Are uppers with parts kits the way to go?

[funkymonkey1111]

I'm new to building an AR--I've been looking at the various options and am wondering if there's anything inherently questionable about buying an upper that includes a lower parts kit, such as this one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/891766/del-ton-m4-carbine-kit-ar-15-556x45mm-nato-1-in-9-twist-16-barrel-upper-assembly-lower-parts-kit-m4-collapsible-buttstock-pre-ban?cm_vc=ProductFinding

not saying this is the one i'm looking at per se, but simply is this the better way to go, or do most people prefer to buy a preferred upper, and then just a parts kit separately.

the reviews of the DelTon upper/with parts kits on midway seem to be pretty solid.

[Mazin]

Not a bad way to do it. It really depends on what you want in your build. I just bought everything separate except the upper which in hindsight really didn't matter anyway because my handgaurd has a proprietary barrel nut so the whole thing got disassembled anyway. If you need any tools / help just hit me up man and GL with the build!

[Fromk]

If you find a kit that has all the parts you want there's nothing wrong with that. Parts are parts. I've seen those bundles around the internet in many forms including ones with Magpul furniture. If even one thing isn't exactly what you want, like the stock but especially the upper brand and configuration, then start pricing separately.

[Great-Kazoo]

I'd go with J&T before midway. We've used them since the early 90's.
http://jtdistributing.net/store/kits.html

[MarkCO]

Nothing wrong per se, but one of the benefits of building is getting to pick the parts YOU want, not the standard kit.

Stocks, triggers and hand guards are the biggies that get swapped out, so why pay for a kit. For the most part, lowers are lowers, but uppers do have differences as do carriers and bolts. I use Del-Ton barrels, in fact just built two today with DT barrels, but I won't use their upper receivers for the types of builds I do.

[SouthPaw]

I have used that same kit in the past and have been very happy with it. Stil using one to this day. Like Mark said, a lot of parts will be switched out to your preference but at least this way you can shoot it and change things later on.

[sportbikeco]

For $500 you could get a setup from PSA with a chrome lined barrel. I'd skip the delton.

[MarkCO]

I've shot DT and PSAs, the DTs outshoot the PSAs.

[ray1970]

I buy most of my stuff one piece at a time. I usually save the more expensive pieces for last. (Barrel, BCG, handguard). I think next go round I am going to get the more expensive pieces first.

I'm glad to see lower parts kits can now be bought cheap without the trigger parts. I have quite a few brand new trigger groups that I never used but paid for when buying a complete lower parts kit.

I suppose if you were impatient and wanted to get a rifle put together quickly, a complete rifle kit and stripped lower would be the way to go.