First AR-15 budget/learning build, thoughts on these PSA uppers?

[Deleted member 9396]

Where are you guys finding Aero lowers for $100 in-store? I see them online but you gotta pay $75+ in transfer fees.

OP, this is a lot of rifle for $500. Comes compliant and has a rail for adding a light (must for home defense). The difference in sin tax savings vs a lower and building is negligible at this price point. Just be warned, this will be the gateway to a much more expensive addiction. https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...rting-rifle-101-rounds-ca-compliant/p/1854676

Edit: See you're in Brentwood, it's in stock at the Sportsman's there

this seems like a good deal perhaps...not bad...

IMO, the possible issue with a prebuilt $500 rifle is that you might be getting a lower that was built up with mim(cast) parts in it (vs good quality forged lower parts kit)
You want to opt for a forged LPK. If there's no mention of this in the description then don't buy.

*PSA said that They DO NOT use MIM/cast parts in any of their LPKs - so there's that.
The mid level PSA LPKs are fine, but if you do buy a stripped lower - Aero/Anderson or whatever - don't skimp too much on the LPK (lower parts kit) you buy for it. Maybe go for a BCM or CMMG or even PSA but opt for a good quality forged lower parts kit.
cheers
hope this helps

 

[Slammed01]

Howdy bud,

PSA 16" Carbine-Length M4 5.56 NATO 1/7 Nitride Gray MOE Rifle Kit - 5165448531
The PSA "M4 5.56 NATO" uppers are fine. these are PSA's mid grade - they work fine.
Sometimes you can get a canted front sight or other QC issue - but they'll make good on it.

BLEM PSA Freedom AR-15 Rifle Kit 5.56 16" M4 Carbine-Lgth 1:7 Nitride - 507617B
The PSA "Freedom" line is the entry-level from PSA - I personally avoid "Freedom" line of uppers and gear from PSA...

If you can afford it, take a look at the CHF (cold hammer forged) FN Marked Uppers PSA offers - when on sale you can snag a good deal. These are pretty good.
example: https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...em-classic-ar15-upper-assembly-no-bcg-ch.html
The FN barrels are fantastic.

I have one of these: https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...h-556-prem-ar15-upper-assembly-no-bcg-ch.html
and it's my best shooter - accurate and awesome.

Also: Anderson lowers are great. I've built up a dozen or so and they've never had any issue ever. Anderson makes a great lower.
Aero is great also but u do not have to spend double for a lower (Aero vs. Anderson)
I recommend u Spend the bulk of your money on a good upper with good barrel. I think you can sneak in at ~$500 maybe $600 if you wait for a sale.

Cheers and good luck

Appreciate the breakdown and differences for a learner like myself! Was trying to figure out why one was freedom vs not, besides the blem factor!

I do like the gray then they have to go and post the mid length on clearance

 

[angryasian]

I think psa is the way to go. Get acclimated on the system within your budget. Figured out what you like and later on down the road you can upgrade. Barrel, trigger and bolt carrier is where you should invest in. Although I’ve never had an issue with any bcg that was FA. It’s the lighter ones I’ve had issues with

 

[Slammed01]

I think psa is the way to go. Get acclimated on the system within your budget. Figured out what you like and later on down the road you can upgrade. Barrel, trigger and bolt carrier is where you should invest in. Although I’ve never had an issue with any bcg that was FA. It’s the lighter ones I’ve had issues with

Definitely! I don't "need" it right now but between the gray moe carbine and the ODG Mid

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-carbine-length-m4-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-gray-moe-rifle-kit-5165448531.html

 

[ar15robert]

Thank you!.


Is yours carbine or mid, or what do you prefer?

They added a mid today

PSA 16" Midlength 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride MOE ODG Rifle Kit - 516444601

Barrel Length: 16"Gas System: Mid-length Barrel Profile: A2-styleBarrel Steel: Chrome-Moly VanadiumBarrel Finish: MeloniteChrome Lining: NoneMuzzle Thread: 1/2-28Chamber: 5.56 NATOTwist Rate: 1:7Barrel Extension: M4Diameter at Gas Block: .750Gas Block Type: F-marked Front Sight BaseMuzzle...

palmettostatearmory.com

They were both carbine. I got the 10.5 railed upper was about 320 a couple years ago with bcg and charge handle.

The 16 inch was about 259 for everything on one of their sales.both shot well though. I see a lot prefer mid length though.

My next will be the 16 just not sure if I’m going carbine or mid length. I kind of like the old school look

 

[ar15robert]

Lot's of good advice here. I have a few PSA uppers and they have all been fine. For hard use I have other / higher end uppers (Sons of Liberty Gunworks, BCM). The heart of an AR is the BCG and Barrel, spend the money on those things. I get some crap sometimes for my "Poverty Pony" Andersen lowers......... Don't care, my rifles are accurate and reliable, albeit not much bling.

I agree with you on the heart of the parts just add a good trigger. That’s if you wanna step up over the psa stuff. Although I feel the psa stuff is good for most rec shooters and like I mentioned earlier had good luck with 2 of them and may do a third.

Last one I put together was on an Anderson lower. It’s one I have to my father in law. IMO i see a lower like an engine block. Can have a stock block good internals and parts it will work well. Get the best block and put the cheap internals well it won’t go so great.

The fit and finish on the Anderson was great nothing bad. All parts fit good and did what I expected it to do. You can put a top line ar parts on an Anderson lower blindfold someone tell them it’s a named lower fire it and ask them if the lower feel good too you know they will praise it til they see it.

But I see guys at range blinged out ar high end optics and can barely hit a 200 yard target or trying to go out further with 55fmj plinking ammo. But they’ll will tell you how great their ar is.

 

[Slammed01]

They were both carbine. I got the 10.5 railed upper was about 320 a couple years ago with bcg and charge handle.

The 16 inch was about 259 for everything on one of their sales.both shot well though. I see a lot prefer mid length though.

My next will be the 16 just not sure if I’m going carbine or mid length. I kind of like the old school look

Thanks! May start carbine and since not front heavy "give it to the wife" and build another after learning a bit!

I see a lot of mid recommendations too which made me wonder am I missing something.

 

[ar15robert]

Thanks! May start carbine and since not front heavy "give it to the wife" and build another after learning a bit!

I see a lot of mid recommendations too which made me wonder am I missing something.

I have an armalite m15 a2 since 98 like the rifle and it’s a damn good shooter will do 15/16 group at 100 with just a 3-9 scope. I do hand load though too but gun is box stock.

Then have a 10.5 with a red dot feels really good and balanced can still hit steel at 100 pretty easy and at 200 with more work but we know with that barrel the bullet ain’t as effective. It’s a great close range gun.

The 16 I put together was really great too and a good inbetween easy hitting targets at 200 shot good felt good. I like open sites too. When I do my own may go this route but really love the carry handles too with a2 sites. But with the railed upper you can scope it red dot or open sites.

 

[Slammed01]

***Update- ordered the mid!

PSA 16" Midlength 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride MOE ODG Rifle Kit - 516444601

Barrel Length: 16"Gas System: Mid-length Barrel Profile: A2-styleBarrel Steel: Chrome-Moly VanadiumBarrel Finish: MeloniteChrome Lining: NoneMuzzle Thread: 1/2-28Chamber: 5.56 NATOTwist Rate: 1:7Barrel Extension: M4Diameter at Gas Block: .750Gas Block Type: F-marked Front Sight BaseMuzzle...

palmettostatearmory.com

 

[Mdeboda]

I picked up a couple of lowers during last year’s Black Friday but haven’t built anything yet. Always Armed appears to have the best deals for a complete build. Has anyone purchased from them?

 

[joefrank64k]

***Update- ordered the mid!

PSA 16" Midlength 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride MOE ODG Rifle Kit - 516444601

Barrel Length: 16"Gas System: Mid-length Barrel Profile: A2-styleBarrel Steel: Chrome-Moly VanadiumBarrel Finish: MeloniteChrome Lining: NoneMuzzle Thread: 1/2-28Chamber: 5.56 NATOTwist Rate: 1:7Barrel Extension: M4Diameter at Gas Block: .750Gas Block Type: F-marked Front Sight BaseMuzzle...

palmettostatearmory.com

Nice. Will be a great shooter!!

 

[Slammed01]

Nice. Will be a great shooter!!

And just got shipping notification, that was fast!!

 

[joefrank64k]

...The fit and finish on the Anderson was great nothing bad. All parts fit good and did what I expected it to do. You can put a top line ar parts on an Anderson lower blindfold someone tell them it’s a named lower fire it and ask them if the lower feel good too you know they will praise it til they see it.

But I see guys at range blinged out ar high end optics and can barely hit a 200 yard target or trying to go out further with 55fmj plinking ammo. But they’ll will tell you how great their ar is.

Yep, haha!! Anderson are GtG!!

 

[ar15robert]

***Update- ordered the mid!

PSA 16" Midlength 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride MOE ODG Rifle Kit - 516444601

Barrel Length: 16"Gas System: Mid-length Barrel Profile: A2-styleBarrel Steel: Chrome-Moly VanadiumBarrel Finish: MeloniteChrome Lining: NoneMuzzle Thread: 1/2-28Chamber: 5.56 NATOTwist Rate: 1:7Barrel Extension: M4Diameter at Gas Block: .750Gas Block Type: F-marked Front Sight BaseMuzzle...

palmettostatearmory.com

Nice. My father in laws I used the psa lower parts kit too with trigger.

When you do the roll pins for mag catch there’s a tool that helps it’s a two piece deal one gets the roll pin started the other finishes the job. I like to also place tape on the lower when doing this incase you slip.

The trigger guard roll pin is a motherless lol. The hammer spring can be confusing with direction. And last the take down pins rear is easy. The front get a 1/4 inch clevis with holes. Insert line up with hole on clevis to plunger hole insert spring then plunger with a small pick get it down far enough now rotate the clevis. if done right the plunger is still in. Now out the takedown pin in keeping it tight agains the clevis pin.

 

[Slammed01]

Nice. My father in laws I used the psa lower parts kit too with trigger.

When you do the roll pins for mag catch there’s a tool that helps it’s a two piece deal one gets the roll pin started the other finishes the job. I like to also place tape on the lower when doing this incase you slip.

The trigger guard roll pin is a motherless lol. The hammer spring can be confusing with direction. And last the take down pins rear is easy. The front get a 1/4 inch clevis with holes. Insert line up with hole on clevis to plunger hole insert spring then plunger with a small pick get it down far enough now rotate the clevis. if done right the plunger is still in. Now out the takedown pin in keeping it tight agains the clevis pin.

Thank you for the tips! Guess better go to the LGS and see about lowers soon, and start making a tool list/YouTube!

 

[kcheung2]

The upper you got is a good choice. A lower is a lower is a lower, unless you get an ambi or those weirdly machined ones that looks like Paul sr. from OCC got his mitts on it. I personally slightly prefer Aero, but that's only because the SAFE/FIRE icons look better. It's purely personal preference though. There's lots of youtube tutorials on assembling a lower, just go carefully and be careful with the small springs.

 

[Slammed01]

The upper you got is a good choice. A lower is a lower is a lower, unless you get an ambi or those weirdly machined ones that looks like Paul sr. from OCC got his mitts on it. I personally slightly prefer Aero, but that's only because the SAFE/FIRE icons look better. It's purely personal preference though. There's lots of youtube tutorials on assembling a lower, just go carefully and be careful with the small springs.

Thanks! Classic. oCC and Paul Sr ha! Going to check out lowers the next few weeks at LGS and see options, also make a tool list (feel free to add!) and check out and study some YouTube videos.

 

[ar15robert]

These are the tools i mentioned The ones that look like punches are for the mag catch roll pin. The clevis helps put the pin and plunger for front takedown pin.

 

[joefrank64k]

$33 each.

Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Stripped Lower Receiver No Logo

Anderson Manufacturing’s AM-15 Stripped Lower Receiver is made of 7075 T6 aluminum. This poverty pony will fit all calibers under the AR-15 platform. Buy your no logo AM-15 online today!

www.kygunco.com

 

[Slammed01]

$33 each.

Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Stripped Lower Receiver No Logo

Anderson Manufacturing’s AM-15 Stripped Lower Receiver is made of 7075 T6 aluminum. This poverty pony will fit all calibers under the AR-15 platform. Buy your no logo AM-15 online today!

www.kygunco.com

Damn that's a steal, I have 2 on order with sportmans warehouse for $43.99 price match hmmmm. Maybe they will adjust, I. An DROS 2 lowers with one fee right?