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Posted: 5/9/2014 9:48:22 PM EDT
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A little about me...retired Army with 24 years. That said, I'm very familiar with Colt AR's. This isn't a review of those firearms though, nor is it a comparison of the two. The main two things they have in common is how they function mechanically and of course, the similar look. That said, you'll get what you pay for, though a weekend range shooter may not need a Colt to satisfy the craving for an AR platform.
This will be a quick look at a PTAC upper receiver from Palmetto State Armory (PSA). I'm posting this as I found very little on the web about PTAC, with decent photos showing how they look. They are an entry level product and are inexpensive for a reason. The uppers look fine, in my opinion. They aren't horrible, but they do differ from mid grade ARs like Colt on fit and finish...and most likely the physical quality and endurance of the metals used. I was looking to get a lower that I had assembled for selling or maybe to keep, depending on how well I liked the groups that it produced. Being former Army, If I can repeatedly hit a human sized target at 300 meters, then the weapon is fine. PTAC fits the bill along with PSA, if you are on a budget. Bear in mind, that you can continually improve the base weapon. The barrel may be upgraded, the handguards can be replaced with other guards or done away with entirely to be replaced with a free float quad rail. The upper can be upgraded as well....it's got plenty of options to get you started in the AR world. The AR has been around for quite some time and there are well over 100 manufacturers who make parts and entire weapons. That said, you have flexibility to shop around for what suits your needs the most. Generally, the parts are very interchangeable if you stick with either milspec or commercial. I put this rifle together as I had an Anderson lower receiver at the house...just sitting there that I picked up for $79.00. Impulse buy. Kinda like grocery shopping while you're hungry, don't do it. First, I purchased a classic Lower Parts Kit from PSA. It included the trigger group and pistol grip as well as springs for $39.99. Along with that, I bought the BLACKHAWK! AR-15 Stock Kit for $34.99 (includes stock, buffer, mil spec tube and buffer spring). Now I had all of the pieces to assemble the complete lower. Tools required are simply a brass punch and a brass jewelers hammer. For the first time assembly for someone not familiar with the AR, I'd anticipate a 30 minute process. You will complete it faster after the first time assembling one. A decent video to watch while doing an assembly is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL-fa5_4mzo The upper receiver cost $199.99. Complete bolt carrier group was $89.99. Charging handle was $24.99. Magpul rear sight was $7 after using a gift card. They sell for $57 at the local shop. They can be had for less online. I just wanted a sight as I plan to shoot this rifle plenty tomorrow and couldn't wait for shipping. Fully assembled PTAC/Anderson 1) 
Pics 2-9 Display the finish tone of upper to lower. Likewise, they are close ups to look for imperfections. I have to say that I read about folks buying these receivers complaining of several scratches. This was not the case on this upper. It looks absolutely fine. 2) 
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Pics 10 & 11 are showing the feed ramps and chamber area The dark streaks in the pic are grease. Nothing has been cleaned since it arrived. 10) 
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Pics 12-14 are showing the barrel. This barrel is 1:9. It's also the heavy barrel configuration, due to it lacking the M203 adapter relief. Some folks are turned off by not having the relief. I personally don't care as I don't own nor want an M203 adapter. For folks that are new to AR platform, this means that for every 9" of barrel, the projectile will spin 1 complete revolution. A 1:9 barrel is fine for lighter projectiles up to 55 grain. PTAC also has 1:7 barrels that would be fine for heavier projectiles due to a faster spin. This barrel is NOT chrome lined. A barrel that is not chromelined can produce decent accuracy, supposedly equal to or better than chrome lined. The average shaky handed shooter may not notice any accuracy difference. However, when shooting beyond 300 meters, it may begin to reveal itself. Chrome lined barrels afford better longevity and resistance to corrosion. They also clean more easily. Heat dissipation is said to be better as well. Chrome lined barrels will cost more due to the increased steps in making one. PTAC does not currently make a chrome lined barrel, from what I've found so far. If they did, that would have been a better choice for me, a personal preference. The average range shooter will NOT typically wear a barrel out whether it's chrome lined or not. Reason being that if your are putting a budget rifle together, you probably don't have the money to buy enough ammunition to waste a barrel either. Again, for folks that are new to ARs, note that the Front Sight is stamped with an "F." When a removeable carry handle was installed onto the ARs, the front sight was a tad too short and when zeroed, the sight post would be raised too far...so if you have a flat top upper, you would probably prefer the "F" stamped sight, it works with virtually all rear sights. 12) 
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Pic 15 is the gas tube going into upper receiver 15) 
Pic 16 is the tapered handguard internals. The heatshields are able to be removed for cleaning. I like the tapered guards better than straight fat ones. These fit into a triangular end cap at the front sight post. The only reason I mention the triangle end cap is because if you change handguards, you will need to get a pair that work with either round or triangle. There are some guards that work with either. So if you buy online, be mindful of this. 16) 
Pics 17-19 are the bolt carrier group assembled and disassembled It's a PSA carrier group that is decently chrome lined, Magnetic Particle Inspected (for cracks), High Pressure tested and shot peened. The gas key is adequately staked. For New to AR folks, you'll want to get a decent bolt carrier group. That combined with the barrel, are the heart of the firearm. 17) 
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Again I submit this for folks coming on board to the AR platform. If anyone has useful information to help people along, please feel free to contribute. I would love for this to not become a PTAC bashing thread. If you check the PSA website, you'll see they have daily deals. The prices vary some, so check it each day to get a feel for when they hit the lowest price. Once they do, go ahead and snag it. All of the parts minus the rear sight and charging handle were discounted during the Easter holiday. PSA brand weapons are apparently pretty decent from what I've read. At the time, I didn't want to spend any more than I had to for this firearm...as I really didn't want another one. After getting it together, I can't wait to try it out. If this can hit the same distance targets as effectively as my Sig Sauer, I may just keep it. Have fun either buying or assembling one. Don't be scared to try putting one together. It's far from rocket science. If you choose to assemble your own upper, you may want to invest in a barrel nut wrench. The buffer tube nut can be tightened with a strap wrench or a buffer tube wrench. Head space on an AR isn't adjustable. You slip the barrel into the receiver and torque it down to spec. Be sure to keep the gas tube passage lined up so that it doesn't make contact with the nut opening and make sure that it entered the upper receiver nice and straight and doesn't drag on the gas key. If you feel inclined to use a go-no go gauge, be sure to remove the ejector for an accurate check. Most barrels on the market won't have head space issues. Keep in mind, when you assemble your upper, you will spend more than one that is preassembled, but the quality of the barrel may very well be better. Hopefully, this thread may give someone the information they want to make a decision. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask them. Lots of knowledge on this forum. |
Your barrel does not have the M203 cut because it's a midlength. No midlength has this cut, as the M203 is sized for carbines. PTAC's (if complete upper) come with a Ptac BCG (not PSA). PSA sells, but does not assimilate name with, PTAC (they do not share PSA's warranty). Other than that, that was a good review and informative, with great pics. Hope you enjoy your new rifle! 
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Yes Maverick, you are correct on both counts. The upper came without the bolt carrier group and charging handle. It is a PSA BCG. I did get a chance to shoot it today. Used several hundred rounds in the process...that would be my only complaint of the day. It can add up plenty of money shooting that many rounds. It operated the same as any other AR that I've used, no failures of any sort. I did oil it pretty well and swabbed the barrel prior to shooting for the first time.
Our zero was done at 50 yards actual distance measured from fire point to target. The zero pattern of three rounds was a smidge past 1" shooting off of a bench rest, being slow and deliberate. We continued shooting for the rest of the day, fast and slow and moving to achieve prone, kneeling and standing positions. We simulated corner presentations as best we could, given that we had no actual corners to shoot from. I admit that it shot quite well for an inexpensive firearm. No complaints what so ever. I was on the fence about keeping this rifle, but I decided that we'll keep it. Here are a couple of pics from today. Ammunition used: Primarily because it was cheap and in bulk. It's not in bulk any more though.... 
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/242x405q90/836/4ni7.jpg My son's pattern at 50 yards. (18 years old with 5 years experience, mostly pistols) He normally prefers to shoot slow and deliberate, which is fine, but it takes so long that it drives me bonkers. In the Army, our targets for training are timed, so the luxury of time isn't made available. Likewise, in real life, you won't have that option either. I am working with him to pick up the pace to the cadence of Sight, Squeeze, Reset, Sight, Squeeze, Reset. As he says them in his head, he's performing the corresponding action. Here's his finished product from a prone unsupported position: https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x383q90/836/nup8.jpg I think he did quite well. Iron sight takes practice. He's great with a scope, but optics can fail. I like optics, but feel that iron sights tell the true story of quality shooting. Thanks for checking this thread out. |
Nice right up. I bought the same upper a month ago but mine came with BCG and charging handle for $309. I used an Aero Precision blem lower and was able to keep the cost just a little under $500. My only regret was using a Model 1 stock - it's uncomfortable and not smooth at all to adjust. BUT... I had to use it to stay under $500. Hope to shoot it next weekend if my rear sight arrives by then.
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RetArmy13, nice write up. And it is a good looking rifle to. Doing the math, I came up with $372 in the Upper, and $154 in the Lower, for a Total of $526. That's Not Bad. A lot of people tend to forget about the Rear Sight, when they do a build, but when you have a Flat-Top Upper it is a necessity. |
. It's had no malfunctions and accuracy is good.
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