Cheap AR build Delton vs surplus ammo upper

Del-Ton has a pretty good rep for budget stuff. Not so familiar with Surplus Arms.

But then, the question may become just how firm that budget of yours happens to be. For the price of those kits you are talking a complete Rock River upper (from PK Firearms)... you'd still need a stock kit and LPK, so you'd be talking up to $150 more (personally, I've used DPMS parts kits- they work, but the rock River kits go in SO much nicer), but then again, you'd be getting more too.

Just a suggestion.
 
Pretty firm.. Already pushing the budget

I dont get to shoot rifles much so I am not sure about investing much plus that 150 will buy me some ammo.

After the first build who knows but for now I want as cheap as possible with reasonable build quality.

Best I can gather the surplus ammo uppers are made by aero precision(I know the receiver is).

I am leaning towards the surplus ammo upper because of price and because they ship in 1-3 days vs 6 weeks.
 
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FYI , www.aimsurplus.com has the Spikes Tactical m4 middy for $769.99 it has all the good stuff and a life time Warentee . the keep selling out but you can get one by clicking on notify me when back in stock . This may be cheaper in the long run and with a better quality mil spec barrel and parts ,and free shipping . Even if it cost $100.00 more it is worth it . Check it out .
Features
•Spike's Tactical M4 flat top upper receiver, Machined from a 7075 T6 Mil-Spec Forging with Mil-Spec Type III Hard coat Anodized finish, T-markings, Spike’s logo and M4 feed ramps.
•Barrel is certified MIL-B-11595E CMV, M4 barrel extension, Chrome chamber and bore, 5.56mm Nato chamber, 1:7 Twist, Magnetic particle testing on every barrel, Phosphate finish.
•Government Contour barrel with mid-length gas system.
•Barrel is Phosphate finished under the .750" F marked A2 front sight base.
•The M16 carriers are Chrome lined with a Mil-Spec phosphate finish.
•Forged Mil-Spec carrier key, Chrome lined, attached with Grade 8 hardware and Properly staked.
•HP/MP Tested Bolt, Each extractor is fitted with a Mil-Spec black insert and Mil-Spec Viton o-ring.
•A2 Flash Hider.
•Includes ST-T2 buffer.




Included
•Detachable Mil-Spec Forged A2 Carry Handle
•Magpul 30rd P-Mag
•Hard Plastic Carry Case
•Spike's Tactical Lifetime Warranty
 
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Pretty firm.. Already pushing the budget
Click to expand...

Ah, got it.

Aero Precision makes good stuff, but honestly, the maker of the upper and lower receivers doesn't matter much. So long as they're to spec, a receiver is pretty much a receiver. The barrel and bolt carrier group have WAY more to do with the overall reliability and accuracy of the rifle. It doesn't say who made those. It's easy enough to change out a BCG. Changing out a barrel is a bit more involved (not difficult, but it takes the right tools and vise blocks).

Given that you understand it's a budget build, it's worth a shot to try the Surplus Ammo stuff... I might Google them to see if there's reviews by owners. AIM Surplus has been selling their lowers, and I've not heard any bad things about them.
 
Aero Precision makes good stuff, but honestly, the maker of the upper and lower receivers doesn't matter much. So long as they're to spec, a receiver is pretty much a receiver. The barrel and bolt carrier group have WAY more to do with the overall reliability and accuracy of the rifle. It doesn't say who made those. It's easy enough to change out a BCG. Changing out a barrel is a bit more involved (not difficult, but it takes the right tools and vise blocks).
Click to expand...

The bolt carrier is "SAA Mil-spec" and no mention of the barrel maker only that its 4140 chrome moly with a 1:9 twist.
 
+1 for JES Surplus. I have bought lots of AR related stuff from them over the past few years. They have great service and very reasonable shipping rates.
 
Go Palmetto State Armory

I would recommend the Palmetto State Armory kit over the Del-Ton. Parts are very nice, they are better than Del-Ton, the std. PSA trigger is very tight with no creep, also you get the mil-spec twist ratio barrel 1:7 over the commercial 1:9 Del-Ton letting you shoot bullets greater than 75gr with ease.

You won't be dissappointed.
 
Strictly by the numbers ,and the carry handel/sights,mag,case and warrantee the SPikes is the deal .Also Spikes makes top teir AR's. And it is a mid lenth .;)
DO THE MATH ;)
 
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I was about to buy the aim middy 14.5 LW upper, but they report the weight at 4.15lbs. Seems crazy high for a pencil barrel upper.

I think a DD centurion arms, or Fn barrel + PA/Aero DIY build is probably the best option, that way you chose the rails you want and know what ou are getting.
 
Is Del-ton really 6 weeks back ordered? I got an upper from them last year and it was on my doorstep within a week of ordering. Their uppers are good, I liked mine (although I sold it to buy parts for a new build...). Their LPK is garbage though, buy that from someone else. Mine doubled, and I have read others that had the same problem. I just put in a DPMS set from the LGS, problem solved.

Enjoy your AR, they are one of my favorite guns to shoot at the range, light recoil and quite accurate. I think an inexpensive basic first build is a good place to start, but be forewarned, if you catch the bug, you will be back for more and the sky is the limit!
 
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