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View Full Version : Palmetto State Armory build first report



JustAGuy
10-02-2011, 21:18
Well, back around Labor Day, I took advantage of Palmetto State Armory's lower sale, $49.99/lower, and got two of 'em. They took about 3 weeks to arrive at my local FFL and when they did, I promptly ordered their 16" Stainless Barrel, mid length rifle kit ($499.00.)

Got it all put together Friday evening and took it out this morning to see how it was.

Ran 100 rounds of HSM, 55gr, Brass case, FMJ through it without a single hickup. Used one Magpul 30 rd mag and one cheap 10 round mag. No failures to feed, fire, extract or eject.

The problem came when I decided to feed it some cheap crap TulAmmo I picked up at Sportsmans Warehouse for $4.99/20 rds (62 gr, steel case, FMJ). I shot the first 10 rounds without a problem and was beginning to have a bit of hope for this ammo in this Wylde chamber.

Well, round 14 feeds, fires and ends up stuck in the chamber. Crap.

After finally getting the upper and lower separated, I reached down into the upper receiver with a very narrow pair of needle nosed pliers and tried to pull it out very gently...no joy.

After getting home, I took two sections of cleaning rod and inserted them down the bore from the muzzle end. Two VERY gentle taps and the offending cartridge fell out.

Given that I ran 100 rounds of brass ammo through the gun without a single problem and then in less than 15 rounds of the steel case stuff, I have a stuck cartridge, I feel pretty confident saying that this problem wasn't the gun but rather the crap ammo. Lesson learned.

As far as the rifle kit goes, I can't complain. For right at $600, including shipping and FFL fees, I have a spankin' new AR that seems to be of reasonable quality. Even though the lowers took forever and a day to get here, the rifle kit arrived about 6 days after I ordered it and all parts were present, except a rear sight.

If you're looking to do a budget build, you might want to check out www.palmettostatearmory.com (http://www.palmettostatearmory.com).

s

ray1970
10-02-2011, 21:51
Thanks for the review. [Beer]

This might seem like an odd request, but could you post a picture of the safety lever that came with your Palmetto kit?

BPTactical
10-02-2011, 22:17
Yup- AR's dont like steel cased cheap stuff, just look in the "Barrels and uppers" section.
Nice review and thanks.

colorider
10-03-2011, 12:04
I have the exact same problem in my LMT. Solution is to not use steel. Were going to have to spend a bit more for brass which I am fine with. Maybe recoup some of the price by sell the brass to the reloaders.

StagLefty
10-03-2011, 12:09
I use steel at the range all the time with my Stag and no problems ? YMMV [Beer]

cfortune
10-04-2011, 23:05
I got about 400 rounds of silver bear with a DPMS AP4 .308 and it happens all the time (by that I mean I let it happen twice). No issues what so ever with brass. That stuff is sitting in my closet collecting dust right now. Makes me wish I didn't get rid of my Saiga .308 so I could run it in something.

Grastmatt2552
10-05-2011, 06:58
I'm actually considering the 16" stainless midlength upper for my build. How is it on accuracy? I was going to get a del-ton upper, but I'm liking the 7 day shipping as opposed to a month or two. And i love the look of a stainless barrel.

JustAGuy
10-05-2011, 11:31
Thanks for the review. [Beer]

This might seem like an odd request, but could you post a picture of the safety lever that came with your Palmetto kit?

Here ya go. Sorry for the delay, haven't been back on since the original post.

JustAGuy
10-05-2011, 11:36
I'm actually considering the 16" stainless midlength upper for my build. How is it on accuracy? I was going to get a del-ton upper, but I'm liking the 7 day shipping as opposed to a month or two. And i love the look of a stainless barrel.

I have no complaints about the upper or anything else really. Keep in mind that the main goal behind this gun was a budget entry into the world of ARs. I was pleasantly surprised that I got a magpul grip and collapsible stock when I was expecting something off brand. I have since replaced the standard, round, GI mid-length handguard with the Magpul MOE so the rifle is just the way I want it right now.

Can't comment on the accuracy since I only had the A2 front sight and Magpul MBUS rear sight when I took it out. Never did get it properly sighted in before the steel ammo incident and I was alone, trying to figure out where my shots were hitting. I'm also an absolutely AWFUL shot.

colorider
10-05-2011, 12:20
Too bad you and I live so far apart. We could meet and shoot and share our noobness.
Mine is my 1st build and my 1st AR. I'm shooting with the mbus rear and the standard front post. I have 120 rounds thru it and am shooting about a 2 in group at 30 or so yards. No bipod, rest or sand bags. A friend that shoots at buffalo creek is giving me pointers and tips. The sights are taking some getting used to because every rifle I own has a scope. Have only shot opens with a ramp and blade style sights. I'm loving te AR and the learning.

Grastmatt2552
10-05-2011, 15:14
I have no complaints about the upper or anything else really. Keep in mind that the main goal behind this gun was a budget entry into the world of ARs. I was pleasantly surprised that I got a magpul grip and collapsible stock when I was expecting something off brand. I have since replaced the standard, round, GI mid-length handguard with the Magpul MOE so the rifle is just the way I want it right now.

Can't comment on the accuracy since I only had the A2 front sight and Magpul MBUS rear sight when I took it out. Never did get it properly sighted in before the steel ammo incident and I was alone, trying to figure out where my shots were hitting. I'm also an absolutely AWFUL shot.
Good to know, thanks

Looks like I'll be sending my money to PSA instead of Del-Ton, one for the SS barrel, and two for the cheaper and faster shipping.

I take it you got the black MOE parts? I have dark earth, and I love what the SS looks like with the tan.

I get everything in and ready to roll, I'm in COS. A day of AR shooting would sound real nice right now.

ray1970
10-05-2011, 19:55
Thanks for the picture of the safety selector. [Awesom]

JustAGuy
10-25-2011, 19:48
This is an update to the initial post about the Palmetto State Armory mid-length w/stainless barrel build.

Finally got back to the range today. Ran 250 rounds of HSM and Federal 55 gr ammo through it. The HSM is that re-manufactured stuff in the orange box from Sportsmans Warehouse. The Federal is the $40.00/100 stuff from Walmart.

This ammo produced no failures to feed, chamber, fire, extract or eject.....until I got to the end and wanted to shoot out the last 25 rounds of the TulAmmo. 25 rounds produced 3 failures to feed. I'm done with it. At least a case didn't get stuck in the chamber this time.

I was eventually able to consistently keep 5 shot groups in a 3 inch circle at about 100 yards with a scope that won't hold zero.

All in all, so far, I'm really pleased with my new gun.

s

ray1970
10-25-2011, 22:46
Glad to hear you are happy with it. Hopefully mine will be just as good when it arrives in the next day or two.