A month or so ago I jumped into someone else’s thread about the billet receivers with a question. I mentioned the plan to build out a honey badger(ish) clone short barrel 300blk. I also continued in that thread erroneously asking for input on a PDW brace versus standard carbine buffer and brace with potential for future SBR stamp and stock.
I have made some progress and through the process ran into some issues. A bit more about the project below.
This whole project came about from a discussion with a buddy about the honey badger and comparison of my current truck/everyday carry 300blk pistol. The discussion landed with why I don’t run my current setup with a suppressor as it would be a “damn close” setup. I had a handguard left over from that build and this spurred “I’ll just do another and do the billet receiver thing as I have never had a set of billet receivers…”
What I found during the new build. The honey badger barrel assembly and handguard are expensive and other alternatives should perform just as well. The 7" BCM MCMR handguard I had leftover was too long for a 7.5" barrel. (I believe this is the reason it was a leftover as I was not able to run it with a suppressor…)
I received the PSA Sabre upper/lower stripped set. Super nice with a lot of attention to detail. Rear take-down pin detent threaded for set screw. Threaded bolt catch pin. A few other premium things that really surprised me with the set. Coating is top tier, nice full coverage midnight bronze and not to thick as to cause any issues during assembly. For the $275(ish) for an upper/lower set it is a really nice set and potential purchasers should feel confident.
I used a mix of ambi controls, budget store brand, FCD, battle arms ambi mag catch. Everything worked as expected and no issues with assembly.
Currently the pistol (now a stamped SBR) is in an 8" 1:7 Ranier Arms barrel. The 8" was done to allow the fit of the BCM handguard. I was really dead set on a 1:5 twist 7.5 and have the new SLR handguard on my desk ready for config 2.
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As far as the build/assembly pretty simple to see. Geissele SD-E trigger, SBA-3 clone (replaced with Magpul CTR currently), PA 3X micro prism. Cloud Defense light. Adjustable gas with PSA click-type adjustable gas block. Running with Surefire SOCOM 300 suppressor.
Any questions or comments fire away. Let me know if there are any criticisms or concerns I need to address. I do need to get a set of BUIS at some point, nice to have even with etched reticle 3X optic. Purpose of this build was for range toy, suppressed blasting of supers/subs, personal defense and occasional truck gun duty.
Future changes possible, Originally wanted to do the Q barrel assembly and handguard, I have landed on running the Faxon 7.5" 1:5 twist. Will likely have the SLR handguard coated to match receivers. I would love to have PSA make a 7" QDSM handguard even better if they offer in midnight bronze as a potential replacement down the road.
Threw in the box pic as I was surprised when my FFL pulled out this nicely printed box with all the great marketing graphics. Great job PSA.
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Very fine looking build! Good close up pic of that upper/ lower, really shows the detail and clean lines. You educated me with 1:5 twist barrel l had no clue they were available. Can’t wait to see it when you are satisfied! Well done sir
Edit: where did you get that castle nut? Like the matching color! 
Thanks for the response. The castle nut is a forward controls design FDE. Matched pretty well. Not sure if there is any real value to the 1:5 twist but could really work well for the subs. I’ll give some updates once I do the swap and get it to the range.
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I need to make a correction to the post above.
I erroneously stated castle nut was forward controls design FDE, this was wrong it is the PA exclusive forward controls design burnt bronze. I hope nobody purchased the FDE and ended up not matching.
Also @Josiah_PSA
I just saw the Sabre 8.5” 300 pistol linked below and was wondering what I have to do to purchase one of the bronze 7.25 handguards that are included in that package for my Sabre honey bastard above?
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-sabre-15-forged-8-5-300-blackout-pistol-w-rifle-speed-gas-block-and-sba-4-brace-moss-green.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=daily_deals&utm_campaign=pm&utm_term=02-28-2025&utm_content=51655189144
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They dont sell them separately.
I figured as much, was hoping one might fall off a truck and make it to Texas
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it would be nice if one day they do start selling them to the public as build parts.
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Will they ever sell them separately and possibly the barrel
Can you guys help. I am building a ar15 using the sabre ambi billet and I dont know what bolt catch works with this. The mil spec kit i purchased doesn’t fit properly. Detent and spring dont reach the ambi side. Any help?
Welcome to the forums @carloshenao89 .
The full Sabre-15 billet guns use the Battle Arms Enhanced Bolt Catch.
Here is the link to it on Primary Arms. Shop around as you may find it cheaper (dont forget shipping!).
And this is going to reach the other side for the ambi switch?
The billet receiver set should have come with an extension that allows the right side bolt catch to push the normal left side catch. If you did not get that extension as a part of the receiver set I would reach out to PSA customer service. I have never had to source those parts separately so I am not sure where to point you for that.
I can say my receiver set has had a Geissele bolt catch as well as the forward controls design bolt catch that it currently has installed without issue and does allow the operation via the right side controls.
Thank you so much for your help
Let us know if you have that extension, if not I will pull mine apart and try to get some pics to hunt those down for you. Also, post up some pics when you get it together.
The ambi parts that came with your receiver are also BAD so there should be no issues with compatibility. You should have received the ambi parts with your receiver set.
I did end up finding it. I will definitely post some. Thank you again
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