My first AR-15

PSA Products AR-15
1

I am looking at purchasing my first AR-15. Which of these two do you think would be better at protecting our 7 acre property from wild pigs?

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set3.html

Or
https://palmettostatearmory.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-sport-223-rem-5-56-semi-automatic-ar-15-rifle-12936.html

Also is it true either of these two rifles can shoot both 5.56x45 NATO as well as 5.56 NATO and .223? It is confusing to me in the left column where you are selecting the caliber of rifle you want to look at, you have 3 choices of 5.56.

Thank You

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2

Im biased but get the PSA. The EPT is a great trigger. Also, you can shoot 223 out of a barrel chambered for 556, but not the other way around due to pressures. A 223 wylde will shoot either though.

3

Id go with the PSA for myself. I feel the free float handguard, magpul stock/pistol grip, and ept trigger are an upgrade. You’ll love the rifle, I do. Have the same one except a full rail on top.

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4

I would, and did, go with option 1. Nothing against the M&P line, its about as solid as big brand starter ARs come, but between what is currently my favored handguard until ALG makes the V2X again, and that EPT upgrade, that specific model of tbe PSA is really hard to beat for the price.

Ultimately, neither is a bad choice.

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5

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-phosphate-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=daily_deals&utm_campaign=20220504&utm_content=51655126054#combo-deal

This is the answer you seek.

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6

Whichever one you choose get educated, trained and shoot often :+1:t2:

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7

PSA is a better deal, and a better AR IMO

556 is 556x45 same thing

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8

Thank you.

9

I don’t have a full rail, will I still be able to put a scope on this model?

10

Thank you. So I will be able to use .223, 5.56 NATO, and 5.56x45 NATO? It seems like there’s three different types of 5.56 caliber ammo in the ammo section.

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11

Yes, you want the scope on the upper receiver anyway, and not on the rail. Get the proper offset mount (dont use rings).

12

Ok, I just ordered the PSA, my first option. Another novice question, which 30 round magazine on the accessories page will fit this rifle ? There is a gen 2 magpul, and a gen 2 MOE.
Thanks for your advice and patience. I came to this company primarily because of their values, and I have not been dissapointed.

13

Any pmag for 556 will work. The moe or the gen 2…iirc one comes with a dustcover and one doesnt.

Also, dont worry about the 3 ammo classifications. 5.56x45 NATO and 5.56NATO are the same thing.

Edit: there is no such thing as a dumb question. By all means ask before you buy. For inexpensive, but quality scopes, look at Vortex or Primary Arms. PSA often has Vortex 1-6 and 1-8 strike eagles on sale. Don’t buy a UTG, or anything off amazon/ebay, or anything that is a scope/laser/red dot combo.

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14

all 5.56 is the same, its all NATO… i mean there is green tip 556 (save your money, unless its all you can get, its has a steel core and will likely make a pin hole through most animals lol)

you’re better off with .223 anyway…usually easier to find, and there will be hunting/varmit rounds

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15

In depth article explaining .223 Remington vs. 5.56mm ammo.

16

@kdflyer I would definately get the PSA rifle. Why? well this is why…

the PSA rifle has a full 13.5" free floating handguard, which will help you be more accurate some, and will also permit you to be able to mount more accessories to the rifle than the smith and wesson would. 2. - The PSA rifle comes with Magpul adjustable MOE buttstock, and a Magpul MOE Grip, which is more comfortable to me than the standard GI grip that the Smith comes with. 3.) The PSA has flip up BUIS sights, and is about 50.00 cheaper than the smith. add another 75.00 to it, and you can buy a Sig Sauer Romeo 5 red dot, and then you’d be good to go with optics and flip up backup sights. 4.) you can buy a bipod to mount to the front of the rifle cause it has that free float rail. 4a) you can buy a vertical forward grip to mount to the front of the rifle cause it has that free float rail.

and finally, the PSA has an upgraded trigger, their EPT, which is a sweet shooting trigger, that is a step above the standard mil-spec trigger system in the smith&wesson.

I too am biased, but i think i did a fairly fair explanation there. As for calibers being confusing…

5.56 and 5.56 nato, and .223 can all be shot in the PSA rifle, because it is rated for 5.56 on the barrel. I hope all this helps.

17

Awesome!!!

dont worry about asking questions we’re here to help each other and have fun!!

Basically any magazine that is called a STANMAG OR STANAG will fit, that is the nato standard magazines.

Any 30 round magazine for 223 or 5.56 will work. that also applise for any 10, 20, or 5 round magazines as well as 50, or 100 rouynd drum magazines as long as they are all setup for 5.56 or 223 for use in the AR-15.

Magpul has the Pmag gen 2, gen 3, e-mag, and a bunch of others,s but again here you’re fine as long as it is an ar15 mag for 223 or 556. some of the magpul mags even have windows on them which can make it more confusing in pricing etc. PSA also has their own line of mags out now too… A cautious word about PROMAG. steer away. usually promags have issues. You can use both polymer or steel/aluminium magazines… the GI mags in the past were all steel. I believe now they’re issuing out Magpul PMag2’s now.

18

If you do the 10 Pmag and BCG deal, you get mags and a spare bolt carrier group for a good price

19

And only 388 pounds… Haha

20

If you do, or did the combo link I posted, for $100 more you get a Dagger pistol with the PSA rifle.

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