Budget Ammo, Big Problems? PSA’s Quality Concerns Explode

Palmetto State Armory (PSA), long celebrated for making affordable firearms and ammunition accessible to American gun owners, is now facing growing backlash over the quality of its AAC-branded ammo. In a recent video by Cody Curry of 110 SASS Actual, Curry issues a stark warning: AAC ammo is reportedly causing catastrophic failures across numerous firearm platforms. While affordable ammo is attractive in today’s high-inflation economy, the trade-off might be reliability and safety.

Multiple Reports of Dangerous Failures

Curry, who typically steers clear of clickbait-style fearmongering, says he was overwhelmed by how many firsthand accounts poured in after a call for testimonies. Shooters reported popped primers, ruptured cases, and even exploded suppressors. One competitor’s rifle was rendered inoperable mid-match due to six loose primers lodging inside the fire control group. According to Curry, hundreds of cases like this are floating around online, and they all point to the same suspect: AAC ammunition.

Overpressure and Questionable Powder Sources

Digging deeper, Curry explains that although AAC seems to be using the correct powder loads in its 5.56 cartridges, around 25–27 grains for a 77-grain match bullet, the real problem may lie in the powder quality itself. Instead of using domestically sourced powder from trusted manufacturers like St. Marks in Florida, some batches appear to include powder sourced through brokers from countries like India, Pakistan, and Serbia. If not properly pressure-tested, such powder can produce explosive results. Literally.

Real-World Damage and Suppressor Destruction

In the 110 SASS Actual video, Curry highlights a disturbing pattern: full-metal jackets separating from their cores mid-flight, causing damage to suppressors. Suppressor manufacturer Otter Creek Labs has gone so far as to advise customers not to use AAC ammo in their cans. That’s a serious red flag. Curry shares multiple images from users whose suppressors were destroyed and whose rifles suffered catastrophic damage, banana-peel barrels, bulged chambers, and broken receivers.

Visual Inspection Failures and Loose Rounds

The problems aren’t limited to overpressure. According to Curry, AAC’s quality control breakdown is visual as well. He shows examples of ammunition with deformed casings, loose bullets, improperly seated primers, and even rounds where the powder had spilled out inside the packaging. One report mentioned ammo going off during shipping due to poor packing. These aren’t minor cosmetic flaws, they’re potentially lethal failures in engineering and oversight.

How PSA Allegedly Handles Complaints

Here’s where the story gets even more troubling. According to Curry, customers who complained were sometimes asked to remove their negative posts in exchange for refunds or replacements. While Curry acknowledges that PSA has reimbursed many users, he questions why transparency wasn’t prioritized. “Why not respond publicly with a solution everyone can see?” he asks. Instead, it appears the company tried to hush complaints behind closed doors.

Feedback Suppression: Brad’s Accusations

Brad, host of the m26_Lemon_Grenade channel, backs up Curry’s claims with additional context. In his own video, “Palmetto State Armory Does Not Want Your Feedback As Long As They Are Selling Product,” Brad accuses PSA of suppressing customer criticism. Several YouTubers, including the longtime creator Practical Nurse, were reportedly blacklisted from buying PSA products after posting critical, but constructive, reviews. “They don’t want feedback,” Brad says, “they want compliance.”

The “Volume Over Quality” Business Model

Brad explains what he believes is the root cause: PSA runs a high-volume, low-margin business. With reports claiming the company produces up to 3,000 ARs a day, Brad says the incentive isn’t to make higher-quality products – it’s to cut production costs. That may work on paper, but when it comes to ammunition, one bad batch can cost someone their eyesight. “They’re making cheap guns, not quality guns at affordable prices,” Brad argues.

A History of Retaliation?

Both Curry and Brad provide multiple examples of PSA allegedly retaliating against users who criticized their ammo or firearms online. Curry says users on Reddit and Instagram were contacted by PSA representatives, offered refunds, but asked to delete their posts. Brad recounts several cases where users were banned from PSA’s store entirely after sharing critical feedback. For a company that markets itself as pro-2A and “for the people,” that’s a disturbing trend.

Holding a Company Accountable Without Canceling It

To his credit, Curry avoids vilifying PSA outright. He emphasizes that the goal isn’t to “cancel” the company, but to demand better quality control. “We have to hold these people accountable,” he says, “because I want to support them. But I also like my face the way it is.” It’s a fair point – no amount of savings is worth blowing up a $1,000 rifle, or worse, a shooter’s hand.

Can AAC Regain Trust?

The silver lining? Both hosts believe AAC and PSA can turn things around. With increased pressure testing, better powder sourcing, and transparent customer service, AAC could recover its reputation. “They’re on our team,” Curry says. “We just need to demand better from them.” For many gun owners, the appeal of American-made, budget-friendly ammo hasn’t disappeared, but trust has been severely shaken.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Both Cody Curry and Brad urge consumers to think critically before purchasing AAC ammunition. In Curry’s words, “There is no amount of money that makes this trade-off worth it.” Until PSA addresses these concerns head-on, gun owners may be better off spending a few extra cents per round for peace of mind. If AAC truly wants to serve the 2A community, it needs to start with transparency, safety, and respect for those willing to hold it accountable.