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!):

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s get started!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

What Sets This Upper Apart…?

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

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

The AR-15 is an amazing rifle…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s get started!

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

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

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

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

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

Picture	Product Name
	Springfield Armory SAINT Victor
	Stag Arms Stag 15
	Daniel Defense DDM4 V7
	Colt M4 (CR6920)
	Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II (Budget Option!)
	Palmetto State Armory Midlength AR-15 (Budget Option!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• From AR15.com (forum)
• From Quora

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Avoid A Poor Quality Barrel…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Avoid A Poor Quality Lower Receiver…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Avoid upper receiver…

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

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

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

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

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

5. Look For Upgrades That Are Useful…

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

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

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

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

I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED the following AR-15s!

Picture	Product Name
	Springfield Armory SAINT Victor
	Stag Arms Stag 15
	Daniel Defense DDM4 V7
	Colt M4 (CR6920)
	Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II (Budget Option!)
	Palmetto State Armory Midlength AR-15 (Budget Option!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s get started!

Best AR 15 For The Money – Top 6 List…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch The Video:

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Stag Arms Stag 15 Classic:

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Daniel Defense DDM4 V7:

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Colt M4 Carbine:

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch The Video:

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II:

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch The Video:

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

The Ruger PC Charger is a fantastic little pistol…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s begin!

Best Ruger PC Charger Brace – Top 6 List…

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

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

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

1. SB Tactical FS1913 Folding Pistol Brace

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

2. SB Tactical TF1913 Folding Triangular Pistol Stabilizing Brace

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

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

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

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

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

---

3. A3 Tactical Ruger PC Charger Modular Folding Brace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Best Ruger PC Charger Brace Adapter…

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

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

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

Midwest Industries Side Folder With Buffer Tube Adaptor…

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

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

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

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

---

4. SB Tactical SBA4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

5. SB Tactical SBA3

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

6. Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s begin!

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

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

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

Materials…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Function And Design…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Size Comparison…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Comes With The Brace?

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

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

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

Length Of Pull…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Installation…

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

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

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

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

Color Options…

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

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

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

Price Comparison…

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

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

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

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

SBA4 Vs SBA3 – Final Thoughts…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The AR 15 is by far my favorite rifle…

It’s an accurate platform, it’s reliable, its ergonomics are near-perfect, and it’s a really fun gun to shoot…

But with all the options out there today, it can be difficult to distinguish a high-quality AR 15 from a sub-standard AR that might be lacking in some critical areas…

So in this Stag Arms AR15 review, we’re going to do a deep dive into what makes this rifle special…

We’ll be discussing how well-built this AR 15’s parts are, how well it shoots, if it’s worth the price, and a number of other things in this post…

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of what the Stag 15 has to offer, and you should be able to determine if it’ll be a good AR 15 for you…

Let’s get started!

Stag Arms AR15 Review…

The Stag Arms Stag 15 is a fantastic AR 15. It’s a great AR 15 because the Upper Receiver and Lower Receiver parts are high quality, it has a wonderful fit and finish, it’s accurate, it’s reliable, and it’s very reasonably priced…

Watch The Video Below:

Click the button below to learn more about the Stag Arms Stag 15:

The following will give you more detailed information as to why the Stag Arms Stag 15 is a great rifle…

Stag Arms Stag 15 Review – Upper Receiver…

The upper receiver on the Stag Arms Stag 15 is of very good quality. It’s basically a forged aluminum, mil-spec upper which is pretty standard in today’s AR 15 market…

It does include a forward assist, which is something that I like because not all AR 15s in its class include one, and it has a standard mil-spec dust cover and shell deflector…

Now it should be noted that Stag Arms is famous for making a left-handed version of the Stag 15, but the truth is, the only thing left-handed about it is the upper (the lower remains a standard AR ‘right-handed’ lower)…

On the left-handed upper, the dust cover flips up instead of down (which is standard on right-handed AR 15s), and the forward assist and shell deflector are also found on the left-hand side of the upper rather than the right (which, again, is standard)…

I can’t comment on how useful the left-handed Stag 15 is for left-handed users because I am a boring old right-handed shooter…

But I do think it’s a really cool option for left-handed folks, and I have heard a lot of good things about it from left-handed shooters…

Barrel And Chamber…

The barrel that you get on the Stag 15 is very high-quality. It’s most likely a Ballistic Advantage barrel because both Ballistic Advantage and Stag Arms are now owned by Aero Precision (who also make fantastic ARs)…

And here’s the deal, Ballistic Advantage barrels are awesome, and if they are making these barrels for the Stag 15 (which I suspect they are), then that’s definitely another huge plus for the Stag 15…

Now, the Stag 15’s barrel does feature a 1:7 twist (which I prefer over a 1:9), and it’s also chrome-lined which will make it easier to clean and last longer…

It also has a phosphate coating which adds to its durability, and it’s free-floated, so the rifle will be more accurate…

The Stag 15 is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and the BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) is an M16 profile and appears to be very well-built and very durable…

Last, at the end of the barrel, you get a standard A2 flash hider, and all the parts in the barrel and chamber area, are fitted well and work smoothly together.

Rail/ Handguard…

The rail on the Stag 15 is very sleek. First of all, it’s very lightweight which is important because…

…in addition to keeping the weight down on your rifle, it keeps the gun very balanced as well.

On top of that, it’s an M-LOK rail, so you can easily mount lights, lasers, vertical foregrips, hand stops, and any other accessories that you might want onto your AR 15…

The M-LOK slots are located in the 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock positions, and M-LOK is a great system because there are a ton of accessories made for it and it’s very easy to use.

All in all, I think a clunky rail can really make an AR 15 unbalanced and heavy. So I was very happy to see this super-sleek rail added onto the Stag Arms AR15.

Charging Handle…

The charging handle on the Stag 15 is very basic. It’s the standard mil-spec style charging handle, and it works just fine if that’s all you want…

That being said, I tend to prefer larger latches on my charging handles and ambidextrous controls, just because it gives you more options when reloading or fixing malfunctions…

So this is a part that you might want to think about upgrading, but if you don’t want to, as I said before, it’ll work just fine for you.

Lower Receiver…

The Stag 15 lower receiver is basically a standard mil-spec lower. It is a forged lower, which is a good thing in my book because it’s going to be stronger and more lightweight than a billet receiver…

And the overall fit and finish is very good. In addition to that, the new Stag logo is very clean and looks very cool…

I mention this because even though I won’t mention any names, there are some logos that just look ugly when they’re stamped onto your AR lower receiver…

That’s not the case with these Stag lowers, because they look very attractive and because the company moved out of Connecticut, they’re also stamped with ‘Cheyenne, WY’ as well…

Trigger…

As with a lot of other features on the Stag 15, the trigger is a pretty standard mil-spec trigger…

It’s not really anything special, but it is reliable and very serviceable. Most of my AR 15s still have standard mil-spec triggers in them, just because I haven’t felt the need to upgrade them…

And that’s the case with the Stag 15’s trigger because you can certainly shoot fast and accurately with it…

Now that being said, you can easily upgrade it with something like a CMC or Geissele trigger if and when you’d like to.

But if you are happy with it, I don’t think there is any need to upgrade it because as I said it’s reliable and as long as you train with it, you can shoot fast and accurately with it.

Pistol Grip…

The pistol grip that you get on the Stag 15 Classic is a standard M-16 A2 pistol grip…

Like the mil-spec trigger, it works just fine if you’re happy with it, and there is no need to replace it…

That being said, I always replace A2 grips on my AR 15s, and I do that for 3 reasons…

First of all, I don’t like the finger ledge on the A2-style grip. It’s not sized right for my hand, and it always seems to get in the way when I’d like to make a fast shot…

I can shoot perfectly fine with it if I need to, but I’m just not a fan of finger ledges or grooves on pistol grips in general…

Secondly, the A2 grip is kind of thin. It’s not very hand-filling for me, and again, even though I can shoot very well with a thin grip, it’s not what I prefer…

Third and finally, getting a new pistol grip for your AR 15 is very inexpensive, and installing a new pistol grip is extremely easy…

So in the end, I like to replace A2 grips with Magpul Plus grips, but if you’re happy with the A2 grip that comes on the Stag 15 Classic, then there is absolutely no need to change it.

Stock…

The stock that comes on the Stag 15 Classic is a standard collapsible M4 stock…

Much like the A2 pistol grip, there is no need to change out this stock if you’re happy with it…

You can easily adjust it to the length of pull that you desire, and you should be able to fire comfortably with it…

That being said, you can always upgrade it if and when you’re ready. There are a ton of AR 15 stocks that are stronger, more lightweight, tighter-fitting (so there is less rattling on the buffer tube), etc…

I have one of my favorites on my AR accessories list, but like I said, there is no reason to upgrade the stock that comes on the Stag 15 if you’re happy with it….

I should also note that Stag 15 Tactical model does have an upgraded Magpul stock and pistol grip.

Safety…

The safety that comes on the Stag 15 is a standard mil-spec safety. I have absolutely no problem with it at all…

I like standard AR 15 safeties like this one. They are smooth, easy to use, and ergonomic…

You can upgrade it to a safety with a shorter throw (45 degrees), or with an ambidextrous safety if you want to…

But as a right-handed shooter, I’m happy with this safety, and I don’t see a reason to change it.

Magazine & Mag Well…

The Stag 15 comes with a Magpul magazine which I think is fantastic. I love Magpul magazines because they are strong, lightweight, and very reliable…

In addition to that, the Magazine well that comes on the Stag 15 is just a little bit flared out…

This is a cool feature, and it’s an upgrade over the regular mag well that comes standard on most other AR 15s…

The reason why it’s a benefit to you is that it just makes it a bit easier and faster to insert a new magazine (especially when you’re under pressure)…

So this is a feature that sets the Stag 15 apart from many other AR 15s on the market, and it’s incredibly useful to you as the shooter as well.

Mag Release And Bolt Release…

Both the magazine release and the bolt release that come on the Stag 15 are pretty standard ‘mil-spec’ controls…

That’s not a problem for me because I find both of them to be easy to use, ergonomic, and fast…

That’s part of the genius of the AR 15 design in general. In its standard form, it’s incredibly ergonomic, and I think that really shows in these two controls…

Of course, if you want to upgrade these two parts, you can, but I don’t think there’s much reason to…

And I’m perfectly happy with them as they come.

Shootability and Accuracy…

The Stag 15 is an incredibly smooth AR 15 to shoot. It seems to be properly gassed for a carbine-length DI (direct impingement) gun…

And even though most ARs that I have fired are very controllable, I think the fit and finish of the Stag 15 makes it a very smooth shooter…

It’s also a fairly accurate gun, especially when you put a scope on it, and I think a lot of that comes down to the quality of the barrel…

As I mentioned earlier, the barrel that you get on the Stag 15 is very high quality…

This is an area where some of the cheaper AR 15s that are on the market are lacking, but the barrel that comes on the Stag 15 is excellent.

Red Dot Sight Or Scope For Stag Arms AR-15…

Like most AR 15s on the market today, the Stag 15 comes with an optic rail on the top of the upper receiver, and this makes it very easy to mount either a red dot or scope…

Now, if you want to optimize your Stag 15 for fast shooting in the range of 100 to 200 yards and in, I say put a red dot on it (click here if you need help finding a solid red dot)…

Also, because of the awesome free-float rail that comes on the Stag 15, I think an LPVO (low powered variable optic) would also be an ideal optic choice for this rifle…

There are a ton of great LPVO options out there, but if you’re on a budget I recommend that you check out these.

Reasons To Own Stag 15…

There are many reasons why you might want to own a Stag 15. First of all, if you want an AR 15 for personal defense or tactical uses, the Stag 15 is a fantastic option…

It’s a very reliable AR 15, it’s lightweight, it’s easy to shoot, it’s accurate, and basically, all you need (once you pick one up) is to get an optic for it and more magazines (I recommend at least 5 magazines)…

Another reason you might want to own a Stag 15 is for hunting. I can’t help you too much there because I’ve never hunted in my life…

But it is a 5.56 AR 15, so if that caliber is appropriate for the animal you’re hunting and is legal to use in your state, I think it would work just as well as any other AR 15 would…

Last, you might want to own a Stag 15 because it will be a fun gun to shoot. If that’s the case for you, then all I can tell you is… YES, the Stag 15 is a very fun AR 15 to shoot…

It’s a very smooth shooter, it’s accurate (so you can hit your targets), it’s reliable (so you don’t get frustrated clearing malfunctions), and it’s just an absolute blast to shoot (yes, that was a very cheezy pun haha).

Stag Arms Stag 15 Review – Final Thoughts…

So in the end, I think the Stag Arms Stag 15 is a fantastic AR for several reasons…

It comes with a great barrel, a sleek free-float handguard, a strong bolt carrier group, a great fit and finish, it’s accurate, it’s reliable, and it’s fun to shoot…

I think it’s one of the best, if not the best AR 15 under 1000 dollars, and I highly recommend it…

Click the button below to learn more about the Stag Arms Stag 15:

I hope you enjoyed the Stag Arms Stag 15 Review. Godspeed! And have fun at the range!

I’ve always found retro guns and clones of current military carbines to be really cool…

I love my old Colt LE6920, and the MK18 has been on my radar for a while now…

Because of that, I’ve been analyzing (for several months now) several options that I think would make for the best MK18 upper clone…

And in this post, I want to share with you some of the most exciting options that I’ve found for both the MK18 Mod 1 and the MK18 Mod 0…

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of the options that are currently out there, and you should have all the information you need to determine which is going to be best for your MK18 clone…

Let’s begin!

Best MK18 Upper Clone – Top 7 List…

The best MK18 upper clone is the Daniel Defense MK18 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver Group. It’s the best because it features the very distinctive Daniel Defense MK18 RIS II quad rail which is the actual rail used on the real MK18 Mod 1, and all the other components of this upper meet or exceed military specifications for durability and reliability…

The following will give you more information explaining why the Daniel Defense MK18 Upper is the best upper clone, but I’ll also share with you 6 other options you can consider if you want to build a MK18 clone…

1. Daniel Defense MK18 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver Group (My #1 Pick!)

If your goal is to build a MK18 Mod 1 clone, then the absolute best option available to you is the Daniel Defense MK18 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver Group. As I mentioned earlier, there are several reasons why this is the best option to go with…

First of all, if you’re trying to create a MK18 Mod 1 clone, then you simply must include the Daniel Defense RIS II handguard. This is the handguard used on real MK18s, and it makes for a very distinctive (and cool) look. Aside from just coming with the RIS II handguard, the complete MK18 upper from Daniel Defense makes a lot of sense for many other reasons…

At this point, we all know that Daniel Defense makes extremely high quality AR 15s and AR parts, and that rings true with this complete upper which includes a Daniel Defense upper receiver (which mates perfectly with the RIS II rail), all Daniel Defense upper receiver parts (which are all mil-spec), a Daniel Defense flash suppresser (which is an upgrade over a standard A2 birdcage), and a mil-spec, M16 profile BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) which is chrome-lined and has a properly staked gas key…

On top of all that, you get an extremely high quality Daniel Defense barrel, which is 10.3 inches long (just like the real MK18), made from Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel, is chrome-lined, and features a 1:7 twist. It’s also cold hammer forged, so it’s extremely strong, and because it’s such a high-quality barrel, it’s also very accurate…

Once you get the Daniel Defense MK18 complete upper, all you have to do is stick in on a solid mil-spec lower (make sure to follow all current laws because the barrel length is under 16 inches), and your MK18 clone will pretty much be complete!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Daniel Defense MK18 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver Group:

---

Daniel Defense MK18 Stripped Upper Receiver w/ Handguard Only…

If you like most of what the Daniel Defense Complete MK18 upper includes, but you’d like to save some money and customize your build a little more, the Daniel Defense MK18 Stripped Upper is another great option…

This stripped upper gets you most of the way to a MK18 Mod 1 clone. With it, you get the RIS II handguard which as I mentioned before is an absolute must. But you also get the Daniel Defense milspec upper, and that super high quality 10.3 Daniel Defense barrel…

All you need to do to finish this upper is to pick up a muzzle device (of which there are tons of great options), a bolt carrier group, and a charging handle. You can save money in these areas by going with basic (but still high quality parts), or you can upgrade these parts for more performance (go here if you’d like to see some really cool AR 15 accessories that I recommend)…

So as I said, this is a great option for a MK18 clone if you want to save a bit of money or if you want to customize your clone in a few key areas.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Daniel Defense MK18 Stripped Upper Receiver w/ Handguard Only:

---

Daniel Defense MK18 Rail Interface System (RIS) II…

Before moving on to number 2 on the list, I want to share with you a final option for building an accurate MK18 Mod 1 clone. You can simply get the Daniel Defense MK18 RIS II handguard and either build from scratch or put it on a pre-built upper receiver and barrel set of your choice…

I love Daniel Defense rails in general, but in my opinion, they’ve made the absolute best quad rails on the market for several years. The MK18 RIS II is one of the premier handguards that you can get, and like I said, if you want to build a MK18 Mod 1 clone from scratch, just get the rail and all the other upper receiver parts that you need.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Daniel Defense MK18 Rail Interface System (RIS) II:

---

2. PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1/7″ Phosphate Upper

If you’re looking to go ‘old school’ with your MK18 clone and want to create a Mod 0, then I think the PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1:7 Twist Phosphate Upper is a fantastic option for many reasons…

First of all, I love Palmetto State Armory. They’re famous for producing AR 15s and AR parts that are both high quality and affordable at the same time. That’s certainly the case with this PSA 10.5 inch upper, and I think that you could pick this up, attach it to a good quality lower (like this one from PSA), and instantly have yourself a reliable and very cool looking MK18 Mod 0 clone…

This upper is cool because it has a front sight post which is F-Marked and correct for the MK18 Mod 0, and it has a 10.5 inch barrel which I think is the correct length for the Mod 0. And that barrel is actually very high quality. It’s made from Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, features a 1:7 twist rate, and has an extremely durable Phosphate coating…

This upper also features a carbine-length gas system, and it comes with an A2 flashhider and the classic-looking military-styled handguards. Last, if you go with this upper, you will need to pick up a Bolt Carrier Group and a charging handle, but you can easily do that by going here for a solid Bolt Carrier Group and going here for a quality charging handle…

All in all, this is a wonderful upper for a MK18 Mod 0 clone because the parts that you get are high-quality, and it’s also a fairly affordable upper which is always something that I like to see.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1/7″ Phosphate Upper:

---

Daniel Defense AR-15 Omega Rail (7 inch – Carbine Length)…

One of the ways to make the PSA 10.5″ upper an even better MK18 Mod 0 clone is to add a drop in quad rail, and my favorite drop in quad rail is, by far, the Daniel Defense Omega Rail…

I have this rail on my Colt LE6920, and I love it for several reasons. First of all, it’s very strong and allows you to mount a light, vertical foregrip, and a number of other accessories onto your AR 15. In addition to that, Daniel Defense does a great job designing their quad rails to be really lightweight…

And they also designed this rail to be fairly narrow when you grip it. This is kind of unusual when it comes to quad rails, and it makes this rail much more ergonomic than other fat, bulky quad rails that I’ve used in the past.

All in all, I think adding the 7-inch carbine length Omega rail to the PSA 10.5 inch upper would really be a home run if you’re looking to create a MK 18 Mod 0 clone!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Daniel Defense AR-15 Omega Rail:

---

Midwest Industries Gen 2 Drop-In Handguard (7 Inch – Carbine Length)…

Another great quad rail option that you can use with the PSA 10.5″ upper to finish off your MK18 Mod 0 clone is the Midwest Industries Gen 2 Drop-In Handguard…

This is also a very strong drop in quad rail. In addition to that, it’s easy to install and will make your MK18 clone look really badass. On top of that, it’s a fairly lightweight quad rail, and it’s not an overly fat and bulky rail, so it will feel good in your hand…

Like the Daniel Defense Omega rail, this is a fantastic drop in quad rail that you can consider for a MK18 Mod 0 clone build. The major difference is that it comes in at a more affordable price point than the DD Omega rail.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Midwest Industries Gen 2 Drop-In Handguard:

---

3. PSA 10.5″ 5.56 Lightweight M-LOK Upper (With MBUS Sights, BCG, CH, & Fluted Flash Can)

Ok, so if you’re willing to be a little less rigid with your MK18 clone, the rest of the options on this list will be very interesting to you, and I have to say, this PSA 10.5″ Upper with an MLOK rail and a flash can would make for a super badass ‘MK18-inspired’ AR 15…

I love this upper because like I mentioned earlier, Palmetto State Armory produces fantastic AR 15 parts, and they do so at an affordable price. And the great thing about this upper in particular is that it’s loaded with everything you need right out of the box and has some really unique features as well…

First of all, with this upper, you get a very high-quality 10.5″ barrel that’s made from 4150V Chrome Moly Vanadium steel. In addition to that, you get an MLOK rail which is going to be very comfortable to grasp and allow you to mount MLOK accessories where ever you’d like to. You also get that very unique flash can which kind of mimics a suppressor without actually being one, and it really sets this upper apart in terms of how cool it looks…

On top of all that, you get Magpul MBUS back up sights included with this upper, and you get a milspec, M16 profile bolt carrier group, and charging handle. So all you have to do is attach this to a quality AR pistol lower, and you’ve got yourself a super unique ‘MK18 sized’ AR 15 that is going to be more lightweight and perhaps a little more ergonomic than a more ‘correct’ MK18 clone.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ 5.56 Lightweight M-LOK Upper:

---

4. Aero Precision M4E1 10.5″ 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver w/ ATLAS S-ONE Handguard

Another one of my favorite manufacturers when it comes to AR-15s and AR parts is Aero Precision. Like PSA, they also make high quality products and keep their prices very reasonable in my opinion, and that’s exactly what they’ve done with the M4E1 10.5″ Complete Upper Receiver with the Atlas S-One Handguard…

Again, if your goal is to build a ‘correct’ MK18 Mod 1 or Mod 0 clone, then this upper isn’t the one for you, but if you just like the size and concept of a 10.5 inch AR 15, this is a great option to consider for many reasons. For starters, this upper comes with a very high-quality 10.5 inch barrel which is made from Chrome Moly Vanadium steel and has a 1:7 twist rate…

In addition to that, the Aero Precision upper receiver has a very cool ‘billet look’ to it even though it’s actually forged (which makes it stronger and more lightweight). On top of all that, the most unique feature that you get with this upper is the 9 inch ATLAS S-One which I think is an amazing handguard.

It looks very cool in my opinion, but by removing some of the Picatinny railing at the top of the handguard, you end up with a lighter AR 15 and an extremely ergonomic and comfortable handguard. On top of that, you still have railing on top where you need it for back up iron sights, and because it’s an MLOK handguard, you can put MLOK rails for accessories anywhere in the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions…

All in all, I love this little upper because it looks amazing and offers you some extremely useful features at the same time.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Aero Precision M4E1 10.5″ 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver w/ ATLAS S-ONE Handguard:

---

5. PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1:7 Phosphate 9″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (With BCG & CH)

Another fantastic upper for a ‘MK18 sized’ AR 15 is the PSA 10.5 inch Lightweight M-LOK Upper. Again this is a great option if you want a modern style AR 15 that comes in the compact size of the MK18…

This upper is awesome because the barrel is very high-quality. Its made from a very strong material (Chrome Moly Vanadium steel), and it also has a 1:7 twist rate and a Phosphate coating, which makes it incredibly durable. I also really like the M-Lok handguard that comes with this upper because it’s slim and comfortable to hold when you’re shooting, it’s lightweight, and it still allows you to mount accessories in practically any position you’d like to…

On top of all that, this upper comes with a very high-quality bolt carrier group (that has an M16 profile and is made from Carpenter 158 steel). It comes with a charging handle, and it comes in at an incredibly affordable price point. So again, all you have to do is pin it onto your AR pistol lower and you’ve got a very compact AR 15 that is lightweight and reliable.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1:7 Phosphate 9″ Lightweight M-LOK Upper (With BCG & CH):

---

6. Aero Precision M4E1 10.5″ 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver w/ ATLAS R-ONE Handguard

Well, I told you that I love Aero Precision AR 15s, so it should be no surprise that I put a second upper on this list for your consideration. I think the M4E1 complete upper with the ATLAS R-One Handguard is another amazing option for a ‘MK18-sized’ AR 15…

Again, Aero Precision makes extremely high quality AR parts, and just as with the earlier M4E1 upper that I put on this list, with this upper you get an extremely high-quality 10.5 inch barrel, the forged ‘billet look’ Aero Precision upper, and an Aero Precision handguard, except this time you’re getting the ATLAS R-One handguard rather than the ATLAS S-One…

I bet you can spot the difference just by looking at the picture… That’s right, with the ATLAS R-One handguard you still get a comfortable place to grip and M-LOK slots for accessories in the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions, but you also get a full Picatinny rail across the top of your handguard…

So if you like all of the features that the Aero Precision M4E1 upper has to offer, but you want the full top rail on your handguard for BUIS (back up iron sights), lasers, pressure pads, and/or other accessories, then you also have this amazing option available to you!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Aero Precision M4E1 10.5″ 5.56 Complete Upper Receiver w/ ATLAS R-ONE Handguard:

---

7. PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1/7″ Phosphate MOE Upper (With BCG & CH)

The last upper I have for your consideration is the PSA 10.5″ MOE Complete Upper. This is a very similar upper to the MK18 Mod 0 clone upper that I placed earlier on this list…

Again, this upper gives you a very high quality barrel that is 10.5 inches, made from Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, and comes with a 1:7 twist. It also comes with an F-Marked front sight post and a standard A2 flash hider. On top of all that, it comes ready to go with a quality bolt carrier group that features an M16 Profile and is made from Carpenter 158 steel, and it comes with a charging handle…

So what sets this upper apart? Well, it comes with a Magpul MOE handguard which is a handguard that I personally like because its extremely comfortable in your hand, it has internal heat shields (so you don’t burn your hand when shooting multiple magazines), and it has M-LOK attachments, so you can mount a weapon light, a vertical foregrip, or any other accessories onto it that you’d like to…

So this is another great option for a ‘MK18-sized’ AR 15 because it’s simple, reliable, compact, and ready to go right out of the box!

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The PSA 10.5″ 5.56 NATO 1/7″ Phosphate MOE Upper (With BCG & CH):

The CZ Scorpion is such a fun gun to shoot…

I remember when I first got mine, I couldn’t wait to take it into the Nevada desert to start popping some steel plates with it…

Part of what makes it such a fun gun to shoot is that it’s very easy to control…

It’s just a 9mm, and the big heavy blow-back bolt on the Scorpion weighs down the whole gun just enough to make it extremely soft-shooting…

But what if you could make your Scorpion run even faster?

Well, with the invention of the CZ Scorpion Binary Trigger, that’s actually not a very hard thing to do…

Now if you don’t know what a Binary trigger is, it’s basically a trigger that gives you the ability to fire off shots faster because in ‘Binary mode’ the gun will shoot when the trigger is pulled AND when the trigger is released…

And in this article, I’ll be giving you a few of the best binary triggers for the CZ Scorpion that are currently on the market…

On top of that, I’ll give you a non-binary trigger option as well and explain why you might want to consider it if your goal is to increase your shooting speed…

Let’s get started!

CZ Scorpion Binary Trigger – My Top Choices…

The CZ Scorpion binary trigger is made by Franklin Armory, and the trigger comes in two versions, the CZ-C1 (curved trigger) and the CZ-S1 (straight trigger). Both versions are 3 position triggers which include a Safe position, a Semi position (in which 1 round is fired when the trigger is pulled), and a Binary position (in which 1 round is fired when the trigger is pulled and 1 round is fired when the trigger is released)…

The following will give you more information about each of these binary trigger options, and I’ll also introduce you to a standard CZ Scorpion trigger that you might also consider if your goal is to shoot faster…

1. Franklin Armory BFSIII CZ-C1 Trigger

The Franklin Armory BFSIII CZ-C1 trigger is the most popular binary trigger option for the CZ Scorpion. The trigger itself looks like an unassuming, standard curved trigger, but that’s really where the similarities end…

It comes with an ambidextrous safety selector, which I think is cool, and that safety selector has 3 positions on it: the Safe position, the Semi position that allows you to fire like any other semi-automatic firearm, and the Binary position that allows you to fire 1 round when you pull the trigger and 1 round when you release the trigger…

This binary function can greatly increase the split time between the shots that you’ve fired. And it can be used to shoot faster in both tactical or defensive situations or in a competition setting as well. On top of all that, it’s pretty easy to install, and can really turn your Scorpion into an even more fun range toy.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Franklin Armory BFSIII CZ-C1 Trigger:

---

2. Franklin Armory BFSIII CZ-S1 Trigger

Another very exciting binary trigger that’s offered by Franklin Armory is the BFSIII CZ-S1. Just like with the BFSIII CZ-C1, this trigger comes with an ambidextrous safety selector, which makes it a great option regardless of whether you’re left or right-handed…

This trigger also has the same 3 positions that are found on the BFSIII CZ-C1, which means you can put your Scorpion on safe. You can select normal semi-automatic fire just like you could with a regular trigger in your Scorpion, and of course, you can choose the binary position if you want your Scorpion to fire when you pull the trigger and when you release the trigger…

Another cool feature that both the BFSIII CZ-C1 and CZ-S1 have is that if you pull the trigger while the selector is on binary mode, you can actually switch it to the safe position and a round will not fire when you release the trigger. This is a great feature because it gives you more control over when exactly your Scorpion will fire and when it won’t…

All that being said, the big difference between the CZ-C1 and the CZ-S1 is simply that you get a straight trigger rather than a curved one. Now I personally like straight triggers. I just think they’re a little easier to be accurate with and that they generally feel a little better on my finger. But really, the choice between curved and straight triggers just comes down to personal preference…

So if you like the look and feel of a curved trigger, then go with the BFSIII CZ-C1, but if you prefer the look and feel of a straight trigger, you might want to take a closer look at the BFSIII CZ-S1.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Franklin Armory BFSIII CZ-S1 Trigger:

---

3. Timney Triggers CZ Scorpion Drop In Trigger (Not Binary, But…)

The final trigger option that I wanted to share with you is the Timney Triggers CZ Scorpion Drop In Trigger. Now this is not a binary trigger, but let me explain how it can help you shoot faster…

First of all, Timney is famous for making some of the best triggers you can get for AR 15s, IWI Tavors, Glocks, and a number of other firearms as well. And guess what… their CZ Scorpion drop in trigger is super high-quality as well.

It’s contains a trigger shoe and hammer that are precision machined and that are heat-treated to 56 Rockwell C. It also has a black oxide finish and the hammer has an NP-3 plating which will add smoothness and lubricity to the unit and make it extremely rugged. All of this together means that you get a finely tuned (and durable) Scorpion trigger that comes in somewhere in the range of 2-3 pounds…

Now some people might say that that’s too lightweight of a trigger for them, but I disagree because I think that’s a fantastic trigger weight for a couple of reasons. First of all, everyone knows that a lighter weight trigger will generally make it easier for you to shoot accurately. This is because you don’t have to focus as hard on pulling a heavy trigger straight back to the rear without disturbing your sights at all…

But another great benefit of having a lightweight trigger is that you can shoot much faster than you could with a heavy trigger because again, your finger and hand muscles don’t have to do as much work. So if you are looking for a way to increase your split times or just your shooting speed in general with your Scorpion, the Timney drop in trigger will help you do that, and it’s a less expensive option than both binary triggers that are offered by Franklin Armory.

Click The Button Below To Learn More About The Timney Triggers CZ Scorpion Drop In Trigger: