Upper questions

The black rifle we all love. All variants welcome. 223/556 300 BLK, 762, 50, AR pistols.... Bring it.
User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:26 pm

I have a PSA 18 upper that I'm not happy with and plan to buy a better quality lower cost barrel to replace it with. Odin works, BHW, something in the $200-300 price range. Lower end of that the better. Opinions on brands are welcome.
What all do I need other than the barrel when swapping a barrel in an already complete upper? Can I reuse front sight post/gas block, barrel nut, flash hider, stuff like that? If not, what can I reuse or need to replace?

User avatar
ssracer
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 13627
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:24 pm
Location: KY
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 55 times
Contact:

Re: Upper questions

Post by ssracer » Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:40 pm

Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
iron369
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 4791
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:43 am
Location: Valley Station
Has liked: 72 times
Been liked: 96 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by iron369 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:05 pm

I suggest taking a look at Joe Bob outfitters. Pretty good prices on faxon and ballistic advantage 18” barrels. Also, make sure your gas tube matches the type of barrel or you’ll need another tube.
Using Tapatalk

User avatar
Gunsmokin
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 5076
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:11 pm
Location: Louisville
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 20 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Gunsmokin » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:07 pm

Niceguy wrote:I have a PSA 18 upper that I'm not happy with and plan to buy a better quality lower cost barrel to replace it with. Odin works, BHW, something in the $200-300 price range. Lower end of that the better. Opinions on brands are welcome.
What all do I need other than the barrel when swapping a barrel in an already complete upper? Can I reuse front sight post/gas block, barrel nut, flash hider, stuff like that? If not, what can I reuse or need to replace?
If it were me and the barrel from PSA has an A2 fsp, I would just get a barrel, low profile gas block, crush washer and a rail. Just me though.
jackalo626 wrote:Skibble dee dibbledy

User avatar
jmeister
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 1078
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:26 pm
Location: Lexington
Has liked: 3 times
Been liked: 3 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by jmeister » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:09 pm

Faxon gunner, love mine. Dimpled for gas block roll pin, lighter than a BA option, sub $200.

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:12 pm

Gunsmokin wrote:
Niceguy wrote:I have a PSA 18 upper that I'm not happy with and plan to buy a better quality lower cost barrel to replace it with. Odin works, BHW, something in the $200-300 price range. Lower end of that the better. Opinions on brands are welcome.
What all do I need other than the barrel when swapping a barrel in an already complete upper? Can I reuse front sight post/gas block, barrel nut, flash hider, stuff like that? If not, what can I reuse or need to replace?
If it were me and the barrel from PSA has an A2 fsp, I would just get a barrel, low profile gas block, crush washer and a rail. Just me though.
That what it is now. Functions like shit, shoots like shit. First of probably 20 PSA uppers I've had and not been very happy with.

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:13 pm

ssracer wrote:Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:20 pm

iron369 wrote:I suggest taking a look at Joe Bob outfitters. Pretty good prices on faxon and ballistic advantage 18” barrels. Also, make sure your gas tube matches the type of barrel or you’ll need another tube.
2 for Fazon. Looks like I need to look into them also.
jmeister wrote:Faxon gunner, love mine. Dimpled for gas block roll pin, lighter than a BA option, sub $200.

User avatar
ssracer
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 13627
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:24 pm
Location: KY
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 55 times
Contact:

Re: Upper questions

Post by ssracer » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:49 pm

Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.
Is it a low pro gas block now? Might want to check it and make sure it’s installed correctly. If it’s off a bit it could affect the gas operation and may be part of your problem. Most low profile blocks either clamp on or have set screws that go up from the bottom. If the barrel isn’t dimpled for the set screws and they aren’t properly tightened/locktighted it could allow the block to move just enough to lessen the gas getting to the BCG.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

shaggy1392
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:20 am
Location: Louisville
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Upper questions

Post by shaggy1392 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:57 pm

Ballistic advantage. Check with andro Corp. Their barrels are from ballistic advantage and they will give you a good deal of you email them and ask about the arfcom discount.

shaggy1392
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:20 am
Location: Louisville
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Upper questions

Post by shaggy1392 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:58 pm

Ballistic advantage. Check with andro Corp. Their barrels are from ballistic advantage and they will give you a good deal of you email them and ask about the arfcom discount.

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:08 pm

ssracer wrote:
Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.
Is it a low pro gas block now? Might want to check it and make sure it’s installed correctly. If it’s off a bit it could affect the gas operation and may be part of your problem. Most low profile blocks either clamp on or have set screws that go up from the bottom. If the barrel isn’t dimpled for the set screws and they aren’t properly tightened/locktighted it could allow the block to move just enough to lessen the gas getting to the BCG.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-r ... e-kit.html

Not sure how to tell. It was this kit. It's 20", not 18".

User avatar
ssracer
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 13627
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:24 pm
Location: KY
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 55 times
Contact:

Re: Upper questions

Post by ssracer » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:12 pm

Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:
Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.
Is it a low pro gas block now? Might want to check it and make sure it’s installed correctly. If it’s off a bit it could affect the gas operation and may be part of your problem. Most low profile blocks either clamp on or have set screws that go up from the bottom. If the barrel isn’t dimpled for the set screws and they aren’t properly tightened/locktighted it could allow the block to move just enough to lessen the gas getting to the BCG.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-r ... e-kit.html

Not sure how to tell. It was this kit. It's 20", not 18".
ok, FSP, not low pro gas block. That should have two pins that go through it on the underside of the barrel to hold it in place (they only come out to one side) so it shouldn’t be able to move.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:18 pm

ssracer wrote:
Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:
Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.
Is it a low pro gas block now? Might want to check it and make sure it’s installed correctly. If it’s off a bit it could affect the gas operation and may be part of your problem. Most low profile blocks either clamp on or have set screws that go up from the bottom. If the barrel isn’t dimpled for the set screws and they aren’t properly tightened/locktighted it could allow the block to move just enough to lessen the gas getting to the BCG.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-r ... e-kit.html

Not sure how to tell. It was this kit. It's 20", not 18".
ok, FSP, not low pro gas block. That should have two pins that go through it on the underside of the barrel to hold it in place (they only come out to one side) so it shouldn’t be able to move.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
So I'd need another front sight post also? And make sure the new barrel is cut for the pins?

User avatar
iron369
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 4791
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:43 am
Location: Valley Station
Has liked: 72 times
Been liked: 96 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by iron369 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:33 pm

Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:
Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:
Niceguy wrote:
ssracer wrote:Does it have a pinned gas block? If it does you’ll need to make sure your new barrel is drilled for pins. Aside from that a new crush washer for your flash hider and everything else should be able to be reused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.
Is it a low pro gas block now? Might want to check it and make sure it’s installed correctly. If it’s off a bit it could affect the gas operation and may be part of your problem. Most low profile blocks either clamp on or have set screws that go up from the bottom. If the barrel isn’t dimpled for the set screws and they aren’t properly tightened/locktighted it could allow the block to move just enough to lessen the gas getting to the BCG.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-r ... e-kit.html

Not sure how to tell. It was this kit. It's 20", not 18".
ok, FSP, not low pro gas block. That should have two pins that go through it on the underside of the barrel to hold it in place (they only come out to one side) so it shouldn’t be able to move.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
So I'd need another front sight post also? And make sure the new barrel is cut for the pins?
You can reuse that fsp. You don’t need to replace it. Just remove the pins underneath it. The pins only go in one way as previously mentioned.
Using Tapatalk

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:48 pm

Cool, sounds easy enough... Thanks guys!

User avatar
Dustin
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 3130
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:47 pm
Location: Lost in Space
Has liked: 4 times
Been liked: 39 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Dustin » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:49 pm

You can reuse everything if you have the same gas system.might need to drill the new barrel for the pins. Or get a clamp on gas block or front sight posts


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Wed Oct 04, 2017 3:02 pm

Easy enough... I'll make sure to get rifle length, .750, and drilled for pins.

User avatar
Toddstang
Global Mod
Global Mod
Posts: 13819
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:52 pm
Location: In A Van, Down by the river.
Has liked: 145 times
Been liked: 96 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Toddstang » Wed Oct 04, 2017 5:18 pm

KCR MGS is next weekend. Doublestar has some good prices and quality is on par with others.

User avatar
RecoilSensitive
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 3912
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:10 pm
Location: Louisville
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by RecoilSensitive » Wed Oct 04, 2017 9:43 pm

FAXON GUNNER!!!! My 14.5 is sub MOA all day

Image
"But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36 NLT)

guncrank1
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 6380
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:48 pm
Location: Metro Louisville
Has liked: 3 times
Been liked: 15 times
Contact:

Re: Upper questions

Post by guncrank1 » Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:20 am

Make sure you have the right tools

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:47 am

Hammer and flat screwdriver with a chip out of it and house paint all over it?

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Thu Oct 05, 2017 11:00 am

RecoilSensitive wrote:FAXON GUNNER!!!! My 14.5 is sub MOA all day

Image
Damn good looking barrel. I'm a sight post kinda guy though. Never cared for freefloat rails for whatever reason.

User avatar
Dustin
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 3130
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:47 pm
Location: Lost in Space
Has liked: 4 times
Been liked: 39 times

Upper questions

Post by Dustin » Thu Oct 05, 2017 11:30 am

Faxon barrels the one I have have does not have a long enough journal length to support a front sight. Check the length 1st. But I have the ultra light version too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson

User avatar
Niceguy
KAC Member
KAC Member
Posts: 14178
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Smithfield Ky
Has liked: 328 times
Been liked: 91 times

Re: Upper questions

Post by Niceguy » Thu Oct 05, 2017 12:04 pm

Dustin wrote:Faxon barrels the one I have have does not have a long enough journal length to support a front sight. Check the length 1st. But I have the ultra light version too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cool, I'll watch that. This is for a 18-20" A2(ish) rifle. Doesn't to much matter to me if it's heavy or lite, would be nice if it does have a little weight to it though.

Return to “AR-15”

×