DM & PM Buying advice?

[Lucky]

Despite owning many guns, I've never owned anything from the Dye or Proto stable.
Obviously, the usual things apply like the later lower mileage guns will be better, but are there any rogue years to avoid or any particular problems that the range suffer from?

Are all boards current tournament legal or from what year?

Ta.

 

[Marc0]

I have owned and shot many Dye and Proto markers over the last 5 seasons.

NT11 Very Good if upgraded by Dye other wise Good
NT10 Very Good

DM11 Very Good
DM10 Good
DM9 Very Good
DM8 Good ( heavy )
DM7 Good ( heavy )

PM8 Good
PM7 OK ( heavy )

Lots of real bargains floating around on Classifieds, depends on you budget.

 

[Lucky]

Thanks Fella,
I've borrowed a few on occasions, and liked the way they shoot.
As you say, there are some bargains to be had out there! ;-)
Are there any board issues, regarding tournament legality?

 

[Marc0]

Shouldn't be, if the one you buy has an issue then Dye UK can supply a replacement that will fit any of the markers listed above or there are some great aftermarket boards out there ie Seventh Element / Vitue / Tadao to name but a few.

 

[spangley_special]

I'd say just get a current stock board, does the job, cheap and simple.

FYI I'd also say that I would personally take a DM7 over a DM8 anyday.

 

[Lucky]

Most people say the newer the year the better the gun, so why do you prefer the 7 over the 8?
Just curious?

 

[Ahdinko]

DM6 owner here, have owned the same one for about 4 years. My ownership experiences and stuff i've heard:

Its really, really reliable. The only time my gun has stopped working due to something not stupid (ie batteries) is when I ****ed around trying to take apart the reg without the right tools (You need a threaded stick, M4 thread I think to take apart dye regs) and broke the reg.

Otherwise I take it apart once every 6 months for maintenance. Take apart is relatively simple, as is the maintenance. Generous amounts of dow33 lube on the main bolt o-rings, and then a normal dab on the rest on the bolt, lpr and hpr.

Older boards will not be tournament legal unless they have been updated by Dye, but if you get in contact with them they'll send you a brand new legal board for a tenner.

Changes between the DM9, 10 and 11 are extremely minimal as far as internals go. DM9 on the inside is pretty much the same gun as a 10 or 11.

2nding the Seventh Element board with the rotor board combo, it has some really cool features

And probably my favourite part, Dye support is AWESOME. I was having troubles at big game last year with my DM6, I went into the dye tent, 4 guys sitting at a table ready to help. Gave my gun to them, they immediately started working on it (turns out it was batteries again lol)

They replaced the battery for me, and then gave it a tear down and a clean/lube just for good measure, on a 5 year old gun at no charge.

So to sum it up. I still shoot my DM6 because its a lovely gun to shoot, I went through 5 guns in a year before finding the DM, and have stuck with it because of what I found. Unbeatable reliability and keeps up at 10bps like any gun can these days. If i had to upgrade for the "new and shiny" factor, I'd take a DM9 as they represent some good value for money.

 

[Dusty]

Good guns when they work properly, can be fiddly to fix if you're not familiar with them. Will second Dye's spectacular customer service.

Don't expect much joy with them in extreme cold if you're playing though.

Dm8/9/10 very little difference in them, 9 is probably the best value pricewise and new enough to still be "fresh"

Dm6 doesn't pop up very often but go for next to nothing when they do, excellent guns too, first of the smaller DM series after the somewhat clunky chunky DM5

 

[spangley_special]

Most people say the newer the year the better the gun, so why do you prefer the 7 over the 8?
Just curious?

DM7's are lighter, have eye covers (personal preference but I prefer having eye covers to not) and the detents are less fiddly than the magnetic ones on the 8.

But most of all, 7's have much better finishing on the internal part's machining than the 8's, so oring life tends to be a lot longer and as such you get less leaks and do less maintenance.

 

[Gee Tee]

I owned a blue/black fade PM7 with a few upgrades a while back. It performed well and became a popular loaner within our team for 2 seasons. Needed minimal work to keep it running ok other than regular cleaning and greasing. I only off loaded it to thin the herd and raise cash for other deals in the end.

Don't discount the classics either. I picked up this mint DM4 on the forum for an amazing price. It came with lots of quality upgrades including Tadao chipped board, Evolve X-95 bolt kit, CP roller trigger and masses of spares. I've used it on a couple of walk on days and it shoots like a dream. Almost no kick at all, very quiet operation, zero chops and surprising efficient even in cold weather. Ok it may be a bit bulky compared to the latest electro's, but it gets the job done in style and is beautiful looking marker. I've swapped the empire ASA for a gloss blue CP direct mount since picture was taken.