Author Archives: Red Dot Shooters

Riley Defense AK Review [Is It The Right AK For You?]

02 June 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

I love them just as much as I love my AR-15s, and in the past, it was really easy to get a high-quality eastern block AK import that was still really affordable…

These days it’s not as easy to get many of those imported AKs due to a number of factors, and the prices have certainly gone up…

Because of that, there have been many attempts to make a high-quality American-made AK 47 that is still affordably priced…

And to be honest with you, many of those attempts have failed because the guns were built poorly and corners were cut in basically all the wrong places to keep prices low…

But is this true with the Riley Defense RAK-47…?

Well, in this Riley Defense AK review, we’re going to analyze if the Riley Defense is a high-quality, American-made AK…

…or if it’s just another American AK that lacks the durability and build quality of its Eastern European cousins.

In the end, you’ll have a really solid understanding of what the Riley Defense AK has to offer, and you should be able to determine if it’s going to be the right AK for you…

Let’s get started!

Riley Defense AK Review – Is It The Right AK For You…?

The Riley Defense AK-47 is a high-quality, American-built AK. It features a very durable forged trunnion and a forged carrier and bolt. The stamped receiver is also fully heat-treated for added strength, and it’s a reliable and accurate AK…

Watch The Video Below:

Click Below To Learn More About The Riley Defense RAK-47:

Is The Riley Defense AK-47 Good?

The Riley Defense AK is a good, American-made AK. It’s built using quality materials, and it’s also a reliable and accurate rifle…

The following will give you more detail describing the quality that you get with the Riley Defense RAK-47…

Trunnion…

One of the most important features that you get with the Riley Defense AK is a forged trunnion…

This is an extremely important part of the AK design because it’s the part that secures the barrel and chamber to the rest of the gun…

And because the chamber is where rounds are fired, the trunnion has to be very strong…

And here’s the deal, a forged trunnion is going to be much stronger than a cast trunnion, and unfortunately, many American-made AK’s (such as the Century Arms RAS 47) are using cast trunnions…

So getting that forged trunnion with the Riley Defense AK is a big deal because it’s simply a stronger part…

And it’s also an indicator of the higher level of quality that you’re getting with this rifle.

Carrier And Bolt…

In addition to the forged trunnion, the carrier and bolt are also forged on the Riley Defense AK…

Again, these are parts that are cast in many other budget AKs, and the forged parts that come with the Riley Defense are going to be stronger and make your rifle work for a much longer time…

In fact, I’ve seen torture tests on these Riley Defense rifles where they’ve gone through thousands and thousands of rounds, and these parts held up with minimal or no deformation.

Watch The Video:

Stamped Receiver…

The stamped receiver that you get with the Riley Defense AK is very durable….

It’s fully heat-treated which adds strength to the metal, and all of the rivets are well-pressed in without any of them being cockeyed or slanted (which, again, is something that can happen with other budget AKs)…

In addition to that, the Riley Defense does come with an optics rail mounted to the side of the receiver, and this will make mounting a red dot or a scope onto your AK much easier.

Barrel…

The barrel that comes on the Riley Defense is made from 4150 Chrome moly steel which is a robust and quality material…

It’s also nitride coated which is nice to see because nitride a strong coating that will offer the barrel good protection…

Last, because the barrel is made from a high quality material, it’s also fairly accurate…

It is an AK, and the platform is not as inherently accurate as AR pattern rifles, but it’s accurate enough to hit targets out to 300 yards which is probably as far as the 7.62×39 round is capable of…

Sights…

The sights that come on the Riley Defense RAK-47 are classic AK sights…

The rear sight is adjustable for elevation, and the front sight can be adjusted for elevation or windage so you can really dial in the rifle when zeroing it…

In addition to the iron sights, the Riley Defense does come with an optic rail on the side of the receiver…

I really like this feature because it allows you to easily mount a red dot or a scope onto your rifle, and that’s something that can sometimes be tricky when it comes to AKs.

Safety…

The safety that comes on the Riley Defense is smooth and works just as it should…

That said, it is upgraded a little bit over a standard AK safety because it includes a notch that you can use to hold the bolt open…

This comes in handy when you need to lock the bolt to the rear at the range or in other situations where you need to ensure that the rifle is clear…

So even though this is a small upgrade, it’s a feature that I find to be very useful, and I like that it comes included on this rifle.

In addition to that, the RAK-47’s safety also includes a ledge that is designed to allow you to sweep the safety off quickly with your index finger before shooting…

This is another small upgrade, but again, it adds a lot to the ergonomics of the gun because it allows you to manipulate the safety and then fire faster than you could without it.

Trigger…

The trigger that comes with this gun is made by Riley Defense and it’s a good AK trigger…

It offers you a smooth pull and is reliable. Other than that, there’s not much to say.

Muzzle Device…

The muzzle device that comes on this AK is the classic AK slant muzzle brake…

It works well at directing the gasses upward and it’s great if you want that classic AK look…

That being said, it’s also easily removable. So if you want to replace it with a compensator or break that offers you better performance or gives the rifle a different look, you can easily do that by simply screwing it off…

Stock, Pistol Grip, And Handguard…

The Riley Defense AK will come with different furniture depending on the version that you choose to get…

The RAK-47-C-L includes a laminate handguard and stock and a plastic Bakelite grip…

The RAK-47-P comes with a polymer handguard, stock, and grip, and the RAK-47-C comes with a stained Teak wood handguard and stock and a Bakelite plastic grip…

All of these parts work well, but they can all be easily upgraded too…

The first upgrade that I typically like to do when it comes to an AK is to change out the handguard…

The reason why is because there isn’t an easy way to mount a weapon light onto the gun with the standard AK handguard…

And I’ll usually just swap it out for a handguard that has M-LOK or Keymod slots which will allow me to easily get a light on the gun (I always mount white lights to my rifles in case they need to be used defensively at night)…

Aside from that, I have no complaints about the furniture that comes with the Riley Defense AK, but again, you can easily change out the grip and the stock with a number of aftermarket options if you would like to…

Riley Defense AK Accessories…

Aside from the handguard, stock, and grip that come on the RAK-47, you also get a cleaning rod that is mounted right under the barrel…

I like that Riley Defense includes the cleaning rod because it just adds to the charm of an AK, and when manufacturers leave that part off, it just feels like part of the gun is missing to me…

On top of that, you also get 1 Xtech 30-round magazine which is a good reliable magazine (I recommend getting at least 5 magazines per gun because you do need to have more than 1)…

Now when it comes to aftermarket accessories there are so many options that you get to choose from…

I like Magpul grips, handguards, stocks, and other parts, but there are a lot of fantastic aftermarket AK parts being made by other companies as well…

I also think it’s a good idea to mount an optic on the Riley Defense as well. Like I mentioned earlier, it does come with that optic rail…

So just pick out a solid red dot or scope and mount it, and it will take your shooting capabilities with this rifle to the next level.

Riley Defense RAK 47 Review – Final Thoughts…

In the end, I think the Riley Defense RAK-47 is a fantastic budget AK for several reasons…

With it, you get a forged trunnion and forged bolt and carrier which is going to add a ton of extra strength to the rifle…

And you also get a few other nice upgrades such as the optic rail (which will make mounting an optic easy) and the safety lever (which will make the rifle more ergonomic)…

Click Below To Learn More About The Riley Defense RAK-47:

So I highly recommend the Riley Defense RAK-47 to anyone looking for a strong, affordable AK…

…because it’s reliable, accurate, and can handle an extremely high number of rounds being fired through it without any issues, just like all AKs should.

CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Blue [Which One Is Right For You…?]

31 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

CZ is one of my favorite gun manufacturers…

For a long time, they kind of lagged in popularity here in the U.S., but nowadays, they’re really well regarded by many competition shooters and gun owners in general…

And it’s easy to see why because most of their guns are super rugged, reliable, accurate, and easy to shoot…

Now, one of their most renowned designs is definitely the CZ Shadow 2, and it comes in a couple of different flavors, namely the Orange and the Blue…

So in this CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Blue comparison, we’re going to discuss what separates these two fantastic pistols…

I’ll explain how they’re different, how they’re similar, and which one I prefer, and by the end of this post, you should have a solid idea of which Shadow 2 is going to work best for you…

Let’s get started!

CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Blue – Which Shadow 2 Is Right For You…?

The CZ Shadow 2 Orange differs from the Blue because it features a barrel bushing to help increase accuracy. The Orange also has a hand-fitted slide and frame, and a factory-tuned trigger with a shorter reset than the CZ Shadow 2 Blue…

The following will give you more detail discussing how these two fantastic handguns are different and similar…

CZ Shadow Orange Vs Blue Differences…

As I mentioned earlier, the biggest difference between the CZ Shadow 2 Orange and the CZ Shadow 2 Blue is that the Orange has a barrel bushing…

This barrel bushing increases the fitting between the slide and the barrel, and the result of that better slide-to-barrel fit is a more accurate firearm that creates tighter groups when you’re shooting…

On top of that, the Shadow 2 Orange’s slide and frame are hand-fitted. In my opinion, this makes it into a semi-custom handgun, and it makes the Orange more mechanically accurate than the Blue and a smoother firearm in general…

The trigger that you get with the Shadow 2 Orange is also improved over the Blue. It’s factory-tuned, and the reset is shorter which allows you to fire accurate follow-up shots faster…

Last, the price point of these two handguns is also different, but I’ll discuss that more after going over the similarities.

CZ Shadow 2 Orange and Blue Similarities…

Now both of these guns are CZ Shadow 2s which means that they both have many of the same improvements over the original CZ Shadow…

For example, they both have a higher beavertail than the original CZ Shadow, which is something I always welcome because it just gives you more protection from slide bite and/or hammer bite…

In addition to that, both CZ Shadow 2s also have an undercut trigger guard which allows you to comfortably get your firing hand really high up on the gun…

This gives you more control over the handgun as it fires and allows you to manage recoil much more effectively because you’re able to get your hand closer to the gun’s bore axis…

Another improvement over the original CZ Shadow that both of these Shadow 2s share is a contoured slide…

This feature centers much of the slide’s reciprocating mass along the center of the bore, and that translates into a flatter shooting gun with less muzzle flip…

On top of that, both of the Shadow 2s have more weight built into the rail/ dust cover which again is something that helps you keep the muzzle down and allows you to shoot faster because the gun moves less when you fire it…

Both of the Shadow 2s also have an adjustable magazine release which has 3 settings and allows you to set it in a comfortable spot for you (regardless of your hand size)…

And the aluminum grips, which are obviously different colors, are both slim and have good checkering on them which, along with the checkering on the pistol’s front and backstrap, allows you to get a really solid grip on the gun…

The Sights…

Both the Shadow 2 Orange and the Shadow 2 Blue have fantastic sights. They both have a fiber optic front sight, which will be high visibility and easily catch your eye…

And they both have a fully blacked-out rear sight that is fully adjustable for windage and elevation…

I love shooting with a fiber optic front sight and blacked-out rear sight because it’s just incredibly intuitive to aim quickly…

And in my case, it helps me shoot faster than other styles of sights (except for a red dot, which you can get either of these gun’s slides milled for if you want to)…

I also think the fully adjustable rear sight is a huge benefit because you can really dial in the accuracy that both of these pistols have to offer to the specific load that you’re shooting.

Other Basic Similarities…

Both of these Shadow 2 handguns are also chambered in 9×19 Parabellum (9mm), and they both have cold hammer forged barrels that are 4.89 inches long…

I love cold hammer forged barrels because the process makes them extremely durable and accurate, and it’s just another indicator of quality…

On top of that, both of these guns have a steel frame which makes them both weigh in at 46.5 ounces (another feature that helps you shoot them really fast)…

And they’re both double/single action guns that have a 17 + 1 magazine capacity.

CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Blue Price…

Because of the additional features that you get with the CZ Shadow 2 Orange, it is a more expensive handgun than the Shadow 2 Blue…

I can’t list out actual prices for you here because the prices of these guns change all the time due to fluctuations in the market…

But what I can tell you is that, usually, I see the Shadow 2 Orange priced at nearly (but not quite) double the cost of the Shadow 2 Blue…

So which one is better for you? Well, that depends on how much you value the upgraded features that you get with the Shadow 2 Orange over the Shadow 2 Blue…

Only you can determine if they’re worth it or not, but I will tell you which one I prefer in a moment (even though I think they’re both great guns)…

CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Shadow 2 Blue – Final Thoughts…

So in the end, both the Shadow 2 Orange and the Shadow 2 Blue are reliable, accurate, and easy-to-shoot handguns…

The Orange does have a barrel bushing to increase accuracy, an upgraded trigger, and a hand-fitted slide and frame…

But the Blue shares many of the Orange’s features that improve shootability such as an undercut trigger guard, contoured slide, and fantastic sights…

So Which Of The Two Do I Prefer? I prefer the CZ Shadow 2 Orange…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The CZ Shadow 2 Orange:

In my opinion, the extra features that you get with the Shadow 2 Orange are worth it…

As I mentioned earlier, the hand fitting of the slide and frame make it a semi-custom gun, and it’s incredibly smooth…

On top of that, the barrel bushing does make it a more accurate handgun, and I also like the upgraded trigger over the Blue…

Now as I mentioned earlier, the Shadow 2 Blue is also an outstanding handgun, and if its price point fits your budget better…

I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up because it’s still a super accurate and flat-shooting gun that you’ll probably shoot extremely well…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The CZ Shadow 2 Blue:

All in all, you can’t go wrong with either of these two phenomenal guns because the CZ Shadow 2 is a legend at this point and they’re both excellent and accurate shooters.

Stribog SP9A3 Review [Is It Right For You?]…

27 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

I love pistol caliber carbines (PCCs)…

They’re super fun to fire at the range, and they’re typically less expensive to shoot and train with than rifles like 5.56 AR-15s and AKs…

And it’s easy to see why the Stribog SP9A1 was a great success when it was released…

It’s a reliable pistol caliber carbine (I know it’s actually a pistol, not a carbine, but it’s kind of hard to characterize this gun that way), and it’s also a blast to shoot and fairly affordable…

Fast forward a little bit, and Grand Power has gradually improved the Stribog design into the SP9A3…

And in this Stribog SP9A3 review, we’re going to examine where the Stribog design is currently at by discussing all the major feature improvements that you get with this little gun…

By the end, you’ll know exactly what separates the SP9A3 from the SP9A1, and you should have all the information you need to determine if it’s the right PPC for you…

Let’s begin!

Stribog SP9A3 Review – Is It Right For You?

The Strigbog SP9A3 features a roller-delayed action which is similar to how an MP5 works. This action makes the SP9A3 smooth shooting and reliable, and it is noticeably softer shooting than the SP9A1 which is a simple blow black design…

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Stribog SP9A3:

Stribog SP9A3 Roller-Delayed Action…

The most prominent feature that you get with the Stribog SP9A3 is the roller-delayed action…

This is the same type of action featured in the most renowned of all PPC/sub-guns, the MP5, and there are a few reasons why it’s so exciting that the SP9A3 has this roller-delayed action…

First of all, the roller-delayed action creates a smoother shooting firearm, and the Stribog SP9A3 is noticeably smoother shooting and recoils less than its older brother, the Stribog SP9A1 which features a simple blowback system (I should note that the SP9A1 is still easy and fun to shoot because these guns are only chambered in 9mm)…

In addition to that, the roller-delayed action is a very reliable action (just like the blowback system used in the SP9A1). So changing the action doesn’t take anything away from the Stribog’s reputation for reliability…

Last, the Stribog SP9A3 comes in at a very competitive price point considering that it features a roller-delayed action. The civilian version of the MP5 (which is called the SP5) is an extremely pricy gun…

And virtually all of the MP5 clones that are out there right now are also very expensive…

So as I said, I think it’s really cool that Grand Power made the SP9A3 with a roller-delayed action and still kept the price significantly lower than other PCCs featuring that same action.

Upper Receiver…

The upper receiver on the Stribog SP9A3 is smartly designed in a number of ways…

First of all, it’s constructed from extruded aluminum, so it’s made from a very rugged material that is going to hold up to pretty much any abuse you throw at it…

It also features a monolithic picatinny rail going across the top which makes mounting a red dot extremely simple and easy…

And it has integrated flip-up sights, so there’s no need for you to go out and buy BUIS (back up iron sights) for the Stribog as well…

Last, the handguard portion of the upper receiver includes picatinny rail on the bottom where you can include something like a hand stop (if you desire to)…

And it has M-LOK attachment slots on the sides, which makes mounting a weapon light super easy as well…

So as I said, Grand Power made a lot of smart choices when designing this upper, and with the included flip up sights and M-LOK slots, I think they’ve included a lot of useful features for you as the shooter.

Barrel…

If you’re unaware, the Stribog was originally designed as a true submachine gun, and because of that, the barrel has to be built to handle a high rate of fire…

So the barrel that you get on the Stribog SP9A3 is extremely high quality…

It’s a cold hammer forged barrel, which is a process used to make barrels extremely strong, and it offers you very good accuracy when shooting…

It also includes a 1/2×28 thread pitch. And this will allow you to change out the muzzle device if you’d like to or easily mount a suppressor (which makes for an awesome combination with this gun).

Trigger…

The trigger that comes with the Stribog SP9A3 is decent. There’s not much take up, and the break is very clean…

That being said, it is a fairly heavy trigger. I don’t think that’s too much of a problem on a PPC because you can still fire it very accurately and quickly…

…but there are trigger spring kits and upgrades you can do if you want to lighten up the Stribog’s trigger as well.

Charging Handle…

The charging handle on the Stribog SP9A3 is non-reciprocating. This is a really important improvement over older versions of the Stribog because it eliminates the potential for you to injure your hand while firing or to induce a malfunction…

In addition to that, the charging handle can be easily swapped to either side of the gun…

So if you’re a right-handed shooter, you’ll probably want to keep it on the left side of the gun, and if you’re a left-handed shooter, you’ll probably want to swap it over to the right side.

Grip…

I like the grip that you get with the Stribog SP9A3. It features good texturing all around it so you can get a good purchase when firing…

And it’s also ergonomic and fills your hand well without any finger grooves or finger ledges getting in the way (this is a problem I have with AR-15s featuring the A2 grip)…

In addition to that, the grip on the Stribog sits at a more vertical angle than the traditional angle found on AR-15s, and I find that on these smaller pistol versions of PCCs, this is a very comfortable angle to have when you’re shooting.

Safety…

The safety on the Stribog will be very familiar to you if you own an AR-15, and that’s a good thing because it sits in a very ergonomic position…

That being said, the Stribog’s safety is ambidextrous, and it’s also fairly low profile…

I like that it’s low profile because it’s easy to flick on or off when you need to, but at the same time, it doesn’t get in the way when you’re firing the gun.

Magazine Release…

The magazine release will also be very familiar to you if you own an AR-15. Again, it’s located in a very ergonomic place that is easy to reach with your trigger finger…

And it’s also made from steel rather than plastic like you find on some other guns.

Magazines…

Now, the 30-round magazines that you get with the SP9A3 are upgraded over earlier versions…

You see, earlier versions of the Stribog’s magazines were constructed completely of polymer, and there were some shooters who had problems with cracking feed lips…

With the upgraded mags, that’s not going to happen because they now feature steel feed lips which are extremely strong…

On top of that, the mag catch is also steel as opposed to polymer, and that’s another welcomed improvement in terms of durability…

Additionally, other parts of the Stribog’s mags have been redesigned to increase strength, reliability, and performance…

For example, the follower is a completely new shape and bright orange so you can clearly see when the mag runs dry, and there are other small changes here and there to make the magazines stronger and more reliable.

Bolt Release…

The bolt release sits just above the magazine release, and again, I think this is a good location for it…

It allows you to quickly and easily drop the bolt without removing your hand from the pistol grip.

Stribog SP9A3 Upgrades…

Because of the popularity of the design, there are a number of Stribog SP9A3 Upgrades that you can do…

Like I mentioned earlier, there are spring kits and ways that you can improve the trigger, but the most popular upgrade is to add a stabilizing brace…

Right now, the two most popular Stribog brace options are the SB Tactical Folding Brace, and the A3 Tactical Modular Folding Brace, but there are also picatinny rail adapters that will allow you to mount other braces onto your Stribog as well…

There are also things like folding charging handles that you can add, and of course, you’re going to want to mount a good quality red dot sight.

Stribog SP9A3 Vs SP9A1…

The Stribog SP9A3 and SP9A1 have a lot of similarities, but they are different in a couple of key areas…

First of all, they’re both reliable, accurate, and fun to shoot. They both feature the same fantastic ergonomics and controls, and they both take the same magazines…

The biggest difference is that the SP9A3 features the roller delayed action whereas the SP9A1 features a simple blowback action…

The roller delayed action makes the SP9A3 smoother shooting and softer in terms of recoil than the SP9A1, and it also makes it a more lightweight firearm as well…

That being said, the SP9A1 is still a very controllable gun to shoot because it’s only chambered in 9×19 Parabellum, and it’s typically a few hundred dollars less expensive than the SP9A3…

So all in all, if you like the Stribog design, and want to save a few hundred dollars, the SP9A1 is still a great gun that I Highly Recommend…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Stribog SP9A1:

Stribog SP9A3 Final Thoughts…

So to sum it all up, I think the Stribog SP9A3 is a fantastic little gun…

As I’ve said, the roller-delayed action makes it a super easy and fun gun to shoot…

And it’s also a reliable gun that’s built to an extremely high standard while still being priced well below most other guns in its class…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Stribog SP9A3:

I think it’s one of the best PCCs that you can currently get, and along with the CZ Scorpion, I think it’s at the top of the list when it comes to the value you get for your money.

Best PSA BCG [Top 7 List]

25 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

By now, you know that I’m a huge fan of Palmetto State Armory…

I love that they proudly promote the 2nd Amendment with absolutely no apologies…

And I love that it’s their mission to offer high-quality guns and parts at affordable prices…

As I’ve said before, I think that (most of the time) they succeed in that mission…

So today we’re going to focus on the bolt carrier groups offered by Palmetto State Armory…

I’ll be sharing with you which PSA BCG I think is the best, and I’ll be doing that by giving you my Top 7 list of the best PSA BCGs (plus a bonus option!)…

By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of the different types of BCGs that PSA has to offer, and you should be able to determine which is going to work best for you…

Let’s get started!

Best PSA BCG – Top 7 List (Plus 1 Bonus Option!)

The best PSA BCG is the Premium Nickel Boron bolt carrier group. It’s the best because the Nickel Boron coating adds lubricity to the carrier and makes it easier to clean. The Bolt is also made from Carpenter 158 steel and is also shot-peened and Magnetic Particle Inspected…

The following will give more detail outlining why I think the PSA Premium Nickel Boron BCG is the best from Palmetto State Armory…

And I’ll also share with you 6 other fantastic PSA bolt carrier groups that you should consider…

1. Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG W/ Carpenter 158 Bolt (NO LOGO)

As I mentioned above, I think the best PSA Bolt Carrier Group is the Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron with a Carpenter 158 Bolt, and there are several reasons why I like it…

First of all, I like that this BCG features a Nickel Boron coating. The reason why is because Nickle Boron is going to add lubricity to the BCG. Now, you still need to lubricate it, but having that extra lubricity means that your AR-15 will function smoother and more reliably even if it does start to get a bit dirty from carbon (or if it ever runs dry)…

On top of that, the Nickel Boron coating makes it really easy to clean your BCG. Typically, all you need is a dry rag and you can wipe the whole bolt and carrier clean in a few seconds…

I also like that the bolt is made from Carpenter No. 158 steel which is a very durable material. It meets mil-spec standards, and that is something that you definitely want to have (at a minimum) for an AR-15 part as important as the bolt (which takes a lot of abuse)…

Last, this BCG is shot-peened which means the outer surface is hardened, the gas key is properly staked (so it won’t come loose), and the bolt is Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI), which assures that the steel is solid all the way through without having any cracks or weak spots…

So all in all, this is a fantastic BCG, and because it’s coming from PSA, it’s also pretty affordably priced.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG W/ Carpenter 158 Bolt – NO LOGO (Over 1,430 Customer Reviews!):

2. PSA 5.56 Premium Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group With Logo

Another fantastic BCG from Palmetto State Armory is the PSA 5.56 Premium Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group With Logo, and let me explain why this is another awesome bolt carrier group that you should consider…

First of all, this is a strong and well-built BCG. The Bolt is made from a very rugged material, Mil-spec Carpenter No. 158 steel, and it’s also High Pressure Tested (HPT) and Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI). High Pressure Tested means that it was used to fire a high pressure round, and after that, a magnetic particle inspection occurred to ensure that there were no cracks or weak areas created in the steel…

So you can be assured that your bolt is very strong, and can easily handle the standard pressured rounds that you’ll be firing from your AR…

In addition to that, this BCG has a phosphate coating, and it’s shot-peened which is a process that hardens the outer surface. Additionally, the gas key (which is properly staked so it won’t come loose) is chrome-lined, and so is the carrier. I like chrome-lining on phosphate-coated carriers because it makes your BCG easier to clean and helps ensure that your AR runs a little smoother…

On top of all that, this BCG includes. a tool steel extractor which is very durable, and an extractor O-ring (which adds a little extra strength to the extraction and helps your gun run more reliably)…

Last, I should mention that even though this is a ‘full auto’ BCG, it can still be used in semi-automatic AR-15s. The full-auto description on a bolt carrier group (for a semi-auto AR-15) only refers to the profile of the BCG, not how it functions in the gun…

So all in all, this is another fantastic BCG from PSA because it’s well-built, strong, and affordably priced.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 5.56 Premium Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group With Logo (Over 1,350 Customer Reviews!):

3. Toolcraft LOGO’D Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG W/ Carpenter 158 Bolt

Number 3 on this list of the best PSA BCGs is the Toolcraft Logo’d Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG with Carpenter 158 Bolt. Now you may be saying to yourself, that this is a Toolcraft BCG not a PSA BCG, but here’s the deal, Toolcraft makes a lot of BCGs for Palmetto State Armory…

So many of the PSA BCGs that are marked or not marked by PSA are just rebranded Toolcraft BCGs, and I think that’s a good thing because Toolcraft makes fantastic bolt carrier groups…

Now, this BCG is very similar to number 1 on this list. First and foremost, it features that Nickel Boron coating, which as I told you before, I love because it adds lubricity to the bolt carrier group and makes it really easy to clean. Again, it is important to still lubricate a Nickel Boron coated BCG, but if the gun gets dirty or runs dry while you’re firing tons of rounds, that coating will come in handy…

In addition to that, this Toolcraft BCG includes a bolt made from Mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel, which is awesome, and it’s also shot-peened and magnetic particle inspected (to make the surface steel harder and check for weak spots)…

You also get a properly staked gas key that won’t rattle loose when you’re firing, a tool steel extractor, and an extractor O-ring, which as I explained earlier makes your AR-15 function more reliably with various types of ammunition…

So all in all, this is another great option, especially if you think the Toolcraft logo is cool and want to represent them on your BCG.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Toolcraft LOGO’D Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG W/ Carpenter 158 Bolt (Over 475 Customer Reviews!):

4. PSA Custom 5.56 BCG DLC Coated (Dark Earth)

Ok, I’ll admit it… I’m a sucker for Flat Dark Earth (FDE). I have many guns, both rifles and handguns that are decked out in FDE, and I just like the color (maybe because I’m from the desert haha)…

And this ‘dark earth’ BCG from Palmetto State Armory is another one of my favorites. To begin, even though the dark earth color is cool, it actually adds real function to the bolt carrier group. That’s because it’s a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) finish, and it’s a cool coating because it’s super durable and adds lubricity to the BCG…

So just as with the Nickel Boron coated BCGs that I mentioned earlier on this list, this DLC coated bolt carrier group will help your gun run smoother and make it easier to clean, but as always, be sure to lubricate your AR-15 regardless of the coating on your BCG…

Now, I also like that the bolt that comes with this BCG is made from Mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel (so its a very durable material), and I also like that it’s shot-peened and High Pressure Tested (HPT) to harden the surface and make sure it can handle firing a high-pressure round…

Last, the gas key on this BCG is properly staked (so it can never loosen itself while you’re shooting your AR-15), the extractor is made from tool steel (so it’s very durable), and it comes with an extractor O-ring inserted (to make your AR extract rounds more reliably)…

So all in all, if you’re a sucker for tan or FDE parts on your guns like I am, this is a high-quality bolt carrier group that will add a little bit of flair to your AR and a lot of function.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA Custom 5.56 BCG DLC Coated – Dark Earth (Over 80 Customer Reviews!):

5. PSA 5.56 Nitride MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group (Fantastic Budget Option!)

If you’re more budget-minded, then you’ll love the PSA 5.56 Nitride MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group, and let me explain why it’s a good option. For starters, the bolt is made from 9310 steel which when properly heat treated is just about as durable as Mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel…

In addition to that, the bolt is Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI) which means that is inspected for weak points, and the carrier is constructed from 8620 which is an incredibly solid steel…

The Nitride finish is a little bit basic, but it will offer good protection for the BCG and will function flawlessly as long as it’s properly lubricated (which should be the case regardless of the BCG that you choose!)…

Last, the fasteners that attach the gas key to the carrier are properly staked according to Mil-spec standards, and that will prevent them from ever backing out or loosening up as you fire your AR-15…

So as I said earlier, I think that if you’re on a budget, this is a great BCG because it’ll be strong and reliable as long as you keep it well lubricated.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 5.56 Nitride MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group (Over 1,635 Customer Reviews!):

6. PSA Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG With Carpenter 158 Bolt (w/ PSA LOGO)

This PSA Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG is very similar to the Premium Nickel Boron BCG that I had earlier on this list. In fact, the only major difference is that this one features the PSA Logo on it and the other one doesn’t. I’ll get to whether or not that’s important to me in a moment, but first, let me remind you of the features that you get with this BCG…

Again, you get that Nickel Boron coating which adds lubricity to your BCG (making your AR run smoother and more reliably) and makes it extremely easy to clean by simply wiping off the carbon with a dry rag…

On top of that, the bolt that you get is Mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel (so it’s very rugged), and it’s also shot-peened, High Pressure Tested (HPT), and Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI). So the surface is hardened and it has also survived firing a high pressure round and been inspected for cracks or weak points in the steel…

The gas key is also hardened and staked into place, so it can never back out or loosen while firing your gun, and the extractor is made from tool steel and includes an inserted O-ring for more reliable extraction of casings…

So like I said, the big difference is the fact that this BCG includes PSA’s logo. I don’t personally care if my BCGs have logos on them or not. But there are some who will not buy a BCG if it has a logo on it, and there are others who will only buy if it shows a logo…

And if you fall into the group that likes to represent the logo, or if you just like the look of PSA’s logo in particular (which I think is kind of cool with the cannons), then this might be the right BCG for you…

I recommend checking the prices of both the logoed and non-logoed versions, and getting whichever offers you the better deal at the time!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG w/ Carpenter 158 Bolt & w/ PSA LOGO (Over 420 Customer Reviews!):

7. Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group (No Logo)

Number 7 on this list of the best PSA bolt carrier groups is the Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group with no logo. As I said, earlier, Toolcraft makes a lot of BCGs for PSA, and that’s a good thing because Toolcraft makes great bolt carrier groups…

Now, the bolt included with this BCG is (once again) Mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel, and it’s shot-peened (to add extra hardness to the surface) and Magnetic Particle Inspected (to ensure that there are no cracks or weak spots in the steel)…

On top of that, the phosphate coating is very durable, and the carrier and gas key (which is properly staked so it won’t come loose when you’re shooting) are chrome-lined to make everything run smoother and a little easier to clean…

Last, this BCG does not feature a logo on it. So if you like to run super minimal and sleek gear that doesn’t include many logos, then this is a very high-quality and affordable option for you.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group w/ No Logo (Over 200 Customer Reviews!):

BONUS OPTION: PSA Nitride MPI Full-Auto 5.56 BCG & 10 Magpul PMAG 30RD Gen2 MOE 5.56 Magazines

I highly recommend getting at least 10 magazines (probably more) for your AR-15, and I wanted to include this option because you get a strong, reliable bolt and 10 magazines at a fantastic price with this PSA Bundle…

This bundle features the PSA Nitride BCG that I discussed earlier on this list. It’s a good BCG because the 9310 steel bolt is strong and it’s also magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI) so it’s checked for weak spots…

On top of that, the carrier is 8620 steel (again, very rugged steel), and the gas key is also properly staked according to Milspec standards…

But in addition to all that, you get 10 Magpul 30 round magazines… That’s awesome! And the reason why is because it’s always good to have extra AR mags laying around…

Magazines do wear out and sometimes they break, and there are times when they can actually be pretty hard to get, especially when politicians are trying to band them…

So, I like this bundle option because PSA keeps everything very affordable, and I wanted to include it on this list because I think it’s a really good deal.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA Nitride MPI Full-Auto 5.56 BCG & 10 Magpul PMAG 30RD Gen2 MOE 5.56 Magazines (Over 80 Customer Reviews!):

Best PSA Uppers – For Any Budget [Top 11 List]

23 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

Palmetto State Armory has really made a name for itself in recent years…

And part of the reason for that is because it’s PSA’s mission to provide as many guns to law-abiding citizens as possible…

Now, the way they go about trying to do that is by delivering high-quality guns and gun parts at the best prices possible…

And you know what… I think they mostly deliver on that promise…

I’m very happy with the PSA uppers and lowers that I own (and my PSA Dagger), and I recommend them to friends and new shooters all the time…

But here’s the deal, PSA offers a lot of different products on their website, and you can easily get lost if you don’t narrow down what you’re searching for…

And that’s exactly why I’ve created this Top 11 list of the best PSA uppers that are currently available…

These are my favorite complete upper receivers from Palmetto State Armory, and even though they’re all from the same manufacturer, they each offer unique features and benefits to you as the shooter…

By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid idea of what PSA has to offer when it comes to uppers, and you should be able to determine which upper is going to work best for you…

Let’s get started!

Best PSA Uppers – Top 11 List (All Budgets Covered)…

Of all the PSA uppers available, the best is the 14.7″ Mid-Length CHF 5.56 Lightweight M-Lok Upper. It’s the best because the barrel is cold hammer forged and produced by FN (so it’s extremely high quality), and the 14.7″ barrel is pinned and welded making it a very handy upper receiver. It also has a smooth mid-length gas system, and is very reasonably priced…

The following will give you more detail explaining why I think this is the best Palmetto State Armory upper…

And I’ll also share with you 10 other fantastic uppers for PSA that you should consider…

1. PSA 14.7″ Mid-Length CHF 5.56 NATO 1:7 13.5″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper – Pinned & Welded (My #1 Pick!)

If you ask me what my favorite PSA upper is my answer is hands down the PSA 14.7 inch Mid-length (CHF) 13.5 inch Lightweight M-LOK Upper. That’s a mouthful, but I love this upper for several reasons…

First of all, the barrel that you get is super high quality. It’s a Chrome Moly Vanadium steel barrel that is cold hammer forged (CHF) with a 1:7 twist and produced for PSA by FN. Cold hammer forging is a process for making AR 15 barrels, and it basically creates a barrel that is extremely durable and has a long barrel life of several thousands of rounds…

And because this upper’s barrel is produced by FN, you know you’re getting a barrel that is literally good enough to take to war because FN has been making M4s and machine guns (like the M249 and M240) for the U.S. Military for years. That same level of quality goes into the barrel on this upper, and I think that’s really, really cool…

In addition to the extremely high level of quality, the barrel on this upper is 14.7 inches, and let me explain why I like that. The current laws in the U.S. require rifle barrels to be a minimum of 16 inches long (unless you intend to pay a special tax and create what’s called a ‘short barreled rifle’). So most AR 15 rifles that you see have a 16 inch barrel, and that’s perfectly fine (I have a lot of ARs with 16 inch barrels)…

That being said, I find 14.5 or 14.7 inch barrels on AR 15s to be just a little bit handier and lightweight than 16 inch barrels, and I prefer them. Now, the 14.7 inch barrel on this upper has an A2 flash hider pinned and welded to the barrel, and because the muzzle device is permanently attached (at this time), it is legally considered to have a 16 inch barrel and is not considered a short-barreled rifle…

And like I said, in my experience, these barrels are noticeably handier than 16 inch barrels, and I like the way they balance the gun. On top of that, the upper has a sleek and lightweight M-LOK rail which will allow you to mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, and pretty much any other accessories you’d like, and it has a midlength gas system which is generally just a little bit smoother than a carbine length gas system…

So all in all, I love this upper from PSA because the barrel is super high quality (which translates to accuracy and longevity), it’s a 14.7 inch barrel (which makes it very handy), it has a lightweight M-LOK rail (which allows you to easily mount accessories), and it has a Mid-Length gas system (which makes it run a little smoother than a carbine length gun). All of these features make this a premium complete upper receiver, and because it’s coming from PSA, the price point is very reasonable.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

EXTREMELY High-Quality Barrel (Cold Hammer Forged And Produced By FN)
14.7″ Barrel w/ Pinned & Welded Muzzle Device (to meet the required 16″ length and at the same time be more lightweight and handy!)
5.56 NATO Chambering
Mid-Length Gas System (for smoother functioning)
1:7 Twist Rate
Lightweight M-LOK Rail

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 14.7″ Mid-Length CHF Upper (Over 180 Customer Reviews!):

2. PSA 16″ Mid-Length 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride 13.5″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (With BCG, CH, & MBUS Sights)

Another fantastic upper from PSA is the 16″ Mid-Length 5.56 1:7 Nitride 13.5″ Lightweight M-Lok Upper. First of all, this upper includes a PSA 16″ barrel, and even though it’s not a cold hammer forged barrel, the quality level is still pretty solid…

The twist rate on this barrel is 1:7 which is generally considered to be superior to a 1:9 twist, and the barrel is finished with Melonite which adds to its durability. In addition to that, this upper features a mid-length gas system which will generally run a little smoother than a carbine length gas system, and the lightweight M-LOK rail will allow you to easily mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, bipods, and any other accessories you can think of…

Last, there’s a lot of extra value built into this upper because it includes a BCG (bolt carrier group), a charging handle, and a set of Magpul MBUS sights (which are awesome!)…

So all in all, I think this is another fantastic upper from PSA because it’s well-built, reliable, and comes with everything you need. All you have to do is pin it to your lower, and you can start shooting!

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

High-Quality Barrel (Nitride treated for additional accuracy and durability)
16″ Barrel
5.56 NATO Chambering
Mid-Length Gas System (for smoother functioning)
1:7 Twist Rate
Lightweight M-LOK Rail

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 16″ Mid-Length M-LOK Upper (Over 250 Customer Reviews!):

3. PSA 18″ Rifle-Length .223 WYLDE 1/7 Stainless Steel 15″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (W/ MBUS Sights, BCG, & CH)

Number 3 on this list of my favorite uppers from Palmetto State Armory is the PSA 18″ Rifle-Length .223 Wylde 1/7 Stainless Steel 15″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper…

If you’re looking for an upper that focuses heavily on accuracy, or if you want to build something like a DMR AR-15, then this is a fantastic upper for you. To begin, the barrel is made from 416R Stainless Steel which is a wonderful material for creating strong and accurate barrels, and the barrel is chambered in .223 Wylde rather than 5.56 Nato (or .223 Remington, which I always avoid because you can’t fire 5.56 rounds safely from it)…

This is a cool feature because .223 Wylde is a hybrid chambering between 5.56 Nato and .223 Remington, and because of the way it’s designed, it’s capable of producing superior accuracy when firing either of those two rounds. So .223 Wylde is an awesome chambering when you want to get the most accuracy you can out of an AR…

I also love that this rifle is an 18″ barrel because that’s going to maximize the accuracy that you get and give your rounds a little bit more velocity when they’re fired from the gun. And at the same time, it saves you a little bit of weight because you’re not having to lug around a heavier 20″ barreled AR-15. On top of that, this upper does feature a rifle length gas system, which generally runs smoother than carbine and mid-length gas systems, and when you have an 18″ barrel, it’s definitely the way to go…

Next, I like the free float M-LOK rail that you get with this upper. The fact that it’s free-floated means that the rifle will function more accurately because nothing is touching the barrel, and the M-LOK will allow you to attach any accessories that you choose easily…

Last, with this upper, you get a Bolt Carrier Group, a charging handle, and a set of Magpul MBUS sights. Now, you’ll definitely want to get a solid scope to go with this bad boy, but you’ll be ready to go dial in your Magpul MBUS sights as soon as you pin this awesomely accurate upper to a lower.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

Very High-Quality Barrel (Stainless Steel and built for maximum accuracy)
18″ Barrel (for more accuracy and muzzle velocity)
.223 Wylde Chambering (for maximum accuracy)
Rifle-Length Gas System (for smoother functioning)
1:7 Twist Rate
Lightweight M-LOK Rail

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 18″ Rifle-Length .223 Wylde Stainless Steel M-LOK Upper (Over 195 Customer Reviews!):

4. PSA 16″ CHF 1:7 M4 Carbine 5.56 NATO Premium Classic Upper (A Classic M4 Clone!)

Call me old-fashioned but even though I love AR-15s with M-LOK or Keymod rails on them, I also love classic-looking ARs that feature a front sight post. And if you want an AR that looks like it could be an M4 clone, the PSA 16″ CHF M4 Carbine Premium Classic Upper is fantastic…

First of all, the barrel that comes with this upper is amazing. This is one of PSA’s premium uppers, and because of that, the barrel is a chrome moly vandium barrel that is cold hammer forged (CHF) and produced for PSA by FN…

Like I mentioned earlier, FN knows a thing or two about creating amazingly durable and accurate barrels, because they’ve been doing it for the U.S. Military with M4s and machine guns for a long time now. So this barrel is very similar to the barrels used on actual M4s, and basically, the only difference is that it’s 16″ to comply with current U.S. gun laws rather than 14.5″…

In addition to that, the barrel on this upper features a 1:7 twist rate, which as I mentioned earlier, I prefer over a 1:9, and it’s also high pressure tested (HPT), and magnetic particle inspected (MPI), to ensure that you’re getting a super strong and high-quality product…

So all in all, this is a fantastic upper if you want an AR-15 that looks similar to an M4, and the coolest part is that you’re getting literally the same quality as an actual M4 because FN is producing the barrel.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

EXTREMELY High-Quality Barrel (Cold Hammer Forged And Produced By FN)
16″ Barrel (with front sight post)
1:7 Twist Rate
An Accurate M4 Clone!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 16″ CHF M4 Carbine Premium Classic Upper (Over 95 Customer Reviews!):

5. PSA 16″ CHF M4 Carbine 5.56 NATO 1:7 15″ Geissele MK14 M-LOK Upper

If you liked my number 1 pick on this list but would rather have a 16″ barrel that is not pinned and welded (and there are some good reasons why you might want that, for example, you can easily change out the muzzle device), then this is an upper that you’ll like very much…

The first amazing feature that you get with this PSA upper is that super strong cold hammer forged chrome moly vanadium steel barrel that is made by FN. Again, this is basically the same barrel that is featured in FN’s M4’s that are used by the U.S. Military and the durability and accuracy that you get with it are second to none…

In addition to that, this barrel features a 1:7 twist rate and has a carbine length gas system, which I think is just fine because I have a lot of carbine length ARs that run very smoothly…

On top of that, with this upper you get the 15″ Geissele MK14 M-LOK rail. This is a top-tier rail that is built to the highest standard. It’s lightweight which keeps the gun balanced, and it’s super strong and secure. It also looks really freaking cool, and I like that it extends 15 inches on this 16 inch barreled upper because it protects the barrel and allows you to rest the rail on practically surface to gain more stability when you’re shooting…

So all in all, I think this is hands down one of the best uppers that PSA currently offers because the barrel and rail that you get are absolutely top-tier.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

EXTREMELY High-Quality Barrel (Cold Hammer Forged And Produced By FN)
16″ Barrel (can easily swap out the muzzle device)
1:7 Twist Rate
Strong and Lightweight 15″ Geissele MK14 rail (awesome rail!)

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 16″ CHF M4 Carbine 15″ Geissele MK14 M-LOK Upper (Over 20 Customer Reviews!):

6. PSA 10.5″ CHF 1:7 A2 Carbine 5.56 NATO Premium Classic AR-15 Upper

If you’re looking for a super high-quality upper for an AR pistol (or SBR), or possibly to create a MK18 mod 0 clone, then you’ll love number 6 on my list, the PSA 10.5″ CHF 1:7 A2 Carbine Premium Classic Upper…

This is an awesome upper because like others that are featured on this list, it includes a cold hammer forged (CHF) chrome moly vanadium steel barrel that is made by FN. By now, you know that this is a super durable and accurate barrel and that the quality level you’re getting is extremely high…

On top of that, the barrel on this upper has a 1:7 twist rate, and it features a carbine length gas system which I think is perfect for a 10.5″ barrel because it runs reliably and smoothly. So again, if you’re in need of an upper for an AR -15 pistol or an SBR, then this is a smooth-functioning upper with an extremely strong and accurate barrel.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

EXTREMELY High-Quality Barrel (Cold Hammer Forged And Produced By FN)
10.5″ Barrel (is good for an AR-15 Pistol or to create a short barreled rifle)
1:7 Twist Rate
Carbine length gas system (very smooth and reliable)

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ CHF 1:7 A2 Carbine Premium Classic Upper (Over 135 Customer Reviews!):

7. PSA 16″ Carbine Length 5.56 NATO 1:7 M4 Nitride MOE Upper (w/ REAR MBUS, BCG, & CH)

Number 7 on this list of my favorite PSA uppers is the PSA 16″ Carbine Length 5.56 Nato 1:7 M4 Nitride MOE Upper, and there are several reasons why I like this upper…

First of all, the barrel on this upper is not one of FN’s premium CHF barrels, but it’s still very high quality. It’s a Nitride finished 4150V chrome moly vanadium steel barrel (so it’s made from a strong and quality material), and it features a 1:7 twist rate rather than a 1:9 which as I said before is generally considered to be an inferior twist rate…

On top of that, this upper features an F marked front sight post, which is the correct height, and the receiver itself is made from mil-spec forged 7075-T6 aluminum (so it’s very strong). I also like that this particular upper comes with a Magpul MOE handguard. The inclusion of this handguard is a big upgrade over the standard M4 handguards that you often see because it has M-LOK which will allow you to easily mount a weapon light (which I think is essential to an AR-15) and other accessories as well…

Last, this upper comes with a bolt carrier group, a charging handle, and a rear Magpul MBUS sight (to work with your front sight post). And it’s very affordably priced considering the quality that you get and the upgrades that are included with it. So all in all, this is a fantastic upper from PSA, and I love that you get a BCG, charging handle, and rear sight with it because it’s ready to go right out of the box.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

Good Quality Barrel (Nitride finish increases durability and accuracy)
1:7 Twist Rate
Included Magpul MEO Handguard (an upgrade over the standard M4 handguard)
Included Bolt Carrier Group, Charging Handle, Magpul MBUS Rear Sight

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 16″ Carbine Length 5.56 Nato 1:7 MOE Upper (Over 230 Customer Reviews!):

8. BLEM PSA 16″ M4 Carbine-Length 5.56 NATO 1:8 Phosphate Classic Upper w/ BCG & CH (Fantastic Budget Option!)

Number 8 on this list is the BLEM PSA 16″ M4 Carbine-Length 5.56 1/8 Phosphate Upper, and let me explain why I think this upper offers you a ton of value…

First of all, BLEM stands for ‘blemished’ and it means that there is some cosmetic blemish somewhere on the upper. The blemish does not affect the performance or functionality of the upper in any way, but because it does have a cosmetic blemish, PSA sells the upper at a reduced price! I’ve bought quite a few BLEM PSA uppers and lowers over the years, and they’ve always worked perfectly. On top of that, I’ve rarely even been able to locate the blemished area (which you can duracoat, cerakote, or just spray paint over if you want to)…

Now, the barrel on this upper is made from phosphate coated 4150V Chrome Moly steel, which is a solid barrel material, and it also features a 1:8 twist rate. I like a 1:8 twist rate on AR-15s because it generally produces good accuracy regardless of whether you’re firing heavy bullets or light bullets through the gun, and I think that’s a cool feature included with this upper…

On top of that, this upper receiver is made from forged 7075-T6 aluminum, so it’s very strong, and the front sight post is F marked (which means it’s the proper height). Last, with this upper, you get a mil-spec carpenter 158 steel bolt carrier group, and it comes with a charging handle as well. Overall, I think you get a ton of value with this upper, and all you need to start shooting is an optic and/or a rear sight!

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

Affordable/Reduced Price Because Of A Cosmetic Blemish (Performance NOT Affected!)
Good Quality Barrel
1:8 Twist Rate (good for shooting heavy and light bullets accurately)
Included Bolt Carrier Group & Charging Handle

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The BLEM PSA 16″ M4 Carbine-Length 1/8 Phosphate Upper (Over 390 Customer Reviews!):

9. PSA 10.5″ Pistol-Length 300AAC 1/8 Phosphate 9″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (w/ BCG & CH)

Not all AR-15s have to fire 5.56 Nato/.223 Remington, and one of the most popular alternatives is the 300 AAC Blackout. This PSA upper is chambered in 300 AAC, and as you can see, it features a 10.5″ barrel, so you’ll need to put it on an AR pistol lower or use it as an SBR (short barreled rifle)…

Now, 300 AAC is a much heavier round than 5.56, and it’s designed to pack a punch, especially at shorter distances (much like the 7.62×39 AK round). It also performs really well in short barreled AR-15s, and that’s why I really like this particular upper if you want to go the 300 AAC route…

The 10.5″ barrel on this upper is made from Chrome Moly vanadium steel (so the barrel material is strong and of good quality), and it features a 1:8 twist rate which is considered a good twist rate for heavy 300 AAC rounds. On top of that, you get a lightweight M-LOK rail with this upper, which is always an upgrade that I like to see, and this upper comes with a mil-spec bolt carrier group that is made from Carpenter 158 steel and a mil-spec charging handle…

So overall, I think this is an awesome PSA upper if you want to have the ability to fire 300 AAC Blackout.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

300 AAC Blackout Chambering
Good Quality Barrel
1:8 Twist Rate (for heavy 300 AAC rounds)
Sleek and Lightweight M-LOK Rail
Included Bolt Carrier Group & Charging Handle

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ Pistol-Length 300AAC 1/8 M-LOK Upper (Over 130 Customer Reviews!):

10. PSA 16″ Classic M4 Freedom Upper W/ BCG & CH (Fantastic Budget Upper!)

Earlier, I told you it was part of PSA’s mission to legally arm responsible citizens, and their Freedom series is intended to give a good quality AR-15 part at the best price possible. So number 10 in this list is the PSA 16″ Classic M4 Freedon Upper…

This upper features a 16″ barrel that is made from 4150V Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, which is a good, durable material. In addition to that, it’s chambered in 5.56 Nato (rather than .223 Remington), and unlike a lot of other budget AR15 uppers, it features a 1:7 twist rate (rather than a 1:9 twist rate)…

In addition to that, the upper is made from forged 7075-T6 (again, a very strong material), and you get a mil-spec bolt carrier group and a mil-spec charging handle included as well. All in all, this is a great upper if you’re on a budget and looking for a basic AR-15 that will be reliable, accurate, and strong.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

Affordable/ Budget ‘Freedom’ PSA upper
Good Quality Barrel
1:7 Twist Rate (better than a 1:9 twist rate)
Included Bolt Carrier Group & Charging Handle

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 16″ Classic M4 Freedom Upper (Over 245 Customer Reviews!):

11. PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride Upper (Fantastic Budget Pistol Upper!)

The last upper on my list is the PSA 10.5″ 5.56 Nato 1:7 Nitride Upper, and I had to include this option on the list because it’s a fantastic AR pistol option because it’s extremely affordable…

Even though it’s incredibly affordable, the quality is still strong. For example, the barrel on this upper is made from chrome moly vanadium steel (so it’s made from a very durable material), and it’s also a Nitride treated barrel which will improve its accuracy and durability. The barrel also features a 1:7 twist rate, and the carbine length gas system allows this upper to fire very reliably (which is not always the case with short barrels on ARs)…

On top of that, this upper includes an F marked front sight post (so it’s the proper height), and the forged 7075 – T6 aluminum upper receiver is very strong. All in all, this is another fantastic upper option from PSA, especially if you’re interested in putting together an AR-15 pistol on a budget.

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

Affordable AR Pistol Upper
Good Quality Barrel
Nitride Treated Barrel (for improved accuracy and durability)
1:7 Twist Rate

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride Upper (Over 320 Customer Reviews!):

AR-15 Manufacturers To Avoid [Here’s What You Need To Know]…

19 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

The AR-15 is an amazing rifle…

It’s reliable, accurate, ergonomic, and incredibly fun to shoot…

It’s called “America’s Rifle” because its popularity has boomed in recent years, and because of that, there are a ton of AR-15 manufacturers building these guns today…

Now, most of these companies are producing solid AR-15s that are durable and reliable even at budget price points…

But are there companies that cut corners in the wrong areas when building AR-15s…? Are there any AR-15 manufacturers to avoid…?

The answer is yes, and in this post, I’m going to share with you what to look out for when buying an AR-15 for the first time…

I’ll teach you how to avoid sub-par AR-15 manufacturers when you’re looking to buy, and I’ll also share with you my Top 6 best AR-15s for the money (I cover all budgets in this list)…

By the end, you’ll know exactly what to avoid when looking for a new AR-15, and you’ll know many of the best manufacturers that are currently producing high-quality ARs at various price points…

Let’s get started!

AR-15 Manufacturers To Avoid – Here’s What You Need To Know…

When considering which AR-15 manufacturers to avoid, you should first assess the quality level of important parts such as the bolt carrier group (BCG) and the barrel. You should also consider the track record of a manufacturer in terms of how consistent their quality control is…

The following information will give you much more detail about what to avoid in an AR-15…

And as I mentioned earlier, I’ll also share with you a list of some of the best AR-15s that are currently available…

Here Is A List Of AR-15’s That I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

4 Reasons Why I Will Not Give You A List To Avoid…

In this post, I will not be giving you a list of manufacturers to avoid, and there are 4 reasons why…

First of all, there are so many companies producing AR-15s that it’s impossible to give you a comprehensive list. In fact, there are new AR-15 manufacturers popping up every month it seems, and others disappear just due to the huge amount of competition they face in the AR-15 market. This is why I think it’s a better approach to tell you what characteristics to look out for when you’re considering a new AR-15…

Secondly, there are many manufacturers who notice a consistent problem with their ARs and then improve them. This post is going to be around for a long time, and I don’t want to state that a manufacturer should be avoided when they’ve fixed all the problems that shooters were having with their guns…

Thirdly, I haven’t personally used a number of the AR-15s that people report having problems with. I do have many AR’s in my own collection, and I have friends with various AR’s as well, but I certainly haven’t shot enough of them to create a list of AR makers that you should avoid…

Fourth, you might own an AR-15 from a manufacturer that I would list, and in your personal experience, it might be a great AR. Who am I to tell you that your AR-15 should be avoided…? I’m just a dude on the internet offering my personal opinions to try and help out others.

All that being said, here is what some of the forums are saying about AR-15 manufacturers that you should avoid (just take the information with a grain of salt for all the reasons I just explained)…

From AR15.com (forum)
From Quora

What Characteristics Should You Avoid When Choosing An AR-15…?

As promised, here are the characteristics that you need to pay attention to when looking for a new AR-15…

1. Avoid A Poor Quality Bolt and Bolt Carrier Group (MOST IMPORTANT)…

The bolt carrier group is an extremely important part of the AR-15 platform. In fact, many call it the ‘heart’ of the rifle, and if you have a poor quality BCG, chances are that you’re going to have problems with your rifle…

Now, a high-quality bolt carrier group will have several important features. First of all, it will be built using a high-quality steel. Most commonly, the steel used in high-quality bolt carrier groups is 8620 steel. You’ll also see Carpenter 158 steel used, and both of these steels are very strong, and that is something you need to pay attention to when you’re considering a new AR 15…

In addition to that, you want a bolt carrier group that is shot peened. This is a process that hardens the out layer of the steel on the bolt carrier group, and it increases the strength of the BCG…

You also want to make sure that the gas key is staked in place. This is a process in which the metal is crimped over the fasteners that attach the gas key to the rest of the BCG, and it ensures that they can never back out or rattle loose because this is an area on the bolt carrier group that takes a lot of abuse when you fire your gun…

It’s also important to make sure that your carrier and gas key are chrome lined (or lined in with another process). This will make your AR run more reliably, keep it running smoother, and makes these areas easier to clean…

Unless you’re in the market for a budget AR 15, you should also ensure that your bolt is high pressure tested (HPT) and machine particle inspected (MPI). High pressure tested means that the bolt was used to fire a high pressure round and after that’s completed, the machine particle inspection checks to see if any cracks were formed in the steel of the bolt…

This is an important process for checking the durability of your bolt, and it’s a way to ensure that the steel in your bolt is uniform and holding its strength even with a high-pressure round (which creates more stress than the standard pressure rounds that you’ll be firing from the gun)…

Now, as I said, you won’t always get HPT and MPI bolts if you’re in the market for a budget AR-15, and that’s ok as long as the bolt has the other features I’ve described. But if you’re spending close to a 1,000 bucks or more on your AR-15, you definitely want to make sure that the bolt is high pressure tested (HPT) and machine particle inspected (MPI)…

Another thing you’ll notice when out there looking at AR-15s, is that some manufacturers will offer different coatings that make the bolt and carrier slicker and easier to clean. These coatings are an upgrade, and I usually like to have them. But they’re not necessary to ensuring that your BCG is high-quality…

Last I should also mention, that you’ll also find full-auto profile BCGs and semi-auto BCGs. Both are perfectly legal to own in a semi-automatic AR-15 (as of the time I’m writing this post), and both will function well as long as they have the features I noted earlier in this section…

So to sum it all up, here is a list of what you want to look for in a high-quality bolt and bolt carrier group…

High-quality steel (8620 steel is common)
BCG is shot-peened
Gas key is properly staked
BCG and gas key are chrome-lined
HPT and MPI bolt (non-budget AR-15s)
OPTIONAL: upgraded coating to make the BCG slicker and easier to clean

2. Avoid A Poor Quality Barrel…

It’s also very important to avoid manufacturers that don’t provide you with a good quality barrel. This is important because a good quality barrel can make your AR-15 more reliable, and in addition to that, it will make your AR more accurate as well…

First of all, you want to get a barrel that is made from high-quality steel. Now, there are a number of barrel steels out there, but some of the common ones that you’ll see are chrome-moly steel and a number of different types of stainless steel…

If you go with a chrome-moly barrel, you’re going to want to be sure that it’s chrome-lined (or coated in another way, for example with melonite). This will add more life to the barrel of your AR-15 (it will last for thousands of rounds longer), and it will make your barrel easier to clean…

Some people say that chrome-lining makes your barrel less accurate, but I have not found that to be the case in my shooting because I have several chrome-lined barrels that are incredibly accurate…

Now, unless you’re in the market for a budget gun, you should look for a manufacturer that offers you a cold hammer forged barrel. This is a process commonly used to create AR-15 barrels and it just makes your barrel stronger and gives it more longevity. Typically, you won’t find cold hammer forged barrels on budget AR-15s, and that’s ok. But if you’re paying for a premium AR-15, you definitely want to make sure that the barrel is cold hammer forged…

Next, we should discuss the issue of twist rates. Most often, AR-15 barrels will have a 1:7 twist rate. This means that the bullet will go through a full rotation every time it travels 7 inches in the barrel. Other common twist rates found on 5.56/.223 ARs are 1:9 and 1:8. Usually, a 1:7 twist rate is better for stabilizing heavy bullets, and a 1:9 twist rate is better for stabilizing lighter bullets. An as you can imagine, a 1:8 twist rate is a compromise between both heavy and light bullets…

That being said, in my personal experience, a quality barrel is going to fire your rounds accurately regardless of bullet weight and barrel twist rate. So, I think that all three twist rates are acceptable if you’re looking to get a budget AR-15. However, if you’re going for a premium AR, you’re going to want to make sure that your barrel has a 1:7 or 1:8 twist rate because these are generally considered to be superior to a 1:9 twist…

Last, it’s important to understand what the actual chambering is for your AR-15. The 3 most popular chamberings for an AR-15 are .223 Remington, 5.56 Nato, and .223 Wylde. Now if your AR is chambered in .223 Remington you can not fire 5.56 Nato from it because it’s not designed to handle the extra pressure of the 5.56 Nato round. However, if your AR-15 is chambered in 5.56 Nato or .223 Wylde, you can safely fire .223 Remington rounds and 5.56 Nato rounds from it without any issues…

So the bottom line is this, avoid AR-15 manufacturers who make guns chambered in .223 Remington, and stick to guns chambered in 5.56 Nato or .223 Wylde (which is a hybrid chambering that can fire both rounds and improve the ARs accuracy).

So to sum up this section, here is what you should look for in a high-quality barrel…

Good quality steel (chrome-moly or stainless steel)
Chrome-lined
Cold Hammer Forged Barrel (Unlikely on a budget AR and that’s OK)
1:7 or 1:8 twist rate (1:9 twist rate is acceptable on a Budget AR-15)
Chambered in 5.56 Nato or .223 Wylde (Avoid .223 Remington chambered ARs because they cannot safely fire 5.56 Nato rounds)

3. Avoid A Poor Quality Lower Receiver…

Another thing you want to avoid when shopping for an AR-15 is a poor-quality lower receiver. Most lower receivers are forged from 7075-T6 aluminum which is what I recommend going with because they’re lightweight and extremely strong…

But another popular option is to go with a billet aluminum receiver because the manufacturer can really create well-fitting, precise tolerances and customize the appearance of the lower (some of them look really cool!)…

I recommend that you avoid lower receivers that are made from polymer, but with one exception. You see, many of the polymer lower receivers on the market are built to mimic the appearance of aluminum lower receivers…

The problem is that when you make polymer lowers in the same manner as aluminum lowers, you get an extremely weak area where the buffer tube connects to the lower. This isn’t a problem when you’re dealing with aluminum because of the strength of the material, but with polymer lowers, I’ve seen them snap in half. So I will personally not own a polymer AR-15 lower receiver that’s built in this way, and I don’t recommend that you get one either…

All that being said, there is one manufacturer producing a polymer AR-15 that takes all this into account and is very rugged. It’s called the KE Arms KE-15, and because of the way it’s built, it features a very strong and extremely lightweight polymer lower receiver. That being said, it doesn’t have an adjustable stock, which is something that I like to have…

So to sum up this section, here is what you should look for in a high-quality lower receiver…

7075-T6 Aluminum forged lower receiver
Billet Aluminum receiver
AVOID: Polymer AR-15 lower receivers (with the exception of the KE Arms KE-15)

4. Avoid upper receiver…

One of the features that you should look for in an upper receiver is the inclusion of M4 feed ramps, and you should avoid AR-15 manufacturers that don’t include them…

M4 feed ramps are important because they provide a smoother and easier way for your AR-15 to feed rounds into the chamber. They should be included both in your barrel and in the upper receiver, and they should be properly lined up…

M4 feed ramps make you’re AR-15 smoother and more reliable, especially if you ever need or intend to fire multiple rounds at a high rate.

To sum up this section, you’ll want an upper receiver that includes…

M4 feed ramps (for more reliability)
A properly aligned barrel with M4 feed ramps as well

5. Look For Upgrades That Are Useful…

This section is more of a rant than anything, but there are some AR-15 manufacturers that charge high amounts of money for their guns without offering anything really unique (I’m not referring to sub 1,000 dollar guns)…

I recommend that you avoid these manufacturers, and look for ARs that have useful upgrades that are not reflected in the price. For example, unless you’re in the market for a budget AR-15, you should probably look for upgraded furniture like a stock and pistol grip…

In addition to that, look for AR-15s that offer lightweight rails that feature M-LOK or Keymod (unless you want a front sight post), and like I mentioned earlier, extra coatings that make your bolt carrier group slicker and easier to clean are upgraded features as well…

And if you need help making sure that the AR-15 you’re getting is worth the value that you’re paying for it, check out my list of highly recommended AR-15s below…

I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED the following AR-15s!

AR-15 Manufacturers That You Should Avoid – Final Thoughts…

So in the end, I recommend that you avoid manufacturers of AR-15s unless they offer…

A high-quality bolt and bolt carrier group
A high-quality barrel chambered in 5.56 Nato or .223 Wylde
A strong lower receiver (most polymer lowers don’t fit the bill in my opinion)
An upper receiver with M4 feed ramps (for increased reliability)
Upgraded features (unless you’re in the market for a budget AR-15)

If you make sure the AR 15 that you’re interested in is good to go in these areas, you’re likely to get a great gun that is strong, accurate, and reliable…

And you’ll probably be very satisfied regardless of the brand you choose to go with…

Last, if you need help finding a good quality AR-15 and want me to point you in the right direction, I strongly suggest that you check out my list of HIGHLY Recommended AR-15s by clicking the link below…

I hope this helped you out. Good luck on your search for an AR-15 and Godspeed!

[Top 6 List] Best AR 15 For The Money – No Matter Your Budget…!

17 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

The AR 15 is often called America’s rifle because of its popularity…

And that’s because it’s (quite frankly) an amazing platform…

It’s accurate. It’s reliable. It’s ergonomic. It’s lightweight, and it’s extremely fun to shoot…

But not all AR 15’s are made equal, and that leads to a very interesting question… What’s the best AR 15 for the money?

Well, that’s a great question, and in this post, I’m going to answer it by giving you my list of the Top 6 of the best AR 15s for the money…

This list will have a high-quality AR 15 for you regardless of your budget, and by the end, you’ll have a good understanding of some of the best AR 15s that are currently on the market…

Let’s get started!

Best AR 15 For The Money – Top 6 List…

1. Springfield SAINT Victor – 5.56 NATO M-LOK Rail (Best AR 15 Under 1000 Dollars)

Springfield Armory has really upped their game in recent years. For one, the Springfield Hellcat is a hit in the concealed carry market, and they’ve also started producing some of the best AR 15s you can get for the money…

Because of that, number 1 on this list of amazing AR 15s is the Springfield SAINT Victor with an M-LOK Rail. There are many variants of the SAINT Victor, and they’re all fantastic ARs, but this is my favorite version of the rifle and there are several reasons why…

First of all, all of the parts on this AR are built using extremely high-quality materials. The Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) is both High Pressure Tested (HPT) and Machine Particle Inspected (MPI), so you know you’re getting a strong BCG that is going to function every time and hold up for thousands of rounds…

In addition to that, the trigger on this gun is Nickel Boron coated and flat-faced. This gives you an incredibly smooth trigger pull, and it helps you shoot more accurately and faster as well. On top of that, the barrel that you get with the SAINT is amazing. It features a 1/8 twist rate, which is great for shooting light or heavy rounds, and it’s melonite coated for durability and ease of cleaning (it’s also a very accurate barrel)…

I also love the furniture that you get with this rifle which is a big upgrade over the typical cheap handguard, pistol grip, and stock that come with many AR 15s. For example, the rail is sleek, strong, and lightweight which makes the rifle incredibly balanced, and it also has M-LOK that goes completely around the rail and allows you to easily mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, bipods, and any other accessories in virtually any position you’d like. And I love the B5 stock and pistol grip because they’re very ergonomic and comfortable to use…

You also get an upgraded muzzle break with this AR, which will help you shoot flatter (and quicker), and the SAINT Victor comes with BUIS (back up iron sights) that you can flip out of the way once you get a scope or red dot for your carbine…

All in all, I think the Springfield SAINT Victor is the best AR 15 for under 1,000 bucks right now because it’s built to an extremely high standard, and it’s loaded with upgrades and useful features.

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Springfield SAINT Victor 5.56 NATO M-LOK Rail:

2. Stag Arms Stag 15 Classic (Another Fantastic AR 15 Under 1000 Dollars)

The Stag 15 is one of the most well-built AR 15s on the market, and there are several reasons why. First of all, the Stag 15 is made to Mil-Spec standards, and that means all the important parts such as the BCG (Bolt Carrier Group), the upper receiver, the lower receiver, the trigger, and other parts are all built to the same standard and quality level as the M16s/M4s used in the U.S. military…

In addition to that, the barrel that you get with the Stag 15 is fantastic. It’s a 1/7 twist rate barrel (which is always my preference over a 1/9 twist rate because it’s better for shooting heavier rounds), and it’s chrome-lined which will make it easier to clean and make the barrel life last for a very long time…

On top of that, the M-LOK rail that comes on the Stag 15 is sleek and lightweight, and it allows you to mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, and any other accessories you’d like…

So all in all, the Stag 15 is a very strong AR 15, and right now, I think it’s one of the best AR 15s for the money because it’s built to last, it’s reliable, and the high-quality barrel that you get with it, makes it extremely accurate!

Watch The Video:

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3. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 LW (Best AR 15 Under 2000 Dollars)

Daniel Defense is well known for making extremely high-quality AR 15s and AR parts. In fact, they even make AR 15 parts (such as their rails) that are used by the U.S. Military, and of all the AR 15s that they offer to us Civilians, I think the best is the DDM4 V7 LW…

First of all, the DDM4 V7 is an insanely rugged AR 15. All of its parts, including the Bolt Carrier Group, the upper and lower receivers, the trigger, and others, are made to meet or exceed military specifications…

On top of that, the barrel that you get with the DDM4 is absolutely amazing. It’s cold hammer forged which makes it super strong, and because this is the ‘LW’ version of this gun, it’s also a lightweight profile (which makes the whole gun more lightweight and extremely well-balanced)…

The barrel is also HP/ MPI tested to make sure you’re getting the absolute best quality, and that high level of quality in the barrel makes the DDM4 an extremely accurate AR 15…

The handguard that you get with the DDM4 V7 is Daniel Defense’s MFR 15-inch rail, and it is incredible because it’s extremely strong, lightweight, and it’s an M-LOK rail that allows you to mount accessories in virtually any location you’d ever want to (not just the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions)…

So all in all, the DDM4 V7 is one of the best AR 15’s that you can get because it’s balanced perfectly, it’s accurate, and it’s even though it’s incredibly lightweight, it’s built like a tank!

Watch The Video:

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4. Colt M4 Carbine – CR6920 (Best Military M4 Clone)

Colt has a long history of making rifles in the mold of the AR 15. In fact, for years it was Colt who produced M16‘s and M4’s for the U.S. Military, and there was actually a short time when Colt stopped producing AR 15s for the civilian market to just focus on their military contracts…

When Colt did that, they took away the LE6920, which is a modern classic AR 15 at this point, and I’m happy to say, that Colt realized this was a mistake and is now producing the CR6920 in its place…

The CR6920 is built to the same standards and military specifications that military M4’s were built to, and no company knows those standards better than Colt…

All of the parts including the bolt carrier group, the trigger, and the barrel are built to meet Mil-spec standards, and they’re built to be extremely rugged and tough. In addition to that, the barrel is chrome-lined (which will make it last longer and be easier to clean), and it features a 1/7 twist rate just like its cousin, the M4…

On top of that, I have found Colt barrels to be extremely accurate in my shooting, and they also have the M4 cut out, which was added to the Military’s M4’s to make mounting a grenade launcher to your carbine easier (you’ll probably never mount a grenade launcher, but it’s another feature that just makes this rifle extra cool)…

So in the end, I love my 6920, and if you want a super-strong, accurate AR 15 that is considered a classic and mimics the look of a military M4, then the 6920 is for you!

Watch The Video:

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5. Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II (Best AR 15 If You’re On A Budget)

If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend you take a look at the Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II. When Smith & Wesson first came out the Sport, they kind of changed the whole AR 15 market for the better…

You see, before the Sport, most of the budget AR 15s on the market were sub-par in terms of performance. These budget guns lacked accuracy, would malfunction often, and were not very rugged…

But the M&P 15 Sport changed the game because it was affordably priced, well-built, accurate, and strong, and it still is to this day…

Now, with the M&P 15 Sport II you get a high-quality 1/9 twist barrel. The barrel is accurate, and I like the profile that Smith & Wesson chose to go with because it makes the Sport a very balanced and lightweight carbine (you can shoot it fast!)…

In addition to that, the Bolt Carrier Group (the heart of an AR 15) is built to last, and you just get so much value with the Sport II in relation to its budget price point…

Now, I do think that the handguard and probably the stock should be upgraded on the Sport II, but I’m glad that Smith & Wesson decided to cut costs in these areas because you can easily upgrade them later on (when you feel the need for it)…

So all in all, I love the M&P 15 Sport II. I can’t tell you how many first-time AR 15 buyers I’ve recommended this rifle to, and they ALWAYS come back to me shocked (in a good way!) at the quality they got considering the price they paid.

Watch The Video:

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6. PSA 16″ Mid-Length W/ M-LOK Rail (Best Budget AR 15 With An M-LOK Rail)

Another amazing AR 15 that you should consider if you’re on a budget is the PSA 16 inch Mid-Length (or any PSA AR 15 actually!)…

Like the M&P 15 Sport II, this rifle is high-quality, accurate, reliable, and strong, but it does have a few important upgrades over the Sport. For example, with this rifle, you get an M-LOK rail which allows you to mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, and other accessories in virtually any location you’d like…

In addition to that, as the name says, it features a mid-length gas system which is just as reliable as a carbine length gas system but typically makes the rifle a little bit smoother to shoot (there’s a little bit less recoil)…

On top of that, this rifle has a barrel that features a 1/7 twist rate, and it’s really cool that you get a Magpul stock, grip, and flip-up sights included with this rifle as well…

So all in all, this is another amazing rifle to consider if you’re on a budget because its’ strong, reliable, and accurate, and in addition to all of that, it’s upgraded with useful accessories right out of the box.

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 16″ Mid-Length W/ M-LOK Rail:

Best Ruger PC Charger Brace [Top 6 List]

14 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

The Ruger PC Charger is a fantastic little pistol…

It’s awesome because its’ reliable, accurate, fun to shoot, and extremely compact…

The problem is that because it’s not a rifle (like the Ruger PC Carbine), you can not put a stock on it…

That being said, you can put a pistol brace on it because a brace is designed to assist you when shooting the pistol one-handed…

I like the brace option because it does make shooting the Charger quite a bit easier, and it also makes the gun look more ‘complete’ and just plain cooler as well…

Now with all that being said, the big question remains… what is the best Ruger PC Charger brace…? Which one should you go with…?

Well, in this post I’m going to answer that question for you, and I’ll be doing that by giving you my list of the Top 6 Ruger PC Braces that are currently available to you…

In the end, you’ll have a good understanding of the options that are out there, and you should be able to decide which brace is going to work best for you…

Let’s begin!

Best Ruger PC Charger Brace – Top 6 List…

The best brace for the Ruger PC Charger is the SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace. It’s the best because it’s made from high-quality materials, it’s sturdy, and it’s very rugged. It’s also a folding brace, which makes the Ruger PC Charger extremely compact, and it’s easy to install…

The following will give you more detail explaining why I think the SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace is the best for your Ruger PC Charger…

…and I’ll also share with you 5 other fantastic brace options that you can consider as well.

1. SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace

As I mentioned above, I think the best brace for the Ruger PC Charger is the SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace, and there are several reasons why…

First of all, the ‘FS1913’ in the name stands for 1913 style rail (which is the same thing as a picatinny rail) and that’s the exact attachment method Ruger chose to go with on the rear of the PC Charger’s receiver. So this brace is incredibly easy to install…

In addition to that, the FS1913 (like all braces from SB Tactical) is made from high-quality materials. The ‘strut’ or extension comes in both a polymer option and a 6061 aluminum option, and the rear of the brace is made from a very durable rubber material. I prefer the aluminum option because it’s more rugged, but the polymer version will save you a little bit of weight…

On top of that, the FS1913 is low profile, lightweight and solid which is obviously incredibly important when you’re using it to help stabilize your gun. It also has a sturdy side-folding mechanism, and I think it’s a very cool, minimalist design that just works well with the PC Charger.

So all in all, I like the SB Tactical FS1913 because it’s a lightweight brace that is built to be durable, and it looks great on the Ruger PC Charger as well.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace:

2. SB Tactical TF1913 Folding Triangular Pistol Stabilizing Brace

Number 2 on this list of amazing braces is the SB Tactical TF1913 Folding Triangular Pistol Stabilizing Brace. This is another great option from SB Tactical, and it’s different from the FS1913 in a few important ways…

To start off, the TF1913 attaches to the Ruger PC Charger’s picatinny rail the same way the FS1913 does, and it is extremely fast and easy to install. The TF1913 also folds to the side of the Charger, and it locks in both the open and folded position with a steel mechanism. But that’s really where the similarities end…

As you can see the TF1913 has a completely different appearance from the FS1913. It’s designed to mimic triangular stocks that are sometimes found on AKs, and it has a lot less minimal look to it. The triangular extensions are made from a high-quality polymer, and the arm cuff is made from a flexible (yet very durable) rubber material…

I see a lot of shooters putting this brace on their AK pistols, but it also looks great on the Ruger PC Charger. So if you like that triangular look, and want an easy install, the TF1913 is definitely the way to go.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The SB Tactical TF1913 Folding Triangular Pistol Stabilizing Brace:

3. A3 Tactical Ruger PC Charger Modular Folding Brace

Another fantastic brace is the A3 Tactical Modular Folding Brace, and there are many reasons why it works well with the Ruger PC Charger

First of all, as the name implies, the brace is extremely modular (it can be set up 4 different ways). It gives you a lot of options when it comes to mounting the brace, and being able to customize your brace system is a huge benefit because you can change things around until you’re happy with how the Brace assists you when you’re shooting and how it looks on your gun (I think it has to look cool or I don’t want it haha!)…

In addition to that, this brace comes in a few different variations. For example, you can get it with a straight extension or an offset extension, and you can get it in polymer (if you’d like to save some weight and money), or in aluminum (if you want a more rugged setup)…

You can also get a version that is set up to work with the Tailhook Mod 1 bracing system which looks and functions great, and overall, the quality that you get with this brace is fantastic…

On top of that, the A3 Tactical is also a folding brace. You can set it up to fold to either the right or left side of the gun, and the brace locks solidly in both the open and closed position…

So all in all, the A3 Tactical brace gives you a ton of options when mounting it on your Ruger PC Charger. It’s also built to a high standard, and it can work with the A3 Tactical Steady Brace or the Tailhook Mod 1. I like it because it adds a ton of functionality to your gun, and I think it looks really sleek as well.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The A3 Tactical Ruger PC Charger Modular Folding Brace:

Best Ruger PC Charger Brace Adapter…

With an adapter, it is possible to mount an AR 15 buffer tube onto your Ruger PC Charger…

And once you do that, the options for mounting a brace onto your Charger greatly expand…

Here is the best Ruger PC Charge Brace Adapter in my opinion…

Midwest Industries Side Folder With Buffer Tube Adaptor…

I’m a huge fan of Midwest Industries. They make a ton of high-quality parts for AR 15s and AK’s and because this adaptor can be used with any picatinny rail, it’s a great option for the Ruger PC Charger…

It’s easy to install, and it only weighs 8.4 ounces (you don’t want to add a lot of weight to your gun because it makes it bulky)…

It’s also made from 4140 steel (so it’s extremely rugged), and it has a robust folding mechanism built into it, so you will be able to fold your brace even if you go with one of the buffer tube options listed below.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Midwest Industries Side Folder With Buffer Tube Adaptor:

4. SB Tactical SBA4

Once you have an AR 15 buffer tube attached to your Ruger PC Charger, you’ll be able to add my absolute favorite AR pistol brace, the SB Tactical SBA4…

I love this brace, and there are several reasons why it’s a good choice for the Charger. To begin, it’s an extremely durable brace. The top portion is made from a dense polymer, and the lower portion is the durable rubber material that SB Tactical typically uses on their pistol braces…

In addition to that, the SBA4 comes with the receiver extension (or buffer tube), that you’ll need to install it, and once it’s installed, you have the ability to adjust you’re brace’s length of pull…

There are 5 adjustment positions that you can choose from, and this will allow you to really dial in the position of your brace so that you can achieve maximum comfort while you’re shooting (regardless of the position you’re using the brace to shoot from)…

On top of that, the SBA4 looks awesome. It was designed to mimic the look of many popular AR 15 stocks that are available today, and I just think they knocked it out of the park with the aesthetics…

So all in all, if you like want to go the adaptor/buffer tube route with the brace on your PC Charger, you’ll love the SB Tactical SBA4 because looks fantastic, is durably built, and gives you an adjustable length of pull.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The SB Tactical SBA4:

5. SB Tactical SBA3

Number 5 on the list is the older cousin of the SBA4, and that is the SB Tactical SBA3. There are a number of similarities between the SBA3 and the SBA4, but there are a few key differences as well…

First of all, the SBA3 is also built using a high-quality, dense polymer on top and a durable rubber material on the bottom. Additionally, it also comes with a receiver extension/buffer tube (so you’ll be able to easily mount it with the Midwest Industries adaptor), and it’s a 5 position adjustable brace as well (so you can adjust the length of pull)…

It’s different from the SBA4 for a few reasons. Obviously, it has a different look. It’s a much more minimalist design, but I think it looks very cool. On top of that, it’s a little more lightweight than the SBA4…

That’s always an important factor to consider when mounting any accessories to your gun because you don’t want to turn your PC Charger into a clunky and unwieldy firearm…

So really, if you like the SBA4, but want to save a couple of ounces or if you just prefer a more minimal look, then the SBA3 is a fantastic option to go with.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The SB Tactical SBA3:

6. Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod 2

The last option I have for you on this list of amazing braces for the Ruger PC Charger is the Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod 2. Number 3 on this list is the A3 Tactical Modular Brace, and I don’t know if you remember or not, but I did mention how it comes in a version that will work with the Tailhook Mod 1…

Well, this is the Tailhook Mod 2, and if you want to go the AR buffer tube route, it’s another fantastic option. Like the SBA3 and the SBA4, the Tailhook Mod 2 comes with its own receiver extension. So the only extra part you’ll need is the Midwest Industries Adaptor…

Now, the Tailhook Mod 2 brace itself is made from a high-quality polymer, and as you can imagine, it is fully adjustable for the length of pull you desire…

On top of that, it’s a fairly lightweight design, and the ‘hook’ system it uses is pretty unique when it comes to stabilizing a large pistol. The Tailhook Mod 2 also looks really sleek, and it comes in a number of really cool colors as well (including Black, Flat Dark Earth, and OD Green)…

All in all, the Tailhook Mod 2 is another fantastic brace for the Ruger PC Charger because of the functionality it offers you, and all you need to get it mounted to your gun is a simple Midwest Industries adapter.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod 2:

SBA3 Vs SBA4 [Which Is The Right Pistol Brace For You…?]

12 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

AR 15 pistols have become a lot more popular in recent years…

I love them because they’re lightweight, handy, and pack a pretty big punch considering just how compact they are…

And I think the reason why they’ve just exploded in terms of popularity is because of the invention of pistol braces…

And when it comes to AR 15 pistol braces, nobody does it better than SB Tactical…

Now, the two of the most popular AR pistol brace options that come from SB Tactical are…

The SBA3 (Click Here To See Customer Reviews & To Get Best Pricing)
The SBA4 (Click Here To See Customer Reviews & To Get Best Pricing)

So in this SBA3 vs SBA4 comparison, we’re going to examine how these two amazing pistol brace designs stack up against each other in a number of different areas…

In the end, I’ll share with you which of these two fantastic braces I prefer, and you should be able to determine which brace is going to work best for you…

Let’s begin!

SBA3 vs SBA4 – Which Is The Best Brace For You?

The SBA3 and the SBA4 are both fantastic AR pistol braces. Some of the major differences include that the SBA3 is more lightweight, shorter, and slimmer than the SBA4. In addition to that, the SBA4 is more rigid than the SBA3, and the QD swivels are placed in a different location…

The following will give you more detail regarding the differences between the SBA4 and the SBA3…

Materials…

The SBA3 and the SBA4 are made using the same high-quality materials…

To begin, they both use a very dense polymer for the construction of the upper portion of the brace…

This is the part of the brace that doesn’t need to be flexible at all, and the top section is very strong on both of these brace designs…

In addition to that, the lower portion on both of these braces is made from a heavy-duty rubber material…

I don’t know exactly what type of rubber it is, but I have found it to be very durable…

Last, both the SBA4 and the SBA3 have a strong nylon strap with velcro on it, and this is designed to help you secure the brace around your arm when firing an AR pistol with one hand.

Function And Design…

Both the SBA3 and the SBA4 are AR 15 pistol braces that are designed to help handicapped shooters (or anyone else) shoot an AR 15 pistol with one hand…

As of this time, they can be used to fire AR 15 pistols in other ways, but always check the current laws and ATF rulings to be sure that you’re staying within the bounds of the law…

Now, both of these braces are designed to fit around your arm to fire one-handed and they both have an adjustable length of pull…

But that being said, there are a lot of differences between these two brace designs…

First of all, the SBA3 is designed to be a more minimal option. It’s a little bit more lightweight than the SBA4, and the rubber strap portion is not as rigid as that found on the SBA4…

The adjustment lever on the SBA3 is manipulated from the forward position rather than the rear, which is typically found on AR 15 rifle stocks, but it’s very easy to adjust and not really a problem at all…

Additionally, the SBA3 has a QD (Quick Detach) sling swivel located near the rear of the brace, and you can attach your sling on either side as well…

Now, the SBA4 has more mass than the SBA3 and is designed to mimic an AR 15 rifle stock in appearance…

It has relief cuts in the polymer upper section which reduce its weight a little bit and look cool (in my opinion), and its adjustment lever is manipulated from the rear position the same way most AR 15 rifle stocks are today…

The rubber strap section of the SBA4 is much more rigid than that of the SBA3, and this could be useful, especially if you’re firing an AR pistol with a lot of recoil…

Last, the QD sling swivels on the SBA4 are located toward the front of the brace rather than toward the rear like they are on the SBA3, and just as with the SBA3, there are sling swivels on both sides of the brace.

Size Comparison…

The SBA3 and the SBA4 might look like they are similarly sized, but there are a few key differences between the two…

First of all, the SBA3 has a length that measures in at 6.75 inches whereas the SBA4 has an overall length of 7 inches…

That might not sound like a lot, but it can make a big difference depending on the length of pull that you personally find comfortable…

In addition to that, the weight of the SBA3 measures in at 6.75 ounces whereas the SBA4’s weight comes in at 8 ounces…

On top of that, the SBA3 has a width that measures in at 1.80 inches whereas the width on the SBA4 measures in at 2.25 inches…

So basically, the SBA3 is shorter, more lightweight, and more narrow than the SBA4…

But keep in mind that there are some benefits to the SBA4’s dimensions for some individuals…

…especially the extra length, which comes in handy for many shooters with large frames and/or long arms.

And the more wide body, which can make resting the brace on your cheek (when you’re shooting) a lot more comfortable (disclaimer: again, always keep up to date with the current laws and ATF rulings in regards to how AR pistol braces can be used).

What Comes With The Brace?

Both the SBA3 and the SBA4 come with a 6 position AR 15 receiver extension or buffer tube…

The receiver extension is Mil-Spec in terms of its sizing (as opposed to commercial), and it’s made from 7075 aluminum, which means it’s made from a strong material…

Both braces fit onto the receiver extension snugly, so there’s no rattle, and they can both be easily adjusted by manipulating the adjustment lever

Length Of Pull…

Like I mentioned above, both the SBA3 and the SBA4 come with a 6 position receiver extension, and they’re both adjustable for 5 lengths of pull…

The reason why they’re both adjustable for 5 positions rather than 6 is that neither brace locks in on the closest adjustment notch…

I don’t think that’s much of a problem because practically no one wants to have the brace closed in as short as possible when they’re firing because it’s simply not very comfortable…

In addition to that, this is where the extra quarter or half inch that you get with the SBA4’s longer length might be beneficial…

Again, this is probably going to be the case for larger individuals or people with long arms, but that little bit of extra length can end up being quite a bit more comfortable…

That being said, you still have a lot of adjustability with the SBA3 as well, and you’ll probably be just fine with it regardless of your size and arm length.

Installation…

The SBA3 and the SBA4 are both very easy to install, and if you’ve ever switched out the stock on an AR 15 rifle, you’ll find the process to be very familiar…

All you need to do is slide the brace onto the receiver extension until it stops…

From there, pull downward on the adjustment lever and continue pushing the brace forward onto the tube…

Once you do that, the brace with lock onto the receiver extension, and you’ll be able to adjust the length of pull in and out without the brace falling off the buffer tube.

Color Options…

Another cool feature of both the SBA3 and the SBA4 is that they come in different colors…

Now, Black is definitely the most popular option, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a black AR 15…

But you can also get these braces in Flat Dark Earth, OD Green, and Gray, so if you like adding accessories to your AR 15s (or other guns that take a brace) that add color and a little bit of personality, you’re covered with both of these pistol braces.

Price Comparison…

Unfortunately, I can’t give you exact prices in this section because the prices of these braces are known to change depending on a lot of factors…

But what I can tell you is that they are typically priced exactly the same…

So if you’re trying to use price as a way to try and determine which brace to go with (which is something that I do when trying to decide between two accessories)…

The SBA3 and the SBA4 are set at the same price point, so it’s not really a factor.

SBA4 Vs SBA3 – Final Thoughts…

So in the end, I think both the SBA3 and the SBA4 are fantastic AR 15 pistol braces, and it’s really hard for me to choose between them because I like them both…

BUT, I promised that I would tell you which one I personally prefer, and I prefer… drumroll please… the SBA4…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The SBA4 Brace:

I prefer the SBA4 mainly because I like the way it looks. Even though it’s not a stock, it makes an AR 15 pistol look like it has a rifle stock, and I think that’s cool…

I don’t mind that it’s a little bit heavier than the SBA3, and I like that it’s a more rigid brace with a little bit of extra length built into it…

Last, it’s the same price point as the SBA3. So even though I feel like I’m getting a little bit extra, it’s not reflected in the price…

Now don’t get me wrong, I love the SBA3 as well and think it looks cool too…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The SBA3 Brace:

And if you prefer the minimalist look and like the fact that it’s more lightweight (which is a huge selling point!), then you should go with the SBA3…

Whichever of these two amazing pistol braces you choose to go with, you won’t go wrong, and I think that, in the end, you’ll be very satisfied with the brace that you chose.

I hope this helped you out. Godspeed and stay safe!

Best Sig P365 Red Dot [Top 8 List]

10 May 2022 / by Red Dot Shooters

The Sig P365 is an amazing little handgun…

It was a groundbreaking pistol when it was first introduced because the capacity just blew away (pun intended haha) the competition…

And even though there are similar guns now, like the Springfield Hellcat and Glock 43x, the P365 remains a top-tier concealed carry choice…

Additionally, it has become very popular to add an optic onto your concealed carry gun nowadays…

This is something that makes a lot of sense because adding a red dot to your handgun allows you to shoot faster and more accurately…

And since you can get the P365, the P365X, and the P365XL in optics-ready versions, it’s not a big hassle to get a red dot mounted onto your gun…

Now with all of that in mind, you might be wondering what the best Sig P365 red dot is, and in this post, I’m going to answer that question for you…

I’ll be doing that by giving you my list of the Top 8 Best Sig P365 red dots that are currently on the market…

And in the end, you’ll have a really solid understanding of the options that are out there right now, and you should be able to determine which red dot is going to work best for you…

Let’s get started!

Best Sig P365 Red Dot – Top 8 List…

The best Sig P365 red dot is the Holosun 507K. It’s the best because it’s very rugged and reliable, and it also has extremely long battery life, 3 reticle choices, Shake Awake technology, and it has a footprint that is compatible with all optics ready versions of the Sig P365…

Below I’ll give you more detail why I think the 507K is the best red dot for the Sig P365, and I’ll also give you 7 more amazing options that you can consider…

1. Holosun HS507K-X2 (My #1 Pick!)

As I said earlier, I think the Holosun 507K is the best red dot for the Sig P365 and there are several reasons why. First of all, the 507K is an extremely durable and reliable little optic. It has a sight housing that’s made from 7075-T6 aluminum, and the square top design makes it fairly impact-resistant as well…

It’s also waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, and it’s developed a reputation over the past few years, of being an incredibly strong little sight. In addition to that, the 507K comes with Holosun’s Multiple Reticle System which means you get 3 reticle choices in your sight. The 3 reticle choices are a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle, and the Holosun Circle Dot Reticle which is my favorite because it helps you shoot really fast and accurately…

The Holosun 507K also has ultra-long battery life at around 50,000 hours (5 years!), Shake Awake Technology (which will help you save battery life), and a side-loading battery tray that makes battery changes fast and easy. On top of that, because this is the X2 version of the 507K, you can lock out the brightness adjustment buttons, so that your brightness doesn’t go way up or way down while you’re concealed carrying your P365 throughout the day…

Last, the Holosun 507K features a proprietary footprint that is compatible with the optics-ready versions of the P365 without any mounting plates or modifications that you have to make to the slide. This is awesome because it means you’ll be ready to mount the optic onto your P365 as soon as you receive it, and you won’t have any hassle getting it on there…

So in the end, I think the Holosun 507K is the best red dot for the P365 because it’s very strong and reliable, it has super long battery life, it has the circle dot reticle (which helps you shoot faster), and it can easily be mounted onto your gun without any adapter plates or permanent slide modifications!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Holosun HS507K-X2:

2. Trijicon RMRcc

Number 2 on this list of amazing red dot sights for the Sig P365 is the Trijicon RMRcc. Now, the Trijicon RMR is by far the most popular handgun red dot when it comes to full size or even double-stack, compact pistols (like the Sig P320), but Trijicon actually makes a smaller version of the RMR called the RMRcc (or ‘concealed carry’) which fits on single stack/ slimline handguns…

And there are many reasons why the RMRcc is a wonderful little optic for the P365. For starters, the Trijicon RMRcc is probably the toughest little red dot in its size and class. It has a sight housing that’s made from 7075 aluminum, and it features Trijicon’s patented square top (with horns) shape which is designed to make the sight incredibly impact-resistant. In addition to that, the RMRcc is waterproof in up to 66 feet of water, and Trijicon is well known for making super rugged optics that are used in the military and in law enforcement…

On top of that, the RMRcc comes in two versions, the 3.25 MOA dot reticle version and the 6.5 MOA dot reticle version. I prefer the 3.25 MOA dot version because the dot is very easy for your eye to pick up (so you can shoot fast), but it’s also small enough that it allows you to aim precisely at small targets or targets that are at distance…

The RMRcc also has around 4 years worth of battery life, and it has a total of 8 brightness settings which includes an extra bright setting and 2 night vision settings that you can use if you night vision equipment…

The one downside when it comes to mounting the Trijicon RMRcc on the Sig P365 is that you will need an adapter plate due to the unique footprint of the RMRcc. That being said, an adapter plate is a pretty easy part to get, and if you need help finding one, I recommend you check out this one…

In the end, just like its big brother the RMR, the Trijicon RMRcc is an amazing little optic, and all you need to get it mounted onto your Sig P365 is an adapter plate.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Trijicon RMRcc:

3. Shield RMSc

Another fantastic red dot that you should consider for your Sig P365 is the Shield RMSc. Shield was one of the first manufacturers to come out with an optic that can fit on the small, slimline concealed carry guns (like the P365) that are popular today, and the RMSc is a fantastic little red dot for many reasons…

To begin, even though the Shield RMSc is not as tough as the Holosun 507K, it’s still a fairly durable little optic. It has a sight housing that’s made from aerospace grade aluminum, and depending on how you like to balance durability with lens clarity, you can get the RMSc with a polymer lens or a glass lens…

In addition to that, you can get the RMSc with either a 4 MOA dot reticle or an 8 MOA dot reticle. Out of the 2, I prefer the 4 MOA dot reticle because it’s very easy to track the dot, and it’s a smaller dot that gives you more precision when you’re aiming…

The battery life that you get with the RMSc is also very good and can last for around 4 years, and the brightness adjustments are done automatically within the sight depending on the ambient lighting conditions. I personally prefer manual adjustments on my red dots because I like to have a little bit more control, but optics that have automatic adjustments are becoming more and more popular, and there are many shooters who prefer that feature…

Last, the RMSc is a great fit for the Sig P365 because much like with the Holosun 507K, it mounts directly onto the optics ready varients of the P365 without the need for an adapter plate or slide modifications. So all in all, the Shield RMSc is another fantastic red dot option for the Sig P365 because it’s fairly rugged, it’s reliable, and it can be easily mounted on the P365’s slide.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Shield RMSc:

4. Swampfox Sentinel

Another red dot that you should consider for your P365 is the Swampfox Sentinel. Much like Holosun did a few years back, Swampfox is starting to make a name for themselves in the optics space because they’re producing high-quality sights that are competitively priced, and the Swampfox Sentinel carries on that tradition…

To begin, the Sentinel is a decently tough red dot sight. Its sight housing is constructed from 7075 aluminum, and it’s waterproof in up to 1 meter of water. That being said, the people over at Swampfox devised a way to make the Sentinel even tougher. You can actually get a steel shield that sits around the Sentinel even when it’s mounted on your gun, and with the addition of the steel shield, the Sentinel is as tough as any other red dot on this list…

Now the reticle that you get with the Sentinel is a 3 MOA dot. I prefer reticles that fall into the 2 to 3.5 MOA dot range because they’re very easy to track, and they offer you a lot of precision when you’re aiming. And this dot obviously falls into that ‘sweet spot’ size range that I like…

The battery life on the Swampfox Sentinel is also very long at around 2 years worth, and Swampfox makes the Sentinel in a manual brightness adjustment version AND an automatic adjustment version. Out of the two options, I prefer the manual adjustment version because, like I told you before, I like to have more control over the sight…

…but like I also mentioned earlier, there are many shooters who prefer automatic brightness adjustment on their sights. So I think it’s great that Swampfox offers both options because you can get whichever option matches your individual preferences.

Last, the Swampfox Sentinel features the RMSc footprint, which has become the most common footprint for these super compact red dot sights. Because of that, you can mount it directly onto the slide of your P365 without any modifications or the need for an adapter plate.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Swampfox Sentinel:

5. Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro

The fifth red dot on this list is a very exciting option in my opinion. The reason why is it’s a brand new design, and the early reports about this optic are that it’s a fantastic addition to that market. It is the Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro, and there are many reasons why it would make a good pair with the Sig P365…

First of all, the RAD Micro Pro is a very rugged and reliable little red dot. Its sight housing is made from aerospace aluminum, and the square-top is specifically angled to make it extremely impact resistant. It’s also waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, and it’s shockproof and fog proof as well…

In addition to that, the reticle on the RAD Micro Pro is a 3 MOA dot which falls into the sweet spot for me because you can track it easily and aim precisely with it, and the battery life is around 10,000 hours which is certainly long enough for are serious use (because you should change out your battery at least once a year regardless of the battery life)…

On top of the battery life, the RAD Pro features a Shake to Wake feature that is similar to that found on the Holosun 507K, and this is a cool feature because it will help you save battery life by conserving energy when your sight is not being used…

Last, like many other sights on this list, the RAD Micro Pro features the RMSc footprint, and that means that you can easily mount it onto the slide of an optics ready Sig P365 without the need for an adapter plate or any permanent slide modifications. So all in all, I think this sight has a lot to offer (especially considering its affordable price point), and I think it’s going to become a very popular mini red dot sight.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro:

6. Holosun HS407K-X2

Ok, so my number 1 pick on this list was the Holosun 507K (I love Holosun red dots because they’re packed with features AND affordable!), but let me tell you how the Holosun 407K is different, and why it would make a great red dot for the Sig P365. First of all, the Holosun 407K is built to be just as rugged and reliable as the Holosun 507K…

It features a sight housing that is made from 7075 T6 aluminum, and it also has the square top that Holosun has found (in their testing) to be more durable than round top red dot sights. It’s also waterproof in up to one meter of water, and it’s shockproof and fog proof as well…

The major difference between the 407K and the 507K is that the 407K has a 6 MOA dot reticle, and because of that, it’s set at a lower price point than the 507K. Now, I do prefer the reticle options on the 507K because I like the 2 MOA dot reticle better than a 6 MOA dot, and the Circle Dot Reticle is my favorite reticle on a red dot sight because of how fast and accurately you can shoot with it. But those are my personal preferences, and there are a lot of shooters who specifically like a 6 MOA dot reticle on their handgun optics (they usually find it very easy to track)…

Now, the 407K also has around 50,000 hours of battery life (5 years worth), Shake Awake technology (which will help you save battery life), and a side-loading battery tray which will make battery changes fast, easy, and convenient…

And it also features the same footprint as the 507K which will allow you to mount the 407K directly onto the slide of your optics ready P365 without the need for an adapter plate or any slide modifications. So really, if you like the 507K, but are happy with a 6 MOA reticle rather than Holosun’s Multiple Reticle System AND you want to save a little bit of money, the Holosun 407K might be the right red dot for you!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Holosun HS407K-X2:

7. Hex Wasp

Number 7 on this list of the best red dots for the Sig P365 is the Hex Wasp. Now, truth be told, the Hex Wasp was designed by Springfield Armory to work with the P365’s biggest competitor, the Springfield Hellcat. But the Wasp is a fantastic little red dot, and there are many reasons why it will work well with the P365…

First of all, the Hex Wasp is a fairly rugged and reliable red dot sight. The sight housing is made from 6061 T6 aluminum, and it’s waterproof in up to 1 meter of water. It’s not as tough as the Holosun 507K or the Trijicon RMRcc, but I think it’s plenty durable for the role of concealed carry…

In addition to that, the Wasp features a 3.5 MOA dot reticle, which is right in the sweet spot that I prefer, and the lens is fairly clear and scratch-resistant. The battery life is also very good at around 2 years worth, and the brightness adjustments are done automatically by the sight depending on the ambient lighting condition in which you find yourself (I personally prefer manual adjustment settings, but the auto adjustments on the Wasp are pretty good)…

Last, like the Swampfox Sentinel, the Wasp features the RMSc footprint, which means that you can easily mount it onto the P365’s slide without any adapter plates or slide modifications. So even though it’s designed to work with the Hellcat, the Hex Wasp is a reliable red dot with good battery life that will fit onto the Sig P365 without any hassles.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Hex Wasp:

8. Sig Romeo Zero

The last sight on this list is the red dot that is built by Sig to work with the P365, and that is the Sig ROMEOZero. This is a unique red dot because the sight housing is made from polymer. And let me get this out of the way… because this sight is made from polymer it is not going to be as durable as those that are made from aluminum…

That being said, I do think the ROMEOZero is tough enough to handle concealed carry use, and there are some scenarios in which the flex in the polymer might handle impact better than a harder material like aluminum. Now, you can get the Romeo Zero in a version that comes with a 3 MOA dot reticle or in a version that comes with a 6 MOA dot reticle. You know by now that, I prefer the 3 MOA dot version because it falls within my sweet spot for tracking and speed shooting, but the 6 MOA dot option is there if it fits your shooting preferences…

The battery life that you get with the Romeo Zero is very long at around 20,000 hours worth, and just as with other Sig red dots like the Romeo5, it features Sig’s MOTAC System, which is really cool because the sight will automatically turn off when it’s not being used and automatically turn on when it senses motion (this saves you a lot of battery life)…

Finally, the Romero Zero features the RMSc footprint, and of course, because it’s a Sig red dot, it is designed to be mounted on the Sig P365 without the need for an adapter plate or slide modification. So all in all, if you can get over the fact that the Romeo Zero is a polymer red dot, it has a lot of cool features and is designed by Sig to work with the P365 platform.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Sig Romeo Zero:

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Riley Defense AK Review – Is It The Right AK For You…?

Is The Riley Defense AK-47 Good?

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Stamped Receiver…

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CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Blue – Which Shadow 2 Is Right For You…?

CZ Shadow Orange Vs Blue Differences…

CZ Shadow 2 Orange and Blue Similarities…

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CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Blue Price…

CZ Shadow 2 Orange Vs Shadow 2 Blue – Final Thoughts…

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Stribog SP9A3 Review – Is It Right For You?

Stribog SP9A3 Roller-Delayed Action…

Upper Receiver…

Barrel…

Trigger…

Charging Handle…

Grip…

Safety…

Magazine Release…

Magazines…

Bolt Release…

Stribog SP9A3 Upgrades…

Stribog SP9A3 Vs SP9A1…

Stribog SP9A3 Final Thoughts…

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Best PSA BCG – Top 7 List (Plus 1 Bonus Option!)

1. Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG W/ Carpenter 158 Bolt (NO LOGO)

2. PSA 5.56 Premium Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group With Logo

3. Toolcraft LOGO’D Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG W/ Carpenter 158 Bolt

4. PSA Custom 5.56 BCG DLC Coated (Dark Earth)

5. PSA 5.56 Nitride MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group (Fantastic Budget Option!)

6. PSA Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron BCG With Carpenter 158 Bolt (w/ PSA LOGO)

7. Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto Bolt Carrier Group (No Logo)

BONUS OPTION: PSA Nitride MPI Full-Auto 5.56 BCG & 10 Magpul PMAG 30RD Gen2 MOE 5.56 Magazines

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Best PSA Uppers – Top 11 List (All Budgets Covered)…

1. PSA 14.7″ Mid-Length CHF 5.56 NATO 1:7 13.5″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper – Pinned & Welded (My #1 Pick!)

2. PSA 16″ Mid-Length 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride 13.5″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (With BCG, CH, & MBUS Sights)

3. PSA 18″ Rifle-Length .223 WYLDE 1/7 Stainless Steel 15″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (W/ MBUS Sights, BCG, & CH)

4. PSA 16″ CHF 1:7 M4 Carbine 5.56 NATO Premium Classic Upper (A Classic M4 Clone!)

5. PSA 16″ CHF M4 Carbine 5.56 NATO 1:7 15″ Geissele MK14 M-LOK Upper

6. PSA 10.5″ CHF 1:7 A2 Carbine 5.56 NATO Premium Classic AR-15 Upper

7. PSA 16″ Carbine Length 5.56 NATO 1:7 M4 Nitride MOE Upper (w/ REAR MBUS, BCG, & CH)

8. BLEM PSA 16″ M4 Carbine-Length 5.56 NATO 1:8 Phosphate Classic Upper w/ BCG & CH (Fantastic Budget Option!)

9. PSA 10.5″ Pistol-Length 300AAC 1/8 Phosphate 9″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (w/ BCG & CH)

10. PSA 16″ Classic M4 Freedom Upper W/ BCG & CH (Fantastic Budget Upper!)

11. PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride Upper (Fantastic Budget Pistol Upper!)

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AR-15 Manufacturers To Avoid – Here’s What You Need To Know…

4 Reasons Why I Will Not Give You A List To Avoid…

What Characteristics Should You Avoid When Choosing An AR-15…?

1. Avoid A Poor Quality Bolt and Bolt Carrier Group (MOST IMPORTANT)…

2. Avoid A Poor Quality Barrel…

3. Avoid A Poor Quality Lower Receiver…

4. Avoid upper receiver…

5. Look For Upgrades That Are Useful…

AR-15 Manufacturers That You Should Avoid – Final Thoughts…

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Best AR 15 For The Money – Top 6 List…

1. Springfield SAINT Victor – 5.56 NATO M-LOK Rail (Best AR 15 Under 1000 Dollars)

2. Stag Arms Stag 15 Classic (Another Fantastic AR 15 Under 1000 Dollars)

3. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 LW (Best AR 15 Under 2000 Dollars)

4. Colt M4 Carbine – CR6920 (Best Military M4 Clone)

5. Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II (Best AR 15 If You’re On A Budget)

6. PSA 16″ Mid-Length W/ M-LOK Rail (Best Budget AR 15 With An M-LOK Rail)

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Best Ruger PC Charger Brace – Top 6 List…

1. SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace