Del-Ton AR arrived and is assembled

[pastfinder]

This thing was a heck of a lot easier to build than I thought it would be. Hardest pin was the bolt catch by far. After that things just came together without a hitch. I think I spent more time cleaning the upper then I did assembling the lower (Aero-Precision lower if anyone is wondering...this was an attempt at an affordable build around $600).

I have a 20-round Thermold mag in it for the photos...point of this rifle was to keep it lightweight. It's around 6.5 pounds so not as light as I wanted, but eh, it will work.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/pastfinder/Ar-15-1.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/pastfinder/Ar-15-2.jpg

[AKTexas]

Very nice!

[ATAK, Inc.]

Nice Job!

[Schuetzenman]

Looks like you have the slim barrel. That makes it as light as it gets. 6.5 lbs. is nothing. I like the look of it.

[pastfinder]

It's the lightweight option. I added chrome lining as a personal preference.

[ready]

Put a small light on it and you'll have 1 hell of a go-to-gun.

[pastfinder]

Thought about the handguards...after I bought it (doh!). I may try to swap the A2 sight for the magpul rear sight, but the price had be balk and use this UTG version.

[ready]

Nothing wrong with those sights or handguards. Just make sure you put a little blue loctite on that rear. I have the DPMS version and it would come loose every once in a while.

[pastfinder]

Thanks for the loctite heads up. I'm going to test fire the rifle this weekend and hopefully nothing will emerge. I'm still amazed at the ease of assembly for the lower. Huzzah for basic tool knowledge, haha.

[Flinter]

Congrats. It looks like a nice rifle.

[Partisan1983]

Looks great man !

[TEN-32]

Great job. Thanks for posting the results. Please let us know how it shoots.

[ltorlo64]

Great job. It gives me hope that someday mine will be complete.

[pastfinder]

If I can build this thing balancing parts with my toes (next time...I use a vice and vice block) then I assure any and everyone they can build one of these in under an hour :)

[Schuetzenman]

If I can build this thing balancing parts with my toes (next time...I use a vice and vice block) then I assure any and everyone they can build one of these in under an hour :)

You are right, almost anybody with middle level mechanical apptitued should be able to build an AR rifle. It's not like riveting on an AK kit or even an FAL. You just need to be able to run a pin punch, screw driver and ... ummm ... well that's mostly it. Oh yeah, a barrel nut wrench. Receiver vice jaws or a barrel vice jaw set and the barrel nut wrench is about it unless you do a carbine. Then the spanner wrench to torque the jam nut for the buffer tube is the only other tool you need. I call the AR a Tinker Toy as it all just plugs together and if the parts are to spec. you should be able to switch and swap parts from one weapon to another.

[pastfinder]

This is true. I used roll pin punches, TAPCO's multi-function AR wrench, a flathead screwdriver, a razor blade and a dental pick. The latter two were useful for installing the front takedown pin.