Del-Ton vs RRA

Did you buy only a stripped lower? If so, I'd look at a kit...the Del-Ton kits are around $465 and will get ya the stock and LPK too. Otherwise, for $90-ish more I'd go RRA. You are looking at the A2, correct? Curious why you don't want a flat top...any plans for optics?

Get the rock river...since I'm getting the Del-Ton

Have put together a couple of Del-Ton kits, no complaints in any form.

No experience with RRA stuff.

If one is building, just a few $$ more gets one a nice, adaptable carbine for about the same price of a standard that is assembled.

Flat top for sure, you can not add it later, easily. IMHO

i'd say del-ton everyone i know that has a del-ton upper loves it

Flat top mid length, because you will eventually want to mount an optic on it.

Nice looking lower- I got ya.

Yeah, just going with the upper then I'd say spend a little more for the RRA. No experience with either, but have heard good things about both, although most of what I've heard would say RRA.

I know you said you want the A2 look, so, as a thought, how about a flat top upper with a detachable carry handle? You'll get the A2 looks with the flat top flexibility.

Go with the mid length, RRA is a good brand and there's no real downside to using a midlength and a lot of potential benefits.

I just got a 20" del-ton upper. They had it in the UPS truck in hours! Literally I ordered it online at 3pm and got the shipped email at 530pm

Does anyone know for sure that Del-ton doesn't get their mid-length uppers from Rock River?

I purchased a mid-length kit from Del-ton and found "RRA" stamped under my hanguards. I read a while back where someone called Del-ton and asked who built these uppers for them and were told that they came from a well known manufacturer. They wouldn't confirm nor deny the RRA connection.

I think I remember reading that Del-ton used Wilson Barrels. I've got a 20" from them, but it is only marked DTI. So I really don't know who made it.

I think I remember reading that Del-ton used Wilson Barrels.

I think they're Wilson barrel blanks and Del-Ton contracts out having them machined.

thats correct wilson barrels on Del-Ton guns

From my understanding, RRA uses Wilson barrels as well. Coincidence?

My 2 cents,

I'd go with the RRA for the following:

1) Midlength
2) you can get it in Light weight

I'm having a similar issue but with RRA and CMMG. If I could get the RRA w/o the BCG, It would already be on a truck headed here. If CMMG was 1/9, same deal (wife doesn't want the 1/7 ).

Conversely, if Del-ton sold a light weight Middy, it would be on a truck headed this way.

RRA.
If the two choices do end up costing about the same, the RRA will most likely retain its value better than the Delton.

Most definitely RRA. Del-Ton is a good company, but people like them so much because they don't seem to have too many problems with them and they are cheaper. RRA has some of the best BCG's for the cost in relation to the quality and function. AFAIK, Del-ton's BCG's are not MPI'ed, RRA BCG's are along with one other step to ensure quality that Del-ton and other distributors don't have done to their bolts.

Sorry, I know how you feel; I just got into the EBR's a few months ago so I'm fairly new as well.

MPI = Magnetic Particle Inspection; a test they do to the bolt (and carrier??) to check for flaws. It takes time and results in some bolts being discarded, so it's not done to cheaper bolts to keep costs low. I talked to a guy, can't remember who, that sells LMT and RRA BCG's; he said the LMT enhanced BCG is overkill and that RRA makes one of the best. If you get a bolt that has not been MPI'ed or shot peened or heat treated, it could fail after some strenuous use, but it isn't guaranteed to take a crap either. I think the big difference there is longevity; 10,000 rounds and you might start to see a cheaper BCG have problems.


Or I may be insane .

If you get a bolt that has not been MPI'ed or shot peened or heat treated, it could fail after some strenuous use, but it isn't guaranteed to take a crap either. I think the big difference there is longevity; 10,000 rounds and you might start to see a cheaper BCG have problems.

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The same can be said about a MPI and shot peened bolt carrier group- there are no guarantees that they won't fail either- they just start out life at a known minimum standard where a non-tested and peened set starts at an unknown standard.

Most definitely RRA. Del-Ton is a good company, but people like them so much because they don't seem to have too many problems with them and they are cheaper.

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FWIW, RRA was the Del-ton of 5 years ago. They were a 'off-brand' company that offered good quality rifles at a lower price than the 'name brands.'

FWIW, RRA was the Del-ton of 5 years ago. They were a 'off-brand' company that offered good quality rifles at a lower price than the 'name brands.'

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Weeeeell, I don't claim to know everything about RRA or the AR15 industry for that matter, but Del-Ton uses DPMS receivers and parts, afaik RRA uses RRA receivers and parts; so I don't know if that is a very good example.

Nothing, afaik. I don't think they have the same quality standards that RRA has though. The swivel pin detent spring in the parts kits I had been getting needed to be trimmed for them to work in the DPMS lowers I've been using. I'm not sure if that makes them bad, but it does make them out of spec.