I haven't seen any reviews on Stiller's new(ish) DBM so I figured I'd add my initial impressions. I stumbled across it a little while back, and was very interested due to the fact the end user can inlet most stocks with hand tools. The mag well extends below the stock and then widens to cover any rough edges. So last week I ordered one from longrangeshootingshop.com via gunbroker. Lloyd was VERY friendly and helpful. I called him soon after the purchase and he made sure I had no questions, and even chatted about hunting and rifles for a while.
Install on a Bell and Carlson stock (or any aluminum bedding block stock) was NOT easy however. This isn't the DBM's fault, it's my fault for not getting a better stock. Removing polymer/fiberglass material is easy and fast, but grinding the aluminum was a PITA. Well using a Dremel to do it was. I just ground away with a tungsten carbide cutter and high speed cutter for a few hours taking a tiny bit at a time, checking fit to see what's hitting, and grind more, check, grind, check, grind...
It wasn't hard to keep the cuts straight though. Makes me think inletting a regular stock for any other DBM might NOT be that bad (but who wants to risk gouging up an $800 McMillan stock?). I'd certainly never try it though.
Now the design of the DBM is a little unique as well. As you can see in the pics, an AI 5rd mag sits almost flush with the bottom of the mag well. There is a heavy bevel on the inside of the DBM too, which makes for quick and easy mag insertion. The release lever is a standard design. Long enough to find quickly and easily when behind the rifle, but not so big as to be a nuisance.
The mag feeds perfectly. I ran rounds through the mag 5 times in a row with no problems at all. No hiccups at all. The ONLY issue so far is that the mag sits a little high. It rubs the bottom of the bolt. If I just pull it down SLIGHTLY (just before the mag latch clicks) it feeds fine, with no drag so a VERY thin spacer under each screw might help.
Haven't had it out to the range yet as I just finished it last night. I'll report back after I see how it runs in real life. I also plan to get a couple Alpha Mags to see how they run.
Install on a Bell and Carlson stock (or any aluminum bedding block stock) was NOT easy however. This isn't the DBM's fault, it's my fault for not getting a better stock. Removing polymer/fiberglass material is easy and fast, but grinding the aluminum was a PITA. Well using a Dremel to do it was. I just ground away with a tungsten carbide cutter and high speed cutter for a few hours taking a tiny bit at a time, checking fit to see what's hitting, and grind more, check, grind, check, grind...
It wasn't hard to keep the cuts straight though. Makes me think inletting a regular stock for any other DBM might NOT be that bad (but who wants to risk gouging up an $800 McMillan stock?). I'd certainly never try it though.
Now the design of the DBM is a little unique as well. As you can see in the pics, an AI 5rd mag sits almost flush with the bottom of the mag well. There is a heavy bevel on the inside of the DBM too, which makes for quick and easy mag insertion. The release lever is a standard design. Long enough to find quickly and easily when behind the rifle, but not so big as to be a nuisance.
The mag feeds perfectly. I ran rounds through the mag 5 times in a row with no problems at all. No hiccups at all. The ONLY issue so far is that the mag sits a little high. It rubs the bottom of the bolt. If I just pull it down SLIGHTLY (just before the mag latch clicks) it feeds fine, with no drag so a VERY thin spacer under each screw might help.
Haven't had it out to the range yet as I just finished it last night. I'll report back after I see how it runs in real life. I also plan to get a couple Alpha Mags to see how they run.
