Psa 16 M4 Carbine 556 Nato 17 Lightweight M-lok Classic Rifle Review
Are PSA'southward low prices besides good to exist true?
For years I've heard of Palmetto Country Armory and their ultra-affordable AR-15s. The only negative things were some finishing issues and shipping delays hither and there.
Simply… for a long time I was a little obsessed with proper name brands and scoffed at sub-$500 rifles.
I finally fleck the bullet…
I got iii of their uppers (16″ 5.56 with forepart sight block, 16″ v.56 costless-float rail, eighteen″ stainless .223 Wylde), 1 of their lowers, and shot a lot of rounds through them.
Best Complete AR-xv on a Upkeep
499
at PSA
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
All-time Consummate AR-15 on a Upkeep
By the stop you'll know if a PSA rifle/upper is right for you…and the all-time model to get based on your use.
*Update* We have a full video review on PSA AR-15s too!
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Table of Contents
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Who Is It For?
- Upkeep-conscious buyers who want something that works and can overlook some details similar perfect finishing and dead-on accurateness
- Someone who wants a lot of options in terms of butt length and handguard
- People who can wait a while for something to go into stock or send
Why Is It So Cheap?
PSA sent me these three uppers and one lower for testing.
But they are going through the same testing procedures I exercise for all my other guns.
And at a higher round count since reliability is key when I recommend more budget-friendly options.
I spoke with PSA and the reason their AR-15s are so affordable is due to full vertical integration. From raw metallic to the finished product…they do information technology themselves.
And now…we've hands-on tested almost all their models…from their AR-15s to AR-10s and AK serial. Check out all our PSA reviews here.
Fit, Experience, & Terminate
PSA has their Freedom line which is their most affordable and is pretty much mil-spec (meets military specifications).
499
at PSA
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Nevertheless, as I outlined in our AR-fifteen Heir-apparent's Guide…I like a mid-length gas system style better than the standard carbine-length.
It gives you more rail space and a softer shooting impulse since the gas tube is longer and gas block is more forward.
Unless you're going for the pure M4 look…I'd opt for something in the mid-length arena. Or at least their Magpul MOE furniture models so you can add together some rails in the time to come.
Barrels & Gas Systems
For my upper with an FSB (front end sight block…that triangle thing you lot see above), I went with a 16″ mid-length Magpul model and Nitride-coated barrel.
249
at PSA
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
This gives me a longer handguard (with M-LOK), ability to add rails, Magpul rear flip sight, and a nicer barrel finish compared to phosphate.
Since it has a pinned FSB…information technology'southward a little front-heavy….but that's the nature of the beast. The FSB is pinned well and the handguard is really on there. You can run into my segment of Picatinny I added to the handguard's One thousand-LOK attachment points.
The next upper would exist my favorite overall setup. 16″ mid-length with a 13.five″ M-LOK free-floating butt and Nitride barrel.
Now you lot get the benefit of not having an FSB which helps the weight remainder and also having a free-floating handguard that increases accuracy by taking away contact points on the barrel.
For accented reliability I'd still opt for the FSB model…just free-float AR's are at present the standard, you tin adhere a lot of stuff, and the gas block is really on there.
The last model is the eighteen″ .223 Wylde which is a relatively new chambering that volition shoot BOTH 5.56 and .223 but offers a slight accuracy border. Usually, y'all'll see the more authentic barrels in stainless which is what nosotros have here.
This comes in an even softer shooting rifle-length gas system and 15″ One thousand-LOK complimentary-floating rail.
All came with mil-spec A2 bird-example flash-hiders that were installed correctly and didn't crave superhuman force to take off and switch for some compensators.
Barrels
PSA seems to have iii tiers of barrels.
- Premium: chrome-lined or CHF (cold hammer forged) that are fabricated past FN
- Standard: Nitride, Melonite, and stainless barrels
- Basic: phosphate coated
The two 5.56 uppers I received were Nitride coated instead of regular phosphate…while the Wylde was stainless steel.
Nitride (ii left blackness ones) is smooth while stainless is…stainless. The BCG on the right gives yous a sense of what the rougher texture phosphate looks like. Nitride is supposed to be a lilliputian tougher and I like the polish look.
I took autonomously the free-floating 5.56 and Wylde. Straight gas tubes…
And at to the lowest degree 35 in-lb of torque on the gas cake with some sort of weird spill on the 5.56.
Upper Receivers
There's not also much to say here…everything is where it's supposed to be.
- Ejection port door works
- Forward help works
- Charging handle feels mil-spec and works
- T-Markings nowadays and piece of cake to read
- Evenly phosphate coated
If I had to nitpick…there's some super small machining marks on the forward assist for 2 of the uppers I had. Not fifty-fifty certain you can see them in the pics.
Handguards
The Magpul mid-length polymer handguard is what it is. A great update to the mil-spec plastic handguard that tin can't attach anything.
The free-floating Thou-LOK handguards work too. The thin profile feels nifty in the manus…just could use a footling more than TLC in the CNC to get rid of sharper edges.
Also the thirteen.5″ is a petty on the purple-ish side and a footling off in orientation between receiver and handguard…just nothing an Allen wrench and a small turn didn't fix.
The more than "premium" Wylde upper was properly aligned and colored.
BCG + Charging Handles
As mil-spec equally they come. Everything is equally it should be and the gas-keys are properly staked.
The five.56 uppers had phosphate coated BCGs (mil-spec) while the Wylde had a Nitride coated one.
If I had to nitpick once again…the coating is a little bumpier than other phosphates I've used, just since only the rails of the BCG contact anything…there's no real downside.
I found that the mil-spec phosphate BCGs were not MP marked (magnetic particle inspected) while the more premium .223 Wylde one was.
All the bolts were listed Carpenter 158 steel (mil-spec) but I've seen some PSA models where information technology is 9310 steel. Fine for civilian use only if you actually desire mil-spec…go 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 back (Best AR-15 Charging Handles).
Lower
I built the lower as a kit so I added a few dings here and at that place (How to Build an AR-fifteen Lower). I got the Magpul kit which has their buttstock, grip, and trigger baby-sit.
This one also comes with PSA's EPT trigger which is argent compared to mil-spec phosphate black. Much less grit!
But for this i, I did have a trivial problem threading the grip screw initially. I'grand thinking the coating was a trivial thick since I had to muscle my way through the initial turns.
Otherwise, everything installed as information technology should.
How Does Information technology Shoot?
What really matters…right?
I took a agglomeration of ammo, a buddy, and the two 5.56 uppers to the range. With the goal of putting as many rounds downrange as possible.
I cleaned the barrels but otherwise did not exercise whatsoever break-in procedures. I started with ~300 rounds of Wolf Aureate (Best AR-15 Ammo) through each 1 before the accuracy tests.
For the 16″ with FSB…there were two failures to load a new circular afterward a magazine change in the get-go 40 rounds. However, after that information technology shot without a hiccup.
For the M-LOK free-floating version, in that location was ane failure to load on the first magazine change and no more problems later on.
This is likely due to all the parts breaking in.
Recoil was standard and balmy for both 5.56 uppers. Afterward a few mags, I was easily hit 12″ plates at 100 yards with my EOTech.
But still fabricated me realize how spoiled I've been with adaptable gas-blocks and compensators (All-time AR-xv Upgrades).
One thing…
For the gratuitous-floating version, if y'all grip around the gas block like I exercise…you lot'll feel a little heat when dumping rounds. Not enough to burn…but enough to accept a red mitt after 500 rounds.
Hither's my buddy and me at our second range day. I'yard running my competition lower with a much better trigger (Best AR-15 Triggers).
*Update* A newer (and prettier) video of the MLOK PSA AR-fifteen…still running great after several thousand more rounds.
Compatibility
The uppers worked flawlessly later on the initial break-in on the following lowers:
- Aero Precision (x2)
- Colt
- Anderson
- Daniel Defence force
While the lower worked with the post-obit uppers:
- Aero Precision (x2)
- Colt
- Daniel Defense
Accuracy
The 5.56 barrels are the eye of the road for PSA. Permit'south come across how they fare.
I let the barrels cool down and and so ran through Wolf Gold, PMC Bronze, American Eagle, and Federal Aureate Lucifer.
I used my standard testing platform for all my AR-fifteen stuff…
- Lead Sled DFT ($200)
- Schmidt & Bender PMII 5-25x Scopewith Larue Mountain($3500)
- Hiperfire Eclipse Trigger ($230)
Targets were placed at 100 yards and I shot at a pace of around 1 shot per 10 seconds. 10 shots each group.
Mil-spec is iii-4 MOA which ways 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards. The FSB version falls within that (targets are 8″). With PMC Bronze doing the best of the plinking rounds at around 3 MOA.
Gold Friction match does the best merely keep in mind it's about $1 a shot. If you're shooting that on a regular basis you're probably looking at other rifles (Best AR-15s).
All in all…information technology'south as I expected. When at that place's a front sight block there's a whole lot of stuff touching the butt which doesn't assistance accuracy. Let's encounter the free-floating model.
Much meliorate! Looks like all the groups closed upward. PMC Bronze and American Eagle are pretty even at what looks similar 2 MOA. Gold Friction match is yet the ultimate winner but information technology's not THAT much off from PMC and AE.
When you have a free-floating handguard there's less contact with the barrel and the accuracy shows.
Now, how about the .223 Wylde we've forgotten?
Since this is a more premium barrel and fabricated for accuracy…I did a break-in process with it also as with PSA's .224 Valkyrie (coming soon).
I cleaned the butt and shot 1 round through before using copper solvent and a brush. Repeat the shoot and clean for 5x total. Then I changed it upwards to 5 shots earlier cleaning. Repeat 5x.
I then plinked ~200 rounds.
Finally, I was prepare…
I used a different lower with a Triggertech trigger which I might actually like more than my Hiperfire (Best AR-xv Triggers). I started running depression on Gold Medal so the concluding group but has 4 rounds.
Disappointing…
It really looks like the FSB version instead of something that uses a tighter chamber and a free-floating handguard.
I'll continue testing but right now looks like I would stick with PSA'southward regular 5.56 offerings (complimentary-floating of grade).
Recommended Models
The thing 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 squeamish but also a headache to find what you want.
Complete Rifles
No fuss of building anything…out of the box set up to go.
Best Consummate AR-15 on a Upkeep
499
at PSA
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Best Complete AR-15 on a Budget
I once again like mid-length gas systems and information technology looks like their Nitride barrels are GTG. Their more premium selections (CHF) should be great as well if y'all take a little more than 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 you added accuracy and lots of space to put stuff. Unless yous really want the expect of an FSB…become for gratuitous-floating!
Uppers
Already have a lower and want an affordable upper? In that location'southward a bazillion options again…and so here'due south a search for 16″ mid-lengths to narrow it downwardly a little:
249
at PSA
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Remember to choose the options with BCG (bolt carrier group), CH (charging handle), and Magpul MBUS (flip fill-in sights) if y'all need them.
*** UPDATE *** 8/27/2019
PSA has just released a new generation of their AR-fifteen uppers with some major changes! We're going to get them in-hand to test before long but so far the changes look dandy.
Changes:
- Dimpled Stainless Steel Butt
- Toolcraft BCG
- 7075 T6 Charging Handle
- Updated Gas Tube, Barrel Nuts, and Anti-rotation handguards!
300
at Palmetto Land Armory
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Lowers
Looking at complete lowers? I prefer the Magpul editions…mil-spec buttstocks and pistol grips are not not bad.
150
at PSA
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Rifle Kits
A little something I learned recently…retailers must add on an xi% tax for fully assembled firearms.
PSA has rifle kits which…if you're a petty handy…will save you a agglomeration when you build your own lower.
379
at PSA
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
And be sure to get a stripped lower since the kit will contain everything except that.
40
at PSA
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Follow our How to Build an AR-xv Lower guide to put it all together.
By the Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
After some pocket-sized burglary to loosen things upward…my PSA uppers were fully reliable at my current circular count of 1500 across all three.
Accuracy: 3/v
It'll do its job within mil-spec with regular plinking ammo, and seems to like PMC Bronze overall the best (Best AR-15 Ammo). Lilliputian bummed out that the .223 Wylde didn't perform as well as information technology should.
Ergonomics: iv.five/five
Magpul kit makes information technology pretty skilful with the buttstock and pistol grip. Free-floating handguard is thin but a little also sharp effectually the edges.
Looks: iv/5
Pretty boilerplate here but could use more consistency in color.
Customization: 5/five
It's an AR-xv with M-Lok so the heaven'due south the limit. Cheque out my list of theBest AR-15 Upgrades & All-time AR-15 Eyes if yous demand help.
Blindside for the Buck: 5/5
You tin become a fully reliable AR for nether $500…and even lower if yous get the kits.
Overall Rating: 4.v/five
Conclusion
The PSA AR-15 offers spectacular value in an entry-level AR with utter reliability across three tested variants. Accuracy and looks are decent with some slight variations in blackness anodizing. Only with a price point of under $500 for a complete rifle with lifetime warranty, it's a no-brainer.
So…the online legends are truthful.
Based on my testing I tin can totally recommend Palmetto State Armory for an affordable AR-15 that will go bang every time.
My favorite would notwithstanding exist their mid-length free-floating options…merely their more M4-looking FSB ones also fit the bill.
All-time Complete AR-15 on a Budget
499
at PSA
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Best Complete AR-fifteen on a Budget
For now…stay away from their Wylde and soon I'll have reports on even more than PSA goodness. Plus I'k going to put much more than rounds in all 3 and update if anything changes.
And once you get one…check out our AR-15 Definitive Resource for everything AR.
What do you think of the review? Is a PSA AR-15 on your horizon? Or if yous already have one…how's it working out for yous? Looking at other PSA stuff? We've hands-on reviewed nearly ALL their guns.
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Source: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/palmetto-state-armory-psa-ar-15-review/
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