Purchasing a upper online. - AR15.Com Archive

Purchasing a upper online.

JZee30 [Member]

5/26/2012 5:53:53 PM

Noob here with a few questions. I just started my first AR build and i was interested in purchasing this PSA upperhttp://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/psa-16-hammer-forged-cmv-mid-length-light-profile-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html . Will it be an issue getting it to CT? I understand IF i would like to keep it this configuration with the bayo lug and flash hider , i would need a pre-ban lower. This is my plan to find a pre lower, but not now i have a Spikes lower i am happy with.

I know CT does not allow a threaded barrel but, from what i researched i can put a muzzle brake pinned and welded or silver solder. Next how difficult is it to remove the front sight post and flash hider? I am familiar with the AR but not building them yet.

JohnnyA [Member]

5/26/2012 7:29:20 PM

You shouldn't have an issue getting it to CT.

The flash hider unscrews using a 3/4" wrench. Barrel vise blocks are very helpful.

The front sight post is held in place by two pins that slide out using a punch. You can grind or cut off the bayonet lug or replace it with a gas block without a bayonet lug or go the clamp-on route. YHM makes a nice one with a flip-up front sight.

CenterMass0 [Team Member]

5/26/2012 7:33:00 PM

Having a preban upper in your possession without having a preban lower also is a big no no.

DanTSX [Team Member]

5/26/2012 8:00:51 PM

Leave the front sight on

Just have the bayo lug ground off.

Possession of the post ban lower and upper is a probably not the most halal way, but I've done it, and so has everyone i know. Just don't mate the two halves together or do something to make yourself obvious until you bring the upper compliant, and you'll be fine.

nutter [Member]

5/26/2012 9:14:09 PM

Batfe will kick in your door , shoot your wife and dog in the face and make your children wards of the state
Oh wait
They won't care
But the state will if you bring it to their attention

JZee30 [Member]

5/26/2012 9:57:45 PM

Thanks everybody, looks like i'll have a new PSA upper in a few weeks. Anyone here use PSA parts? all the reviews i've read on them it seems they are decent quality.

Andrapos [Team Member]

5/26/2012 10:49:46 PM

I've been buying from those guys since '08

bending_rodriguez [Member]

5/27/2012 10:24:32 AM

One of my rifles has a psa LPK......the trigger is grittier than my stag LPK....but still good.
I just replaced a del-ton upper with a psa upper.
First impressions....I was more impressed with del-ton. I havent shot it yet so no comments there.
The other problem was that I ordered a complete upper and when I opened the box I found an upper with NO handguards lol.
I had a KAC RAS that was going on this upper so no big deal but I mean CMON how does an upper get placed in a box and shipped with no handguard!!
I called PSA and they were very apologetic and said theyd ship them out immediately.......
2 weeks later I finally got the handguards, so If this was my first rifle, and I had no other handguards, it would have taken an extra 2 weeks to get out and shoot.

I feel very neutral about them...
I used to order all my ammo from them but always had issues with shipping....I had shipping issues with the lower build kit I ordered last year. And now this upper...
I am confident they will fix any problems myself, or anyone else has.....but why should there be so many problems?
WIll I order from them again? Probably not, I'd rather pay a little more and be confident there wont be problems.

As long as you dont mind assembly marks all over the barrel(this is not a safe queen upper) and a possible canted front sight base, you'll be happy.
Also for a time scale...I got this upper 3 weeks ago. It took 16 business days to get to my door from the date ordered...so they are pretty dead on about the manufacture times.

The first pic is the new PSA upper
Second has the PSA LPK

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zegermanznew [Member]

5/27/2012 11:27:06 AM

Originally Posted By JZee30:
Thanks everybody, looks like i'll have a new PSA upper in a few weeks. Anyone here use PSA parts? all the reviews i've read on them it seems they are decent quality.

As with most other things, you are going to get exactly what you pay for, nothing more, nothing less.

Generally speaking, I think most of their customers are satisfied, not ecstatic, not miserably disappointed, just satisfied.

That said, I like to be ecstatic, and order accordingly.

Welcome to the site!

JohnnyA [Member]

5/27/2012 2:18:37 PM

Originally Posted By JZee30:
Thanks everybody, looks like i'll have a new PSA upper in a few weeks. Anyone here use PSA parts? all the reviews i've read on them it seems they are decent quality.

AIM carries a nearly identical complete upper made by Spike's plus it includes a buffer. It's out of stock at the moment but probably worth the wait. AIM and Spike's have great reputations.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XSTU5035MOE&name=Spikes+Tactical+16%22+Mid-Length+5.56%2f.223+Upper+Receiver&groupid=586

JAD [Team Member]

5/27/2012 7:55:24 PM

Originally Posted By bending_rodriguez:
One of my rifles has a psa LPK......the trigger is grittier than my stag LPK....but still good.
I just replaced a del-ton upper with a psa upper.
First impressions....I was more impressed with del-ton. I havent shot it yet so no comments there.
The other problem was that I ordered a complete upper and when I opened the box I found an upper with NO handguards lol.
I had a KAC RAS that was going on this upper so no big deal but I mean CMON how does an upper get placed in a box and shipped with no handguard!!
I called PSA and they were very apologetic and said theyd ship them out immediately.......
2 weeks later I finally got the handguards, so If this was my first rifle, and I had no other handguards, it would have taken an extra 2 weeks to get out and shoot.

I feel very neutral about them...
I used to order all my ammo from them but always had issues with shipping....I had shipping issues with the lower build kit I ordered last year. And now this upper...
I am confident they will fix any problems myself, or anyone else has.....but why should there be so many problems?
WIll I order from them again? Probably not, I'd rather pay a little more and be confident there wont be problems.

As long as you dont mind assembly marks all over the barrel(this is not a safe queen upper) and a possible canted front sight base, you'll be happy.
Also for a time scale...I got this upper 3 weeks ago. It took 16 business days to get to my door from the date ordered...so they are pretty dead on about the manufacture times.

The first pic is the new PSA upper
Second has the PSA LPK
http://<a href=http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/8638/mg6849q.jpg</a>

Uploaded with ImageShack.us" />
http://<a href=http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/42/mg6856k.jpg</a>

Uploaded with ImageShack.us" />

Your experiences are interesting. The PSA upper hat I bought last Thanksgiving didn't any of the assembly marks that you described, nor did it lack anything i should have had. I was actually very impressed with the upper that I bought- especially for the price.

JAD [Team Member]

5/27/2012 8:01:08 PM

Originally Posted By DanTSX:
Leave the front sight on

Just have the bayo lug ground off.

Possession of the post ban lower and upper is a probably not the most halal way, but I've done it, and so has everyone i know. Just don't mate the two halves together or do something to make yourself obvious until you bring the upper compliant, and you'll be fine.

While Dan is right by implying that an individual probably wouldn't get caught- the reality is, that possession of a no-ban (threaded/ bayo lug upper) in conjunction with a receiver and stock parts in an unassembled state is as illegal as possessing an entire assembled, ready to use weapon. There is no exemptionfor holding them for a little while an individual looks for the parts needed to make it legal. Constructive possession is not only implied in Connecticut's assault weapons ban, it is explicitly stated. If I were buying an upper to have modfied for compliance, I would arrange to have it shipped directly to my gunsmith. If it were buying it to install on a preban lower- I would wait until I had a lower to buy the upper. If I were going to order one in advance, I would ensure that it was never in my possession until I had a legal upper in hand.

nutter [Member]

5/27/2012 8:07:26 PM

Originally Posted By JAD:

I swear I said the same thing about 5 posts back

JZee30 [Member]

5/28/2012 9:30:06 AM

WOW!! How the hell did they miss that? And this was 3 weeks ago you said. I've heard they had issues like this in the beginning of this year but, i also heard they brought in more people to fix these issues they were having. I noticed the 15 day build time, yeah it sucks waiting for your new toy but the price was right for my first build. Did they send you the tracking info on time? BTW, that sand color and black looks sweet i was thinking about doing that but decided not to so, i can keep costs down. The next build i am definitely doing that.

zegermanznew [Member]

5/28/2012 9:35:22 AM

You should start acquainting yourself with the Equipment Exchange.

Some really really good deals come around.

DanTSX [Team Member]

5/28/2012 9:36:42 AM

Well there is always BCM...

JZee30 [Member]

5/28/2012 9:41:54 AM

Originally Posted By JAD:

I understand your concern and thank you for looking out for me but, would it be an issue with pre-ban in the household?

JZee30 [Member]

5/28/2012 9:44:35 AM

Originally Posted By zegermanznew:
You should start acquainting yourself with the Equipment Exchange.

Some really really good deals come around.

Thanks i was looking at that but, i am unsure if i need a higher post count to buy and sell.

bending_rodriguez [Member]

5/28/2012 11:15:54 AM

Yea PSA's problem is that they went from 30 employees to 90 in a short period of time.... when this happens they will get guys that just don't give a shit and will eventually be weeded out. They wont come out and say this is the problem, but they did say those employee numbers so it's obvious THIS is the problem lol.

Without a pre ban lower in the house with a pre ban upper its definitely a legal issue. Having said that if your in limbo...either getting a pre ban lower or going to have the upper modiefied for our laws.....as long as you don't take it to the range and/or have cops coming to your house for other reasons you'll be fine. I wouldnt leave it like this for too long, but as long as only you know its there AND are planning to do something with it I wouldnt worry. I've had my stuff taken care of within a week of getting it for both rifles FYI.

As far as the tan rifle....thats exactly what I did. I built the rifle in the first pic first(with a different upper at first). Then once I had something to shoot I pieced together the second rifle(second pic). It was slow and EXPENSIVE

to build it like this but I didn't mind because I know knew how to build an upper.
Aside from the eotech, troy front sight, and surefire the rest of the tan stuff is pretty cheap if you wanted to put it on your first build.
magpul moe grip
magpul mag
magpul xtm rail panels
magpul ladder rail covers

You can buy and sell on the EE right now... no restrictions

DanTSX [Team Member]

5/28/2012 2:23:44 PM

Originally Posted By JZee30:

Originally Posted By zegermanznew:
You should start acquainting yourself with the Equipment Exchange.

Some really really good deals come around.

Thanks i was looking at that but, i am unsure if i need a higher post count to buy and sell.

Nope. The post count and feedback score is for the buyer/seller. Some sellers get cautious over low count buyers on major items, but overall, most don't care. The EE is a great place to buy/sell.

JAD [Team Member]

5/28/2012 3:56:29 PM

Originally Posted By JZee30:

Originally Posted By JAD:

I understand your concern and thank you for looking out for me but, would it be an issue with pre-ban in the household?

I wouldn't be (too) concerned about it, especially if it is kept apart from the post ban- though there is room for interpretation. Remember- I'm nobody. I'm not a cop, I'm not a lawyer, I'm not even fortune teller that can read the minds of any cops, state's attornies, judges, jurors, etc.... that you may have the unfortunate opportunity fo interacting with.

Liken it to a the co-possession of an AR-15type pistol, multiple short barrel uppers, and an AR-15 rifle that was originally configured as such. A comparable constructive possession concept applies at the federal level re, NFA firearms. If an individual just had an AR-15 rifle and an AR-15 short barrel upper, they would clearly be in constructive possession of an SBR. However, enter that AR-15 pistol. That pistol gives them a lawful use for the pistol uppers. Unless the individual does something to demonstrate intent to use the upper for something other than the pistol, he should be ok. Thompson Center Arms Co v. United States dealt with this concept at the federal level. TC was developing the Contender Carbine Kit, an accessory for that companes single shot handgun which adapted it into a title I single shot carbine. The ATF directed TC to register the pistol that the Contender Carbine kit would accompany as an SBR- holding the position that the possessor had a receiver, a butt stock, and a short barrel- thus constructively an SBR. The ATF's opinion failed to acknowledge that there was a lawful use for the buttstock, so long as 1. the buttstock was not installed while the short barrel was installed on the firearm and 2. that the long barrel was present while the stock was present (actually if the short barrel were disposed of, an individual should be able to stock the receiver sans barrel without fear as well). TC filed suit against the federal government for return of the $200 tax that the firm paid to register one of its TC Contender pistols as an SBR, claiming that there never was any SBR. Eventually the case made it to the Supreme Court, which sided with TC. (short version)

zegermanznew [Member]

5/28/2012 5:44:29 PM

Originally Posted By DanTSX:

Originally Posted By JZee30:

Originally Posted By zegermanznew:
You should start acquainting yourself with the Equipment Exchange.

Some really really good deals come around.

Thanks i was looking at that but, i am unsure if i need a higher post count to buy and sell.

Nope. The post count and feedback score is for the buyer/seller. Some sellers get cautious over low count buyers on major items, but overall, most don't care. The EE is a great place to buy/sell.

Dan nailed it.

They recommend you hang around there for a little bit before making interactions, just so you can get a good feel for the process.

There are no requirements though.

DanTSX [Team Member]

5/28/2012 5:59:27 PM

Originally Posted By JAD:

Originally Posted By JZee30:

Originally Posted By JAD:

I understand your concern and thank you for looking out for me but, would it be an issue with pre-ban in the household?

Good points.

I don't want anyone to mistakenly assume that I'm advocating breaking the law, but the state laws have limited language on "constructive intent" as the federal laws define it.

My own attitude stems from interactions with everyone's favorite black rifle store that is known and sometimes faulted for being overly conservative on their i practices in regards to CT firearm law. Bring in a preban upper and postban lower mated, they will kick you out before you can get the gun out of the case. Likewise, Bring in the same combo disassembled, and they will be offer friendly help in making your gun compliant for a modest fee.

If we think this through all the way, if I had stripped lower, a full parts kit, and an unpinned stock not yet installed, and a complete preban upper would I be in trouble? Of course not. Nothing is installed and it's not a rifle. Same thing if you assemble the lower and just the lower. Do I have to pin the stock before I assemble the lower? Do I have to pin the stock before I even possess the lower? No. This is a far cry from, and not the same set of laws and penalties that would bone you for owning an M16 FCG and a drilled and milled lower.

CT law is not federal law. Same applies for repercussions and case law.

Where is that lawyer dude? Djc..? He gave us a pretty good rundown on possession and intent before.

A little paranoia is good. A lot of paranoia, not so good......

JAD [Team Member]

5/28/2012 9:10:43 PM

If we think this through all the way, if I had stripped lower, a full parts kit, and an unpinned stock not yet installed, and a complete preban upper would I be in trouble? Of course not. Nothing is installed and it's not a rifle. Same thing if you assemble the lower and just the lower. Do I have to pin the stock before I assemble the lower? Do I have to pin the stock before I even possess the lower? No. This is a far cry from, and not the same set of laws and penalties that would bone you for owning an M16 FCG and a drilled and milled lower.

I wouldn't want to have that full parts kit (threaded barrel,flash hider, telestock, bayonet lug) on hand with a post ban lower. Connecticut's constructive possession section has some vague language, but is more or less clear.
An individual is guilty of constructively possessing an assault weapon if they possess "a part or combnation of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault weapon...or any combination of parts from which an assault weapon may be rapidly assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person."

A complete upper and a complete lower- no question in my book. Even that parts kit is just assembly work. May take a while for somebody who has never done it before. But, somebody who knows what they are doing- they can turn that pile of parts into a functional rifle pretty quickly.

I'm not saying that csp or your local police is as particular as the feds may be. I know that there are a lot of lax people in Connecticut. There are plenty of people who have assault weapons that are contraban- I know that, you know that....There are also plenty of people who have bought Archangel and Tapco stock kits at common sporting goods stores, including some really PC ones, who probably hate paramilitary firearms yet have built 10/22s that are illegal.

And yes, I know that I should probably try to buy into Reynold's Group- with the amount of foil I use, it would be a good move. But then, I would have to start buying Sigs- and I don't really care for those.

DanTSX [Team Member]

5/28/2012 9:38:01 PM

This state sucks

Good thing I'm going to eventually transform the relevant part of my long gun collection to one that is entirely pre-ban and probably all title-II, so CT lawmakers can go suck a goat.

Thanks JAD. I think you are right on this, unless a slick lawyer can cut the charges on at what point a lower becomes an assault weapon, etc. However, I don't think there will be any test cases, as there probably will never be a conviction on these laws.

I think the various 2A groups in this state need to really put the AWB (and castle doctrine) at the top of their agenda now that the CCW process and renewals are getting to be as good as they are going to get.

Surprisingly, CT has very little law to cut through to overturn the AWB in whole, or in part. Very few laws would have to change to make big differences. In fact, very little wording would have to change to make a big impact. Granted, the libs have a stranglehold on the state, but deals are cut all the time, and the AWB seems like one of those issues that could easily be traded for something that is going to get ramrodded through the legislature anyways. For example, cut a deal to stop resisting the stupid New Britain busway to let the AWB fall. The only issue is that it's Jepsen's/LeBeu's baby, and they won't be allowing anything touch it while they have a voice in the administration.

FUCK CT LIBERAL ASSFUCKS

JZee30 [Member]

5/29/2012 6:55:35 AM

[/quote]
And yes, I know that I should probably try to buy into Reynold's Group- with the amount of foil I use, it would be a good move. But then, I would have to start buying Sigs- and I don't really care for those.

[/quote]

LOL!! That line got the sand outta my eyes this morning! Speaking of stocks I've been looking at the Magpul MOE. Where do you guys pin it from? I pinned my mini 14 stock before but, it also has a shitty plastic buffer tube.
And yes, DanTSX you, i and every other law abiding gun owner wish the AWB would go away. Criminals will still have illegal guns.

JZee30 [Member]

5/29/2012 7:01:30 AM

Also, anyone been to the Springfield gun show coming up this weekend? I'm wondering if i should hold off on purchasing the Magpul stock and wait to see what the gun show has. The Wallingford show i went to a few months back one guy had a shit load of AR parts but i had no interest in the AR then.

bending_rodriguez [Member]

5/29/2012 2:53:18 PM

The MOE is definitely a nice stock. Because we have to pin it I would skip on the CTR(I think thats what it's called with the extra locking lever). In these pics is how I pinned the MOE...its very inconspicuous and when you do see the pin it looks like its from the factory that way.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us" />

JZee30 [Member]

5/29/2012 8:12:25 PM

OK, thanks man. Is that a sling loop by your castle nut?

Here's mine as it patiently waits for the upper. When i get everything squared away whenever the upper arrives then it's time for the rails and sights

. My brother told me to look for a 2 piece quad rail? Is it that much of a pain in the ass to put on a single.

bending_rodriguez [Member]

5/29/2012 10:36:43 PM

^ Looks good man! Did you pick up that spikes lower when Hoffmans had the sale on them?
Yea its a magpul asap plate for the sling.
Did you end up going with the PSA upper?
If you did, or did any type of upper with the standard front sight base....yea its a pain in the ass to install a free float rail(single).

You'd be much better off assembling the upper yourself right off the bat with a low pro gas block, or to slide the rail on, then the fsb, and to have the ability to put the barrel nut that comes with whichever free float rail you got.

If you have the standard front sight base your best bet would be to do a 2 piece rail. I'd recommend a KAC RAS. But you can also look into Troy, Midwest industries, I think Daniel Defense has them too....and there are others, those are just off the top of my head.

The KAC RAS can be found used on the EE for $100-150(This knights armament rail is what the military currently uses on m4's) You can see it in the first pic I posted on pg 1.

JZee30 [Member]

5/30/2012 7:30:01 AM

Originally Posted By bending_rodriguez:
^ Looks good man! Did you pick up that spikes lower when Hoffmans had the sale on them?
Yea its a magpul asap plate for the sling.
Did you end up going with the PSA upper?
If you did, or did any type of upper with the standard front sight base....yea its a pain in the ass to install a free float rail(single).

You'd be much better off assembling the upper yourself right off the bat with a low pro gas block, or to slide the rail on, then the fsb, and to have the ability to put the barrel nut that comes with whichever free float rail you got.

If you have the standard front sight base your best bet would be to do a 2 piece rail. I'd recommend a KAC RAS. But you can also look into Troy, Midwest industries, I think Daniel Defense has them too....and there are others, those are just off the top of my head.

The KAC RAS can be found used on the EE for $100-150(This knights armament rail is what the military currently uses on m4's) You can see it in the first pic I posted on pg 1.

Thanks man, yeah i got it a Hoffmans a few weeks ago. I was there to find mini 14 sight rings but i seen the spikes lowers in the case and decided to buy it . They were $99 at the time i purchased it.

I ended up getting the 16" Heavy mid-length MP upper from PSA because the one i first linked to was out of stock. of course.

I was looking at the Magpul MBUS sights. If i were to keep the front sight post on, would a rear MBUS line up correctly with the front? or should i ditch it and put on a low profile like you said.

Troy has some bad ass stuff, i just got their catalog. I see they're from Springfield, MA hopefully they will be at the gun show this weekend at the big E.

bending_rodriguez [Member]

5/30/2012 2:45:07 PM

Originally Posted By JZee30:

Nice! Yea I grabbed one too, they were hard to resist for the price

I didnt realize you got a midlength, so the KAC RAS wouldnt fit anyways. You need midlength handguards....I think they're 9" as apposed to the carbine which are 7".

Yea the magpul rear sight is good and it'll line up, its just tough to "zero" the rifle because there isnt elevation on the sights...only windage. They are LITERALLY a backup sight. I had one and sold it and ended up going with matech rear sights on both of mine. They can be used as a sight with windage/elevation and you can get them on the EE for about 30 bucks brand new. But its definitely up to you, if its just there so when you post pics guys dont say "wheres your rear sight?" then the magpul is fine, but if you plan on using it a lot its not the best. Oh and believe me guys will say that on this forum lol.

Yea troy has some nice stuff. If my rifles werent trying to be mil clones they'd have more troy stuff on them, although I do use a troy front sight.

T-TAC [Member]

6/1/2012 3:55:54 PM

Another thought, On one of my builds I found the easy way to go was to order a upper from Stag Arms. They are in New Britain CT. and you can have a CT. legal upper in about one day. Their prices were pretty reasonable and they have taken their game up a notch as far as Quaility