Extreme Duty 316: The “Extreme Duty” name suggests a certain robustness in this design. I’ve previously tested this rifle and found it to be extremely reliable and suitable for any reasonable kind of defensive use. It is also a credible choice for riding in place of the traditional shotgun in a police cruiser. Del-Ton keeps things light on the front end with M4-type handguards with a double heat shield. Overall, the gun weighs 6.4 pounds, meaning the Extreme Duty 316 can be carried and aimed for longer periods of time without causing as much fatigue as a typical rifle. For a patrol cop clearing a building or on a perimeter position, every ounce counts. Del-Ton opted for a 16-inch barrel with M4 feed ramps, a 1-in-7-inch twist rate and a carbine-length gas system. Up front, the company uses an F-marked front sight base with a bayonet lug and a sling-attachment point. On the back end, an adjustable buttstock rides on a mil-spec-sized receiver extension that holds a standard H-buffer.
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.35-35.58 inches
Weight: 6.4 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: A2 front, Samson flip-up rear
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $1,119
DT Sport-Optic Ready: If you are looking for an AR but are on a budget, give the DT Sport line a look. These carbines are ready for duty but have fewer options to keep their prices down. The Optic Ready model comes without any sights, which is perfect if you already have a preferred setup for optics and sights. This DT Sport comes with a 16-inch barrel with a 1-in-9-inch twist rate that should be good for the most common 5.56mm NATO and .223 Remington ammunition. It is not chrome lined, but that won’t be an issue unless you fire surplus ammo and never clean the gun. Carbine-length plastic handguards are used along with a single heat shield. This rifle also uses a carbine-length gas system but pairs it with a lighter carbine buffer. A low-profile gas block with a rail for attaching a front sight is standard. The Optic Ready has a six-position, M4-style buttstock matched to a commercially sized buffer tube. While I personally prefer a mil-spec tube, I’ve never had any problems with commercial-sized tubes, and its use would not prevent me from buying an otherwise great gun.
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.63-36.38 inches
Weight: 5.8 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Finish: Matte black
Sights: None
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $705
Alpha 220H: Del-Ton’s Alpha 220H is more in line with the styling of the M16A2. This rifle is chambered for the 5.56mm NATO cartridge and comes equipped with a 20-inch heavy barrel with a 1-in-9-inch twist rate and a rifle-length gas system. The standard-height A2-style front sight is paired with a carry handle/rear sight.
The Alpha 220H also has a fixed-length buttstock made of Zytel, an impact-resistant nylon resin material used in many different firearms. The buttstock includes a trapdoor assembly. To protect your hands while shooting, Del-Ton uses standard-length handguards with a single heat shield.
➤ Specifications
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 20 inches
OA Length: 39.5 inches
Weight: 8.3 pounds (empty)
Stock: Fixed
Sights: A2 front and rear
Action: Direct
impingement
semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $918
Evolution: As the name suggests, this carbine is more advanced that some of the standard models that Del-Ton offers. The company starts this build with a forged 7075-T6 upper and lower receiver set, then adds a 16-inch lightweight barrel with a 1-in-9-inch twist rate and M4 feed ramps. The rifle uses a mid-length gas system and a low-profile gas block. The handguard is a 12.37-inch Samson Evolution rail system that allows the barrel to float freely. The Samson handguard has a full-length Picatinny rail on top, and shorter rails are included at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. This offers the flexibility of adding accessories without weighing the gun down with a lot of unused rail. I imagine this helps keep the rifle’s weight under 7 pounds. One of my favorite AR stocks, the Magpul CTR, is mounted to a mil-spec receiver extension and matches with the Magpul MOE+ pistol grip. This grip has rubber overmolding for enhanced control with sweaty hands and in wet conditions. Del-Ton offers this rifle with your choice of black or Flat Dark Earth furniture.
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.38-35.63 inches
Weight: 6.8 pounds (empty)
Stock: Magpul CTR
Sights: Flip-up front and rear
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black, Flat Dark Earth
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $1,319
Alpha 320G: Another full-sized rifle, the Alpha 320G has a flattop receiver, a fixed buttstock and a 20-inch barrel. Chambered for the 5.56mm NATO round and equipped with M4 feed ramps, the government-profile barrel has a 1-in-9-inch twist rate and an F-marked front sight base. It is equipped with an A2-style flash suppressor that can be removed for something more exotic if desired. On top of the forged receiver is a T-marked Picatinny rail that allows you to quickly attach a rear sight or scope. The standard handguards include a heat shield and use a delta ring, making them easy to swap out if desired.
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 20 inches
OA Length: 39.5 inches
Weight: 7.4 pounds (empty)
Stock: Fixed
Sights: A2 front
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $822
Sierra 316H: If you prefer a mid-length gas system, the Del-Ton Sierra series of rifles might be what you are looking for. Many shooters prefer a mid-length system for a longer sight radius, increased accessory rail length and softer recoil. Some shooters are not able to feel any difference in recoil between carbine- and mid-length systems, but others say there is a significant difference. Since Del-Ton offers both systems, the choice is yours. The Sierra 316H is a typical entry-level AR with an adjustable buttstock, a flattop receiver, an A2-style pistol grip and a 30-round magazine, all at a reasonable price. Del-Ton uses a 16-inch heavy barrel with a 1-in-9-inch twist rate and an A2-style flash suppressor.
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.63-36.38 inches
Weight: 7 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: A2 front
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $753
Echo 308: When only a .308 Winchester will do, Del-Ton’s got you covered with the Echo 308. The phosphated, 16-inch barrel is free-floated and equipped with a carbine-length gas system. Up front, an A2-type flash suppressor is screwed into place while M4-style feed ramps bring up the rear. A round handguard is used with wide strips of knurling to offer a good grip when fired from the shoulder. The upper is a flattop design with Picatinny rails for the easy addition of a scope or reflex sight. An A2-style front sight base is also included as well as a 20-round Magpul PMAG.
Caliber: 7.62mm NATO
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 34-37.25 inches
Weight: 8 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: A2 front
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 20+1
MSRP: $948
Echo 316 MOE M-LOK: Del-Ton did an excellent job when it put this carbine package together. Using its Echo 316 rifle as a starting point, the company then added some of the most popular Magpul furniture to the gun to give it a custom feel right out of the box, including Magpul’s MOE pistol grip and stock. The MOE M-LOK handguard allows you to securely add accessories to the rifle without the dead weight of a quad-rail system. The MOE handguard does not interfere with the standard front sight base and attaches via a standard delta ring. This rifle also uses a 16-inch barrel with a heavy profile and M4 feed ramps. As with the other Echo series rifles, this one uses a carbine-length gas system. Rounding out the package is a 30-round Magpul PMAG.
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 33-36.75 inches
Weight: 6.8 pounds (empty)
Stock: Magpul MOE
Sights: A2 front
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $863
Echo 7.62×39: It’s become more and more popular for shooters to run ARs chambered for the traditional AK-47 cartridge. Del-Ton’s take on the mashup is the Echo 7.62×39 rifle. But make no mistake, this is a thoroughly American AR-platform rifle complete with a carbine-length gas system, an M4-style adjustable buttstock and traditional handguards. Del-Ton opted for a 16-inch, heavy-profile barrel with a 1-in-10-inch twist rate optimized for the .30-caliber round. An appropriately sized A2-style flash suppressor is used along with M4 feed ramps. A distinctively curved 30-round magazine designed for the aggressively tapered Soviet cartridge comes with the gun. For aiming, the gun uses an F-marked A2-style base. No rear sight is included, but the upper has a Picatinny rail to allow you to add your own.
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.25-35.58 inches
Weight: 6.63 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: A2 front
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $753
Without a doubt, the AR-15 has become America’s rifle. Popular with everyone from hunters to competition shooters, the AR-style rifle is also an excellent weapon for law enforcement and home defense. Its light recoil and ability to adjust to the size of the shooter also make it excellent for teaching new shooters. I’m not sure there has ever been a rifle so useful and fun for shooters.
Based in North Carolina, Del-Ton is a company focused on the AR platform. Instead of trying to be all things to all people, this is a company that is focused on one niche, and the quality of its products underscores that focus.
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I’ve had a Del-Ton AR in my collection for several years now, and the rifle is utterly reliable. It feeds from every kind of magazine and with every ammunition load I’ve tried. With factory-fresh ammo of any style, the 5.56mm-chambered gun shoots sub-3-inch groups with iron sights. A 4X scope and target ammo tighten the groups up significantly. The finish looks great, all of the parts are properly staked and it was very reasonably priced. For a general-purpose rifle, I can’t ask for more.
Beyond the basic Del-Ton AR that I have, the company offers a wide range of options when it comes to the AR platform. Here are some of Del-Ton’s new and notable offerings.
