anything that has a large cal and iron sights is fine imo. if you want some more reliability take a bolt action. if you look at old nagants or mausers these things work fine even after 100 years. marksmanship beats spray-n-pray imho. for me there's a lot that can go wrong with a semi auto and a scope.
Main Battle Rifle for Wife? Del-Ton Echo?
Backstory- My wife's current main "bug out" or "SHTF" rifle is a surplus Universal M1 Carbine with iron sights. Mine is an almost exact Bushmaster semi-auto knock-off of the Colt USMC M16A4, with a rifle length heavy walled barrel, full stock, Knight's Armament Rail Adaptor System, and ACOG sight. My wife loves her M1, and it fits her well, but I am striving to move her over to the 5.56 battle rifle side so we can share ammunition. I also want her to have something that will accept an optic, because I don't want to mess with the M1's classic appearance. She claims my Bushmaster is too heavy, which it is pretty stout, and she's fired a Stag Arms M4 knock off and seemed to like it, so I think this is the route to go.
I'm looking to invest in a carbine length AR with a 16" barrel and a collapsible stock, but I don't want to go all out on a Daniels Defense or a Colt just yet. I am not a M4 fan, I prefer the full M16 style. So, it's not like this is a "well, if she doesn't like it, I'll use it" situation. I've done some research, and stumbled upon the Del-Ton Echo Series. I can snag one for about $550, this is with a forward assist and dust cover, in 5.56mm, not just .223. They are apparently built in North Carolina from American parts. I'm honestly surprised they are as reasonably priced as they are. I was going to buy a Bushmaster Optics ready AR and throw an EOTech 512 I've got sitting in the closet on the rail, but if Del-Ton is everything they claim to be, I can get the gun, an upgraded stock, and a quad rail for probably less than the price of the Bushmaster.
Has anyone had any experience with Del-Ton? If so, do you like it, hate it, can't live without it? I consider myself a pretty major gun enthusiast, but I don't even know anyone that has ever even fired a Del-Ton. If I do end up buying it, I'll probably do a full review on it here so others can know if it's worth the minor investment or not.
Thanks in Advance,
Postman
I'm looking to invest in a carbine length AR with a 16" barrel and a collapsible stock, but I don't want to go all out on a Daniels Defense or a Colt just yet. I am not a M4 fan, I prefer the full M16 style. So, it's not like this is a "well, if she doesn't like it, I'll use it" situation. I've done some research, and stumbled upon the Del-Ton Echo Series. I can snag one for about $550, this is with a forward assist and dust cover, in 5.56mm, not just .223. They are apparently built in North Carolina from American parts. I'm honestly surprised they are as reasonably priced as they are. I was going to buy a Bushmaster Optics ready AR and throw an EOTech 512 I've got sitting in the closet on the rail, but if Del-Ton is everything they claim to be, I can get the gun, an upgraded stock, and a quad rail for probably less than the price of the Bushmaster.
Has anyone had any experience with Del-Ton? If so, do you like it, hate it, can't live without it? I consider myself a pretty major gun enthusiast, but I don't even know anyone that has ever even fired a Del-Ton. If I do end up buying it, I'll probably do a full review on it here so others can know if it's worth the minor investment or not.
Thanks in Advance,
Postman
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
Naaa ....don't know anything about a Del Ton. My wife has a S&W MP AR15 that will cost you $50 to a $100 more. She loves it and it is a solid dependable rifle. If you are hung up on a dust cover and forward assist then it won't work for you. As for my gal..... my wife is pretty much opposed to rolling around in dirty conditions that necessitates the full featured copy cat.
A buddy of mine owns a Del-Ton and I shot a few mags worth of ammo out of his Del-Ton, and it was a fine weapon.
I think you need to change quickly.
I am in the gun business, never heard of the one you describe.
There are so many makers out there today riding the wagon.
The universal is a commercial carbine, there are no interchangeable parts with the USGI model unless it is a 1960's model.
The internals are completely different, They do use GI mags.
There are no parts available for them. They have been out of business for over twenty eight years.
I refuse to work on any customer owned ones, and have told the store not to take any in trade or repair.
The gas systems fall apart from soft parts.
The new commercial Khar ones made 15 miles from me and are pretty good, if you wish to stay with them, USGI are better.
The point is, you want to make the change, do it. Trade it in and be happy with what you get for it.
Smith, Stag, Windham, Bushmaster, Colt are all top names in AR's.
I would suggest, regardless what make, get a chrome lined barrel with it.
I am in the gun business, never heard of the one you describe.
There are so many makers out there today riding the wagon.
The universal is a commercial carbine, there are no interchangeable parts with the USGI model unless it is a 1960's model.
The internals are completely different, They do use GI mags.
There are no parts available for them. They have been out of business for over twenty eight years.
I refuse to work on any customer owned ones, and have told the store not to take any in trade or repair.
The gas systems fall apart from soft parts.
The new commercial Khar ones made 15 miles from me and are pretty good, if you wish to stay with them, USGI are better.
The point is, you want to make the change, do it. Trade it in and be happy with what you get for it.
Smith, Stag, Windham, Bushmaster, Colt are all top names in AR's.
I would suggest, regardless what make, get a chrome lined barrel with it.
I've got a Delton D-15. 16" 1-9 carbine length. It's been great so far. Have about 2k rounds through it. A couple FTF in the first few hundred rounds have been the only malfunctions. It eats all ammo.
Thanks slip.
Most of the new ones will ever make it into this state due to non compliance with the anti American, anti gun laws here.
No collapsible stocks, no flash hiders, no bayonet lugs and no new 30 round mags.
I do modify some to meet the requirements, but that adds another $150.00 to the piece, doing one today.
Looking at the Del-ton ad, they have covered the need be's to make for a proper built unit.
Most of the new ones will ever make it into this state due to non compliance with the anti American, anti gun laws here.
No collapsible stocks, no flash hiders, no bayonet lugs and no new 30 round mags.
I do modify some to meet the requirements, but that adds another $150.00 to the piece, doing one today.
Looking at the Del-ton ad, they have covered the need be's to make for a proper built unit.
The good thing about the AR platform is that you can swap out whatever doesn't work. The Officers I work with carry Colt, Bushmaster, S&W M&P, Rock River and I have seen a few Spikes and custom jobs. I have a bushmaster, an older carbine and it has been unfailingly reliable. I would put my wife behind one in a heartbeat were she so inclined. She really likes her Kahr CW9 so no big need for a rifle. Plenty around here to grab.
I had a Del Ton I got in a trade with a guy, really didn't need another AR but I figured I could flip it.
I don't have much experience with one, I did shoot one of those boxes of Federal FMJ 100 count that Wally has for under $40 though it, the gun ran fine with PMAG's, never a hitch and it was dead-on accurate. Build quality looked good to me.
I ended up trading it off to another guy for an AK, but I would have been OK with keeping it.
I don't have much experience with one, I did shoot one of those boxes of Federal FMJ 100 count that Wally has for under $40 though it, the gun ran fine with PMAG's, never a hitch and it was dead-on accurate. Build quality looked good to me.
I ended up trading it off to another guy for an AK, but I would have been OK with keeping it.
what's wrong with the .30 carbine not fancy or cool enough?
it is a good weapon dude.
so why not get her a mini 14?
it is a good weapon dude.
so why not get her a mini 14?
Del Tones are pretty good rifles, depending on what model and year manufactured. Thay have improved their quality the past few years, but did not have the greatest product some years ago. When I think of a useful rifle for a woman, I think of an AR platform, carbine wiht a 14.5" or 16" barrel. Unless your wife is quite a bit different than the women I have known, they like lighter recoiling, lighter weight and easier to handle. Make the tool fit the person and not the other way around. I would rather have anyone accurately shooting a smaller caliber firearm than poorly shooting a larger caliber.
I'd just go with an m4 type AR. Put a scope on it. Then you can share magazines and ammo. If she likes it get it.
I own 3 of them. Couple Delton sports and a Echo 316M. They are really nice rifles for the money. Accuracy is good 1.5 to 2 inch group with iron sights. For a backup gun or truck gun I think they are the best deal going. Just purchased a few Sport Lt.s for the neighbor's family with a wholesale price of $409. Heck the 316M with rear sight and chromed heavy barrel was only $479 wholesale. "YOU" should be able to find them in the low to mid $500's.
Sorry on more DPMS Oracles.
Sorry on more DPMS Oracles.
Nothing is wrong with the .30, I personally love it. But, it can't share ammunition and magazines with my AR, or any other popular weapon system. As for the Mini-14, for the price, I'd just purchase an AR. Nothing against Ruger, but it defeats the purpose because they're about the same price.what's wrong with the .30 carbine not fancy or cool enough?
it is a good weapon dude.
so why not get her a mini 14?
I appreciate all the insight from everyone. Definitely have given me some things to consider. I'm glad I joined this forum, because it definitely gives me completely different views than anything I'd come up with on my own. Whichever I decide, I'll do a full review on it.
Postman.
Postman.
I
You probably know way more about this than I do, being in the industry, so any more insight would definitely interest me. So, I was under the impression that once Universal made their big change in the early 60's, they were no longer interchangeable with USGI parts, aside from like the trigger housing. Mine is a "first generation" 1957 model (I'll have to recheck the "gen"and the date) which I believe was back when they were under another name, and I was under the understanding they used mainly USGI parts. This isn't the first time I've heard about them not being interchangeable with US surplus parts, but I've never had to replace anything on the carbine.I think you need to change quickly.
I am in the gun business, never heard of the one you describe.
There are so many makers out there today riding the wagon.
The universal is a commercial carbine, there are no interchangeable parts with the USGI model unless it is a 1960's model.
The internals are completely different, They do use GI mags.
There are no parts available for them. They have been out of business for over twenty eight years.
I refuse to work on any customer owned ones, and have told the store not to take any in trade or repair.
The gas systems fall apart from soft parts.
The new commercial Khar ones made 15 miles from me and are pretty good, if you wish to stay with them, USGI are better.
The point is, you want to make the change, do it. Trade it in and be happy with what you get for it.
Smith, Stag, Windham, Bushmaster, Colt are all top names in AR's.
I would suggest, regardless what make, get a chrome lined barrel with it.
OK, just wondering's all I like the carbine for some weird reason it just seems handy I guess.Nothing is wrong with the .30, I personally love it. But, it can't share ammunition and magazines with my AR, or any other popular weapon system. As for the Mini-14, for the price, I'd just purchase an AR. Nothing against Ruger, but it defeats the purpose because they're about the same price.
Have you thought about a VZ58, great little gun and comes in .556, and made in America (there is a company that makes VZ's in the U.S.), striker fired , makes it a little more accurate then an SKS , AK type rifle, easy to clean. Nice firearm, a lot better then an AK and that said, nothing like an AK....total different inside and out. Lots of aftermarket supplies...stocks, scope mounts...etc. And very well built,and a great design. And priced right. It's like a high breed between an AR and an AK.
And you can buy an adapter to uses your AR mags in it. And the adapter works very well...it looks and works like a factory piece.
cheers
Brian
And you can buy an adapter to uses your AR mags in it. And the adapter works very well...it looks and works like a factory piece.
cheers
Brian
,I
You probably know way more about this than I do, being in the industry, so any more insight would definitely interest me. So, I was under the impression that once Universal made their big change in the early 60's, they were no longer interchangeable with USGI parts, aside from like the trigger housing. Mine is a "first generation" 1957 model (I'll have to recheck the "gen"and the date) which I believe was back when they were under another name, and I was under the understanding they used mainly USGI parts. This isn't the first time I've heard about them not being interchangeable with US surplus parts, but I've never had to replace anything on the carbine.
Perhaps I was not clear enough, I did say 60's I don't off the top of my head remember exactly when the changeover date was.
More or less, I was giving you an advisory, some people have no clue, think they are GI.
Those prior to that time would have USGI parts, It would be up to you to find the details on your personal piece.
No, on the later ones even the trigger housing is not the same cast aluminum junk.
I have not seen an early one for 25 years at least.
One of the most common failures I have had in here is the gas block breaking off.
Real USGI carbines in good condition are great little pieces for defense.
I have six of them, daughter has one of the inland m1a1's in her bedroom.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
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