Longtime AK owner, purchasing 1st AR

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Okiegunner

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Hello Guys. Threadline may be a bit mis-leading as I am actually undecided. I do love me some AK type rifles. I have been wanting to add a new 7.62 X 39 AK to my stash.

However...the price of the new AK has certainly been up-worldly mobile.

Hence, I stumbled across this. A Delton DT A3 carbine. $630.00 delivered. Ok, so I figure must be some sort of pos, throw away type junk. Everyone knows that the AR types always costs more (if they are any good at all) than the lowly AK peasant's rifle.

I look and I look on the internet, and all I can find is people saying really good things about this little carbine, actually very good stuff. Yes, it is not a Colt or BCM, however really good reviews.

So, I ask you guys...Any experience with this rifle? I am actually thinking that I may purchase my first AR "type" rifle (price is right).

If not, I have found a NIB "desert sand" furniture Colorado Gun Co. M-10, quad rail, 7.62 X 39 AK, with 2 30rd mags and free shipping for $589.00 that I will purchase. (Seems to be a very good buy)

Thanks for your feedback and comments,

Gunner
 
Delton doesn't make their own parts, but contracts them. That said, I find them to be as good as any of the "average" AR manufacturers. It's only when you get into the deadly serious military specification guns and high match round counts that "average" AR manufacturers don't hang in there.
 
I'll admit that your title and your post are a little confusing. You're a long-time AK owner but you don't own a 7.62x39 or you just want a NEW 7.62x39 rifle?
 
Bought my first AK type in 2004, an Arsenal SAM-7 A-1R milled. A couple of months back, picked up a Waffen Werks 74'.

Never really considered an AR "type" before. hope this answers your question.

Sorry about the confusion.
 
I agree, when the price gets even the AR is a better buy. It was different when the AK's were $300 and the AR's were $1000.
 
That is a toughie...

I was an AK guy too. I just bought an M&P 15 Sport a few months ago though. I must say it is a great shooter. I paid around 700 for mine.

If you already have an AK you're happy with, I might branch out and try an AR. You might like it
 
I got the m&p sport for under $700 and the warranty plus the fact that smith and Wesson has been making ar's nearly as long as the reputed leaders (a fact I didnt know) told me it was a safe buy. I am not as sure as Delton....
 
Since you already have two well made AKs I would try the AR. I like your choice of AKs.

Two main things that will be different than the AK:

1. ARs were originally designed to use disposable mags. Mags will not hold up as well as a good metal AK mag. If you shoot it a lot be prepared to change out mags every couple years.

2. ARs love to be oiled. They will run fine when dirty. They will not run fine when dry. My Colt will go several thousand rounds without a cleaning if I just add oil every other month or so, or after a long range day. It's never had a problem and I think the longest it's gone without cleaning is around 2500 rounds, many of them suppressed.
 
C-Grunt

Wow!! Thats a long time without cleaning...

I am kind of nutty in that I must clean and oil my firearms after each use. Regardless of manufacturer or firearm type.

I have a "Turk" made Beretta 92F Centurion clone. It absolutely must stay somewhat "wet". I tend to clean and oil my firearms somewhat on the wet side, as opposed to dry.

Thanks for your input
 
I'm of the opinion that a "budget" AR with a few thousand rounds thru it is a safer choice than a high end gun that leaves you unable to buy much ammo to practice with.

Top or bottom of the line, stuff breaks, fix it and keep going. For any serious use, two is one and one is none.

Blind obedience to "mil-specs" is why the taxpayers end up buying $600 hammers and $400 toilet seats :(
 
After some correspondence with the seller, I think I will purchase my first AR. Just changeing it up a bit.

Delton Echo 316 H (heavy barrel), 30 round Magpul PMAG, and hardshell case. Mil-spec bolt and carrier. Mil-spec flat top reciever. M-4 6 position butt-stock, and mil-spec sized buffer tube. Total, $650.00 otd (plus $10.00 ffl)

I might add that this is not a piston rifle but is direct (gas) impingement. I have heard that each has it's own merits (and deficiencies). While the chamber is CL, the barell is chrome-moly-vanadium. (sorry, I do not know how much thicker the heavy barell is over normal, forgot to ask

If anyone knows anything about this rifle, good or bad. I would appreciate some info. So far, sounds like a purchase to me. Anyone ever owned one?
Price is hard to beat.
 
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My work gun is a heavy barrel and I prefer a lighter weight. It makes the gun more front heavy. But other than that it really doesnt matter. I do find it odd that the chamber is chrome lined but not the barrel.
 
i think you'll like your ar just fine. it's a bit odd to me that the barrel isn't chrome lined, but i'll admit i'm not that familiar with del-tons rifle. i have ordered small parts from them and can say that their customer service is just fine.

i too had a sam7-r milled ak, but sold it off to make room for an ar and haven't looked back. i still have a love for the aks, but the ar just works that much better for me.
 
..."No Brainer"...my DI works as good as my gp systems, to me, and a 10$ ffl is hard to come by.

all comparisons aside, great deal no matter how you slice it... :D of course jus' my 2cts.
 
Fishbed77 said:
Which makes them just like almost every other AR manufacturer, including Colt.
Click to expand...

And exactly which parts would those be? This article seems to show that major components are made in house. (And also probably explains why the finishes are trashed on NIB rifles)

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/07/03/behind-the-scenes-at-colt-making-the-nations-favorite-rifle/

Ill admit that Colt is over-hyped, over-valued, and no better than most that cost much less money.......





But Colt still makes a quality rifle.
 
Well, I did pull the trigger (obviously no pun intended) and ordered the Echo 316 HB.

I read and and read and researched as much as I could (still have much to learn). Interestingly to me...I found that the same forge (Cerro) that manufacures the reciever (in rough form anyway) is the same forge that does the Rock River, Spike's Tactical, Stag, Smith & Wesson, Daniel Defense, Bushmaster & in large part Colt.

Contacted a few guys who have these rifles. Out of a dozen different guys, on a scale of 1-10, I only got a couple of 6s. Most were 7-8s, a couple of 9s & 2 10s.

When this rifle comes in, I will give you guys an accurate accounting. I mean man!! I don't have a lot of $$ in this thing, so I'm not so in love that I should be tempted to snow-ball you. (I would like to think that I would not do that anyway, OK?)

As a true naked flat-top, I am going to need to add some iron sights at least. Think I will get some "Bravo Company" mil-spec sights. Will be looking to buy a reasonably priced "functional" red dot. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,

Gunner
 
Okiegunner said:
Well, I did pull the trigger (obviously no pun intended) and ordered the Echo 316 HB.

I read and and read and researched as much as I could (still have much to learn). Interestingly to me...I found that the same forge (Cerro) that manufacures the reciever (in rough form anyway) is the same forge that does the Rock River, Spike's Tactical, Stag, Smith & Wesson, Daniel Defense, Bushmaster & in large part Colt.

Contacted a few guys who have these rifles. Out of a dozen different guys, on a scale of 1-10, I only got a couple of 6s. Most were 7-8s, a couple of 9s & 2 10s.

When this rifle comes in, I will give you guys an accurate accounting. I mean man!! I don't have a lot of $$ in this thing, so I'm not so in love that I should be tempted to snow-ball you. (I would like to think that I would not do that anyway, OK?)

As a true naked flat-top, I am going to need to add some iron sights at least. Think I will get some "Bravo Company" mil-spec sights. Will be looking to buy a reasonably priced "functional" red dot. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,

Gunner
Click to expand...
Congrats buddy. Keep it clean, run it hard.

If you're keeping with the budget motif, I suggest a Bushnell TRS-25. $100 or less, and quite small and light. I'd trust my life to mine, no joke. Just because it isn't several hundred or more, doesn't mean it can't perform. Everything man made will fail at some juncture, and you'll never know when. You have to draw the fine line between cost and namesake. My line in the sand was the TRS. Never a hiccup, never a failure. Check it out.

Ps.: Smith, at least nowadays, forges in house. There's an article in (I'd have to find my copy to see date) AR-15 magazine detailing a small tour given to the author prior to an Arizona testing of the Sport. Can't really say who does the other's forgings, I'm a Smith guy when ARs are concerned.
 
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