“Ammo is at an all time low” sadly that is something we can’t say today.

Having slapped together two PSA rifle kits, NOT ONE problem. I just don't get the hate PSA gets.

"After you have every AR in the book, you have a tendency to just go back to the old style stuff." Ha! Yup exactly! Precisely why I am watching your a2 upper review. That is very funny...and true.

Man I carried that beast back in the day. Then we deployed in 03 and were issued M4's What a blessing. Now you have me wanting to put a 20 inch old school in the vault.

Got this upper + a2 build kit, during their labor day sale for $350, barrel came as an Hbar, replaced the ch, bcg, put a ta31 on a qd mount, quadrail, and my old surefire m962, and she's been a workhorse, and extremely accurate with a Cerro Forge carry handle. I was very impressed with PSA even after reading about their canted sights.

For any fighting rifle, combat accuracy is all that really matters. Minute of man at 300 meters is absolutely acceptable performance. Irons gets it done!

I just got approval for an out of state job transfer to Arizona. As soon as I move out of Kommiefornia, I will be stocking up on ammo. It has been unbearable to see amazing online ammo deals, and not have the freedom to buy any.

F the charging handle lol... $239 it's a win any day of the week... Throw a Vortex 1x6 on there and You got a great "do whatever you need" kind of rifle... Love them 20 inch barrels👌

Hey, I probably drilled that front sight base! I'm not responsible for the bent charging handle though so don't blame me for that lol.

Good review... Over the past five or six years I have bought many barreled uppers from Palmetto State Armory and have been very satisfied with every one of them... Most of them have all been the budget Freedom series and have functioned 100%... They may not be the most accurate barrels on the planet but for around $200 give or take I don't see how anyone could complain about them.... I have one 10.5 inch upper, several 16 in uppers in both standard and free floated configuration, and a 20in just like you have in this video... And I agree with you on the 20 inch being a very smooth shooter with its long gas system and a long heavy buffer.

aw jeez, I just ordered another AR-15 tonight, the sickness...

I know this video is a bit old, but it just showed up on my feed. I can only share my experiences with PSA, after having put three of their rifles together. My military and law enforcement experience comes to 41 years (29 military and 12 years on a prison tactical team), and that includes being a small arms instructor for many of those years. All of the weapons that I have assembled from PSA have the M4 profile. The first has a standard carry handle, the second has a RRA LAR-8 Dominator2 Eotech mount assembly with a red dot co-witness, and the third has a Bushnell 3-12x AR Optic. I will admit that for the most part, I can be an optics and trigger snob, but the most expensive part on any of these is the RRA mount assembly. No trigger jobs, no super expensive optics/sights. They all shoot very well, right out of the box. The first one I did the barrel "seasoning" by shooting a round; scrub the barrel, repeat for about twenty rounds. The others I just shot out of the box. No reason for seasoning, just scrub out factory gunk once and go to town. Same accuracy either way. Sorry this got long, but in the end, we can shoot 55 grain, 62 grain, and 77 grain rounds and they are all super accurate. With a scope they can shoot clover leaf and one holers all day long; even with a cold or hot barrel.

I have a Colt AR15A2 Sporter HBAR I bought in the late 80's. It seemed to go out of style for a while but now people seem to want them again. It was my first AR and I still love it. I used it in many Service Rifle matches. I also have a Colt A3 Match HBAR flat top with 24" barrel. Yes, I have an M4 style carbine and my most recent build was a 7.5" .300 Blk AR pistol, but I still love the rifles the best

Got my first PSA upper last week. Although it was described as a "blem" it is gorgeous. And it shoots the lights out. Very satisfied!

Who else is watching this in 2020 when he said ammo is at all-time low prices lolll

I just won USCCA $1,000 Palmetto State Armory Gift Card. Hooah!

Man I should have listened to this guy 4 years ago

....I'm old school military...entered in 78 retired in 09....LOVE the old school A1 and A2 look....love that 20" barrel and carry handle....can't get used to, nor like the look of the M4s...gimme the A1 and A2 look....beautiful rifle you have there...

There's just something about the classic A2 look that I love so much. If I had extra money to spend I would get one to go with my other PSA build.

Just picked up the upper for $308.00 out the door with the 10% military discount from PSA Columbia SC store. Brings back memories of the A2 from the Marines 87-96.

20inch barrel + carry handle = greatness. Infantry! Follow Me!

I think it looks cool with the standard carry handle. But then again I'm "old school" (58)

Yep! When you've tried all of the different configurations, and types, and barrel lengths and brands... in the end it comes down to accuracy, recoil, reliability, and overall performance... and of course nothing beats the original configuration of the original rifle length gas system, the "carry handle" sights turn out to be some excellent iron sights, which I think could only be improved by the front sight having an HK style contour rather than the divergent ears... because then you can line up both circles, the rear aperture with the circular sight post protector on the front. The A1/A2 stocks are great... really, I think that nothing beats the original configuration, or at most the A2 or A4 configuration.

Snow and cold separates the men from the boys. Good shooting!

Thumbs up if you had to dismount with those muskets back in the day

Just hit the notification bell. I don't know why I never did. Now I won't miss out on any great content. Your channel is growing on me. Just enjoyable, and easy to watch. Very well edited videos.

I bought their 20” CHF A2 upper w/o bcg or charging handle a couple years ago. That thing shoots so smooth and accurate it’s unreal. It’s not the freedom upper either.

Lol I have a few tricked out rifles my self and all I want is a Vietnam retro rifle I totally agree on your statement on wanting to go back to a basic rifle

You put 3 in about the same hole with peep sights at 100 yards, that ain't bad

We use the higher end PSA, absolutely best bang for the buck. Good solid reliable rifles!

I agree 100% with going back to the K.I.S.S. BUIS. I'm a huge fan of the LMT or DD Fixed BUIS. I do like the carry handle but I favor the LMT more. Most of my builds now are BUIS only because when SHTF an ACOG or BUIS I can trust my life too for an extended period of time

I built the 20in PA gun off of their premium line Fn barrel and man I'll tell you what it's getting three-quarter inch groups at a hundred yards. Sub MOA all day long especially with the right optic. I don't know about the freedom line they don't use very good Barrels in those but in their premium stuff they're cold hammer-forged stuff I have several of those and they are all bad ass.

Love the honesty. I'm about a year late to this video but glad it's here. Looking at the A2 complete from PSA and this gave me a good amount of perspective. Looks like what I need. A solid rifle that'll work and isn't a bend over price wise. Thanks for the video brother

i carried the m16a2 with the m203 for many years. it was love, love, love, especially the square handguards. rifle length is great.

I believe the muzzle jump is having a huge effect on your groupings, try placing your off hand over the hand guard and applying a little bit of pressure down on the barrel into the support bag.

Hey Kotaboy32. I have been very happy dealing with PSA. I used them to buy my lower and upper parts kits when I built my AR-15A1 ( ish ) rifle. I think I served a little before your time so I was going for that sweet balance I had with my M-16A1 I was issued when I served in the Us Army in the 70's and 80's. By the way PSA has their Blem Forged Aluminum AR-15 Upper Receivers on special for $39.99. They had them in stock as of 15 min ago but the sale expires 21 Feb 2018 at 12pm EST.

I always say that PSA uppers with pinned FSBs are perfectly fine for most stuff. I've had terrible luck with their uppers with low pro gas blocks (turned or pushed out of alignment with the gas port), but no issues out of 2 uppers with pinned FSBs. keep it up!

They were just trying to get the charging handle to match the barrel... Just kidding. I'm a PSA fan. It's those little details that get the haters all riled up, though.

Bump up the 62 grain and you will love it. 55 is just a little on the light side for a 1 in 7 twist

I have the exact same upper and I love it! I did change out the fat PSA handguards for regular round A2 handguards. Carry handles for the WIN!!!

I was raised on the M-16 A1 an love a 20" an will buy one down the road

300 dollars!!!!! I'm purchasing mine next week. This is what I started out with in the Corps. I'll tell you what unless you are going to hang a IR laser, bipod, grip, and a scope this is all you need. Toss in 77 grain 556 and you will have all you need. Great weapon and thank you for the review!!

I had one of their 20" premium rifle kits come with a charging handle that was bent rather than bowed. The spring in the forward assist was missing so the bolt would jam up every few shots and the front sight was significantly canted. Beyond that I loved it, haha! It was accurate and was a soft shooter. I kinda wish I hadn't sent it back because I could've fixed all that stuff and I'm not as happy with the upper they replaced it with. There's nothing really wrong with it except a gap in the hand guard but I don't think it shoots as well. I stuck it in the safe and it's been in there a few years now. One of these days I'll have to bring it back out and give it a second chance.

Forging mark is Mueller Brass Forging, just got the same upper last night. Ordered on Sunday and got it Thursday.

I bought that same upper from PSA and with a 4-14x44 scope it is shooting 3/4" at 100 yrds no problem, I also just picked up the 16" they kad on sale and installed a red dot but have not been able to sight it in yet... very happy with the purchase

The problem with this rifle is the 1:7" barrel twist. 1:7" is bad with 55-grain ammo even out of a 16" barrel. When you add the extra velocity of a 20", it gets even worse. There's no business running 1:7" twist rate on a 20" barrel, yet for some reason PSA does it. The upside to 1:7" is it will shoot hunting loads very well. The downside is it won't shoot cheap ammo well.

>buys blem for $240>complains the $20 charging handle is bent

4:18 I totally agree with you. I have owned every style of AR you can imagine and still have 4. They are all free float with optics. I had a sport 2 That I had set up with a carry handle but I sold it. I want a setup just like this with 20 inch, A2 stock, and carry handle.

I really like Anderson. Right here in Kentucky, and they make some primo parts.

Your point about going back to old school is very on the money. I was all about the high speed low drag tactical nonsense.. however I came back around the the simple setup and the 20” A2 version I owned. Its just a great design.

Looking back from 2020... what a time

I love PSA I bought my wife a 16.5 inch 5.56 with 15 inch aluminum floating rail, with bch included for 179.00. She loves it.

man....gotta love the snow...i miss that stuff...great review on the weapon.....as always another super review....

I really appreciate the semi-political videos you have been posting as of late, keeping me informed with what’s going on, but back to this video, I envy you so much, I’ve been keeping an eye out for a rifle length style AR like that from PSA, with the fixed stock and 20” Barrel since around May of 2017, I check regularly, but they’re never in stock, and I bought my lower and went to purchase the kit, and they were SOLD OUT. I’ve even emailed them twice. I wish I could find a Blem kit for that price. I can’t believe I missed that last month, I would have purchased it 100%

You are def right, when one has all the newest and the latest hotness, old school shine in my book!!

My 20” psa upper has the square forge mark and its also marked m4 on the front of the receiver. I thought m4 on the front was specific to colt but i guess not.

Dude, I really like to watch your video's. you are one of my favorites. Big thumbs up.

I hesitated on that same deal and had it sitting in my cart and they sold out !!!! Thanks for the review

Great video man. Thanks for keeping it honest. I'm glad you didn't put a scope on that bad boy. Most guys that buy them will probably just shoot them iron sight anyway. I love the carry handle guns too. Of course my Colt sporter target A2 will put them in a lot tighter group, but that is a great deal on the PSA.

Sweet rifle, and you can't beat that price from PSA! That was good shooting, some of those holes were touching at 100yds.

I got this complete PSA upper and switched out the reciever for a Brownells M16A1. The thing can basically thread needles at 100 yards.

I’m just itching to do 20” M16A4 type build. Also saw a delton kit for 399 at midsouth that caught my eye too. Love the vids KB keep them coming!

On your short comment of once you have all the new stuff you start buying old school. It makes sense. Have the most modern and capable weapons you can. At that point going for cool isn't a bad idea at all. I'm about to build a block 1 m4 soon.

Love the 20in with the a2 front sight and carry handle and the a2 butt stock, they are one smooth shooting rifle. I always had single shot rifles and shot guns for hunting until my friend gave me a m4 and a m1 Garand, now I can't get enough of these military type rifles. My name is Steve and I'm addicted to building guns.

Break that barrel in first before you look for tighter groups. Good video!

Look at the soldier playing in the snow!

I put 30/30 in the black at 500 yard line with the exact same rifle just with a cheap "Fake-COG" on top. She doesn't do the tightest group but does what a rifle is supposed to do.

I've only had one issue with PSA, and it really wasn't anything big at all, but their customer service was ON IT. Give 'em a call. On the rifle itself, I think you ought to leave it just as it is. Go old school, bro. "Thumbs up" from this Kentucky boy.

Enjoy all your videos!! A bonus was seeing the F4U Corsair.

Call PSA about the charging handle. One of the kits I got had a bent handle. Palmeto took care of it. They sent me a new one at no charge. I love dealing with PSA, I've never had any problems with them.

That's fantastic price for a working rifle

Everyone gets upset about the grouping 100-200 yards away. This weapon is designed to kill. If your hitting a target at 100-300 yards your doing great and are yourself a weapon. The 5.56 round kills. PSA has great rifles.

These were the days! Sure wish I could go back and warn myself!!!

Do you ever break in your barrels the way the INSTRUCTIONS say to?? Ive had LOTS of new rifles & broke the bore in properly on all of them. Saw the patterns get tighter & tighter w every one. I KNOW its a pain, but in the long run,.....

I love my PSA 20" . It's my first AR ,.I've shot friends carbines witch are nice but I honestly prefer the recoil impulse of the 20. I also think maxing out the perforce of the .223/5.56 with a 20"" is a plus . Gotta ask though , Why don't you use a spotting scope ?

Just bought a PSA freedom 16 inch M4 nitride upper w/o bcg or charging handle for $159.00 the same day they sold out, and it fit perfectly on my CMMG lower. PSA is awesome. It's just too bad they can't keep up with demand.

KB I also got a bowed charging handle from PSA. Still a cheap, easy fix.

The M-4 came along after I was out of uniform. Yes that rifle is like a trip down Memory Lane for black boot guys; I'm going to need one of those eventually!

I had the same upper and it was only about 3 MOA, with match ammo shooting scoped. I sold it. My stainless CHF 16” from PSA shoots 1/2 MOA with 69gr match.

Gotta love PSA with all the deals they continuously have kotaboy! I just ordered a 10.5” pistol upper with bcg/ch and a complete pistol lower from PSA this week. All in with a transfer fee a rear flip-up sight and a foam buffer tube cover I’m gonna be in it $425. I can’t wait to get it setup!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Bought basis 16 inch no handle. Assembled $453 from Davidson's. Don't see Palmento listed anymore on their site. Wanted 7 twist. Does well with 62-75 g. If Davidson's dropped them, must be issues.

I picked up a blem adams arms piston upper a few years ago. The blem was under the hand guard. 😂 That psa upper is great the price! Obviously other than the charging handle. Thanks!

Love my Palmetto, No problems, I will be ready to hunt when the time comes...

I figured that the bent charging handle was the blem.

I've purchased some blems from Palmetto. I couldn't see anything wrong with them. On another note, I have seen one bolt failure in my life (68 yrs). It was an Olympic Arms rifle one of my LEO brothers was qualifying with. One lug broke off and landed in the barrel extension, precluding operation. In an emergency, one could shake the lug out and drive on, although I'd rather not do that. It in no way a catastrophic bolt failure.

Good to see you do a good old plain AR video.

The balance of the 20 inch is really good, it's the original design. Very easy to hold on target free hand with open sighs.

I’d prefer the FN carry handle on it. Good stuff brother.

I had one for a bit. Ultimately I sold it because it really just wasn't that great and didn't do anything that my 16" Colt didn't do.

I’m waiting for my m4 style upper right now, when I get it I’m going to set it up to look as close to my M4 I used in the marines and have it mounted on my wall using s mounted wall safe

I have 2 blem PSA guns. The blemishes are not noticeable. I’m not even sure if I found them lol

yes sir. always go back to the standard 20 in setup

Hmm I know that accuracy should tighten up a little after you shoot it some more but that accuracy seemed to be rather bad. Have you considered maybe buying some fire lapping ammo and giving that a test to see if it'll help in that department? I've never tried it so I'm curious to know how well fire lapping ammo works.

Maybe that's the "blem"

Love that classic looking rifle. You are very accurate with it.

They always shoot a bit off when they are new gotta fix the sights it works fine

I have several PSA rifles and surprised there was not better accuracy out of the 20inch barrel. Working rifle yes...but not the most accurate.

The upper is good! It’s from one of the BIG Forges , Mueller... just not as common or as pushed as the typical uppers people see.

3 of the 9 at 100 yards almost hit the same hole so all in all that some dam good shooting. Nevertheless all 9 would have put the Target down. Love your range videos ,you're definitely in your natural environment there

I've found it hard to judge accuracy in an AR before 50-100 rds through it, and a few good cleanings in between. I bet you'll get those groups down to acceptable after you get that trigger in.