Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum. I'm considering buying a del-ton rifle kit to build. I've looked at palmetto and others but which ones the best? And can I get other name brand build kits like from colt or others? Thanks in advance.
del-ton vs. palmetto build kits
- Thread starter ODT
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Hi! Welcome to THR!
Which one's the best?
Well, what do you want? What kind of rifle are you planning to put together? Just a regular old "M-4" style blaster, or do you want something to fill a specific role?
And what comes in the kits you're looking at? A lower and lower parts kit? An upper, too?
If you show us two you're looking at (provide links) we could probably argue over which of those is better, but each of those companies sells a variety of stuff.
If looking at PSA, I'd go with one of their "Premium" line, and see if I could find one of the CHF barrels, which are made by FN.
Which one's the best?
Well, what do you want? What kind of rifle are you planning to put together? Just a regular old "M-4" style blaster, or do you want something to fill a specific role? And what comes in the kits you're looking at? A lower and lower parts kit? An upper, too?
If you show us two you're looking at (provide links) we could probably argue over which of those is better, but each of those companies sells a variety of stuff.
If looking at PSA, I'd go with one of their "Premium" line, and see if I could find one of the CHF barrels, which are made by FN.
MachIVshooter
Member
I would say that PSA is, on average, a little better than Del-Ton. Their premium line is definitely superior, the PTAC line has fit & finish similar to the DTI stuff I've payed with. Nothing from DTI is really comparable to the mid-range "Freedom" products from PSA.
That said, I've never seen anything wrong with DTI products. I'd say go with whichever company has what you want in stock at the best price.
That said, I've never seen anything wrong with DTI products. I'd say go with whichever company has what you want in stock at the best price.
Hi everyone thanks for the responses. I was planning on getting a 20" Barrell A2 style rifle in a 5.56 Nato. I was looking at the premium line with the FN barrell. As far as function it's really just something to plink and target shoot with. Of couse both Del-ton and palmetto have them at similar costs. I had heard disparaging things about palmetto logistical challenges on getting you the equipment and wondered if I should just go Delel-Ton, hence the question. Also it's my first build. How time consuming and tedious is it. At 650 dollars in parts should I possibly just buy something? Thanks again.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
PSA tends to get ragged on for being slow to ship, but that's not the norm and with the panic pretty much over, things are much better. I agree with MachIV that their CHF "premium" kits or rifles are the way to go.
If you're buying a bare lower and a parts kit to finish it, and then a complete upper to drop on it, you'll be done in well under an hour, with fairly basic hand tools (punches, a small hammer, pliers to hold pins, some tape to keep off scratches and maybe a vice block to hold it still). If you're buying a stripped upper and all the parts to build that yourself, you'll need some more tools and another hour or so.
If you're buying a bare lower and a parts kit to finish it, and then a complete upper to drop on it, you'll be done in well under an hour, with fairly basic hand tools (punches, a small hammer, pliers to hold pins, some tape to keep off scratches and maybe a vice block to hold it still). If you're buying a stripped upper and all the parts to build that yourself, you'll need some more tools and another hour or so.
I can't tell you if Del Ton or PSA is better. I built a PSA last summer. I used a blemished premium rifle kit & stripped lower that I bought from them. I couldn't find a blemish on the lower. The rifle kit came quickly (the blemished lower was slow to ship) & the only blemish on it was a scratch in the finish. I dabbed some black magic marker on the scratch. I put the rifle itself together, bought a rear sight from PSA, acquired 5 30 round P mags & a quick adjust sling for right around $650. You can stretch your dollars pretty well if you watch PSA's specials & are patient.
Johnny_B_Goode
member
PSA has pop up in the cart that tells you it will be 10 to 15 days before your items ship. I do not see how anyone can complain about PSA being slow to ship when they give you notice.
I have shot plenty of Del-Ton rifles. I have no experience with PSA rifles. When Del-Ton had kits for $400 or less someone bought a Del-Ton every week. We had so many Del-Ton kits shipped to the sporting clays club I belong to they sent a pad similar to the Glock pads that showed a schematic of a Del-Ton.
I got a DPMS because I wanted a 20" barrel and I really liked the Magpul sights that came on the DPMS.
I haven't noticed any issues with the Del-Ton rifles other that cheesy sights. We follow each other to matches so we can join in on the fun. None of the Del-Ton rifles have given anyone any grief. I do not know of a single Del-Ton that has broke. We are not big AR15 fans. We only use AR15 rifles for 3 gun matches and cull hunts. We have a long field behind the skeet towers. I have only seen other members setting the sights on a AR15.
I have shot plenty of Del-Ton rifles. I have no experience with PSA rifles. When Del-Ton had kits for $400 or less someone bought a Del-Ton every week. We had so many Del-Ton kits shipped to the sporting clays club I belong to they sent a pad similar to the Glock pads that showed a schematic of a Del-Ton.
I got a DPMS because I wanted a 20" barrel and I really liked the Magpul sights that came on the DPMS.
I haven't noticed any issues with the Del-Ton rifles other that cheesy sights. We follow each other to matches so we can join in on the fun. None of the Del-Ton rifles have given anyone any grief. I do not know of a single Del-Ton that has broke. We are not big AR15 fans. We only use AR15 rifles for 3 gun matches and cull hunts. We have a long field behind the skeet towers. I have only seen other members setting the sights on a AR15.
NWcityguy2
Member
When it comes to Del-ton vs PSA, remember that most of the parts are going to be similar in quality, notwithstanding normal variations. The upper receivers, stock, lower parts kit, buffer spring, etc. All these parts are basically going to be equivalent. These days Del-ton is using a 158 Carpenter bolt and chrome lined carrier, just like PSA.
The real difference is, quite frankly, the barrel. The PSA premium line offers a chrome lined FN made barrel. The PSA CHF is a FN made CHF barrel. Both barrels are excellent for a high round count rifle that is combined with a low powered optic and used primarily inside 300 yards. The simple truth is you won't see a difference in real world performance no matter how much money you spend if that's what you do with your rifle. You could spend big money on a Noveske, Larue or KAC and not see a difference without shooting from a rest. Most ( but not all) Del-tons come with an unlined CMV barrel, which has a shorter life span even if few wear it out. But for essentially the same price the PSA is the all around better choice.
Unless you already have your lower, or you want the experience of piecing the gun together, I'd recommend buying a fully assembled lower, barreled upper, BCG and charging handle separately. You'll have more furniture options for the lower, more barrel choices for the upper, and you can get a quality 7075 charging handle for only a few bucks more.
I've done a couple recent orders from PSA and they seem to ship in 10-15 days unless you order a barreled upper. Then it is more like 15 actual business days.
The real difference is, quite frankly, the barrel. The PSA premium line offers a chrome lined FN made barrel. The PSA CHF is a FN made CHF barrel. Both barrels are excellent for a high round count rifle that is combined with a low powered optic and used primarily inside 300 yards. The simple truth is you won't see a difference in real world performance no matter how much money you spend if that's what you do with your rifle. You could spend big money on a Noveske, Larue or KAC and not see a difference without shooting from a rest. Most ( but not all) Del-tons come with an unlined CMV barrel, which has a shorter life span even if few wear it out. But for essentially the same price the PSA is the all around better choice.
Unless you already have your lower, or you want the experience of piecing the gun together, I'd recommend buying a fully assembled lower, barreled upper, BCG and charging handle separately. You'll have more furniture options for the lower, more barrel choices for the upper, and you can get a quality 7075 charging handle for only a few bucks more.
I've done a couple recent orders from PSA and they seem to ship in 10-15 days unless you order a barreled upper. Then it is more like 15 actual business days.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
I have been around AR15s for years...used the puny M16 in Viet Nam...owned a Colt AR15 30 years ago....nowadays so many companies making the new versions....I am old and if I do buy one and I own a few it is an Armalite.....also own Rock Rivers, and the old Bushmasters.....good luck on the multi products out there now...my days of buying this new crap is over....good luck to all of you...stick to a proven product.
PSA Premium line, great quality for the cost. I'm also super-patient, so slow ship times don't bother me for a good deal. I just got a killer deal on an Emerson knife, have no idea when it will ship, just says "on order," but I've used that vendor before with no issues so for the deal, I don't care. That's me though...
It's like the old saying; fast, low cost, quality, pick two. I pick low cost and quality every time, if that means shopping around for a few months to find the best price or waiting a few months on backorder (for a killer price), so be it.
It's like the old saying; fast, low cost, quality, pick two. I pick low cost and quality every time, if that means shopping around for a few months to find the best price or waiting a few months on backorder (for a killer price), so be it.
No experience with Del Ton but built a few lower kits from PSA. They all went together just fine and have functioned perfectly. I wouldn't dissuade anyone from assembling a lower and then buying a complete barreled upper. Although, for my first AR I just bought a complete rifle.
This doesn't have the A2 rifle stock, but could be a good lower (assembled for $170)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2416/category/4282/
with
This upper ($310)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/12908/category/4220/
Full auto BCG w/ bolt ($110)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/15174/category/332/
Standard Charging Handle ($25)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...harging-handles/ar15-m16-charging-handle.html
That would be a pretty solid rifle for $615
Alternatively get this blemished stripped lower
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2416/category/4282/
With your choice of lower build kit, and you could shave another 30 or 40 bucks off.
If you really want the A2 stock, PSA is always sold out of their A2 buttstock assembly, I ended up getting mine from White Oak:
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17592
If you get the stock from there, then you will just need the lower PARTS kit from PSA, (your choice of grip).
This doesn't have the A2 rifle stock, but could be a good lower (assembled for $170)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2416/category/4282/
with
This upper ($310)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/12908/category/4220/
Full auto BCG w/ bolt ($110)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/15174/category/332/
Standard Charging Handle ($25)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...harging-handles/ar15-m16-charging-handle.html
That would be a pretty solid rifle for $615
Alternatively get this blemished stripped lower
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2416/category/4282/
With your choice of lower build kit, and you could shave another 30 or 40 bucks off.
If you really want the A2 stock, PSA is always sold out of their A2 buttstock assembly, I ended up getting mine from White Oak:
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17592
If you get the stock from there, then you will just need the lower PARTS kit from PSA, (your choice of grip).
henschman
Member
If you were considering a 16", things might get a little more complicated, but since you want an A2-profile 20", that makes the answer easy. Definitely PSA. Their 20" uppers are all 1/7 twist, meaning you can shoot any ammo from cheap surplus 55 grain up to the heavy 77 grain match and defensive loads. Also they are all chrome lined, and are all 4150 steel, high pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected. Del Ton 20"s are only available with 1/9 twist, are not chrome lined, they don't state what barrel steel they use so you can assume 4140, and they don't HPT/MPI. Real easy decision when you start getting into the specs.
fanchisimo
Member
I have built the following using PSA:
3 rifles using an already assembled upper and I built the lowers
1 complete upper and lower
All have worked great, I built one for my friend and from a benchrest he was able to get 1.5-2 moa groups using a 1-4 millet scope and reloads. I've never put mine on a bench rest, but it has eaten every type of ammo I've put through it: Steel, aluminum, and of course brass. I hold PSA in the highest regard, but have accepted that shipping will be slow. Besides that, I have never had an issue with their company.
3 rifles using an already assembled upper and I built the lowers
1 complete upper and lower
All have worked great, I built one for my friend and from a benchrest he was able to get 1.5-2 moa groups using a 1-4 millet scope and reloads. I've never put mine on a bench rest, but it has eaten every type of ammo I've put through it: Steel, aluminum, and of course brass. I hold PSA in the highest regard, but have accepted that shipping will be slow. Besides that, I have never had an issue with their company.
atblis
Member
PSA sells some decent parts but they've also dumped some junk on the market. Their customer service is atrocious. Roll the dice...
maxxhavoc
Member
You can't go wrong with the PSA fn-barreled 20" uppers.
Lower parts kits, however...you can.
Most lower parts kits these days are just an assortment of the right parts. You can get an OK trigger, you can get a really cruddy, gritty trigger. It just depends of the tolerance stacking and finish of the parts in the box.
What I would do is get a PSA LPK w/o FGC and get a decent trigger that was tested and finished as a unit:
LPK:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/1154/category/389/
or even better-
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/1175/category/389/
and then a good ALG trigger
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ALG_Defense_Quality_Mil_Spec_Trigger_QMS_p/alg-qms.htm
or better-
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ALG_Defense_Combat_Trigger_ACT_Tuned_By_Geissele_p/alg-act.htm
When you buy a "basic" LPK you will spend $25-30 of the cost on a trigger that is not very good. If you buy the kit without the trigger, you can put that money towards a better FCG that is a "known good" quality level. You end up spending $20-$30 more, but it is well worth it.
Edit: Just noticed JB doesn't have the trigger in stock, neither does PSA. Midway has them for about the same price.
Lower parts kits, however...you can.
Most lower parts kits these days are just an assortment of the right parts. You can get an OK trigger, you can get a really cruddy, gritty trigger. It just depends of the tolerance stacking and finish of the parts in the box.
What I would do is get a PSA LPK w/o FGC and get a decent trigger that was tested and finished as a unit:
LPK:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/1154/category/389/
or even better-
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/1175/category/389/
and then a good ALG trigger
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ALG_Defense_Quality_Mil_Spec_Trigger_QMS_p/alg-qms.htm
or better-
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ALG_Defense_Combat_Trigger_ACT_Tuned_By_Geissele_p/alg-act.htm
When you buy a "basic" LPK you will spend $25-30 of the cost on a trigger that is not very good. If you buy the kit without the trigger, you can put that money towards a better FCG that is a "known good" quality level. You end up spending $20-$30 more, but it is well worth it.
Edit: Just noticed JB doesn't have the trigger in stock, neither does PSA. Midway has them for about the same price.
Ibmikey
Member
Ok ODT, Here is my two cents worth, I have two Delton rifles one with a light weight barrel the other a mid weight and both with mid length gas. I also have at least a dozen rifles with all or major parts from PSA. Both brands are of extremely high quality components (with PSA specify PREMIUM when ordering) and mine have gone through thousands and thousands of rounds without incident. With PSA you have more choices on a kit that suits your needs but Delton also offers to work with you TP personalize the weapon. So in summation I believe you will get a heck of a rifle with either builder if you do your part.
Johnny_B_Goode
member
One more note when we bought all the Del-Ton rifles PSA wasn't well known. DPMS came out with cheap kits then a year or so later Del-Ton got to be well known. Just recently I noticed Del Ton offered a kit I would be interested in buying. When we bought Del Ton kits they only had a couple models. We probably would have bought PSA kits if we had shot and handled a PSA rifle. You do pay more for a PSA but there is very little assembly. Just snap the rifle together go shooting.
Not sure what you are trying to build, but this is a STEAL. I don't think you could build it yourself for less.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...tm_campaign=Constant+Contact&utm_medium=email
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...tm_campaign=Constant+Contact&utm_medium=email
MachIVshooter
Member
The same rifle is at $399 for a kit, less stripped lower receiver, which can be had for $50. So yes, you could build the same rifle for $100 less buying the kit and stripped receiver to assemble yourself.
With free shipping on that complete rifle at the moment, the difference would be about $70.
You are correct!
I forgot that I actually bought that kit about 2 weeks ago!
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...e-weight-5-56-nato-1-7-freedom-rifle-kit.html
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