Del-Ton .223 Rifle

Oct. 17, 2008
I hadn't previously ever heard of Del-Ton Inc. or the rifles they manufacture. I wasn't disappointed with the new name.

Every so often I get a phone call from a representative on behalf of a gun manufacturer or importer that I've never heard of. It's a rare occurrence but it happens. That was the genesis of this week's review. I got a call saying, "Have you ever heard of...?" I hadn't previously ever heard of Del-Ton Inc. or the rifles they manufacture. Within a couple weeks I had a test rifle and here I am several weeks later reporting on how a rifle I'd never heard of performed. I wasn't disappointed with the new name.

When I first received the rifle I unpacked it, checked that it was empty (because you just always do) and then began to examine it for fit, finish, etc. My test rifle has a 16.25" M4 profile barrel, removable carry handle, adjustable stock and was delivered with two 30-round magazines. After wiping all of the excess packing oil off I gave it a thorough look and it looked clean in the finish. I couldn't find any tool marks or rough edges; nothing that looked less than what I'd expect from a contemporary manufacture "black rifle".

The barrel is Chrome Moly Steel with a 1-in-9 twist and ends in an A2 flash "hider". The upper receiver is forged 7076 T6 aluminum with a standard mil-spec flat top. Different variations of the rifle from Del-Ton can be purchased with or without the detachable carry handle. The lower is forged from the same aluminum, has an aluminum trigger guard and magazine release button. Overall unloaded weight is right at seven pounds.

So, it came across as a fairly standard AR-style weapon. Semi-auto only was fine with me and I had a fair supply of ammo to put through it. I set up my range day and expected to have a nice day. Prior to shooting I did some online research and found out something interesting: The Del-Ton rifles are 100% made in the USA. I like that.

When range day arrived I had already field stripped, cleaned, lubed and reassembled the rifle. Since I first learned how to do that courtesy of the U.S. Army a few years back (well, more than a few actually) it was a familiar chore. The first few groups I fired from the 25 yard line to get the sights zeroed and then I headed back to do some more shooting. My test gun came with a front sight tool (and I have several) and sight adjustment proved relatively easy to do. Zeroing wasn't an issue. From the initial shots it looked like the rifle was going to shoot pretty tight. I wasn't disappointed.

My first day at the range consisted of firing over 500 rounds of ammo for general function testing, etc. I suffered no misfeeds, no failures to extract or eject, and the brass cleared the rifle as was expected. The best three-shot group of the day measured just under an inch from 100 yards, fired from a prone shooting position and using the iron sights. Groups, in general, ran between one and two inches and at the end of the day I had managed to chew up the 9-ring on a B27 target pretty well. Overall I was initially pleased.

Cleaning the weapon was as I expected it to be. Again, this is a chore I've done more times than I can remember across the past years. HOW dirty the rifle was didn't surprise me. It was no dirtier or cleaner than any comparable rifle shooting decent quality factory ammo. I had been shooting Federal American Eagle Ammunition, 55g FMJ.

On my second range day with the rifle I brought my "patrol pack" which serves nicely as a stable shooting platform. I fired approximately 240 rounds that second day with the best 3-shot group of the day coming in just over 1/2". I was quite pleased. If you're the type of person who prefers optics to the open sights (like me but I couldn't get my hands on one in time for range days) mounting them is quite simple after you've removed the carry handle. The addition of an optic, a light and a 3-point sling are the only changes I'd make to this weapon. Say what you will about DPMS' manufacturing but the rifle shot as well as I would ever expect from an AR-style weapon and is obviously capable of sub-3/4 MOA performance. It's probably closer to 1/2 MOA or better but I didn't achieve that on either of my two range days so far. I will keep trying!

Pricing I've seen puts this rifle in the mid-$700s. That's a good price for a weapon with the style and features this one sports. For more information about Del-Ton and the rifles and rifle kits they have available, visit them online.

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