Palmetto State Armory Premium Upper Review with FN and Geissele

[@hawaiiangunner]

The best thing I ever did to improve my multigun match scores was lose 80lbs. Went from c class to m class in the process. 260 to 180lbs 48yrs. Now I shoot full matches all day long with armor on no problem.

[@hawaiiangunner]

@The Range thank you man that's very nice of you to say.

[@AG-rk5hj]

That's pretty fuckin impressive bro 👍🏼🇺🇸

[@rybaneightsix5085]

I got the premium PSA upper a couple months ago (nov 2022) and I love it. $350 on clearance for a 14.5 FN barrel, a2 hider pinned, mid-length gas. First ar and I love it

[@unmalo2768]

I went with this upper, but in 14.5" barrel with pinned and welded flash hider, and the 13" Geissle handguard. It came with the pinned Geissle Super Block gas block. I changed out the upper with an Aero Precision. I matched it up with an Aero Precision lower with ambi bolt catch built in, and an Aero Precision enhanced buffer tube, Armaspec captured spring buffer system, Rise Armament 3.5 lb single stage drop in trigger. I used a BCM Stock, Grip, Foregrip and bolt carrier group. I set a Primary Arms 1x6 LPVO with ACSS reticle, and 45 degree offset iron sights. It is a sweet ride, and my goto weapon.

[@starxlord9856]

Aero isn’t any better then psa just saying 🤷

[@Chicano_pistolero]

Aero and psa get their uppers and lowers from the same manufacturer I thought

[@joeorler4097]

@@Chicano_pistolero aero manufactures in house w their own machinery so no they do NOT get there stuff from the same place. Aero Lowers are as good as it gets for under 150.

[@cutter2258]

Almost finished with my first build. Took your advice and got the jig and dimpled my barrel. Turned out perfect. Waiting on my Primary Arms 1-6 lpvo to come in.

[@mrgauges9065]

I love this upper, put it on my new build. Great to see a review! Can’t wait to see more, Zero’d in the strike eagle with 2 rounds and was httin it all day on paper and steel. What a blast, what a rifle

[@hesa3656]

Thank You Sir! It is good that you mentioned the UTG handguard. We need a spreadsheet to track all the equipment you test (including followup).😂

[@SurvivorMetalMan]

The premium upper is awesome. I have the 20” version, I want the mid length premium upper next. Looks like it’s going to be a sweet one!

[@kotaboy32]

Good choice!

[@josephrodriguez9083]

Whenever they come back in stock lol a year from now

[@dirtroad5637]

+25% price hike on ammo at psa right now, glad I can cast bullets and reload. I mainly learned all that to be immune from situations like this crap right now and politicians.

[@orionfixr7713]

Good plan ! I reload but don't cast . And I don't have a good source for components . Powder is a real night-mare right now . And bullets is real hit or miss and about as expensive as it can get ! Glad to know you're doing well !

[@radicalbadass]

My mk4 is grooved like that. It's just like the 8 except with additional short pic rail at the front. Looks like the machining steps down and out a little each pass.

[@ryannichols1776]

"Yeah I said unified nut". Love this video. Love all your videos. Thanks for what you do.

[@ClangandBang]

I really like my ALG handguards because they use big 2" barrel nuts like the Geisseles. The fit between the nut and rail is also very precise. Geissele/ALG makes really nice stuff. I also have an older Midwest that has an 1/8" rise in it at the muzzle end, which is why I don't use handguards that use the clamp style attachment.

[@starxlord9856]

Alg is mr Geissele’s wife and the sister company to Geissele. He helps her and makes parts for them. Great company both are.

[@Rot05]

Wait just one minute KB... You say is a 16" FN barrel with a mid length gas system. What looks to be a 15" Geissele rail. They don't sale that. The only product close to that is a 16" carbine length gas system with a 15" rail. Or a 18" mid length gas system with a 15" geissele rail..... If you are correct on the gas system length what is the SKU or UPC of it as this is what I have been waiting for! Thanks in advance for your help.

[@josephrodriguez9083]

I need that info as well lol

[@rebelwithin]

I was wondering the exact same thing! Considering the 13in rail version just because it has the mid length gas system. But would love to have a 15in rail mid length gas system lol

[@MrHutch]

March 6, 2021 and ammo is still impossible to find and beyond expensive when you do.

[@americanazheck]

Can't find any markings, including the caliber. Have mlok handguard the only mark is a PSA logo on the end of the handguard.

[@Atom_Alchemist]

Only problem I had with my PSA upper (not a premium one, just a upper) and it was overgassed out the ass..one adjustable gas block later...and I haven't fired it yet so..who knows.

[@madeintexas1213]

You could have just changed your buffer Spring and buffer weight before you did the gas block...

[@Atom_Alchemist]

@@madeintexas1213 was already using the heaviest carbine buffer I could find and went through several different springs. The overgasing was an issue at the gas block. also, holy 11 month old post batman.

[@Dmkpit401]

I have a Magpul universal barrel wrench with other tools on it and it does work for that barrel nut, I love the extra length geissele goes when you spend 400 on the handguard I got a whole bag full of goodies some coffee some leather zipper tag couple Velcro patches and a merchandise flag in a pile of vehicle decals haven’t seen one other company come anywhere close to that extent With the thousands I’ve spent on parts

[@connormckay9429]

I'm seeing this upper go for 750 right now with no BCG or CH. 750 puts in unto BCM territory though should I go with this or BCM instead?

[@SW-ii5gg]

I'm having problems finding anything in stock, everything has a long wait from the places that let me order and prices on everything from most places have gone up. A couple of things are in stock that I would like to get, just wish I had plenty of money.

[@RunningWithSauce]

I just swapped the upper to an actual Geissele upper, getting that barrel nut off was a pain in my arse even with the Midwest industries upper guide rod and an upper clamp. BCG is BCM. Now there's nothing PSA about it. lol.

[@rebelwithin]

Where did you find that upper? I dont see the 16in barrel mid length gas system with a 15in mk14 rail combo on their site. Any links to it?

[@weekendwarrior556]

Have this barrel and love it. But got it with the cheaper psa handguard because of weight and cost. But the fn combo deals they have ran had been great deals vs buying seperate

[@333Kdigital]

Only the mk 14 and mk 16 work on same barrel nut

[@OKICUR12]

PSA is awesome, buy with confidence.

[@colostomybag9367]

The PSA uppers with FN barrels are awesome it is more accurate than my le6920.

[@67_PowerStroke]

How do you go about oiling the phosphate barrel on your free float handguards?

[@nataliedeyton6829]

Saturday I stopped by Smokey mountain knife up in Tennessee and wanted to look at the micro tech knifes cause Ray speaks so highly of them .... did not know they were soooo high 😳 WoW what a cool knife but that’s wayyy tooo much for a pocket knife.

[@TheJoeml85]

I was looking at a dd a geissele and a Zastava ak but honestly I think I’m gonna go with the psa Sabre 16 inch fn barrel with the geissele gas block and handguard that gun only has a psa Sabre lower basically

[@chiefro7]

Love my PSA 10.5 Geissele/FN. PSA really is the company to beat. Edit: legit choked on my Dew when you said “yeah, I said unified nut!” Lmfao

[@MonsterChuck]

"4 inches aggressive"..... New pickup line.

[@5jjt]

KotaBoy, you mentioned making the ultra 5.55 rifle. When it comes to buffers/reciever- extension, what do you think of using a Vltor system?

[@ricashbringer9866]

Nice build. I just ordered their M4 Rifle kit. I hated to add it to my CC now, but with the craziness going on, my home defense is either my CMP Rifle that weighs 11 pounds, my M1 Garand, which could be overkill, and my M&P .40 or 1911. I just need to get a lower, and a rear sight, though if I wanted to I could use the lower from my CMP Rifle, since it's not doing much right now anyway, since the Western Cup Match was canceled this year due to Covid.

[@kylemickelson9411]

Oh man how i wouldve done things differently seeing psa with a fn barrel and geissele rail just now makes me regret alot

[@jackammo9745]

The avalanche mod2 CH is nice but it not new. I have all 3 handle options. It’s a sweet piece. PSA can suck it with their price hikes

[@fracyoulongtime8123]

Any fix for the handguard that raises when tightened?

[@Rot05]

KB, how did you get MK14 with a mid length gas system? PSA doesn't have this configuration on their website. (16" with mid length gas system). The closest thing they have is 16" with a carbine gas system. Please provide UPC or SKU on your website.

[@858415]

That looks like a carbine gas length to me

[@Tom-qp6oh]

PSA needs to raise their prices more! Then they might actually be able to keep some products in stock!

[@chiefro7]

Right?!

[@sergioarmas6689]

Great video 💪🏼👍🏼🇺🇸. Did you check by chance if the gas block is dimple for the set screws?

[@l337l0gan]

I have a 16" FN stamped CHF barrel but I don't have the geissele rail or gas block. I'm fine with the PSA rail. But I am starting to train more and more and am running the gun hard quite often (I feel so anyway). Is it worth it to consider having the gas block pinned to the barrel? Pay a third party or buy a jig myself? Thanks everyone

[@georgefrompa]

You must have a 40' container not a safe. every week you have a new build. I have 9 builds and it took me 3 years. Also what do you do for a living? I want that job. I wish i could stay home and build rifles and get paid. 20 years as a union Ironworker in NYC and i struggled to pay my mortgage.. god bless you.

[@kotaboy32]

I'm a project manager for a construction company in New York....lol

[@Ben-lo7cy]

The barrel nut tool comes with their hand guards

[@kotaboy32]

Not mine

[@Ben-lo7cy]

Kotaboy32 Tactical that’s weird, I only Have two of the mk14’s but both came with it

[@drob762]

You should build $1500 or under civilian LMG with binary trigger. It would be a very interesting build with parts.

[@cheatingdeathcustoms2244]

An 82nd Airborne Division Flag! Great channel and videos.

[@kotaboy32]

AATW

[@Bad-Karma]

Very Nice. I always enjoy picking up on assembly details, it really gives me a lot more to consider. I'm curious if you've thought about a build around the Brownell 180 for a future series?

[@kotaboy32]

No, I'm more of a build it out of my personal concept kind of guy

[@IRemain28]

I have a mk8 handguard and it has the machining grooves same as yours

[@chrischero1871]

Everyone else did not raise their prices during the pandemic. I built an aero, BCM, and DD during the pandemic. They were not raised. At least not when I bought.

[@jeremiah7855]

37 ft lbs seems right I've always been told 30-40 max ft lbs for barrel nut and 37 is right in there I've always done 35 ft lbs never had any trouble but next one I do I'll try 37 lol

[@still.thinkin8997]

If you didn’t put your buffer in backwards just then. I’ve done it the other way for two builds now.

[@67_PowerStroke]

He just stashing it away. You're doing it correctly.

[@mauricegoodwin8922]

Tac-ultra is a rock island armory pistol

[@DEADxCoOL]

Do you know of any decent gunsmiths in NC/SC that can cut down a barrel and do a pin and weld on a muzzle device?

[@kotaboy32]

No, the art of true gunsmithing is disappearing

[@DEADxCoOL]

@@kotaboy32 arrrrhhh snikies!!! Its pretty hard to found one in the Charlotte area. I'm currently in the works of building a true pinned and welded 16"

[@floridahoghunting803]

Did you put that spring and buffer in backwards on purpose, just to hold it?

[@kotaboy32]

Yes

[@TheDuppyman]

Just order the 10.5 version as my poor man urg-i. Wish they had this 16 inch version in a 14.5 with a midlength gas. Can u show the utg and Midwest Handguard that is rising.

[@wubaru]

Lol at 3:20!!

[@gerardobeltran6180]

Love it! Nice set up!

[@careypettis6443]

What kind of ar would you recommend for a disabled person that can't shoulder it

[@kotaboy32]

AR Pistol

[@careypettis6443]

@@kotaboy32 what caliber

[@kotaboy32]

5.56

[@careypettis6443]

@Thystaff Thywill thanks, I wonder if I can put on a adapter on that for my cell phone, like I use for my deer rifle

[@williamnicholson8133]

Ar pistol 7.62x39 or 300blackout brace sb3-4. and a pistol long eye relief scope or a reddot. 7.62x39 is super fun and cheap tonshoot. If you keep the barrel over 8 inch its not too obnoxious . Under 8 inch go 300 blackout or even go pistol caliber carbine route . Cmmg banshe mk 10 is cool but pricey.

[@disco4535]

Man I would love to build an AR. There's just so many brands and different combinations of components that it's really difficult to choose a build, especially when you don't know what's good or what your personal preferences are. Seems like it would be a lot of buying trial and error.

[@seanwhite304]

You got that right. It's so hard to choose what you think is the best because if all the options out there. Back when I got started all you had was Colt. Now you get a headache just trying to figure out what barrel you wanna get . I have 3 setups that are my go too rigs . Criterion , Hodge and Triarc are my favorite non Colt barrels . If I were to buy factory built setup it would probably be the ADM UIC MOD 2 12.5 MINI RECCE Pistol with SBA3 or Triarc TSR-15SE 13.9" Mid Length with Pinned SF Warcomp. Hodge 12.5 or 14.5 and LMT MRP MARS-L are way too expensive but man they are God Level ARs for sure ..

[@bowlofrice8]

Just got another 80% in today think im gonna do a sopmod block2 type clone with it

[@drakeaamold52]

God is good

[@drakeaamold52]

God is good

[@sjohn_8627]

Since you mention psa... do you know if they’re nickel boron bcg is just a toolcraft bcg?? I heard that somewhere. You’re videos are awesome and you know the ends and outs of everything.

[@joeorler4097]

Yes their Boron BCG is 100% a toolcraft

[@NordicViking88]

Putting together my first AR pistol and bought the PSA 11.5 MLOC Pistol kit came with everything except the lower very impressed with everything it came with

[@sweetmeatnc1504]

Been looking at these, accuracy test soon hopefully?

[@sweetmeatnc1504]

Lol nvm commented before the end of the video. Thanks Kota!

[@L0ck0ut1]

Mine is also grooved

[@justa3v619]

I always thought I was the only one who came up with a different reason to build a new rifle every 2 weeks Lol. Now I gotta find where I can start buying safe build kits because my safes are bursting at the seams

[@kotaboy32]

Lol

[@jeffshaffer2887]

To bad PSA can't get A2 front sights straight. The last three uppers I've bought have had canted front sights. The last one was a premium 10.5 upper.

[@jeffshaffer2887]

@The Range I fixed them with a rubber mallet. They shouldn't let uppers leave that way. I've never gotten an upper from BCM with this problem.

[@DinosaurousRex]

My MK8 has those tooling grooves. It doesn't bother me tbh

[@kotaboy32]

Thank you, that's all I needed to know

[@keeptexasfree7361]

55gr 223 is still .74 a round. Cheapest I can find.

[@rzr2ffe325]

As far as the price gouging and for those complaining, let me introduce you to the law of supply and demand.. They had great deals before Covid all the social unrest. Horrible time to buy a gun right now.

[@michaelsorenson3887]

It seems people expect prices to stay the same or even drop during a time like this. Would it be nice? Yeah, but this is what happens anywhere in the world. Sunglasses become more valuable when the sun comes out, you want it then you pay. Welcome to life boys! 😁

[@appledapper]

1 year ago and ammo has maybe gone down 20-30%

[@darryljames6403]

Lmao subscribed for the "unified nut" comment

[@WalterWhite-gw3vm]

Kotaboy32, when are you gonna get ahold of some cans to check out?

[@kotaboy32]

I have some cool cans coming in about 12 months...lol

[@christopherwalts9378]

That's not a heavy profile Barrel

[@eltenda]

very nice!!!

[@BlazingGunner]

Sorry you were really wrong about ammo.

[@MPerez1316]

KotaBoy, What do U think about a POF Wonder or a P-15 POF? Your opinion matters. And have U ever fired one of these by POF? Thank U.

[@kotaboy32]

I have zero experience with POF. Will one day though

[@MPerez1316]

@@kotaboy32 TY Sir

[@Longrangetargets]

Probably raised their prices because manufacturers they get their stuff from are upping prices on them. PSA doesn't raise prices to screw people. Just my opinion.

[@robsdeviceunknown]

Where do I get one of them knives? That's exactly what I have been looking for.

[@kotaboy32]

Microtech

[@ericrabideau6306]

Can not find you on gunstreamer.

[@BOHEMIANHUNTINGCLUB]

👍👍👍

[@Ben-lo7cy]

I’m sick of building guns. I’ve only been buying ammo because I’m tired of constantly checking to see if anyone has anything in stock. Aero precision should just close their site because the only thing available is a hat

[@BJWeed1]

I think you should call the new gun Kevin 😁

Unless things have changed in recent days, PSA is no more than an opportunist outfit masquerading as a staunch 2A brand.

[@bigfishlittleboat4069]

I'm taking notes on all the price gouging operations... the worst so far is the local shops.. everyone wants you to support local but I'm not supporting shady business tactics.

[@orionfixr7713]

@@bigfishlittleboat4069 ; I agree . But the one caution I want to throw in the mix is , don't forget that local shops are subject to price increases from their distributors too . As you would expect if their price goes up ours will too .

[@194Ace]

Hello, I work for a local shop and this is true. Our wholesalers for guns and ammo have raised their prices so in order to make a profit we have to raise our prices as well.

[@JimYeats]

Please explain your opinion and give some examples of how and or why PSA is different than other online companies. Are you making this statement because their prices have gone up a tad? I was just on their website and did not see any pricing that looked obviously abnormal. All my interactions with them have resulted in a good product at a good price, albeit with tediously slow shipping and processing.

[@makon2012]

Yeah, I said unified nut! LMAO!!

[@alenmoradian6875]

Tired of psa. Nothing in stock ever...😔

[@_cal_techie]

Could you please do the same thing but in 6.5 Grendel? Thanks, man. I really appreciate your videos.

[@alenmoradian6875]

I bought 9mm cci at bass pro for 9.99 a box I wasn't a big of them, but from now on I'll buy all my ammo from them.

[@EDCAssociate]

Hey kb32 if you’re looking to get rid of any of those handgaurds I’d sure take one off your hands. Lol

[@truthjunkie9218]

Does anyone know where that BCM BCG in FDE is available? Been searching for quite some time now. I may just have to get another Colt BCG.

[@rileymoon6720]

Bravocompanyusa. 189 I believe

[@truthjunkie9218]

@@rileymoon6720 That's the Black one. The FDE is about ten bucks more, can't find them.

[@Usmc0341]

If anyone says PSA doesn't build good firearms, they don't know shit about AR15s, if BCM or Daniel defense sold this exact setup, it would be over a grand easy. Especially if it s sold by Daniel defense. That has the basis for a perfect fighting rifle. Top quality barrel, top tier gas block, and a top tier rail system. I would put this up against any top tier rifle. I used to be an AR snob, until I took my DDMV7 to Carbine class for work, and it went down. I had to use my partners back up PSA budget rifle that he paid like 450 for. It was a freedom nitride M4. That thing ran through 240 0 rounds of ammo, not a single malfunction. I will say my DD is more accurate, but not by a large margin. I read getting about 1.75 to 2.5 MOA from that freedom, my DD usually runs about 1.25 to 2 MOA. I'LL just say this, when I got home, I ordered three items from PSA, two rifle kits, and this exact upper.. They are very good quality. To be honest, I prefer the nitride over the chrome lined barrels.

[@mr.excitement689]

If nothing else, I will certainly give palmetto state armory one thing. When it comes to building ar platforms, they have more variety build kits and parts than just about anyone else I’ve seen. Choices choices choices

[@seanwhite304]

If you are to piece that bad boy out it would cost the following PSA Upper $70.. PSA Gas Tube $20.. FN HF Barrel $320.. Geissele MLOK Rail $255.. Geissele Super Gas Block $60.. BCM M16 Bolt / BCG $170.. Radian Raptor Charging Handle $65..

[@JerrBearTactical]

🇺🇸👊👍

[@ronshekelson]

How come you're not saying anything about Trump threatening to deploy US soldiers on American cities?

[@kotaboy32]

I will. Getting crazy