Palmetto State Armory *** ( EDIT )***

[Rodan]

I also subscribe to the practice of buying quality over quantity resulting in owning less guns but the ones I do own are all fine quality guns by the original company's. While there are some descent knock-offs out there like Tisas, Taurus, and many AR's, I stick to the originals. While knock-offs might be OK for the short term, they have yet to be proven for the long haul. AND..... at the end of the day when they are sold, you will do way better selling a quality Colt 1911 than a Tisas - IMHO of course.

It's not 1980 anymore.

And I'm glad it isn't. Pulled a brand new Colt Gold Cup out of the box with a bullet stuck in the barrel in the mid-80s. Never had that happen with any of my Tisas...

I have 4 Colt 1911s and 4 Tisas 1911s. The fit/finish of the Tisas are the equal of current Colts, and superior to those of the 80s/90s when Colt's old equipment was wearing out. The Tisas all have forged frames/slides and no MIM internal parts. Of course the Colts are more valuable, but then the cost of entry is a lot higher.

I also have 2 Colt ARs, and 2 PSA ARs. The PSAs run just as well, are just as accurate, and cost half what the Colts cost. All of them have 1000s of rounds downrange, and required nothing but normal AR maintenance.

With things like ARs and 1911s, "knock off" is pretty meaningless at this point. Is a S&W AR or 1911 a "knock off"? How 'bout Sig, or Springfield Armory?

There are still some low quality guns out there, but "knock off" is an overgeneralization that doesn't recognize the reality of the current firearms market.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Obviously perspective, anecdotal evidence, experience, testing, and opinions shape the way we value what we buy.

Quality vs Cost has always been a choice.

It's interesting that on the Precision Rifle Blog, the "Best Custom Rifle Barrel: What The Pros Use", out of 15 of the most popular barrels, PSA is not on the list.

Best Custom Rifle Barrel: What The Pros Use - PrecisionRifleBlog.com

 

[Rodan]

It's interesting that on the Precision Rifle Blog, the "Best Custom Rifle Barrel: What The Pros Use", out of 15 of the most popular barrels, PSA is not on the list.

Best Custom Rifle Barrel: What The Pros Use - PrecisionRifleBlog.com

That article is about top level PRS shooters. I don't think PSA even manufactures barrels for bolt actions...

 

[pawngal]

Personally I don't care much for knock-offs, clones and copy's and do not like or buy them. I like to buy a product from the original manufacturer that has earned their good reputation from doing the research & development and has figured it out and fixed all the quirks, short coming and issues. Last but not least, they must have excellent customer service and have a competent staff.

Yea, original design products & prices might be a bit higher however knock-offs usually skimp on quality control, production methods and materials to allow them to sell for less and still make enough profit to stay in business. If you want to cheap-out on a non essential product you might only need once or twice - I get that, however not when it comes to guns and especially when it comes to self defense guns!!!

I also subscribe to the practice of buying quality over quantity resulting in owning less guns but the ones I do own are all fine quality guns by the original company's. While there are some descent knock-offs out there like Tisas, Taurus, and many AR's, I stick to the originals. While knock-offs might be OK for the short term, they have yet to be proven for the long haul. AND..... at the end of the day when they are sold, you will do way better selling a quality Colt 1911 than a Tisas - IMHO of course.

I have not dealt with PSA and most likely never will. It's just not my style, but there are always others looking for a "bargain". I found out many years ago that "bargains" usually wind up causing more grief in the long run.

PSA sells most all major brands of firearms and ammo.
Yes, they are best known for their ARs and build kits.
But they are a full line firearms dealer with one of the best selections and often best prices.

 

[zeke]

Have purchased from them several times in the past, and always satisfied. They used to have high quality ar barrels/uppers with chrome lined bores and chambers. Maybe they still do, but it's been awhile.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Quality can be subjective.

Palmetto State Armory is in the game!

Pew Pew Tactical: Best AR-15s: Ultimate Hands-On Guide

THE QUICK LIST

High-End Pick - Daniel Defense DDM4 V7

Bang-For-The-Buck High-End - BCM Recce-16 MCMR AR-15

Entry Level Pick - Palmetto State Armory (PSA) Complete AR-15s

Best Premium PSA AR - Palmetto State Armory Sabre

Budget Pick - Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport III

Law Enforcement Pick - Colt LE6920 AR-15

Upgraded Pick - Lead Star Arms Grunt 16"

 

[pharmer]

This previous one was a little over $400+ $100 for the scope/mount. A few hundred rounds through it; never a malfunction, 2" groups @100 yds. Match quality? No. Joe "Pops" quality=100% Joe

 

[Imissedagain]

How well do they shoot and group
after 20K of 5.56?

 

[chief38]

You do know PSA sells large quantities of "original" manufacturer products?

Have you changed your mind about buying current S&W's?

For the most part I am done buying more guns. I can not think of anything that I really want at this point maybe with the exception of a new Colt Python and I am very satisfied and content with my collection as it stands. Even in good health I am 71 and the thought has crossed my mind lately of selling a few I rarely or never use anymore.

With their situation and reputation for poor quality and customer service I could never bring myself to buy a new S&W product. Aside from which, they don't currently make anything that peaks my interest. I already have most of the old classic vintage revolvers and they will never be made that way again.

 

[BC38]

I have bought a couple of AR "parts kits" from PSA. They were basically a complete AR - minus the lower - and I got them for a VERY good price.
I then completed my AR builds by purchasing an AR lower through a local LGS to assemble a fully-functional AR-15.
I have no complaints about their products or their service.
FWIW...

 

[Oldsalt66]

I've been buying from them before they grew into to huge company they are today and I've been satisfied with what I bought.

They own quite a few companies now and are the OEM for parts that go into many big name, high cost rifles.

No snob appeal, but you get good products at good prices when you buy from them, especially their "daily deals".

Their Toolcraft bolt carrier groups are top notch and especially good values.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

How well do they shoot and group
after 20K of 5.56?

GEEZ.........Who knows??????.......Probably as good as anything else.....Do your test and report it back to us........

 

[venomballistics]

How well do they shoot and group
after 20K of 5.56?

seeing as the materials are the same as those in the Mil Specification, I'd expect a similar rate of wear as any premium offering.
The beauty of the PSA AR is that they are a great way to exploit the versatility of the platform.
While 5.56 is the native drilling, it, by no means is the only show in town. with 6.5 grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 blackout, 350 legend, 450 bushmaster 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf, and a long list of other options in between, PSA makes exploration affordable.

 

[BC38]

seeing as the materials are the same as those in the Mil Specification, I'd expect a similar rate of wear as any premium offering.
The beauty of the PSA AR is that they are a great way to exploit the versatility of the platform.
While 5.56 is the native drilling, it, by no means is the only show in town. with 6.5 grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 blackout, 350 legend, 450 bushmaster 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf, and a long list of other options in between, PSA makes exploration affordable.

All good points.

My other thought would be that by the time I have shot 20k rounds - at around 30-40 cents per round - I'll have spent $6,00-$8,000 on ammo. By comparison, the couple of hundred bucks for a new barrel - or even a whole new AR-15 - would be small potatoes.

I look at this kind of question as a "value proposition".

JMO.