What level of quality is a Del-ton rifle kit?

[teddy12b]

Yes, I did use the search button and didn't find what I was looking for.

I'm new to building an AR and I found a kit that I thought would be fun to try out. It's made by Del-ton and all I'd have to buy in addition to the kit is a stripped lower. It's a great deal and I'm really considering buying one in the future. However, I don't know what kind of quality I'm looking at with Del-ton.

Now I'm not trying to start a koolaid or a bashing thread here. I just want an honest opinion of their quality level. I'm going to guess that for less than $500 I'm not going to get a colt level of quality, but would I be getting something that's serviceable and without any mechanical defects? I could care less about the gun looking pretty, but I definately want the gun to function reliably without a hiccup, or I'll hate it and sell it off.

I'm trying to find some honest reviews, but they're either hard to find or I've been looking in the wrong place.

 

[TacticalM4]

check out AR15.Com - Your Firearm Resource. (AR-15, AR-10, M4 Carbine, M16, H&K, SIG, FNH, FAL, AK-47, 50 Cal, M1/M1A, Handgun, Pistol, Training, Hunting, and More!) there are a bunch of reviews there. I just bought a lower and the finish looks awesome. I really don't understand why a nano-meter tolerance is relevant for something designed to contain and redirect a small explosion repeatedly. I am a Del-Ton fan... and a big rookie if that helps at all.

 

[gajones06]

A friend of mine has a del-ton upper and the fit and finish is spectacular and as far as i know with almost 10k rounds down range hasn't had an issue yet...

 

[teddy12b]

A friend of mine has a del-ton upper and the fit and finish is spectacular and as far as i know with almost 10k rounds down range hasn't had an issue yet...

That's what I'm talking about.

I'm a rookie builder, but not a rookie at all when it comes to owning, shooting, and using an AR. For example the last AR I bought was a bushmaster. I thought I was safe given that they used to own themselves and make a good rifle. I had a problem with mine and never had any confidence in it after that. I just don't want to buy something today and find out it's junk tomorrow.

Thanks for the help guys, and keep it coming everyone else!

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

Delton was running some deals a while back on their site, but the wait was longer than I wanted or else I would have bought one.

 

[Jtgarner]

My 18 year old step brother bought a delton kit (lower "gifted" to him) and built the whole thing in his bed room with only a castle nut wrench and a standard tool box. I checked it out when i was down there and it looked pretty good. For the price, I say they are not bad.
*I have not shot his AR for the record*

 

[mike8170]

My "go to" AR I built out of a Del-ton kit, and I have had no issues with it at all. I think I gave around $550ish for the mid length forearm, YHM free float quad rail, heavy barrel and Panther flash hider. Their service was one heck of a lot faster than most of the other suppliers I have dealt with.

 

[Pyriel]

Shot my buddies Del ton setup about a week ago, and it performed flawlessly. He got it during Black Friday last year, hasn't had a single malfunction with it, and almost has me convinced to buy my own kit next month.

 

[Hop]

I've used their LPK's and haven't had any trouble. The kits seem to go together & shoot just fine. It should make a great hobby gun. Sorry I don't know if the critical parts are proofed or crack checked or staked (latch plate, bolt, etc...).

 

[Mini-14]

Palmetto State Armory has some nice rifle kits also and their a site supporter.

AR Rifle Kits

 

[dbd870]

I have a bunch of Del-ton parts in my AR's no problems.

 

[Cam]

Lots of Del-Ton threads lately! I have 2 and have been completely happy with both. Quality is great on mine. I'd buy again.

 

[Brando]

Yeah, i see three new Del-Ton threads. They've got me interested. M4 versus Dissipater model? which and why?

 

[teddy12b]

M4 versus Dissipater model? which and why?

I want to build the dissipater for the longer sight radius.

 

[maxmayhem]

If i had to do over ...i would build one...the deltons are pretty good. I might get one with a flat top

 

[LPMan59]

if we are using the infamous and ill-defined "tier" system, I would place Del-Ton in Tier 2.

Despite my hard-on for Colt rifles,I am not an AR snob. I also own a PSA middy and a DS Arms lower/Bushmaster (gasp!) A4 franken gun.

 

[WyldeShot]

I just started a thread today called Delton vs Palmetto State AR Rifle Kit https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/long_guns/175427-delton_vs_palmetto_state_ar_rifle_kit.html. It has been helpful.

 

[SmallTownGunner]

You can't go wrong with Del-Ton, my upper came from them and I couldn't be more happy with it. I'm not sure what the wait for shipment is looking like right now but I know they've improved on that. I got mine back in April and it still hasn't malfunctioned. Go for it

 

[teddy12b]

Maybe this is just me, but I like to have as many parts on my guns match as possible. I also think it's going to help the upper and lower fit together a little bit better also. I'm trying to find the best deals on a del-ton lower as possible, but the best I can find is about $100. It's not that much more than the dirt cheapest stripped lower out there is I think it'll be worth it to have more parts coming from the same manufacturer and hopefully having closely matching finishes.

 

[Hop]

$559 + your local ffl transfer fee. I'm not sure what shipping would cost.

And yes, it sounds like I'm pimping my buddy's company. I guess I might be but I don't get anything more than the "good buddy discount" for stuff I buy for posting the link.

Del-Ton AR-15 M4 COMPLETE Rifle Kit [DTI-15] - $559.00 : Cold Hand Arms, From our COLD DEAD HANDS