PSA A2 style 20" upper, any reason not to buy?

[FergusonTO35]

Ok gang, I'm about to pull the trigger on a Palmetto State Armory M16A2 style upper with 1:7 twist. I'm planning to shoot 55 and 62 Hornady soft points loaded to .223 power level. Any reason why I should not buy it? I really want an old school upper with non-removable carry handle and 20" barrel, I have zilch interest in flat tops and red dots.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...y-handle-assembly-no-bcg-or-ch-516446027.html

 

[mdavlee]

They’re pretty accurate and plenty functional. I’ve used several uppers and a few lowers

 

[FergusonTO35]

So, you think the 1:7 twist would work just fine with 55 and 62 grain bullets?

 

[old guy]

That's pretty fast twist for the 55's

 

[FergusonTO35]

See, that's the dilemma I have. My bolt action loves the 55's and it would be kind of a pain to keep two different loads for the same cartridge. I may end up buying it with the intention of eventually rebarrelling to 1:9. Of course, my marksmanship is average at best so mebbe twist isn't going to affect things very much.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Well, turns out the PSA upper isn't a true A2 style as it uses a removable carry handle. I found a company called Blackthorne Products in Minnesota which sells the same upper with a 1:9 twist for $189.00, so I went ahead and ordered it. I have a new Colt take-off carry handle in my gun junkyard so I'm covered there. Now just need a bolt carrier group and charge handle and I'll be ready to put her together.

 

[FergusonTO35]

And, another surprise. Turns out Blackthorne is descended from disreputable manufacturers Hesse and Vulcan. Didn't find that out until I had placed the order and (to their credit!) Blackthorne sent an e-mail saying it was shipped. If the barrel shoots well enough for my modest requirements, then anything else should be fixable. Blackthorne states on their website that their barrels come from Wilson and Mossberg, which is reassuring. Everything else is coming from Anderson, made right here in the Bluegrass.

 

[mdavlee]

1:7 is what I always want in case I want to shoot 69-77 grain match bullets.

 

[breese]

My ar is 1:7 and shoots 55 grain 556 very accurate at 200 yards.
Have not had the chance to try it at longer distance yet.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Sounds good. I 'spose if this one doesn't work out I can sell it and get something different.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Looks like many of the bad reviews of Blackthorne uppers have to do with the bolt carrier group. Mine is coming from Anderson, so I can cross that worry off the list.

 

[FergusonTO35]

The Blackthorne upper showed up today, it looks really nice for $189.00. The bore is shiny with what appears to be sharp rifling. The front sight base appears to be clocked properly (something Remlin still can't do most of the time) and does in fact have the sight post and sling swivel. I'm not an AR expert by any means but it doesn't look any worse than the common $500-600 AR's for sale around here.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Ok, everything except the charging handle has arrived and is assembled. I'll start a new thread on it since this one is really about uppers.