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4/14/2014 1:18:13 PM EDT
I decided to do a budget PSA build for my first AR15. Here is what I came up with. What do you guys think? Any recommendations for an 80% lower receiver to go with the PSA build? Thanks all.

PSA 16" Mid-length 5.56 NATO 1/7 Upper - Without BCG or Charging Handle -$269.99

Palmetto State Armory Classic Lower Build Kit - without Fire Control Group - $79.99

PSA 5.56 Premium HPT/MPI Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group - No Logo - $89.99

AR15/M16 Charging Handle - $24.99

PSA AR15 Fire Control Group - $35.99

Total w/o receiver or shipping = $500.99
4/14/2014 1:24:45 PM EDT
[#1]
Dang you missed where they had a complete rife kit w/o lower for $409 a day or two ago...
4/14/2014 1:28:30 PM EDT
[#2]
My recent PSA budget build WITH lower and shipping was $540.00. Complete CAR A4.
4/14/2014 1:28:33 PM EDT
[#3]
Ya, I've read they have good deals here and there. Think I should wait for a similar deal/deals?
4/14/2014 1:41:10 PM EDT
[#4]
You can do way cheaper than that.  You can go blem lower with MOE build kit and Blackhawk! stock hit and have it for $450ish.
4/14/2014 1:53:44 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
I decided to do a budget PSA build for my first AR15. Here is what I came up with. What do you guys think? Any recommendations for an 80% lower receiver to go with the PSA build? Thanks all.

PSA 16" Mid-length 5.56 NATO 1/7 Upper - Without BCG or Charging Handle -$269.99

Palmetto State Armory Classic Lower Build Kit - without Fire Control Group - $79.99

PSA 5.56 Premium HPT/MPI Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group - No Logo - $89.99

AR15/M16 Charging Handle - $24.99

PSA AR15 Fire Control Group - $35.99 ALG QMS $45

Total w/o receiver or shipping = $500.99
View Quote


scratch the psa fcg, add a few dollars and get an alg qms."mil spec" triggers are hit and miss, not so with a quality manufacturer like Giesselle.

ETA: 80% lowers aren't cheap (and you'll need the jig and other tools = more $)...if cheap is the goal, get a blem psa lower while you're at it. Or wait for the complete (minus the lower) build kit to come back around on sale and jump on it.
4/14/2014 2:06:11 PM EDT
[#6]
Agree with the above trigger recommendation. PSA triggers are hit or miss. I've had a good one and one that is really gritty and had to be replaced. I got the ALG ACT. If you're looking for an 80% for whatever reason, check out Tactical Machining. Pretty sure they're running a deal right now and they are solid people.

For those of you building complete sub $550 ARs, are your uppers PSA Premium or are you talking about PTAC stuff? I ask because I think the OP has some decent specs for the money. Not a bad deal at all especially with the Premium Mid Length upper (I'm assuming that the OP is looking at the Premium because that's the typical price for that upper).
4/15/2014 1:26:23 PM EDT
[#7]
Finished a few days ago, a PTAC upper on a locally bought Anderson lower and a PSA classic lower kit from last year. Had to de-burr the disconnector, it wouldn't release to reset the hammer. Gritty trigger that got better after 4 mags. The upper was a 1:7 16" middy complete with BCG and CH for $309, worked flawlessly with Federal and Wolf poly-coated steel case. Had a few furniture odds and ends laying around to complete the carbine. It shot as well as my eyes could see, less than 2" at 50 yards. The Spikes Dynacomp added the most cost for a single item and still around $600 all-up.

I was going to go for an AK but then the import ammo refusals began. I think I did OK.
4/15/2014 2:11:44 PM EDT
[#8]
Get the PSA blemished lower for $49.99

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-blemished-safe-fire-lower.html

Edit: It's not a 80% lower, but you will be happy with it.
4/15/2014 4:27:02 PM EDT
[#9]
Price looks OK to me.  Add a blem lower to that and you are set.

My first rifle cost me $636.89 to put together.  I did not use a PSA complete upper though.  I used a Spikes Mid-length upper with BCG included which cost me $494

PSA Lower $49.95...not a blem
.  
PSA LPK $42.99

PSA stock kit $49.95

I did end up getting a PSA barreled upper later on and now have an all Spikes rifle and all PSA rifle...changed  out the triggers.  Spikes has a Geiselle and the PSA has a QMS

Have one more stripped lower in my safe.

Be warned.....I'm sure you have heard this...that one rifle will grow into another....lol
4/15/2014 4:35:43 PM EDT
[#10]
Screw that 80% lower and buy a PSA one. Buddy just bought one of their M4 kits for $419 and I think that was a premium kit.
They have sales changing daily.
I think I built one of my PSA M4 kits with a spikes lower for $519
4/16/2014 1:30:46 PM EDT
[#11]
PSA is one source allowing us to reap the rewards of over-production brought about by the panic-buying of 2012; parts and complete guns are inexpensive and plentiful, for now.
4/16/2014 4:16:51 PM EDT
[#12]
I would upgrade to an ALG ACT trigger, and try to find some deals/steals on sale.  Otherwise, solid first build.  Steer clear of PTAC.  If you're going to get a LPK without FCG anyways why not spend the fifty bucks for the ALG?
4/16/2014 5:48:42 PM EDT
[#13]
What's wrong with PTAC?
4/16/2014 5:50:28 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:
PSA is one source allowing us to reap the rewards of over-production brought about by the panic-buying of 2012; parts and complete guns are inexpensive and plentiful, for now.
View Quote



They have been cheap since they started building them. Cheap unskilled labor would be my guess.
4/19/2014 3:59:54 PM EDT
[#15]
I haven't used a PTAC lower kit, but comparing the PSA classic with a Double Star kit finds the Double Star fire control parts superior in finish and fuction. I'll be using DS or better trigger parts in future builds.

I read a rumor PTAC is PSA's "seconds", verifyable? I have had no problem with PTAC uppers aside from appearance issues which is "so what" in my world.
4/19/2014 9:40:13 PM EDT
[#16]
If you're not in a huge rush just wait and you can get the PSA LPK with an ALG QMS for relatively cheap, they're not in stock now but it probably won't be long.
4/21/2014 7:23:20 AM EDT
[#17]
Go with any complete stripped lower...why waste time and money on a 80% when $50 stripped lowers are plentiful. Everything else should run fine. Just assemble, lube, and shoot.
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