I have 500 rounds and multiple range sessions on my PSA 10.5 build now, and have some brief observations. When shooting both from the bench for precision, or when running it as fast as possible; I have noticed the 10.5 is much more of a jack hammer than my mid length guns. I dont neccesairly believe the gun is over gassed though. It ejects really consistantly to the 3 O clock, and even has an H2 buffer with milspec spring. I could pull the gas block and measure the gas port to see if that really is the issue, but I just dont feel like it is. Am I just noticing the difference between carbine and mid length gas systems?
It appears that I have 3 different hardware approachs to this problem:
Adjustable Gas block. ~$60-$100. This is the solution I dont really like. For some reason I just see it as the most unreliable way to fix a problem. Let me know if you have an adjustable gas block that has been rock solid.
Or let me know if I should just rock on, and let the little gun be a BLASTER.
I would assume but may be wrong, that the PSA is horribly over gassed. Black River Tactical (www.blackrivertactical.com) as mentioned above has a number of options for your issue be it gas blocks, gas tubes, or choke down gas ports. Clint is pretty active on here and he may chime in, if not you may want to ping him (https://www.m4carbine.net/member.php?36542-Clint) and he will help you out.
I have a DD MK18 (newer model with the smaller gas port) that either sits on a pistol lower or a SBR lower. The SBR lower has a A5 with a5h2 and a green sprinco spring. The pistol lower just has a h2 buffer. IMO the A5 smoothes out most SBRs and would not be a bad investment but will not solve your issue nor will the adjustable bolt carrier. You are not going to get a 10.5 to shoot like a mid length 14.5 or 16 inch. Just the nature of the beast.
I would start with Clint and I think you will be surprised with the outcome.
LOL I am only $600 into the whole guns including optics. Most well known companies still dont have proper gas ports. I already own a BCM and another fraken carbine that has proven its self for thousands of rounds… and then I had this one select fire colt for 4 years… I know my way around the Ar platform and this is just a ‘fun gun’. And to boot I think this pistol looks incredible…
I really like the option for the bas tube from BRT. What port size would ya’ll recommend for a 10.5 that sees lots of steel and reloads?
When ordering, select barrel length, gas system length ammo type etc. and they’ll send you the right gas tube. BRT customer service is top notch. They’ll take care of you.
Probably not your most favored option, but I’d pull the barrel and buy a BA Hanson 10.3. Then you don’t have to introduce any specialty parts to make it run the way you want it to.
My BA Hanson 10.3 is a stupid smooth shooting AR, and is my favorite rifle to shoot. The recoil impulse is smoother than my DD 12.5 and my 11.5. (RIP). I’ve built a lot of AR’s since the 10.3, i.e. DD barreled builds, Centurion Arms 12.5, Noveske builds and it is STILL my best running short barrel AR. Hands down.
Like the rest of my builds it has a normal plain Jane BA 750 lo-pro gas block (non-adjustable of course) and a normal nitride gas tube. Not trying to knock the other solutions presented, but if I can run a standard GB and standard gas tube, and have 100% functionality and a good shooting weapon -that’s my preference. Following the KISS principle. And if I need to swap a gas tube I can grab one of 10 in my parts bin that I paid $13 bucks for. Best of all it’s just a butter smooth shooter. Even with a Troy PDW stock and proprietary buffer and spring that certainly isn’t designed for comfort but portability/maneuverability.
This post is encouraging, I have an 11.3 Hanson en route and need to wait all week before I can take it to the range. It’s also my first pistol build and I am really looking forward to wringing it out.
PSA Blast Can. It’s a blast forward device. Not flash hiding, nor compensating. ETA: It’s not a krink, if people wanted to think that maybe it was.
OP, since you asked, SLR Rifleworks and Odin Works probably make the best, most reliable AGB’s. There are others, I’m sure, but I’ve had great experiences with both.
Every PSA upper and barrel I’ve messed with have been overgassed. I’d suggest throwing an A5 system on there. My Nephew has a 10.5 PSA pistol, it came with a low quality spring and standard carbine buffer. It was the most awful shooting AR I’ve ever used. He didn’t have the money for an A5 setup so he bought a Sprinco Blue spring and I gave him an H2 buffer to calm it down. I haven’t shot it yet since the change up, but he tells me it’s much better now.
Taming a gun like this is only accomplished by gas regulation. I’m not one for ditching a barrel that shoots accurately enough. I’ve not yet tried a BRT gas tube, but I’m interested in the idea.
I have zero interest in a BGG that attempts to address the issue. It’s simply addressing the problem in the wrong part of the gun in my humble opinion.
If it’s not a fixed front sight base gun, the AGB is the most bang for the buck for sure. You WILL get results.
In my limited experience, short barrels have always had more recoil than 14.5"-16" carbine, and mid length.
For example a stock 14.5" SR-15 mod 2 is easier to shoot than a correctly ported 10.3" DDMK18 rifle with a A5 system. I want to say that the upper seems to be working, but ejection pattern isn’t the best indicator of performance.
I want to mirror what other people have stated for improving recoil.
I have a newer DD MK18, H2 buffer and a Tubbs spring. Smoothest AR in my safe. It runs 556, pmc bronze and steel cased. Smoother than my BCM and DD middies. All have upgraded buffers and springs too. Also have a Sionics ergp that I have been running without a suppressor, so it’s undergassed, and it is no smoother than the 10.5 carbine.
Get the gas dialed in and then move onto the buffer system. You’ll appreciate it. That 10.5 can run butter smooth and be reliable.
I really appreciate all the replies similar to this one, because at one point I thought: “Maybe a 10.5 is just a bear to shoot”.
I forgot to mention that the build came with a 6061 buffer tube, weak spring and carbine buffer. I was planning on replacing all of this anyways because its not “per the chart”. A decent buffer tube set will typically run me $80, and the A5 for an extra $25 seems like a no brainer. Also Im gonna order a drilled gas tube from BRT. I’ll let yall know how much it tames down the gun, and then hopefully next time I get out to the range I’ll have a better shooting rest for groups.
