Del-Ton AR-15 kit

[bender]

oh no, not another ar-15 thread...

ok, I'm finally gonna order this kit:

http://www.del-ton.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=80

I'm getting a Bushmaster stripped lower from a local dealer.

A few of the Del-Ton options I'm not sure about, would like some advice here.

I'm going to leave most of the options as the default choice. I do want the removable carry handle for $75. I also want a flip up front sight/gas block. I'm not sure about the pros & cons of the choices. I think I want the YHM flip up front sight for an extra $65. For the grip options, is the Ergo worth it for $17? There's lots of handguard options, I will probably just take the standard A2. Are the floating ones worth it, just for a range toy? I'm just gonna leave the standard flat top upper choice. Don't know what the other choices mean anyway (flat top with T marks, flat top with M4 feed ramps).

Thanks.

 

[lamazza]

Looks like a nice setup-there are tons of options for grips and, yes, you should get one. I use the hogue which feels very good to me.
Carry handle is nice to have, I've seen them at cdnn for about $49...I have one and have never used it. I don't really care for front flip up sites, but like rear flip up sites . ARs are an addiction that just gets worse over time.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Be careful that screw-on gas blocks like the YHM flip-front are properly installed. If they are not, the screws can work loose from vibration and when your gas block shifts, the rifle becomes a straight pull bolt action.

Beyond that your choices sound fine to me. An upper with T-marks is just a regular flattop upper with the picatinny rail marked with T2, T4, etc. just like a military receiver. Basically the idea if that you aren't smart enough to remember where you attached a mount to the receiver, you can just remember the T-address instead.

A flattop upper with M4 feed ramps is just an upper with feed ramps extended deeper into the upper receiver. The idea is if the magazine doesn't have time to push the next round all the way up into the correct position, the lower ramp will help marginally positioned rounds to feed. It may also help a bit with rounds with longer OAL. Generally feed ramps are mostly useful in full-auto. In any case, the feed ramps won't do you any good unless you buy a barrel with M4 feed ramps as well.

 

[atomchaser]

I purchased on of the Del-ton uppers awhile back. They were good folks to deal with. I did have a problem with the gas block being slightly misaligned which caused sighting and cycling issues, but was easy to fix. I like the pop up YHM sights. I use a red dot and can easily cowitness the iron sights through the red dot if necessary.

 

[BozemanMT]

The Houge grip is pretty darn good (so is the Ergo) and for $17 it's a deal.

You want a free float front handguard, otherwise you can't really run a sling.
for the money, it's a deal.

 

[bender]

ok, thanks. The reason I wanted a flip up front sight, is that my local dealer thinks they are a good option, since...based on what optics you chose, you could flip down the sight if it's in the way.

Be careful that screw-on gas blocks like the YHM flip-front are properly installed. If they are not, the screws can work loose from vibration and when your gas block shifts, the rifle becomes a straight pull bolt action.

that was another question: when you order some of these options for the Del-Ton complete rifle kit, do they install them for you? I would assume they do.

I wouldn't know how to check if they installed something correctly or not...

 

[wdlsguy]

when you order some of these options for the Del-Ton complete rifle kit, do they install them for you?

Everything except the buttstock, grips, and lower parts kit.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I wouldn't know how to check if they installed something correctly or not...

I'd just shoot it. You'll know soon enough whether it was installed correctly. Otherwise there is no way to tell short of removing and reinstalling the gas block. A little red loctite on the screws can help though; but remember that red loctite is very aggressive in holding things.

 

[bender]

I know I'll have to put together the lower parts. I should get a few tools before I order this I suppose. I assume what you will need are some roll pin punches, brass hammer, anything else? What about a stock wrench?

gonna get one of those "complete ar-15 assembly" books too.

 

[wdlsguy]

I should have ordered a spanner wrench with my carbine kit.

I used these instructions to assemble my lower.

 

[nonquixote]

Not much to add except some feedback. I bought the kit you're getting for my first AR build project and mounted it to a DPMS stripped lower in about an hour and a half. The only difficulty I had was improvising ways to install the tiny detent pins and springs without shooting them across the workshop. Turned out fortunate to have a tiny spring on hand to replace one that I lost.

The upper was completely assembled outfitted as I ordered it, headspaced, and test fired before delivery so the rest of the assembly was easy as pie, and I've been very happy with the rifle ever since, with currently 500 rounds through it with no malfunctions.

I currently have an inexpensive reflex sight mounted on it, until I decide which higher end sight I want, and eventually I'm going to switch out the ok stock trigger for a good adjustable single stage as well.

 

[wdlsguy]

The only difficulty I had was improvising ways to install the tiny detent pins and springs without shooting them across the workshop.

Someone here suggested using a single-edged razor blade to hold in the pivot pin detent while installing the pivot pin. Seems like that would work pretty well.

 

[bender]

my fingers and little springs don't go together. Last two times I did anything with little springs or little clips, I lost them all.

I probably should get some extra ones at the same time as the rifle.

I'm gonna get the Lyman roll pin punch set from Midway, and the spanner wrench that wdlsguy recommended, and a hammer (brass/nylon heads) from midway. maybe a roll pin holder too...?

edit: I just ordered some extra little springs for the lower receiver assembly (from Stag), just in case I lose some. $7 shipping for a few little springs & pivot pins ($4 total for parts).

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Bender, let us know what you think about the quality of the parts when you receive them. I'm close to ordering a similar kit myself.

-jagd

 

[bender]

ok, will do... I'm gonna have to wait till a little closer to xmas...

x-mas bonus you know

 

[Monkeybear]

Someone here suggested using a single-edged razor blade to hold in the pivot pin detent while installing the pivot pin. Seems like that would work pretty well.

I tried it, worked beautifully.

If you are gonna use magnified optics then I would forgo the use of a flip top front sight and use that money to free float the barrel. If you are gonna use irons and/or a red dot Id get the flip downs and forgo the free float.

 

[Telperion]

In any case, the feed ramps won't do you any good unless you buy a lower with M4 feed ramps as well.

Do you have pictures of the feed ramp cuts in the lower receiver? I've only heard of the feed ramp cuts in the upper receiver.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Originally Posted by Bartholomew Roberts
In any case, the feed ramps won't do you any good unless you buy a lower with M4 feed ramps as well.

Do you have pictures of the feed ramp cuts in the lower receiver? I've only heard of the feed ramp cuts in the upper receiver.

A perfect example of why you shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet. I have no idea what I was thinking when I typed that; but you are correct. M4 feed ramps extend into the upper receiver, not the lower. I guess I was confused and thinking the normal feed ramps extended into the upper; but they are just part of the barrel extension.

You think I would know better since I have a rifle with a normal upper and M4 feed ramp barrel extension.