@That Guy over there Nah, PSA doesn't even believe in the 2nd Amendment. If you live in a state that they are scared of they will tuck tail and run. They won't even ship a charging handle or buffer spring to CT.
Hop didn't have rear irons on his, so his front sight was rendered useless anyway. I'd have gone with backups on both builds and skimped somewhere else. But I'd be considered a Fudd also.
Hop: “I chose my components based on mil spec designs & requirements” James: “I cracked a white claw & then picked the most Gucci parts the budget allowed”
@@irl-hdr4080 Depends how poor you are. There's poor and there's _poor_ and there's *_POOOOOOOOOOR_* . Also depends whether or not you have any parasitic crotch goblins , chicken heads and/or bad financial decisions resulting in any free money you would otherwise have going to monthly payments for whatever.
Who is this everyone ? I've never met them. Spend enough time on various forums and that sentiment goes out the window down the driveway up the road to the nearest interstate and drives off into the sunset. There are people sticking with that, but they are specific types. You got non-gun guys that don't actually use their guns. They buy it, toss some stuff on it and never touch it. You got guys that clone builds that resemble this but are pretty far from it because nothing official like that has ever existed. You got guys that are too poor or have too many other priorities to spend real money on this item or this hobby to go beyond this. Otherwise, nah, it's not going to end up looking like that. It might if it's your first rifle and you upgrade it as far as you easily can with budget parts and then keep it as a beater/trainer/loaner. Those people are 100% moving on to something 2x/3x the price as soon as they can afford to.
King Hop took ya to church on this one James. Also nice for the King of the Poors to validate that the Schmid Tool 2-stage does indeed punch way above its price tag. Love that trigger.
@@007turtle1239 For the money those two optics cost he could have gotten a Romeo4h and an HM3X magnifier. Actually, I think the PA Gen IV magnifier is even a bit cheaper and would have gotten him free shipping too.
@@roaringsteelmedia PSA deserves hate for making their customers beta testers for their new designs. However, their ARs and AKs (post the GF2 disaster) can do everything you need it to do but there are some things it just cant do compared to more expensive options and people need to understand that too.
Yup, seconded. James' is winning on the bids right now because full length free float is the aesthetic preference, but the fact is that it's not a "general purpose AR15" as stated in the goal with no light. No light means you're counting it out of 50% of potential usage time, as well as kicking it out of one of the most common roles for people buying cheap AR's (from when I worked the counter) - home defense. Plus breaking the budget, as you mentioned. James built a fine rifle, but it doesn't fit his own stated criteria.
The fact that Jame's rifle doesn't have a weapon light on it, automatically has me leaning more towards Hop. Not to mention, Hop's is still cheaper while still having both a red dot and a light which imo are essentials for something like home defense.
Id have saved by not doing the trigger swap, the charging handle swap, and using a cheaper lower like a PSA to get a weaponlight on James rifle if I was doing this challenge.
@Doom I'd even wager that the "average shooter" has no need for a magnified optic, let alone a dual optic setup. Especially if they just plan to plink at the range and perhaps use it for home defense where most break ins and scenarios happen........at night. If it wasn't for the light issue, I'd consider leaning a bit more towards James. Otherwise, Hop really understood the question down to a T (most people are going to buy a base rifle and then build around it, let's be real) and tried to squeeze as much into it with cost in mind.
I don't own an AR yet, but just from a dumb newbie's point of view, the flip over magnifier seems way better tactically than an offset red dot. Holding the rifle askew for close combat seems way tougher than just flipping a mag out of the way. Am I wrong?
@@Badinboarder87 depends on your training. At the close of range you're more likely be point shooting, so either or would work. Unless you have a good laser then holding your weapon at a offset is a lot easier.
I was gonna vote for James just cuz of the Itadaki Seieki magazine in the intro of the video, but Hop has a rds, light, and magnifier and is still under budget. Gotta love that!
Nice to see a local company ( to me) like JSE Surplus getting some love. Been going to JSE since 2005-06 time frame . That's back when the firearms side was like a side business outnof their computer repair shop. It gradually got bigger and bigger. Then after the original bldg got flooded they had a new great looking store/ shop built. Great people to work with and I always stop in when I need some parts or set ups.
I looked at putting a build together this year (which I couldn't afford, but maybe next year) using Aero parts instead of PSA, but incredibly it's almost exactly the same setup as Hop's, just minus the front sight block and quad rail.
@@r.l.royalljr.3905 I would recommend Rosco barrel instead of aero/ba. If you’re not a builder they sell complete uppers using American defense rails and properly gassed barrels. The price is comparable as well. I don’t use aero or ballistic advantage anymore for barrels. Good lowers tho.
James beat Hop ($2525 vs $1850) at the auction. I particularly like the look of Jame's lower he acquired from KE Arms. *Hop stayed under budget however
I love seeing father and son build offs. On the serious side it's good to see James and his ready to order Wish clone getting along so nice in this friendly challenge.
I gotta go with Hop on this one. Well thought out and well rounded build. PSA makes quality stuff for the price. Sig red dots aren’t that bad either for a budget build. Also, having a weapon light is a must. Great tip on the trigger too…. I run MBT’s and Geissele’s, but always nice to have quality parts at lower cost if needed. Great video guys!
Really like the concept of this series. Always fun to see the thought processes and bargains everyone stumbles across in their build. Looking forward to the Glock 19 clone contest
Like many others, my first AR looked like James'. My current pistol builds look alot more like Hop's. Thanks top Hop for the light rec. $100 bucks for a light that comes with a pressure switch is a hell of a bargain and a necessity.
I think the next video we see about this, when hop wins of course. We will actually have James ranting “just as good” unironically and it will be glorious
Can’t lie I’m psa for life. Once rob ski took a base model psa freedom to 5k without any malfunctioning. While the top tiers failed. I was psa for life
As a fellow 'Poor' myself, Hop has the home field advantage. I anticipate every episode of "Hop's Budget Blasters" and his tongue-in-cheek perspectives are welcome on my screen. I do prefer his build, having the weapon light is a great addition but I can't help but notice the similarities between both of your rifles.
@Basado Americano Got a PSA lower on the way! Unfortunately the stock furniture doesn't have a QD slot but I can always change that in the future. I'll just make sure I have one mounted on the handguard.
Bear Creek Arsenal gets a bad rap, but, I've done several with their uppers: 1-223 wylde, 2- 300blk (10.5 & 16) and 1-350 Legend so far all paired with Anderson lowers w/ Anderson lpk's. Only things I switched out was the A2 pistol grips and the trigger guards. All are good shooters and cost less than $500 minus the optics and other fun stuff I put on them. They're worth checking too for your first building
Love this! And it’s so funny to see how James absolutely refuses to cheap out on optics. Lol. I do too but for this I might have spent a little less on the optics and added a light.
Good job with Hop’s build! PSA doesn’t get enough credit for American made quality parts. I have several PSA AR-15 builds and they can keep up with a $2000 AR.
I actually really love this direction. Very original idea with an entertaining channel/operators combination. I'm legitimately engorged with suspense to see the 2nd/3rd videos. Lol. Engorged.
Just the name of the video was a bolt to my brain. Budget Gun Aficionado here... I own multiple Taurus G Series (Poor Perfection), and a Blem PSA AR-15. Thank you for this Video! Hop is our All Powerful Oz, our Willy Wonka, our Yogi Bear to James' Boo Boo.... Sincerely, - The Poors
Hop had me at 'Sport II'. Magpul furniture, QD, check. I have to go with James' optic choice, though. My 3x microprism is on a QR mount with a Magpul backup rear sight.
People overlook the Sport 2. Check out IV8888 doing a burn down test on it. I wish S&W would go away from the 1:9 and either back to 1:8 or start using 1:7.
so this polite mentioning is what triggered james to launch s 3-minute rant about a line between budget AR's and unusable dogshit. Thst made me lsugh. A new way of entertaiment- I'm overwatching comments that hosts reacted to in part 2 vid
Fantastically well spoken by a very well trained lawyer; we don’t take money for positive reviews, but we do take free gear from any vendor including Bentley, Porsche etc.
My favorite quote in this whole video, is James uttering the words “ I find rave reviews all over the internet from poor people” 😂😂😂😂😂 so nonchalant😂😂😂😂
That AP Trigger was the Nugget.... Been looking for a decent budget trigger and PSA is doing good things especially with their barrels. Looking forward to pt2. Great Content Guys
Came back to get the details on Hop's sight set-up, figgered I'd go check the auction results, Boo! Kudos to who came up with this idea, great way to buy at $1250 and sell at $1850 - $2525.
Let's get a count going for how many times hop will refer to "take this into battle" "I would go to war with this set up" despite not having a clue what going into battle or volunteering for any service.
Decided to try to do my own $1250 build while watching the video, got a bcm upper, bcg, and charging handle, aero lower, and daniel defense irons for $1253.54
I have to say you both are using parts I use all the time... Hop... PSA goodness with a sprinkle of MI on it. James...BFG sling all day long. Hanging PA optics on it, glad to see your "sight" hasn't been impared by the fog of the higher end.
I just watched Military Arms video on PSA. Very impressive what they are doing. I went to the New Charleston store Friday and they had a complete 11.5" upper with 10.5" rail for $160 , normally $380. I picked up a OK-Karen stripped lower a few months ago and wasn't sure what I was going to build. I got my Pistol build started lol. I will have $350 into a complete PSA 11.5" pistol and adding a light and probably the Sig setup $550 into a cool home defense gun.
James is an amature Hops is a pro baby. The only difference I would have done to hops rifle is to put the rapidstrike 1-6x24mm LPVO is under $150. Now we can all agree that there is better LPVO out there but this is designed for 5.56 and it's under $150.
I actually did a pretty neat build just sitting at 1300 ish, with blem aero upper and lower, superlative arms piston kit(on sale), Blem FN chf barrel, Blem toolcraft BCG, Bravo Company gunfighter stock(on sale). You can actually do pretty good budget rifle build if you are ok with using blem parts and waiting for sale.
they are. however, i know people that think pinning an upper to a lower is "building" and they would rather leave that to the pros, so they dont screw it up. and somehow, rifle is never actually zeroed. (if it its it was a 2 day, compound problem than will never need to happen again.)
Excellent ode to the newbies, fellas. One point to note about the Magpul SL Mid handguard is that it requires a circular handguard retaining cap while most midlength FSB uppers (including PSA) tend to use the triangular version, so if you wanted to use the SL mid then you'd need to do a bit of extra work (and need a new crush washer) to use it. Otherwise the "standard", fatter MOE mid handguard accepts both triangular and circular retaining caps. I think Hop made a great choice with the quad under these parameters. For the optics, I'd probably prefer what James decided on.
@@TsunTzu Yeah. And they're too aggressively machined. I've got man hands, but compared to over similar charging handles, it's just annoying to me personally. I really wanted to like it, especially when they were available for 30 bucks, but I just hated them.
I used to work at a now popular AR manufacturer that uses those CH's in their... most well known rifles. They're pretty flimsy IMO, and definitely breakable if you treat your guns on the rougher side.
I like them both. They seem to be built for different applications. Hop nudging out on top for me for looks and shorter barrel. I’m still waiting for someone to show a build from reject parts. Maybe sets having to be redone on parts and or polymer lower fixed and re-milling. Thank you guys for posting these videos. I enjoy these competitions.
Hop's build is pretty close to what I already have. I bought an M&P 15 Sport about 10 years ago when they still put the 5R barrels in them. Biggest difference is I have the PA 1-8x LPVO. But I plan to swap that out at some point in the future for use on a different rifle.
I love almost the entire RU-vid gun community, but Hop is the man, for some reason the way he sees things make more sense to me then almost anyone. I love my Palmetto State AR. Love my LWRC a lot more but the PSA is a runner and the price was right.
Things I like about hop's build: Stock Grip Light Sling Lower/upper uniformity Buffer Things I like about James's build: Trigger Optic Upper Fore end Gas block Things both could improve: BCG get a nitrided Young Manufacturing BCG that nitride finish makes cleaning so much easier and run smoother when dirty.
James: well done. I would have purchased a PSA CHF barrel and all lower and upper parts from their premium line. Went with MBT, used Sprinco springs, and a H2 buffer or A5 if mid. And slapped a PA LPVO on it.
Just put together an AR 10. A Palmetto lower I got on sale a year ago. Then a 20 inch SS Heavy barrel Bear Creek upper went on sale and I grabbed that. Yes they do fit and work together. Then I got a Sightmark 5x30 x56 scope, mounts, 3.5 drop in trigger and improved charging handle and added an A2 stock. I took everything apart lapped the face of the receiver. Shimmed out any play in the barrel to receiver. I lapped the rings and carefully and meticulously mounted the scope and went through every part. So all in with patience and waiting for sales I put together a rifle that reliably and accurately reached out to 1000 yards. I'm not a competitive shooter and will probably on take this out to the range a few times a year. I spent all in just over 1000 dollars. As far as I'm concerned I'm having 2500 worth of fun for only 1000 dollars. And I spent that money over time so it wasn't a big hit.
Yes, thank God that someone finally thought to make a build series for guns a-la Top Gear or Car Throttle I like the overall look and even sighting system of Hop’s rifle. If I wanted an LPVO, I’d either save more money to increase the budget or get a Sig Tango MSR, those used to be found for cheap at around 250 with the mount and it’s got the best glass from the entry level LPVOs. Magpul furniture is a big ergonomic upgrade without hurting the bank. I would’ve tried to get some BLEM Aero receivers while hitting the sales, then probably hit up a sale from BA. Rails could be anything though it’s worth noting that Geissele had a Black Friday blem sale where you can get a Geissele rail for the price of a Midwest. So a blem Geissele rail on Black Friday: 200 BA barrel on sale w gas block and tube probs: 210 if Hanson, cheaper if government profile Aero receivers blem with parts kit and magpul pistol grip on sale: 220, going forged and non e1 as much as possible Larue mbt- 90 Solgw bcg- 180 Leaves about 350 to spend on furniture and optics. Tango msr is 250 ish and change goes to the stock and sling. Build lacks a light but with the parts youre getting, a stream light is easy to save up for and the rest of the build is practically mid tier. Magpul stock, pistol grip, a2 fh, nd charging handle 200 and any other change saved from above.
I have almost the same build as Hop and went with an OLight Odin. Same price point, but very impressive quality so far. 1250 lumen output, don’t recall candela ratings offhand. Streamlight makes great mini EDC lights tho.
Glad to hear JSE is still around, bought quite a bit from them a decade ago and completely forgot about them! As for the rifles, they each have things I like.
Well Hop wins by default bc James went over budget but more importantly: James' build is tied to time sensitive deals with a smaller distributor that- even in the preview footage- was already low on inventory. Hops build is all in stock and available for those prices regularly. Granted: Hops build can be built and/or upgraded over time as needed where as James' build is mostly one and done. The "buy once cry once" is stuff my old man still tells me to this day.
