need opinion - first AR build

[chuwee81]

Well, as the title says. I got an EA (essential arms) stripped lower and looking around for an upper to complete it. I see a delton complete upper for $450, That would add up to around $600 with shipping, LPK and the cost of the lower. With a stock assembly, it might add another $50 or so. But still pretty cheap for an AR - still have some money for optics, mags and ammo of course.

BUT i found a CMMG piston upper for $650 brand new. I figure if i spend money on this project, might as well, get the fancier one. I would still come up with around $850 for a complete gas piston AR. Still a lot cheaper compared to other gas piston or normal AR's.

So the question is of course, which one should i get ?
BOTH is not an option because i don't like sleeping in the dog house, i'm pretty sure my puppy doesn't like to share his bed as well.

fyi: this will be my first AR if that matters

 

[highorder]

You should consider a complete kit from Del-ton. A complete kit includes everything but the lower for $465. For that matter, AIM has complete Del-ton rifles in stock for $669, but thats another matter.

http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt103.htm
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/DEL-TON_DTI-4_.223_5.56_Rifle.html

It will take a while to receive, but the quality is good.

I would (and did) buy a standard AR for my first, but the piston rifles are nice too.

 

[chuwee81]

thanks, that's what i'm trying to avoid; the wait time. I was looking at their website too.
2 of my friends already got a DI AR, so i'm thinking hard to get a different set up.

 

[Kansan]

I got an EA lower a few months ago and went with a RRA complete upper. However, I can't yet tell you how they'll fit together as I'm waiting for the stock I just ordered to arrive before I put everything together.

By the way, don't underestimate what you'll spend on a stock, or a rear sight (if you go with a flat-top upper). It's easy to get sucked into more expensive products... Especially considering the marketing telling you what all "real operators" are using.

Between the two you listed, I think I would go for the Delton simply because I'm a traditionalist and wouldn't care for a piston system and I think you may be paying more for the novelty than you would a gas operated with the same quality and cost of manufacturing but they are both fine products. In either case, good luck and let us know how it turns out.