A few questions-
What tools will I need to assemble the lower? I really don't have many tools in general let alone gunsmithing tools.
I have assembled two lowers. I used a couple pieces from my AK-47 cleaning kit (the buttstock pods that come with the gun), a small hammer, a leatherman multi-tool, a piece of paper, and small needle-nosed pliers.
The main tools you'll need are a small hammer, needle-nosed pliers, a piece of paper, and some hole punches/drift punches. Given my layout, you can guess what I substituted with what.
Assembling a lower is not hard, and I used youtube for the instructions. Just make sure to do it in a well-lit, clean area in case you accidentally let a spring fly across the room. Those things get lost easily. You don't need any fancy gunsmith specialist tools or anything. You can probably assemble one with chop sticks, two fingers, and your forehead if you're resourceful enough.
Any word on Del-Ton? I've read some of the reviews and they all seemed really positive.
I had a middie, but sold it to fund a safe and a Glock after i built my second AR; just didn't need the Del-Ton after the second one. It worked fine with everything, though - from wolf to PMC to UMC. Just don't do what I did and use crappy mags. get you some good ol' GIs with magpul/no-tilt followers. I had quite a few jams that were only due to mags. No gun-related problems.
Accuracy was good, especially because I got the heavy barrel. It shot as almost good as my current AR. Quality and fit/finish were like every other AR I've handled.
The only downside is that I'm pretty sure that the main parts are batch tested, and that the carrier is not staked, and the bolt is your run-of-the-mill blue-insert bolt. Definitely miles away from a milspec gun. if I were you, I'd simply select "none" for the bolt and carrier option, and take the money saved and put it towards a milspec bolt carrier group.
- Chrome lined barrel ($45) Should I get the 1x7 or 1x9 twist? most my shooting will be within 100 yards with plinking ammo, though I may reload some if I get a turret Press.
- Detachable Carry handle ($75) Some day I would like to put optics on this, thats why I'm getting the flat top.
- Flat Top Upper with M4 Feed Ramps ($25)
definitely get 1x7 twist, so you can shoot whatever you want through it. I'm not sure if the M4 feed ramps are done properly or not. If they aren't cut like they're supposed to, then I'd pass on that and just save your $25. I'd also not get the detachable carry handle until you've shopped around. You can find military surplus ones laying around for half that price if you look hard enough - at least less than $75...
Any recommendations for other upgrades from Del-Ton? I'd like to keep the price low but am open to any suggestions.
as said: better bolt carrier group. one from BCM, LMT, etc. come to mind.
You'll like the rifle once you get it running. I surely liked mine, and wouldn't mind getting a 20" from them in the future.