Help choosing my 1st AR: SW MP15 Sport vs. Del-Ton

[jshudson]

Afternoon. I'm ready to purchase my first AR15 and as a student I'm on a tight budget. I'd like anyone and everyone's opinion on these two rifles if you have any experience with them.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

http://www.del-ton.com/DTI_16_DTI_4_Rifle_p/rftm16-0.htm

First off, I can get the Smith and Wesson for around $600 with shipping (plus FFL fees). I can get a Del-Ton for about $650 with shipping (plus FFL fees).

My main questions are concerning differences in quality and features. First, is one going to be of better quality/more reliable than the other? What and customer support and warranties? Second, the MP15 lacks a few features that the Del-Ton has, such as the dust cover and forward assist.

I mostly plan on using my rifle as a plinker, a home-defense gun, and SHTF weapon. Would I even need the dust cover or the forward assist then?

Thanks for your input and happy shooting!

 

[rule303]

By most accounts, the M&P sport is an accurate, reliable gun. As you noticed is is lacking in the features department. I would lean towards the Del-ton myself, the price difference isn't that much.

 

[Glocky]

I have used most available in IPSC 3 gun matches, Colt, Rock River, Bushy, etc, and the lightweight Del Ton is the best for quick, accurate enough to stay on a golf ball at 100 yards and the prices can't compare.
Get the Flat top 2 stage trigger, w/o front sight tower but w/gas block w/ rails for your BUIS and optic on flat top. Less than $800

 

[jshudson]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I also forgot to mention that the Del-Ton comes with a hard case, a couple of mags, and a cleaning kit too. Not a deal breaker for me, but those kind of make up for the price difference anyway!

 

[jshudson]

What about Palmetto State Armory? They have one with a chrome-lined barrel for $599.00. Anybody have anything to say about them?

 

[ugaarguy]

jsh,

The M&P15 Sport lacks a dust cover & forward assist. But, it does have a T/C Arms manufactured 1:8 twist 5R barrel that's been Nitrided (Melonited). The Del-Ton you're looking at does have a dust cover & forward assist, bit also has a 1:9 twist unlined, untreated, conventionally rifled barrel. All else is equal on paper. From several examples of each I handled when I was in firearms retail S&W builds their rifles better in my opinion.

As for PSA, I've fairly recently used a few of their lower build kits on some stripped lowers. Those parts have been good to go in my short term experience with them. Their uppers have gotten several good reviews here. On paper the $600 PSA carbine looks like a great deal.

 

[kfgk14]

PSA is the way to go. They build to mil-spec and their rifles are, by all reports, very good quality.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The PSA $599 M4gery is the best buy out there. You can save $100 by buying it as a "kit" and adding a PSA lower.

 

[87jeep]

I got a Del-ton kit less the lower last spring. Got a lower from a local lower builder(90 bucks) and assembled. Now I know how everthing works together. Never had a problem(jam, FFE or FTF) plus it runs Wolf to M193 brass, saved money and runs any ammo, what more do you want!

Wow first post Have been watching THR forum for a while, so stepped up and joined.

(2) AR-15's (Del-ton & Bush M4A1)
Rem 1100 (trap)
Model 97
Sig P220ST
Ect.

 

[Professor Gun]

No experience with the Delton here, but I picked up a S&W M&P15 last spring for $600. Great gun. We put it through a couple of Appleseed shoots with lots of rounds and no cleaning; the gun did great, no stoppages, good accuracy.