PSA AR-10 Gen 3 in .308 any good?

[EMT40SW]

I’m thinking about buying a .308 AR10 & PSA has some killer deals right now on complete uppers & complete lower to make a complete rifle for $500-$500 for 16” & 18” barrels. I just thinking about trying the platform. Any of you have one or shot one? This would just be a range toy or SHTF battle rifle in a pinch. Thanks for your input.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have two friends that have their Gen2 AR10. One had a feeding issue and sent it back to PSA. They corrected the issue at no charge and the rife shoots great.
For the price, they are hard to beat. I just built one using all Aero Precision parts and it cost me just over $1000.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have a Gen 1 PA10 and haven't had any issues with it. The one thing I need to change is the gas block, I want to put an adjustable gas block on.

 

[EIB0879]

I have a Gen 3 PSA PA 10 in .308. It is a budget rifle that gets it done. Digest all sorts of loads without a hiccup. Not a nail driver but accurate enough. When I got mine all they had was the shiny barrell. Now they have a nitride barrell. Also an adjustable gas block but I haven't had to adjust mine with factory loads.

 

[MrShooter]

I put together a 20" Gen 3 a couple months ago, after 200 rounds of various factory ammo I've had zero problems. It'd definitely quite heavy with the 20" barrel though. I'm shooting at 100 yards and it's plenty accurate, the only thing I'll change is the trigger as the factory one is pretty stiff. I'm super impressed with the giessele super semiautomatic enhanced 2 stage trigger I have in a PSA AR15 lower.

 

[silicosys4]

I have a 20" gen2 with the polished trigger...Trigger is a bit stiff but breaks cleanly with no grit. the 20" barrel is HBAR profile and along with the scope and bipod makes the rifle primarily a range toy because of the weight. But because of the weight it is also very soft shooting.
The only upgrades I have done are a Tubbs flatwire spring and a 5.3 ounce buffer...not because it needed it to function, but because I reload and wanted brass to eject softer and remain undamaged.
I have an SFAR for field carry if I decide to go that route, so the weight of the PA10 is not a concern for me. Prior to picking up the SFAR, I had toyed with the idea of getting a 16" upper for the PA10, but even with a 16" upper the PA10 won't be able to approach the weight of the SFAR.
As far as reliability, the PA10 runs great, 147gr. FMJ reloads run about 1.5moa. For $5-600, they can't be beat.

 

[W.E.G.]

For the price-point, you will probably be VERY pleased with a PSA Gen 3 PA-10

The Gen 3's are heavily upgraded from the Gen 2's
The Gen 3's already come with a STAINLESS barrel, and two-stage trigger and adjustable gas block, and Toolcraft bolt/carrier group.

$879.99 for a complete 18" rifle today

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-gen3-pa10-18-mid-length-308-win-1-10-stainless-steel-15-lightweight-m-lok-str-2-stage-rifle4.html

The only thing to dislike about it is the money you will have to spend on a good scope and a good mount.

Maybe also swap-out that stock if the Magpul STR doesn't meet your personal needs.

 

[silicosys4]

For the price-point, you will probably be VERY pleased with a PSA Gen 3 PA-10

The Gen 3's are heavily upgraded from the Gen 2's
The Gen 3's already come with a STAINLESS barrel, and two-stage trigger and adjustable gas block, and Toolcraft bolt/carrier group.

$879.99 for a complete 18" rifle today

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-gen3-pa10-18-mid-length-308-win-1-10-stainless-steel-15-lightweight-m-lok-str-2-stage-rifle4.html

The only thing to dislike about it is the money you will have to spend on a good scope and a good mount.

Maybe also swap-out that stock if the Magpul STR doesn't meet your personal needs.

My gen2 came with the 2 stage trigger, stainless barrel, and Toolcraft BCG. Or at least the upper and lower had those features as I bought them separately.
AFAIK the only real upgrades to the PA10 gen3 over the gen2 is a bit of relief machined into the lower to clear the BCG, and the adjustable gas block.

 

[W.E.G.]

My Gen 2 came with a rack-grade single-stage trigger.

PSA may have started upgrading remaining inventory the Gen 2 before the switching-over to Gen 3.

The change-over to Toolcraft bolt/carrier group was a big deal.

My Gen 2 came with a junk bolt.

 

[dranrab]

. Not a nail driver but accurate enough.

I have read enough about AR10s to come to believe that's what people should expect. It's much more uncommon to find a really accurate 10 than it is a 15.

 

[JB111]

I have a friend who bought a Gen3 not to long ago. It shoots good and is pretty accurate. The fit and finish was good considering I believe he paid around $750 for it nib.

 

[Eagle103]

Just bought their 18" stainless upper for $400 and put a $170 "blem" lower on it. Total weight with a Burris E1 scope and an Aero mount is right at 9 lbs. so really not too bad for an AR-10. Just over a pound heavier than my SFAR. Only cycled 10 rounds through it so far and it worked perfectly. See how it shoots as soon as the wind settles down here.

 

[2ndtimer]

I bought my Gen 2 upper and lower back in 2018, for a grand total of $540. On good days, it shoots under 2 MOA, but it has been quite reliable with handloads ranging from Speer 125 gr TNT’s thru168 gr BTHP’s from Nosler and Speer. It also did pretty decent with IMI 175 gr OTM factory loads. The 18” barrel is a little noisy, and it is heavy, but I have enjoyed it and was well worth the money.

 

[Mstafford88]

Plan on building this when the time comes too. Buying upper and lower separate (don’t care if it’s a “blemished” part) seen great reviews

 

[marksman13]

I had a PSA in 6.5 Creedmoor. It was a 20” stainless barrel model and shot lights out for the money. A buddy of mine wanted it after a range trip and I sold it to him for what I had in it. I think PSA is solid for the price.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Only have a DPMS G2 hunter .308,never shot probaly gonna sell it just never got into 308 ar.I have enough ar's in other calibers to keep me busy.PSA AR kits in other calibers have worked out fine for me.

 

[bfoosh006]

I have been very happy with all my Gen 2's. I originally bought one as a low priced entry into the LFAR market.
Since then they have multipled... Lol

As for W.E.G. 's bolt pic... there is a decent chance your barrels receiver extension is out of clock slightly. Your image has the tell tale damage showing that.
I did see a PA10 barrel RE that had a loose locating pin that did exactly that

 

[Eagle103]

Tested mine out today. Grouped well with everything but got a 3 round .4" group with Hornady American Whitetail 150g Interlocks. I'll be keeping it.

 

[Trey Veston]

I have a friend who bought a Gen3 not to long ago. It shoots good and is pretty accurate. The fit and finish was good considering I believe he paid around $750 for it nib.

I bought one a couple of years ago and was working up loads for it when I lost interest.

It is reliable and reasonably accurate (around an inch at 100 yds) but it is a pig of a gun to be lugging around the woods.

 

[DMW1116]

Mine’s weighty but I can’t complain about the way it shoots. It has expensive taste though. 175 grain Sierras shoot the best. 168 grain Amax and Speer Match bullets are a close second. Hornady FMJ shoots pretty good too though they like expensive powder for the best accuracy (IMR 4064).

I have I think a Gen 2. I bought it Memorial Day weekend before the 2020 lockdowns began, so I think it predates the Gen 3. I had to take it back to them at first because it wouldn’t cycle. Since it’s return it’s been 100% aside from my reloading attempts and gas block adjustments. I do like the click adjustments on the gas block. It helps minimize the thrashing AR10 brass takes anyway. The PSA branded 2-stage trigger is nice and convinced me to put a similar trigger in my 223 versions. I even tried the Titegroup subsonic loads with the gas block turned off. It wasn’t terribly accurate but it’s a more pleasant experience than a 175 grain SMK at 2600 fps.

 

[TSchwab25]

I have a Gen 3 PSA PA 10 in .308. It is a budget rifle that gets it done. Digest all sorts of loads without a hiccup. Not a nail driver but accurate enough. When I got mine all they had was the shiny barrell. Now they have a nitride barrell. Also an adjustable gas block but I haven't had to adjust mine with factory loads.

What accuracy can you get out of it? 1 moa at 100 yards?

 

[EIB0879]

What accuracy can you get out of it? 1 moa at 100 yards.

The best five shot group was 1.36" at 1 00 yards with Barnes Vortex 168 gr TTSX. When it cools down I'm going to try some other loads.

 

[armoredman]

I have considered trading my CZ 600 Alpha .308 for an AR-10...but I'd probably get bent over. PSA has always done good around here, no problems at all with PSA.