Which should you buy, PSA or Magpul?

PSA for the price, receivers and internals. Magpul for stocks. Pick PSA if price matters most: builders pay about 41% less than average for the same part. Builders pick its receivers far more often and internals far more often. Pick Magpul if you want close to average prices: builders pay 19% cheaper than average. Builders pick its stocks 177x as often. Or mix them like builders do: 30% of PSA builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Is PSA cheaper than Magpul?

PSA. PSA 41% cheaper than average, Magpul 19% cheaper than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, PSA or Magpul?

Magpul. Magpul is in 1.7x as many builds.

PSA or Magpul: which receivers do builders pick?

PSA. PSA upper receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

PSA or Magpul: which furniture do builders pick?

Magpul. Magpul stocks picked 177x as often.

PSA or Magpul: which complete rifle do builders pick?

PSA. PSA complete rifles picked often, Magpul rarely.

Can you mix PSA and Magpul parts?

Yes. 30% of PSA builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

PSA vs Magpul: AR-15 brands compared

Q: PSA or Magpul: which internals do builders pick?

PSA. PSA bolt carrier groups picked often, Magpul rarely.

PSA leads in 5 of 7 categories.

PSA for the price, receivers and internals. Magpul for stocks.

From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.

Our take

PSA is best for:

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
Receivers (Magpul receivers are rarely picked)
Internals (Magpul internals are rarely picked)
Complete rifles (Magpul complete rifles are rarely picked)

Magpul is best for:

Magpul makes PMAG magazines, MOE stocks and grips, and created the M-LOK slot system that most handguards use now.

Created M-LOK · Mil-spec compatible · 60 day returns

Close to average prices
The more popular pick: in 29% of builds
Stocks, picked 177x as often

Many builders mix them: 30% of PSA builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Biggest differences

"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.

	PSA	Magpul	Difference
Price vs average	41% cheaper	19% cheaper	PSA cheaper
Share of builds	17%	29%	Magpul 1.7x
Stocks picked	0.2%	41%	Magpul 206x
Retailers carrying	9	23	Magpul 2.6x
Parts listed	2,037	1,103	PSA 1.8x

Price: PSA wins

For the same part, PSA parts run 41% cheaper than average and Magpul parts run 19% cheaper than average.

Builder favorite: Magpul wins

PSA is in 17% of builds and Magpul is in 29% of builds.

Why Magpul: Every Magpul product has a 60 day, no questions asked return policy, so you can test it in the field.

Receivers: PSA wins

PSA upper receivers picked often, Magpul 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 store

Most picked Magpul receivers

Rarely picked

Internals: PSA wins

PSA bolt carrier groups picked often, Magpul rarely.

Why PSA: PSA's upgraded BCGs use a Carpenter 158 steel bolt that's shot peened, high pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected.

Most picked PSA internals

PSA Bolt Carrier Group 5.56 Full-Auto Nitride MPI$89.99, in stock at 1 store

PSA /PA10 EPT$49.99, in stock at 1 store

PSA Custom Charging Handleout of stock

Most picked Magpul internals

Rarely picked

Furniture: Magpul wins

Builders pick Magpul stocks (177x) more often than PSA. Magpul handguards and pistol grips are picked often, PSA's rarely.

Why Magpul: The MOE SL stock fits mil-spec carbine tubes and has a slim profile, an anti-rattle feature and an ambi QD sling mount.

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 stock

Most picked Magpul furniture

Magpul MOE Stock Collapsible$33.99, in stock at 9 stores

Magpul MOE K2 Grip Polymer Gray$14.97, in stock at 5 stores

Magpul MOE-SL Mid-Length Handguard$29.99, in stock at 8 stores

Complete rifles: PSA wins

PSA complete rifles picked often, Magpul 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 stock

Most picked Magpul complete rifles

Rarely picked

Shopper clicks: PSA wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 64% went to PSA and 36% went to Magpul.

The full record

Everything we track for PSA vs Magpul, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

	PSA	Magpul
Share of builds	17%	29%
Price tier	Budget friendly	Mid priced
Parts listed	2,037	1,103
Part types	29	34
Retailers carrying	9	23
In stock now	93%	85%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	n/a	13% higher
On sale now	None	2 parts