M16a1 or delton for first build

[Knuklehead]

I'm not rich and am looking to build a whole AR for under $750 by kit. Are the m16a1 parts kits from e sarco inc. a rare find? I've been looking at these kits and I think I want one. If so I would put it on a Nodak spud lower. Also I've been looking at Del ton kits as from reading reviews, it looks like this is the best bang for your buck. I also heard DSA is good. What I was thinking was, buy the m16a1 parts kit now, as they may cost me more in the future/ and I really like the vintage look. As time goes on the M16 kits will be harder to accuire(supply and who knows if Maryland will change there laws) I can always build this and get a Del ton or DSA whenever I get more cash And I was thinking, its a Colt so its quality, and I hear people always saying" well they're nice, but it ain't a colt ". And the Del ton I can always get. what do you think

 

[Nugilum]

Get the M16A1 kit. I'm a retro kinda guy though, I'll admit I'm biased.

Yes, the kits will run out, and the price will go up.

 

[Knuklehead]

thanks, nobody else will answer a nubie I guess

 

[ugaarguy]

Knucklehead, this thread is now in the rifles sub-forum. I sent a private message to one of our friendly moderators here, asking him to move the thread if he felt it appropriate; so that you would get more responses. Give it a little time, and I'm sure the rest of the AR fans will answer you now that they're seeing this in Rifle Country. Give me a little time to do a few things myself, and I'll post a reply regarding your listed options, and others. Welcome to THR.

 

[mortablunt]

^ What he said. General Gun Discussion is the biggest board here. It gets the most traffic. If you put something off in a side board, it could very well end up stagnant.

 

[ugaarguy]

A reply as promised.

If you want to do a retro build, then the M16A1 kit is the obvious choice. Be aware of the following:

The bbl. is unfinished, and who knows what it is. Call or e-mail, and get details from SARCO on the bbl. Also be aware that the M16 & M16A1 had a lighter gray anodizing vs. the black anodizing of the M16A2/A3/A4, and M4 / M4A1. If you want it to look good, you'll need to get the barrel parked in a similar gray.

You'll also have to order a lower from NoDak Spud or just one of a couple others that has their lowers anodized in the M16 / M16A1 light gray of your upper.

Next you'll need to be aware of the bolt. The M16 / AR-15 bolt is the weakpoint, and they do need to be replaced when the round count gets high. Anything mil-surp is going to have a high round count, so I doubt those bolts have much life left in them. Budget for a new bolt.

Finally, based on both the pics on SARCO's site, and reviews on other sites, those kits are shipping with full auto fire control groups. You'll need to get rid of that FCG to avoid the potential of a constructive possession charge. Budget for a new FCG.


As far as Del Ton, they're decent; and you know you're getting new parts. There are better options for the money. Search Del Ton, DelTon, and Del-Ton here on THR to get info. The topic has been discussed at length here.

 

[JayPee]

Another consideration is to scope out Palmetto State Armory website. They are are fairly new and are getting very good reviews for high quality for good prices. You'll find a thread entitled same down the page with some reviews. I have two Del-Ton uppers and consider them good, capable equipment no matter what the Cult of the Expensive Rifle may say. They are quite popular here in the southeast. Best wishes in your search.

JayPee

 

[Orlando]

The M16A1 kits are not worn out. All of them I have seen are like new. Barrels were not replaced because they were worn out but were demilled before being brough back in country
They will outlast you

 

[Sam1911]

General Gun Discussion is the biggest board here. It gets the most traffic. If you put something off in a side board, it could very well end up stagnant.

[Mod Talk: General is the biggest, which means your post will be bumped off the top of the list in an hour or less. Please try to put your post in the MOST appropriate sub-forum. It saves us a lot of work moving it later. Thanks.]

 

[jobu07]

If you want a retro build there aren't a lot of options out there. Short of picking up a SP1, this is your best bet. I know of at least one vendor who sells these kits with the barrel already parked and the front sight tower mounted. Of course, he charged a little more than SARCO too.

Couple with a Nodak Spud receiver you'll have one heckuva fine rifle that will serve you for the remainder of your days.

 

[Knuklehead]

Thanks

thanks everyone for their input. This was my first thread and it toke me a while to find out how to even post it, but in the future I will do my best to put it in the right section, I thought that was the appropriate section and am sorry for any inconvenience to you guys. Exactly how hard is it to parkinize, hope thats right, the barrell?(is this anodizing) I am going to email them now and ask them an array of questions. I will let u know what they say when i hear from them. also I've been looking extensively for these kits, and this seems like the best condition one out there. I saw on Nodak Spud's site they gotta lot of links for uppers(like the kit I'm interested in) even have one like jobu mentioned, but most of the links are dried up and they don't have them anymore. If anyone else can share a link to a better place to get this kit, I'm all ears. thanks alot everyone

 

[Knuklehead]

PSA not DSA duh

Jay Pee, thanks for the psa info, I mentioned DSA in my original post, but this is what i meant. If I was going to go with a new rifle kit this would be my choice over the del ton(more bang for buck) But I really think I'm going to order the Colt m16a1 kit

 

[Sam1911]

but in the future I will do my best to put it in the right section, I thought that was the appropriate section and am sorry for any inconvenience to you guys.

Oh, no worries. I just mentioned that to head off the idea in post 5 that it might be useful to do that on purpose.

Exactly how hard is it to parkinize, hope thats right, the barrell?

Not hard, for someone who's set up to do it. It requires chemicals, heat, dip tanks, etc. It usually isn't much money to have it done, but it isn't exactly a harry-homeowner project, either.

is this anodizing

No. Anodizing is a surface treatment applied to Aluminum. Parkerizing, bluing, browning and such are all treatments applied to steel.

 

[Knuklehead]

they have a2 kits also

e sarco inc. has m16a2 kits also. I haven't saw these anywhere else. Is this a rarer find? If so now I'm wondering if I should get on of those. But I really like the a1. decisions. Can anyone shed some light on how hard it is to come by the a2 as compared to the a1. Thanks

 

[jobu07]

You could probably snap up both kits and sock them away to build at your leisure. Then you have both

 

[Knuklehead]

Thanks Sam , I wonder since the a1 is a lighter color if its hard for them to match correctly, more like a green/gray from what i hear.

 

[Knuklehead]

jobu, thats exactly what I was thinking. which one should i purchase first though

 

[Sam1911]

I wonder since the a1 is a lighter color if its hard for them to match correctly, more like a green/gray from what i hear.

There are (at least) two different chemical baths that can be used to produce a parkerized finish.

Zinc phosphate makes for a light to medium gray finish that tends to look a touch greenish.

Manganese phosphate makes a medium or dark gray or black finish.

A company who does that will either tell you which they use, or will give you the option.

 

[TonyAngel]

What do you want? A rifle or carbine? I like a carbine because it's handier for me.