PSA AR15s and Quality

[trigga]

Thinking about building another M4 AR15 and have been looking into PSA kits. I built a 300 Blackout with mostly Anderson Upper parts and complete PSA MOE lower kit. Don't know if it's just advertisement but what is the difference between Freedom, PTAC, Premium for the lower parts kit? Description doesn't tell much other than it's the same. Correct me if I'm wrong but the enhanced is a polished trigger group, other than that it's the same. I know with the complete uppers for like the premium you get better barrels and finishes and features like chrome line, CHF, MPI, BGC, ect. This rifle is just an extra I want to build for a fun gun. Probably won't be shot much. It's just confusing how the kits range from $80 to over $100 what is the difference?

Thanks guys, I think the MOE kit I got came with the freedom lower parts which has just the basic GI trigger. There are other kits for a little more but what is to gain?

 

[trigga]

for example
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-freedom-lower-build-kit.html
http://palmettostatearmory.com/palmetto-state-armory-classic-lower-build-kit-29040.html

If it's finish I don't really care cause it's just going to get used and abused.

 

[badkarmamib]

PTAC is a buy-out of a bottom-tier competitor from down the street. Basically, a low-cost but functional line. Most buyers are content with what they get.

Freedom is usually stainless or nitride barrels. Decent stuff for the price.

Premium is FN-made CHF, chrome-lined barrels. Top-of-the-line of PSA's offerings.

Sorry, this is in regards to their uppers. I would venture to say that the Freedom stuff is sourced from wherever (see: China), the classic that I bought years ago had a smoother trigger and safety than the Freedom (I think) kit I bought a year later.

From the images, the buffer in the Freedom kit looks like the Chinese one I bought for my low-cost pistol build, while the premium looks to be nitride or some other finish. Also, buffer tube on the Freedom kit doesn't specify what aluminum they used.

 

[Everready73]

for example
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-freedom-lower-build-kit.html
http://palmettostatearmory.com/palmetto-state-armory-classic-lower-build-kit-29040.html



If it's finish I don't really care cause it's just going to get used and abused.

The buffer in the freedom kit is 6065 aluminum not 7075. The classic kit has 7075 and states that. If it doesn't say it's usually the cheaper quality. I have a classic lower with the EPT trigger and it has performed great. The EPT trigger is nicer than milspec and worth the $30 if you didn't want to stop up to the ALG ACT or one of the Rock River 2 stage ($60 and $90ish)

 

[Everready73]

And the quality from bottom to top at PSA is PTAC, Freedom, Classic/PSA, Premium (within uppers the CHF is the top premium line)

 

[SlowFuse]

On both lower parts kits I've used from PSA I got the kits that didn't include the FCG and substituted an ALG QMS.

I've been tempted by the enhanced one from PSA but haven't tried it. I think the ALG versions are a consistent product that are great for anything used for plinking or where a light 2 stage trigger isn't needed.

 

[coloradokevin]

I should have a "PSA Freedom" level kit on my doorstep on Friday. I'll let you guys know what I think once I have a chance to take it to the range. I went for their mid-price line because I wanted a cheap gun, but not one that was too cheap to be usable. Plus, this kit had the basic setup I was looking for at a price of $359. So, that gives me a completed rifle for around $450, which will hopefully become a reliable camping gun for me.

 

[Jackal]

The CHF barrel simply isnt worth double the price of the regular ones, from a practical standpoint. If you manage to wear out your regular barrel within the next 10,000-20,000rds, simply replace it with another. CHF barrels are generally no more accurate that other manufacturing methods.