Posted: 11/30/2013 8:35:53 PM EDT
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I recently purchased this kit and curious of the quality of each component. Are all of the parts premium and have been tested through all milspec standards? Am I receiving the best parts PSA makes, just in a kit?
Is the bolt premium with MP/HPT/Shot peened? What is the quality of the buffer tube? Are all of the components 7075 and the bolt 158? I'm really hoping that it is the premium BCG. Would it be possible to substitute the better BCG/Bolt and pay the additional cost? (If it is not premium) Thanks in advance. Edit: I believe the actual difference from the standard BCG/Bolt and the premium, is that the Bolt ONLY is shot peened Carpenter 158 Steel. All of the PSA Carriers are the same (excluding PTAC/other brands.) I could be wrong, but I've spent a lot of time reading today. I'm no machinist, but it would help if this was more easily clarified. |
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sorry, but the specs are there in print... repeated here.....
Everything you need to turn your stripped lower into a rifle for one low price. Kit includes a PSA 16" CHF, Chrome-lined, MP inspected, M4A1 profile, carbine-length upper with Midwest Industries SS12G2 free float rail, M16 Full Auto Profile Bolt Carrier Group, charging handle and a PSA Lower Build Kit. Barrel: 16", Cold Hammer Forged, M4A1 profile, 5.56 NATO chamber with a 6-groove, 1:7 right-hand twist , chrome-lined, bore, carbine-length gas port, and M4 feedramps. Barrels are high pressure tested, mag particle inspected, and are finished off with a Midwest Industries SS12G2" free-float rail, and an A2 flash hider. Barrels are made for us right here in Columbia by FN Manufacturing. Upper: Forged 7075-T6 A3 AR upper is hard coat anodized black for durability. Featuring T marks, and a mil-spec finish. These uppers are made for us right here in the USA. Bolt: Bolt is Carpenter 158. Gas key is secured with grade 8 fasteners and staked per mil-spec. This M16 full-auto profile bolt carrier is parkerized outside and chrome lined inside. Each upper is assembled to order, and test fired. Please allow at least 15 business days for your upper to ship. Holiday and special sale lead times can be longer. If it does not state something ... it is generally not a part of it.... Would bet a negative on any substitutions! This is a package deal.... |
This price. Will have to wait for it to ship to me first though 
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I have one of those on the way already  .
I already have one of the other non-premium PSA ones and it has been fine. I think I get too obsessive about some things. I just ordered two 7075 Buffer tubes today to replace probably perfectly fine 6061 ones. |
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Would anyone like to purchase an unused 6061 Buffer tube and the non-premium BCG/Bolt? No thank you. PSA practices like this are why I no longer buy from them. Well, and their repeated inability to ship even what they promise. The parts will probably be just fine. But calling them premium is a joke. Sorry you didn't understand PSA business practices before you bought what you thought you were getting. |
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No thank you. PSA practices like this are why I no longer buy from them. Well, and their repeated inability to ship even what they promise. The parts will probably be just fine. But calling them premium is a joke. Sorry you didn't understand PSA business practices before you bought what you thought you were getting. Quoted:
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Would anyone like to purchase an unused 6061 Buffer tube and the non-premium BCG/Bolt? No thank you. PSA practices like this are why I no longer buy from them. Well, and their repeated inability to ship even what they promise. The parts will probably be just fine. But calling them premium is a joke. Sorry you didn't understand PSA business practices before you bought what you thought you were getting. I'm starting to see this pattern too. I really would like to support PSA and a new company, but after being let down by my premium rifle kit only containing some premium parts, I am thinking about cancelling my orders. I've heard some people say they DO receive premium BCG and Bolt in the Premium upper/rifle kits and other people say they don't. I'm not sure what to think. If I receive the parts, I couldn't tell visually if they are premium parts as some have logos, some don't. I don't feel like having a part break in a month after I wanted to go with a premium kit. I haven't received it yet, but I'm starting to worry with all the other stories I've heard. |
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I don't feel like having a part break in a month after I wanted to go with a premium kit. I haven't received it yet, but I'm starting to worry with all the other stories I've heard. What have you heard about the "non-premium" C158 BCGs/Bolts (not to be confused with the 8620 bolts)? And what makes one "premium"? I'd be shocked to find out anyone is running one hard enough to "break in a month". If you're putting thousands of rounds down range every month this kit probably isn't for you, premium or otherwise. However, if you want to punch some holes in paper bad guys on the weekends... |
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Quoted:What have you heard about the "non-premium" C158 BCGs/Bolts (not to be confused with the 8620 bolts)? Quoted:What have you heard about the "non-premium" C158 BCGs/Bolts (not to be confused with the 8620 bolts)? And what makes one "premium"? I'd be shocked to find out anyone is running one hard enough to "break in a month". If you're putting thousands of rounds down range every month this kit probably isn't for you, premium or otherwise. However, if you want to punch some holes in paper bad guys on the weekends... Thanks for no actual answers and further derailing this thread. |
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Quoted: I haven't received it yet, but I'm starting to worry with all the other stories I've heard.
That's why I'm here asking questions and researching products. Shot peening/HPT/MP Glad you missed the sarcasm. Good to know that being a concerned first time buyer of PSA and 11B that is used to depending on his firearms, results in condescending remarks. I guess this is ARFCOM, though. Thanks for no actual answers and further derailing this thread. Quoted: I haven't received it yet, but I'm starting to worry with all the other stories I've heard.
Quoted:What have you heard about the "non-premium" C158 BCGs/Bolts (not to be confused with the 8620 bolts)? And what makes one "premium"? I'd be shocked to find out anyone is running one hard enough to "break in a month". If you're putting thousands of rounds down range every month this kit probably isn't for you, premium or otherwise. However, if you want to punch some holes in paper bad guys on the weekends... Thanks for no actual answers and further derailing this thread. The C158 bolt/carrier in my "premium" kit has been gtg. You can't come close to the quality of these PSA kits for the price. Seriously sorry if my tone was condescending. What I probably should have said is, "reset easy" 99.9% of first time buyers will never run a rifle hard enough to induce a failure that's related to materials. If you're still concerned, throw the BCG and tube up on EE for $100. They should be sold pretty quick. Then pick up a Spikes BCG for $112 shipped, and a new buffer tube here. Hope that helps. |
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You cannot buy any gun which is "tested to milspec" including a colt. Milspec testing means there is a govt employee overseeing the entire manufacturing process who has the right to have any part pulled and tested at any time over and above the standard required testing. The govt does not supply inspectors so that commercially manufactured arms can be called "milspec".
The best that you can do is look at the information available and decide what specs you care about and look for them. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Apparently it doesn't stop you from trolling their sub forum..... 
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Quoted:No thank you. PSA practices like this are why I no longer buy from them. Apparently it doesn't stop you from trolling their sub forum.....
I bought a bit from PSA when just buying PSA meant you didn't have to wonder what you were getting. Now they still have good prices; and I continue to hope that someone at PSA will realize that the PSA brand has been diminished by the cheapening of parts and the lack of specs. Maybe not for everyone, but it has for me, and obviously some others. Another example posted today: They have three Premium M4/optic combos for $999.99. Great price and great optics. And 1/7 HPT/MPI barrel, and even a HPT/MPI bolt. Score one for PSA! But it also has the now nearly ubiquitous 'mil-spec diameter' tube, and the charging handle material is not even mentioned. I would expect neither one is 7075 aluminum. I think that buyers new to the AR and/or PSA should know that is what they are getting in their premium purchase. But you're right, it's not worth my time, and it is obvious PSA doesn't care. Have fun. |
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I'm starting to think the lack of specs even after all of the people questioning, is intentional. I've called and gotten different responses each time, and sent a PM. I'm trying to reserve judgement, but seeing many other post responded to, and PMs go unanswered, I'm starting to seriously wonder. If so many people question part testing and quality, wouldn't it make sense to make it preschooler proof? Look at this example. I have no questions of the specs, as they are clearly laid out.
Edit: I believe the actual difference from the standard BCG/Bolt and the premium, is that the Bolt ONLY is shot peened Carpenter 158 Steel. All of the PSA Carriers are the same (excluding PTAC/other brands.) I could be wrong, but I've spent a lot of time reading today. The only things I'll need to upgrade are the Buffer Tube to 7075 and the Bolt to a 158 Shot peened (just additional QC) Is this correct? |
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The way that I look at it is that you could buy anything from BCM and know that you are getting the highest quality. With PSA, you can get the highest quality as well, but they also have a lot of other stuff mixed in and they don't do a great job helping you differentiate what is what. You have to be much more careful what you buy and read carefully. I am of the opinion that the CHF barrels from Noveske, Centurion, BCM, Spikes and PSA are the same, so if I buy one from PSA I am getting a great deal. With anything else I get from them I am more cautious, but it is worth it to me to take the time to save some money. I don't think that what they are doing is wrong. I think it is good to give people options and let them pick what they want to spend their money on. They have a "compare" feature on their site which makes it easier to compare different products, and helps with decision making if you use it, but I do think they could do a better job at spelling out exactly what you are getting at each price point. |
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I don't think you can tell for sure whether that kit comes with the premium BCG or not, as I look at the site. I think it probably is shot peened as it seems like almost all bolts are, and I will bet it is MPI, but who knows for sure. It may be marked as MPI when you get it, and then you know. Worst case senario is that you get another bolt which is what I would do. There is nothing wrong with the carrier for sure, and it never hurts to have a spare bolt anyways. They had the premium (shot peened MPI) bolts for sale for $35 even before black friday, but it looks like they are $70 right now. I actually believe that the mil spec for a receiver extension allows 6061, but if you want a 7075 they aren't that much right now. |
| It is frustrating when PSA doesn't respond. It seems almost all "spec" questions go unanswered. I'm not Sherlock Holmes, but the repeated lack of answers points to a lack of knowledge. I'm not sure what the qualifications are for their CS, but apparently it's merely a matter of being able to sit in a chair and answer a phone. Whoever is running their CS needs to take a look in a mirror and ask themself what the hell they're doing. Obviously there is ZERO accountability. Someone must be "buddies" with the boss. Lol!! |
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That appears to be more of what the issue is. Their CS just doesn't know. It seems like they have good connections with people who know what they are making and doing, but the machinist and the PSA employees are in two different spectrums, almost like a ma and pa shop stumbled upon a Colt (FN) factory and the CS and employees are just at the ma and pa level. It points to this even more with this thread going without a PSA response, my PM and phone calls being confusing. I'm going to say it's about like having Starbucks baristas pull orders for DoD contracts at a Colt warehouse. I was at the actual Greenville store on Black Friday, it was large, very clean and looked very organized. They were absolutely swamped with people. All of the staff was helpful, but when more advanced questions were asked, many were unanswered.
It seems that you can get very good parts from PSA, you just have to do some work and research a lot. I'm fairly certain that my barrel/upper/lower/bolt carrier will be on par with the best of them. I am not too concerned with the lower quality Buffer Tube/Bolt being in my kit, it's not even 100 bucks difference. I just wish it would have been laid out more clearly. I've already purchased the 7075 tube and the MPI/HP/Shot peened bolt, so I should have an AR on par with a higher quality company. I hope I am right with this all, if that truly is the case, then I can understand PSA and will be a repeat buyer. |
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+1 For PSA needing to be more specific in specs for their goods.
I bought a "Premium BCG" SKU #8782 @ $179 during the crazy times and got a bolt marked M, cheap Asian (YFS) gas key screws,and a gas key that was not machined with staking that looked like total crap. That is not premium I did not know any better being a newbie relevant to quality ,but sent an e-mail to Palmetto customer service with photo of theirs and a Stoner, which I wanted to return to the vendor. I got them mixed up and thought the PSA was the Stoner because it looked so crappy. I sent a side by side picture of the 2 BCG's to PSA customer service(same pic I posted on ARFCOM/Build it yourself) PSA customer service rep identified the Stoner as theirs. Maybe the customer service reps do not know their product, as someone has posted here. After reading other posts/strings on this website about this BCG SKU # 8782 and seeing others post pics and complain about the lack of quality of this BCG I felt like I was hosed. I asked for a return for store credit, and no dice as customer service rep said it had been more than 30 days. And before you PSA boys start your stuff, I ordered a Blem Lower on BlackFriday to put with a PSA LBK I have. I have placed 9 orders with them this year, so obviously customer loyalty mens nothing to them. My advice for anyone buying from this company is "Caveat Epmtor" They have great prices, but at what cost? A company should stand behind their product,and their customer should be satisfied. A company who does not appreciate customer loyalty will soon have only new customers,and that is a recipe for disaster. PSA sometimes does stand behind their product...sometimes not. |
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Sounds like a suicidal combination of greed and poor CS. That equation can lead to only one thing...CHAPTER 11!!!
Just seems to me PSA has gotten too big for their britches and has too many irons in the fire. Someone needs to take the wheel and steer this company back to the basics of delivering a good product at a good price supported by good CS. Whoever is behind the wheel now doesn't know the difference between cruise control and auto-pilot. It's a shame too. I know several people that work for PSA and they're top tier people but it just appears that there are too many of the wrong people in "decision making" positions. I wish'em nothing but the best but I've seen this moving before...and it doesn't have a happy ending.
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I ordered a Premium BCG and will use the one that came with the Premium upper as backup. I'll be posting pictures of all components to compare. Premium upper BCG vs Premium BCG. 6061 vs 7075 buffer tubes. The A3 upper on a Premium Kit is a PSA and not a PTAC, correct? After it's built I'll be running it hard and post results. I really hope PSA is as good as I think it will be.
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