LOOKING FOR AN AR15 PLATFORM

[silicosys4]

PSA has done something NO OTHER company can do!

PSA found the magic bullet that allows them to offer a higher quality product at a far lower price, without any sort of compromise!

No other company in the Country can figure out how to do that for some strange reason. (Morons)

Dang Nation, I'm a signing up to the PSA Fan club TONIGHT!

Its not something no other company can or has done. There are plenty of companies that have gone out of business because someone else figures out how to do it better/cheaper/faster.
PSA started as a home business selling magazines out of the founders garage in 2008. Look at where they are now, the amount of good reviews they have, and the amount of fans they have. That must mean something.
Lots of other companies have figured out how to do better than the stagnant and lazy industry leaders that have been cruising on reputation and market monopoly more than innovation or value.
PSA isn't doing anything new, they are just doing it better.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Its not something no other company can or has done. There are plenty of companies that have gone out of business because someone else figures out how to do it better/cheaper/faster.
PSA started as a home business selling magazines out of the founders garage in 2008. Look at where they are now, the amount of good reviews they have, and the amount of fans they have. That must mean something.
Lots of other companies have figured out how to do better than the stagnant and lazy industry leaders that have been cruising on reputation and market monopoly more than innovation or value.
PSA isn't doing anything new, they are just doing it better.

AMEN!

 

[InTheSwamp]

Its not something no other company can or has done. There are plenty of companies that have gone out of business because someone else figures out how to do it better/cheaper/faster.
PSA started as a home business selling magazines out of the founders garage in 2008. Look at where they are now, the amount of good reviews they have, and the amount of fans they have. That must mean something.
Lots of other companies have figured out how to do better than the stagnant and lazy industry leaders that have been cruising on reputation and market monopoly more than innovation or value.
PSA isn't doing anything new, they are just doing it better.

Yep! You won the Stoner-Kalashnikov Internet Award today.

 

[powermad]

A price point narrows the field quite a bit.
Too many choices these days.

Up to $1,000 you can pretty much toss a Dart and get whichever one it lands on.

If I were to buy a complete rifle ,ready go just add an optic.
I'd get a Sionics 14.8" P&W for $1,400
That's with the NP3 BCG and two stage trigger option.
Has just about everything I'd want on it.
Medium contour, mid gas barrel with a proper sized gas port and full length handguards.
Carbine action with a blue spring and H2 buffer.
Lifetime warranty.

My PSA 14.7" FN barreled upper came out to $1,200 using an Anderson lower.
I use an A5 action, Sionics NP3 BCG, Centurion Arms two stage (Schmid, same trigger) Radian charging handle and safety selector with a Giessele bolt catch.

IMO I didn't save any money putting one together but that's not why I did it that way.

 

[Barnfixer]

Not long ago I had no use for an AR. But then the “leader” of our country almost insisted I get one or two. What I’ve been doing is go down to the LGS and pick up a lower, then look for sales on psa, midway and many others. Also found a couple good deals on complete uppers on gunbroker. I’m happy with I ended up with, good parts, good trigger and under $1000 each with optics. Mainly Aero parts with Timney triggers. Now in hooked with a box of lowers and plans to do some bargain shopping. My suggestion is, do some research and build your own.

 

[gotboostvr]

What I’ve been doing is go down to the LGS and pick up a lower, then look for sales on psa, midway and many others. Also found a couple good deals on complete uppers on gunbroker. I’m happy with I ended up with, good parts, good trigger and under $1000 each with optics.

Oh yeah, if you know what you're doing and don't mind gently used, I built out a pretty well equipped GWOT themed "Fifty Shades of FDE" duty type carbine for under $1k with optics.

 

[someguy2800]

A PSA in your chosen flavor will serve you well

 

[armoredman]

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.

Yep, I have a PSA, my son has a PSA, and they seem to just keep on running just fine. Of course, we aren't gear snobs, nor are we in the thick of fighting the Third World War. No problem at all, and we're happy.

 

[Styx]

Ok fan boy, now you are calling me a liar. That's enough for me.

Not calling you a liar nor do I know all the details of your case, but I've never heard of PSA ignoring anyone or not making it right. There must be more to the story. They use to have a representative that was a member and a vendor on AKFiles.com before they started their own forum. All I've seen and heard straight from the vendor and over about the last decade of YouTube and gun forums is the opposite of your alleged experience.

I remember when they were an extremely small but busy outlet, and even back then the major complaint was that it took an extremely long time (multiple weeks) to ship purchases. They didn't grow to the juggernaut they are now by ignoring their customers and not having any quality control.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Yep, I have a PSA, my son has a PSA, and they seem to just keep on running just fine. Of course, we aren't gear snobs, nor are we in the thick of fighting the Third World War. No problem at all, and we're happy.

While I didnt fightwith it, I did carry a Colt during my time in the Army. I'm not sure I'll see ww3, but if I do..I have full confidence that my PSAs will work just fine, especially after my experience with the Colts issued to me. The Colts worked fine..I had no problems, but I fail to see how the PSA I've bought and built, are in any way inferior to the Colts. In fact, they are better. Better BCG, better barrels (stainless, which is superior even to chrome lined. It's more costly, which is why they are not issue)..I have a CHF chrome lined FN made barrel as well..just in case.

Haters gotta hate. Those who approach PSA with an open mind...gets their eyes opened to a whole new truth....

 

[12Bravo20]

There is a thread on ARFCOM about how different brands of AR's and AR uppers last at the Henderson Range in Las Vegas where they are all shot on full auto year round. The PSA uppers have held up just as well as more expensive uppers under constant use.

PSA, like most companies, has a wide variety of uppers in different configurations. I now one of their basic M4 carbine uppers with a 16" barrel, another with a 18" stainless steel barrel with 223 Wylde chamber, and a 20" A4 upper with a FN barrel. All three uppers are well made and shoot good. The 18" SS upper is quite accurate and one of my favorites next to my 6 ARC build. As far as lowers go, I have one DPMS lower and the rest is a mix if Anderson and PSA lowers. All have been 100% reliable for me.

I have to chuckle every time I here people talk about how great MIL SPEC is. In reality it is just a set of minimum standards that equipment and weapons must meet in order to be accepted by the US Military. And most things the military buys is from the lowest bidder. The accuracy requirements for the M16 and M4 is 4 MOA at 100 meters for military use. Most manufactures are capable of making barrels that shoot better than 4 MOA regardless of the name stamped into the barrel.

As an Army machinist I had to be familiar with MIL SPECs for everything I worked on that I had to machine parts for. As a machinist, I performed all levels of maintenance from organization to depot level.

@DetBrowning watch for PSA sales and you will be able to get into the AR platform at a good price point. Later on you can decide if you want to upgrade to something fancier or build for other purposes.

 

[Styx]

While I didnt fightwith it, I did carry a Colt during my time in the Army. I'm not sure I'll see ww3, but if I do..I have full confidence that my PSAs will work just fine, especially after my experience with the Colts issued to me. The Colts worked fine..I had no problems, but I fail to see how the PSA I've bought and built, are in any way inferior to the Colts. In fact, they are better. Better BCG, better barrels (stainless, which is superior even to chrome lined. It's more costly, which is why they are not issue)..I have a CHF chrome lined FN made barrel as well..just in case.

Haters gotta hate. Those who approach PSA with an open mind...gets their eyes opened to a whole new truth....

Colt and FN CHF chrome lined barrels are pretty top notch and will keep their rifling and will last longer than stainless and nitride barrels. Both Colt and FN barrels are used by militaries and law enforcement around the world, and they are well vetted. The barrels they sell to civilians are of the same quality of those sold to law enforcement and militaries.

Stainless is good for target barrels that won't see a lot of rounds and sustained fire. They start out more accurate, but that accuracy starts to diminish faster the more you shoot it. CHF chrome lined barrels are typical used in machine guns. Colt gas blocks are also pinned. Last I heard and as far as I know, PSA doesn't pin or dimple their barrels on the non CHF Premium ARs, but that may have changed IDK. It's just that's negligible for the OP's and and 99% of civil usage. Most aren't going to come close to shooting out a PSA barrel or shooting enough rounds to wear out the BCG.

If you're getting into the $800 - $950 +/- range, the Colt LE6920 or a PSA Premium (FN barel) would be the way to go for a factory AR that is superior in serval ways than a standard PSA AR. It's just not 1.5 to 2x the cost better better IMHO. The OP will be served just fine with a $500 PSA AR15, 1k rounds of ammo, and a couple of spare mags for the same price as a Colt. That said, a PSA AR won't have much resale value nor will it hold it's value whereas a Colt AR will always be sort after, will hold or increase in value, and has a collectable status unlike most other dime a dozen AR15s.

 

[jmorris]

IMO the lower doesn’t matter much, a milspec that will fit milspec parts and your good to go. Spend your money on a good barrel, optics and trigger.

 

[tbs]

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

This rig has been absolutely flawless. I got about 700 rounds through now without a single hitch. It's a Brigade Manufacturing out of Florida. They come in a bunch of different Cerrokote finishes if your sick of black! Less than a grand. I replaced the stock with a mag-pull. Ignore how i got the sling setup ---- I'm a position shooter so this works for me with the 1907 type sling.
Here is a link: https://brigadefirearms.com/a5611613.html

 

[small town life]

Here's some thinking to do! Just because it cost more doesn't make it better. Just because it doesn't cost as much doesn't make it worse. Many will disagree! Price range will help sort it out!

 

[small town life]

Not really. It is the standard used for interoperability and minimal specifications. It’s an overused term and should go away.

100% TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[InTheSwamp]

Old OP's got plenty of info to make a decision.

 

[BushMaster-15]

A Quality lower is the base platform ,for what one builds on . IMO makes sense to start with a GOOD Lower . The Upper and Barrel are even more important ,as it's mainly responsible for accuracy . I've got PSA platforms also and hard to beat for the $$$'s but DON'T produce bug holes either .

So platforms in mill spec ,supposedly are just that MIL-SPEC . Some Yahoo neglected to inform AR 10 builders of MIL-SPEC interchangeability !.

IMO a Quality AR platform is AERO ,I've also used others less expensive as well as more expensive . I've built several AR15's and out of those #1 matches up with the accuracy of a Bushmaster A2 . Yep Bushmaster 1994 XM15 E2S 20" chrome lined bores near the capability of BR rifles ,aka Bug holes producers .

​

I've also cobbled together #12, AR 10's in various flavors and MY BEST shooting platform is again Aero , coincidence ? Maybe but I'm sold on their fit and finish parts . Barrel selection is paramount for what one intends to use them for ,again IMO . There are some High $ Barrel manufactures out there and then there are HIGH QUALITY Barrel manufacturers out there ,producing QUALITY at affordable prices . NO two barrels are Identical ,don't care who manufactures them . You wait for sales shop wisely and they too become affordable .

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[small town life]

A Quality lower is the base platform ,for what one builds on . IMO makes sense to start with a GOOD Lower . The Upper and Barrel are even more important ,as it's mainly responsible for accuracy . I've got PSA platforms also and hard to beat for the $$$'s but DON'T produce bug holes either .

So platforms in mill spec ,supposedly are just that MIL-SPEC . Some Yahoo neglected to inform AR 10 builders of MIL-SPEC interchangeability !.

IMO a Quality AR platform is AERO ,I've also used others less expensive as well as more expensive . I've built several AR15's and out of those #1 matches up with the accuracy of a Bushmaster A2 . Yep Bushmaster 1994 XM15 E2S 20" chrome lined bores near the capability of BR rifles ,aka Bug holes producers .

View attachment 1172819​

I've also cobbled together #12, AR 10's in various flavors and MY BEST shooting platform is again Aero , coincidence ? Maybe but I'm sold on their fit and finish parts . Barrel selection is paramount for what one intends to use them for ,again IMO . There are some High $ Barrel manufactures out there and then there are HIGH QUALITY Barrel manufacturers out there ,producing QUALITY at affordable prices . NO two barrels are Identical ,don't care who manufactures them . You wait for sales shop wisely and they too become affordable .

View attachment 1172820​

I'm with ya on the AP products! The 1st 6.5creed barrel I bought came from them and the only rifle length gas system (not +2) that uses standard weight springs and buffers without an agb. Just with they had 308win barrels longer than 20". As far as the 15 platform goes I've bought on the very low spectrum to fairly high on parts. $650 receiver sets to $75 (poly) and all function without issues. I have a poly set w/16" pencil barrel, intermediate gas that can hold just over 1moa @ 100 yards with 360 rounds fired under 5 minutes. It weighs 3# 14oz. The only issue I had was the optic fogging up (low cost $49 2x).

 

[BushMaster-15]

I'm with ya on the AP products! The 1st 6.5creed barrel I bought came from them and the only rifle length gas system (not +2) that uses standard weight springs and buffers without an agb. Just with they had 308win barrels longer than 20". As far as the 15 platform goes I've bought on the very low spectrum to fairly high on parts. $650 receiver sets to $75 (poly) and all function without issues. I have a poly set w/16" pencil barrel, intermediate gas that can hold just over 1moa @ 100 yards with 360 rounds fired under 5 minutes. It weighs 3# 14oz. The only issue I had was the optic fogging up (low cost $49 2x).

I'm just about to get back to breaking in MY New custom built AP 6.5 CM ,as I sighted it in a few weeks back . MY Sawtooth-Nez-Perce Elk hunt was upon ME before I knew it . Cold Damp Snow and Mountain goat terrain and elevation . I was successful on elevated plateaus with drainage . Saw the biggest Moose I've ever seen along with some Grizzlies . I swear one of them went 1K lb. , we managed to stayed clear of them .

Any time one can hold MOA beyond #5 rounds out of an AR platform ,it's a successful unit ,IMO . Here's a couple of targets I punched a few years back with one of MY Bushmasters . Note I shot #5 rounds Winchester white box which was way left and ladder climbed to boot. I then switched to handloads using 25.5 Gr. BLC-2 . I purposely shot low left quadrant for a fouler ,as to check POA . I then proceeded to put #15 bulk bullets with cantilure into near center . A dime covered with change to spare ,so I was happy about that . Shot at 200 yd. with witnesses and I was in the dirt not at a bench .

​

 

[small town life]

I'm just about to get back to breaking in MY New custom built AP 6.5 CM ,as I sighted it in a few weeks back . MY Sawtooth-Nez-Perce Elk hunt was upon ME before I knew it . Cold Damp Snow and Mountain goat terrain and elevation . I was successful on elevated plateaus with drainage . Saw the biggest Moose I've ever seen along with some Grizzlies . I swear one of them went 1K lb. , we managed to stayed clear of them .

Any time one can hold MOA beyond #5 rounds out of an AR platform ,it's a successful unit ,IMO . Here's a couple of targets I punched a few years back with one of MY Bushmasters . Note I shot #5 rounds Winchester white box which was way left and ladder climbed to boot. I then switched to handloads using 25.5 Gr. BLC-2 . I purposely shot low left quadrant for a fouler ,as to check POA . I then proceeded to put #15 bulk bullets with cantilure into near center . A dime covered with change to spare ,so I was happy about that . Shot at 200 yd. with witnesses and I was in the dirt not at a bench .

View attachment 1172835View attachment 1172836​

Are you running something other than standard weight recoil parts w/non-agb? What barrel length?

 

[DMW1116]

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.

I have one of each: an FN 20”, PSA 16” Nitride, and PSA 20” SS in a 308. The SS barrel is generally more accurate but the others will keep up with specific loads. The cost of the 308, even when hand loaded, keeps me from shooting it nearly as often, so I doubt barrel life will be an issue unless my uses change drastically.

I’m working on a URGI type rifle (Upper Receiver Group - Impoverished) based on a blem PSA lower and blem BCM upper. I haven’t completely decided what I want to do with it yet. If I were in the OP’s position again, I’d have no reservations getting another PSA stripped lower and rifle kit.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Are you running something other than standard weight recoil parts w/non-agb? What barrel length?

Not really using a flat wire spring H2 buffer NO extra spacers . 22.5" Barrel . NO early bolt release and NO torn rims ,so gas system seems on par with My .308's as well . None of those have had issues ,after educating myself on Gas block and port diameter issues early on .

 

[small town life]

Not really using a flat wire spring H2 buffer NO extra spacers . 22.5" Barrel . NO early bolt release and NO torn rims ,so gas system seems on par with My .308's as well . None of those have had issues ,after educating myself on Gas block and port diameter issues early on .

I have several other standard rifle length gas systems in 6.5creed that won't function with standard parts. I have a cbi barrel that shoots amazingly well, but op's with an agb. With a link from a member of a different forum leading to pin sets to be able to check port size. I'll check those against AP size.

 

[gotboostvr]

I’m working on a URGI type rifle (Upper Receiver Group - Impoverished) based on a blem PSA lower and blem BCM upper. I haven’t completely decided what I want to do with it yet. If I were in the OP’s position again, I’d have no reservations getting another PSA stripped lower and rifle kit.

Oh, that'll be a fun one.

If I ever get around to filling paper work to form 1 a lower, I'll probably turn my "fighting" carbine into a URG-I clone. I'd only need a 10" barrel and a LoPro gas block. I've already got the rail and charging handle, and I'll call my three prong Griffin mount close enough to the Surefire four prong.