Originally Posted by
1168
A rifle that has been vetted, and works, has been vetted, and works. So, if you trust your gun, rock it. That said, spit happens, and is more likely to happen with rifles built to a lesser standard. For example a gas block screw, gas key screw, or receiver extension going unsat at an inopportune time.
That said, I have a PSA upper and a spare PSA BCG that work acceptably. I put one of Clint’s gas tubes in the upper to correct the overgassing and added a Sionics BCG. It is roughly as accurate as a rack M4 or M16, and reliable. Its a fun rifle that I enjoy shooting, and I use it to maintain proficiency with irons. The spare BCG now has a Colt extractor spring, and floats around as a spare.
Problems I found:
1) like every other PSA barrel I have checked, its not really a 5.56 chamber.
2) the crush washer was installed backwards.
3) the reason it was installed backwards is that the thread shoulder has a weird false shoulder on it, also like every PSA barrel I have checked
4) horribly overgassed, even with .223 ammo
5) no dimples for the set screw gas block, and of course not pinned
6) BCG not made to TDP, but has adequate staking.
7) incorrectly marked 5.56
OP, I would recommend looking at companies like Colt, SOLGW, Sionics, and BCM for your budget upper needs. Aero/BA might also be a good option, but my only experience has been with stripped uppers and barrels. Sionics is pretty inexpensive. I’ve been unfracking a buddy’s budget gun for him lately, and honestly, its been a frustrating experience, and he would be best served by obtaining a different rifle. Don’t buy garbage.