Been wanting to get another AR to use as a down and dirty, grab and go, no frills, truck/atv gun. I decided to get a Palmetto State Armory Freedom series mid length upper, they had them on sale with free shipping over Memorial Day weekend. I was going to build a stripped lower, but they had the complete classic blemished lower for such a good price I went that route instead. I added the Magpul MOE stock, and Hogue Grip I already had from another upgrade. All in for $442.00, this includes shipping and FFL on the lower. Trigger has some creep, but otherwise it is a sweet shooter. 50 yards open sights.
They had 'em on sale for fathers day also. Same deal....on sale and free shipping. I barely resisted the urge to do exactly as you....a lightweight, no optic, beater. My *gasp* PTAC 1-8" twist upper will shoot sub moa with my handloads...using cheap components...NOT match grade sierra, lapua, etc. People can hate PSA all they want. I sure don't. Shipping time may stink, but for that kind of savings, I will wait! I'm all in mine for $460 not counting the glass and mount but I horse traded some 22 ammo for that stuff. BTW, I put some JP yellow springs in mine. For $12, its a good upgrade. Sure its no Giselle, but its not $250 either.
I had heard their shipping was a bit iffy in the past. Both my upper and lower arrived within 6 days placing my order.
Dang, crazy prices! If I ever get a second AR15 it'll probably be between a PSA and the new Ruger AR556.
I built a PSA truck gun a couple years ago and I don't regret it one bit. It shoots right at 1 moa with 55 grain handloads, after I dropped a JP spring kit in it. I was $560 all in with a free float midwest industries hand guard, 120 rounds of ammo, and 3 magpul pmags. I had a Redfield 2-7 sitting around just needed bases. Coyotes don't like it and neither do groundhogs.
Really interested in giving this a try. What all else has to be purchased and are there good instructions for assembly?
If you buy a complete upper as shown, then a complete lower, assembly is as easy as mating the 2 halves and pushing in the 2 pins. You will need to have the lower sent to an FFL of your choice as it is the serialized part. The upper can be directly shipped to you.
You can also build the lower yourself. PSA has parts kits and lowers you can buy and there are about 1000 how to videos on you tube. The only other thing you might want would be an armorer's wrench which can be had for under $20.
It sounds really cool and fun too. The AR style has never really appealed to me until recently. If I read correctly, I can shoot .223 through this safely also?
Yes 223 is safe in it. 5.56 is a little hotter and can cause damage in some 223 only rifles. 99% of AR are chambered in 223 Wylde for both 223 and 5.56.
Little bit of group therapy this afternoon, and got the "AR on the cheap" dialed in. all shots at 50 yards. Will start pushing it out a little future net range session. Really liking the way this thing shoots.