AR upper on the way, did I do OK?

[makarov]

I built a RRA lower about 10 years ago and ordered a National Match upper. Great target rifle, but heavy. I've been wanting a lighter weight 16" upper. I was just going to order an upper with or without BCG, then saw this kit that includes the BCG and all the parts to built it except a receiver.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...rifle-kit.html

Now instead of swapping uppers which really isn't that big a deal, I guess I am obligated to pick up a stripped receiver in the next few months. Keep hearing good things about PSA. Hope it is OK. More than I wanted to spend, but seemed like a good deal.

[Sharkbite]

The ad says this included the receiver... So im confused about your post.

What made you go with the Wylde chambering??

[zukiphile]

It describes the upper receiver, but he will still need to buy a stripped lower.

Mak, I would say you did very nicely.

[FrankenMauser]

Not a bad deal.

One thing to keep in mind....
The PSA trigger group is terrible 95% of the time. Every once in a while, a clean, crisp trigger group sneaks out, through random chance; but most of them are gritty, full of creep, and spongy at the break.

Unless you run that upper on your RRA lower, I'm sure you'll want to upgrade the trigger (or have it reworked).

[Ibmikey]

This is an exceptionally nice package, you will like the MI Gen II SS rail...slim and versatile. I do not know where they got the barrels but you can trust PSA to put decent parts in the kit. Give us a range report. Now the wait!

[makarov]

Thanks, I don't mind waiting. I still have my original RRA trigger group since I bought the NM 2-stage trigger as an upgrade. Might use that one instead. I think the barrel with this PSA kit is a Wilson Combat. Will see how long it takes to ship. Going to look at local shops today for a stripped lower. PSA has blems for $59 right now too, but have to pay a transfer fee etc.. If a local shop has one cheap enough will get one today.

[makarov]

The Wylde chamber was the one available in this kit. They had a 5.56 chamber in an upper with no BCG or charging handle. I've been really happy with the accuracy of my Rock River National Match rifle. It has a Wylde chamber as well. No problems so far. Shoots anything I feed it.

[Fishbed77]

The PSA trigger group is terrible 95% of the time. Every once in a while, a clean, crisp trigger group sneaks out, through random chance; but most of them are gritty, full of creep, and spongy at the break.

I have three PSA trigger groups, and every one of them is better than most typical AR semi-auto trigger groups I've encountered.

[Skadoosh]

What made you go with the Wylde chambering??

Because it offers the best of both worlds.

[FrankenMauser]

I have three PSA trigger groups, and every one of them is better than most typical AR semi-auto trigger groups I've encountered.

Indeed.
But being better than the rest doesn't necessarily mean that something is great.

Last week, my wife called me into the bathroom to show me a bowel movement that she was quite proud of, insisting that it was "the best she had had in quite a while." That's great, and all, but it's still a lump of fecal matter.

[Palmetto-Pride]

I have built 5 ARs with PSA parts and I also have a S&W M&P15T and have a friend with a Colt and DPMS and I find the PSAs trigger as good or better than any other ARs stock trigger.

[Fishbed77]

Indeed.
But being better than the rest doesn't necessarily mean that something is great.

Yeah - but complaining that an AR doesn't have a great standard trigger is like complaining that a Glock is ugly. Yeah - we know it - so what?

That said, the PSA standard triggers are still better than most.

[Quentin2]

The PSA trigger group is terrible 95% of the time. Every once in a while, a clean, crisp trigger group sneaks out, through random chance; but most of them are gritty, full of creep, and spongy at the break.

You're gonna have to back off on that slam, Frank. I also got a nice milspec trigger in a PSA LPK. So did a friend. Fishbed got three so we're gonna need 95 quick reports of lousy PSA triggers from you to back up up your percentages!

[FrankenMauser]

Just because people are coming out of the woodwork to defend the PSA trigger groups that they own, doesn't mean that they're the majority.


Just as a point of reference: I have 7 PSA LPKs here. One trigger isn't bad at all ... in one just lower. The rest are crap. And if you take the one half decent trigger and drop the parts in any other lower receiver, it goes to crap (there's something wrong with the geometry in that lower, but I've never measured it).

And, two of the trigger groups have disconnectors that hang up on the hammers. That's such a low end problem, that even most PTAC trigger groups don't have that issue.

You wouldn't fish a peanut-laden poop out of the tank at the sewage treatment plant, just because it looks better than the rest, so why should you be excited about a trigger that is only marginally better than the rest of the trash on the market?

There are 17 billion aftermarket triggers available for ARs for a reason - basic AR triggers are crap.

[Justice06RR]

Nah... the PSA triggers are fine.

Every once in a while you may even get a decent PTAC trigger too .
3 of the 4 PTAC LPK's I've had in the past are good to go.

We're not comparing with competition triggers or Geiselle triggers here. Most milspec triggers are not that great to begin with. Your average AR owner will not notice the difference between a factory milspec trigger and a PSA trigger.

(its quite different story if you are talking from an extensive experience with using really good triggers)


To the OP, you did pretty good with that kit. Add a $70 lower and you have a very nice $650 AR15.

[Quentin2]

Makarov, I think you'll be happy with your PSA rifle build kit. The specs look good, especially for the money. And most folks would be satisfied with a PSA milspec trigger. Things are getting embellished in this thread but a milspec trigger usually does the job all right.

No doubt there are lousy milspec triggers but is a good example as "good" as a $200+ specialty trigger? Well as far as reliability, yes - as far as feel, probably not. Will the aftermarket trigger be more accurate? Maybe, but that really depends more on the shooter.

However, since you have a spare RRA two-stage trigger of course try that. Fortunately swapping out the AR fire control group is easy so you can test for yourself and choose for yourself. Anyway, get your best parts in your new rifle and enjoy!

[BillyJack3]

Saying the OP might get a crappy trigger is pointless. He's already ordered the kit. I'm sure he'll tell us if he got a good one or a gritty, spongy one. Based on his knowledge and history, he knows a good trigger when he pulls it. I don't know the "%" of good vs. bad PSA triggers but for me it was 1 out of 2. No big deal. The kit was a steal and I replaced the gritty, spongy, creepy trigger with an ALG ACT... and all was right with the world again.

[makarov]

Thanks for all the replies. The extra trigger I have is the regular single stage RRA unit. I bought the two stage match trigger as an upgrade, they left the other one in the box too. Will try the PSA first. Bought a Spikes lower in town for $119. PSA has blemished lowers cheap, but most FFL's around here charge $30-40 to do a transfer. Wasn't worth the hassle. Looking forward to putting together another AR.