Good evening folks,
I’m considering purchasing a PSA AR and am looking at a couple that are on sale. I would appreciate any insight from those of you who have purchased either of the following:
PSA 16" M4 Carbine-Length 5.56 NATO 1/7 Nitride MOE SL EPT Rifle vs
PSA Classic AR-15 Rifle with Nitride M4 Carbine 16" Barrel, 5.56 NATO rifle.
Thank you!
JR
A couple questions:
Do you own an AR already?
Age profile if not and how much do you intend to shoot it in any given session. Carbine length has advantages in some aspects but mid-length or rifle you may find better suited to your needs. Not prying, just trying to help.
The EPT for the little $ associated it’s a solid upgrade, outstanding trigger. If you want a great one look for one with the Sabre Claw trigger on sale.
Just a couple thoughts and ideas on buy once and narrow down what you really want.
I would go with the MOE over the classic. Its just a furniture change but is well worth the difference price wise.
I would go with the MOE. I personally find that SL handguard to be magical silk butter on gold plated toast. The plastic has a better tactile feel and the wrist angle is superior and noticeably so. An upgraded trigger would just be icing on the cake. If you’re looking at https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-m4-carbine-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-moe-sl-ept-rifle-fde.html. it’s basically my rifle with an inch shorter barrel. I bought mine for 500, replaced the handguard with the Moe SL for 40$, I would have preferred to save $120 and bought the rifle above and purchased some ammo. EDIT: Not to mention you wont have to fight with the delta ring if the handguard you want is already on the rifle.
Ditto to @GuitarGuy and a better trigger.
Thanks everyone for the input.
I currently shoot a Mini-14 in 5.56 and was thinking this looked like a good price?
I wouldn’t be doing any hunting or distance shooting, just plinking.
I notice PSA will sometimes offer free shipping but I guess not on these lower priced rifles?
JR
Fun plinking? I’d look for a mid length MOE, EPT minimum trigger on sale. JMHO. That’ll put you in the middle of the road for BRD.
What mid-length would you suggest? Also, any recommendations on a fair priced red dot and magnifier scope?
Thanks everyone!
JR
With a complete gun there is an extra tax you pay. You can always buy a lower with free shipping to your FFL and then an upper that will get shipped to your house.
You’re going to change so much of your first AR. Everyone does. At least with the MOE Version, you can skip that step.
Very valid point @SuperPredator
One similar to what you were looking at in MOE with a mid-length gas system rather than carbine. @GuitarGuy is right about buying separately though with free shipping.
Thanks everyone! A build is something I’ve never done but will definitely consider. Is there a specific bolt carrier group and trigger recommended from PSA?
JR
Toolcraft BCGs are solid and PSA uses them in most of their builds. I’ve built a couple individual rifles with them and have zero complaints.
As far as triggers go, even basic mil-spec AR triggers aren’t bad. You said you’re used to a Mini-14, and Minis come with excellent triggers stock. Very crisp and medium weight. I think if that’s your baseline, you’d be happy with the PSA EPT. The Mini’s has a little bit of light takeup compared to the EPT which requires pressure right from the get go, but the weights and resets are similar.
There’s much lighter premium triggers on the market with basically zero takeup and reset, and they’re awesome, but they require a lot of practice and there’s definitely a learning curve to them. The EPT is a solid upgrade from standard, but it’s a trigger pretty much anyone can pick up and run.
Just my two cents.
Toolcraft falls under the JJE umbrella so technically they’re PSA. So a PSA BCG is GTG.
The EPT is a good trigger. I mentioned the Sabre Claw earlier. If I blindfolded an experienced shooter I’m betting they couldn’t tell me which one was a Geiselle SSA whatever and which was the Claw.
Building a PSA kit is fun and easy. Their most popular AR kit is this:
PSA AR-15 Rifle Kit 5.56 16" Mid-Lgth Nitride 13.5" LTWT M-Lok MOE | Palmetto State Armory
It is well-priced and has free shipping. You will need to buy a stripped lower (several PSA options available), and magazines. As others have mentioned, you will probably add upgrades in the future, but this kit provides most of the changes people commonly make. You are wise to practice with the original configuration before making changes. As for optics, if you want a red dot, the Sig Sauer Romeo5 is a great option and works well with a Juliet3 magnifier option. If you want a scope, there are many brands available. If you plan to move around while carrying the AR, you should consider a quick adjust sling. This is a fun rifle to own and shoot.
Thats a great kit.
Both seem like excellent value for the money. Question is do you want the large from sight?
I can live with the front post sight but don’t need it as I’m planning on installing a red dot and magnifier.
JR