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2/12/2016 3:00:02 PM EDT
This is a repost from GD.
Thought I'd get more traffic there this time of day but not much help there.
Trying again here


Looking at getting a Lite Weight upper assembly.
It's a toss up between BCN and PSA.

Both have the CHF lite weight uppers

I think both are made by FN but not sure.
Is there much if any difference in the two if both barrels are made by the same manufacturer?
2/12/2016 3:22:14 PM EDT
[#1]
The PSA CHF barrels have been great for many people. I would like a few more for future builds.
2/12/2016 3:26:14 PM EDT
[#2]
I'd say they'll perform the same but the BCM has a better chance of not being fucked up.
2/12/2016 3:53:58 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
I'd say they'll perform the same but the BCM has a better chance of not being fucked up.
View Quote

Oh my God, this has me rolling!
2/12/2016 3:57:31 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
I'd say they'll perform the same but the BCM has a better chance of not being fucked up.
View Quote


Amen
2/12/2016 4:15:50 PM EDT
[#5]
I should of also posted I'll be free floating the upper and the FSB will be removed.
I have a BCM upper and it will out shoot me.
I also purchased 2 PSA kits for the wife and son several years ago and both had no issues.
Actually grouped pretty good but not quite as good as my BCM.

I was wondering of the CHF barrels preform the same especially if they are made by FN ( still don't know for sure if PSA's CHF barrels are FN )
If they'll perform the same plus save me a hundred off the upper and more with PSA including the BCG in their upper assembly.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
2/12/2016 4:21:17 PM EDT
[#6]
Doesn't get much lighter than KMR...
2/12/2016 4:30:21 PM EDT
[#7]
I like PSA CHF barrels, I have built a few. That being said, the last three I ordered had to be sent back for QC assembly problems and I was given my money back. I have replaced those with Bravo Company rifles and can say that they build/assemble them the right way. From now on I will only get BCM chf uppers. I will still buy small parts and ammo from psa, until they get their QC problems fixed.
2/12/2016 4:46:40 PM EDT
[#8]
Thanks for all the info.
Looks like QC has gone down hill with PSA.
Guess I'll js stay with BCM.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
2/12/2016 4:48:18 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:
I'd say they'll perform the same but the BCM has a better chance of not being fucked up.
View Quote


LOL !! This, with the added comment of PSA assembled stuff can be crud at times.
2/12/2016 5:25:26 PM EDT
[#10]
PSA's CHF barrels are made by FN.  It's been rumored that FN makes BCM's BFH barrels but never confirmed and BCM doesn't disclose who makes their barrels.  I looked into the same thing a while back and I did notice that the FN CHF barrels from PSA and Spikes get pretty good accuracy reports, while by most accounts BCM's BFH barrels seem to be 2-3 moa with good ammo.  The $60-$80 premium for the BFH barrels vs the same profile standard chrome lined barrel is a bit steep IMO.  As said BCM does have much better QC.  My opinion, at PSA's prices might as well get the CHF.  At BCM's prices I went with the standard barrel over BFH.
2/12/2016 8:21:54 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
I like PSA CHF barrels, I have built a few. That being said, the last three I ordered had to be sent back for QC assembly problems and I was given my money back. I have replaced those with Bravo Company rifles and can say that they build/assemble them the right way. From now on I will only get BCM chf uppers. I will still buy small parts and ammo from psa, until they get their QC problems fixed.
View Quote


If you don't mind, what were the QC problems? Did all three have the same problem? I'm assuming these were complete uppers, and not just barrels.
2/12/2016 9:49:02 PM EDT
[#12]
PSA uses FN barrels, so they are top notch, however, their in-house assembly QC has issues.

Of the five PSA uppers that I and my son have ordered, only one was right...the rest had canted FSBs, loose (as in hand tight only) or over torqued barrel nuts, etc.

These are strictly in-house quality issues, not a symptom of the parts themselves.

As much as I do like a lot of PSA parts (and continue to use them), I have no plans to buy a new PSA built upper anytime soon.

Go with BCM as you are much more likely to get a properly built upper from the start.
2/12/2016 10:20:16 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Quoted:


If you don't mind, what were the QC problems? Did all three have the same problem? I'm assuming these were complete uppers, and not just barrels.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I like PSA CHF barrels, I have built a few. That being said, the last three I ordered had to be sent back for QC assembly problems and I was given my money back. I have replaced those with Bravo Company rifles and can say that they build/assemble them the right way. From now on I will only get BCM chf uppers. I will still buy small parts and ammo from psa, until they get their QC problems fixed.


If you don't mind, what were the QC problems? Did all three have the same problem? I'm assuming these were complete uppers, and not just barrels.


No all 3 had different problems:.first 16 mid chf had the barrel nut not timed right, gas tube so crooked the bolt wouldnt close, the barrel nut was cross threaded and required over 150 ft lbs to get off, upper receiver was ruined. Second was a 16inch carbine chf, the barrel extension was not timed with the barrel and bolt would not go into ext. Third and last was the 14.7 light weight chf I got in December, it had a FSB that was canted to the right so bad that with the rear sight all the way to the right that at 100 yards still shot 10-12 inches to the left. All 3 were sent back for repair and deemed unable to be fix by PSA. I got my money back and CS was always nice but each time was over 5-6 weeks from purchase to money back. These were all complete uppers. I have 5 rifles from them that have been perfect. For me I think its been a craps shoot if they will be right or not. Each one of the uppers were my last three orders from them. I replaced all with BCM and they are built the way I build them with molly lube on barrel nuts, FSB top dead center, extensions timed perfect. Even the cam pins have white lithium grease on them. Just built right. PSA needs better assembly QC, imho, but I like the quality of the individual parts. I now see op just wants a barrel.
2/12/2016 10:44:52 PM EDT
[#14]
Doesn't bcm use loctite on their barrel nuts and/or extensions? Some have complained that it's incredibly difficult to remove the barrels from their uppers. Either that or their uppers are purposefully undersized by a thousandth or something.
2/12/2016 10:50:30 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Quoted:
PSA's CHF barrels are made by FN.  It's been rumored that FN makes BCM's BFH barrels but never confirmed and BCM doesn't disclose who makes their barrels.  I looked into the same thing a while back and I did notice that the FN CHF barrels from PSA and Spikes get pretty good accuracy reports, while by most accounts BCM's BFH barrels seem to be 2-3 moa with good ammo.  The $60-$80 premium for the BFH barrels vs the same profile standard chrome lined barrel is a bit steep IMO.  As said BCM does have much better QC.  My opinion, at PSA's prices might as well get the CHF.  At BCM's prices I went with the standard barrel over BFH.
View Quote


Molon reported 1.5"-1.96" MOA with match ammo on the BCM BFH 14.5" .gov middy.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/687734_Accuracy_Evaluation_of_a_Bravo_Company_14_5__Barrel.html
2/12/2016 11:21:37 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Quoted:
Doesn't bcm use loctite on their barrel nuts and/or extensions? Some have complained that it's incredibly difficult to remove the barrels from their uppers. Either that or their uppers are purposefully undersized by a thousandth or something.
View Quote


BCM loctite Not that i have ever seen or heard......... the 4 i've helped pull apart were fucking torqued to the max to say the least though.
I don't beleive this hurts anything it's just a pita when you go to take it apart.

Psa fn brl uppers are a good deal when on sale............ if they aren't on sale it's not worth the risk of the qc imo.


I've personally had good luck all the fn barreled uppers i've bought .... two 10.5"  a 16" mid lightweight have been perfect.
The two one of my brothers has have been fine also.

It really boils down to your what your looking for your budget and if your willing to roll the dice with some poor qc slipping sometimes.
2/13/2016 12:53:25 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:


Molon reported 1.5"-1.96" MOA with match ammo on the BCM BFH 14.5" .gov middy.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/687734_Accuracy_Evaluation_of_a_Bravo_Company_14_5__Barrel.html
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
PSA's CHF barrels are made by FN.  It's been rumored that FN makes BCM's BFH barrels but never confirmed and BCM doesn't disclose who makes their barrels.  I looked into the same thing a while back and I did notice that the FN CHF barrels from PSA and Spikes get pretty good accuracy reports, while by most accounts BCM's BFH barrels seem to be 2-3 moa with good ammo.  The $60-$80 premium for the BFH barrels vs the same profile standard chrome lined barrel is a bit steep IMO.  As said BCM does have much better QC.  My opinion, at PSA's prices might as well get the CHF.  At BCM's prices I went with the standard barrel over BFH.


Molon reported 1.5"-1.96" MOA with match ammo on the BCM BFH 14.5" .gov middy.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/687734_Accuracy_Evaluation_of_a_Bravo_Company_14_5__Barrel.html

I did say most, obviously some will be better, some worse.  As was said in that thread, not particularly good if that was the best it can do with good hand loads.  Especially for the price of the BFH barrels.
2/13/2016 12:59:58 AM EDT
[#18]
I bought a psa cl chf upper 6 years ago. Arrived perfect.  Never heard many problems about psa back then.
2/13/2016 1:45:00 AM EDT
[#19]
BCM. Period.
2/13/2016 5:41:20 AM EDT
[#20]


Quote History
Quoted:
I did say most, obviously some will be better, some worse.  As was said in that thread, not particularly good if that was the best it can do with good hand loads.  Especially for the price of the BFH barrels.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:





Quoted:




Quoted:


PSA's CHF barrels are made by FN.  It's been rumored that FN makes BCM's BFH barrels but never confirmed and BCM doesn't disclose who makes their barrels.  I looked into the same thing a while back and I did notice that the FN CHF barrels from PSA and Spikes get pretty good accuracy reports, while by most accounts BCM's BFH barrels seem to be 2-3 moa with good ammo.  The $60-$80 premium for the BFH barrels vs the same profile standard chrome lined barrel is a bit steep IMO.  As said BCM does have much better QC.  My opinion, at PSA's prices might as well get the CHF.  At BCM's prices I went with the standard barrel over BFH.






Molon reported 1.5"-1.96" MOA with match ammo on the BCM BFH 14.5" .gov middy.


http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/687734_Accuracy_Evaluation_of_a_Bravo_Company_14_5__Barrel.html





I did say most, obviously some will be better, some worse.  As was said in that thread, not particularly good if that was the best it can do with good hand loads.  Especially for the price of the BFH barrels.
Not particularly good?  2 of 3 10 shot groups in the 1.5 moa range is spectacular. I have 3 14.5 bcm's, 2 CHF, 1 standard. All are excellent shooting and with my 77 SMK reloads they are consistently 1.5 moa or better. Ive only ever owned 1 of the PSA premium 14.7 barrels, that particular one did not outshoot my bcm government profiles. It was a fine barrel, just not quite as consistent.

 
I think people get too used to seeing/hearing about 3 and 5 shot groups and all these barrels being '1 moa'. 10 shot groups are another ballgame and a consistent 10 shot 1.5 moa chrome lined barrel is about as good as you can ask for


 
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