Kentucky Armory Club

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?

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.


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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.

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.

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

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.

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.


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No clue. It was a factory assembled PSA upper.

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.

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.


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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.


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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.

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.

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.


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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.


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http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-r ... e-kit.html

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

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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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So I'd need another front sight post also? And make sure the new barrel is cut for the pins?

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.


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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.

Cool, sounds easy enough... Thanks guys!

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


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

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

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

Make sure you have the right tools

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

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

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

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.


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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.


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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.