Okay, so I’m considering using one of the PSA pistol uppers into a modern take on the XM177/CAR-15. So, I need you guys to help me stay out of the weeds.
My thought was mating up the 11.5 pistol upper with an Aero M4E1 lower. I wanted to put FAB Defense furniture on it, including a rifle buttstock.
Now, here’s the crucial part. If I have a 5.5-inch CAR-15-style flash hider pinned and welded to the barrel, because that’s a permanent extension, does that get me past the $200 SBR tax stamp or would I be breaking the law?
You have to have a barrel 16" or greater in length to avoid a tax stamp if you have a stock. A pistol brace doesnt matter, but you cant use a VFG unless the gun is over 26" in length (end of barrel to end of buffer tube, adjustable stock doesnt count).
If you pin and weld a flash suppressor that counts as length of the barrel.
11.5" barrel + 5" flash hider = 16" (have to remember to account for threaded section).
This particular one was done using a Lower obtained via the Special Forces Association. The A2 Receiver was a Colt I found on Gun Broker
There are certainly PSA parts mixed in.
Some added costs in all this were the Cercoating to acheive the Colt Grey used from the Late 50’s all the way up to the M4 Program switching to a Black Oxide finish.
The Barrel Mount for the Flashlight was Real Deal GI from a sealed bag…No Chinese stuff. Sorry I don’t recall specifics as this was built some 10 plus years ago.
The Faux Suppressor used had to be drilled out for the Set Up for the Pin and Weld process that I admittedly Farmed Out to a reputable Gunsmith to do.
Now…if this was my only Carbine I’d probably Not be real thrilled. My set up is Heavy on this one compared to the other two that replicate the Vietnam Era models used by SF SOG and the Son Tay Raiders.
Take it from me…with an 11.5 inch barrel and a Faux Moderator mated up…Muzzle Climb is tolerable compared to a standard Carbine…but Muzzle Blast is something else. People left and right of you will Not be happy with you at an In-Door Range.
My suggestion for a person building One Retro Style Carbine and that’s it , No more!. I would be inclined to build a Colt Inspired 16inch M4 Barreled Model 723 like used by Delta Force in Panama circa 1989 .
Check out Larry Vickers video on You Tube regarding his Vickers Carbine. The only hard to find items being an A2 Upper Receiver, the Era correct Aimpoint and the Dive Light they attached out of expedience .
This is a Replica of the Colt Model 723 used by Delta in Panama 1989…Operation Acid Gambit.
The use of the M4 Barrel before the M4 name was even adopted makes using heavier than 55 grain ammo more effective.
Mine uses a Government Property marked M16A2 PSA Lower. The actual Delta Carbines were A2 Lowers without Government Property markings and BURST was traded for AUTO unlike standard A2’s
The Delta pieces were COTS Guns…Commercial of The Shelf buys…no Government TDP contract.
