PSA Builds

I've got a PSA bolt carrier group in a Frankenbuild (Aero lower, RRA trigger, DD upper) that has been flawless so far. Several thousand rounds through this gun to date.

I've got a complete PSA free-float keymod, mid-length upper with included PSA bcg on an Anderson lower with Timney trigger - again, flawless so far (and quite accurate) though it's a newer build for me and I've only got a couple hundred rounds through it.

My brother has a frankengun that's all Spikes and PSA parts (particularly the lower parts kit). It works great.

In my opinion their stuff is an excellent value. I suppose there are better things out there but you're going to spend a LOT more to get it. If you're willing to be patient, you can get PSA items for even lower prices than usual if you wait for sales, and they put EVERYTHING on sale at one time or another.

I built my first AR using many PSA parts, including BCG, barrel, and lower parts build kit with Magpul stock and grip. I bought all of my PSA parts when they were on sale, as @Rittmeister suggested. I really like how it turned out, as it has functioned flawlessly, so far. It hasn't grouped well with factory 55gr ammo, but I figure I just haven't found what it likes, yet. It did better with heavy Hornady Match ammo. That's where my foray into reloading will begin...

Overall, the parts fit well and look to be of good quality. It's not a match-grade gun, by any means. But, as a first AR or a budget AR, I don't know that you can really go too wrong with PSA.

I just put together my first AR 15 using all PSA. I only have about 500 rounds through it but no issues whatsoever. I went with a"freedom" midlength upper. It is nitrated and had 4150 cmv. Just be careful to look at descriptions for barrel steel etc sometimes they use just chrome moly in the freedom line. I also bought a complete lower with the polished trigger. Trigger is nice for a milspec one. I think with PSA you can get a better rifle with better components than many others in the 500-$600 range. If you can afford it their "premium line" uses hpt/mpi FN chrome lined barrels for like $300 for an upper without bcg. A premium hpt/mpi bcg is usually 90-$100. Many of the guns you can buy compete in this price range do not have 4150 cmv barrels, 7075 buffer extensions, or hpt/mpi bolts. I think my rifle came to $480 without the rear sight and has these features. For a factory rifle I think the Aero AC15 midlength is the best for $575ish on sale. It has tested bolt/barrel and 7075 buffer. After that a Colt OEM 6920 or complete 6920/6720 is the way to go for up to 1k. Only issues I hear about with PSA is shipping times (which have gotten better) and QC/QA so be sure to go over anything you get. They will make it right if there is an issue but they can be hard to contact at times.

Waiting on more parts now for a 3rd...seems PSA is really good for upper parts. Almost all my lower parts came from AIM surplus. PSA ships quickly and has NEVER had an issue with the orders. My last order "shipped" as in got filled and ready for shipment in 5 hours from the time I placed the order (2 days ago) it is already showing on UPS tracking as being on its way.

Rifle has PSA BCG.

Carbine has PSA BCG, upper parts kit, gas tube, gas block, barrel.

Pistol will soon have PSA barrel, gas/sight tower, BCG, gas tube

Every order I have ever placed with PSA I have gotten some random extras too. Magazines for ARs and pistols, ammo, tools, etc.

The bad thing is that you can't even come close to beating EBay prices on handguards, and they seem to be of reasonable quality. I bought one for my pistol build last night at $18.

I've put together 3 lowers with PSA kits and only had one issue, with a magazine catch that snapped the shaft. No biggie. I emailed PSA but they didn't email me back. I still buy their stuff. Triggers aren't stellar but what do you expect for $40 LPK.

View attachment 227445 View attachment 227446 I've got (2) PSA uppers, one is a melonite mid-length and one is a freedom carbine length. Both uppers have been flawless and are at least 2 MOA accurate. I also have a classic lower and other than the garbage trigger, its just fine.

My middy is mounted on an S&W lower that is really nice, great trigger.View attachment 227445 View attachment 227445

Let me try this again, my photos got all fubar'd.

I've put four PSA's together.

With one of them I did a video on YouTube awhile back where I shot a couple groups with the PSA, then swapped the PSA upper out with my Noveske's upper (so they'd be using the same lower) and then fired two groups and the groups from the PSA turned out to be a bit better. Both using irons.

I've had good luck with them.

I have used 3 of their Premium Classic lower build kits. And bought one complete upper from them. Nothing fancy. The lowers all went together well and the upper seems of good quality. I have only taken it out to the range maybe 3 times. If I decide to order again, they would be at the top of my list.

SlowFuse, I suppose the order delays would depend on pecking order of the barrels and assemblies are. Just a thought.

I don't think PSA are machinists. They are a reseller of OEM parts right? Just like Stoner is Midways brand.
I think for the most part brands are not too important. However a few components are key and the beating heart of the AR so I would
not be cheap on those. Barrel, bolt group and trigger group are important for long term reliability. Everything else, if it is up to spec and average quality is
just a shell so normally less critical.
Regarding cheap parts kits I have ran into a couple of problem with PSA, blackhle and model 1 barrels. Not all mine but other two guys shooting here at the leagues too.
In two the barrels were out of spec.
One didn't headspace and the other headspaced ok but the tenon was cut short. The other was cut out of center w/o being dialed.
These are rare occurrences but I suggest spend a bit more and buy better quality than the typical cheapest bottom barrel kits.
I also stay away from the M4 style barrels and cuts and 1/2 threads if you can avoid it. They serve no reasonable purpose what so ever.
Carbine porting was a bad idea from the beginning and some makers offer 5/8 threads and SS and melonite barrels that many times are more accurate
and last longer.
Good luck.

SlowFuse said:

Did you order any uppers? My order was placed 11.15. I got the small parts about 3 weeks ago but the upper was delayed, which they say is normal. 15 business days stated on the site.

Edited to add: post #1000 Ha.

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When PSA shows an upper in stock, it isn't REALLY in stock. They have all of the components to BUILD that upper in stock. Those same components can be used to build other uppers that they show "in stock". They don't begin to assemble the particular configuration you want, until you hit "order". That is why complete uppers and lowers take longer to ship than other items.

1stmarine, you may be right. I had in mind that they might make their own barrels. But it could be all out-sourced. IdK.

My experience as follows:

Uppers receiver groups: PSA uppers are very "ok". Nothing amazing, but they work fine for the money.

Lower receivers: Ok. The batch of 20 I purchased a few years ago were all spec'd on the sloppy end. Very loose fitting on all uppers tested. They all worked fine though.

Lower parts kits: Generally good. I have had a few out of spec small parts such as roll pins.

BCG's: Excellent. I have never had one fail. That said, I have only used their HPT/MPI versions.

Shipping times: Not nearly as bad as many people whine about. Then again, I am patient.

Prices: For a quick and generic build, pricing is excellent.

Overall: Basic AR parts for basic prices. Nothing special, nothing amazing. Perfectly functional. Very meh. Their real star is the HPT/MPI BCG.

Not a negative review, I just cant get excited by PSA's very ordinary products.

The premium psa uppers have FN made barrels that are cold hammer forged. They usually start around 300 bucks.

I've got the "freedom" bcg's in my AR's, couple thousand rounds with each of them, no issues.

kcofohio said:

1stmarine, you may be right. I had in mind that they might make their own barrels. But it could be all out-sourced. IdK.

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I think when people say the PSA rifles, the PSA scopes, the Stoner barrels, Model 1 builds, etc... it might mean something but perhaps also nothing. Who knows.
They do not make their stuff, they simply order to spec in mass quantities and sell it. It is not like seekings billlets or youngs amazing bolt groups.
You get whatever part from whoever and many times is good and others perhaps not so good. Remember a few years back the recall from Stoner bolts that were breaking left and right?.
someone messed up the heat treatment process and then went unnoticed. It is not like they manufacture and test their product. The good thing with Stoner (Midway) is that with their amazing
customer service took no time to react and get everyone impacted squared away.

That is why I always suggest to stay away from M4 style tacticool barrels and super cheap kits. Spending $100 or 200 more it can make a significant difference in the long run.
In the whole scheme of things when compared to all the ammo that is coming out that rifle, that difference is nothing.

This is a case from a barrel a friend from the local matches brought over to diagnose.
Hadspace was ok but the tenon has cut short and chamber had runout.
A total butchering during the cambering job. I think they took care of his barrel exchange but still could have burst a case and make a mess.
Who knows who actually manufactured that. ....Guy punching wrong number on the machine, chuck slipped. who knows. ... No QC what so ever.

The AR15 lego projects are fun and everything is nice, until it is not.

Is this thread about PSA parts and builds, or any problem anyone has ever had with a budget AR part?

NWcityguy2 said:

Is this thread about PSA parts and builds, or any problem anyone has ever had with a budget AR part?

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Hi.
The op can tell us if this is deviating from his goals but the chamber problem illustrated above was a barrel from a PSA kit.
I think these things are a rare occurrence but perhaps not a bad thing to know and perhaps consider some quality components.
Possibly not the cheapest ones in the inventory. ... Who resells them, it doesn't matter.

How long ago was that?

I guess I've been fortunate, because all of the components in my middy upper and carbine upper have been flawless.

My S&W Sport bolt failed after 2000 rounds, I think that bolt is junk. The PSA bolts have sailed right through that number.

I paid $189 shipped for my carbine freedom upper and $250 shipped for my mid-length, magpul freedom upper. I'm very pleased with both.

300yd dogs with my PSA CHF upper. Couldn't be happier.

NWcityguy2 said:

How long ago was that?

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2013 I think
I have other examples of problems with pics.
But mostly good stuff, thanks God.