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I might have to take you up on that.
PM me when you are ready and we'll put something together.
I'm not sure how many parts PSA is outsourcing these days, as they've been trying to bring everything in-house. I know FN still does their CHF barrels, and I believe Toolcraft makes some of their bolt carriers. They'll occasionally use a Geiselle or 2A Armament rail, but I believe most of their rails and barrels are manufactured by PSA now.
The thing is it doesn't matter who manufacturers their components, it matters how they spec it and what they do with it after they take possession of it. They can't say, "Hey FN, hook us with some of barrels you make for the U.S. military using Colt's TDP". It doesn't work that way, they provide the spec and FN manufacturers to that spec. It's like just all lowers are made a relatively small number of forger, but they are not the same regardless or what people say. They made to the customer's spec, (at which point it is still a hunk of aluminum) and finished by the customer. Then the biggy, QC, even properly made parts mean nothing if put together using substandard method and shortcuts.
I think their reputation took the biggest hit when they had that atrocious PTAC line with sewer pipes for barrels. I won't argue with your opinion as an armorer, but as a consumer, I personally think they've redeemed themselves and I have no reservations in purchasing another PSA upper.
The PTAC line is certainly an extreme example, terrible. I can't claim to be an armorer, I don't do it for a leaving, I nearly did but it doesn't pencil out, so I'm more of a serious student of the weapon. I think the industry as a whole has improved but there is still plenty of room for improvement.
They really are one of the best deals on the market right now, considering it's been entirely possible to build $300 ARs with their sale prices.
That's debatable, I'm more into quality over quantity so I tend to spend more on fewer, I can wrap more than 3 bills in a barrel alone real fast.