[m4ak]

I am starting an AR-15 build. I bought a striped Del-ton lower at a local gun shop and was going to buy a full rifle kit off Del-ton’s sight. The only problem I have is the sight stats you need to headspace the rifle and no gun shop has the ability to head space an AR. we have one gunsmith/gun shop they couldn’t do it ether every shop sent me to another shop. My question is has anyone bought a Del-ton rifle kit, and did you headspace the rifle? Do you think a field head spacing gauge would do? I would also appreciate any information you guys have for someone building their first AR.

thank you for any help you give.


http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt106.htm

heres the kit

 

[Jeffrey]

I have use Del-Ton many times and that is their standard disclaimer for all products that includes a barrel. The kit you linked includes a completely assembled and tested upper, so it's good to go. Good choice on the 20" barrel by the way.

Pay attention to your slection of front sights since this is one of the more difficult items to (correctly) replace later. A pinned front sight done by one company may not fit on another barrel. Make an educated decision on what rear sight you are going to use, then choose the front sight that works right for it.

There are many many rear sights out there, including flip up backups (with varying quality). For now, get yourself a standard A2 rear sight so you can see what you can do with an accurate range adjustable sight.
http://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=mount&itemno=MNT-950RS02-Bhttp://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=Mounting Systems&itemno=MNT-950CS

I'd go with the first rear sight and standard pinned front sight (with lug), chrome lined, ergo ambi grip, standard handguards and black A2 buttstock. A collapsable stock on a 20" barrel looks weird and is unbananced.

 

[Jeffrey]

I wish del-ton offered trigger upgrades on their kits (yes I have suggested it).

 

[BrianHinWV]

They do not offer the trigger upgrades in the lower kits, as they just use the DPMS lower kit prepackaged. You can upgrade to the RRA 2 stage however through them, that's what I did with mine.

 

[m4ak]

I have use Del-Ton many times and that is their standard disclaimer for all products that includes a barrel. The kit you linked includes a completely assembled and tested upper, so it's good to go. Good choice on the 20" barrel by the way.

Pay attention to your slection of front sights since this is one of the more difficult items to (correctly) replace later. A pinned front sight done by one company may not fit on another barrel. Make an educated decision on what rear sight you are going to use, then choose the front sight that works right for it.

There are many many rear sights out there, including flip up backups (with varying quality). For now, get yourself a standard A2 rear sight so you can see what you can do with an accurate range adjustable sight.
http://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=mount&itemno=MNT-950RS02-Bhttp://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?mitem=Mounting Systems&itemno=MNT-950CS

I'd go with the first rear sight and standard pinned front sight (with lug), chrome lined, ergo ambi grip, standard handguards and black A2 buttstock. A collapsable stock on a 20" barrel looks weird and is unbananced.

Thank you. I was hoping that was just a disclaimer but wanted someone’s personal experience.

I looked to see if the 16" barrel had a major velocity difference, but decided since I will use the rifle for hunting too I would go with the 20” barrel.

I am actually planning on making this rifle with a collapsible stock. I drive a
4runner and a collapsible stock comes it nice when my foot shorter girlfriend shoots.

thank you again

 

[madcritter]

I have built 4 Del Ton AR's and never worried about any head spacing. If you have questions you can go to Bownell's they have free tutorial on line video guides on every step of building an AR.

 

[Brettboat]

Does it go bang? Then it's head spaced correctly.

 

[*Paladin*]

Does it go bang? Then it's head spaced correctly.

Not so much, if it has excessive headspace it could go "bang, bang, BOOM!!!!!".
To check headspace on an M16/AR series weapon, you will need the bolt carrier group, the barreled upper and a 5.56 or .223 Rem "Field" gage. Drop the gage into a clean chamber, then slide the BCG into the upper and attempt to get the bolt to lock. If the BCG goes all the way into the upper, then the bolt has locked on the Field gage, and you have excessive (unsafe) headspace dimensions. If the BCG does NOT go all the way into the upper, ie. the bolt does NOT lock, then your headspace is within specs and the barrel and bolt are a good match.

 

[George Newbill]

Here is the deal with AR-15 headspace: There isn't any. The headspace is set when the barrel extension is mated to the barrel then pinned there by the barrel manufacturer, there is no adjustment. If you want to test the headspace get a go/no go gauge. go should go, no go should not go. Now what if it is wrong? Well you can try a different bolt but that is about all that you can do. Often you can buy a matched set bolt when you buy a barrel already headspaced to each other.

 

[*Paladin*]

Here is the deal with AR-15 headspace: There isn't any. The headspace is set when the barrel extension is mated to the barrel then pinned there by the barrel manufacturer, there is no adjustment. If you want to test the headspace get a go/no go gauge. go should go, no go should not go. Now what if it is wrong? Well you can try a different bolt but that is about all that you can do. Often you can buy a matched set bolt when you buy a barrel already headspaced to each other.

You are correct, the headspace is not adjustable except through different bolts and barrels. That doesn't mean headspace should not be checked. We (DoD) use a Field gage in the M16 series weapons. Testing "go" and "No-go" are no longer necessary for the M16 series.

 

[carlnpa]

The Del-ton kit you linked to says the upper with barrel is headspaced and test fired.

No worries here, this is a good kit.

 

[*Paladin*]

The Del-ton kit you linked to says the upper with barrel is headspaced and test fired.

No worries here, this is a good kit.

Good find. I figured that had to be the case, in this day and age of liability. I know I sure wouldn't sell an upper assembly without verifying headsace.