Palmetto 16" 9mm barrel "quality?"

gloom

gloom

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2022
Messages
174
Location
Gaston County
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I was told by PSA that this is how all their 9mm PCC barrels are finished. I say that's a lie, at least I hope it isn't true. This is a "blem" order and I see one or two spots that could be considered blemishes, but it also stated that it comes with an "upgraded Lead Star Arms" barrel. Doesn't look upgraded and there is no labeling on it. Does it even look like a nitride finish? I'm worried that it will be more prone to rusting. For comparison, the standard 5.56 barrel is relatively beautiful. If it shoots true, I guess I could live with it, but I'm not impressed. The other parts look good. Why cares about the barrel anyway? haha

1692644520408.png
1692644730331.png
 
Looks like the tool insert chipped and the CNC operator didn’t notice it. Functional but certainly “blemished “!

EDIT: could also be the forged blank was not fully machined. IDK how rough a barrel forging is personally but perhaps someone else has seen one.
 
Last edited:
Mr.Gadget said:
You order from PSA .....
You order a PSA Blem.....

Those are the first two problems....
Click to expand...

My 5.56 PSA upper is fine. Everything, as far as I know, is fine on the 9mm upper except that barrel surface. The inside of the barrel seems good, but I can't test it yet. Maybe I'll avoid "blems" in the future though. Many people report that they can't even find the blem. No problem finding it this time!
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
Looks like the tool insert chipped and the CNC operator didn’t notice it. Functional but certainly “blemished “!

EDIT: could also be the forged blank was not fully machined. IDK how rough a barrel forging is personally but perhaps someone else has seen one.
Click to expand...

I guess if I had spent $30-40 more for a non-blem, they wouldn't have an excuse. Some rail covered should help. haha
 
Here are pictures of two 9mm barrels that I’ve ordered from them. Both display the same sort of marks as yours. The first one is about a month old and the second one is about 4 years old. No rust on either and they shoot fine. Despite what some might think you don’t need to spend $700 on a barrel, especially for a close range plinker.

IMG_5247.jpeg

IMG_5246.jpeg
 
I have always ordered “blem” from PSA and the worse I ever got was a spot on the inside of the upper where the dye didn’t penetrate during anodizing.
 
Cataphract said:
Here are pictures of two 9mm barrels that I’ve ordered from them. Both display the same sort of marks as yours. The first one is about a month old and the second one is about 4 years old. No rust on either and they shoot fine. Despite what some might think you don’t need to spend $700 on a barrel, especially for a close range plinker.

View attachment 660552

View attachment 660553
Click to expand...
Turning marks like that to me are acceptable. I have seen similar on military rifle barrels.
 
Cataphract said:
Here are pictures of two 9mm barrels that I’ve ordered from them. Both display the same sort of marks as yours. The first one is about a month old and the second one is about 4 years old. No rust on either and they shoot fine. Despite what some might think you don’t need to spend $700 on a barrel, especially for a close range plinker.
Click to expand...

Thank you! That is reassuring! Now, if you can tell me that it will work great with a Foxtrot Mike lower, I'll be good to go!

My intended use is action shooting (IDPA, USPSA, 2- or 3-gun which I've never done before), Steel Challenge, "Fallin' Steel," and maybe occassional 50 to 100 yard slow fire. Probably mostly within 25 yards. My wife is itching to try Fallin' Steel; she likes shooting anything steel. heh
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
I have always ordered “blem” from PSA and the worse I ever got was a spot on the inside of the upper where the dye didn’t penetrate during anodizing.
Click to expand...

From what I hear, blems can be so good that it makes me wonder if they just call them blems instead of saying that it's a promotional sale.
 
That unfortunately I’m not 100% sure on as I’m running them on the PSA lower. I’d assume that it will run on any Glock mag lower, but you know what they say about assuming…
 
Mr.Gadget said:
So what's your point if they turn out junk or weaponty that does not work?

Can you backup that with any stats?
Click to expand...

Can’t speak for anyone else, but I have a 10.5 PSA rig and it runs like a sewing machine.

I get it, though…I am aware that a round discharged from a PSA manufactured product, even if it finds its intended mark, will be less effective than the same round fired from a different rig, based solely upon brand/price paid.
 
Last edited:
Dale Gribble said:
Can’t speak for anyone else, but I have a 10.5 PSA rig and it runs like a sewing machine.

I get it, though…I am aware that a round discharged from a PSA manufactured product, even if it finds its intended mark, will be less effective than the same round fired from a different rig, based solely upon brand/price paid.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll be happy once I verify functionality. My PSA 5.56 kit with Anderson lower has functioned perfectly. A little bit of slop between the receivers, but nothing I notice when shooting. (I was originally looking at an Aero lower, but some comments about that one made me reconsider.) I'm not really into Gucchifying firearms. Clean, functional, and not too expensive works for me! I'm still a fan of PSA's business model.

The upper receiver, hand guard, bolt, and charging handle all look good. These are the only two possible blemishes I've found. One will be inside of the lower receiver anyway.

1692814313332.png

1692814385848.png

The visible part of the barrel isn't so bad, especially for only $300 for an entire upper.

1692815656181.png
 
Last edited:
Could take the savings and upgrade to a barrel like this Faxon with integrated muzzle device. Still the legal 16" overall length. Looks like it can be gotten for $200 or less. (And it would actually be legal in a communist state like NJ!)

1692815351281.png
 
The completed PCC with a Foxtrot Mike lower ran 100% from the start. At least 100 total rounds of 115, 124, and 147gr commercial ball ammo. Can't be sure about accuracy because both of us were shooting off hand at 25 yards. Seems accurate enough for action shooting though. Feeling good about it now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom