I purchased two blem mid length uppers, and I received the same two different barrels that you have. I posted a similar question regarding the differences a week or so ago.
I got the barrel that’s pictured on the right…
Haven’t seen that post yet, I’m gonna look for it. But yeah, I’d like SOME info about the 2 versions. The build quality for both seem satisfactory, but my ocd wants more details!
Nice! That’s the one I prefer of the two. We’re you able to spot any blemishes? I couldn’t.
You can find my post from a week ago in the AR-15 Forum under the topic Barrel Identification. I haven’t gotten an answer that tells me what the differences are yet.
The only blemish that I have found on my uppers is a tool mark on the handguard cap of the upper with the non-Freedom barrel.
I cannot find any issues with the Freedom nitride MOE carbine upper I received with a blem rifle kit. It zeroed at 50M with a couple clicks and has been boringly reliable.
I decided I just can’t live with the short carbine handguard on the upper and ordered a blem Freedom nitride MOE mid-length upper to replace it. I expect to sell the carbine upper and break mostly even.
In my opinion, the blem uppers are a solid bargain and I would not hesitate to poach one on sale.
It’s an awesome barrel, very heavy. Honestly it looks beefier in comparison to my 300 Blackout pistol barrel. That kinda surprised me.
Yes, I could easily spot the blem. Look at the photos I posted, blow them up. On the rail, there was a stripe of discoloration running the length of the rail, and some slight burrs on the edge that may need some clean up with a file.
Either way, the optic/optic riser that I want will cover the majority of that, so I really don’t care. The savings were worth it. I know how to use a black Sharpie. 
So, initially I’ve been afraid of blems.
Watch some YouTube videos of the School of the American Rifle…and you’ll see that a lot of companies sell “blems” that are much more than just cosmetic. They affect the functionality of the rifle, including potential safety issues.
After a lot of research, I’ve found that PSAs blems are 99.99% cosmetic. I say this because in manufacturing things sometimes slip through that shouldn’t. But as far as blems go, PSA has an excellent record as compared to other manufacturers selling blems that have serious issues.
So in the end I felt confident ordering a blem from PSA. Tomorrow I’m ordering my blem lower with a few parts upgrades to pair with this upper, for the ultimate quality budget rifle.
I can’t wait to finish this build…
Planned optic. Also adding a full suite of Strike Industries ambi controls like I did to my pistol build.
I just received my second blem upper from PSA, a 16" mid-length Freedom Nitride MOE FDE, and am very pleased. The obvious “blems” are handling marks and the MBUS rear sight was tight on the upper.
The fit/finish is very good, excepting the afore-mentioned handling marks, and the upper fits on my PSA Stealth lower like they are a matched receiver set. I am looking forward to zeroing it this weekend.
Assuming the mid-length upper zeroes without issue, it will be replacing the barely used 16" carbine Freedom Nitride MOE FDE upper that I bought as part of a FDE blem rifle kit. There are no problems with the carbine upper, I just do not like the short handguards.
After I pick up a sling, my $500 beater/loaner gun will be complete and an absolute bargain!
Andy
P.S. I assembled the lower using a locally purchased stripped Stealth PA-15 lower and the parts from a MOE EPT Freedom rifle kit.
I have two PSA blem MOE EPT lowers, one PSA blem 16" mid length upper. They all have perfect fit, form and function. No gun I own will be a show and tell piece. They will be used and get dinged here and there like my trucks. I try to handle them like a soldier would. Keep the gun clean, in working order - ready to go. The beauty is in it’s existence… I do care how they look, and greatly appreciate the guns presented in this forum. From the highly sophisticated to the customized tricked out to the basic G.I. issue. I like to say mine are updated old school. I hope I don’t come off as arrogant, because I am just an old dog faced pony soldier ( just one who happened to have worn an Air Force uniform ). - Let’s go down range…