Long Term Review: PSA Barreled AR-15 Upper (Part 1)

[NWcityguy2]

@1168

Quality thread; thanks. I, too, am curious about the stoppages. Did I miss seeing which ammo they occurred with? If it occasionally doesn’t have enough juice to cycle, but does lock back, are you thinking inconsistent ammo? Do you have a chrono?

They were my handloads. For clarity’s sake, they loaded with 25gr of TAC using a 55gr bullet.

[NWcityguy2]

@MistWolf

Please explain how a short stroking AR locks back on an empty mag. If that’s not what you’re saying, please explain how an AR that isn’t short stroking has a failure to feed due to short stroking.

I’ve encountered this problem more than once. In each case, the problem wasn’t resolved until a good extractor spring was installed. I’ve watched slow motion videos of bolt over base malfunctions because it the extractor lost control of the empty. I’ve discussed this problem with Will Larson (IraqGunz).

You’re free to present evidence to the contrary. In fact, I welcome it.

Please see Post #12 for my explanation.

[turnburglar]

I agree with MistWolf on this one. You WILL continue to see issues if you do not change out that extractor spring.

Every single BCG I own including BCM’s; I went through and replaced all extractor springs with a spring co 5 coil and black insert. It only costs $4 per gun to do. I never have to worry again if my extractor has enough tension. To me it was a no brainer.

At the very least pull down the extractor and document what they sent you. IIRC my PSA’s came with a silver 4 coil spring with insert and donut. Looked fine, but I still pulled them.

[RUTGERS95]

I just want to say that after watching that video, I’m jealous of all the open land to shoot at!!!

[Hank6046]

@RUTGERS95

I just want to say that after watching that video, I’m jealous of all the open land to shoot at!!!

Cheers to that. That is one thing about living in the mid-west and east of the US, is you can’t often just drive out to no where to shoot.

[NWcityguy2]

@turnburglar

I agree with MistWolf on this one. You WILL continue to see issues if you do not change out that extractor spring.

Every single BCG I own including BCM’s; I went through and replaced all extractor springs with a spring co 5 coil and black insert. It only costs $4 per gun to do. I never have to worry again if my extractor has enough tension. To me it was a no brainer.

At the very least pull down the extractor and document what they sent you. IIRC my PSA’s came with a silver 4 coil spring with insert and donut. Looked fine, but I still pulled them.

So even if I agreed, I think replacing a part so early is outside the spirit of this test.

[turnburglar]

@NWcityguy2

So even if I agreed, I think replacing a part so early is outside the spirit of this test.

But it’s not a barrel, receiver, or even entire BCG. It’s a $4 extractor spring. Less than the cost of ONE box of ammo. FWIW I would do this on ANY gun including a noveske or DD.

I also will say that I think AR’s ‘mate together’ they dont really break in. I have noticed that on guns that are brand new builds they are very tight where as once they pass the 1k mark they feel like they fit way better together. This however doesn’t account for the malfunctions you have experienced. You can continue to shoot the gun as is, and maybe you won’t get any more malfunctions.

[RUTGERS95]

@NWcityguy2

So even if I agreed, I think replacing a part so early is outside the spirit of this test.

agree, continue as is to get proper malfunction counts. I’d be willing to bet that more than half the AR owners don’t even know how to change the spring. Not to mention, new ARs shouldn’t need that so it’s important to the test.

[grizzman]

I agree that changing any component, no matter how inexpensive, at this point in the test would be foolish. As I understand it, the purpose of the test is to see how an AR performs…not to see what it takes to make it reliable.

After the test has concluded, then performing another exercise to see what it takes to turn an unreliable AR (if the failures continue) into a reliable one would be beneficial.

[RUTGERS95]

@grizzman

I agree that changing any component, no matter how inexpensive, at this point in the test would be foolish. As I understand it, the purpose of the test is to see how an AR performs…not to see what it takes to make it reliable.

After the test has concluded, then performing another exercise to see what it takes to turn an unreliable AR (if the failures continue) into a reliable one would be beneficial.

yes sir, totally agree

[DG23]

@NWcityguy2

In my first magazine, there was one jam. It appears the jam was caused by the bolt not traveling far enough back before attempting to strip the next round from the magazine. The jam was cleared in seconds and without tools. In the second magazine, this same type of jam happened two more times. The rest of the shooting continued without any jams or stoppages.

This includes the 300 cartridges fired and the approximately 70 rounds afterward used to test accuracy with the four varieties of ammo and sighting in both scopes.

I do not like break-in periods, and Palmetto State Armory does not warn of any in their advertising. At the same rate, everyone should conduct one on every firearm they own in a reasonable amount of time. This is not only important to confirm functionality but to identify any major problems in case a return to the manufacturer is needed.

Am I concerned? Not really. Three jams in the first two magazines and then none afterward isn’t something to worry me.

There is nothing wrong with your extractor spring or your buffer. You had a rough start due to brand spanking new parts needing to settle in a little bit and they did…

[MistWolf]

@NWcityguy2

So even if I agreed, I think replacing a part so early is outside the spirit of this test.

Ok, you’ve piqued my interest. I’m with you to see what happens.

[gaijin]

@turnburglar

I agree with MistWolf on this one. You WILL continue to see issues if you do not change out that extractor spring.

Every single BCG I own including BCM’s; I went through and replaced all extractor springs with a spring co 5 coil and black insert. It only costs $4 per gun to do. I never have to worry again if my extractor has enough tension. To me it was a no brainer.

At the very least pull down the extractor and document what they sent you. IIRC my PSA’s came with a silver 4 coil spring with insert and donut. Looked fine, but I still pulled them.

I replace extractor springs on every “new”, “new to me” BCG.
Cheap insurance; times limited, ammo expensive, life’s short.

[AndyLate]

@NWcityguy2

So even if I agreed, I think replacing a part so early is outside the spirit of this test.

I agree about the spirit of the test, and would someone in PSA’s target market know the extractor spring needs to be upgraded?

On the other hand, you swapped the muzzle device (its your gun, and your test) so you have already replaced a part.

Andy