PSA rifle kits

[trigga]

on the edge of getting myself an early christmas gift this year... here's what I'm looking at. for those of you who have built these i would like to know the main difference if any real advantages... here's what I found, correct me if i'm wrong or add.

PSA 16" M4 CMV Rifle Kit - $429.99
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/psa-16-m4-cmv-rifle-kit.html

PSA 16'' M4 CMV Chrome-Lined Premium Rifle Kit - $499.99
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2279/category/313/

premium kit - has FN barrel
- upper is "Mil Spec"
- Doesn't say if it come with the classic lower build kit

Regular kit - Unnamed barrel but same specs
- upper is same specs but not "Mil Spec"
- Comes with lower build kit

Seems like both kits use the same bolt (M16) and are pretty much the same rifle... i still want to get my hands on a couple of psa stripped lowers. i don't think this build will get much use although i would prefer it be a good build and not lower end. thanks

 

[trigga]

i know the word "mil spec" gets tossed around a lot but if the advantages are that much better, i wouldn't mind spending the extra money. my cousin bought an ar15 with random parts from gunbroker and that thing would jam like misfeeds and failure to go into battery. it was brand new too. cheap parts? or just a bad build? i'm trying to avoid this.

 

[Sam1911]

I'd probably spend the money for the FN barrel, myself, if I was looking for a carbine style 16". They put the LPK in the picture there, so I'd expect that's what comes in the package, but you could always ask. The reviews on the premium kit all seem quite positive.

 

[Jackal]

The FN barrels are top tier for sure. Remember, whats "mil spec" now, wasnt a few years back and it will change again. Dont get too fixated on it, there is a vast world of parts out there that arent mil spec, they are better. Mil Spec = minimum spec. The A2 grip is mil spec, everyone hates it and changes it for better. Same with free float handguards, they arent mil spec either. Neither are most high end aftermarket triggers.

Basically, mil spec is a baseline, build around it, but adherence to it is not required.

 

[greyling22]

I would wait a week and see if a better deal popped on black friday.

 

[Hacker15E]

The week of Black Friday PSA has traditionally had some pretty smoking deals.

I'd ONLY get one with the "Premium" label attached, as that's PSA code-speak for including the actual mil-spec/TDP adherent parts (e.g. the 7075 receiver extension, C158/HPT bolt, etc).

Unfortunately for every bit that PSA has some incredible deals, you can also end up with some turds if you don't know exactly what you are looking for. In general, stick with things labeled "premium".

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, stick with premium form PSA for anything but a play toy, and the FN barrel is a proven quality product as well.

 

[Ibmikey]

I buy a lot of stuff from PSA but watch to see that I get the best of their offerings. As stated above "Get Premium" the quality compares with other top rated sellers at half the price. Now that they have whipped the shipping tiger orders go out quickly and correctly. You can wait on an item for a better deal but a lot of things sell out fast and will not return for some time. If i say enough nice about them maybe someday I will get a "coupon" for additional savings that never seem to be offered me by any company