Doing a PSA build. A quick ??

[Wreaver]

I finally took the step into building my first AR. I decided to put the lower together myself (gonna be nervous first time i pull the trigger, lol) so I called my FFL yesterday to have him order me a PSA lower. I'm getting ready to order a PSA MOE LPK.

My question is about the upper though. I think I'm going with one of the PSA 14.7 uppers w/ the YHM Diamond rail. In regards to the BCG I was wondering, the PSA seems to spec out similiar to some big names ones. Would you replace the BCG with say a BCM or DD or is the PSA of equal quality? Or would it just be simpler to slap a BCM upper on the lower?


hey, im a newbie AR guy, i'm gonna have dumb questions, lol.

 

[mike8170]

I have been researching PSA also, and I think that they are the best for the money, even the bolt. I have seen nothing bad about them yet. I think I am going to go with the PSA 20" model for my next build.

 

[Wreaver]

yeah. i like the 14.7 w/ the perma FH but keep flirting with 16" just so I have the option of changing the FH/MB if i ever get the urge.

 

[Yeah]

I see no reason to change out the BCG. PSA's are 158 steel, C/L key with proper fasteners, properly staked. C/L carrier. They MPI their bolts.

BCM has been out there longer and earned their reputation, but that appears to be all they have over PSA.

 

[chewylax8]

I see no reason to change out the BCG. PSA's are 158 steel, C/L key with proper fasteners, properly staked. C/L carrier. They MPI their bolts.

BCM has been out there longer and earned their reputation, but that appears to be all they have over PSA.

+1. I have a PSA 10.5" upper with their BCG, no issues yet. All my interaction with PSA has been good, they will take care of you if something is wrong. If you are going to replace the BCG, I would look into Spike's Nickel Boron ones, they are a little more expensive, but worthwhile. I wouldn't replace a PSA with a DD/BCM.

 

[Wreaver]

yeah, i saw those nickel boron bcg'sand they're what like 200 and change? When reading the specs on the different bcg's they seemed pretty similiar but being fairly new i figure it wouldn' hurt to ask.

 

[sepe]

I've read quite a bit and the PSA ones seem to be working fine for those that have them and didn't "upgrade". If they're working fine, why spend more money if it isn't going to really change performance? Spend that on ammo or strippers.

 

[Acole]

From the pictures, it looks like they also use the heavier M16 carrier, as opposed to the AR15 or AR15 Enhanced carriers.

 

[shavedforbattle]

No need to upgrade if it is working.

 

[sepe]

From the pictures, it looks like they also use the heavier M16 carrier, as opposed to the AR15 or AR15 Enhanced carriers.

In the rifle kit descriptions, they state that it is a full auto carrier.

 

[Acole]

In the rifle kit descriptions, they state that it is a full auto carrier.

I was looking for a spot where they said, but couldn't find it (then again, I was looking at the parts, not the kits).

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

There's a little less metal on an "AR15" bolt carrier than on an "M16" bolt carrier. It's an extension of the cutout on the bottom to the rear, so it can't reach an auto sear. It's not enough mass removed to really affect the action. As long as you expect it to go "bang" when you pull the trigger rather than "bangbangbang" it won't make any difference. If you put an M16 one in, just make sure you haven't replaced all the rest of the parts with M16 ones, and you'll be ok. The sear is the critical part.

 

[Acole]

I've heard that the M16 bolt-carrier is more desirable in AR-15 builds by virtue of the fact that this extra metal gives the carrier some extra mass, which in turn increases reliability and decreases wear on the rifle.

I'm not sure if there's any truth to that, but most of the higher end manufacturers seem to use the M16 carrier. At the least, I can't see how it would hurt.