Del-Ton Sierra 316 5.56 NATO
Model: ORFTML16-M
Del-Ton Sierra 316 5.56 NATO
Model: ORFTML16-M
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Del-Ton closed its doors in 2025, making the Sierra 316 a secondary-market-only rifle. For buyers who find one at a good price, the specs hold up: a 16-inch chrome-moly vanadium barrel with manganese phosphate finish, forged 7075-T6 aluminum receivers, and a Carpenter 158 steel bolt. At 99 oz, the Sierra 316 is the lightest rifle in the budget AR group, beating the S&W Sport II by over 4 oz and the PSA PA-15 by nearly 10 oz.
The 1:7 twist rate matches the PA-15 and handles heavy 77gr match loads. The rifle ships without iron sights, which means a separate optic or sight purchase is required before shooting. The M-LOK handguard accepts accessories directly, and the hard coat anodized finish on the receivers is standard mil-spec. Del-Ton's North Carolina factory built AR-15 components for decades before assembling complete rifles, so the manufacturing knowledge behind the Sierra 316 is legitimate even if the company no longer exists.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- At 99 oz, the Sierra 316 is the lightest budget AR by a meaningful margin, undercutting the next-lightest S&W Sport II (103.2 oz) by over 4 oz and the PSA PA-15 (108.8 oz) by nearly 10 oz
- Carpenter 158 steel bolt and forged 7075-T6 receivers match the internal specs of rifles from PSA and Springfield's SAINT line
- M-LOK handguard allows direct accessory mounting, which the Ruger AR-556 and PSA PA-15 with their Picatinny-only handguards cannot do without adapters
- Del-Ton closed in 2025, meaning zero manufacturer warranty support and no factory replacement parts for anything proprietary
- Ships without any sights, requiring an additional purchase before the rifle can be used, while the S&W Sport II, Ruger AR-556, and PSA PA-15 all include usable iron sights
Category Rankings
How the Del-Ton Sierra 316 5.56 NATO ranks among full-size 5.56 NATO rifles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get parts and service for a Del-Ton rifle?
Del-Ton closed in 2025, so factory warranty service no longer exists. The good news is that the Sierra 316 uses entirely standard mil-spec AR-15 components. Barrels, bolt carrier groups, handguards, triggers, and every other part can be sourced from any AR-15 parts supplier. Nothing on this rifle is proprietary.
Is the manganese phosphate barrel finish a problem?
Manganese phosphate (parkerizing) is the original mil-spec barrel finish and works fine with regular maintenance. It is less corrosion-resistant than the nitride finishes on the PSA PA-15 and Anderson AM-15, so it needs more attention if stored in humid conditions or used in wet weather. A light coat of oil after each range session is sufficient for most climates.