Please help me decide! Del-Ton vs S&W vs DoubleStar

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Breakmyfootoff

Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
107
Alright, here's the choice. This will be a plinking/range rifle, no SHTF, no home defense, no bells, no whistles. Just a fun, low cost AR to shoot. Price difference is negligible between the 3, so imagine someone has offered to GIVE you a rifle, but you HAVE to pick one of these 3. Which one would it be.

I can get the S&W Sport for 599.99 (650.00 after tax)at my local Academy Sports
Here's the link to the S&W product page http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Or I can order a Del-Ton complete lower (240.00+20.00 transfer) and Del-Ton mid length complete A2 upper (415.00) for a total of 675.00 to my grubby little paws.

Or I can order a DoubleStar complete rifle from Buds Gunshop for 674.00 (including 20.00 transfer fee) with the law enforcement discount.
Link Here http://www.budspolicesupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/28/products_id/2006

I'm kind of leaning towards the DoubleStar from Buds, but still having a hard time deciding.
 
Last edited:
I'll plus 1 you on the DoubleStar. I have 2 of them, one of which i have put 10k through with no failures, and it is still dead accurate. I've known a few contractors to carry them in Iraq. I would gladly carry one in Iraq based on the performance I have had from both of mine. I saw more malfunctions by far out of my Colt M4 when I was in than I have out of my DoubleStar AR4gery. Of course I don't live in constantly blowing sandville so that is no real comparison. But I am defiantly a DoubleStar fan. The customer service if you order direct is great also.
 
Doublestar had a sale not to long ago and my FLL got one in that had been ordered. I was impressed with the fit and finish and after the new owner and family put 500 rounds down range they were too. That is all I know about them.

First AR I ever purchased was a Del-ton; fit and finish is as good as any AR I have experience with. I did replace the trigger on mine but have not had any problems with the rifle.

Think you will be happy with whatever you purchase.
 
I would go with the Delton Option. Delton has a good reputation and you save some money by buying the upper and lower separate.
 
I almost automatically said the Smith (I have an M&P15T approaching 18k rounds and its been nothing but the paradigm of reliability) - but that particular one you reference has got a funky upper receiver with no dust cover or forward assist - I just can't understand why they wouldn't include those, it just smacks of cheapness to me.

What I would do if I were in the market for a basic AR right now, with no assembly required on my part (and one that meets all the dreaded "Mil Spec" and "Chart" requirements, no less!!) would be to pick up one of these $399 (inc bcg and ch) uppers from Palmetto State Armory:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/2209.php

- and then I'd get a lower from them as well:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/1726.php

- so out the door for a grand total of $639 - you'll just have to add a rear sight of your choosing - and you can get one for $20 and up that will be perfectly serviceable, depending on your requirements.

ETA: Sorry, that upper I linked you too is a 14.5" - they do a 16" at the same price also, but it is currently out of stock by the look of it.....but if you are not planning to remove the flash hider at all, the 14.5 might be cool....and is also more "proper military M4-like" if that matters to you :)
 
Last edited:
That appears to be another very viable option. They make a point to state that the bolt carrier group is "done right",includes a chrome lined bore, and price (including shipping) is right in line with the other 3 choices (none of which have a chrome lined bore) at 669.00 total. This doesnt make the choice any easier :p, but I;m glad you made me aware of it. I'd say this option would replace the Sport from S&W in this comparison, still giving me 3 fine low budget AR's to choose between. I know the M&P's have a sterling reputation, but as you mentioned, it's obvious that corners were cut to get the price down on that sporter. Keep the opinions coming guys, still trying to make a final decision.
 
In defense of my beloved DStars.. lol A chrome lined barrel is offered by them factory direct also. I would rather have accuracy than chrome lining so neither of mine are chrome lined. The one that has been run quite a bit is a stainless barrel.

Seriously thought that Palmetto upper looks like a great deal.

http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=391

http://palmettostatearmory.com/1633.php

with those , a small hammer, and some duct tape I count an extremely nice AR for beater use for right at about $600. Can't hardly beat that with a stick.
 
Last edited:
He's not talking about the S&W M&P15 he is referring to the "sport" version, missing the forward assist and many other features.

Of the options mentioned I would trust the Del-Ton, but pay the extra $40 for the chrome lined bore and chamber on a straight walled cartridge like the 5.56mm.

Edited to add:

Main reason to go Del-Ton is the ability to get the proper configuration, lightweight chrome lined barrel 16" barrel with a mid-length gas system.
 
Yeah, realized it was a Sport version. Frankly after 35 years of M16/AR experience, I have yet to see any malfunction cured with a forward assist and a bunch of malfunctions greatly magnified by smacking that FA.
 
DelTon has an excellent reputation, but DoubleStar has an excellent reputation in the region they're known. KY/TN/GA/AL/NC/SC/ETC.

I've had 3 D* ARs and they've all been well behaved sturdy rifles. They've gone through courses without problems, and that's a torture test most ARs don't get put through. My last D* cost about that much, but I got it with the fluted 16" barrel instead.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3.
 
I got a lightweight, chrome-lined upper from DelTon. Nothing but good things to say about it.
 
Another fan of Del-ton here. I have a Del-ton 20" government profiled (non-CL) barrel mated to a Cav Arms lower. With MI Fixed rear sight and 20 round mag...it is the perfect 7.5 lb KISS rifle. When I had a scope on the rifle I could shoot nice consistent 1.5-2" groups with Black Hills 52gr HP ammo.
 
Kwanger said:
... What I would do if I were in the market for a basic AR right now, with no assembly required on my part (and one that meets all the dreaded "Mil Spec" and "Chart" requirements, no less!!) would be to pick up one of these $399 (inc bcg and ch) uppers from Palmetto State Armory:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/2209.php

- and then I'd get a lower from them as well:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/1726.php

- so out the door for a grand total of $639 - you'll just have to add a rear sight of your choosing - and you can get one for $20 and up that will be perfectly serviceable, depending on your requirements.

ETA: Sorry, that upper I linked you too is a 14.5" - they do a 16" at the same price also, but it is currently out of stock by the look of it.....but if you are not planning to remove the flash hider at all, the 14.5 might be cool....and is also more "proper military M4-like" if that matters to you :)
Click to expand...

I've got to say for the money this is an extremely attractive option that Kwanger posted!
 
Yes that is an attractive option for the money, too bad they are out of stock. No way to sign up for email notification when they are back in stock?!? Hmmm...

Also, to the poster quoted below. That's a heck of a deal. Do I pay tax on the gun after the transfer in my state? Or is it just the transfer fee from my FFL?

I can only comment on the Del Ton as thats all I've ever shot; no issues at all, nicely made. Got this exact one for $549 and added a carry handle sight for $20 off Ebay;
http://coldhandarms.com/zencart/inde...ufnpv549gne3p1
Click to expand...
 
I enjoy AR threads on this forum. The chart has not been referenced to death, no one has said the OP would be stupid to consider anything but BCM, DD, or Colt. Spikes Tactical has not been flamed and the word Zombie has not been used...Refreshiing
 
I'm pretty sure I have guns with parts from all of them. All seem fine. Del-Ton was great to work with, and I have a kit I built from them that works great. Can't go wrong in that price range, flip a coin.
 
I like that S&W for the money. I don't miss the FA but the dust cover may be nice, though on a casual rifle, it really shouldn't matter. I do like the 1:8" twist barrel and their coating as well. S&W also uses MP tested bolts that are properly staked. They do a lot right for the money, even if they cut the corners on the actually upper itself. You also get their warranty which is pretty good. I'd probably pick the Smith, but any should make you happy.
 
Heck - I enjoy AR threads on this forum. The chart has not been referenced to death, no one has said the OP would be stupid to consider anything but BCM, DD, or Colt. Spikes Tactical has not been flamed and the word Zombie has not been used...Refreshiing
Click to expand...

I enthusiastically agree. You guys are great, and all the informative opinions, personal experience, and links to info are greatly appreciated. While you all havent made the actual choice any easier :p , you have put my mind at ease about the quality of the rifles I was considering , as well as adding in some more great options for the same price range or less. I appreciate that everyone understood what I was wanting instead of telling me I should spend more so I would have a rifle that I could survive a zombie apocalypse with lol. Thanks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Help choosing my 1st AR: SW MP15 Sport vs. Del-Ton
Replies
9
Views
886
Professor Gun
P
J
  • Locked
AR: Del-Ton upper - gas key came loose (not staked)
Replies
19
Views
3K
lions
L
il.bill
  • Locked
First 5.56/.223 AR15: Del-Ton Echo or S&W M&P15 Sport ?
Replies
17
Views
8K
il.bill
il.bill
J
  • Locked
Help me pick my AR. Please..
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
ApacheCoTodd
ApacheCoTodd
K
  • Locked
  • Poll
S&W Model 60 .357 or Ruger SP101 .357, I need some help deciding
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
GaryP
G
Back
Top