smitty

Looking to build our first AR,
Your thoughts on DPMS VS Rock River and others.
My Son and I already have a Stripped Mega Lower, just looking at ALL of the options, my god there are a ton of them!!!
Thanks,
Smitty

deadshot2

Don't overlook Del-ton as a good source of parts to finish out your project. I've used them for several projects and found their parts to be of good quality.

Things to check no matter where you buy your parts are any "assembled parts". For example the Bolt Carrier. If it comes unassembled, OK. If assembled make sure that the screws that secure the key are properly staked. If not, the screws come loose when firing and bad things happen. Easy to check and correct if someone overlooked the process.

As for Options, take some time and sort out what you need versus all that you want. Make sure that those that you select will play nice with each other.

Beware, building your own can be addictive. Pretty soon you end up asking questions like "Where can I get a good deal on a larger Safe"?

reppinthe509

on delton.

68shooter

What caliber are you going to go with? .223, 5.56, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC?

Totally just a curious question. Cool deal either way. Post pictures as you move along I really like the idea of building your own AR. Might try it sometime myself.

deadshot2

One of the neat features of the AR-15 Platform is that one has the option of all of the above, including .50 Beowulf by just starting out with a good lower. Build the first and then as time/money allows, build another upper in a separate caliber. Continue until you have the assortment you want.

I have friends that only own one lower and 2 or 3 uppers. Two pins, a different magazine loaded with the appropriate ammo, and you have a different rifle.

PS: As for .223 vs. 5.56mm, Unless you are planning on building a Heavy Barreled "Tack Driving" accuracy piece, just go with the 5.56mm. that way you won't need to be paranoid over getting any NATO ammo that might yield excessive pressures in your firearm if chambered for only .223 Remington. There is a middle ground in the .223 Wylde chamber. It allows for the differences in the NATO round so pressures are kept safe.

All of mine are 5.56mm and are more than accurate enough for the task they were designed for. AR's, or for that matter all gas operated auto-loaders, are not noted for their "one hole accuracy" like you find common among the bolt actions.

smitty

Thanks for the tips,
Will be a 5.56 for sure. I did see that Surplus has a Colt 5.56 LE edition for around 1100.00
I like the idea of have other uppers around, makes sense really.
Have looked at Adams uppers, Rock River and DPMS. Like the Pistion design, just appears more durable.
Will post some pics as we get going with this.
Smitty

deadshot2

Other than it being "non-standard" in a AR, and adds moving parts, they're OK.

For a Semi-Auto, there is no clear advantage as long as one takes care of the regular maintenance. Sure, there is more soot and carbon in the bolt carrier group but in the 55+ years of shooting M-16's and AR's I've never had an issue as long as I maintained my weapon. The main advantage is when high rates of fire are maintained. With a "piston type" the bolt and carrier don't get as hot. A major issue for sustained fire in a Full Auto. For a Semi, not so much.

Being "non-standard" might mean difficulty in obtaining any necessary part in an "emergency". Nice thing about the AR is that parts are everywhere, and most essentials are inexpensive.

Not saying piston types are a bad idea, just saying that the standard models aren't as bad as some think.

sunofnun

I agree w/the gas piston conversation.. to me it's a fix to something that wasn't broken.


If you have 4-5 AR's why not build a gas piston version.. but it's more bells and whistles in my book.


DelTon, I give a Meh.. they make parts, but it seems like the walmart of the AR world. Bottom of the barrel pricing. If you want to build the Smallest Budget Plinker (SBP) del ton is a win for sure.. w/complete guns under $500 (edit looks like they've raised their prices lol).

smitty

Good Info!!!
Still looking at options, I would like to stay local, spread the love if ya will,
but need to keep this within reason for the first go round, then once we learn more about them, then we can splurge on the goodies!!!
Marksman has a nice RR 5.56 quad rail upper in stock, can't remember the cost right now.
We will see,
Smitty

chameleon

I don't know if anyone else here owns RRA but I Do. I've owned my elite operator for over 2 years and it has yet to fail me. An absolutely amazing brand and you won't be let down if you decide to buy one of their uppers. Their quality is hands down top notch.

FatFugg

RRA makes some pretty good stuff & they also use what they call a .223 Wylde chamber in their .223 chambered uppers which allows for using both .223 & 5.56 ammo in their guns weather it's chambered for .223 or 5.56!

68shooter

I got a RRA but it's in 6.8SPC II. Love mine. I plan on getting another but in .223 or 458 socom.

smitty

I have read that many times at many places and sites.
Looks to be a quality product that also speaks for itself!
Now for another question for you pros....
How many of you have had the Aluminum parts re-anodized... say camo green or desert colors.
I do my own Anodizing for the stuff I make, but it is NOT a hard coat anodized, nor is it teflon coated.
Smitty

chameleon

Good question! I would like to hear from anyone that has done this as well.

GixxerPete

There are actually some solid advantages to a piston system for certain applications, like short-barreled (< 16") rifles and suppressed. Dwell times on SBRs are pretty low, and that is not a good thing for a DI system, but is not a problem for piston system. They also tend to work better suppressed as you can adjust the system to compensate for the suppressor or if the weapon gets truly filthy.

If anyone still doesn't think piston ARs aren't every bit as durable and reliable as DI guns, go read a recent torture test by Patrick Sweeney where he does unthinkable things (like literally shoveling dirt directly into the action of a chemically degreased rifle and then firing) to a variety of different piston guns, with two DI guns thrown in as a control group. He was unable to get ANY of the guns to malfunction.

Piston guns are here to stay, and while many still claim "it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist", I say they are just Luddites and need to accept that ANYTHING can be improved upon, and the piston is a logical evolution of the AR design, IMO.

Look at the venerable 1911 pistol, arguably the best design ever, even it has been tweaked and improved over the years, while still remaining true to JMB's original design. One could say there was nothing wrong with the original design as it certainly worked, but I'll take decent sights, a beavertail grip safety, bigger safety lever etc over the original design any day and twice on Sunday. Same thing goes for ARs.

Yup... I have two DI ARs now, if I got a third it would it piston one for sure. Well unless it was chambered in .308 then I might reconsider.

smitty

Well,
Stopped by Marksman. The plan is to get the RR 5.56 Complete upper, trigger set and buttstock sometime next week, if all plays out well with the boss!!!!
Keep ya all posted

smitty

Sorry Guys,
Could not wait!!!
Got a hold of a Mega Lower, RR trigger set, MagPull sites.
Bought the RR 5.56 Upper from Marksman, just need the butt stock, mags and some ammo, and go shootin'!!!
Pretty Stoked really!!!
Wife's not to thrilled, but took her out shooting for the second time, and she kinda liked it, so I might be in the clear for a bit!!
I'd post some pics, but I only have them on the PC
Smitty