PSA vs Cryptic Coatings: AR-15 brands compared
PSA leads in 6 of 7 categories.
PSA for the price, receivers and furniture.
From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.
Our take
PSA sells affordable AR lowers, uppers, BCGs and complete rifles, and it makes them in house from forging to finished part.
Lifetime warranty · Transferable warranty · Value pricing · Vertically integrated
- Spending less: about 41% below average
- The more popular pick: in 17% of builds
- Receivers (Cryptic Coatings receivers are rarely picked)
- Furniture (Cryptic Coatings furniture are rarely picked)
Cryptic Coatings makes coated AR bolt carrier groups in PVD and CVD finishes like Mystic Bronze, made to cut friction and run cooler.
Veteran founded · Lifetime warranty · BCG specialist · Low lube
- Paying more: about 22% above average
Many builders mix them: 18% of Cryptic Coatings builds add PSA, most often the upper receiver.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| PSA | Cryptic Coatings | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | 41% cheaper | 22% pricier | PSA cheaper |
| Share of builds | 17% | 5% | PSA 3x |
| Parts listed | 2,037 | 243 | PSA 8x |
| Retailers carrying | 9 | 4 | PSA 2.3x |
| BCGs picked | 7.7% | 9.6% | Cryptic Coatings 1.2x |
Price: PSA wins
For the same part, PSA parts run 41% cheaper than average and Cryptic Coatings parts run 22% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: PSA wins
PSA is in 17% of builds and Cryptic Coatings is in 5% of builds.
Why PSA: PSA's Full Lifetime Warranty covers the guns and parts it makes, and it transfers to later owners.
Receivers: PSA wins
PSA upper receivers picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Why PSA: PSA owns its supply chain, including Spartan Forging and DC Machine, from forging the receivers to finishing the muzzle brake.
Most picked PSA receivers
PSA Upper 5.56 16" Mid-Length Nitride 13.5" M-LOK$249.99, in stock at 1 store
PSA "Stealth" Stripped Lower Receiver$79.99, in stock at 1 store
PSA Built Stealth Upper Receiver$99.99, in stock at 1 storeMost picked Cryptic Coatings receivers
Rarely picked
Internals: Tie
Bolt carrier groups are about even. PSA barrels, charging handles and triggers are picked often, Cryptic Coatings's rarely.
Why PSA: PSA's upgraded BCGs use a Carpenter 158 steel bolt that's shot peened, high pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected.
Why Cryptic Coatings: Steel Cryptic BCGs use an 8620 carrier and a Carpenter 158 bolt, are HPT and MPI tested, and the gas key is staked with grade 8 screws.
Furniture: PSA wins
PSA stocks picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Most picked PSA furniture
Palmetto State Armory MOE Stock KIT$79.95, in stock at 1 store
Palmetto State Armory MOE Stock KIT Flat Dark Earth$79.95, in stock at 1 store
PSA AR-V 10.5" 9mm 1/10 Hex M-LOK MOE EPT SBA3 Pistolout of stockMost picked Cryptic Coatings furniture
Rarely picked
Complete rifles: PSA wins
PSA complete rifles picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Most picked PSA complete rifles
PSA PA-15 16" Nitride M4 Carbine 5.56 NATO Classic 13.5"$549.99, in stock at 1 store
PSA PA-15 16"Nitride M4 Carbine 5.56 NATO Classic Rifle$499.99, in stock at 1 store
PSA Guardsman-15 16" Midlength 5.56 NATO 1/7 CL$617.49, out of stockMost picked Cryptic Coatings complete rifles
Rarely picked
Shopper clicks: PSA wins
Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 89% went to PSA and 11% went to Cryptic Coatings.
The full record
Everything we track for PSA vs Cryptic Coatings, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| PSA | Cryptic Coatings | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 17% | 5% |
| Price tier | Budget friendly | Premium |
| Parts listed | 2,037 | 243 |
| Part types | 29 | 1 |
| Retailers carrying | 9 | 4 |
| In stock now | 93% | 29% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | n/a | 10% lower |
| On sale now | None | None |
