"Carriers hitting the lower ears on the receiver due to the same issues."
FWIW, That actually has a lot to do with how the carrier is cut at those contact areas as well, some of the various brand carriers used, have a sharp corner there, other brand carriers are recessed ( ? ) more rounded area there.
PSA has used both style BCG's , and frankly, the PSA fix worked quite well. Simple and effective.
I would like to see the difference in a Aero Precision 308 DPMS pattern carbine recoil spring and a PSA one , and I am pretty sure Aero uses the same 2.5" buffer weight of 3.8oz.
I wonder if the Aero and PSA carbine recoil springs are made by the same company, to the same spec.
I am glad to see the Armalite buffer tube is smoother inside, since it costs darn near twice as much, and it is good to see the price isn't just for the name.
I have bought other "name brand" buffer tubes looking for a smooth interior, and quite a few were dubious inside, I could feel the ridges, with my finger tip ! So good to know Armalite is another smooth one.
Also and another FWIW, PSA did at one point use the same Vltor / Armalite length buffer tube and 3.25" buffer ... but for whatever reason they abandoned it.
Probably a cost saving measure, just like DPMS and Aero did.
BTW, did Armalite quit selling parts on their webpage ? Sure seems odd I don't see any on there. I know they used to.
I haven't heard of any PSA buffer tube failing, and again ( FWIW ) mine have run many thousands of rounds.
Then again I do run a 5.3oz 2.5" and the Tubbs with an adj GB.
So no meaningful input on the PSA recoil spring, since I changed mine soon after buying mine, just to slow the bolt unlocking so soon. I wish I had just moved to a Adj GB from the get go, Lol
I also see the PSA tube is made from 7075, ( GI spec material ) and not some cheaper material. ( Just went and looked )
I'd bet 6061 would work, but... I would prefer 7075.
I guess I haven't noticed, but is the PSA drain hole really that much smaller then the Armalites ?
"This isnt just a guess, but also isn't verified, but some guys think, and rightly so, that PSA has those bored low on the bottom side to avoid carrier tilt issues."
Are you saying PSA might have a carrier tilt issue ? That is the first time I have heard that.
Would that apply to the AR15 model as well ? It is the same buffer tube.
Where did you hear this ?
I'll measure my buffer tubes, I can't say I have ever noticed any of them being off center, both on AR15's and PA10's
Anyhow, thanks for the updates
It was always told to me that it was a cover up for not adhering to proper design. A lot of this info is form 308AR forum, as there are a few guys over there that specialize in large frame, now that being said, one of them reeeeally hates PSA and not because they're cheap. Supposedly a rep from PSA was on that forum and a few guys went out of their way to help them understand the simple fixes they needed to employ to get the rifles up to par, and they never listened. My BCG in this rifle has plenty of room in that area, even without the cuts, so I'm not worried.
I have no doubt that your buffer tube is running solid, although I'm positive your buffer and gas upgrades have helped. After inspecting and feeling the PSA buffer, I'm just not confident in it. I may be wrong, but I'm already set on using the Armalite one anyways. My main concern is no matter how you adjust the gas block, keeping the bolt locked up a little longer and not having such a violent unlock/extract phase is a positive in my eyes, especially when you get into suppressor use.
The carrier tilt got mentioned over on 308AR, but it was from a few years ago, so it may have been Gen1/Gen2 timeframe. As raggedy as the stock buffer system is, it ran well today. (see my new update)