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plouffedaddy
08-03-12, 14:57
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/tiffani33/Guns/IMAG1290.jpg

Well, after over 6 months of waiting, I've gotten to run my 10.5'' PSA upper on a real AR lower to see how it runs. I had been running it for a bit using a pistol lower but we all know that's no where near as much fun!

So far, I've got nothing but good things to say about this upper. It's run great, been accurate, reliable, ect... Running it with the Troy Claymore seems to really help negate the concussion typically found on SBRs, although that's probably not the case for anyone downrange from the shooter but who cares about them?!

Here's a quick synopsis of the upper, barrel, and BCG (the heart and soul of the AR if you will....).

Pros/features:

-Hammer Forged Chrome Moly Vanadium barrel
-Extra-thick Chrome-lined bore (whatever that means....)
-5.56 NATO Chamber
-1 in 7" twist rate
-Forged upper
-Heavy profile BCG (more on this below)
-Milspec Carpenter No. 158® steel bolt
-Shot Peened Bolt
-Chrome Lined Carrier
-Chrome Lined Gas Key
-Gas Key Hardened to USGI Specifications
-Gas Key Grade 8 Hardened Fasteners
-Gas Key Staked Per Mil-Spec
-Tool Steel Extractor
-Extractor Spring
-Black Extractor Insert
-Cost ($369 withouth BCG, currently. $329 when I bought it)
-It balances very well, even with the YHM Diamond Series Rail
-0 malfunctions thus far

Cons:

-It's not free, unfortunately....
-Having to wait for your stamp to come back in order to run it on a rifle lower (not a product per se of the upper, just all sub 16'' OAL uppers in general)
-Velocity loss from a shorter barrel

I really like this upper and may actually get another for the next SBR project I'm thinking of building. Here's a video of me running it a bit, shooting at some steel, a quick tabletop review, and some chronograph testing:

PSA 10.5'' Upper Review Video Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aSIQXatz-E&feature=g-upl)

Chronograph Data:
Hornady 223 75gr TAP: 2157fps, 775ft/lbs energy
Silver Bear 62gr HP: 2403fps, 795ft/lbs energy

JC0352
08-03-12, 15:07
How is the alignment of the feedramps? Any cant to the gas block, or is it nice & straight?

Good lookin' sbr!

Edward78
08-03-12, 18:38
That looks good

saddlerocker
08-03-12, 19:20
The price is great on these, too bad they dont offer an 11.5"

What weight buffer are you using?
Im curious what size gas port FN is using for this 10.5"

plouffedaddy
08-03-12, 19:37
How is the alignment of the feedramps? Any cant to the gas block, or is it nice & straight?

Good lookin' sbr!

Feed ramps are aligned. Just eyeballed the gas block--looks good to me and isn't showing any signs of being canted.

plouffedaddy
08-03-12, 19:39
The price is great on these, too bad they dont offer an 11.5"

What weight buffer are you using?
Im curious what size gas port FN is using for this 10.5"

I agree---I wish they had an 11.5''. I'd buy one today.

I'm using a H2. I've ran 62gr brown bear, 62gr silver bear, 55gr PMC, and 75gr TAP without a single failure yet using that buffer. In the video you can see the ejection looks pretty good using the silver and brown bear as an example of how it's running.

skorcher247
08-04-12, 02:56
I super jealous of this build. Cant wait to put in my tax stamp. I'm also glad to hear another PSA success story as I'm running a 16" myself. How's the recoil and severity of gas blowback?

plouffedaddy
08-04-12, 08:18
I super jealous of this build. Cant wait to put in my tax stamp. I'm also glad to hear another PSA success story as I'm running a 16" myself. How's the recoil and severity of gas blowback?

It's not bad at all. If you watch the video and compare it to this video I did (shooting the same ammo on a 16'' middy with the Claymore as well) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-blDD6BcsSI (camera sucked back then) you can probably get an idea of the difference compared to what you're using.