PSA Sabre line

JeeperCreeper

JeeperCreeper

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Palmetto State Armory just dropped their previously announced Sabre line the other day.

It was announced at SHOT, that they wanted to create "budget premium" rifles for hard duty use.

The parts and specs look pretty sweet, even using ambi for billet receiver versions.

I might have to check one out because "only just one more"
 
I love PSA. I'm on record on many posts all over this forum arguing that they make stuff at least equal to the top tier brands (at 1/3 top tier peices).

That said, maybe my inner cynical self is peaking out, but what I've seen and read about this new line is...is just more of the same...only looks a little different and commands 15% higher prices.

Simply put...I'm saying, or maybe asking, outside the quad rails (which, frankly, can be bought when doing a build..so I'm not all that impressed by that feature) and the fancy muzzle device (which again, is so ridiculously easy to install any kind you want, from any brand you prefer)..I don't see any real improvements.

Billet...maybe. I've never really been sold on Billet uppers and lowers...don't see much advantage unless you plan on using the rifle as a ball bat or club. Once again...Billet can already be had for home builds...so nothing new there either.

So..what am I missing here?
 
Megawatt maker said:
I love PSA. I'm on record on many posts all over this forum arguing that they make stuff at least equal to the top tier brands (at 1/3 top tier peices).

That said, maybe my inner cynical self is peaking out, but what I've seen and read about this new line is...is just more of the same...only looks a little different and commands 15% higher prices.

Simply put...I'm saying, or maybe asking, outside the quad rails (which, frankly, can be bought when doing a build..so I'm not all that impressed by that feature) and the fancy muzzle device (which again, is so ridiculously easy to install any kind you want, from any brand you prefer)..I don't see any real improvements.

Billet...maybe. I've never really been sold on Billet uppers and lowers...don't see much advantage unless you plan on using the rifle as a ball bat or club. Once again...Billet can already be had for home builds...so nothing new there either.

So..what am I missing here?
Click to expand...

Reading through all the features, it seems that they provide upgraded parts pretty much everywhere, trigger, charging handle, buffer spring, furniture, bcg, along with your noted quad rails and fancy muzzle device. Sure, you can add all (or some) of these upgraded parts to one of their cheaper models, but by the time you get through doing that, you have left over basic parts that you already paid for, plus the costs of the new parts. The Sabre line offers a buyer the opportunity to get the upgraded version without the additional shipping costs of buying the additional parts as you realize there are better parts available.
I love PSA, and salute them for offering decent cheap stuff, and now offering the option to buy what a lot of people eventually end up with, but cheaper than the cost of buying the parts separately and over time. Me? I still like the cheap stuff.
 
Megawatt maker said:
I love PSA. I'm on record on many posts all over this forum arguing that they make stuff at least equal to the top tier brands (at 1/3 top tier peices).

That said, maybe my inner cynical self is peaking out, but what I've seen and read about this new line is...is just more of the same...only looks a little different and commands 15% higher prices.

Simply put...I'm saying, or maybe asking, outside the quad rails (which, frankly, can be bought when doing a build..so I'm not all that impressed by that feature) and the fancy muzzle device (which again, is so ridiculously easy to install any kind you want, from any brand you prefer)..I don't see any real improvements.

Billet...maybe. I've never really been sold on Billet uppers and lowers...don't see much advantage unless you plan on using the rifle as a ball bat or club. Once again...Billet can already be had for home builds...so nothing new there either.

So..what am I missing here?
Click to expand...

They have two versions.
Upgraded milspec with options.
Race gun with options.

My PSA 14.7" upper pretty much came out the same as the Saber but with an Anderson lower and different BCG.
I think it was about $950 total.

13.7" for a suppressor mount flash hider if you are doing that.
Otherwise the 14.7" with a P&W A2 FH for 16"
 
Megawatt maker said:
I love PSA. I'm on record on many posts all over this forum arguing that they make stuff at least equal to the top tier brands (at 1/3 top tier peices).

That said, maybe my inner cynical self is peaking out, but what I've seen and read about this new line is...is just more of the same...only looks a little different and commands 15% higher prices.

Simply put...I'm saying, or maybe asking, outside the quad rails (which, frankly, can be bought when doing a build..so I'm not all that impressed by that feature) and the fancy muzzle device (which again, is so ridiculously easy to install any kind you want, from any brand you prefer)..I don't see any real improvements.

Billet...maybe. I've never really been sold on Billet uppers and lowers...don't see much advantage unless you plan on using the rifle as a ball bat or club. Once again...Billet can already be had for home builds...so nothing new there either.

So..what am I missing here?
Click to expand...


Basically, they are making a like that goes from Great Value brand to Kirkland brand.

Or base EX to upgraded LX.

Or Honda to Acura.

Most of the parts wouldn't be my top pick, but I could def live with the upgrades because it's very similar to how I build my rifles.

My last rifle is similar to the Sabre line, and cost me around $1200 retail and doesn't come with a warranty.
 
I'm probably never going to buy one, seeing how I've never bought a factory AR, and rarely even buy complete uppers anymore.

But, I like the ambi lower, and I'm all out of stripped uppers and lowers, so I might just pick up a couple sets of these for whatever shenanigans I decide to get into in the future.
 
I doubt I ever buy one.

Once you've built your first AR..you never want to buy a complete one again.

If you have the ability to change your own oil, swap spark plugs, do the brakes on your own truck..you've got the mechanic talent to assemble an AR.

Yes, it seems PSA is offering better parts assembled into a weapon that can be cheaper than buying the individual parts themselves..I suppose for some that well and good.

Myself..I can still build a cheap AR, but one that will have the extra cash put into the parts that really matter...the barrel, bolt, and trigger, and lesser extent, an adjustable gas block...the rest is just window dressing really.

How much better is a BCM handguard..or Giessele, than a Midwest..or even one of the off names? Not enough to justify the cost..IMO.

Bravo to PSA however.
 
Megawatt maker said:
the barrel, bolt, and trigger, and lesser extent, an adjustable gas block...the rest is just window dressing really.
Click to expand...
FN barrel, Microbest BCG and a Hiperfire trigger.
The Radian charging handle and safety selector is in all of mine and what I would consider standard for me along with a Geissele bolt catch.
A few have been putting Radian charging handles and safety selectors in as standard like some of FN's AR's

Not a bad price for a 16" FN barrel complete upper, $650
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...knurled-slant-rail-and-sabre-compensator.html
 
E0798B30-DE2A-4282-9BA3-69C1B2C9C5CB.jpeg View attachment 1137719 View attachment 1137719 Last year, I did a PSA upper with the FN 14.7 barrel pinned and welded and used the PSA lower that says US Govt. M4 Carbine. I bought their premium lower parts kit combo with upgraded nickel trigger and magpul furniture with the ACS stock. I purchased their Sons of Liberty bolt carrier and bought a Radian Raptor charging handle with a red latch from Barrett. If you don’t mind the Barrett logo they sell them at a very good price. I am in it for $800-900. It looks like the Sabre package just puts most of that together for you. I have three ARs and the one I built is every bit as nice as my LMT and BCM. I only want to keep two and the BCM Recce is super light so I am probably going to sell the LMT. PSA’s premium stuff is legit. The sons of Liberty BCG is very nice as well.
 
Last edited:
20230304_074226.jpg This is my newest build. All Giessele lower parts, SSA-E trigger. Giessele buffer spring and buffer (I highly recommend these. Twisted spring based on what was used in the German MG-42. It's silent, and no vibrations). BCM upper (I liked it better than the Giessele, BCM heat to fit the barrel is better, IMO, plus the finish matches better). I put a PSA premium charging handle I had laying around in it. They are nice fir the money.

White Oak Armory 18" barrel. JP Enterprise BCG. Giessele 15" handguard. Fortis muzzle break (I'm not all that impressed with that..it's ok..but not all that impressive). Odin works adjustable gas black.
Mag pul funtiure...and magpul atlas style bi pod. Warne mount and Leupold Mark 3 HD scope. Warne extendable scope level.

I've got a bundle in it. We'll about $2500..I've never totaled it up.
I built this as an experiment. I wanted to see if all Top Tier, high dollar stuff was actually so much better to justify the expense (Verdict....ITS NOT!) over much less expensive but still very functional parts.

I won't be doing this again.

I can see the attraction of what PSA is doing here. Far cheaper premium parts package.
 
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