Noob PSA PA10 build :-)

[willbird]

It all started with a PSA daily deal for the PA10 complete lower EPT and Magpul NMIAD ACS-L for 149.99 and free shipping, too cheap to pass up ?

Then there was a daily deal on Gen I stripped uppers for $59. Next came a Bear Creek barrel for $60...I am kind of interested in chopping an 18" to 16" and doing a 16" faux dissy so not much lost if a mistake was made on a $60 barrel :-). Then an AIM sports 15" rail on sale for 49.99 kinda black Friday. Added a Toolcraft BCG and charging handle from WC Armory. Final parts were a OdinWorks adj gas block and a gas tube from Brownells....10% off and free shipping :-). Still need 

 

PSA GEN2 PA10 Complete MOE MIAD ACS-L EPT Lower Receiver - Black - 149.99

PSA Gen 1 PA10 Stripped Upper Receiver 59.99

BCA AR-10 Barrel, 18" 4150 Black Nitride SOCOM Barrel, .308, Mid Length Gas System w/ 1:10 Twist 59.84

AimSports DPMS Low AR-308 15" M-LOK Freefloat Handguard 49.99

Toolcraft BCG    115

Charging Handle 15

OdinWorks adj gas block    78.99

Brownells gas tube 8.99

still need 

PSA PA10 EJECTION PORT COVER ASSEMBLY 13.98

PSA PA10 FORWARD ASSIST ASSEMBLY 12.95

 

Total 564.69 Could have done it with non adj gas block for $495.69

 

I did not include shipping in all cases...tried to get free shipping where I could. Muzzle brake of some kind will add a few more $$. Parts on various truck as I type :-)...should have everything last week. Not my first AR build, second I suppose, but first large frame build.

 

Bill

 

[CRracer912]

How does the gen1 upper mate up to the gen2 lower? Any pictures?

Edited December 10, 2018 by CRracer912

[willbird]

I have tried to take pictures :-)....found better pictures on the web actually.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/industry/PA10_Gen1_and_Gen2_cosmetic_differences/301-280299/

To some it might be "ermergerd that sucks" :-)....I like to have parts around to try new stuff....so my thoughts were that the upper would be used for something. I have not seen any Gen II uppers avail for cheap yet :-). 

 

Bill

[CRracer912]

Ok, was just curious. My son has an all gen 2 upper and lower PA 65, I hadn't seen or handle a gen 1.

[willbird]

If you are going all out on the rest of the parts it might take away from the whole package, but part of my intent was a cheap upper to blast the steel case steel jacket Tula ammo. 

Bill

[willbird]

Just for future reference I pulled the buffer and spring out of the PA10 and did some measuring/weighing.

Buffer tube is 7" deep from receiver must be 6-15/16 tube maybe ?

Buffer is 2.5" long and weighs 3.7oz

Spring is 11-1/2 free length, .072" wire, and 28 coils.

[98Z5V]

Will, I shot you a PM on recoil system stuff.  Give it a shot, man.  Thank you for your research, too...   For real...   

[willbird]

12 hours ago, 98Z5V said:

Will, I shot you a PM on recoil system stuff.  Give it a shot, man.  Thank you for your research, too...   For real...   

yea the PM was appreciated, and we covered a lot of stuff. The end result was to order the orange spring,

http://www.sprinco.com/tactical.html

and work on a heavier buffer. I have the three tungsten buffer weights for $22 inbound from Ebay. Probably will lathe turn some bodies from plain old carbon steel to start.

 

Edited December 12, 2018 by willbird

[willbird]

Ok after some convo with 98Z5V I made up a steel buffer body. The stock PDA buffer appears to have Tungsten weights.

Finished buffer is on the right, new steel body with the PSA guts 5.65oz or so.

[98Z5V]

  HELL YES, MAN!!!  

[willbird]

Nothing like seeing a part locked inside a length of metal bar stock, and freeing it from it's prison :-).

[ARTrooper]

Wow, that's a crazy inexpensive build. I can't wait to see it built and see how it performs

[willbird]

56 minutes ago, ARTrooper said:

Wow, that's a crazy inexpensive build. I can't wait to see it built and see how it performs

Yea the cheap complete lower started that idea hehe :-).

Bill

[willbird]

Springco Orange came. 

It looks to have 2 LESS coils than the one PSA used ?? Counting starting at the full wrap I get 30 coils for the PSA and 28 for the SPRINCO Orange.

Need to jury rig up a weighted jig to compare spring rate, wire dia is identical at .072.

Bill

[willbird]

Ok  few parts showed up, Odin Works adj gas block, and a mid length gas tube.

There is where the gas tube ends up mocked up. Bear Creek Arsenal 18" barrel. I did confirm that the hole in the gas tube is aligning directly with the gas port in the barrel.

Bill

Edited December 19, 2018 by willbird

[willbird]

According to this thread here 

 

What is going on there is no good, and the Armalite mid tube is the same length ?? So no fix avail there ??

Bill

[willbird]

Brownells mid gas tube is 11.75" as it should be. 12" tube would center almost exactly.

[willbird]

Gas port is 9-3/16 from the rear of the flange that touches the front of the upper. I guess it will be "try and see" when other parts arrive. But likely will be an issue.

Edited December 19, 2018 by willbird

[98Z5V]

Armalite AR-10 Carbine gas tube is 12 1/16" long.

[willbird]

I missed that in the chart. Thanks ?

Bill 

[willbird]

Ordered from DSG arms 

[willbird]

Did a re measure on my buffer tube. it is 7" deep right where the keyway is.

The last USPS saw of the box with by BCG in it was Austin, TX. It shipped Dec 10 from near Detroit, MI...headed to NW Ohio...was in Austin dec 17th.

Bill

[98Z5V]

24 minutes ago, willbird said:

Did a re measure on my buffer tube. it is 7" deep right where the keyway is.

 

Might not be able to measure from there.  I just did a monster post about this in another thread about it - hit the Ceratac build thread, man. 

[willbird]

Going forward, I do have some other plans hatching :-), will not be PSA after this.

But is this whole setup here more workable ?

https://www.armalite.com/product/ar10rekit01-6-position-receiver-extension-kit/

This link is the same tube but provides more detail (maybe...some mfg totally bugger the specs from  what I am seeing)

https://www.primaryarms.com/armalite-308-car-receiver-extension-8-collapsible-gi-size-pa308car-tube-arm10207025

[jtallen83]

33 minutes ago, willbird said:

But is this whole setup here more workable ?

https://www.armalite.com/product/ar10rekit01-6-position-receiver-extension-kit/

Yes, it works great.