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CoalCrackerAl
Member
I think the front sight on the SW is part of the gas block. It will get in the way of putting a scope on. I emailed brownells to cancel my order.
Radical AR'S decent for the price?
- Thread starter CoalCrackerAl
- Start date
Yes the S&W has a standard front sight base. I don't know what magnification you plan on running on it. The front sight pretty much disappears with scopes once you to 4X and above. Even at 2X you will really only see a shadow of the front sight base.
But I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with a scope and a front sight base either.
But I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with a scope and a front sight base either.
JeeperCreeper
Member
Yeah if you're going high magnification, then a free float rail is the way to go.
I would still look at PSA. Also really like the Ruger MPRs as well.
IWI zion15 if you find a deal is great too if you spend a bit more.
illinoisburt
Member
Yes the upper will work with any milspec lower. However you will soon discover a complete lower on sale somewhere for close to a c-note and suddenly have 2 ARs. The upper you linked does not have a bolt or magazines so the price is not a complete swap and likely will double once those are added in.
* Noticed the OP cancelled the S&W order. Honestly the deal for the radical carbine isn't a bad idea. It's a complete gun and comes with magazines for under $500 with tax and no transfer fees associated with shipping to an FFL.
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InTheSwamp
Member
That's the ticket. I remember when shopping for my first AR, I was looking for "Brand". The idea of building my own scared the crap out of me. Ended up buying a Daniel Defense - no regrets, a great rifle -, but once you realize a PSA build does the same, from a civilian POV, you get over the Brand thing and save a few bucks for ammo...I still want that LMT though
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
Brownels is a few days behind on answering emails. I'll try the live chat and calling this morning. If i get it resolved. I'll run up to my LGS and get the AR he has. I didn't sleep well over this too. Im too excited lol.
I have 3 PSA ARs but I drive by their stores pretty regularly for work. If I had to order one I might look elsewhere. One had some issues but they fixed it. They all shoot better than I expected. After the issues were fixed they are all very reliable too, other than steel cases ammo. My mid length doesn’t like it. The rifle length does fine. The other is a 308 so I’ve never tried.
Armybrat
Member
Bought one of their Magpul FDE lowers to go with that upper….
(Pardon the bad lighting)
InTheSwamp
Member
Nice. Love the looks of the classic M4 Upper.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
Not to throw a wrench in the works, Buy Local, but a front site rarely is a problem in a scope.
Some of the more outlandish or larger ones can block some of the light from entering the scope, making it appear more dim, but the scope won’t “see” the front sight. It is focused past it, like watching the road through a rain drop covered windshield. You aren’t looking at the drops.
Go get the Radical, support local and deal with any issues. Probably won’t be any, but if there is, you may personally message me and we will fix.
Once it’s manufactured, anything on an AR can be fixed with hand tools to an appropriate degree.
(i.e.: If the gas port is too small, it’s more important that it be drilled bigger, even by hand, rather than perfectly perpendicular to the bore by being done in a mill.)
Be excited! Don’t be worried!
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
The one my LGS had is sold. No big deal though. He gets them in when he can. I checked out Aimsurplus. They have them for 399.00. After tax and shipping. It's 450.00. Im in no hurry. So i can wait for my LGS and also keep an eye on PSA.
MachIVshooter
Member
If still shopping around and in no rush PSA has a new line of rifles coming out pretty quick.
Other than the Saber logo they look pretty solid for probably around $800
Looks like a few upper options, PSA nitride house barrel, FN CHF barrels and something in the 20" range.
Microbest phosphate BCG with Sprinco rings and springs.
Radian Charging Handle and safety selector.
Hyperfire trigger.
Other than the Saber logo they look pretty solid for probably around $800
Looks like a few upper options, PSA nitride house barrel, FN CHF barrels and something in the 20" range.
Microbest phosphate BCG with Sprinco rings and springs.
Radian Charging Handle and safety selector.
Hyperfire trigger.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
Meh, no huge loss.
If you would have to order one, give it a good shopping around. There are deals popping up all over. BattleHawk has F1 branded ARs very inexpensively priced. While bog standard, they will be assembled correctly. And I fully agree with PSA as the premier AR supplier of the masses. They are unquestionably good, and from a company so large they afford nearly Ruger or Hornady level of customer support. They are the new 800lb gorilla in the room.
InTheSwamp
Member
PSA and to a lesser extent, Aero, have taken on the Build Market. And deservedly so. They offer high quality components at low prices.
PSA is for all. Aero is for all who don't want to hammer on roll pins.
Pick one, and your rifle will perform.
PSA is for all. Aero is for all who don't want to hammer on roll pins.
Pick one, and your rifle will perform.
Skylerbone
Member
Lots of back and forth, I agree with most of it. My experience with Radical however soured me semi-permanently. A few years back, before I attempted building an upper, I bought a complete Radical upper from Primary Arms.
Most reviews spotlighted a very simple issue, gas block misalignment. Easy fix I thought and it should have been. On receiving my $180 (iirc) wonder upper I removed the sharp handguard and grabbed the appropriate star bit to loosen the block and correct what was visible by sight to be crooked.
Every star bit later, including a trip to Theissen's for 3 more resulted in failure. Size was correct, in some cases it twisted the bit to a spiral. Heat and cold had no affect. Kroil could not loosen it after multiple days and attempts. After losing all hope I ordered another block and drilled the screws.
Was my sample of one unique in issue? Maybe. I have no inclination to tempt fate again. Did the upper eventually perform to reasonable standards? Yes. Going forward I chose, and will continue to choose better quality without hassle.
Most reviews spotlighted a very simple issue, gas block misalignment. Easy fix I thought and it should have been. On receiving my $180 (iirc) wonder upper I removed the sharp handguard and grabbed the appropriate star bit to loosen the block and correct what was visible by sight to be crooked.
Every star bit later, including a trip to Theissen's for 3 more resulted in failure. Size was correct, in some cases it twisted the bit to a spiral. Heat and cold had no affect. Kroil could not loosen it after multiple days and attempts. After losing all hope I ordered another block and drilled the screws.
Was my sample of one unique in issue? Maybe. I have no inclination to tempt fate again. Did the upper eventually perform to reasonable standards? Yes. Going forward I chose, and will continue to choose better quality without hassle.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
It’s this right here. No, it isn’t. It is a known issue with this company. They don’t always come assembled properly.
There are so many other companies out there producing rifles literally exactly the same as these, but correctly assembled. It isn’t like Radical is making everything, they are just assembling the same parts as everyone else, some with their logo on them. So, they are buying lower quality parts and assembling them by gorilla.
———————
Radical HR management: “So, you can build an AR?”
Aforementioned Gorilla: “Can’t you see the Tatts, man?”
HR: “But you know the proper assembly specs, right?”
Gorilla: “Bro, have beard.”
HR: “Sweet! You’re hired! Wait, you can strip threads out of a BCG gas key screw, correct?”
Gorilla: “What’s a Bee-Cee-Gee?”
HR: “Meh, we’ll figure it out… You know we have Black Rifle Coffee here? Totally cool to drink a ton, it’s free. Try not to scratch the rifles with the jitters. Over here is the gaming lounge. Todd! Get back to the floor, dang it!”
———————
And you said “sharp handguard”. That is an understatement. I like the semi-abrasive anodizing, but completely lack of deburring before it, leaves the thing a round cheese grater. Not to mention the extra wear and tear on every single piece of gear that it touches.
But it works well up here in the snow.
I have to remember that I like mine so much because it’s a 450Bushmaster, not that it’s an exceptional upper. That the barrel shoots well is luck, not quality.
I find it very hard to not spend the extra anymore, now that I know what that little bit gets. But not every human wants or appreciates that.
I do. And so does Aero Precision.
MarshallDodge
Member
If you start a thread asking about a manufacturer and half the responses say stay away, I would call that a sign.
I saw this on another forum this morning. The Radical built AR failed in a class
I saw this on another forum this morning. The Radical built AR failed in a class
Radical also had a lot of problems with their barrel extensions coming off of the barrels. The extension is what fits into the receiver and is held into place by the barrel nut. Plus I am not the only one to get a barrel that patterned like a shotgun instead of shooting groups.
chickasaw_hunter
Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2014
- Messages
- 151
I've had two Radical uppers. One in 300 BO and another in 6.8. I had no issues with either. I've had no issues with the PSA I've had either. I have a PSA lower and Radical that make up one complete rifle. No issues with either. Function or accuracy.
