Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles AR Quality Question

The PSA FN barrels (and "Milspec" guns) that I've seen have ran perfectly and shot as well as the average Colt barrels on issued M4's. That is, once free floated around 1.25 to 2 MOA for 10round groups with issued MK262 MOD1 77gr.


I've seen a bunch of the higher end PSA guns and they have all demonstrated normal reliability and accuracy. I am the king of hobby gun haters, but in my experience PSA's "Milspec" line is good to go. As far as extractor springs and inserts go.... They all get a Crane spring and insert upgrade, and an H2 buffer regardless.

Before I'd pay LaRue type rates, I'd have one built, get exactly what I want and probably a better gun, for the same or less money.

I"m not into paying for names, or paying more so I can get a "free" cap, bottle opener, seasoning packet etc.

Just my personal opinion there.

Have not seen any of their guns that were bad.

I've had two AR barrels that were not very accurate - 3-4" at 100 yards. One Armalite from the late 90's, one CMMG. 3 other Armalites were good to excellent. One Daniel and one Colt that are excellent, one Daniel that needs further testing. I've seen a couple of other Daniels that were excellent.

The only malfunctions were a weak extractor spring on an AR10, which was not hard to fix.

Based on those results, I lean toward the medium to higher end stuff, but I am skeptical if the HK's, LWRC's, LaRue's, etc, really buy you that much more performance.

I'll second that. I shoot around a lot of LaRue rifles and have used them a bit myself. And I haven't seen a bad one. But for their price and the wait you can build something just as good that'll be exactly what you want.

I think if you look in depth at two AR-15's that are $600 difference in price you'll find that there are quite a few differences between the guns, and that is what accounts for the difference in price.

If you're looking at a generic semi auto M4 style AR, you are not going to find a $600 difference in price.



Some manufacturers will put a two stage trigger, and milspec barrel and bcg that will account for a higher price than others, but expect a price difference of $200-300 tops.

Where the $600 difference comes into play is "upgrades". If you put on a different stock, free float the hand guard, go with a match grade barrel, etc, that is what causes an AR-15 to cost over $1500 and up.

I've had an Armalite, RRA, Colt and self built AR-15 with both a YHM and self assembled upper. All have run aluminum GI mags, and every single one of them has gone bang they were loaded and I pulled the trigger. I've run somewhere between several hundred and over 1000 rounds through each of those guns. All handloads.

Honestly I'd say until you buy an AR-15 and run a few hundred rounds through it you won't know what you do and don't like in an AR-15. I've had to go through several iterations to figure out what I like in an AR-15, so I'd recommend just getting something to start out with and planning on upgrading in the future. And with the upgrade in mind, I'd say an M4 style should be easy enough to sell down the road.

THIS IS THE TRUTH!!! this is exactly what I tell my friends who ask what should I put on an ar 15. Should I buy that stuff thats on your gun to make mine cool?? I tell them shoot what you got and see what you want to change. I personally am a trigger snob I have got to have a good trigger in my gun no matter how its configured. but thats just me. I have other things I want too.

Barrels wear out, springs get weak. At some point they will need replaced. Unless you absolutely demand 1/2" MOA for 10,000 rounds, I'd spend my money on the best bolt and carrier you can afford. kwg

I still am willing to put $10 on my current penciled barrel DD gun over a PSA.