LOOKING FOR AN AR15 PLATFORM

[DetBrowning]

I'm looking to add an AR15 platform rifle to what I own.
Cost is not quite a consideration but not looking to spend a ton.
I think the current Colts are not so great, what are the thoughts on PSA (Palmetto State Armory) rifles?
My understanding is that 5.56 will accommodate .223 which is the ammo I have lots of for my Ruger Ranch Rifle.
Thanks in advance for all your help. So grateful I found this forum
Bill

 

[tarosean]

search a few threads down this very page and you will find a thread 7 pages deep about Colt vs PSA.

 

[HKGuns]

Well, if you think the current Colts are not so great, how exactly, will a PSA be better? PSA is inferior to Colt, every day of the week, including Sunday.

Sionics - BCM - Colt - DD - SOLGW are known to make reliable duty grade rifles you can trust your life with.

PSA, not so much. But I am sure the PSA lovers will ride in quickly to disagree and try to start an argument about their beloved PSA's that are just as good as Colt and others.

 

[gotboostvr]

What are your goals for this carbine? Certainly a PSA will be serviceable for anything other than a hard use duty carbine, and once vetted out properly might even suffice for that.

Do you want a target rifle, a hunting carbine, a retro plinker? Tell us more about what you're looking for, and we can help get you sorted out.

 

[doubleh]

No idea what to recommend. Research and find what you prefer. There is a huge selection to chose from. I am not a huge AR fanboy but chose a S&W M&P OR back when there were not nearly as many choices as today. It always did it's job which was coyote hunting and did it well. With a free float handguard and my handlosds it is a 3/4 minute of angle gun.

 

[CraigC]

Can opener, engage!

What are you gonna do with it?

I find it comical that PSA builds one of the best AK's on the market but somehow their AR's are garbage. According to folks who probably never shot one. Honestly, no matter the reason, I'd suggest something in the neighborhood of PSA so you can get your feet wet, familiarize yourself with the platform, maybe get some training and decide for yourself if you need a Gucci'd out AR.

 

[trackskippy]

Basically what doubleh said, pick one you like and have at it.

Ive had a bunch of AR's over the years, and still have a bunch, Colt, Armalite, Bushmaster, PSA, S&W, a couple of no name guns made up of parts, and they all have worked, and for the most part, run fine.

If youre anal about benchtop accuracy, then you may want to get a bit pickier, but if reasonable, more realistic accuracy is what youre looking for, mine all seem to shoot about the same for me. If I had an actual complaint, it would have been the Bushmaster I had, which was a Dissapator, and it was about the least accurate compared to the others, and even then, it was still accurate enough.

 

[gotboostvr]

The simplest answer is gonna be watch PSA's Daily Deals, and when something that catches your eye goes on sale, snag it.

Anything from basic M4 copies to Bull barrel varmint rifles, or 18 inch "Designated Marksman Rifle" style builds rotate through pretty often on steep discount.

I've always been served well by the brand. Certainly there's fancier stuff out there, but until you know what you like, you might just be throwing money away on a "nicer" rifle if it dosen't suit you.

 

[edwardware]

Cost is not quite a consideration but not looking to spend a ton.

Ok, so $2k-$4k (full kit production rifle), but not a semi-custom for $6k.

I think the current Colts are not so great, what are the thoughts on PSA (Palmetto State Armory) rifles?

Whaaa? How'd we go from "Cost is not quite a consideration" to GMC vs Honda?

PSA is the best value brand on the market, bar none. Dollar for dollar, you can't beat them. You can spend way way more, but your incremental dollar gets you less and less, so you should only spend it if you know exactly what you're getting.

 

[Outlaw75]

OP; your best course of action is to pick up a basic AR (complete rifle) from someone like PSA and get familiar with the platform before you get into "cost is not a consideration" territory.

 

[DetBrowning]

OP; your best course of action is to pick up a basic AR (complete rifle) from someone like PSA and get familiar with the platform before you get into "cost is not a consideration" territory.

That's kind of my idea, Just not sure if PSA, or some other off the rack would be best and not worrying about the difference of a few hundred $$$

 

[tarosean]

I find it comical that PSA builds one of the best AK's on the market but somehow their AR's are garbage.

Says who??

 

[12Bravo20]

OP; your best course of action is to pick up a basic AR (complete rifle) from someone like PSA and get familiar with the platform before you get into "cost is not a consideration" territory.

I concur 100%

That's kind of my idea, Just not sure if PSA, or some other off the rack would be best and not worrying about the difference of a few hundred $$$

A complete PSA rifle will serve you well and get you into the AR platform without spending a lot of money. I personally won't recommend Bear Creek Arsenal due to major QC issues but others have had good luck with that brand. PSA isn't perfect but they have a good track record over the years.

 

[DetBrowning]

What are your goals for this carbine? Certainly a PSA will be serviceable for anything other than a hard use duty carbine, and once vetted out properly might even suffice for that.

Do you want a target rifle, a hunting carbine, a retro plinker? Tell us more about what you're looking for, and we can help get you sorted out.

Would just like to have a serviceable AR rifle to take and shoot at the range not more than 200-300 yards, in actuality I'm becoming more interested in trap/skeet

 

[trackskippy]

If you're going to use your new AR for trap and skeet, Id suggest a decent red dot.

 

[citizenconn]

I recommend you go to a store that has several different models, lengths and brands in stock and handle them. Make a note of what features you like and which brands. Than come back with the list of what you liked and ask again. I have seen hundreds of people get a 16" mil-spec type rifle and then complain soon after that it does not do what they want it to do. Good luck.

 

[gotboostvr]

Would just like to have a serviceable AR rifle to take and shoot at the range not more than 200-300 yards, in actuality I'm becoming more interested in trap/skeet

If you're not trying to clear rooms with it, I'd grab a rifle with a SS barrel, either 18 or 20 inches with a free float MLok handguard.

I don't love the Gov't profile barrel personally, but a bull barrel or heavy barrel gets... well, heavy.

If it's only gonna be shot off a bench, it won't be a problem and would make for a great range toy to reach out with.

I'd spring for a model with an enhanced trigger of some sort. Really, anything is better then the typical GI trigger.

Fixed A2 stock/collapsible is dealers choice.

 

[gotboostvr]

Something like this upper:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-rifle-length-5-56-nato-1-7-stainless-steel-15-lightweight-m-lok-upper-with-bcg-charging-handle.html

And drop it on this lower:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar15-complete-lower-b5-ept-bravo-stock-black.html

Just add a magazine, scope mount, and optic of your choice. It probably won't win you any matches, but should be a nice general purpose, semi auto, 223 carbine.

 

[DetBrowning]

If you're going to use your new AR for trap and skeet, Id suggest a decent red dot.

HA HA HA HA , Nope, using a 32" barrel shotgun (Browning) just wanted to add an AR to my list of toys

 

[DMW1116]

If PSA is your thing, and you want to upgrade a little, you could try their premium line of uppers with chrome lined FN barrels and a more basic lower. I upgraded to a Schmidt 2-stage trigger for a DMR (Discount Marksman Rifle) with an old Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 scope. For some reason my 16” nitrided barrel likes the Frontier 223 rounds with 55 grain bullets.

 

[Navy87Guy]

I recently picked up an Anderson AM-15 for $399. As an entry-level AR, I think it’s a great platform. If you’re just interested in some range plinking, check it out. My only complaint would be no QD swivel in the butt or rear of the receiver for a sling, but that was an easy fix.

 

[gotboostvr]

If PSA is your thing, and you want to upgrade a little, you could try their premium line of uppers with chrome lined FN barrels and a more basic lower. I upgraded to a Schmidt 2-stage trigger for a DMR (Discount Marksman Rifle) with an old Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 scope. For some reason my 16” nitrided barrel likes the Frontier 223 rounds with 55 grain bullets.

If it's for a target oriented rifle, as opposed to a run n' gun type carbine, the chrome lined barrels typically don't shoot as small.

 

[DMW1116]

If it's for a target oriented rifle, as opposed to a run n' gun type carbine, the chrome lined barrels typically don't shoot as small.

While that's generally true, the accuracy of such a barrel would be adequate for the OP's apparent use. It will hit tennis balls or cans at 200 yards most of the time. It could be tightened up if some ammo testing and/or hand loading were done.

 

[gotboostvr]

While that's generally true, the accuracy of such a barrel would be adequate for the OP's apparent use. It will hit tennis balls or cans at 200 yards most of the time. It could be tightened up if some ammo testing and/or hand loading were done.

I've got carbines with chrome lined barrels, and rifles with SS barrels, so don't think that I perceive the chromed ones as sub-par.

I like, or even prefer the chrome lined barrels for 16" red dot/low power optic applications.

But my higher magnification uppers, that I'd typically bring to a KD range to shoot small with, have SS pipes on them.

My carbines certainly could shoot well at those ranges, but the rifles do a little better, and are in turn a little more fun for that task though. OP is the only one that can decide which is really "best" for what he wants.

Thankfully, if he buys one, and decides he made the wrong choice, either poping on a new upper, or even cheaper, torquing on a new barrel is a pretty trivial and affordable task.

 

[InTheSwamp]

OP,

If you're asking, PSA is answering. Look no further until you get familiar with it as @Outlaw75 said above.

If you get stubborn, then pick up this LMT. Your newbie experience would be no different than that with the PSA, only more expensive.

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