Posted: 1/23/2012 7:00:39 PM EDT
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With all the threads of missing or incorrect items I thought I'd share my experience. Ordered individually everything for an upper but the barrel and handguard. Everything ordered came as ordered. I have to say I enjoyed that the only things in the order were my items, packaging materials, and a single invoice sheet. No extras, no fliers or catalogs. Simply what I asked for. Some companies ship so much extra stuff with the package that I wonder how much of my purchase cost went towards their marketing that was included in the box. Nice to see a simple and effective approach.
So far in the early stage of test fitting everything quickly I found a problem with the upper. The front pin hole was too small. Not by much, but enough that the front take down pin would not go through even with a light/mild hit of a hammer. It's now fine as a 1/4" drill bit turned by hand, and then slowly on a drill press was enough to touch up whatever area was slightly out of spec. Now everything fits together, just hope this isn't the sign of things to come. Also found that the bolt feels very stiff. The bolt moves very stiffly in the carrier. Probably not enough to matter and something that will smooth out over time but it feels too tight to me. Another wait and see issue that I'm hoping will work itself out. For my first PSA order, I'm on the fence about ordering anything else from them in the future. With the shipping times (which weren't horrific but were about a week behind a Midway order sent 20 minutes apart) and the fit of the parts I'm not sure what I'd do for another build. |
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Midway kinda sets the gold standard for fast shipping and they fill orders 7 days a week. Something a little more difficult for other companies to maintain. I have ordered small parts from them on Saturday night and got an email on Sunday afternoon that it had been dropped at the Post Office .. That's fast!!!
I don't think tight parts are always an issue until you lube it up and shoot it. I purchased a new Ruger handgun that was extremely tight and with some oil and a few hundred rounds turned out to be very smooth. Hope yours is GTG. Let us know how everything turns out. |
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I placed my order the 12th after hours. I received an email from PSA stating my items shipped and then was given a UPS tracking number on the morning of the 17th with the UPS number saying a label has been printed, more info will be available when the item is received, or something similar. On the night of the 19th UPS updated saying item received and that it will be here in 2 business days. The Midway order was placed the 12th also after hours, was sent an email the night of the 13th, and had the package on the 17th, so just about a week difference in the two. Not that big of a deal, but for non-PSA items I'd probably order from one of the big guys right now until PSA gets order times for stock items down.
Well more tight parts but nothing PSA related now. The gas block wouldn't go on. It is a YHM low profile block. When measured it came out at .747" inner diameter and the barrel measured .750. After a slow, long effort and lots of test fittings it finally fit on snugly. Everything is together and done. Pics will be up tomorrow. Full build specs are: PSA A3 upper (what they call completed rather than stripped) PSA bolt and charging handle Generic Midway round float tube handguard WOA 18" SPR barrel with rifle length gas system YHM low profile gas block A2 flash hider RRA Lower A2 stock A2 pistol grip Geissele Hi-Speed trigger with light springs It should be a shooter. I have no desires to take any form of carbine class. I was looking for a rifle that would be fun punching paper, fun blasting steel, in the game if I wanted to try 3-gun and handy enough to be able to carry out in the field coyote hunting. The 18" barrel with rifle length gas system seems to be a soft shooter while being a little more compact than a full 20" rifle. It has a little heft but it's not near the weight of a full bull barrel. Overall it seems to hit the bulk of the desires I have for a rifle. I want to swap the grip out as well as consider something else for the muzzle. Don't know if I really want to go with any of the extreme brakes but something beyond the A2 would be nice. |
| We live in the age of "I want it now" instead of being patient and waiting for something to arrive. I got in on the Christmas deal and had my two lowers by the 27th. Granted I ordered on the first day it was posted but still. When I placed my order I read the statement which said orders may not be shipped until 15 JAN. I was preparred to wait that long for it to ship. If you want it faster go pay more for another vendors receiver. It's a lack of reading comprehension and patience that gets people all bent out of shape...not slow shipping. Look at how many people are bitching about PSA not returning calls....during SHOT. Good luck getting anyone to return your calls from KAC to Colt to Noveske. Yes it does appear that PSA needs to tighten up their shipping department to ensure all parts in one order are present before shipping, but I'm willing to bet in a week or so when they get caught up they'll make it right. Enough of my rant. |