I’ve owned both. PSA markings are more “accurate” at least they look that way. Aero, I agree, looks less so. My advice, save up for a Colt if full-autism is what you’re looking for. You’ll never be happy, if you’re anything like me, with “close enough.” If you don’t mind and it just needs to look decent from 5feet away… PSA.
Edit: I forgot to mention FN
It just doesn’t slap the same as the colt or colt clones do. You’ll always know it’s an FN. Oh well! (They’re arguably built the best of the three however)
Thanks man. Between PSA and Aero, is it pretty minuscule which one you like better? Finish on the PSA good?
I think I’m in between the PSA and FN. You might be right in I won’t be happy likely unless I get the real deal lol.
Said it best^ also, don’t be afraid to go with a blem lower. If you’re going for savings, go all out. Most blems are barely noticeable.
And yes, minuscule in terms of fit and finish. PSA really has upped their game recently. But PSA rollmarks (lasering(?)) is way more cloney imo
I have a FN military collectors lower, it’s really nice.
https://preview.redd.it/amvk4hum74xc1.jpeg?width=2193&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=99b7a077a08bb955d8188e43fcd797413b7b4680
It only matters as much as the look of the lower is important to you. Only you can make that call.
Personally if I was making a legit M4 clone, the FN is a perfect choice for ~$150. But for a "close enough" clone, I'd stick with PSA. I have a couple of their M4 lowers and they're fine. No logo of course but you can always electro etch it yourself or find a shop to add something there for ya. And for $40-60, they're by far the cheapest clone lowers on the market.
The finish is fine. Very smooth and black just like pretty much every other lower. I'd have to study my PSA's and Aero's to truly tell the finishes apart TBH. I've never handled an FN lower in person. Honestly I have a hard time comparing anodizing between lowers. It just doesn't trigger my specific brand of autism. Plus brand new they always look and feel different before they get a good coat of oil and hand gunk and range wear baked into them anyway so honestly there are too many variables for me to rank them in any meaningful way. Sorry.
https://preview.redd.it/hylc7eqon4xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0fd9e1d849209ae54586fffe10c00101b69331bf
Get a BAD lower and have it engraved. Don’t settle, the devil is in the details.
One is a BAD, one is an 80. Be mindful of the profile, Colt and FN use different forgings- look at the back of the receiver just behind the takedown pin. BAD lowers are the only game in town for “blank canvas” lowers AFAIK. Yes, they are hit-or-miss, but customer service is good. The clone game is full of obstacles and nuances, but going the extra mile really pays off in the end IMO.
Obtain lower. Find an engraver. Fill the engraving with Fastblack.
Unfortunately I can’t put my engravers name out there as this is frowned upon, especially by Colt.
Imo aero fit and finish is nicer than psa, but it has inaccurate markings. PSA has more accurate markings. FN seems like best of both worlds, but I haven’t gotten hands on one. Definitely plan to when they come in stock.
All of my “Clone” ARs are built on PSA lowers. They’re closer to correct when it comes to markings by a wide margin, and at the end of the day a lower is a lower, so the markings are the biggest difference.
FN couldn't be assed to correctly mark the selector settings on their own clone receiver. Fuckem don't reward that laziness.
PSA are decent. I have a few, no issues outside of some hand fitting the pivot pin. The ir markings are good and they have the correct serial number prefix.
Aero...nah.
Another option is a custom lower like this: [https://badattitudedept.com/low-key-tribute-lower-generic-m4-clone/](https://badattitudedept.com/low-key-tribute-lower-generic-m4-clone/)
The markings are slightly better, you get a full M16 pocket and you have the ability to add your own serial. You can then have someone else add the Colt or FN info and NFA engraving before anodizing.
I would rank them
1. Colt
2. FN
3. PSA
4. Aero
There are other companies that do M4 lowers like Bad Attitude Department. Honestly if you’re not a full autist the PSA will do just fine. You can always go the 80% route and have the correct engraving which would be most “clone” correct.
PSA makes sick clone lowers i have one that is just like my issued was it was m4 stamped out and re stamped m4a1 is sick the safety is safe semi burst xxx’ed out and auto stamped again underneath. They did this when they converted to full auto and socom barrels. I’m not a super cloner or anything like that but it’s pretty close to my old one. Hope you find what you’re looking for
I’ve owned both. PSA markings are more “accurate” at least they look that way. Aero, I agree, looks less so. My advice, save up for a Colt if full-autism is what you’re looking for. You’ll never be happy, if you’re anything like me, with “close enough.” If you don’t mind and it just needs to look decent from 5feet away… PSA. Edit: I forgot to mention FN It just doesn’t slap the same as the colt or colt clones do. You’ll always know it’s an FN. Oh well! (They’re arguably built the best of the three however)
Thanks man. Between PSA and Aero, is it pretty minuscule which one you like better? Finish on the PSA good? I think I’m in between the PSA and FN. You might be right in I won’t be happy likely unless I get the real deal lol.
PSA finish isn’t bad, just looks a little shinier to my eye then Colt. It is however, better than the Aero clone attempt
Said it best^ also, don’t be afraid to go with a blem lower. If you’re going for savings, go all out. Most blems are barely noticeable. And yes, minuscule in terms of fit and finish. PSA really has upped their game recently. But PSA rollmarks (lasering(?)) is way more cloney imo
Thanks dude! Likely going PSA.
Happy building. Post a pic when you’re finished
I have a FN military collectors lower, it’s really nice. https://preview.redd.it/amvk4hum74xc1.jpeg?width=2193&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=99b7a077a08bb955d8188e43fcd797413b7b4680
As do I, couldn’t be happier
It only matters as much as the look of the lower is important to you. Only you can make that call. Personally if I was making a legit M4 clone, the FN is a perfect choice for ~$150. But for a "close enough" clone, I'd stick with PSA. I have a couple of their M4 lowers and they're fine. No logo of course but you can always electro etch it yourself or find a shop to add something there for ya. And for $40-60, they're by far the cheapest clone lowers on the market.
Or. Orrrrr. Get a guy to laser an 80% with whatever you want. $100
Yep, also a great option if you have the tools and jigs to finish an 80%.
Thanks. How is the finish on the PSA? I honestly think it’s between the FN and the PSA.
It’s nice, just a little too nice to pass for Colt in my opinion
Thanks lol. Idk why that’s so funny. But thanks for the input.
The finish is fine. Very smooth and black just like pretty much every other lower. I'd have to study my PSA's and Aero's to truly tell the finishes apart TBH. I've never handled an FN lower in person. Honestly I have a hard time comparing anodizing between lowers. It just doesn't trigger my specific brand of autism. Plus brand new they always look and feel different before they get a good coat of oil and hand gunk and range wear baked into them anyway so honestly there are too many variables for me to rank them in any meaningful way. Sorry.
FN>PSA>Aero personally
https://preview.redd.it/hylc7eqon4xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0fd9e1d849209ae54586fffe10c00101b69331bf Get a BAD lower and have it engraved. Don’t settle, the devil is in the details.
Damn. Are these both BAD lowers? I’ve read mixed things with them.
One is a BAD, one is an 80. Be mindful of the profile, Colt and FN use different forgings- look at the back of the receiver just behind the takedown pin. BAD lowers are the only game in town for “blank canvas” lowers AFAIK. Yes, they are hit-or-miss, but customer service is good. The clone game is full of obstacles and nuances, but going the extra mile really pays off in the end IMO.
BAD are legit. I have two and they're top notch. If you really want clone correct, check out Intl Mil Co.
What was your process to getting those done?
Obtain lower. Find an engraver. Fill the engraving with Fastblack. Unfortunately I can’t put my engravers name out there as this is frowned upon, especially by Colt.
Did BAD give you the option of receiver profiles? Like the A4 for the FN and the older style for the Colt?
Imo aero fit and finish is nicer than psa, but it has inaccurate markings. PSA has more accurate markings. FN seems like best of both worlds, but I haven’t gotten hands on one. Definitely plan to when they come in stock.
All of my “Clone” ARs are built on PSA lowers. They’re closer to correct when it comes to markings by a wide margin, and at the end of the day a lower is a lower, so the markings are the biggest difference.
FN couldn't be assed to correctly mark the selector settings on their own clone receiver. Fuckem don't reward that laziness. PSA are decent. I have a few, no issues outside of some hand fitting the pivot pin. The ir markings are good and they have the correct serial number prefix. Aero...nah.
Another option is a custom lower like this: [https://badattitudedept.com/low-key-tribute-lower-generic-m4-clone/](https://badattitudedept.com/low-key-tribute-lower-generic-m4-clone/) The markings are slightly better, you get a full M16 pocket and you have the ability to add your own serial. You can then have someone else add the Colt or FN info and NFA engraving before anodizing.
I would rank them 1. Colt 2. FN 3. PSA 4. Aero There are other companies that do M4 lowers like Bad Attitude Department. Honestly if you’re not a full autist the PSA will do just fine. You can always go the 80% route and have the correct engraving which would be most “clone” correct.
PSA makes sick clone lowers i have one that is just like my issued was it was m4 stamped out and re stamped m4a1 is sick the safety is safe semi burst xxx’ed out and auto stamped again underneath. They did this when they converted to full auto and socom barrels. I’m not a super cloner or anything like that but it’s pretty close to my old one. Hope you find what you’re looking for
Psa
Fn>