Palmetto State Armory AK: Is the PSAK-47 Worth Buying?
When it comes to affordable AK-style rifles in the United States, the Palmetto State Armory AK-47 (PSAK-47) has generated a lot of attention among shooters, collectors, and budget-conscious buyers. As more American manufacturers attempt to produce their own versions of the iconic Kalashnikov platform, many enthusiasts are asking the same question: can a U.S.-made AK really compete with imported rifles in terms of reliability, durability, and overall performance?
In this article, we take a close look at the Palmetto State Armory AK to determine whether it lives up to the hype or falls short of expectations.
Palmetto State Armory, often referred to as PSA, built its reputation by offering quality firearms, parts, and accessories at competitive prices. With the release of their PSAK-47, the company entered a highly competitive market traditionally dominated by foreign-made rifles.
This early version of the PSA AK represents one of the company’s first attempts at producing a domestically manufactured AK-47, making it especially interesting for buyers considering an American-made alternative. Throughout this review, we’ll examine the rifle’s build quality, materials, performance on the range, and long-term reliability to help you decide if the PSA AK-47 is worth your money.
The new AK rifles will be available in a base model with the buyer’s choice of Magpul or wood furniture. Base guns will have:
- 4150 military grade barrels,
- nickel boron coated bolt carrier groups,
- enhanced trigger, and
- one Magpul 30-round magazine.
The pricing on this version will be $699.
Another version of the rifle adds an optic mount and an Aimpoint H-1 sight. This package will carry a retail price of $999. Considering that an Aimpoint H-1 will sell for nearly $600 on Amazon, this package seems like an exceptional value.
The trigger pull on the display gun was much smoother than the import AKs I have shot in the past. Additionally, the safety was very easy to operate, with no sloppiness.
When designing this 100% US made AK, Palmetto State Armory developed the “American Standard. ” Wondering what the American Standard is? I was, so I asked.
I spoke with Adam Ruonala of PSA. Ruonala recounted how the company did extensive research into the engineering background and history of the AK-pattern rifles. Like many AK-enthusiasts, PSA discovered that there are many design specifications for these rifles depending on when and where they were produced. All too often, the information is inconsistent or even contradictory.
Ruonala stated PSA constructed the rifles to a specification that allowed for compatibility with existing AK parts. It appears PSA is willing to share these specifications with industry partners. Perhaps with a standard set of specifications to rally around, more US manufacturers will jump into the AK business.
These rifles will begin selling in about 45 days. Up to 10,000 rifles will be available when they go on sale.
