I have a 5.56 FDE JAKL. It definitely required a break in period. Anything other than gas setting 1 (12:00) would cause failure to feed issues. Not enough gas to cycle the piston. After several hundred rounds of breaking in, it finally cycles properly. Not being good to go out of the box was disappointing. Also when I removed the lower hand guard to do exactly what you’re doing here, one of the front Allen screws was cross threaded from the factory. It wouldn’t tighten when I tried to reinstall it. I had to buy a larger screw, and tap the upper for it to work. Poor design for securing the hand guard to the upper receiver. Steel screws threading into aluminum uppers don’t go together. Should be an mlok design or similar.
I contacted PSA about the front handguard screws issue today. Mine stripped when reinstalling it after only putting 10-15 inch pounds of force on it. I noticed the screw didn't screw all the way into the receiver (upper) and only grabbed about 2-3 threads. I tapped it with a 10-24 tap and ordered new machine screws that are 1/8" threads length to go all the way through, with a tiny bit of stockout. I recommend to PSA to do the same .
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM I still think it needs a redesign. If you remove the hand guard for cleaning or maintenance, you risk stripping the upper receiver threads. In my opinion, a design that includes an MLOK screw and cam nut would be better. There’s plenty of room to incorporate something like that. I could have sent the JAKL back for repair, but felt all they were going to do was what we both did. If it fails again, I will incorporate my own MLOK way of securing it.
@@tomconley2458 I'm still working on an extended handguard to cover the barrel extension (what will be the can once the form 1 gets finished). My issue is not only do I need to extend it outwards, but also widen it as the internal dimension of the handguard is too small.
Hey thanks for this vid, none of the big channels actually took apart the upper so I could see how the barrel attaches. Hopefully PSA offers barrels and handguards in the future because it really doesn't look difficult to swap. Did you find it easy to get the barrel to line up with the upper when reassembling?
How did you brace it for flash hider removal? I'm looking at my upper and there's not enough room for a barrel vise. Is that barrel installed so that I can just wrench off the muzzle device without tweaking anything? Great video, thanks!
Three ways you can do it. One, put it in a vice with soft jaws. Two, a long action bar. Three, remove the handguard, then two additional screws and pull the barrel out.
If they need it disassembled, I'm sure they will know how to do it. If they are not a gunsmith, then I would recommend disassembling it before hand to help them out.
So, does the bolt carrier rides directly on the receiver? assuming the screwed steel inserts on the left side is only for operating the cam pin. if so then its steel (carrier) vs aluminum (receiver), i can't imagine how it wont wear the receiver too much. Yes, i know it's the same case with ARs, but AR designs is carefully planned with tubular bolt carrier design and internal piston that is inline with the whole barrel, receiver, and the buffer assembly.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM Thanks for responding, do you perhaps have any picture or reference for the right side steel insert? I'm trying to find a clear interior view of the upper receiver online but it's non existent. For the left side i can see it thanks to your video here but i don't see the right side insert. There's no visible screws on the right side aside from the two for the barrel trunnion and one for the case deflector which i doubt is also used for holding the right steel insert.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM Thank you. Rather than social media, is it possible to upload it to imgur? it's free and you don't have to login to upload images. You can also set the picture to private and only those with the link can view it. But if you'd rather send it directly i will provide you my email.
@@AverageGunDesigner I've never used that service before. Google docs is the closest. Yeah, I'm old. An email would be most streamlined. If you send one, I will respond, and you can delete your comment right after.
Maybe? I melted a part of the slide on my 5.7 they didn't sell and sold one to me. I'm sure they will sell you one if you say you had an accident and messed up the barrel.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM I’m just wondering because I noticed on my 16 inch jakl the barrel is crooked to the right. My optic is zeroed and put some iron sights on and it was far to the left. Put the barrel on a flat surface to see if it was the barrel or the receiver. I flatten down barrel extension down to the barrel to see if something wrong with it. The barrel crooked to the right a little. Not sure if PSA would send me a new barrel or send the full upper to them.
This is the pistol upper. Even the 16" upper is not front heavy at all. It really depends on how you build your firearm. If you put a lightweight stock or brace on the back, and a bunch of junk all the way on the front, it's going to feel off balance.
I haven't attempted to remove the barrel extension, so it just might. You would have to get something with the same gas block profile and length if it did.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM This might be something to ask PSA about. Id like to get one of these but I think in the future Id be willing to buy a Carbon Fiber wrapped barrel. And Id like it in 18inches. But this base platform would need solid accuracy to be worth that, and given the barrel is held in with 4 screws Im not sure thats the case
Yes. Any milspec (and most fancy) AR lowers will work. Just know that it requires an adapter for the upper to work. Normally they will sell the combo of the upper, adapter, and brace/folding stock. If you buy just the upper, you have to purchase the adapter separately.
@@HKBuilderDIY the adapter also has locators that aline the upper to the lower so they fit together. You can get a 1913 to AR buffer tube adapter to run a standard AR buttstock.
definitely gonna get a shorty JAKL upper.
been dying for long-stroke piston setup AR
I’d argue the JAKL is closer to a SCAR than the AK. If you compare a SCAR BCG next to a JAKL BCG, the similarities become glaringly obvious.
Or the AR180....
@@NOTSOSLIMJIMHaha! Funny thing, a friend of mine tried to argue that every modern day piston operated US made rifle is just an AR-180 clone lol.
Lol, a lot are. Just like how many modern pistols are based off thr glock. It's rare we have a truly new firearm idea.
I wonder why PSA didn't try using an AK style bolt?
@bombsawaylemay770 because AR ones are cheaper. Plus they can use AR barrel extensions.
I have a 5.56 FDE JAKL. It definitely required a break in period. Anything other than gas setting 1 (12:00) would cause failure to feed issues. Not enough gas to cycle the piston. After several hundred rounds of breaking in, it finally cycles properly. Not being good to go out of the box was disappointing.
Also when I removed the lower hand guard to do exactly what you’re doing here, one of the front Allen screws was cross threaded from the factory. It wouldn’t tighten when I tried to reinstall it. I had to buy a larger screw, and tap the upper for it to work. Poor design for securing the hand guard to the upper receiver. Steel screws threading into aluminum uppers don’t go together. Should be an mlok design or similar.
I contacted PSA about the front handguard screws issue today. Mine stripped when reinstalling it after only putting 10-15 inch pounds of force on it. I noticed the screw didn't screw all the way into the receiver (upper) and only grabbed about 2-3 threads. I tapped it with a 10-24 tap and ordered new machine screws that are 1/8" threads length to go all the way through, with a tiny bit of stockout. I recommend to PSA to do the same .
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM
Yep, did the same procedure as you outlined, and sent an email on their website. Never heard back from them.
@@tomconley2458 all we can do is hope enough people contact them about it that they start using a longer screw. Or, in our cases, bigger screw
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM
I still think it needs a redesign. If you remove the hand guard for cleaning or maintenance, you risk stripping the upper receiver threads. In my opinion, a design that includes an MLOK screw and cam nut would be better. There’s plenty of room to incorporate something like that. I could have sent the JAKL back for repair, but felt all they were going to do was what we both did. If it fails again, I will incorporate my own MLOK way of securing it.
@@tomconley2458 I'm still working on an extended handguard to cover the barrel extension (what will be the can once the form 1 gets finished). My issue is not only do I need to extend it outwards, but also widen it as the internal dimension of the handguard is too small.
Was going to buy a sig mcx spear but after seeing the Jakl the Jakl is a better build design.
Hey thanks for this vid, none of the big channels actually took apart the upper so I could see how the barrel attaches. Hopefully PSA offers barrels and handguards in the future because it really doesn't look difficult to swap. Did you find it easy to get the barrel to line up with the upper when reassembling?
It's super easy. Seeing the machine screws hold it in, you just need to line up the holes, add loctite, and screw it down.
Thanks, dude.
That looks better than my Wolf upper.
Just out of curiosity, do they make a 16" barrel version? 🤔
Yes. They make four. Two pistols, one each in 300blk and 5.56, and one each as a 16" rifle.
If you want to "try before you buy" I can bring mine by.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM That would be awesome! Is your in 5.56?
@@praktikalnurse504 hell no.
Yes. Should be available later this year. Also 9mm and 7.62x39 coming out soon
How did you brace it for flash hider removal? I'm looking at my upper and there's not enough room for a barrel vise. Is that barrel installed so that I can just wrench off the muzzle device without tweaking anything? Great video, thanks!
Three ways you can do it. One, put it in a vice with soft jaws. Two, a long action bar. Three, remove the handguard, then two additional screws and pull the barrel out.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM Right on, so an AR action bar fits in there. Cool thanks!
@@2001babyjack yes, it uses a modified AR bolt.
If I get mine cerakoted from black should I remove those metal rails and "rear trunnion" from the upper receiver before taking it to my cerakoter?
If they need it disassembled, I'm sure they will know how to do it. If they are not a gunsmith, then I would recommend disassembling it before hand to help them out.
Very good video. I have one I’ve been building. What solvent trap did you go with
I use a company based here in Texas called telloutfitters
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM have you had any gassing issues with the Jakl v
So, does the bolt carrier rides directly on the receiver? assuming the screwed steel inserts on the left side is only for operating the cam pin.
if so then its steel (carrier) vs aluminum (receiver), i can't imagine how it wont wear the receiver too much.
Yes, i know it's the same case with ARs, but AR designs is carefully planned with tubular bolt carrier design and internal piston that is inline with the whole barrel, receiver, and the buffer assembly.
The two inserts that bolt inside the receiver are what the bold rides on. The cam is actuated by the upper.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM Thanks for responding, do you perhaps have any picture or reference for the right side steel insert? I'm trying to find a clear interior view of the upper receiver online but it's non existent.
For the left side i can see it thanks to your video here but i don't see the right side insert. There's no visible screws on the right side aside from the two for the barrel trunnion and one for the case deflector which i doubt is also used for holding the right steel insert.
@@AverageGunDesigner do you have a good email, Facebook messenger, or other way I can send pics? I can send you what you need.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM Thank you. Rather than social media, is it possible to upload it to imgur? it's free and you don't have to login to upload images. You can also set the picture to private and only those with the link can view it. But if you'd rather send it directly i will provide you my email.
@@AverageGunDesigner I've never used that service before. Google docs is the closest. Yeah, I'm old. An email would be most streamlined. If you send one, I will respond, and you can delete your comment right after.
Have you check with PSA to see what it takes to replace the barrel.
It's a barrel inside a special barrel extension. You will need to buy a new barrel from PSA, then it should bolt right in.
What did you torque the screws that hold the barrel/front trunnion at upon reassembly?
Good and tight... I would say it was right around 25-30 inch pounds. I found with small torque screws, you really need to play it by feel.
The 4 front trunion screws should be torqued to 60 inch pounds from what I have found
One question if I call PSA and ask to buy a barrel for my jakl they would send it?
Maybe? I melted a part of the slide on my 5.7 they didn't sell and sold one to me. I'm sure they will sell you one if you say you had an accident and messed up the barrel.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM I’m just wondering because I noticed on my 16 inch jakl the barrel is crooked to the right. My optic is zeroed and put some iron sights on and it was far to the left. Put the barrel on a flat surface to see if it was the barrel or the receiver. I flatten down barrel extension down to the barrel to see if something wrong with it. The barrel crooked to the right a little. Not sure if PSA would send me a new barrel or send the full upper to them.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM did you have to send them pictures also?
@@Teamwolf7777 nope
@@Teamwolf7777 you should be able to send it in for warranty services. Just call them and they will set it up for free repair.
I here the barrel is front heavy would it be hard to put a lighter 13.9 on there?🧠🤯🔫
This is the pistol upper. Even the 16" upper is not front heavy at all. It really depends on how you build your firearm. If you put a lightweight stock or brace on the back, and a bunch of junk all the way on the front, it's going to feel off balance.
I wish it took standard AR barrels
I haven't attempted to remove the barrel extension, so it just might. You would have to get something with the same gas block profile and length if it did.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM This might be something to ask PSA about. Id like to get one of these but I think in the future Id be willing to buy a Carbon Fiber wrapped barrel. And Id like it in 18inches.
But this base platform would need solid accuracy to be worth that, and given the barrel is held in with 4 screws Im not sure thats the case
If ur gonna build one will a ar psa lower work
Yes. Any milspec (and most fancy) AR lowers will work. Just know that it requires an adapter for the upper to work. Normally they will sell the combo of the upper, adapter, and brace/folding stock. If you buy just the upper, you have to purchase the adapter separately.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM I got the lower f5 stock kit I saw the adapter for 100 but it looks like the f5 stock got a built in one
do you know the weight of the bcg?
Will it run full auto?
Anything can run full auto with the correct modifications.
@NOTSOSLIMJIM 👌💪😎
How do you get it run on a regular ar15 lower?
That's what it's designed for. You just need to purchase the rear buffer plate adapter.
@@NOTSOSLIMJIM swould ot be possible to place a dowel the length of the buffer tube instead?
And does it works with fostech echo ii?
@@HKBuilderDIY the adapter also has locators that aline the upper to the lower so they fit together. You can get a 1913 to AR buffer tube adapter to run a standard AR buttstock.
@@HKBuilderDIY no. It will not work with the fostech or force reset triggers. It will work with the Franklin armory binary trigger
Can these accept M203???
@@user-mp8ff6mv3p on the newer model with the 14.5" or 16" and longer handguard, yes.
Those are screws, not bolts, holding the assemblies together.
Yes, cap head machine screws. I believe you would call that a "misspoken accident".
So it's a Faxon ARAK21
All are AR18 offsprings at the end of the day.