PSA PTAC lower parts kit with MOE grip and stock report

[piper266]

I was on the Palmetto State Armory site the other day looking for a lower parts kit for a new build. They're having their Easter sale and I came across their PTAC kit for $119.00 which came with the lower parts kit, buffer tube kit, moe stock and grip as well.

I read some mixed reviews on the PTAC kits, but I have good news to report. Some reviews said parts were missing, incorrectly machined, or out of spec. My package arrived with all the parts sorted in several bags and everything was in place. It took me about an hour to get everything assembled into my Spikes Lower and it was flawless. Parts were coated with a thin coat of oil and quality was on par with the CMMG kit I've used in another build. No polishing or modifying was necessary to any parts and the trigger is just fine for any guy just wanting a quality carbine at a decent price point. From ordering to delivery was 4 business days.

Overall, I'm impressed with these PTAC kits and for the price, it's hard to beat. If you're in the market for a kit, I'd certainly give them a try.

[musicman]

Good to hear! I'm very happy with the PTAC upper I got on Black Friday. Not a single malf of any sort, and excellent accuracy and consistency. I ordered another a couple weeks ago... hopping it'll be here Monday!

[btq96r]

From ordering to delivery was 4 business days.

 

I ordered one of the PTAC kits last Saturday and it's still pending.  My credit card payment went through as expected, just haven't seen any movement on the order since it hit "processing", nor the stripped lower or GSG-522 I ordered separately the same day. 

Edited May 16, 2014 by btq96r

[peejman]

I ordered one of the PTAC kits last Saturday and it's still pending.  My credit card payment went through as expected, just haven't seen any movement on the order since it hit "processing", nor the stripped lower or GSG-522 I ordered separately the same day. 

 

 

In my experience with PSA... that's completely normal.  Sometimes its a couple days, sometimes it's a couple weeks.  You will get it eventually. 

[TrickyNicky]

In my experience it could already be in the mail. PSA is terrible with updates. I attribute that as balance for their awesome prices.

[btq96r]

I guess PSA was monitoring this thread- my lower parts kit was updated to "shipping" today.  I even got an email with the UPS tracking info.

 

Now if they can get my stripped lower and GSG-522 en route, I'll be a happy boy.

[Garufa]

I placed one of many orders from PSA last September.  Received it a week or two later.  It still shows as processing.   :lol:

[TrickyNicky]

I placed one of many orders from PSA last September.  Received it a week or two later.  It still shows as processing.   :lol:

I'd be happy with that, I never even get emails from them anymore and don't write down my order numbers. I just keep an eye on my checking account and know that once the charge goes through it will be here within a week. Unless I've ordered an upper in which case I try to forget I even bought it so I won't have to suffer the wait.

[btq96r]

Got the parts kit in Tuesday.  The PSA blemished (if there was a blemish, I couldn't see it) pictogram lower and my GSG-522 came in yesterday. Being up all night after I took a killer nap that started around supper time and lasted until the evening news eroded any self control, I assembled everything.

 

It was actually my first lower build from parts and I was surprised how easy it was and that I didn't screw anything up that I could notice (knock on wood) or leave any marks.  I took it slow, watching videos from Brownells and others as I did it.  I also took a nice break midway through to find a detent pin that went airborne.  I used some good enough tools from around the house to get it done and the only recommended tool's I had were a hammer and one of those mufti-purpose wrenches for AR's to tighten the castle nut- I substituted other things for the punches where needed.  Here's the end result.

 

 

 

Overall I'm very pleased with the results and hope to marry it to an upper and hit the range soon to make sure all is good.  My finger is twitching over the buy button for this- at $350 it seems quite the deal.

Edited May 22, 2014 by btq96r

[spazz023]

I substituted a punch for a pair of taped up pliers one time to get in the roll pin for the bolt release. Notice I said ONE time. Scratched the lower pretty good. Didn't really bother me too much cause none of my weapons are safe queens, but it took me a minute to cool off. I recommend getting the proper tools to anyone attempting their first build...

edit: almost forgot to say, nice build there, if you threw on a 16" chf cl a2 profile upper from psa it would be the exact build I just finished. I opted for the blem version and saved $40.00. still trying to find the blems on it. Edited May 22, 2014 by spazz023

[btq96r]

I substituted a punch for a pair of taped up pliers one time to get in the roll pin for the bolt release. Notice I said ONE time. Scratched the lower pretty good. Didn't really bother me too much cause none of my weapons are safe queens, but it took me a minute to cool off. I recommend getting the proper tools to anyone attempting their first build...

 

I was very careful about putting in the bolt catch.  Instead of a thin material thin like masking tape, I used the 2" tape (aka: 100 mph tape) that's common in the military and would take some effort to scratch through and placed strips all around the area that a mistake could scratch up.  It took me a few minutes to rip out pieces to exact sizing around the area, but it was worth it. None of the lines I saw on the tape after putting in the roll pin went through to catch the body of the lower.

[spazz023]

Good thinking there, I used duct tape. Unfortunately for me, I guess was squeezing so hard it pretty much flattened out the tape. Dang thing was in too, but sticking out a smidge, I figured, meh, why not give it another squeeze and get it perfect. Live and learn I guess.

[TrickyNicky]

Here's a tip I learned while working on guitars that should translate well to guns.

When you want to tape off an area, but need to leave an opening for a screw or nail in the tape, use a drill bit the same size or slightly smaller than the pin/screw to put a hole in the tape from the sticky side. Slide the bit up until just enough is sticking out from the sticky side to be put in the hole, then slide the tape down onto the surface and pull out the pin. There's your hole perfectly taped up.

Overkill for building ARs at home probably, but an easy way to tape off the perfect opening nonetheless.

[RC3]

I used a PTAC parts kit and a PSA parts kit on two rifles. Cant really tell the difference. Both work great. No issues.