Who Makes Psa Stainless Barrels

Are PSA's low prices too good to exist true?

For years I've heard of Palmetto State Arsenal and their ultra-affordable AR-15s. The only negative things were some finishing issues and shipping delays hither and there.

But… for a long time I was a little obsessed with name brands and scoffed at sub-$500 rifles.

I finally scrap the bullet…

PSA 5.56 & .223 Wylde — PSA v.56 & .223 Wylde

I got iii of their uppers (xvi″ 5.56 with front sight block, 16″ five.56 free-bladder rail, 18″ stainless .223 Wylde), one of their lowers, and shot a lot of rounds through them.

All-time Complete AR-xv on a Upkeep

499

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

Best Complete AR-fifteen on a Upkeep

By the finish you lot'll know if a PSA rifle/upper is right for y'all…and the best model to get based on your use.

*Update* We have a full video review on PSA AR-15s too!

If that helped, delight subscribe to ourYouTube aqueduct since nosotros're adding new videos every week!

Tabular array of Contents

Who Is Information technology For?

Budget-conscious buyers who want something that works and tin overlook some details like perfect finishing and dead-on accuracy
Someone who wants a lot of options in terms of barrel length and handguard
People who can wait a while for something to become into stock or transport

Why Is It And then Inexpensive?

PSA sent me these iii uppers and one lower for testing.

But they are going through the same testing procedures I do for all my other guns.

And at a college round count since reliability is fundamental when I recommend more budget-friendly options.

PSA Break-In — 1 range session for one rifle

I spoke with PSA and the reason their AR-15s are so affordable is due to total vertical integration. From raw metal to the finished production…they do it themselves.

And now…nosotros've hands-on tested well-nigh all their models…from their AR-15s to AR-10s and AK series. Bank check out all our PSA reviews hither.

Fit, Feel, & Stop

PSA has their Freedom line which is their most affordable and is pretty much mil-spec (meets military machine specifications).

499

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

However, as I outlined in our AR-xv Buyer's Guide…I like a mid-length gas organization way better than the standard carbine-length.

It gives you more rail infinite and a softer shooting impulse since the gas tube is longer and gas cake is more forward.

Unless you're going for the pure M4 look…I'd opt for something in the mid-length loonshit. Or at least their Magpul MOE furniture models then you can add some runway in the future.

Barrels & Gas Systems

For my upper with an FSB (front sight block…that triangle thing you run into above), I went with a 16″ mid-length Magpul model and Nitride-coated barrel.

249

at PSA

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

This gives me a longer handguard (with M-LOK), ability to add together rails, Magpul rear flip sight, and a nicer barrel finish compared to phosphate.

PSA 16" Nitride with FSB — PSA 16″ Nitride with FSB

Since it has a pinned FSB…information technology's a niggling front-heavy….but that'south the nature of the beast. The FSB is pinned well and the handguard is really on there. Y'all can see my segment of Picatinny I added to the handguard'southward 1000-LOK zipper points.

The next upper would be my favorite overall setup. 16″ mid-length with a 13.5″ Chiliad-LOK free-floating barrel and Nitride barrel.

PSA 16" Nitride Free Floating — PSA 16″ Nitride Free Floating

Now y'all get the benefit of non having an FSB which helps the weight balance and besides having a free-floating handguard that increases accuracy by taking away contact points on the barrel.

For accented reliability I'd however opt for the FSB model…but free-float AR's are at present the standard, you tin can attach a lot of stuff, and the gas block is really on there.

The concluding model is the 18″ .223 Wylde which is a relatively new chambering that will shoot BOTH 5.56 and .223 just offers a slight accuracy border. Usually, yous'll run into the more authentic barrels in stainless which is what we have here.

This comes in an even softer shooting rifle-length gas system and fifteen″ Grand-LOK gratis-floating track.

All came with mil-spec A2 bird-example wink-hiders that were installed correctly and didn't crave superhuman strength to take off and switch for some compensators.

Barrels

PSA seems to have 3 tiers of barrels.

Premium: chrome-lined or CHF (common cold hammer forged) that are made by FN
Standard: Nitride, Melonite, and stainless barrels
Basic: phosphate coated

The two v.56 uppers I received were Nitride coated instead of regular phosphate…while the Wylde was stainless steel.

Nitride (two left black ones) is polish while stainless is…stainless. The BCG on the right gives you lot a sense of what the rougher texture phosphate looks like. Nitride is supposed to exist a petty tougher and I similar the smooth wait.

I took apart the gratuitous-floating 5.56 and Wylde. Directly gas tubes…

And at least 35 in-lb of torque on the gas block with some sort of weird spill on the 5.56.

PSA 5.56 Gas Block Torque — PSA five.56 Gas Cake Torque

Upper Receivers

There's not too much to say here…everything is where it'south supposed to be.

Ejection port door works
Forward assist works
Charging handle feels mil-spec and works
T-Markings present and easy to read
Evenly phosphate coated

If I had to nitpick…at that place'south some super pocket-size machining marks on the forrad aid for two of the uppers I had. Not fifty-fifty sure you lot can see them in the pics.

Small Machining Marks on Upper Receivers

Handguards

The Magpul mid-length polymer handguard is what it is. A neat update to the mil-spec plastic handguard that can't attach annihilation.

The free-floating M-LOK handguards piece of work too. The thin profile feels keen in the hand…but could use a petty more TLC in the CNC to get rid of sharper edges.

Also the thirteen.v″ is a little on the royal-ish side and a footling off in orientation betwixt receiver and handguard…but nothing an Allen wrench and a minor turn didn't set up.

The more than "premium" Wylde upper was properly aligned and colored.

BCG + Charging Handles

As mil-spec as they come up. Everything is as it should be and the gas-keys are properly staked.

The 5.56 uppers had phosphate coated BCGs (mil-spec) while the Wylde had a Nitride coated one.

If I had to nitpick again…the coating is a piffling bumpier than other phosphates I've used, merely since simply the rails of the BCG contact annihilation…there'south no real downside.

I establish that the mil-spec phosphate BCGs were non MP marked (magnetic particle inspected) while the more premium .223 Wylde one was.

All the bolts were listed Carpenter 158 steel (mil-spec) just I've seen some PSA models where it is 9310 steel. Fine for civilian utilise just if you actually want mil-spec…get for the Carpenter 158. The carriers were all 8620 steel (mil-spec).

Charging handles were mil-spec as well.

Since I've gone with aftermarket charging handles…I cannot go dorsum (Best AR-15 Charging Handles).

Lower

I built the lower equally a kit and so I added a few dings hither and there (How to Build an AR-15 Lower). I got the Magpul kit which has their buttstock, grip, and trigger guard.

This one too comes with PSA's EPT trigger which is silver compared to mil-spec phosphate black. Much less dust!

But for this one, I did have a little trouble threading the grip screw initially. I'm thinking the coating was a little thick since I had to musculus my way through the initial turns.

Otherwise, everything installed equally information technology should.

How Does It Shoot?

What really matters…right?

I took a bunch of ammo, a buddy, and the ii 5.56 uppers to the range. With the goal of putting equally many rounds downrange as possible.

I cleaned the barrels merely otherwise did non practice any burglary procedures. I started with ~300 rounds of Wolf Gold (Best AR-15 Ammo) through each one before the accurateness tests.

For the 16″ with FSB…there were two failures to load a new round afterward a magazine change in the beginning twoscore rounds. However, after that it shot without a hiccup.

For the M-LOK free-floating version, there was one failure to load on the first magazine alter and no more than issues subsequently.

This is likely due to all the parts breaking in.

Recoil was standard and mild for both 5.56 uppers. Afterwards a few mags, I was easily hitting 12″ plates at 100 yards with my EOTech.

But still made me realize how spoiled I've been with adaptable gas-blocks and compensators (Best AR-15 Upgrades).

I thing…

For the gratis-floating version, if yous grip effectually the gas block like I do…you lot'll feel a petty heat when dumping rounds. Not enough to burn…merely enough to have a red manus afterwards 500 rounds.

Here'due south my buddy and me at our 2d range 24-hour interval. I'thousand running my competition lower with a much better trigger (All-time AR-15 Triggers).

*Update* A newer (and prettier) video of the MLOK PSA AR-15…still running great later several thousand more rounds.

Compatibility

The uppers worked flawlessly later on the initial break-in on the post-obit lowers:

Aero Precision (x2)
Filly
Anderson
Daniel Defense

While the lower worked with the post-obit uppers:

Aero Precision (x2)
Filly
Daniel Defense

Accuracy

The five.56 barrels are the middle of the road for PSA. Let'south run into how they fare.

I let the barrels cool down and then ran through Wolf Gold, PMC Bronze, American Eagle, and Federal Aureate Match.

I used my standard testing platform for all my AR-xv stuff…

Pb Sled DFT ($200)
Schmidt & Bender PMII 5-25x Scopewith Larue Mount($3500)
Hiperfire Eclipse Trigger ($230)

Targets were placed at 100 yards and I shot at a pace of around 1 shot per 10 seconds. ten shots each group.

Mil-spec is three-4 MOA which means three-4 inch groups at 100 yards. The FSB version falls within that (targets are eight″). With PMC Statuary doing the all-time of the plinking rounds at effectually 3 MOA.

Gilded Match does the best merely go on in mind it's nigh $1 a shot. If you lot're shooting that on a regular basis you're probably looking at other rifles (Best AR-15s).

All in all…information technology's as I expected. When there's a front sight block there'southward a whole lot of stuff touching the barrel which doesn't help accurateness. Let'due south see the gratuitous-floating model.

PSA Free Floating Accuracy — PSA Gratuitous Floating Accuracy

Much improve! Looks similar all the groups closed upwardly. PMC Bronze and American Hawkeye are pretty fifty-fifty at what looks like 2 MOA. Gold Friction match is notwithstanding the ultimate winner only it's non THAT much off from PMC and AE.

When you lot accept a free-floating handguard at that place's less contact with the butt and the accurateness shows.

At present, how most the .223 Wylde we've forgotten?

Since this is a more premium barrel and made for accuracy…I did a break-in procedure with it equally well as with PSA'south .224 Valkyrie (coming soon).

PSA Breakin Procedure — PSA Breakin Process

I cleaned the butt and shot ane round through before using copper solvent and a castor. Repeat the shoot and clean for 5x total. Then I changed it up to 5 shots before cleaning. Repeat 5x.

I then plinked ~200 rounds.

Finally, I was ready…

I used a dissimilar lower with a Triggertech trigger which I might really like more than my Hiperfire (Best AR-15 Triggers). I started running depression on Gold Medal and so the last grouping only has four rounds.

PSA .223 Wylde Accuracy — PSA .223 Wylde Accurateness

Disappointing…

It really looks similar the FSB version instead of something that uses a tighter chamber and a free-floating handguard.

I'll continue testing but right at present looks like I would stick with PSA's regular 5.56 offerings (free-floating of form).

Recommended Models

The affair with PSA is that they are always in and out of stock of everything. And they have most every combination under the sun…which makes it nice but also a headache to observe what you want.

Consummate Rifles

No fuss of building anything…out of the box ready to go.

Best Complete AR-15 on a Upkeep

499

at PSA

Prices authentic at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Best Complete AR-xv on a Budget

I again like mid-length gas systems and information technology looks like their Nitride barrels are GTG. Their more premium selections (CHF) should be smashing also if you have a little more to spend. I haven't spent time with their regular barrels (phosphate), but other reviews vouch for them.

I personally like free-floating M-LOK handguards since they give yous added accurateness and lots of space to put stuff. Unless you really desire the look of an FSB…go for complimentary-floating!

Uppers

Already take a lower and want an affordable upper? There's a bazillion options once again…so here's a search for 16″ mid-lengths to narrow it down a little:

249

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

Remember to choose the options with BCG (bolt carrier grouping), CH (charging handle), and Magpul MBUS (flip backup sights) if you need them.

*** UPDATE *** viii/27/2019

PSA has just released a new generation of their AR-15 uppers with some major changes! We're going to get them in-hand to test soon only then far the changes look dandy.

Changes:

Dimpled Stainless Steel Barrel
Toolcraft BCG
7075 T6 Charging Handle
Updated Gas Tube, Barrel Nuts, and Anti-rotation handguards!

300

at Palmetto State Arsenal

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Lowers

Looking at complete lowers? I adopt the Magpul editions…mil-spec buttstocks and pistol grips are not great.

150

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

Rifle Kits

A petty something I learned recently…retailers must add on an 11% revenue enhancement for fully assembled firearms.

PSA has rifle kits which…if you're a little handy…volition relieve you a bunch when you build your own lower.

379

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

And be sure to get a stripped lower since the kit volition comprise everything except that.

at PSA

Prices authentic at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Follow our How to Build an AR-15 Lower guide to put it all together.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 5/five

Later some minor break-in to loosen things up…my PSA uppers were fully reliable at my current round count of 1500 beyond all three.

Accurateness: iii/five

It'll do its task within mil-spec with regular plinking ammo, and seems to similar PMC Bronze overall the best (All-time AR-fifteen Ammo). Piffling bummed out that the .223 Wylde didn't perform besides equally information technology should.

Ergonomics: iv.5/five

Magpul kit makes it pretty good with the buttstock and pistol grip. Complimentary-floating handguard is sparse but a little too abrupt around the edges.

Looks: 4/v

Pretty boilerplate here only could use more consistency in color.

Customization: 5/five

It'southward an AR-15 with G-Lok so the sky's the limit. Cheque out my list of theBest AR-15 Upgrades & Best AR-15 Optics if you lot need assist.

Blindside for the Buck: v/5

You can get a fully reliable AR for under $500…and even lower if you lot become the kits.

Overall Rating: iv.5/5

Conclusion

The PSA AR-fifteen offers spectacular value in an entry-level AR with utter reliability beyond three tested variants. Accuracy and looks are decent with some slight variations in black anodizing. But with a cost betoken of under $500 for a complete burglarize with lifetime warranty, it's a no-brainer.

And then…the online legends are true.

Based on my testing I can totally recommend Palmetto Country Arsenal for an affordable AR-fifteen that will go bang every time.

My favorite would nevertheless be their mid-length free-floating options…but their more M4-looking FSB ones as well fit the bill.

Best Consummate AR-xv on a Budget

499

at PSA

Prices accurate at time of writing

All-time Complete AR-15 on a Budget

For now…stay abroad from their Wylde and before long I'll take reports on even more PSA goodness. Plus I'grand going to put much more rounds in all three and update if annihilation changes.

And once you become ane…check out our AR-fifteen Definitive Resource for everything AR.

What do you think of the review? Is a PSA AR-15 on your horizon? Or if you lot already have ane…how'south it working out for y'all? Looking at other PSA stuff? We've hands-on reviewed almost ALL their guns.