AR 15

For starters, DPMS is short for Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services. The company was founded in 1985 by Randy Luth  and initially made components for the AR-15 platform. Eventually they branched out into making entire weapons.

The Freedom Group purchased DPMS in 2007. They own several firearms brands, including Bushmaster and Remington. In September 2020, DPMS was acquired by JJE Capital Holding LLC. JJE also owns Palmetto State Armory, H&R Firearms, Advanced Armament Corporation, AAC Ammunition, and Lead Star Arms.

DPMS is still going strong today, selling a wide range of AR-15 rifles and accessories under the Panther Arms brand name.

Panther Arms

The DPMS DR-15 fires a standard 5.56 NATO round through a 16-inch M4 profile barrel made with a 1/7 twist rate. This will tend to improve the weapon’s accuracy as it helps stabilize heavier rounds.

Trigger
The shooter squeezed a trigger like this one as he attempted to take President Trump’s life. Image Credit: SSP Firearms

I should probably take a second at this point and remove any confusion you may be experiencing. Even though Panther Arms calls this a DR-15 and it has an M4 profile barrel, it is indeed a classic AR-15. It’s not that expensive either. The MSRP is $749, but I’ve seen variants for sale as low as $538 with free shipping.

Former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb Breaks Down The Trump Shooters AR-15 Rifle

 

The DPMS DR-15 typically ships with a 30-round magazine. It features standard AR-15 controls, with the safety selector, or “selector switch,” placed on the left side of the weapon and the charging handle behind the receiver. The mag drop button is on the right side of the receiver, making it easily accessible to right-handed shooters.

Specs for the DR-15

  • Model Number: DP51655109559
  • Weight: 6.7 lbs.
  • Length: 32.5 ” (collapsed) 36.5″ (extended)’
  • Trigger: DPMS TWo-Stage Match, 4.5 lb pull weight
  • Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
  • Grip: DPMS A2
  • Stock: DPMS Pardus, Commercial Spec
  • Charging Handle: Standard Mil-Spec
  • Lower Receiver: Forged 7075 T6
  • Bolt Carrier Group: DPMS Phosphated, Chrome Lined, Carpenter 158 Steel Bolt, Heat Treated and Shot Peened
  • Barrel Twist: 1/7
  • Barrel Profile: M4
  • Barrel Material: 4140 Chrome-Moly Steel
  • Barrel Finish: Black Nitride
  • Upper Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 A3 Flattop with T-Marks
  • Gas System: Carbine Length
  • Handguard: DPMS M111 Modular Handguard
  • Front Sight: Standard A2
  • Rear Sight: MAGPUL MBUS

As of this writing, there is no reliable information available as to whether or not the shooter had a scope or red dot optic on his weapon. In my opinion, at the 400-foot distance we are talking about and from an elevated perch, it is a moot point. Even a novice shooter should be able to hit a torso-sized target at that distance with what can generically be called “steel sights.”

Sight picture
This is a good “sight picture.” The round will impact the intersection of the red lines.

This Excellent Video Shows You Step By Step How an AR-15 Works

A Primer on Modern Long Rifles

Modern rifles and carbines have evolved significantly, catering to a variety of uses from military applications to hunting and competitive shooting. Here’s a detailed overview of some prominent types of modern rifles, their calibers, the effects of those rounds, and their accuracy at close range.

Types of Modern Rifles and Carbines

  1. Bolt-Action Rifles
    • Examples: Browning X-Bolt, Savage Model 110, Ruger American.
    • Calibers: .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Springfield.
    • Characteristics: Known for their reliability and precision, bolt-action rifles are popular among hunters and long-range shooters. They require manual operation to chamber each round, which can slow down the rate of fire but enhance accuracy.
    • Accuracy: Extremely accurate, capable of sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) performance with the right ammunition. This precision makes them ideal for long-range engagements and effective at close range due to their consistency.
  2. Semiautomatic Rifles
    • Examples: AR-15, Sig Cross, Browning BAR.
    • Calibers: 5.56 NATO, .308 Winchester, 7.62x39mm.
    • Characteristics: These rifles automatically chamber the next round after each shot, allowing for faster follow-up shots. They are versatile, with applications in both civilian and military sectors.
    • Accuracy: Generally accurate but can be affected by rapid fire. Still, they offer good precision at close to medium ranges, making them effective for a variety of scenarios, from home defense to tactical operations.
  3. Lever-Action Rifles
    • Examples: Henry Model 1854, Marlin 336.
    • Calibers: .30-30 Winchester, .45-70 Government, .44 Magnum.
    • Characteristics: Lever-action rifles use a lever to cycle the action, making them quick to operate and reliable. They are iconic for their historical use in the American West.
    • Accuracy: Effective at close to medium ranges. The rapid cycling of the lever allows for quick follow-up shots, though semiautomatics are slower.
  4. Pump-Action Rifles
    • Examples: Remington Model 7600.
    • Calibers: .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester.
    • Characteristics: Similar to pump-action shotguns, these rifles are operated by a sliding handguard. They are less common but favored by some hunters.
    • Accuracy: Good for close to medium ranges. The manual operation can affect the speed of follow-up shots but provides robust reliability.
  5. Pistol-Caliber Carbines (PCCs)
    • Examples: Ruger PC Carbine, Sig Sauer MPX.
    • Calibers: 9mm, .45 ACP.
    • Characteristics: PCCs are chambered in pistol calibers and often use magazines compatible with popular handguns. They are lightweight and compact, making them ideal for home defense and close-quarters battle (CQB).
    • Accuracy: Highly accurate at close ranges due to lower recoil and manageable size. They offer quick handling and are effective in tight environments.
  6. Assault Rifles
    • Examples: AK-47, M16.
    • Calibers: 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm NATO.
    • Characteristics: Designed for military use, assault rifles are capable of selective fire, including fully automatic and burst modes. Civilian versions are usually semiautomatic.
    • Accuracy: Effective at close to medium ranges. The ability to switch firing modes provides versatility in different combat scenarios.

Bullet Calibers and Effects

  • 5.56x45mm NATO: Common in military rifles like the M16 and civilian AR-15s. It offers high velocity and low recoil and is effective up to 500 yards. However, its stopping power can be less compared to larger calibers.
  • 7.62x39mm: Used in rifles like the AK-47. It has more stopping power than the 5.56 but with greater recoil and less effective range, typically around 300 yards.
  • .308 Winchester: Favored for hunting and precision shooting. It provides excellent stopping power and accuracy up to 800 yards but generates more recoil.
  • 9mm: Common in PCCs, it offers low recoil and is highly effective at close ranges, typically within 100 yards.

Accuracy at Close Range

The close-range accuracy of these rifles generally depends on factors like barrel length, trigger quality, and shooter proficiency. Bolt-action and semiautomatic rifles often deliver superior accuracy due to better barrel harmonics and less movement during firing. Lever-action and pump-action rifles, while slightly less precise, still offer reliable performance within 200 yards.

In summary, modern rifles and carbines offer a range of options tailored to specific needs, from the high precision of bolt actions to the rapid fire of semiautomatics and the versatility of PCCs. Understanding their calibers and performance characteristics helps choose the right tool for the task, whether for sport, hunting, or tactical use.

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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.