Working on a PSA PA-10 build

392heminut · December 22, 2014

*Handing him my pistol, butt first*

Bwahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

darb · December 22, 2014

Woof. That scope appears to be almost double the PST. The reticle is cool, but not at close to 1500, when the PST I can get for 750 most places.

Check out the Sightron 2.5x17.5 -56

Hueblerking · December 22, 2014

Thanks for the intro to the forum! Stumbled across this thread doing research for a build I'm planning and had to join.

I've been very happy withVortex scopes on both of my ar's (2-7x40's), and have pretty much settled on the Vortex PST for this build. I think it's outstanding glass for the $.

I'm looking forward to seeing the result of your build, Crimson. I have similar goals for mine, but maybe a little tighter budget. Have you tallied yours up to this point? What part of Texas are you moving to? I'm in the north Dallas area.

...and for a noob...what's "the rule?"

crimsonfalcon07 · December 23, 2014

Nope, no tally. I'm staying away from that... I'll have to go back and look through my parts list and credit card bills. I think I did pretty well though. Bought most everything on sale. Aero has blem 308 lowers on sale right now, FYI.

I'm bound for San Antonio.

Not sure I'm allowed to define the rule or not, so I'll just leave you to do a little more research, or let one of the others tell ya. Thanks for the feedback on the Vortex scopes. I'll look at that Sightron, but the PST does seem like it will be a great buy.

shibiwan · December 23, 2014

Thanks for the suggestion, McCannicalBob. I'll take a look at that scope.

I keep hearing that the FSC is very loud, and the PRC is designed to be quieter for the shooter and others on the line? Obviously need to do more research.

The FSC is loud (got one on my 308). Then again most of the similar designs (like the PRC) are almost as loud. Basic physics - can't alter how it works.

The one I'm interested in trying/checking out is the Lantac Dragon, then again a big part of me keeps saying "get off your lazy butt and go make you own on the CNC equipment"

Get the Vortex PST 6-42x50 (FFP highly recommended). Great scope for the price.

Edited December 23, 2014 by shibiwan

sketch · December 23, 2014

The one I'm interested in trying/checking out is the Lantac Dragon, then again a big part of me keeps saying "get off your lazy butt and go make you own on the CNC equipment"

Ahh I see what you did there ( corner the market ) merchant of doubt!

FaRKle! · December 23, 2014

Thanks for the suggestion, McCannicalBob. I'll take a look at that scope.

I keep hearing that the FSC is very loud, and the PRC is designed to be quieter for the shooter and others on the line? Obviously need to do more research.

I really don't see how the PRC is any quieter than the FSC... All it does is add another chamber and remove the tines.

shibiwan · December 23, 2014

Ahh I see what you did there ( corner the market ) merchant of doubt!

c6b49ba8dc4f38c0624a904d94a10c1e16c6f4e9

Rsquared · December 23, 2014

^^^^ <LMAO>

McCannicalBob · December 23, 2014

Woof. That scope appears to be almost double the PST. The reticle is cool, but not at close to 1500, when the PST I can get for 750 most places.

You can find it for closer to $1200-$1300, and it is first focal plane. At $750 the PST is probably the second focal plane model. FFP on the Vortex will be a grand or so.

I do have a Vortex Viper PST 2.5 - 10 that I like very much. I bet the 6-24 is quite nice too.

Hueblerking · December 24, 2014

You can find it for closer to $1200-$1300, and it is first focal plane. At $750 the PST is probably the second focal plane model. FFP on the Vortex will be a grand or so.
I do have a Vortex Viper PST 2.5 - 10 that I like very much. I bet the 6-24 is quite nice too.

McCannicalBob is correct on pricing. I asked Santa for the FFP, but I threw that effing elf in frustration yesterday. I'm hoping to catch Midway/Opticsplanet/whoever running them on sale post holidays.

crimsonfalcon07 · December 24, 2014

Hmm. I've seen the FFP one for 750-800 on a few different sites. Less than that if you don't mind a demo model.

shibiwan · December 24, 2014

Hmm. I've seen the FFP one for 750-800 on a few different sites. Less than that if you don't mind a demo model.

You're correct. I paid like $850

Magwa · December 24, 2014

AAC 51T
https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2198

what he said +5 that and a 762sdn-6 and you are golden..... and happy

crimsonfalcon07 · December 30, 2014

Got the last stuff ordered. I went with the AAC suggestion, but got it from Primary Arms, who has it on sale right now. Also grabbed a bipod and keymod rail. I have to admit, I can't wait for Aero to ship those BCG's. They said late December, and they've got all of 2 days left of that...

crimsonfalcon07 · December 30, 2014

Totaled the build up today. 2163.87 before optics, but including bipod. Not too shabby, considering the parts list. Will be around 3800 total when I'm completely done, with optics and SJBS (and some of the parts will then end up on the next upper).

98Z5V · December 30, 2014

crimson, I'm glad this is sorting out, and the build is progressing.

However...

HOW IN THE HELL DID I MISS THAT JACKASS?!!? :bat: :rant2:

edgecrusher · December 30, 2014

No worries boss, I bagged him and tagged his toe. Almost loosed the hippos...

98Z5V · December 31, 2014

Not even a resemblance to hamburger, once those bastards get through with someone... <lmao>

crimsonfalcon07 · January 13, 2015

Just got the email that my BCG has shipped. Hopefully it will actually work, and Rainier didn't sell my barrel to someone else while I was waiting or something. Got the tooling to complete the build too, and the AAC muzzle brake. Getting close now!

crimsonfalcon07 · January 16, 2015

Heard from Rainier today. Aero BCG headspaced properly, and barrel shipped out today. Got the wrench I needed to screw on the barrel nut in along with a new upper receiver vise block as well. Barrel should arrive Tuesday, and then I'll get to complete the build enough to get it to go bang. I've also got in 500 rounds of Freedom Munitions BTHP ammo to break it in with.

crimsonfalcon07 · January 21, 2015

Just about done. Got the barrel and muzzle device all installed, and it's mostly done, except for one small hiccup...

I opened the package to install the Sentry 7 gas block, and that darned roll pin slipped between my fingers and disappeared into the nether. I tried buying some new roll pins at Ace, but the smallest they had was 3/32, and those are too large. I believe I need 5/64? I ordered some gas tube roll pins from White Oak, which hopefully will work. Entire build held up because of one tiny roll pin and my clumsiness :(

A few more notes. I really seriously love the M5E1 upper. The way it's designed, you don't need to time the barrel nut at all, because it's low profile, and goes under the gas tube entirely. You just need to get the torque values right. According to the AP rep, the value is 65 foot pounds, so I took it to a little over 60, which should be around 65 with the added length of the crowfoot wrench, according to my calculations. Got the AAC brake timed correctly, I believe, and torqued to the middle of the settings as per the card. The Rainier barrel looks beautiful, and evidently headspaced correctly.

Once I get that stupid roll-pin in, it should be good to go. However, this being my first build, I'm a little paranoid. Should I pay the ~$75 to have it checked out by a local gunsmith? Is that a ripoff to just verify everything is installed correctly, or am I getting a bargain? I have learned a LOT from doing this build thanks to you all. There have been some hiccups along the way, but I'm glad to be so close to the end.

Also, any tips about how I should go about setting the Sentry 7 gas block?

Thanks much. This community has been great, and really helped me with this build. Here's a beauty shot so far...

Bear in mind that the scope is just a placeholder so I can get a sense for weight. It will eventually have a Vortex Viper PST FFP. I think I'd like to try the EBR-2C reticle out...

Edited January 21, 2015 by crimsonfalcon07

98Z5V · January 21, 2015

I have SO many gas tube roll pins I can send you. It's not even funny how many rifles those little bastards have cost me. Let me know if you need a few, and I'll send them in a package, like seeds...