PALMETTO STATE ARMORY PSAK47
Posted May 19, 2023
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has been providing firearms enthusiasts with quality parts and accessories for decades. With a broad selection of rifles, parts, and accessories, PSA is well-situated to offer nearly any AR build you might want to construct. One particular rifle worthy of review is the PSAK47, an AK-47-style rifle manufactured in-house by PSA. The PSAK47 has the look and feel of a classic AK-47 while adding modern modifications and components. With its combination of deep heritage and modern precision, the PSAK47 is an attractive choice for anyone looking for an AK-47-style rifle.
Design and Construction
The PSAK47 is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed rifle that has the classic profile of the iconic AK-47. PSA has put some modern touches on its design, such as the four rails, which provide Picatinny rail sections on the front, sides, and top of the rifle. This allows for easy installation of optics, lights, laser, or other accessories. Furthermore, the top rail section is removable, giving the user the ability to install a side or low mount optic. This is an important modification over the classic AK-47, which did not have anywhere to mount an optic out of the box.
Under the hood, the PSAK47 is made from quality materials. The receiver is milled from solid steel, and the barrel is 4150 chrome-moly-vanadium steel. The barrel also has a corrosion-resistant Manganese Phosphate finish for durability. PSA also uses cold-hammer-forged technology to ensure that the bore is smooth, with no machine marks or blemishes, which can lead to accuracy issues. Another important quality-of-life feature is a 1:10 twist on the barrel, meaning the grooves of the barrel twist one revolution every 10 inches. This helps stabilize the round for more accuracy over longer distances.
The PSAK47 also includes some fine-toothed touches, such as a high-strength single-shot hammer, steel trigger guard, and chrome-lined gas system. Additionally, the muzzle is threaded (14x1LH) and there is a 16mm polished thread samonikov. The receiver also includes a drum-style Butt Stock fastener, ensuring ample seating power and a tight fit. Finally, the PSAK47 includes an extended charging handle, allowing the user to quickly and easily operate the rifle.
Performance
The performance of the PSAK47 is a product of its well-constructed parts and modern features. The long barrel and taper are excellent for accuracy over long ranges, and the chrome-lined gas system ensures reliable cycling and extraction. Additionally, the button-style Rear Sling Attachment provides a secure fit and improved stability when shooting. All of these features blend together to give the PSAK47 excellent performance and reliability.
The PSAK47 comes with a Magpul PMAG AK47 20-round magazine for reliable feeding, although 30-round magazines are available for purchase separately. Additionally, the PSAK47 is capable of accepting a variety of magazine types, including plastic, aluminum, steel, and polymer.
The PSAK47 shoots accurately and consistently, with very little recoil. The trigger is a bit heavy, but not so much that it affects accuracy or makes the rifle difficult to shoot. The rifle is comfortable to hold and shoot with the included wood furniture, and it is a joy to shoot.
Quality and Price
The PSAK47 is an excellent value for the money. It has many of the features of a high-end AK-style rifle but comes at a much lower cost than other brands. PSA keeps costs low by producing the rifle in-house and utilizing a combination of quality materials and modern manufacturing techniques.
The overall quality of the PSAK47 is excellent. It is well-constructed and made from quality materials, such as the milled steel receiver and 4150 chrome-moly-vanadium barrel. The dimensions of the rifle are precise and the components are solid. The finish is also excellent, with a corrosion-resistant Manganese Phosphate finish on the barrel and robust dark-colored furniture.
Conclusion
The PSAK47 is an excellent rifle that will appeal to AK-47 enthusiasts. It has the look and feel of a classic AK-47 with modern touches and improved performance. The PSAK47 is well-constructed with quality parts and is an amazing value for the money. The PSAK47 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quality AK-style rifle.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Made from quality materials at an affordable price.
- Easy to assemble.
- Features a variety of styles and finishes.
- Can be used for self-defense and hunting.
- Comes with many accessories including magazines and slings.
- Offers a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Not as accurate as other, more expensive AK47s.
- Some of the manufacturing processes feel a bit rough.
- Not as customizable as other firearms.
- Can be a little difficult to clean due to the numerous parts.
Who Should Buy
Anyone who is a fan of the AK-47 rifle, or is interested in history, should consider buying PALMETTO STATE ARMORY PSAK47. It is a high-quality replica of the classic Soviet design, and it is an excellent choice for collectors and those who are looking for a reliable weapon for self-defense or hunting.
On the other hand, people who are not already familiar with the AK-47 rifle, or who may be new to the world of firearms, should be aware of the sheer size and weight of the gun before investing in it. For people who do not have any experience with weaponry, buying this product could be a significant and potentially dangerous expense.
Comparisons
| PALMETTO STATE ARMORY PSAK47 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | Kalashnikov USA KP-9 | Arsenal SLR107R | Centurion Arms CMR AK47 |
| Weight | 8.1lbs | 8.11lbs | 7.1lbs | 6.4lbs |
| Features | Threaded barrel, accepts AKM furniture, hammer forged barrel, parkerized finish, military grade stamped receiver | Chrome-lined barrel, semi-automatic, short-stroke gas piston operation, accepts AK furniture | Side-mount scope rail &dovetail, Bulgarian-style muzzle brake, forged & milled receiver, Cold hammer-forged barrel | Magpul MOE furniture,Ultra slim Mod-2 KeyMod handguard, forged front trunion, MIL-SPEC hard anodizing |
Features / Specs
•Chambered in 7.62x39mm
•Cold HammerForged 16.5” barrel with 1:10 twist rate
•Railed gas block
•Enhanced Bolt and Bolt Carrier
•Bulgarian AK-47 Style Semi-Auto Rifles
•4150V steel barrel with a Nitride finish
•Pressure tested and Magnetic Particle Inspected barrel
•PSA Classic S-41 Forged Front Trunnion
•PSA Classic S-42 Billeted Rear Trunnion
•PSA Classic “Flat-Side” Muzzle Brake
•PSA “Shockwave” Pistol Grip
•PSA Classic AK Furniture with accessory side rail
•PSA Classic A-Frames with enhanced rivet set
•Forged Port Door
•Forged Bolt Hold Open
•Rise Armament RA-535 Advanced Trigger
•Match-grade trigger/hammer pins
•Fully heat treated, carburized components
•33 round steel magazine included
Popular Accessories
- Magpul AK Moe Grips
- AK Trigger Upgrade
- AK Handguard Replacement
- AK Sling Attachments
- Quality Magazine
- AK Sights
- CNC Machined Pistol Brace
- Red Dot Sight
- Recoil Pad
- AK Bayonet Mount
- AK Sight Adjustments Tools
- Flashlight/Laser Mount
- AK Accuracy Enhancers
- AK Scope Mounts
- AK Handguards
Accuracy
The PSAK-47 from Palmetto State Armory offers excellent accuracy and reliability. It remains a popular choice for shooters due to its ability to consistently shoot tight groups at distances over 200 yards. Its trigger system is the same as an AK-style rifle with a single hook trigger. This makes it a great option for shooters looking for an affordable rifle to target and plink with. Overall, the PSAK-47 lives up to its reputation as an accurate rifle with great reliability.
