Ar 15 question

[grogetr]

I bought a 16" mid length upper from PSA and now need to get a lower. They have a sale on now and am looking at this.http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...lete-lower-blackhawk-edition-no-magazine.html
It says carbine buffer, will this work. I am new to ar's and not sure what I need. I plan on using it just for some playing and probably won't use it much but want it to work right. Thanks for your help.

 

[ugaarguy]

Yes, it should work. Sometimes you'll need a heavier buffer of the same length, but most uppers with even carbine length gas systems will run fine on a carbine weight buffer. Your mid length gas upper should shoot more softly, and be even less dependent on buffer weight.

 

[chicharrones]

My 16" bbl mid-length gas AR came from the factory with a standard weight carbine buffer in the tube. It ran fine with that set up.

 

[grogetr]

Thanks for the replies I wasn't sure if it made a difference.

Is there any difference between the p tac and classic lower kits.
I didn't know if the trigger pull would be better on one or the other
or if there are other differences. I know on the uppers every one says
the p tac isn't much good thanks

 

[ugaarguy]

PTAC is PSA's lowest price and lowest quality line. I'd stick to their premium line if you might ever use the rifle for anything serious.

 

[rodinal220]

May or may not work,depends on what type of ammo you run and your barrels gas port size,buffer spring can be a factor too.

Only way for sure is to shoot your gun with the ammo you run in it. Many AR barrels are "over gassed"(larger gas port) because many folks shoot 223 pressure ammo and not true 5.56 NATO spec'd ammo.

Most folks that are AR savy run heavier buffers in carbines/M4 type guns,H and H2 buffers are common. These work well with 14.5-16" barrels.

Many seem to like Sprinco buffer springs over the standard issue carbine/M4 spring.

ARs are very "tunable" with the different buffer weights and buffer springs to match your barrel and ammo.

Also a good quality(USGI,Colt,BCM) extractor,spring,buffer (blk)and an O-ring(Crane Mod) can also help carbine/M4 reliability.

My SWAG with your PSA parts gun will be that will work pretty well. An H or H2 buffer may smooth things out a bit.

 

[Warp]

To put it bluntly...PTAC is crap


Many AR's, 16", both carbine and mid gas, come with Carbine weight buffers. I believe an H buffer is better, but a H buffer is more expensive and most people are rather price conscious. The Carbine weight buffer will run just fine, it might be a tad less-soft on perceived recoil and there is more chance of bolt bounce or what have you, but you probably won't notice the difference.

 

[henschman]

PTAC lower parts kits are good to go. They are surface hardened like any other mil spec LPK , and will be just as reliable. I have one in my 16" middy HD rifle myself, and it has a very nice pull for a mil spec trigger. It is just as good as my PSA brand one. I bought one of the PTAC BCGs too when they were $75, and it is good to go as well... it is Carpenter 158, MP marked, chrome lined, and with properly staked gas key bolts... identical to my PSA premium bolt. The uppers are where the PTAC line cuts corners... they are 4140 steel instead of 4150, and are not chrome lined, HPT, and MPI. Also the PTAC buffer tube, as well as the PSA Classic one, is 6061 aluminum instead of 7075 as per mil spec. No problem with the PTAC LPKs though. PTAC is just a way for PSA to sell their parts at discount prices without undercutting their own MSRP... just like all the supposedly "blemished" parts they sell.

 

[grogetr]

Thanks for the help. There is so many variables with all this it gets kinda confusing after a while. I'll order something this weekend during their sale. Im thinking they may throw in free shipping also towards the end of the sale. Just hope they don't run out.

 

[gotigers]

Don't try to figure it all out before you build or you will never get it built. Pick parts and build. Just stick with milspec parts and you will be fine. As you shoot, read, build, etc, you will figure out how you want to mod your AR.

 

[Ibmikey]

Gotigers hit the nail, buy now and if you want a heavier buffer later it is easily installed plus you have a beginning for your parts kit. Do not wait for better deals from PSA, if you find what you want in stock grab it as they sell out quickly with their super volume business and the part may not be re listed for some time. Buy their premium line and you will be buying the best quality going, trying to save a buck is ok if you are after a plinker but if you want flawless operation while running hard or to protect the family pay the extra bucks.

 

[gotigers]

yep, ARs are almost as bad as TVs. If you wait for the latest to be on sale, then you will always be waiting. Just get what you can, now. Mod later. Save extra parts. Soon enough extra parts to build a second. bonus.

 

[MistWolf]

Blackhawk furniture is of lower quality and not worth the money.

PSA has two types of carbine receiver extensions- milspec diameter and milspec. The difference between the two is alloy. Milspec diameter REs are made from 6061 which is softer. PSA milspec REs are made of 7075 and are stronger. Milspec REs are the better choice.

I would go with this lower build kit
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2343/category/315/

and this lower
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/10446/category/42/

for quality parts at a good price