Palmetto Vs Sig AR

[cardinalorange]

I've always been a hunter and never felt the need or desire to own a semi-auto centerfire rifle (besides a waterfowl gun), but a couple ex-marine buddies really want me to pick one up to come play on the range with them. I'm currently debating between the following two setups, which would you choose and why? Is the quality difference between PSA and Sig enough to justify the increase in cost?
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...NzuOavVV5Z4-4J74vHpzFFQdbcP-KKpqryPp39huSAUoE

https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/...tGrgoL2JtReukC93qP6Y2izM-lljs-gN7wb46B6K3tRIE

 

[BigBL87]

If resale value matters to you, you'll definitely want to go with the Sig.

My one and only AR is a PSA Freedom, and I have been very happy with it. Resale value didn't really come into play with me and I was on a limited budget, so the PSA made sense for me.

If you are lookiing at it primarily as a range gun and you're just kind of wanting to dip your foot into ARs, I think the PSA makes sense. You could even bump up to a Premium one (w/ the FN Herstal barrel) and still come in cheaper than the Sig.

 

[edwardware]

When we're not banicking, that PSA middy can be had for ~$550. It's a very nice AR for the price, and I doubt the Sig is noticeable better at twice the price. I live in SC (home of PSA) and see lots and lots of them, and own a few; it's very good for the price.

If you want to play accuracy games, an aftermarket barrel on the PSA still makes more sense than the Sig.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I purchased a couple of the Bear Creek Arsenal uppers and built Aero and Anderson lowers before the price increases and they all run great, at one time PSA had complete lowers at a reasonable price so you could purchase one and put a BCA upper on it with no problem. If you ever want to resale it or if brand names matter to you the Sig would be the better choice.

 

[stillquietvoice]

I bought this psa kit, built it on an island lower. It functions very well, my Ar has their ept trigger and have been told that it's really good for a milspec trigger. I paid 349 a couple years ago, the Dr kit mow is 150 more. During a panic isn't the best time to buy,but better than waiting until they aren't available anymore.

I agree with above about resale value being better on the sig, but if you want a shooter then buy the psa and rebarrel when you shoot it out

 

[Hokie_PhD]

PSA gets bashed by the snobs. But as others above had said, normally they’re a good value.

I have one and it’s a good AR. Nothing fancy and goes bang and puts the rounds where I aim. That said the stock is cheap and I hate the handguard.

I have had other ARs and put together a few. They’re much nicer as I chose nicer parts after finding out what I didn’t like on the PSA.

My suggestion is normally get A PSA lower and upper and use it some then see what you like and don’t like. Or get a M&P or Ruger. Nothing fancy just a basic AR.

I say this as you don’t seem to be into ARs. So an inexpensive one will help you see how much you like them. Then you can decide how far down the rabbit hole you’ll go.

I’ll warn you ARs are addictive. So be careful once you get one you may find another then parts, then more parts, then more and more.

As for the Sig it’s a good choice. But it’s a lot of money IMHO. But then again all guns are now.

 

[12Bravo20]

PSA is like Rock Island Armory. They both get bashed by the purist trying to justify the cost of their firearms. Both brands come in at a good price point and they work as intended. And if you have a problems with either,, the two companies will take care of it for you.

SIG makes good firearms and nothing wrong with them. But if you are just dipping your toes into the AR game and are not sure that you will like them, go with PSA.

 

[George Dickel]

I don't understand the denigration heaped on companies that produce budget AR components. The military has been using milspec M-16/M-4 rifles for years now and they have killed more than their share of bad guys. A retired army friend of mine, 28 years combined Ranger and Special Forces duty, said that for the most part all they used were issue weapons. I would guess 99% of AR15 buyers purchase them for a range gun or home defense, not for organized competition, and these budget rifles serve that purpose and are milspec quality. You don't need a $3K plus AR15 for that type of shooting.

 

[d2wing]

I have had some bad parts with PSA but most people seem to like them. I have had better luck with Del-ton. But I have seen guys have trouble with expensive AR's as well. I think your odds and customer service are better with more expensive AR's. With an AR you can easily up grade individual parts if you happen to have a problem. Barrel and bolt are most important to me.

 

[bassjam]

Any reason you're just looking at those two? It seems you're wanting a free-float barrel, personally I'd go with a Ruger MPR. In "normal times" they can be had in the $600-700 range.
https://www.cdnnsports.com/rugerr-ar556r-5-56-mpr.html

If a free float barrel isn't important, personally I'd just go for a S&W M&P Sport or a Ruger AR556. They're cheaper, will do anything the SIG or PSA will do, and I trust their customer service department a little more than SIG's, and certainly more than PSA's.

 

[Mosin77]

As one AR noob to another: I’ve handled a few PSAs. They seem like solid guns. I ended up getting a bargain on a Rock River myself, but basically it seems like one AR is pretty much as good as another for practical purposes, assuming it’s a reasonably reputable manufacturer. PSA has a pretty daunting array of options. The main things worth upgrading on most ARs seem to be the trigger, and barrel (super accurate vs very high round count capable vs lightweight vs some combination) . And then personal preference things like the optic, stocks, handguards, flat top vs retro carry handle, different types of backup iron sights or lack thereof, etc.

I have a friend with a $2500 Knights Armanent AR (which he bought purely to have “the Best AR-15” and has put less than a hundred rounds through in the last year) and it had issues. So spending a pile of money is no guarantee of exceptional reliability. He wouldn’t be able to tell the differences between his gun and a Ruger and I doubt many others would either.

 

[uther888]

I bought a psa ar10 last year and it shoots great with a 20 in.SS barrel but it's heavy.good luck.

 

[gotboostvr]

A decade ago there was some major discrepancies between various manufactures.

They've got it pretty well hammered out now. They know if they're not staking castle nuts or gas keys correctly or if they use funky sized buffer tubes they're gonna get burnt.

If you put two carbines on the table in front of me, one $600 and one $1K (basic carbines, no major differences) I'll take the cheapo and vet it with $400 of ammo and training.

 

[Tortuga]

I'll put it like this...

I used to love my Oldsmobile. It was my pride and joy, and I have a lot of fun with it when I was a teenager (some even in the front seat). Now that I'm older, I have a much nicer car. For putting around Farmville and everyday use, that Oldsmobile will still get me to the store just as well as well as the shiny new car. That said, there's a price difference between the two exists, and it exists for a reason.

If you just want an AR style rifle to plink around with and have fun with your friends, PSA is probably your answer. They do manufacture several models that are legitimately MilSpec, too. The price is also very competitive for similar rifles.

As mentioned, a lot of people don't like PSA because they're "snobs" and bash rifles they haven't even fired. That said, I invite anyone too correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure they will), but I've anecdotally seen performance from these PSA ARs around roughly 2~4 MOA with varying ammo. Mid-tier AR-15s for competing prices like the M&P Sport are 1 MOA.

Firearms and ammunition are probably going to be even more expensive here in the near future with how things are going for the next while. Personally I'd wait if I were you until things cool down, but it's your life.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Right now, go SIG.

PSA is having lots of QC issues like they did years ago pumping out so much product. I've had issues, so have friends.

Go SIG, especially if it's going to be your "one and only" rifle.

 

[mshootnit]

I have noticed that differences from budget brand A to moderate or expensive brand B are subtle, but can be real. Shallower threads on a buffer tube for example or better alignment of recess and detent. etc.
When you put the two parts side by side you can see which one you would rather use for your build. Both would work, one is just a little nicer. I have also been surprised that a part from a well known manufacturer was not as good as I had hoped.

 

[BLACKFIN]

I've always been a hunter and never felt the need or desire to own a semi-auto centerfire rifle (besides a waterfowl gun), but a couple ex-marine buddies really want me to pick one up to come play on the range with them. I'm currently debating between the following two setups, which would you choose and why? Is the quality difference between PSA and Sig enough to justify the increase in cost?
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...NzuOavVV5Z4-4J74vHpzFFQdbcP-KKpqryPp39huSAUoE

https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/product/106406/sig+sauer+m400+tread+556+nato+16"+black+mlok?fbclid=IwAR1uTWw2hMFvPEtGrgoL2JtReukC93qP6Y2izM-lljs-gN7wb46B6K3tRIE

No, get the PSA and use the savings to buy ammo, a sling, a light and a reddot.