Palmeto state armory good price on AR uppers?

[seez52]

They have several uppers no bcg or chg handle starting at $279. Seemed like a pretty decent deal. Thin bbls. on some of them. Deal or no?

[scoutfsu]

Here you go: http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/52837-customer-service-disappointment-palmetto-state-armory/

And that lack of CS is typical of them. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.

[Oh Shoot]

Here you go: http://www.tngunowne...o-state-armory/

And that lack of CS is typical of them. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.

Dunno, sometimes the juice is enough to make it worthwhile. For me, anyway.

Though I've had minor frustrations there myself, they've never defrauded anyone, and I've gotten some very good deals indeed on ammo, one rifle, and a couple of lowers.

- OS

edit: btw I looked at those uppers but don't know enough about ARs to know whether those light barrels would be satisfactory or not. The only AR I have is a M&P Sport and it's really accurate but has a quite thick barrel.

Here's the link to one, if youse guys what knows yer stuff want to comment:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-16-hammer-forged-ulw-madness-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

- OS

Edited September 26, 2012 by OhShoot

[scoutfsu]

I guess that'll work right up until you're the one having problems with them. That's usually the line with Botach.....I was one of those that had to learn the hard way. Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me.

I learned a while back that, almost always, the hassle and frustration isn't worth the potential savings.

[Oh Shoot]

I guess that'll work right up until you're the one having problems with them. That's usually the line with Botach.....I was one of those that had to learn the hard way. Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me.

Difference is, PSA ain't never screwed anyone, just pissed 'em off.

- OS

[scoutfsu]

Well Ah reckon everyone starts somewhere...and ignoring complaints, ignoring customers questions, emails, and phone calls, deleting negative/constructive feedback, having an all around fail on attention to detail, etc is a pretty good start.

Again, if you feel the potential money that you save is worth the potential headache, then have at it. I would advise caution.

And light weight barrels are fine.

[trevorst]

I have never had an issue with PSA, bought tons of crap there both online and in person.

[McAllyn]

I've ordered from them several times and never had an issue.

And $279 is cheaper than any BARREL I've ever used in a build. If you're going for a low-cost build and you're patient enough to deal with slow shipping, can't see how you could go wrong.

Mac

EDIT for honesty: Scratch that, I've used one barrel cheaper than that...

Edited September 26, 2012 by McAllyn

[Guest nysos]

PSA's problem is they have grown too quickly and don't have the infrastructure to back it, yet. Given time things will iron out if they care about maintaining quaility/customer service, etc. I have good things about the warranty backing on their products and that they DO take care of their customers. I haven't heard of an instance where someone outright got "Screwed", just simply unhappy about wait times and trouble getting in touch with CS. I just don't get the impression PSA is out to intentionally screw people. They wouldn't do a good job upholding a warranty on their products to turn around and try and rip people off. Usually the CS mentality of a company is universal, and doesn't apply to just 1 department. Again, just not staffed enough for the amount of business they are trying to keep up with.

[Glock30]

I ordered a couple of LPKs two weeks ago and they just arrived yesterday. If you're in a rush, you're dealing with the wrong folks. If you can live with a couple weeks, it's a decent place to go for the money. Keep in mind that the really cheap prices on uppers often don't include a BCG or charging handle. Throw that in the mix and their prices aren't as cheap as you might have first thought.

If you want a speedy delivery, check out JSE Surplus. I ordered on a Sunday night and had the box at my door Wednesday. Great folks and good prices.

[Lumber_Jack]

Nobody ships faster than JoeBobs. You could have a LPK by Friday if you needed it. Good prices too

[Guest nysos]

Nobody ships faster than JoeBobs. You could have a LPK by Friday if you needed it. Good prices too

This is true. I check joebobs first when I am looking to order something. He doesn't have as big of a variety as a store like midway, but the things he carries I haven't been able to find them cheaper elsewhere.

[Major Kong]

Until PSA fixes their crappy customer service I won't darken the door of their website.

[Guest FIST]

Dunno, sometimes the juice is enough to make it worthwhile. For me, anyway.

Though I've had minor frustrations there myself, they've never defrauded anyone, and I've gotten some very good deals indeed on ammo, one rifle, and a couple of lowers.

- OS

edit: btw I looked at those uppers but don't know enough about ARs to know whether those light barrels would be satisfactory or not. The only AR I have is a M&P Sport and it's really accurate but has a quite thick barrel.

Here's the link to one, if youse guys what knows yer stuff want to comment:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-16-hammer-forged-ulw-madness-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

- OS

I have never used that particular profile barrel, they state it's between a pencil profile and a light profile barrel. Shooting a pencil profile barrel on a build awhile back I didn't quite fall in love with it. Some say that accuracy is lost with that type profile and others say it can be just as accurate as any other. For what it's worth, I was not as accurate with a light profile barrel and the weight savings just didn't provide enough benefit for me. I shoot well with an M4 profile barrel or a Heavy barrel. It's possible that since this particular barrel is in between the light and pencil that it may cancel out some of the issues.

As for the "Cold Hammer Forge" stuff, it's supposed to increase barrel life. Standard mil-spec barrels are fine for me and at the end of the day the cost of a replacement barrel will pail in comparison to the cost of the ammo used.

I have used PSA and have had mixed results with CS, quality however has always been great. If your in no rush and this upper is in your price point just buy it. You'll wait 14 buisness days and then you'll send them an E-mail about where your stuff is, the next day it magically appears on your door step. (Twice).

[Murgatroy]

I bought a bunch of stuff from PSA right when they were becoming big. Several different orders spread over a six month period.

Top notch, good stuff, I had good service all throughout. We handled everything by email, same way my FFL handled it, and I was pleased through the whole transaction.

One of my ARs is a complete PSA build other than the MOE furniture. Couple thousand rounds through it and not a hitch. Accurate, tight and a joy to shoot.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.

[Major Kong]

I may have mentioned it in the other thread , but I think their customer service is absolute garbage. Prices are good but service rules (in my opinion at least).

[samson7x]

I tried PSA recently as well because of the low cost. My experience echoes those of other forum members...SLOW shipping and very poor communication but I did get the product I paid for at a great price.

I'll comment about JoeBob's service as well. I called CS (immediately reached someone) and inquired about sending FFL for a lower purchase. I sent a pdf copy of the license, via their convenient FFL page in the morning and they had the lower shipped that afternoon...outstanding.

[Guest nysos]

My brother ordered a LPK from PSA and it just got in yesterday. Apparently he is missing a few different roll pins and even the trigger guard. He said they came in various small baggies just kind of thrown together.

The only reason he got a lpk from them is for the ergo grip version which was on sale. I plan on getting a generic plain jane LPK from joebobs and will swap out my grip later when I decide on what I want.

For all my praise, PSA went down a small notch in my book. I will keep you all updated on his progress on how they handle the issue.

[seez52]

I went ahead and ordered one w M4 bbl and MBUS $319. I've already got most everything to finish it, will need to pick up a charging handle somewhere. We'll. See how long it takes I'm in no hurry

[scoutfsu]

My brother ordered a LPK from PSA and it just got in yesterday. Apparently he is missing a few different roll pins and even the trigger guard. He said they came in various small baggies just kind of thrown together.

The only reason he got a lpk from them is for the ergo grip version which was on sale. I plan on getting a generic plain jane LPK from joebobs and will swap out my grip later when I decide on what I want.

For all my praise, PSA went down a small notch in my book. I will keep you all updated on his progress on how they handle the issue.

This is also standard according to other feedback threads I've read

[Oh Shoot]

Yeah, I grabbed one of their blem uppers, sold out in hours afterwards -- probably won't see it for a month and that after emails, phone calls, and bitching here. Took about two weeks just to get a couple of lowers from them, and they didn't have to do anything but ship the dang things.

But I started looking around, and there seems to be a real AR buying panic. Hated to be part of it, but grabbed all necessary to make what I'm sure will be a quite serviceable rifle.

So not sure I can fault PSA too much, they're probably busy as long tailed cats in a room of rocking chairs, looking at turn around and availability on most of the places I've been haunting.

And retirement has given me a degree of patience I never had before -- if I have to rush, I usually just won't do it, whatever it is.

Highest end thing in it will probably be the BCM bolt carrier group -- that's the hardest thing to find of all right now I discovered, and I was shocked to find one at Bravo for $159. Now there's a class act, ordered during wee hours this morning, got shipping email later today, wow.

- OS

Edited September 27, 2012 by OhShoot

[TrickyNicky]

That's the truth OS. I've done business with JoeBobs and think they're great, unfortunately the best customer service in the world is little help when you dont have the inventory. Palmetto will get business on sale items from me when I can afford the wait, or when I can't seem to find what I want anywhere else.

It is a shame their CS department is so lacking though, CS is generally not rocket science just takes a good team who actually gives a damn. Hopefully they will get their act together and do right by their customers and ultimately themselves.

[scoutfsu]

Is their customer service department the ones forgetting to include all the correct parts to LPK's? Or installing the wrong gas tubes? They seem to be getting a lot of the blame for what isn't their fault....although they're definitely lacking in other areas.

These threads make me sound anti-PSA and I'm not. I'm more disappointed that what used to be a pretty good company continually ignores it's screwups and then blames customers. Time after time I've watched them and their followers gang up on people with legitimate complaints. That's not a business I really want to support and I would rather buy from another company that respects its customers enough to not lie to them.

[ShamGlock]

Is their customer service department the ones forgetting to include all the correct parts to LPK's? Or installing the wrong gas tubes? They seem to be getting a lot of the blame for what isn't their fault....although they're definitely lacking in other areas.

These threads make me sound anti-PSA and I'm not. I'm more disappointed that what used to be a pretty good company continually ignores it's screwups and then blames customers. Time after time I've watched them and their followers gang up on people with legitimate complaints. That's not a business I really want to support and I would rather buy from another company that respects its customers enough to not lie to them.

I think the growing pains PSA is experiencing have been well discussed in the two threads going on here. I will say that I have seen every complaint thread on the industry section on arfcom over the last six months and the legitimate complaints are always resolved to the customer's satifaction. PSA does not blast the customers with legitimate issues, and if you give them your order number and complaint they will take care of you. It's the people that show up with one post and are going off about their order that was placed 3 days ago that get blasted.

If you have the ability and patience to place an order and not think about it again for around 3 weeks then PSA is perfect for you. You will be hard pressed to find a better cost to value relatiionship and their daily deals are crazy. I guess I have been lucky because I have snatched up a ton of deals from PSA over the past few months and have had no issues. Then again, I place the order, forget about it, and when it shows up on my doorstep it is like Christmas!

[scoutfsu]

I agree with you with the caveat of that's not 100% true. Mostly true (including the one post wonders) but I've seen a few threads that have left me disquieted enough to take my business elsewhere for now.

Since Christmas is the season of giving, it would really feel like Christmas if you directed those packages my way