Super Ugly PSA Barrel

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That would be pretty much on target. Looking at the AR-15 you had very little choice. Seems following Clinton's assault weapons ban sunset anyone who could beg, borrow, steal or rent a CNC machine is in the business of making AR lowers. I really no longer even have a clue (nor do I care) how many companies offer the things or at least receivers. My own observation is some are really good guns well assembled and some are just plain junk with parts that won't hit and don't fit. With the Internet sprung up many a gun forum where people actually discuss things like quality. My first AR was a Colt SP-1 for nostalgia then came another Colt, then a Star followed by another Colt SP-1. When I got the guns the selection was limited. Seeing more and more AR-10 rifles now too.

Ron
 
Yes, stuff happens. However, there should be quality inspections to make sure the lemons never see their way out the door. When mistakes and poor workmanship actually get out the door there is a serious problem.
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No, when price is king its cheaper to accept a 3-5% return rate and let the customer do the final QA/QC. If the returns are handled correctly it can also be a "word of mouth" win for having "great customer service".

Its only at the high end that you see much actual QA/QC these days.

Its not just guns, virtually everything that competes on price is done this way.
 
wally said:
No, when price is king its cheaper to accept a 3-5% return rate and let the customer do the final QA/QC. If the returns are handled correctly it can also be a "word of mouth" win for having "great customer service".

Its only at the high end that you see much actual QA/QC these days.

Its not just guns, virtually everything that competes on price is done this way.
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Actually, sad but true when I think about it. They figure a 3% to 5% reject ratio is a perfectly acceptable AQL (Acceptable Quality Level). Unfortunately it's about the bucks. Good point Wally, right on target.

Ron
 
I've been told I'm a tough customer, but I was completely pleased with my purchases from Palmetto State Armory. Not a single flaw on the AR I purchased from them.

That barrel is a disappointment. Absolutely send it back.
 
I would send it back. Please let us know how good or bad a job their customer service does.

Ya'all can correct me if I am wrong. My understanding is that PSA is not a manufacturer. They buy parts from different manufacturers then resell them to us. If I am not mistaken I think their stainless barrels are made by Wilson Arms though I could be wrong. I understand that they do assemble some of these parts into rifles or rifle kits but they are not the ones actually doing the machine work or forging. That being the case I don't really get the PSA bashing some people are doing in this thread. If I bought a part from Midway that had a defect should I slam Midway or just return it & get them to replace it? The fault would be with the manufacturer.
 
Mike J said:
I would send it back. Please let us know how good or bad a job their customer service does.

Ya'all can correct me if I am wrong. My understanding is that PSA is not a manufacturer. They buy parts from different manufacturers then resell them to us. If I am not mistaken I think their stainless barrels are made by Wilson Arms though I could be wrong. I understand that they do assemble some of these parts into rifles or rifle kits but they are not the ones actually doing the machine work or forging. That being the case I don't really get the PSA bashing some people are doing in this thread. If I bought a part from Midway that had a defect should I slam Midway or just return it & get them to replace it? The fault would be with the manufacturer.
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Your'e right. PSA doesnt make anything. They sell things and whoever built that barrel sent them a crap barrel. Going downstream though they are buying from a supplier that sells junk barrels and given several customer returns will have some splainin' to do to PSA when it starts costing them money.
 
I would send it back. Please let us know how good or bad a job their customer service does.

Ya'all can correct me if I am wrong. My understanding is that PSA is not a manufacturer. They buy parts from different manufacturers then resell them to us. If I am not mistaken I think their stainless barrels are made by Wilson Arms though I could be wrong. I understand that they do assemble some of these parts into rifles or rifle kits but they are not the ones actually doing the machine work or forging. That being the case I don't really get the PSA bashing some people are doing in this thread. If I bought a part from Midway that had a defect should I slam Midway or just return it & get them to replace it? The fault would be with the manufacturer.
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While this barrel seems to have been purchased as a stand alone to be installed by the purchaser many people have reported similar QC issues in complete uppers and rifle kits. That is where PSA's OC comes into play. So unlike Midway in those cases PSA is taking the outsourced parts and putting them together for the customer and the customer is paying for that service. Part of that service is ensuring that the parts are in spec and properly machined. IMHO.

For the most part PSA seems to deliver what you pay for in terms of overall quality in relation to the price point charged. They mess up every now and then but seem to make it right most of the time without too much hassle. I think that sometimes people's expectations are too high when they buy some of the lower end "Freedom" level kits. They are priced at the entry level and show entry level traits.

Either way I am sure that the OP will be able to get a new barrel.
 
I once was responsible for quality (as a collateral duty) at a manufacturing plant that had no "real" quality program and no dedicated quality people.

I had a discussion with the president of the company after a rash of quality problems and was told "it's cheaper to issue an RMA and re-work them than it is to get them right the first time"

Years later, having quite a bit more experience in manufacturing, I've come to realize that a lot of other companies have this same policy.

I've also worked with ISO 9000 certified companies that were just as bad. ISO can be just a pile of paper and procedures. You have to follow those procedures in order for them to make any difference.
 
UPDATE:

Here's the response I just received from PSA customer service-

Because of the issue with your order, we have issued a prepaid electronic return label to your email address. Please print off this label and attach it to the package containing your barrel then return it via UPS. Once the return is processed, we will have your proper barrel re-shipped as soon as possible. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us.
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Hmm. Looks like they will take care of you.

Ask them to cross ship the new one so you don't have to wait two weeks for them to process the return and then ship it out.
 
I live in SC, I know a lot of people that won't even do business with them in store, due to the lack of "proper courtesy and attentiveness towards customers"
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I've had nothing but positive experiences in their brick-and-mortar stores. They are a far cray better than most gun stores down here.
 
SSN Vet said:
I once was responsible for quality (as a collateral duty) at a manufacturing plant that had no "real" quality program and no dedicated quality people.

I had a discussion with the president of the company after a rash of quality problems and was told "it's cheaper to issue an RMA and re-work them than it is to get them right the first time"

Years later, having quite a bit more experience in manufacturing, I've come to realize that a lot of other companies have this same policy.

I've also worked with ISO 9000 certified companies that were just as bad. ISO can be just a pile of paper and procedures. You have to follow those procedures in order for them to make any difference.
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I am a quality assurance manager for a large company, responsible for one plant. We do not have that philosophy. Our products sometimes go in very critical facilities like nuclear power plants, people can die if stuff fails, or cost huge amounts of money. No idea what PSA's QA inspections entail, but apparently they don't involve actually looking at their product.
 
The machine operator should have never put that barrel in the good to go pile. It's obvious that it was junk as soon as it was done being button rifled. Hopefully there's an operator stamp that they can track it back to in order to address shotty workmanship.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Caliper_RWVA said:
I agree on sending it back, but you must have some super-primo Mosins if they all look better than that!
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I've got some Mosin that have bores that look brand new, much better than that. But my best shooting one looks much, much worse. Weird how that sometimes works. Of course cleaning it is a nightmare.

Matt

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk
 
Jackal - Thank you for the update. To be honest I am more interested in how PSA handles this situation than I am in the fact you got a messed up barrel. I am glad they are trying to make things right.
 
UPDATE #2

After asking about the possibility of an expedited exchange process, PSA just sent me this email:

Hello,


I have gotten approval to have your new barrel shipped out with second day air. I will move forward with the replacement order today. Sorry for the holdup!


Best regards,

Dylan D.

Customer Service
Palmetto State Armory
(803) 724-6950
[email protected]
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Customer service seems to be exemplary so far, even if quality control isnt.
 
PSA do well for their price, warranty and customer service, not necessarily better quality. They buy from other vendors and ship with little or no QC at their end. Do your own QC, inspect as soon as you receive your order. Customer service can be hard to reach if you call them or by email at lest when I had rough bore problem 3+ years ago. They have a sub-forum at the other gun forum and the only way to reach them was thru forum IM at that forum. Not sure if getting any better now. Once you get hold of their customer service, they take care of you. I don't find their price better anymore and haven't bought from them for couple years. They are still good value but there are better deal out there.
 
ColoradoShooter77 said:
The melonite freedom carbine upper that I bought from PSA is perfect, very nice fit and finish, took it out today and it shoots!
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50 rounds = perfect?
 
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