Palmetto State Armory

PSA changed the game by proving you could build a functional AR-15 for under $400--and they've been doing it at scale for over a decade.

Palmetto State Armory started in 2008 as an online AR parts shop in Columbia, South Carolina. What made them different was their willingness to cut every corner that didn't affect function to hit price points nobody thought possible.

They began manufacturing their own receivers and barrels in the late 2000s, right as the market was heating up. By the 2010s, they were selling complete AR-15 kits for what most companies charged for just an upper receiver.

PSA didn't just make cheap AR-15s--they made AR ownership accessible to people who couldn't drop $1,200 on a rifle. That's millions of first-time AR owners who started with a PSA.

Here's what they've rolled out over the years:

• •2008 -- Started as online parts retailer in Columbia, South Carolina
• •Late 2000s -- Began manufacturing receivers and complete rifles
• •2010s -- Massive growth during panic buying; expanded production
• •2019 -- Launched the Dagger pistol (Glock-compatible for $300)
• •2020s -- Introduced JAKL piston rifle; opened physical stores
• •Today -- Full manufacturer covering AR-15, AR-10, pistols, and AKs

PSA's bread and butter is still the AR-15, but they've branched out into anything they can make cheaper than the competition.

• •PSA's evolution from parts dealer to full manufacturer

The $399 complete rifle kit is what put them on the map. You get an upper, lower parts kit, stock assembly, and magazine--everything except the serialized lower receiver.

Add an $80 stripped lower and you've got a complete AR for under $500.

They cover most of the popular AR calibers--5.56, .300 Blackout, .350 Legend, 6.5 Grendel, and .224 Valkyrie. Barrel lengths run from 7.5" pistols up to 22" precision rifles.

You need to understand what you're getting with PSA.

PSA makes functional firearms at rock-bottom prices by cutting every corner that doesn't affect reliability.

The good: Their rifles run.

• •Rifles function reliably under normal use
• •Basic metallurgy and dimensions meet specifications
• •Will cycle standard ammunition consistently
• •Complete courses of fire without major malfunctions

I've seen thousands of rounds go through PSA AR-15s without major issues.

Quality control is inconsistent--some rifles come perfect, others need immediate attention. Finish work looks like it was done with a belt sander. Customer service takes weeks to respond to emails.

• •The PSA ownership experience - budget with potential hidden costs

If you're buying your first AR and want to stay under $500, PSA is your answer. If you want something that's perfect out of the box and you have $700 to spend, buy the Ruger.

PSA has a cult following among budget-conscious shooters and a mixed reputation among everyone else.

• •Unbeatable prices--nobody sells AR-15s cheaper
• •Huge selection of parts and configurations
• •Dagger pistol legitimately competes with Glock at half the price
• •Constant sales make cheap stuff even cheaper
• •AK line has gotten genuinely good

• •Quality control is a roll of the dice
• •Customer service is painfully slow
• •Some rifles need immediate work out of the box
• •Fit and finish looks budget
• •Warranty work can take months

The PSA community motto: "just as good"--whether you buy that argument depends on what you prioritize.

Get a PA-15 complete kit for around $400. Add a stripped lower and you're done.

Expect to spend another $100-200 on small fixes and upgrades.

Step up to their Sabre Series around $800. Better trigger, enhanced bolt carrier group, and nicer furniture. Still PSA pricing but fewer compromises.

The Dagger compact at $300 takes Glock magazines, sights, and holsters. It's 60% cheaper than a Glock and runs just as well for most people.

PSA excels at parts. Their stripped lowers, complete uppers, and components let you mix and match exactly what you want.

PSA democratized AR-15 ownership, and that matters more than the gun snobs want to admit.

PSA democratized AR-15 ownership--that matters more than the gun snobs want to admit.

Yes, the quality control is inconsistent. Yes, the customer service sucks. Yes, you might need to fix a few things out of the box.

But they put millions of people into their first AR for $400 who couldn't afford a Daniel Defense. That's a genuine achievement. The Dagger did the same thing for striker-fired pistols--suddenly you could get Glock compatibility for $300 instead of $550.

I've built probably a dozen rifles using PSA parts over the years. Some needed immediate attention, others ran perfectly from day one. If you go in with realistic expectations and a small budget for fixes, you'll end up with a rifle that works for half what anyone else charges.

The key is understanding what you're buying. PSA is the Harbor Freight of guns--cheap, functional, some assembly required.

If that fits your budget and expectations, they're hard to beat. If you want something that's perfect out of the box with excellent customer support, spend more money elsewhere.

• •Budget AR-15 Buyers Guide
• •Aero Precision
• •Daniel Defense