Range report -PSA mid-length M4gery

[imarangemaster]

Well, I did a range day with my new PSA cheapo mid-length 1/7 twist 16" M4gery build Monday.... I AM IN LOVE! For a build that I have less than $400 into (except lower that I already had), it is a great little weapon. I never had a mid-length before, but REALLY love the balance (and the fact it takes my M9 bayonet!). I did 300 rounds down range, and ZERO problems! Function from Colt USGI 20s (blocked to 10) was flawless

PARTS:

-PSA 16", 1/7" twist, mid-length flat top upper (picked up for 4th of July bargain for $189 W/O charging handle or BCG).
-Tactical Tri-Delta Brake from Custom Muzzle Brakes.Com ($39.00)
-AIM M16A1 Bolt Carrier group with Carpenter 158 Bolt ($89.00)
-Anderson Mfg. Lower
-Anderson Lower Parts Kit ($45.00)
-Tapco mil-spec diameter M4 stock (from LGS without buffer $25)
-Tactical Intent 3.8 oz. H buffer
-No Name tactical flip up rear sight off flebay, ($19.75 w/ A2 knob and 2 position rear aperture)
-Vintage Tasco 20mm Pro-Point 1X shotgun red dot on a 3/4" riser so it is co-witnessed.

First I sighted it in 1" low at 25 yards for an approximate battle sight at 250 yards. Easy nickel to quarter sized group from a casual rest. I used M193 Lake City/Federal to sight, and found my MK262 MOD1 77 grain OTMs printed the same. The FSB was perfect, as with the rear sight centered in the top of the receiver, I only did one click left. Elevation, I had to drop it 3 clicks on the front sight. I then lined up the red dot with the irons, and it was percent.

First I started bouncing pop cans at 100 yards, holding at 6 o'clock. From a rest, I was about 100%.

Then I was bouncing a beer can at 200 yards, just using my vintage Tasco Accudot 1X red dot scope. It was awesome!

Finally, at 300, (still using the Tasco) using the 77 grain MK262 Mod1 5.56 ammo, with one click right, I was bouncing a milk jug at 300 yards with the Middy. I am very, very impressed! Function with M193 and MK262 MOD1 was flawless.

I also tried reloads (after the first 300 rounds). The build absolutely hated my older IMR 4198 55 grain loads, and short cycled one out of 2 or 3 shots. My current loads, 55 Grains of IMR4064, however, functioned great at shot almost the same POS as the factory 55s and 77s.)

I really like the balance of the middy, and the fact that up to 200 and 300 yards, the MK262 MOD1 printed within a couple inches of the M193! I mixed some mags with every other shot, and was hitting in basically the same place regardless of which I used.

I was shooting it with a California bullet button with 10 rounders, but I have since put a Monsterman grip and pinned the stock, so I can run it with my pre-2000 high capacity USGI 30s. Pictures in a couple days when I get ahold of my wife's Nikon D90 camera.

Information

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[imarangemaster]

My current loads, 55 Grains of IMR4064, however, functioned

CORRECTION: My current load of choice is a a 55 grainer with 25.5 Grains of IMR 4064, it is a 5.56 load, and duplicates the M193 POI/POA. It is a slightly compressed load in a 5.56 case.

[imarangemaster]

I really get tired of the folks who think you have to have a really expensive AR ($1500 to $2000 top end AR) to shoot well. With the Anderson lower, and shipping on everything, I have well under $550 into the rifle (I actually have $543 into it, including lower and DROS fee), and I would confidently go into harm's way with it. It actually shoots and handles better than ANY AR platform I have built/shot. It even shoots and handles better than the retro 20" M16 clones I love, and for me, that's saying a lot! The MK262 ammo is an amazing game changer for the 5.56 platform.

[browningautorifle]

Mine's a parts gun with a bit of everything in it. It shoots just fine too. I have it in mind if we decide to do Dodge city here in the neighborhood...load mags and go.

[imarangemaster]

Here's some pictures finally of my build and MOLLE FLC. Good camera, but horrible indoor light. I'll try to post some outdoor pics later. I am not expecting Chinese Zombie Paratroopers anytime soon. While I would like to say the rig is because old habits die hard (7 years military and 20+ years LEO), it is more likely just a little bit of Walter Mitty in me coming out...

[browningautorifle]

Tasco Pro point for an optic you say? I'm just building another shorty and it may have something like that. Never gave consideration to a shotgun red dot...mine's 10" though.

[imarangemaster]

Yep. 30MM TASCO PRO-POINT or a 35MM vintage ACCU-DOT like I have on my AK. Trouble with the Accu-dot, is no rings for them other than factory, so you have to use a riser. The Pro-Point, I used a set of flat top AR specific rings for perfect co-witness. I learned about the Tasco red dots when I was living in the mid-west. The shotgun deer hunters in Illinois use them on their 3.5" magnum 12 gauges. Impervious to abuse. Mine I think is a 2 or 3 MOA dot. I was using it to bounce milk jugs at 300 yards with MK262 MOD1 77 grain ammo from a bench rest.

[imarangemaster]

I picked it up on Ebay, NOS for about $45.

[browningautorifle]

I have to investigate something like that...I'll show you guys when I finish it. Just the upper done right now and a parts kit gathered for the rest...

[Dannyboy53]

My wife and I each have had PSA Carbines in 7.62x39mm for about a year. We have approx $530 in each of them and have zero complaints about their appearance, durability and function. We use ASC 20 round magazines and they function flawlessly.

We have a considerable stash of Wolf black box, Red Army Standard and Barnaul Mil-Spec which all run without a hiccup and do so fairly accurately (7"-10" M4s & SKSs) out to 200 yards which is our longest available range.

imarangemaster, I believe you have a very nice setup, functional and neat!