The M16A4 is a badass rifle for many reasons…

It’s a really smooth shooter because it features that rifle-length gas system…

And in a world full of AR-15s that look like M4 clones (which are also cool), it’s nice to see something that looks cool, stands out from the crowd, and gives you that extra velocity from a 20-inch barrel…

Now sadly, as civilians in the US, we can’t really get our hands easily on select-fire M16s…

But luckily for us, we can still either pick up or build an M16A4 clone…

And in this post, I’m going to share with you my Top 7 List of the best M16A4 clones that are currently on the market…

In the end, you’ll have a good understanding of the options that are out there, and you should have all the information you need to determine which clone is going to work best for you…

Let’s get started!

Best M16A4 Clone – Top 7 List…

The best M16A4 clone is by far the FN M16 Military Collector Rifle. FN currently produces the M16A4 for the US Military, and this rifle is built to the exact same standard with the only exception being that it’s a semi-automatic rifle only…

The following will give more detail explaining why the FN M16 Military Collector Rifle is the best clone of the M16A4…

And I’ll also share with you several other fantastic options if you’re looking for a clone of the M16A4…

1. FN M16 Military Collector Rifle (My #1 Pick!)

As I mentioned above, the best M16A4 clone is, hands down, the FN M16 Military Collector Rifle, and there are a number of reasons why…

First of all, FN is the company that currently manufacturers M4s and M16s for the US Military, and this is essentially the same rifle as those being issued with one major difference… it’s a semi-automatic rifle rather than a select-fire rifle…

Other than that, everything about this rifle is exactly the same as the M16s you would find in a military armory, and all of the components meet or exceed military specifications…

FN is known for their barrels, and the barrel that you get with this rifle is extremely high quality. It’s made from 4140 Alloy steel, and it features a 1:7 twist rate, just as the actual M16A4 does. In addition to that, the bolt and carrier are High Pressure Tested and Magnetic Particle Inspected to ensure that the steel doesn’t have any cracks or weak spots that will create failures…

On top of that, with this rifle, you get a MaTech adjustable rear sight and a Knights Armament RAS quad rail which are both correct if you’re building a clone of the M16A4…

So like I said, there is no clone closer to the M16A4 than this rifle because it’s made by FN, and it’s built to the same standards and with the same materials. It even has a bar code on the right-hand side of the lower receiver just like the military rifles do! The ONLY difference is that is a semi-automatic rifle for the civilian market.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The FN M16 Military Collector Rifle:

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2. Colt AR15A4 .223 Rem/5.56 NATO 20-Inch Semi-Automatic Rifle

FN is not the only manufacturer that has supplied M16s and M4s to the US military. In fact, for a long time, it was Colt who held that illustrious military contract, and just like Colt’s LE6920 is a civilian version of the M4, the Colt AR15A4 is also an incredibly faithful and high-quality M16A4 clone…

Now the AR15A4 is a little bit more bare-bones than the FN clone, but it also comes in at a better price-point, and again, it also has Colt’s lineage of making M16s for the US Military just like the FN does…

With the AR15A4, you get a 20-inch chrome-lined barrel with a 1:7 twist rate, and all of the internal components meet or exceed military specifications…

You also get a standard M16A2 handguard, which I still think looks cool, but if you want to, you can replace it with the Knights Armament Quad Rail. Aside from that, you get a removable carry handle, and underneath is the optics rail that an M16A4 should have…

All in all, this rifle is very similar to the FN clone in how close it is to an actual M16A4 because both FN and Colt have made M16s for the US Military for a long time.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Colt AR15A4 .223 Rem/5.56 NATO 20-Inch Semi-Automatic Rifle:

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3. STAG 15 Retro 20″ Rifle W/ Chrome Phosphate Barrel

Another fantastic civilian clone of the M16A4 is the Stag 15 Retro 20-inch Rifle. Now, Stag doesn’t have any military contracts as far as I’m aware, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t build extremely high-quality and reliable AR-15s…

In fact, I think you get a lot for your money when you go with a Stag 15, and their 20-inch Retro rifle is no different. For starters, with this rifle, you get a 20-inch chrome-lined barrel that is made from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium and has a 1/7 twist rate…

Aside from that, the bolt is made from Carpenter 158 steel and the carrier is built from 8620 steel and is also chrome-lined so it meets military specifications…

In fact, all the parts that come on this rifle meet mil-spec standards, and just as with the Colt AR15A4, it comes with A2 handguards which you can easily swap out for a Knights Armament Quad Rail if you want to, and a detachable carry handle, so you can easily mount an optic on the top rail…

All in all, the Stag 15 Retro is another high-quality option if you’re looking for a clone of the M16A4.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The STAG 15 Retro 20″ Rifle W/ Chrome Phosphate Barrel:

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4. M16A4 Clone PSA PA-15 20” Nitride Rifle-Length Classic AR-15 Rifle (Awesome Budget Option!)

Another fantastic option, especially if you’re looking for a clone of the M16A4 on a budget is the PSA PA-15 20” Nitride Rifle-Length Classic AR-15 Rifle…

This rifle features a 20-inch barrel that’s made from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, has a 1/7 twist rate, and has a Nitride finish. Now the Nitride or Melonite finish is not Mil-Spec, but in many ways, it’s a better finish, and I don’t think that’s a negative for this rifle at all…

Now the Bolt that you get is made from Carpenter 158 steel and shot-peened (to harden the surface), and that is Mil-spec along with the 8620 steel carrier which is chrome-lined and has a properly staked gas key (so that it doesn’t come loose when you’re firing)…

Just as with many other rifles on this list, the PSA PA-15 comes with an A2 handguard and a detachable carry handle with an optic rail underneath. You can easily drop on a Knights Armament Quad Rail if you want to, and mount an optic of your choice…

All in all, this is a very well-built rifle that comes in at a more affordable price point than many other 20-inch AR-15s, and I think it makes for a fantastic M16A4 clone.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA PA-15 20” Nitride Rifle-Length Classic AR-15 Rifle:

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M16A4 Clone Build Kits…

Another great option is to build your M16A4 clone from a ready-to-go kit, and to do that, the only additional part that you’re going to need is a quality AR-15 lower…

Now there are a ton of great lowers out there, but one that I think might go well with an M16 clone is the PSA Stealth Lower…

PSA Stealth Lower

I love the PSA Stealth Lower for a number of reasons, but it’s especially good for clone builds because it is ‘stealth’…

All that means is that it doesn’t have any logo on it, which is good because a flashy logo can distract from the aesthetic of your clone…

In addition to that, the PSA Stealth Lower is made from Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum (so it’s extremely strong), and it’s also pretty affordable.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA Stealth Lower:

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5. PSA 20″ Rifle Length 5.56 NATO Nitride A2 Freedom Rifle Kit

This is an awesome kit from PSA because it allows you to build out your clone of the M16A4 with your own choice of lower…

Building out an AR-15 is a fun experience, but it’s also important for an AR owner because it teaches you how the rifle works, and how you can fix issues and/or replace parts when necessary…

Another benefit is that you can usually get these kits and a stripped lower for much less cost than a fully built factory rifle…

Now with this kit, you get some very high-quality components. The barrel is made from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium (so it’s a very strong barrel) and it has a 1/7 twist rate…

In addition to that, the bolt that you get is made from Carpenter 158 steel and shot-peened, and the carrier features a parkerized finish. The rest of the components are all of good quality, and overall, this is a fantastic option if you want to save some money and build your clone yourself.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 20″ Rifle Length 5.56 NATO Nitride A2 Freedom Rifle Kit:

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6. Del-Ton Pre-Ban Government Profile Rifle Kit

This kit from Del-Ton would be a great match with the PSA Stealth lower, and it would allow you to easily build an M16A4 clone VERY affordably…

Now, many of the components that you get in this kit are not going to be Mil-Spec, but that doesn’t mean that they’re bad or that they won’t work…

In general, Del-Ton builds pretty solid budget AR-15s. So if you choose to go with this kit, you’ll be able to build your clone from the ground up (which is always fun), and you’ll have a reliable M16A4 clone that will cost you a lot less than all of the complete rifle options.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Del-Ton Pre-Ban Government Profile Rifle Kit:

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7. Mix And Match Your Choice Of Upper And Lower

Number 7 on my list is to share with you a few of the best uppers and a good quality lower that will allow you to create your own clone…

This is another way of getting some high-quality components into your M16A4 clone and saving some money at the same time!

M16A4 Clone Uppers…

1. Aero Precision AR15 20-Inch 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver

Aero Precision makes some extremely high-quality AR-15s and parts especially considering the amount of money that you pay for them, and this complete upper from Aero is perfect if you’re putting together an M16A4 Clone on a budget…

First of all, the barrel that you get with this upper is very high quality. It’s made from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium (which is probably the best barrel material that you can get), and it features a 1:7 twist rate just like a real M16A4…

On top of that, it comes with a detachable carry handle so you can easily mount an optic onto your rifle, and it comes with the classic M16A2 handguards which you can replace if you’d like to…

It does not come with a bolt carrier group or charging handle, but if you’re in need of a good BCG you can check out these, and a Mil-spec charging handle is extremely easy to find and affordable…

All in all, I love Aero Precision AR-15s, and this would make a wonderful upper for a clone of an M16A4.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Aero Precision AR15 20-Inch 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver:

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2. Colt M16 R0901 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver

As I mentioned earlier, FN and Colt are two manufacturers that have actually produced M16s for the US Military, and this upper from Colt is about as correct as you can possibly get if you’re trying to clone an M16A4…

This Colt upper is completely mil-spec in terms of the materials used and the how it’s built, and if you go with the M16 handguard option, all you have to do is pin it onto a good mil-spec lower and you can have yourself a very accurate clone of the M16A4 at a lower price-point than you would by going with the complete FN or Colt rifles…

Overall, I think this is another fantastic option, and it definitely should be included in this list.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Colt M16 R0901 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver:

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3. PSA 20″ CHF 1:7 A2 Rifle Length Premium Upper

Palmetto State Armory is usually known for their budget AR-15s and AR parts, but they actually have a premium line of ARs that are extremely high quality as well. And I think this CHF Premium A2 upper from PSA is another great option to consider if you’re putting together your own M16A4 clone…

Let me get right to the point, the barrel that you get with this upper is actually made by FN for PSA. We’ve already talked about how FN is the manufacturer that actually supplies M16A4s for the US Military, and with this upper, you’re getting the exact same barrel that goes into real M16A4s…

FN barrels are famous for their quality, and the barrel on this upper is cold hammer forged (CHF) which is a process that makes it incredibly strong (FN actually makes machine gun barrels for M240s using this process)…

In addition to the cold hammer forged barrel that you get with this upper, you also get a mil-spec upper receiver and A2 handguards. So overall, if you pin this upper onto a good mil-spec lower, you’ll have a great rifle that looks like an M16A4, and you’ll actually have the exact same barrel that is used in the real M16A4s (which is pretty cool).

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 20″ CHF 1:7 A2 Rifle Length Premium Upper:

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4. Del-Ton Pre-Ban Government Profile Flat Top Upper (Awesome Budget Option!)

I introduced you to the Del-Ton complete rifle kit earlier in this list, but I wanted to make sure you were aware that you could just get the Del-Ton complete upper receiver as well…

This is another fantastic option for a clone of the M16A4 particularly if you’re on a budget. The barrel that you get with this upper is 20 inches long and it is constructed from Chrome Moly Vanadium (so it’s very strong)…

This twist rate on this upper’s barrel is 1/9 twist which is not correct for an actual M16A4 (it should be a 1:7 twist), but that’s not a change that anyone will be able to recognize when looking at your clone, and your rifle will still shoot accurately and reliably…

Aside from that though, this upper comes with a bolt carrier group that is High Pressure Tested (HPT) and Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI) to ensure the steel is strong and doesn’t have any weak points, and it also comes with a Mil-spec charging handle and A2 handguards…

So this is another wonderful upper that will allow you to create a clone of the M16A4, and it’s an extremely affordable option as well.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Del-Ton Pre-Ban Government Profile Flat Top Upper:

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M16A4 Clone Lower…

There are several fantastic complete lower receivers that you can use along with any of the uppers that I’ve listed above, but one that I particularly like is the PSA complete lower…

PSA AR15 Complete A2 Rifle Lower Receiver

This is a fantastic lower for an A4 clone because it already comes with the A2 stock that you need and the A2 grip…

It’s also a strong lower receiver that is made from 7075 T6 aluminum (which is mil-spec), and it comes with a mil-spec PSA trigger…

All you need to do is pin one of the upper that I mentioned earlier onto this lower, and you’ll have your own custom-built clone of the M16A4!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA AR15 Complete A2 Rifle Lower Receiver:

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Leapers UTG AR15 A2 Fixed Stock Assembly

If you have an M4 lower that you’d like to use for your clone, it’s actually very easy to swap out the adjustable stock and buffer tube…

And the Leapers UTG A2 fixed stock is an excellent option to get the look that you need for a clone of the M16A4. I like the Leapers stock because it’s fairly affordable, and it’s also durable…

It also comes with the extension and recoil spring that you need for the A2 stock as well. So again, it’s a great option if you need to change out a collapsible stock on a lower with a full-length M16A2 stock.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Leapers UTG AR15 A2 Fixed Stock Assembly:

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M16A4 Clone Rail – Knights Armament RAS

Many of the options I shared with you in this list of M16A4 clones come with A2 handguards, and if you want an updated clone of the M16A4, then the correct rail that you’ll need is the Knights Armament RAS rail…

It’s a very rugged rail, and it’ll give your clone that upgraded look that you might be going for…

It’ll also allow you to easily mount a vertical foregrip, a light, and a laser if those are accessories that you want to include in your clone.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Knights Armament RAS:

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M16A4 Clone Optic – Trijicon ACOG 4×32 USMC Rifle Combat Optical Sight

The last piece of the puzzle when it comes to cloning the M16A4 is going to be the optic, and for that, you’re probably going to want to go with the Trijicon ACOG 4×32 USMC Rifle Combat Optical Sight…

This is the rock-solid scope that is used on the Marine Corps M16A4s, and it’s built to Trijicon’s extremely high standards with super clear glass, long eye relief, and a battery-less illuminated Chevron reticle…

It’s pricey, but it’s an amazing optic, and if accuracy is important to you for your clone of the M16A4, then this is the optic to go with…

(It’s a perfect match with the FN M16 Military Collector Rifle or The Colt AR15A4!)

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Trijicon ACOG 4×32 USMC Rifle Combat Optical Sight:

You can really get a lot for your money when it comes to AR-15s these days…

And that’s a great thing because ARs are accurate, reliable, ergonomic, fast, and incredibly fun to shoot…

That being said, not all AR-15s are made equal, and that’s especially true when it comes to affordable or ‘budget’ ARs…

So in today’s post, we’re going to discuss one of the most popular budget AR-15s that is currently available… the Radical Firearms FR16…

And in this Radical Firearms review, we’re going to examine how the FR16 stacks up to its competition and see if it’s truly worth the affordable price that you pay for it…

In the end, you’ll know exactly what the Radical Firearms FR16 has to offer, and you should be able to determine if it’s the right AR-15 for you…

Let’s get started!

Radical Firearms Review – Is It The Right AR-15 For You?

Radical Firearms AR-15s are well-built, affordable rifles. They feature a forged 7075 T6 aluminum upper and lower, upgraded furniture, and a mid-length gas system. They also have a good reputation for reliability and a limited lifetime warranty that applies to the original purchaser of the gun…

Watch The Video Below:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Radical Firearms FR16:

Upper Receiver…

The Radical Firearms upper receiver is a very high-quality AR-15 upper. It’s constructed from Forged 7075 T6 aluminum, which is a very strong material and meets military specifications…

Not all budget AR-15s use forged 7075 T6 aluminum in their uppers, so it’s nice to see that Radical Firearms is using a very robust aluminum…

On top of that, with the Radical Firearms FR16, you get a forward assist and a dust cover…

Some budget AR-15s will omit these two features, and there are many people who claim that they’re not important to the AR design or that they’re never used…

I disagree with that idea because I use both of these features, and I like to have them on all of my AR-15s…

Last, the FR16’s upper comes with M4 feed ramps which will help your AR-15 feed rounds more reliably, especially if you’re shooting a lot of rounds fast…

And you get an optic rail, which is pretty standard on AR-15s these days, but it’s an important feature because it will allow you to easily mount a red dot or scope onto your rifle.

Barrel And Chamber…

When you’re AR-15 shopping, you always want to make sure that you’re rifle is chambered in 5.56 Nato (or .223 Wylde) and not chambered in .223 Remington…

The reason why is because ARs chambered in .223 Remington cannot safely fire 5.56 Nato rounds…

However, ARs chambered in 5.56 Nato or .223 Wylde can fire 5.56 rounds or .223 Remington rounds without any problems at all…

The Radical Firearms FR16 is chambered in 5.56 Nato, and again, that’s a good thing because it will allow you to fire 5.56 Nato and .223 Remington rounds safely from your gun…

Now the barrel on the FR16 is 16 inches long and made from 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium…

4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium is a strong barrel material and for a budget AR-15 like the RF16, I think it’s a good choice because it helps keep the cost of the rifle down while still adding a lot of strength to the barrel…

On top of that, the barrel that you get is Melonite finished which is a very strong finish, and it will help protect the inside and outside of your barrel from corrosion…

I also like that you get a SOCOM barrel profile with the RF16 because it’s a little bit heavier profile than a government profile barrel, and SOCOM barrels can tend to be a little more accurate as well…

Last, I like that the FR16’s barrel features a 1:7 twist rate. Many budget AR-15s feature a 1:9 twist rate, which typically shoots light bullets well but has problems stabilizing heavy bullets…

The 1:7 twist rate is generally considered to be better than a 1:9 twist rate, and it does an excellent job at stabilizing heavy bullets.

So overall, I love that the Radical Firearms AR is chambered in 5.56 Nato, and I think the barrel is very good quality.

Gas System…

The Radical Firearms FR16 features a mid-length gas system, and this is pretty unusual when it comes to budget AR-15s, which typically feature a carbine-length gas system…

Now, carbine-length gas systems can run great on ARs, but generally, a mid-length gas system will run a little bit smoother and create a little bit less recoil on the shooter…

So it’s nice to see that the FR16 gives you a mid-length gas system because it’s an upgrade that will make your rifle shoot a little bit smoother.

Muzzle Device…

The muzzle device that comes with the FR16 is an A2 Flash Hider. The A2 flash hider is a good muzzle device because it does a fine job at flash suppression and offers a little bit of muzzle compensation as well…

I don’t think there’s any reason why you need to change out the A2 flash hider that comes on the FR16 with another muzzle device unless that’s something you want to do (I love personalizing my AR-15s with different accessories)…

And because the barrel features a 1/2×28 thread pitch, you can easily install another muzzle device (again, if you want to) or screw on a suppressor if you have one.

Bolt Carrier Group…

Radical Firearms doesn’t really share much information about who makes their bolt carrier groups, but I have heard that Azimuth Technology makes BCGs for Radical Firearms…

If that’s the case, you’re getting an extremely high-quality BCG with your AR-15…

Now, I can say for certain that the FR16’s BCG does feature a full-auto profile, and it has a melonite finish, which as I mentioned before is an excellent finish…

The bolt is also Magnetic Particle Inspected to ensure that there are no cracks or weak spots running through it, and the carrier is made from 8620 Tool Steel and is case hardened…

So overall, I think the BCG that you get with the FR16 is strong and made from high-quality materials.

Rail/Handguard…

The rail that you get with the FR16 is very exciting in my opinion. Radical Firearms calls it their RPR rail which stands for ‘Radical Parallelogram Rail’, and there are several things that I like about it…

First of all, the RPR features M-LOK slots in the 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock positions. So you can easily mount things like lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, and any other accessories you can think of…

In addition to that, it’s a fairly lightweight rail, which is important because it makes the rifle handier and easier to manipulate when you’re shooting…

On top of that, the handguard portion of the rail is rectangular rather than circular, which is why it’s called the RPR rail…

This is a very unique design choice among AR-15 rails in general, but I really think it’s ergonomic and feels great…

Other characteristics of the RPR rail that I like are that it’s a full 15-inch rail (so it fully covers your 16-inch barrel), it has anti-rotation tabs (so it mounts very securely and won’t turn), and it free-floats your barrel (which is good for accuracy)…

So all in all, I think the RPR rail is fantastic, and it’s a massive upgrade over the plastic M4 handguards that you often find on budget AR-15s.

Radical Firearms Lower Receiver Review…

Radical Firearms lower receivers are very good quality. They’re constructed from forged 7075 T6 aluminum, which is a very strong material, and they feature Type III Anodizing. They also include fencing around the magazine release, and a standard mil-spec magazine well…

In the following sections, we’ll discuss the components that are included with the FR16’s lower receiver.

Trigger…

The trigger that comes with the FR16 is a standard mil-spec trigger. It’s a single-stage trigger, and with the right amount of practice, you can shoot very quickly and accurately with it…

I don’t really see a need to change it, but of course, if you want to, you can easily upgrade it with one of any number of high-quality AR triggers that are currently available…

That said, I don’t think you need to change it because it works reliably, and as long as you do your part with marksmanship fundamentals, it’ll get the job done.

Pistol Grip…

The pistol grip that you get with the FR16 is the Mission First Tactical (MFT) grip, and there are a few reasons why I think it’s a big upgrade over the A2 pistol grip that is commonly found on budget AR-15s…

First of all, it has no finger ledge, which is a big deal for me. I can’t stand the finger ledge that comes on A2 pistol grips because my third finger always sits right on top of it (and that’s the case with a lot of other shooters as well)…

So having it completely removed on the MFT grip is a great benefit for me because I can quickly shoot the gun without having to shift my fingers around on the grip beforehand…

Another problem I have with the A2 grip is that it’s very skinny. The MFT grip that you get with the FR16, does a much better job at filling your hand and is just more ergonomic in general…

Last, I like that the MFT grip sits at a more 90 degree angle than the A2 grip. For me, it’s just a little bit more natural of an angle, and I find that it makes for a more comfortable experience when you’re shooting the gun.

Stock…

The stock that you get with the FR16 is the Mission First Tactical Minimalist stock, and again, it’s a huge upgrade over the plastic M4 stock that comes with most budget AR-15s…

To begin, the MFT Minimalist stock is much stronger than the plastic M4-style stocks, which I have seen break before…

In addition to that, the Minimalist stock is extremely lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh down your gun and make it unwieldy, and it has a comfortable rubber butt-pad which fits my shoulder like a glove…

Last, the MFT Minimalist has a QD sling swivel, so you can quickly attach and detach a sling, and it’s adjustable for 6 different positions depending on the length of pull that’s comfortable for you…

So all in all, the MFT Minimalist is one of my favorite AR-15 stocks, and I love that Radical Firearms chose it for this rifle.

Safety…

The safety is another area in which the FR16 is upgraded over most other budget AR-15s…

It features an ambidextrous safety rather than a standard mil-spec right-handed safety…

And here’s the cool part, the safety lever on the right side of the gun is shortened so that it doesn’t interfere with your trigger finger if you’re a right-handed shooter…

Having a long ambi safety has created problems for me as I right-handed shooter in the past. So it’s nice to see that you get an ambi safety that won’t create ergonomic problems for right-handed shooters as well.

Magazine & Mag Well…

The Radical Firearms AR-15 comes with one 30-round magazine. I recommend that you get at least 4 more, because I think 5 magazines per gun is a minimum of what you should have (remember, magazines can break and it’s good to have extras)…

Aside from that, the magazine well that comes on the Radical Firearms lower is a standard mil-spec mag well…

There’s nothing special about it, but because it’s a standard AR mag well, you can easily load and unload your rifle very quickly with it.

Mag Release & Bolt Release…

One of the reasons why AR-15s are so popular is that the platform is inherently ergonomic, and that’s certainly the case with the magazine release and bolt release that come on the FR16…

There’s nothing special about them, but there doesn’t need to be because you can quickly drop mags when you need to and drop the bolt when you reload with the standard AR controls.

Shootability And Accuracy…

The FR16 is an accurate gun because it features a fairly well-built barrel, and the AR-15 platform is inherently accurate…

On top of that, the free floated rail that you get with this gun allows the barrel to do its thing without anything touching it, and that usually translates to better accuracy as well…

When it comes to shootability, the FR16 is a reliable AR-15, and because it has that mid-length gas system (rather than a carbine-length system) it’s also a pretty smooth-shooting AR-15 too.

Radical Firearms AR15 Accessories…

I love the rail, the grip, and the stock that come with the FR16, so I don’t think that there are many accessories that you need to upgrade on it…

That being said, it does come with a standard mil-spec charging handle which works ok but is typically a part that I replace on my ARs…

I like charging handles that have a large lever because they make clearing malfunctions and even some types of reloads much easier…

Aside from that, I do recommend putting either a red dot or a scope on your FR16 because having an optic will allow you to shoot faster and more accurately.

Radical Firearms Warranty…

Radical Firearms AR-15s come with a limited lifetime warranty, which is fantastic…

So if you’re the original owner of the Radical Firearms AR (or any of their products) and there’s an issue where something stops working or breaks…

…Radical Firearms is more than likely going to take care of you and fix the problem.

Radical Firearms AR 15 Review – Final Thoughts…

To sum it all up, Radical Firearms AR 15s are very good guns for the money. They have a Forged 7075 T6 aluminum upper and lower receiver (which are both very strong), a 4140 CMV steel barrel, and a mid-length gas system (which makes them reliable and smooth shooters)…

On top of that, with the FR16 you get an awesome free-float M-LOK rail (unlike many other budget ARs), an upgraded stock and pistol grip, and an ambidextrous safety…

All of that is included, and the price of the rifle is still extremely affordable…

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Radical Firearms FR16:

So I highly recommend the Radical Firearms FR16 because I think it’s definitely a quality AR-15 and right now, it’s one of the best ARs you can get for the money!

The AR-15 is often called ‘America’s Rifle’, and there are a number of reasons why…

The AR platform is inherently accurate, ergonomic, and easy (and fun!) to shoot…

On top of that, it’s an extremely customizable rifle, and there are many AR-15s that are being built and sold at incredibly affordable price points…

One of these AR-15s is the Diamondback DB15…

And one of the questions that I often see asked is this… What are the Diamondback AR-15 problems…?

Well in this post, I’m going to explain if the Diamondback DB15 does have any major problems by giving you a thorough overview of the AR parts used to build it…

In the end, you’ll know whether the Diamondback AR-15 is good or bad, and you should be able to determine if it’s the right AR-15 for you or not…

Let’s get straight to the point…

Diamondback AR-15 Problems? – Is It A Quality AR-15…?

The new line of Diamondback AR-15s don’t really have any problems. These AR-15s are not over-gassed, and they’re assembled with high-quality parts. Additionally, the fit and finish on these AR-15s is very good, and even though they come with a number of upgraded components, they are set at an affordable price point…

Watch The Video Below:

Click The Links Below To Learn More About The Most Popular Diamondback AR-15s:

Image	Model
	DIAMONDBACK DB15 5.56 NATO (FULLY UPGRADED RIFLE) – Get Best Pricing Here!
	DIAMONDBACK DB15 5.56 NATO (STANDARD RIFLE) – Get Best Pricing Here!
	DIAMONDBACK DB15 5.56 NATO (BUDGET RIFLE) – Get Best Pricing Here!

The following will give you more detail regarding the quality of the different components that you get with the Diamondback DB15…

Upper Receiver…

The actual upper receiver on the Diamondback AR-15 is made from Forged 7075 T-6 Aluminum, which is a very strong material, and it makes the upper extremely rugged…

Now there are some budget ARs that use inferior aluminum in their uppers, so it’s nice to see that Diamondback is using high-quality aluminum in the DB15…

In addition to that, this Diamondback upper features an optic rail on top. This is a pretty standard addition to AR-15s these days, but it’s important because it will allow you to easily mount a red dot or a scope onto your AR.

Barrel And Chamber…

The barrel is one of the most important parts on an AR-15 because it can affect reliability and (of course) the accuracy of your gun…

And it’s also a place where many manufacturers of budget ARs will attempt to cut costs…

That’s not the case with the Diamondback DB15 because it features an incredibly high-quality barrel…

First of all, the barrel that you get is made from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, which is a very strong and high-quality barrel material…

On top of that, the barrel features a 1/8 twist rate which, again, is nice to see on an affordable AR-15 because many of them come with a 1/9 twist rate…

And the reason why that matters is because a 1/8 twist can usually fire both heavy and light bullets very accurately, whereas a 1/9 twist generally has problems firing heavy bullets accurately…

Last, the most common version of the DB15 is chambered in 5.56 Nato, and you definitely want a rifle that is chambered in 5.56 Nato (or .223 Wylde) and NOT chambered in .223 Remington…

The reason why is because an AR-15 chambered in .223 Remington cannot safely handle the pressure of 5.56 rounds…

However, rifles that are chambered in 5.56 Nato (or .223 Wylde) can safely fire 5.56 rounds or .223 Remington rounds…

So all in all, I’m very impressed with the barrel that you get with the DB15 because even though it’s an affordable gun, it has some pretty cool upgraded features.

Gas System…

The DB15 comes with a Mid-Length gas system. Once again, most budget AR-15s will feature a Carbine-Length gas system which will work reliably…

But the advantage that you get with a Mid-Length gas system is that it generally makes you’re AR-15 a little smoother and softer-shooting than a Carbine-Length system…

Now I have seen reports online of the DB15 being over-gassed, but that has not been the case with the DB15s that I’ve seen which all eject brass-cased rounds in the 3 to4 o’clock position, which is what you want…

So, I think that the DB15 is gas correctly, and I like that it has a Mid-Length gas system because it makes the gun a smooth shooter.

Muzzle Device…

The muzzle device that you get with your Diamondback AR-15 will be dependent upon which version you choose to go with…

If you choose to go with the Standard Rifle or the Budget Rifle, then you’ll get Diamondbacks’s CNC DBSB IV Flash Hider, which I think looks really cool and does a good job hiding flash when you fire in lowlight conditions…

I do think it’s a slight upgrade over an A2 ‘birdcage’ flash hider, which is what you’ll find on most budget AR 15s, and I think that it gives a unique look to the Standard DB15 as well…

Now if you go with the Fully Upgraded DB15 then you’ll get the Diamondback CNC Muzzle Brake, and it’s an awesome muzzle device…

It keeps the gun incredibly flat when you’re shooting, and it allows you to fire shot after shot very quickly and very accurately…

Last, the threading on the DB15’s barrel is 1/2×28 so if you don’t like the flash hider or the Fully Loaded DB15’s muzzle brake, you can easily replace it with a muzzle device of your choice.

Bolt Carrier Group…

The bolt carrier group or BCG is another incredibly important part of an AR-15…

It’s often called the heart of the rifle, and you really want to make sure that you get quality components within the BCG to keep your gun running reliably (without any parts breaking)…

The Diamondback DB15 comes with a very strong and high-quality bolt carrier group…

First of all, the carrier itself is made from 8620 steel which is a very strong steel and meets military specifications…

On top of that, the BCG is shot-peened which is a process used to harden the surface layer of the steel, and the bolt is Magnetic Particle Inspected to ensure that the steel doesn’t have any weak points or cracks in it…

So overall, the DB15’s BCG is made from very strong components which should give it a very long life, and it’s also inspected to make sure that the quality level is there.

Rail/Handguard…

The rail that you get with the DB15 will also depend on which version you choose to go with…

The Standard Rifle and the Budget Rifle come with Diamondback’s 15-inch V Rail…

This is a pretty good rail because it free-floats the barrel to allow for more accuracy, and it’s also fairly lightweight because most of the top picatinny rail is removed (except for in the places that you need it for backup iron sights)…

In addition to that, it locks onto the barrel nut very securely, and it features M-LOK slots on both sides and on the top and bottom which will allow you to easily mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, and any other accessories you can think of…

Now if you go with the Fully Loaded DB15, then you get Diamondback’s S Rail which I think is even cooler…

First of all, the S Rail free-floats the barrel, has M-Loks slots for accessories, and locks onto the barrel nut very securely as well…

The difference is that it’s built to be a little more lightweight than the V Rail…

This balances the gun a little bit better when you’re shooting, and out of the two rails, it’s the one I think looks better and performs a little bit better as well…

That being said, the V Rail is a fantastic rail for a budget or even mid-range AR-15 because it’s strong, fairly lightweight, and goes the full 15 inches on a 16-inch barreled AR.

Lower Receiver…

The lower that you get with the Diamondback DB15 is unlike any that I’ve seen on an affordable AR-15…

First of all, it’s made from Forged 7075 T-6 Aluminum which, as I said when discussing the upper, is very strong and high-quality aluminum…

But it also has a very unique mag well (which is awesome and we’ll discuss in a little bit) and an enhanced trigger guard with lightening cuts…

I really like the enhanced trigger guard because it’s enlarged (just in case you need to shoot with winter gloves on), and the lightening cuts lighten up the lower without taking any strength or reliability away…

So it’s not the typical run-of-the-mill lower that most AR-15s have, and the unique features actually do enhance the performance of the gun.

Trigger…

The trigger that you get with the DB15 also depends on which version you choose to go with…

The Standard Rifle and the Budget Rifle both feature a typical mil-spec AR-15 trigger…

You can shoot well with it and it’s reliable, but it’s not really different from any other mil-spec triggers that are on the market…

That being said, if you go with the Fully Loaded Rifle, you get a Flat-Faced CMC 3.5lb Single Stage Drop in Trigger, and it’s incredible…

It’s my favorite trigger for any AR-15 because it’s reliable, and the clean and light break helps you shoot faster and more accurately…

So to sum up this section, the mil-spec trigger that you get with the Standard DB15 is fine (and you can upgrade it later if you want to)…

…but I love that the Fully Loaded Rifle comes with the CMC 3.5lb trigger, and I don’t think they could have made a better choice for the upgraded version of this rifle.

Pistol Grip…

Just as with many other accessories included on the DB15, the pistol grip that you get will depend on which version of the rifle you choose to go with…

The Standard Rifle and the Budget Rifle both come with a Magpul MOE K2 Grip…

I love Magpul grips in general, and ever since the K2 grip came out, I prefer it over the standard MOE grip because it sits at a more 90 degree angle which feels a little bit more comfortable for me…

It’s a huge upgrade over the standard A2 grip that comes on many budget AR-15s, which I can’t stand because it’s too skinny and the finger ledge always gets in the way when I try to shoot…

Now, the Fully Loaded Rifle comes with the Magpul MOE K2+ grip which I like even better than the regular K2…

It has the same angle as the regular K2 grip which, again, I find to be very comfortable to use…

But in addition to that, it also has a rubber over-mold around it, and I like the rubber over-mold for 3 reasons…

First, it gives you great traction when you’re shooting, which helps you shoot faster…

Second, it feels more comfortable that a naked plastic grip, and third, I shoot in the Nevada desert and the rubber grips don’t get scorching hot when sitting in the sun the way plastic grips do…

So, both grips are good, but I do prefer the K2+ for those reasons, and since the K2+ is only around 20 bucks, you could easily upgrade the Standard or Budget Rifle with it on your own.

Stock…

Once again, the stock that you get with the DB15 will depend on the version that you choose to go with…

The Standard Rifle and the Budget Rifle both come with the Magpul CTR stock, which is a fantastic stock…

It’s a huge upgrade over a standard M4-style stock (which many budget rifles come with) because it’s a lot stronger, and you also have the ability to lock the stock into place so it doesn’t rattle around at all…

The Fully Loaded DB15 comes with the Magpul ACS stock which is also a fantastic stock because it’s very strong and locks into place…

Many people also find the ACS to be more comfortable than the CTR to form a cheek weld on when you’re shooting, but for me, they’re both equally comfortable and I like them both.

Safety…

The safety that comes on the Diamondback AR-15 is a standard AR-15 safety. It works just fine, and I don’t see any reason to change it…

That being said, you can upgrade it to a 45-degree throw safety or add an ambidextrous safety to the gun pretty easily if you want to.

Magazine & Mag Well…

With the Diamondback AR-15 you get 1 30-Round Magpul PMAG. I love PMAGs because they’re strong and reliable, but you will want to pick up some more on your own (I recommend at least 5 Mags per gun)…

Now the mag well that comes on the DB15 rifle is really cool. First of all, it’s flared out which helps funnel your mags into the gun easier, and that can be helpful when you’re trying to reload in a hurry…

But on top of that, it’s cut in a way that removes a lot of unnecessary material from the lower (which, again, helps you reload easier and faster)…

And it also saves some weight on the gun (I like lightweight rifles because they’re faster into action and handier)…

Last, I should also mention that the DB15’s unique mag well gives the gun a really cool look…

It’s the type of thing that you usually find on ARs that cost over 2,000 bucks, but with the DB15 you’re getting that kind of unique look (which also adds function) at an affordable price point.

Mag Release & Bolt Release…

The mag release and the bolt release that come on the DB15 are just standard AR-15 controls which is perfect in my opinion…

These ergonomic controls are part of the reason the AR-15 is so great, and they can both be manipulated very easily to get your gun reloaded and back into action quickly.

Shootability And Accuracy…

The Diamondback DB15 is an accurate AR-15. Part of the reason for that is that the AR-15 platform is inherently fairly accurate from the start…

But keep in mind that the DB15 has a very well-built barrel, which is always important to accuracy, that features a 1/8 twist rate…

On top of that, the DB15 has a free-float rail. So you have nothing touching the barrel when you’re shooting which had the potential to mess with the barrel harmonics…

In addition to that, the DB15 is gassed correctly, and the mid-length gas system actually makes it a pretty smooth-shooting AR-15.

Diamondback AR-15 Accessories…

Since the DB15 is an AR-15, the sky is the limit when it comes to accessories because you can easily change out the rail, the stock, the grip, and pretty much any other part…

That being said, because these rifles come set up really well from the factory, there are not a lot of accessories that I would recommend…

One area that you could improve the gun is to get an upgraded charging handle, and there are tons of great options out there (including one here)…

But aside from that, you should choose either a red dot or a good scope to mount as your optic…

And put a weapon light of your choice on the rail, and your Diamondback AR-15 is good to go in my opinion.

Is The Diamondback AR-15 Good OR Bad?

The Diamondback AR-15 is a good rifle because it’s accurate, reliable, and built using high-quality components such as the 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel barrel and the 8620 steel carrier. It also comes with some truly unique features such as the quick-reload mag well and free float M-LOK rail…

Click The Links Below To Learn More About The Most Popular Diamondback AR-15s:

Image	Model
	DIAMONDBACK DB15 5.56 NATO (FULLY UPGRADED RIFLE) – Get Best Pricing Here!
	DIAMONDBACK DB15 5.56 NATO (STANDARD RIFLE) – Get Best Pricing Here!
	DIAMONDBACK DB15 5.56 NATO (BUDGET RIFLE) – Get Best Pricing Here!

I Highly Recommend it, if you’re in the market for a budget or mid-range AR-15.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to finding a quality bolt carrier group…

But the truth is that not all BCGs are made equally…

Some are built to a higher standard than others, and because of that, they end up making your AR-15 run more reliably over the course of thousands of rounds…

And the big question for today’s post is this… Does Toolcraft make good bolt carrier groups that you can rely on?

Well, in this Toolcraft BCG review I’m going to answer that question, and explain why Toolcraft BCGs are a high quality addition to your AR…

On top of that, I’m going to share with you my Top 6 List of the best Toolcraft BCGs, which will show you what exactly separates some of the most popular Toolcraft BCG offerings…

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of why Toolcraft BCGs are a good option, and you should be able to determine which one is going to work best for you…

Let’s get started!

Toolcraft BCG Review – Is It Right For You?

Toolcraft BCGs are made using extremely high-quality materials and machining standards. Their carriers are built from a propriety 8620 steel which is extremely robust, and because their carriers can last thousands of rounds, they’re backed up with a Lifetime Warranty…

For more detail on specific Toolcraft BCGs, I recommend you check out my Top 6 List of the best Toolcraft BCGs below…

Best Toolcraft BCG – Top 6 List…

1. Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG – Premium 5.56 w/ Logo (My #1 Pick!)

The Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG is currently my favorite of all the bolt carrier groups that Toolcraft produces, and there are several reasons why I like it…

First of all, I love the Nickel Boron coating. It’s an extremely durable finish, and it also adds lubricity to the BCG which will help your AR-15 run smoother and more reliably even if the BCG is starting to run dry (I still recommend that you properly lubricate your AR-15!)…

On top of that, the Nickel Boron coating makes your BCG extremely easy to clean. You can usually just wipe the carbon off with a dry rag, lubricate it, and have your AR-15 clean and ready to go in a very short period of time…

Now in addition to that Nickel Boron coating (which also looks great and adds a touch of personality to your AR) the carrier that comes with this BCG is made from Toolcraft’s proprietary blend of 8620 steel which is extremely strong (according to Toolcraft it’s even better than Aircraft Quality 8620 steel!)…

Additionally, the bolt that you get with this BCG is made from Carpenter 158 steel which is an extremely strong material and meets military specifications, and it’s also shot-peened (which hardens the outer layer of the bolt) and Magnetic Particle Inspected (which checks for cracks and weak-points in the steel)…

Aside from that, this Premium BCG features a properly staked gas key, a tool steel extractor, and an extractor o-ring insert (which will help your AR extract rounds more reliably)…

So all in all, this is a fantastic BCG because it’s built to be super strong and reliable and that Nickel Boron coating makes it run smoothly and easy to clean as well.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG – Premium 5.56 w/ Logo (Over 470 Reviews!):

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2. Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto BCG (No Logo)

Another amazing bolt carrier group is the Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full Auto BCG with no logo. This bolt carrier group is awesome because it’s a super strong, no frills BCG that just gets the job done…

First of all, the Phosphate finish is very durable and does a great job at resisting corrosion (it’s also a Mil-Spec finish). On top of that, with this BCG you get that same super strong, proprietary 8620 steel carrier (again, better than aircraft-grade 8620 steel), and the carrier and gas key are chrome lined which makes them very easy to clean…

Additionally, you get a Mil-spec Carpenter 158 steel bolt which is shot-peened (to harden the surface) and Magnetic Particle Inspected to ensure there are no weak points or cracks in the steel. The gas key is also properly staked, so it can never loosen up while you’re shooting your AR, and the carrier features a full auto profile which also meets military specifications…

Last, this carrier does not have a logo on it. I personally, don’t care if my bolt carrier groups have a logo on them or not, but if you like your gear to be super minimal, then this is a strong and reliable BCG option for you.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto BCG – No Logo (Over 195 Reviews!):

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3. Toolcraft Nitride Full-Auto BCG (w/ Logo & Carpenter 158 Bolt)

Number 3 on this list of fantastic BCGs is the Toolcraft Nitride Full Auto BCG, and there are a number of reasons why I like it. To begin, this BCG features a Nitride finish, which is a very strong finish that will resist corrosion and add a little bit of lubricity to the carrier as well…

On top of that, the Nitride finish makes the carrier smooth and easy to clean, and because this finish doesn’t require a chrome lined carrier or gas key, it’s typically less expensive than BCGs with other finishes and coatings…

Now as usual, the carrier that comes with this BCG is made out of Toolcrafts propriety 8620 steel (which, again, is extremely strong), and the bolt that you get is made from Mil-Spec, Carpenter 158 steel…

You also get a properly staked gas key with Grade 8 fasteners, so you’re gas key won’t come loose when shooting, and the bolt is shot-peened and Magnetic Particle Inspected to ensure that the steel is even and strong all the way through…

All in all, this is a strong BCG with a very popular Nitride finish, and because the price is so affordable, it’s a great choice if you’re on a budget.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Toolcraft Nitride Full-Auto BCG w/ Logo & Carpenter 158 Bolt (Over 75 Reviews!):

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4. BLEM Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto BCG (No Logo)

Number 4 on this list is a fantastic option if you’re on a budget, and it’s the BLEM Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto BCG with no logo. First of all, let me explain what BLEM means…

It stands for the word “blemished”, and all it means is that the BCG has a cosmetic blemish, which has no impact on the function or performance of the part. That being said, because it does have a cosmetic blemish, it is sold at a discounted price…

So it’s a great way yot get a high-quality BCG at a reduced price. Now as I mentioned earlier, this particular BLEM is the Toolcraft Phospate BCG. And as with all the Toocraft BCGs, the carrier is made from Toolcraft’s proprietary 8620 steel (which is super strong), and of course, it has a phosphate coating which is Mil-spec and will do a great job at resisting rust or corrosion…

On top of that, the carrier and the gas key on this BCG are chrome-lined which makes them easy to clean, and the gas key is properly staked according to military specifications (so the fasteners won’t back out on you when you’re shooting)…

The bolt that you get is made from Carpenter 158 steel, and it’s also shot-peened (to harden the surface) and Magnetic Particle Inspected to check for cracks or weak spots in the steel.

Last, I should mention that I personally purchase BLEM parts all the time, and most of the time, I can’t even find the cosmetic blemish on them because it’s so small. And even if you are able to spot it, a part that’s mostly internal (such as a BCG) is probably the best place to hide a cosmetic blemish…

So as I said, going with a BLEM BCG is a great way to get a strong and reliable BCG, and this one has a Mil-spec finish and very high-quality steel components.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The BLEM Toolcraft 5.56 Phosphate MPI Full-Auto BCG w/ No Logo (Over 32 Reviews!):

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5. Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG (Premium 5.56 w/ No Logo)

Number 5 on this list of awesome Toolcraft bolt carrier groups is the Premium Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG with no logo, and here’s the deal, this is a very similar bolt carrier group to the first one I put on this list. The only difference is that this one doesn’t have Toolcraft’s logo on it. I’ll address whether or not that’s important to me in a moment, but first, let me remind you of the main features you get with this awesome BCG…

You’ve probably guessed it by now, but I love Toolcraft’s Nickel Boron coating. It’s a tough finish that resists rust and corrosion extremely well, and I love that it adds lubricity to the BCG and makes it extremely quick and easy to clean…

Aside from that, with this BCG you get Toolcraft’s special 8620 steel in the carrier, and a Carpenter 158 steel bolt that is shot-peened and Magnetic Particle Inspected, so you can be sure that the strength and quality level is there…

The gas key is also hardened (for more durability), and properly staked to prevent it from rattling loose, and the extractor that you get is made from tool steel and comes with an o-ring insert to help your AR -15 reliably extract rounds…

Now, does it matter if your BCG has a logo or not? For me, I don’t really care either way, I just go for the one that has a better price at the time. That being said, there are some shooters who like to go super minimal when adding parts or accessories to their ARs, and if that’s the case for you, you’ll love this BCG because it is super clean without any logo that might distract from the aesthetic you’re going for.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Premium Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG w/ No Logo (Over 25 Reviews!):

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6. BLEM Toolcraft Nitride BCG (No Logo & Carpenter 158 Bolt)

The last bolt carrier group on my list is the BLEM Toolcraft Nitride BCG with no logo, and again, this is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a great BCG on a budget…

Like I mentioned earlier, the BLEM designation only means that this BCG features some cosmetic blemish somewhere on it. These blemishes are usually very hard to find, and they do not affect the function or performance of the BCG at all…

And this is a great BCG if you like the Nitride finish that Toolcraft offers. Again, Nitride is a very strong finish that will easily resist rust and corrosion on your BCG, and it also adds a little bit of lubricity to your bolt carrier group as well (although be sure to lubricate it still!)…

Aside from that, this BCG features Toolcraft’s super strong 8620 steel in its carrier, and the bolt is Carpenter 158 steel which is Magnetic Particle Inspected. On top of that, the gas key is properly staked, and again, because this is a BLEM BCG it’s being sold at a discount even though it functions perfectly well…

So this is another great option, especially if you’re on a budget, and even though it might have a blemish somewhere on it, I think you’ll be very happy with how it performs.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The BLEM Toolcraft Nitride BCG w/ No Logo (Over 5 Reviews!):

AKs are such iconic guns…

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:

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	Riley Defense RAK-47 Polymer – Click Here To Get Best Pricing!
	Riley Defense RAK-47 Classic – Click Here To Get Best Pricing!

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:

Image	Product
	Riley Defense RAK-47 Polymer – Click Here To Get Best Pricing!
	Riley Defense RAK-47 Classic – Click Here To Get Best Pricing!

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 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…

Picture	Handgun
	CZ Shadow 2 Orange (Click Here To Get Best Pricing)
	CZ Shadow 2 Blue (Click Here To Get Best Pricing)

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…

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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.

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.

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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):

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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!):