Rock River Arms or Spikes Tactical Mid-Length Upper

[Z-Michigan]

1stMarine - some comments on DTI's specs. First, I'm going in part from the technical specs here:
http://www.del-ton.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RKT104

At present they are claiming CMV steel (which is not exactly the same as 4150 {slightly better, actually}) but there is no specific claim of meeting the TDP for M4 barrel steel, or any other specific military spec. Maybe it does, maybe not.

They are also claiming Carpenter 158 for the bolts, but do not claim shot peening that I can see.

They have greatly improved their claimed specs within the last year. That's good, but it also reflects their budget-model heritage, and it makes me wonder if they are technically meeting spec on the specific items claimed, but not following spec on various other details that get even more arcane but can matter.

I continue to think DTI is at the upper end of the kit makers. I would also consider them better than DPMS and perhaps a few other manufacturers. But there's a lot to be proven before I'll give them any more than that. Did I mention my own personal experience, and all the DTI bolts I've seen fail?

 

[1stmarine]

Z-Michigan,
For serious AR use I hope they were using the M16 BCG, I suggest this in any AR.

I also compete at matches and do receive and give training. Rifle round count is rarely less than 300 that day.

I do not see many AR's fail but when I see them I try to help or talk to the person. This includes, many Model1, DPMS/bushmaster (same company), Model1, Armalite, S&W and even Colt and LMT I have seen fail. And yes!, RRA, Delton and Spikes too. After talking to the folks either one of these things were involved:

-Discount deal with AR-15 BCG.
-Home/friend build.

I have never seen fail: H&K, SIG, POF, Noveske, SI defense, Knights, Sabre. Also none of my systems have failed: SI Defense, RRA, Armalite, Colt, Delton, H&K. But obviously the one single most critical point the BCG is mitigated by those with the piston system.

Delton in a mil spec parts kit,t if it is not properly installed and inspected it can lead to issues like any other brand / parts kit. I have seen problems with the lower part kits in many ARs normally easily solvable. That is where, when needed, an experienced armorer or gunsmith comes into play.

I do run all my system by the chamber gauges and other than a bushmaster all the chambers were up to spec, including Delton, RRA and others "low-tier" ...whatever that means.

I have also seen popular carbines that in theory have many checkpoints with obviuos problems:

Bushmater with chamber out of spec.
S&W w/o staked gas key.
Overgassed DPMS and Bushmaster.
Castle nut not staked in many of them.
And the list goes on and on but in most
cases is a problem that can be easily solved and requires no additional cost but for serious AR use I recommend people pay special attention to the BCG and not be cheap there.

A good sytem is made of good internals. Even w/o a brand, a mil-spec set of receivers with a fully functional lower and a good barrel and BCG can provide top reliability and years of fun even for the seriuos use.

Most folks for occasional weekend plinkin do not need to worry about many of the above.

Cheers,
E.

 

[1stmarine]

Z-Michigan,
Well that was my approach when I first ordered parts from them. I was skeptical too but then I got a great product and great results. I was surprised to get the precise same M16 BCG I have in the high end AR's and yes it is MPI and shot peened too!

So like anyone that gets a great deal I ordered more parts, even recently for other builds. Even this 6x45 with a $500 lothar walter barrel I built with some Delton parts, and it is a 1/4 MOA AR!...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564287&page=6

I think the issues we are seeing online with Deltons, RRAs, and many ohters too might be folks, that unlike you or some other experienced people, they do not know one thing about what makes a good AR.
They might not be properly put together or not properly built for the purpose.

We should not discard a good company and what it seems to me a good bunch of hardworking Americans with a good product. I got to inspect their product really closely and it is amazing to me then can make it for that money and that well.

I caution folks though that putting kits together is not as simple as it seems, specially for hard use.

Cheers,
E.

 

[Zerodefect]

Plenty of satisfied RRA and Delton customers.

Just a few areas to watch out for. And when you do get a lame crooked chamber from either company they take care of it.

 

[FMJMIKE]

I have owned both. I prefer the Spikes.