Range Report PSA PA-15 M4 carbine (uh oh)

[<*(((><]

Scope it and check the groups also have someone else who is a known good shooter shoot it for groups.

 

[lionking]

Thanks for the suggestions I will do as you suggest, it will take some time to update you on what happens especially if I decide to scope it, getting another Vortex Spitfire is on my agenda but for now I'm trying to slow down spending, so it may be a while before I am able to test different ways to see what's what.

But for now, for those looking to get a AR on a sort of budget, I suggest getting s S&W instead.

 

[BrocLuno]

I've got a cheap PSA upper, and when I get some range time, I'll see what it can do ... I expect about the same, but hope for a wee bit better?

If it does not deliver, I have a plan. Since I only have a couple hundred in it, It's not a high dollar thing that I'm especially wedded to. So I will do an experiment

I'm going to get a truing bar and dress the front of the upper, make a batch of JB Weld and re-set the barrel with some in the socket as I insert the barrel and torque the barrel nut. That will forever wed that barrel to that upper receiver, but I don't care. The point is that I want to know if taking all the possible flex/movement out of the barrel/receiver joint does anything for accuracy ...

If it improves, I'll have proven to myself that fit and mounting are ultra critical. If nothing changes (?), I'll know that it's just truck gun, and run it till it breaks

 

[BSA1]

I saw a video where he used 320 Locktite when seating the barrel to the receiver.

 

[C-grunt]

Thanks for the suggestions I will do as you suggest, it will take some time to update you on what happens especially if I decide to scope it, getting another Vortex Spitfire is on my agenda but for now I'm trying to slow down spending, so it may be a while before I am able to test different ways to see what's what.

But for now, for those looking to get a AR on a sort of budget, I suggest getting s S&W instead.

I'm a bit of an AR snob but I think you are being a little hard on the PSA. I've seen several bad S&W rifles as well.

PSA has a history of spotty QC. I'd check the flash hider, check the crown, and also check to make sure the barrel is on correctly. I've seen PSA rifles with the barrel nut not torqued causing the barrel to wiggle every so slightly.

 

[BrocLuno]

Yeah, that's my thinking too. The optic is mounted to the upper receiver. If (?) the barrel moves 1/2 a ten thousandths in the socket, it'll show up as a large group. If the barrel is in there tight with a straight face on the receiver, it ought to close to MOA+.

Yes, check the crown, and any muzzle device installed ...

 

[BrocLuno]

I saw a video where he used 320 Locktite when seating the barrel to the receiver.

Yup, that's where I got the idea from, just going to the extreme end of that line of thinking.

In a military or police setting, there is the possibility that a barrel could be damaged or worn out from battles, range time, qualifying, etc. So it needs to be a mechanical system that will allow replacement parts ...

On one of my cheap range toys, plinkers, that will never happen. So a wedded barrel and upper is no big deal

 

[solman]

I agree with mounting a scope for tryout as others have mentioned. Also have you checked the trigger pull on this particular rifle? Trigger pull can be very hit or miss on the economy build rifle parts kits. I have found much improvement by using PSA upgraded trigger group.
psa-2-stage-nickel-boron-trigger-assembly1.html

 

[Sushigaijin]

I have a 1:7 PSA pistol that shoots terribly with 55g m193, which is my practice ammo of choice. So, I reload 75g Hornady OTM for it, solved that problem immediately. I also agree that absolute accuracy needs to be defined with a good scope.

I'll be really surprised if this is anything but ammo mass/twist rate.

 

[lionking]

Update, tried a couple brands of 62 grain 5.56 mm, Frontier and Prvi green tip. Didn't touch the sights just tested 10 shots each. Results were a little better than with 55 grain. Like the other targets each time had a flyer go way off, group size was meh.

The PSA barrel is 1/7 twist, my Colt is 1/7. my S&W is 1/9, but I have tried 55 and 62 grain in those and my FN also and groups were always similar regardless of grain.

So next I'm gonna scope the PSA and see what happens then. After that if I have to I'll get into the other recommendations of trying a different bolt and checking other things.

 

[lionking]

You know, I just looked back at my first groups testing 55 grain, the Aguila didn't do that bad except a couple flyers going way off, since Aguila is now the easiest ammo supply at my local Rural King now that Walmart is no more I guess I could live with using Aguila in it.

Still though, out of the box I still think Colt, FN, Bushmaster and S&W are better. This is the budget Freedom M4 PSA, like some said "hey $350 what do you expect?" I'm just use to a AR with iron sights reliably doing 2 inch + to 3 inch + groups at 100 yds in groups of 10.

And maybe I just need to break it in more.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

You know, I just looked back at my first groups testing 55 grain, the Aguila didn't do that bad except a couple flyers going way off, since Aguila is now the easiest ammo supply at my local Rural King now that Walmart is no more I guess I could live with using Aguila in it.

Still though, out of the box I still think Colt, FN, Bushmaster and S&W are better. This is the budget Freedom M4 PSA, like some said "hey $350 what do you expect?" I'm just use to a AR with iron sights reliably doing 2 inch + to 3 inch + groups at 100 yds in groups of 10.

And maybe I just need to break it in more.

Again... it's a 4MOA rifle. Expecting 2-3" groups is optimistic.

 

[C-grunt]

Im still standing by my original comment of something is wrong with that rifle. It's always possible to get a not so accurate barrel but my experience with their freedom line is they come with a decent shooting barrel.

Look at the barrel nut, the flash hider, and maybe damage to the barrel crown.

 

[C-grunt]

Thinking about it again, also check the irons. Gra b a carry handle that you know works correct and check the front sight and FSB to make sure they are functioning correctly.

 

[ATLDave]

Interesting. I only have one PSA rifle - an 18" floated 5.56 with a midlength gas system - and it's a very fine shooter, holding at or under 1 MOA at 300 yards with my preferred accuracy load for it. That doesn't mean anything for the OP's gun, but, at least in my sample size of one, the PSA uppers that are built with accuracy in mind do offer accuracy.

 

[WestKentucky]

Have you verified that the front sight is attached properly. I assume it’s a pin locked sight tower, and I have heard of loose pins allowing movement. Once the tower is confirmed to be secure, check the actual sight for motion. Anywhere things can move can be greatly detrimental to accuracy.

and pull off the handguards and shoot with a barrel supported only at the front sight location. Handguards interfering with harmonics shouldn’t do anything significant, but it’s just another thing to eliminate.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I don't have a PSA but I would look at the sites first since that is the easiest, I had a 16" and the rear site was loose, it gave me fits until I replaced it. 4 moa is not acceptable in my opinion, contact PSA or get with a gunsmith.