PSA Upper Receiver Autopsy - Part 1

Published on February 12, 2020
Duration: 6:35

This video performs an autopsy on a Palmetto State Armory (PSA) AR-15 upper receiver, diagnosing a significant barrel extension alignment issue. Impact marks on the barrel extension lugs and failure of alignment tools confirm the problem. Potential causes include improper assembly timing, a mis-milled index pin notch, or over-torquing.

Quick Summary

A PSA AR-15 upper receiver autopsy revealed a critical barrel extension alignment issue, evidenced by impact marks on the lugs and failure of alignment tools like the Midwest URR. Potential causes include assembly errors or manufacturing defects.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Problem Overview
  2. 00:43Disassembly & Alignment Tools
  3. 01:25Visual Inspection of Damage
  4. 02:05Alignment Testing (Failure)
  5. 03:16Control Comparison
  6. 05:03Conclusion & Potential Causes

Frequently Asked Questions

What issues were found with the PSA AR-15 upper receiver?

The PSA upper receiver showed significant impact marks on its barrel extension lugs and failed alignment tests, indicating a 'clocked' or misaligned barrel extension relative to the upper receiver.

How was the barrel extension alignment diagnosed?

Alignment was diagnosed using specialized tools like the Midwest Industries URR and 2Unique LLC barrel extension rod, which would not fully seat due to the misalignment.

What are potential causes for a clocked barrel extension in an AR-15?

Potential causes include improper assembly timing before the index pin was set, a mis-milled index pin notch in the receiver, or over-torquing the barrel during assembly.

What visual evidence indicated a problem with the PSA upper receiver?

Close-up inspection revealed pronounced impact marks on the edges of the barrel extension teeth, affecting most lugs, which is a clear sign of misalignment during operation.

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