PSAK-47

THE AK-47 IS ONE of the most iconic firearms worldwide. Although the AR15 is the most popular rifle in America, the AK can be a viable defensive rifle, or at the very least an enjoyable range toy. Palmetto State Armory agreed and introduced their American-made AK47s dubbed the PSAK-47.

I received the third generation PSAK-47 GF3. The “F” indicates forged parts as opposed to the sometimes produced cast front trunnion, carrier and bolt. In several instances, cast parts have failed in AK47s. PSA made sure to fork out the extra bucks to manufacture hammer-forged vital pieces for the PSAK-47 GF3.

The PSAK-47 is available in several stock options, from classic red wood, blonde wood, folding triangle stock, braced pistol versions, and Magpul’s “MOEkov” stocks of various colors. My test rifle was the latter “MOEkov” with an adjustable and side folding stock. I really like the folding feature for compactness in travel. And that feature alone would cost you $200 extra on an AR15!

As expected the PSAK-47 was 100 percent reliable in my testing. I probably have sent close to 500 rounds downrange so far without a single issue. Obviously it’s chambered in 7.62x39mm.

I shot a limited amount of Fort Scott Munitions ammo for accuracy sake, and then several hundred rounds of Wolf and Tula of FMJ, soft point and hollow point. I used the included Magpul AK magazine, Xtech’s MAG47, old steel surplus I’ve had around for more than a decade, and some 20-round Tapcos without any issues.

However firing the PSAK-47 reminded me of why I prefer AR15s—the AK47 “cheek slap.” I have a very solid cheek weld. But with the design of the AK47 it tends to flex and jar so every shot is unpleasant to your cheekbone.

Yet in a side-by-side comparison to my old Romanian WASR-10 I found the PSAK-47 is much more comfortable. Although it’s still an AK, it’s also an improvement. I heard some other owners say replacing the traditional slant muzzle brake with a modern muzzle brake can help with this issue.

While on the subject of the muzzle, the threads on the PSAK-47 are concentric to bore which means you won’t have to worry about baffle strikes should you choose to mount a silencer on the rifle.

The trigger had long travel like any other AK47 without a crisp wall. It only took about four pounds, six ounces of pressure. The safety lever stays where it should, but it is easy enough to activate with only one finger.

I’ve shot many AK47s with such a stiff lever it took an entire hand to move. The safety lever also has a “Full Auto” detent halfway just like the real AK47s. But don’t get too excited, it’s just for looks and cool factor—nicely done PSA.

I was limited to the stock iron sights for my accuracy test although the PSAK-47 does have a side rail for mounting optics.

First rule of owning an AK-47: Bring a sight adjustment tool to the range. My brass hammer wouldn’t budge the front sight post, and the rifle did need some zeroing. However it would consistently put every round out of a magazine dump in a sub-five-inch group at 100 yards—even with cheap steel cased Wolf and Tula ammo. My best three-shot group with the limited amount of Fort Scott Munitions shot a 1.75-inch group at 100 yards. I might be looking for an optic mount in the future to see what I kind of accuracy I can really squeeze out of this rifle.

The best thing is the price. Long gone are the days of $399 WASR rifles. Those are running $700 now. But the American made PSAK-47 with a $200 Magpul stock is running $599, and they are always selling out quick. You can find out more and see a video of the PSAK-47 in action at www.fishgame.com

 

Email Steve LaMascus at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

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