First AR Suggestions?

EagleScout

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Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
71
Location
Tusla, OK
I have been wanting to build an AR-15 for a long time, last night I got the go ahead. =)

I need to keep to the cost down low.

I plan on plinking, running 3 gun, bugging in heaven forbide we should ever need to but I am no spring chicken anymore and I have had 3 back surgies so bugging out is not really possible.

So I thinking something light weight maybe a delton mid length kit 5.56/223 to start and then later build a 6.8 or 6.5 upper for hunting.

There are other kits out there model 1 comes to mind, but I do not know the quality of those.

Any input is welcome.
 
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I'm in the same situation, and every review I can find of the Del-Ton stuff is very good. I'll probably buy a kit for my first build from Cold Hand Arms, although if he gets any more of those (sale-priced) YHM uppers back in stock I'll go that route instead.

Mid-length and .223/5.56 is what I've settled on for my first build as well.
 
I'm in the same situation, and every review I can find of the Del-Ton stuff is very good. I'll probably buy a kit for my first build from Cold Hand Arms, although if he gets any more of those (sale-priced) YHM uppers back in stock I'll go that route instead.

Mid-length and .223/5.56 is what I've settled on for my first build as well.


I have been looking at Cold Hand Arms as well.
 
I have been wanting to build an AR-15 for a long time, last night I got the go ahead. =)

I need to keep to the cost down low.

I plan on plinking, running 3 gun, bugging in heaven forbide we should ever need to but I am no spring chicken anymore and I have had 3 back surgies so bugging out is not really possible.

So I thinking something light weight maybe a delton mid length kit 5.56/223 to start and then later build a 6.8 or 6.5 upper for hunting.

There are other kits out there model 1 comes to mind, but I do not know the quality of those.

Any input is welcome.

Call Steve at Cold Hand Arms. He will help you put something together.
 
Why isn't Steve from Cold Hand on BS telling us about these great deals? I tried to stop by his store last week but I was too early. Is there a show room in there? Those if you that deal with steve please let him know we look forward to having him on the site. I invited him via email but haven't heard back.
 
One thing I hear a lot is "I need to build it cheap"
As someone who has built my share of both high end and low end AR15s I want to advise you that if you really want to stay on the CHEAP then buy a low end AR, shoot it and learn what you want BEFORE you try to build one.

The AR platform is a cash cow for the gun parts industry so it is easy to get caught up in buying sub-par parts to stay cheap but easier to buy high end parts and blowing both your budget and building a gun that won't be worth what you paid for it because you can get the same gun cheaper already built.

Imagine building a car from scratch because you want to build it cheap or "as you can afford it" and picking out part by part what you want in it. It's the same with an AR-15 just on a smaller scale.

Yes you can build the black gun legally and piece at a time but you won't save $100 over a prebuilt gun and you will have to do the labor yourself.

Now that I have finished that rant let’s get on with what you really want. The fun and feeling of accomplishment of building your own high power pea shooter and squirrel gun.

Like I mentioned above there are tons of cheap parts available and some that are downright scams so don't be afraid to ask questions about everything you buy and get honest opinions of people or form members you trust on whether or not a brand or material is suitable for what you want to build.

The cheapest part you may buy is the lower and/or lower parts kits so don’t try to tell your sweetheart that once you have that then you can build the rest as you can afford it because it doesn't work that way.

Finally have fun.
 
I would start with one of steve's kits at Cold Hand Arms, especially if you're new to the AR platform. You can slowly upgrade from the kit that you bought and you'll be happier because the whole time you have a rifle you can use, while you upgrade.

Just remember that an AR's reliability is in the sum of it's parts.
 
I disagree with most of the guys here, but I could be completely wrong. I say get exactly what you want the first time. I have seen people keep dumping money in their AR to continue to build it up. I started to do this and have decided finally to just go balls to the walls and do it right, right now.
 
I bought a DTI kit from Steve. I did not need it, but I wanted to put one together. My son and I built the lower. It was a great father, son project. Steve is a great guy, and will help you out if you need it. I would buy another from him.
 
Del Ton has started using 4150 CMV steel and will soon start Mp and Hp testing their barrels, as soon as they start this they will be a great choice. As of right now I would buy a complete Spikes upper and build a lower using Spikes parts, it will only cost 150 more than a Del Ton kit and you will have a great Ar that will hold its value and IMHO be a better gun.
 
Just bought a DTI mid length kit from Steve. It was my first and he was extremely helpful with tips on assembling it and was willing to answer my countless questions.

Certainly guaranteed future business from me.
 
Just bought a DTI mid length kit from Steve. It was my first and he was extremely helpful with tips on assembling it and was willing to answer my countless questions.

Certainly guaranteed future business from me.

I got mine from Steve also and told him that BoomerShooter is where he was recommeded. Now to go do some shooting
 
Never owned a del-ton, I'm sure they're good for the money. I do have a model 1 upper and it has been flawless along with pretty decent accuracy. You might just keep an eye out as I've seen several upper for sale lately for pretty good prices. Goodluck with your decision
 
my .02 cents as a rifle instructor.

my first AR was an A1 colt upper with an olympic arms lower.. it shot ok but i really didn't know crap about them, I just "needed" a partol rifle.

my second AR is a bushmaster carbine. This is the rifle that I took to instructor school and is considered my duty rifle. I tried a lot of different things on it before I settled on what I like. I learned real quick that upgrading the extractor spring was a must. I had a few malfunctions. My bushmaster also was compensated, that barrel quickly found its way to the classified. I also chunked the vertical grip and the quad rails in favor of the angled grip and MOE handguards.. a BAD lever and a large BSM latch also found its way on all of my rifles.

my next build was a A3 20 inch rifle. it's pretty well stock, but I like to shoot it.

My third build I went with a spikes lower and a spikes mid length 16 inch upper.. my opinion is the mid length is the cats ass over the carbine for my style of shooting.

My forth build was an 18 inch SPR, WOA match barrel, match trigger, vortex scope.. pretty much to kill critters with.

I guess what Im saying is there is a lot of stock in what some say about buying a run of the mill AR platform and build from there. You will not know what you like until you shoot a lot of rounds through it. I learned that certain sling mounts, trigger guards, and forearms did not meet my requirements in what I wanted in a gun.

If I chose one gun that i have right now to suit all my needs Id pick the mid-length. I bought the lower at cold hand arms, used a dmps parts kit, and got the full upper from area 51 tactical and tossed on an assortment of magpul gear to round it off. I think that gun by far is the best all around shooter I have.
 
I'm also looking into my first ar. Watching the 3 gun match last sunday at okcgc really got my juices flowing.

How are the DPMS kits
Dpms kit at midway


Good deal or Crap
thanks

EDIT
Nevermind. I just checked out Cold Hand. I will get my kit from him.
I don't buy stuff on the net that I can get local anyway.
 
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