Del-Ton Rifle Kits

[Babarsac]

I picked up a brand new DPMS lower this weekend for $100 and need pick the parts to go with it. This is my first AR build so I decided to keep it simple. I'm looking at the 20" rifle kit from Del-Ton. I was curious if anybody here has any experience installing these kits?

http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt102.htm

Down the road I may try to turn this into a lefty-friendly retro build. If that happens what upper and barrel style should I be looking for?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Del-Ton makes good quality kits, based on the one I built, and the price is hard to beat. Check out their stock and handguard options, which are very attractively priced. They are not mil-spec (ha) but are cosmetically nice and all the quality you need for range and plinking uses. For any moderately hard use I would get a $60 high quality bolt (BCM or DD) and double check the carrier key staking, but otherwise they would probably still be good.

It's easy to build from a stripped lower, just look up the instructions on ar15.com and follow them. Proper tools really help. It's an under 2-hour job the first time and a lot easier and faster the 2nd and subsequent times.

 

[smokeyandthebandit05]

I have a Del-Ton 16" carbine Light weight upper that I love. Everything on it is perfect



If I was goin to buy a new upper I would buy from Del-Ton first. For what I need its perfect. I dont need something that will hold up to 80 mag dumps.



---------------- Now playing: Colt Ford - Mud Flap (Feat. Ty Stone) via FoxyTunes

 

[smokeyandthebandit05]

I still have the name tag from when they put it together

 

[cyclopsshooter]

the upper is already assembled, all you have to do is build the lower and you dont really need and special tools- i have handled several kits and the quality is acceptable.

 

[trickyasafox]

i have had great luck with the del-ton kits i've used.

 

[Z-Michigan]

you dont really need and special tools

Roll-pin punches make a big difference in my experience, and I've tried the vise-grips method also. And an AR multi-wrench can be important depending which type of buttstock you have. Those are the only special tools I think are necessary though, and you can scrimp by without them if you really want to (probably scratching some parts in the process).

 

[Zerodefect]

Try this instead:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=22&t=382832

Personally, if your going to build from parts. I'd just grab an upper not an entire kit. that way you can use a Magpul Moe grip and ACS stock. Unless you want the milspec box stock m4 look.



ps: be extremly gental with the trigger gard ears. even if you have to sand the pins down.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Zero, Del-Ton offers a lot of options on their kits including grip and buttstock options, and the prices for those as options are typically a lot less than you could buy them for individually.

 

[PandaBearBG]

I think Del-ton is great value for a great price, I just bought a kit a few months ago and it's been flawless so far, no problems and customer service was great. As for tools for building a lower, a hammer, masking tape (too keep from banging the paint of your rifle if the hammer gets too close, and a punch really really helps. Also for me a thin sharp knife really helps me when I install the front detent spring and pin, I just use it to hold the spring down so I can slip the pin in, that's probably the trickiest part since those springs and detents have a tendency to fly across the room and never be found again.

When you order a kit remember that they ship commercial buffer tubes as a default, if you have or want mil-spec sized tubes just tell them, they will switch no charge. I also upgraded mine to a CTR stock and it was only $60 more, despite their site selling it for about $90 since I purchased the full rifle kit. Good people good company.

 

[highorder]

I like Del-Ton kits, but I haven't seen a properly staked carrier key yet.

Easy to remedy, but worth mentioning.

 

[RP88]

I liked my Del-Ton kit when I had it. I want to buy two more ARs and Del-Ton will be one of them.

If you get an M4 kit, you can do a few things to it to really make it run like a champ, if you're interested in running it harder. I'd suggest skipping their bolt options and grab a milspec bolt. If you do that and get the necessary upgrades, stake the extension, etc. you can have a really nice AR that should handle anything.

 

[DougW]

My last 3 rifles are Del Ton kits. I pretty much use only Del Ton now.