Disappointed in PSA parts

Warp said:

A couple magazines is certainly a lot of testing

Click to expand...

It is more than zero.

Warp said:

A couple magazines is certainly a lot of testing

Click to expand...

Both my current AR's have PSA BCG's and LPK's, one has almost 6k rounds without issue. The other only has a couple hundred.

How has your experience been with PSA parts?

The OP can't confirm if it was the lower or the parts that were out of spec, didn't give PSA a chance to make it right (if it was indeed their error in the first place) won't take it apart to show the extent of grinding required, and can't confirm if it was classic/premium line stuff, or the cheaper budget "freedom" line (which would be immensely useful info for anyone tempted to buy parts, that stumbled across this thread). So basically this thread has become useless, except for warp to yet again get in some jabs at his personal nemesis.

Thousands of satisfied customers. PSA's biggest PR problem is also their biggest asset: online word of mouth. Maybe they have a higher lemon rate than BCM, maybe they don't. But you can rest assured when someone has an issue, they'll definitely post about it, and warp will be there to pile on.

My take on PSA is that you need to know what you are actually buying. I'd avoid any of their budget stuff (PTAC, Freedom, etc). I've never had any issue with their "premium" line of stuff. I have guns from noveske and BCM and don't have any complaints about any of the AR uppers or parts I've bought from PSA.

If I were to critique PSA it would be that you have to pay attention to what you are buying, know where they are cutting corners and on which things, and be able to read carefully and understand their spec sheets (for example mil spec diameter buffer tube is not a mil spec buffer tube (6065 vs 7075).

I don't know what parts kit your ordered, nor have we been shown any pics so we can't really comment directly to that. However, I have seen an out of spec Anderson lower before (and many perfectly fine ones.)

I can only attest to my own experience, which is thus far limited to 1 rifle kit (PTAC) , one heavy buffer, one LBK, and a complete BCG. So far, I've no complaints with any of these things. Everything has functioned properly.

As for shipping, it's been fast. I've yet to need the CS part of the operation.

My BCG has properly staked gas key and MPI/HPT bolt, Carpenter 158 steel. Cost me $85 shipped, no complaints.

Only two bolts I've seen with a shoddy stake job were from a Colt 6920 (circa 2011 I believe) and a Red X Arms (junk, dont buy anymore).

I guess I should have been aware that the parts were on sale cheap for a reason. An upper I bought from them months ago was fine.
I can confirm that it was the parts. I would have to drill out roll pins to show parts, I am not doing that just to show skeptics something they might not be able to tell from a pic anyway. The thread is useful as it was recently asked in another thread about PSA parts. I think the take away is that you have to beware of the bargain parts.

Click to expand...

There should be no question that they're cheap for a reason. Specifications, quality control, and sources are big drivers in cost, and with PSA, it's a race to the bottom. They might very well source from Gov't suppliers, but those parts may not pass dimensional specs, hardness tests, etc. and therefore are available at a lower cost.

Don't sweat the apologists. Two years ago I received a "premium" PSA upper that was assembled very poorly. They made no effort to properly secure the gas block (no dimples and no loctite). They did not follow the manufacturer's instructions for the free float handguard installation. The advertised full auto bolt carrier with HPT/MPI bolt turned out to be a semi-auto carrier and the bolt was marked MPI, but not HPT.

I shared this info, complete with pics. I thought I was helping fellow shoppers, but instead I was accused of just trying to smear their "good name" as if I had waited 10 years on the forum to besmirch a company that didn't yet exist. Folks demanded part numbers, order numbers and receipts. "Why don't you let PSA fix it" or "Did you call them?" etc.

Some folks will defend PSA to protect the name for various reasons. They may be trying to protect the image of the products they've invested capital in. They may work for PSA and engage you to wash away the info you're trying to share. They may just simply be trying to justify their own purchase decisions.

In my opinion, when we spend our own cash to buy a product, we have every right to share our experiences with it. Whether or not they are willing to fix it is immaterial. The thread was not titled "PSA Customer Service Review." If they sent you crap, then that's a relevant data point. On the other hand, I don't expect many gun magazines and commercial online reviewers to give the the down and dirty facts. They get free stuff and there's also advertising dollars to secure.

The reality is that PSA either doesn't know what they don't know, or they don't really care, instead counting on the end user to be dialed in to their business practices. They had some serious growing pains with AR assembly since the beginning. They moved to AR10s, and that was a disaster. They moved on to AKs, using cast garbage parts, improper heat treat, etc. Sure, they have made an attempt to learn and correct these things, but at whose expense? The paying customer has been doing all their R&D for some time now.

In a broad strokes, they offer some serviceable stuff at unbeatable price points, I'll say that much. Thanks for sharing your experience. It is helpful to those of us who may be interested in throwing together an inexpensive rifle in the current market.

boricua9mm said:

"Why don't you let PSA fix it" or "Did you call them?" etc.

Click to expand...

These are valid questions.

Y'all keep your money, dont buy from PSA.

More for me.

d2wing said:

I will summarize by saying I thought there wasn't much difference in parts by price, and I was trying to put together an AR cheaply. I regret shopping by price now and will pay more heed to experienced builders. I think the parts function as modified and are not that critical. I installed a higher quality trigger so it might function ok. If there are any problems I will start over with another brand. I do not think any company should let parts that bad out the door. If others have had good luck and like them that is fine. I am not going to spend time and money trying to figure out one companies tier system.

Click to expand...

Honestly, I don't think their lower parts are tiered like the uppers. They do sell an upgraded trigger with polished and coated surfaces, but the springs, pins, plungers and trigger parts are all the same from what I've seen.

I guess I'd be a little po'd myself if I mail ordered parts and they were wrong or out of spec. It's a PITA to return ship, wait another 3 weeks, etc. I am in a brick/mortar PSA store once a week so I may be biased.

SuperNaut said:

boricua9mm said:

"Why don't you let PSA fix it" or "Did you call them?" etc.

Click to expand...

These are valid questions.

Click to expand...

+1. d2wing, but you still haven't contacted PSA to give them a chance to address your issue. I and many others would probably be interested in what the customer service response would be. That's usually the point of threads like this.

For the past 20+ years, my experience with various shooting/reloading vendor customer service experience have been very positive (MidwayUSA, Dillon, Lee Precision, Glock, Ruger, Taurus, Just Right carbine, Berry's MFG, Rocky Mountain Reloading, Missouri Bullet Company, Dardas, etc.) often with issues resolved in customer's favor.

I also have helped other THR members and shooters I shoot with resolve customer service issues to their benefit but the first step was letting the vendor/manufacturer know what the problem was. Usually, an email to customer service with a link to THR thread quickly resolved issues - one awesome benefit of being a THR member.

I still say PSA customer service should be contacted but the choice is yours.

If your intent was to never contact PSA customer service and simply bad mouth them, then you should have simply posted on "Rate Retail Transaction" category and be done - http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=24

bds said:

d2wing, but you still haven't contacted PSA to give them a chance to address your issue. I and many others would probably be interested in what the customer service response would be. That's usually the point of threads like this.

For the past 20+ years, my experience with various shooting/reloading vendor customer service experience have been very positive (MidwayUSA, Dillon, Lee Precision, Glock, Ruger, Taurus, Just Right carbine, Berry's MFG, Rocky Mountain Reloading, Missouri Bullet Company, Dardas, etc.) often with issues resolved in customer's favor.

I also have helped other THR members and shooters I shoot with resolve customer service issues to their benefit but the first step was letting the vendor/manufacturer know what the problem was. Usually, an email to customer service with a link to THR thread quickly resolved issues - one awesome benefit of being a THR member.

I still say PSA customer service should be contacted but the choice is yours.

Click to expand...

Is this a customer service issue or a product quality issue? I don't think the two are one and the same. Or maybe it's one with the potential to be both.

Warp, until the OP contacts PSA and/or posts pictures, we are only talking ... I certainly want to believe the OP that what has been posted actually happened but without evidence/proof of some kind, this thread is simply bad mouthing a vendor.

BTW, isn't this "The High Road" after all and we should give the vendor the opportunity to correct issues caused by them?

bds said:

Warp, until the OP contacts PSA and/or posts pictures, we are only talking ... I certainly want to believe the OP that what has been posted actually happened but without evidence/proof of some kind, this thread is simply bad mouthing a vendor.

BTW, isn't this "The High Road" after all and we should give the vendor the opportunity to correct issues caused by them?

Click to expand...

IF the issue is shipping bad/poor/out of spec parts, the issue of shipping bad/poor/out of spec parts remains even if a second swing at it makes a correction. There is certainly value in fixing it, and it's certainly better than not fixing it, but it's not as good as getting it right the first time.

I wouldn't mind seeing some pics though. In 2016 anybody who can post to a message forum can most probably post pictures too.

Warp said:

IF the issue is shipping bad/poor/out of spec parts, the issue of shipping bad/poor/out of spec parts remains even if a second swing at it makes a correction. There is certainly value in fixing it, and it's certainly better than not fixing it, but it's not as good as getting it right the first time.

I wouldn't mind seeing some pics though. In 2016 anybody who can post to a message forum can most probably post pictures too.

Click to expand...

I totally agree.

You clearly have no idea what you are typing. Truth be known, many AR companies do not make their own parts...they outsource them...even the larger companies outsource to smaller companies.

I know if a local company that makes parts for Spikes along with other companies.

Zerodefect said:

Cheap chinese parts from PSA? And people are startled? LOL, yes some of PSA's kits have garbage in them.

That's the risk you take. You can still order name brand and Made in the US parts kits.

Click to expand...

OP should rename thread "sour grapes" as OP seemed to want to slam PSA without learning if the Anderson lower was out of spec or if it was the LPK. I'm not a PSA fan boy, but I've placed many orders with them over the years and I haven't had any issues with them.

You didn't seem to mind buying from PSA due to price point, so you seem to be the type to buy less expensive items and yet you want the highest quality products? Most of the them it's mutually exclusive.

Just because parts are made by the same company, that doesn't necessarily mean they are identical. The purchaser can and often does request their own specifications or standards, or do their own QC check on the parts before shipping them out as their own.

Warp said:

Is this a customer service issue or a product quality issue? I don't think the two are one and the same. Or maybe it's one with the potential to be both.

Click to expand...

It isn't a customer service issue until the dude ACTUALLY calls them. If he buys inexpensive stuff, is upset by quality, but doesn't have interest in letting it be fixed by said company, then it sounds like the OP is content to be disappointed.

Their PTAC line isn't budget lower parts, more so budget upper such as barrel. Until I see more people at my range and on this and other forums that I frequent give concrete evidence of inferior build quality, I'm personally writing this situation off as a stubborn attitude towards a reputable company offering budget options to cost minded individuals.

As stated, dont gripe if your not going to let them make it right. I get disappointed in things I purchase at Walmart. So, like any adult would do, I go to CS and let them rectify the situation by a refund or replacement. This is no different.

d2wing said:

Oh gosh, I get crappy parts and it is my fault. How classy of PSA. Thanks guys, same to you.
Again, the parts are installed, I fixed them. I do not expect PSA to come to my house and rebuild my lower. There is nothing more to be done. I just wanted others to be aware that they should check the parts they get. Beware of cheap parts. Now this has turned into PSA attacking me for complaining. That sure makes me feel better about them. Or maybe it is just the classy high road posters. Don't care. And how do you know if I have contacted PSA?
Oops, forgot you are not fan boys and don't work for them. Yeah, I should really like PSA now. Bye.

Click to expand...

You bought one of the most inexpensive parts kits you could find, and they required some hand fitting.
You never gave PSA the chance to make things right, and even though the parts were apparently good enough to keep,
They weren't good enough to keep you from coming here first to complain.

Send em back or shut up.

Ive literally bought hundreds..(yes plural) PSA lpks and have had 1 bent safety selector and maybe 3 that were missing a spring or detent...at one point there LPKs were $25. I kick myself for not buying hundreds more.

PSA attacked you??? I must have missed something... bit I do agree that if its worth mentioning it os worth mentioning it to them or its not worth mentioning at all. What happens when those parts fail down the road?

Amd sure maybe you can call me a "fanboy". I have built PSA 1911s, AR10S and probably two dozen ARs almost entirely under $500 each that work every bit as good amd reliable as my $2000 rock river...that is something I am a fan of.