Building an affordable rifle off a new PA10G3 lower I recently bought, and while I'm quite familiar with the AR15 platform, I know very little about these. Any recommendation for preferred gas length or gas/barrel combos? Anything to avoid with the recoil assembly? Mainly looking for common pitfalls to avoid.
Thanks

I do have several lower parts around, but I don't know what can transfer and what can't other than the obvious...uppers, barrels, bcgs, etc.

Is there a reason you want to build an upper rather than buy one. I just don't think it is enough cheaper to justify. Unless you just want to build.

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PA10G3

Its pretty hard to discuss this topic in any detail without having some idea of caliber, barrel length use, etc.

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Is there a reason you want to build an upper rather than buy one.

I didn't explain myself very well. I intend to buy an assembled upper, but I was asking what are the common pitfalls to avoid when considering the finished project. It looks like most 18" uppers are mid-length, but some are rifle length. What does that do to the buffer? What does it do to the gas? Stuff like that, what easy errors can you avoid by getting the right combo the first time?

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Its pretty hard to discuss this topic in any detail without having some idea of caliber, barrel length use, etc.

Good point! I understand the old adage of "here's three things, pick two", and with that in mind, I'd like to have affordable and reliable. I consider myself a realist, so I have no dreams or schemes of shooting pinpoint accuracy at 1000 yards. I'm looking for affordable, reliable, and minute of pie-plate results. The majority of my shooting will be with a Vortex LPVO and cheap off the shelf .308 ammo at the farm in the 50-200 yard range.

If accuracy is of consequence then the longer the barrel the better.
I have built (3) 16,18,20 and the accuracy gets better with length.
As or the gas length ~ it is similar to an AR, generally the longer the barrel the longer the gas port, I prefer mid on 16, rifle on 18, 20.

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Originally posted by bionic218:
I consider myself a realist, so I have no dreams or schemes of shooting pinpoint accuracy at 1000 yards. I'm looking for affordable, reliable, and minute of pie-plate results. The majority of my shooting will be with a Vortex LPVO and cheap off the shelf .308 ammo at the farm in the 50-200 yard range.

AR10s are not as standardized as AR15s. Since you are starting with a PSA lower, I recommend a PSA upper for best compatibility. Consider what's on the PSA website right now, especially given holiday sales.
- You're looking at a LPVO, so go with a rail system.
- You're not expecting to shoot great distances, so 16-20 inch barrels will all work.
- You expect to use cheap FMJ ammo, and thus accuracy won't be anything to write home about. There will be no advantages to longer barrels or higher quality barrels.
- I recommend a rifle length gas system for 18-20 inch barrels.
- PSA gives you a few options for complete uppers in the $500 to $550 ballpark.

Thank you, guys. I knew you'd have the answers.

ETA: It's a different buffer and spring, right? What I'm reading says the same tube as an AR15, but specific spring and buffer.

I used Slash's Heavy Buffer in mine, can't recall which spring but is a process of testing, just as in a standard AR.
Something to note, when I tested various ammo ~ I had pressure issues with some various hunting loads of factory ammo (as per inspection of the primers/pocket).
Could be the barrel I used which were Shilen Match Barrels made for Ranier Arms.
Accuracy was/is exceptional with Match Ammo or my Hand Loads.

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Originally posted by bionic218:
Thank you, guys. I knew you'd have the answers.

ETA: It's a different buffer and spring, right? What I'm reading says the same tube as an AR15, but specific spring and buffer.

If you're using an AR15 carbine receiver extension you need to use a specific .308 carbine buffer that's shorter than an AR buffer to account for the longer BCG. It has a matching spring.

If you use an A5 or SR25 length receiver extension you can use a standard AR15 buffer/spring as the tube's extra length makes up the difference. BCM Mk2, SOLGW L9/Intermediate, Vltor A5, Knights/Magpul SR25, plus others, some of which refer to it as an AR10 buffer tube. For an AR15 these would require the longer buffer that has all these same names and a rifle length spring to make use of the longer buffer. But you don't really see corresponding AR10 buffers because it's an AR buffer and most descriptions are written very terribly to point this out.

If you use a rifle length extension you're back to a .308 specific setup.

Be mindful when shopping. You can buy an AR10 carbine buffer tube and a 308 carbine buffer and have incompatible parts. Buying a kit is probably the best bet so you know the 3 components are matched for an AR10/308 pattern action.

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Buying a kit is probably the best bet so you know the 3 components are matched for an AR10/308 pattern action.

Good call, I think that is probably right. Thanks!

I agree with Fritz. Have the PSA Lower and their 18" stainless basic upper. So far has shot great. Accuracy is good to better. I am pleased. Great price too. What is not to like. Get some Magpul mags and you will be set. The 7.62 is a great round. Fantastic actually.
Best of luck bionic.