I am a piston drive 5.56 guy but wanted to toss together an inexpensive truck gun so I decided on the traditional AR. Cost wise they are cheap to put together.
I started with a 7075 forged 80% receiver. It machined up very nice. Great quality material and cut clean chips.

Discrete serial number stamped under grip, finished and baked black appliance epoxy.
I used my milling machine and dro to mill and put the holes in.
The PSA parts set was on sale. Everything is excellent quality and went together without issue. The only part I did not use and dislike was a magpul trigger guard. It's kind of cheesy and I prefer the USGI aluminum guard that pivots for winter trigger use.


Now to test fire and zero.

That looks good!  I've thought about buying one of their classic kits to build and use a carry handle I have on it for just a basic AR.

There's not a bigger bang for the buck in the AR world than what you just did op. That should be a nice serviceable little carbine. I have one I built for the same purpose and very similar setup. Runs great and shoots as accurately as I could hope for a carry handle and me jerking the trigger.

The fit of everything really is damn good.
It's also has the best trigger pull of any standard AR I have used or put together.
Nice clean break with no take up.


My only dislike is the magpul trigger guard, I prefer the standard aluminum USGI.
The magpul is supposed to attach with set screws vs a roll pin but it does not swing away for a winter trigger like the standard part.

PSA is making some nice parts.

@JKH62

You want a standard trigger guard?  I think I have 87 million of them.  IM me.

Me 2.  I'd gladly swap

Have a trigger guard on the way and Thx for the offer guys.

Who did your engraving?
My first build was a PSA.

A cnc machine in a garage close by.....

Are you taking work? Lol
I’m aroused

My primary and my kid's AR are PSA, never had an issue, good rifles. That is a very nice looking build, sir, very nice indeed.

I wish I had my own machine and more play time~

Which upper did you use?