I have a virgin Spike's receiver I'd like to make into a pistol. But I'm not immersed in that platform (more AK/HK 9X), so IDK all the vendors out there. So I have a few questions.

I saw a complete SOTA 10.5" upper at PA for $200.00 It isn't fancy (no FA), no sights and probably just commodity-grade parts. I'd like to know IRL feedback on this brand and if I'd really take a performance penalty over an 11.5" upper that seems to be the sweet spot of compactness and performance.

Also, if anyone has any other sources of deals, they'd be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus Dei:
I have a virgin Spike's receiver I'd like to make into a pistol. But I'm not immersed in that platform (more AK/HK 9X), so IDK all the vendors out there. So I have a few questions.

I saw a complete SOTA 10.5" upper at PA for $200.00 It isn't fancy (no FA), no sights and probably just commodity-grade parts. I'd like to know IRL feedback on this brand and if I'd really take a performance penalty over an 11.5" upper that seems to be the sweet spot of compactness and performance.

Also, if anyone has any other sources of deals, they'd be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I prefer an 11.5 barrel if we're talking 5.56.
With the prices the way they are right now, you can get or build a quality upper for cheap. Depending on what you intend to use the pistol for and how much use it will see, you could very well get by with using mid grade components.

I did forget to mention .223 and it would be for fun and the occasional varmint.

LINK Not particularly relevant to my needs, but just for the record it does have a FA.

If it's purely for fun or sport I say the cheaper the better. I can't comment on SOTA as I have no experience with them but if it has the features you want at a price you're willing to pay I really see no downside.

PSA frequently has sales on their "pistol" uppers. My favorite is the 10.5 inch bbl M-Lok handguard, with the KAK flash can. $330 shipped free, complete with everything, even sights. This is quality upper, not garbage.
http://palmettostatearmory.com...cg-ch-516446643.html

yes, this ^^^^

I wound up with one of the PSA pistols in 300BLK. I haven't shot it yet, but the price was right. I ordered it as a separate lower and upper. I think I have about $450 in the whole thing, I don't remember exactly.
10.5", M-Lok upper, Magpul lower.
Fit & finish seem OK.
I plan on suppressing it and using it mainly with subsonic ammo.

I bought a complete SOTA lower a couple of years ago on a Black Friday sale at the LGS. I have had no performance issues when mated to a RRA 5.56 or PSA .300BO upper. It is currently mated to a Chiappa .22 upper and I've been surprised at how reliable it is.

About a year ago I bought a SOTA upper at a local gun show. I call it "The Hilti Drill Upper" due to its shape. The owners actually drove from Minnesota to Texas and had a booth, so I was able to talk with them directly and discovered they were very nice and pleasant to deal with. (Side Note: During price negotiations he was the salesman, but she seemed to know more about where their manufacturing break-even price point was.) All that being said, this upper has unfortunately sat in my gun safe and has never been fired, so I can't comment on its reliability or performance. I would be very surprised if I have any problems, but if I do I have no doubt that they would be willing to fix it pronto.

The PSA link you're looking at seems to be a very good deal. I bought my 8.0" SOTA .300BO upper without BGC or handle for $230 cash, and that was a good deal at the time. If I were looking for a .223 shorty upper such as the one you're looking at I would buy it without hesitation. For $199 I don't think you can go wrong.

Disclaimer: I am not a HSLD Operator, but rather just an old fat guy who enjoys using firearms on a recreational level.

A DRACO or M92 AK pistol with a brace is a solid option.

I had a good Sig AR pistol with a brace. I sold it because of Texas Law that requires using a holster to Open Carry a pistol.

I'm still considering my options. I doubt that Texas Law will change.

Thanks, all. I did seriously consider PSA, but their CS/shipping issues kinda make me hesitate. And an AK pistol isn't where my head is. I've got a few AKs and a HK93, but no AR-platform firearm.

I went with the SOTA upper. They seem to have OK feedback, and I'm really not sure what I want to do for sights, yet.

Now, I have to decide the brace part. Thanks, again.

I just received a PSA upper. I was not sure of what brand the hand guard was, so I posted pictures in the rifle section. Apparently it is their own brand. I really like it. For what they charge for those complete uppers, it's a super really good deal!

I've been happy with my PSA Premium M4 upper, it's 16" but was about $325 I think with standard front sight and regular M4 handguard.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus Dei:
Thanks, all. I did seriously consider PSA, but their CS/shipping issues kinda make me hesitate.

I hear about these PSA issues, but I've bought half a dozen rifles from them, plus components, plus pistols in the last year. All shipped wuickly, all were in great shape, even cosmetically good, fully functional. I just ordered a shocjwave shotgun from them. I have had zero issues with Palmetto, and I've received many of these in seperate shipments, or parts in separate shipments. Plenty of opportunity for problems or delays, but not one.

I would strongly recommend looking at 300BLK.

With full power ammo it is far more efficient than 5.56 out of short barrels. You will put more power on target and I doubt you will notice a drastic trajectory difference between the two under 100 yards. Yes the ammo is relatively expensive but that is changing.

I built up a stripped lower from pieces parts and bought a complete m-lok upper with an 8" barrel from aero. Not the cheapest you can find but it's very nicely made.

It's a nice little flame thrower.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
PSA frequently has sales on their "pistol" uppers. My favorite is the 10.5 inch bbl M-Lok handguard, with the KAK flash can. $330 shipped free, complete with everything, even sights. This is quality upper, not garbage.
http://palmettostatearmory.com...cg-ch-516446643.html

Yep...PSA just got another $330 of my money ...for that upper as equipped for that price shipped it's a bargain IMHO...plus, I have been well pleased with all my purchases from PSA (I am running out of room for all those stickers though ).