Best 9mm AK? (Video Review)

Palmetto State Armory has lengthy been identified for making reasonably priced firearms. I as soon as heard a podcast with one of many house owners saying that they do every part they will to maintain the associated fee down on their merchandise in order that anyone who desires to follow their Second Modification rights is in a position to take action. He additionally went on to say that the extra weapons he can get into law-abiding residents’ fingers, the more durable it might be for the federal government to ever take our Second Modification rights away. I actually felt that was a stable message that I might actually get behind. In addition they construct all of their weapons and components within the USA, which is a giant deal. Palmetto State has additionally significantly expanded their choices over the previous few years, which brings us to the AK-V, the firearm that we’ll be discussing proper now. 

Palmetto State Armory AK-V

The Palmetto State AK-V rifle is actually an AK chambered in 9mm that runs on a direct blowback working system as a substitute of the extra conventional long-stroke piston working system present in most AKs. It is usually loosely primarily based on the Russian Vityaz, the submachine gun chambered in 9mm utilized by Russian particular forces. I like the subguns, and I like the AK, so once you mix the 2, it’s an prompt winner in my e-book. 

I’ve been a fan of pistol-caliber carbines for a very long time. Their recognition continues to develop, and it’s simple to see why. They fill so many roles; they make nice vary toys as a result of they’re a lot enjoyable to shoot with out breaking the financial institution. They will additionally make an important residence protection weapon as a result of they’re simpler to manage than a pistol. Pistol caliber carbines additionally make nice truck weapons, or “get residence” weapons, as a result of they’re often pretty compact. The AK-V fills all of these roles very properly, making this not solely a gun that could be a ton of enjoyable to shoot but in addition sensible for a lot of purposes. 

Palmetto State Armory has constructed a really well-made 9mm AK. You’ll get a cast entrance trunion and bolt provider, a ten.5-inch nitrided barrel, that means that the barrel will in all probability outlast you, and a picatinny rail on the highest of the mud cowl for the straightforward attachment of optics. This specific mannequin has the nutmeg picket furnishings; nevertheless, Palmetto State has them obtainable with a number of completely different configurations for the furnishings. I additionally assume it’s vital to notice that it takes customary AK furnishings, so you’ll be able to swap it out for no matter you want. The security lever is prolonged, making it simpler to make use of, as is the paddle journal launch, which is a really welcomed improve. The set off is excellent for an AK-style set off. It’s gentle, pulling at simply above 3 kilos, however it does have a few of that unpredictability within the wall and breaks like most AKs. It’s a nice AK set off, however coming from one thing like an AR, this set off might take slightly getting used to. 

One other enhancement to the standard AK platform that PSA has included within the AK-V, is the bolt launch. For people who don’t know, AKs don’t maintain open on the final spherical, and thus they don’t have a bolt launch. For the reason that AK-V makes use of Scorpion mags, which do have final spherical bolt maintain open, they added the function to the gun. The AK-V will maintain open on the final spherical, and you may launch the bolt by pushing down on a small change.

Now, I take into account myself a little bit of a purist, and at first was slightly turned off by this function; however as I shot it extra, it did develop on me. Everybody else who wasn’t as caught of their methods as me, after all, cherished it from the start. I’ll say, for those who’re not a fan, it doesn’t intrude in any respect with the way you’d usually run an AK. The bolt launch is small, and gained’t get in the best way; it’s hardly even seen. As a lot as I need to keep on with my sentiments of “n’but rifle is okay”, after spending a while with this, I’ve to confess it’s a giant enchancment and I’m glad that PSA included it. 

Palmetto State Armory AK-V Rifle Magazines

You actually can’t discuss in regards to the Palmetto State Armory AK-V with out speaking in regards to the mags. First, it runs on comparatively obtainable and reasonably priced CZ scorpion mags. PSA didn’t simply cease there; they made their very own Scorpion mags, which even have some nice options over the unique CZ mags. The Palmetto state mags have metallic feed lips as a substitute of the unique plastic ones from CZ. These plastic feed lips have been considerably of a difficulty for some folks, so PSA remedied that. I do need to say that CZ has a brand new and up to date scorpion magazine, however I haven’t obtained to play with a kind of but. The PSA mags are very reasonably priced and so they’re 35 rounds. Moreover, PSA sells an extension for the journal, taking it to 50. Gotta love that freedom! When you simply love the look of drums, and who doesn’t, there’s additionally a 50 spherical drum obtainable. We tried scorpion mags within the AK-V, and AK-V mags in a scorpion, and every part functioned identical to it ought to. When you want some mags in your Scorpion, these will work fantastic and gained’t break the financial institution. Likewise, in case you have a pile of scorpion mags, you’re additionally able to go for those who determine so as to add an AK-V to your assortment. 

We have now to speak about this brace from SBtactical as a result of it’s fairly wonderful, and the alphabet boys might quickly be attempting to confiscate the near 1 million braces in American’s fingers. I’m certain that may go over very well. The PSA AKV Brace is supposed to imitate the triangle folding inventory that you simply see on many AKs. The highest bar is pretty inflexible, whereas the underside and again are a softer rubber, and naturally, like every brace, the again opens up. You may insert your arm by way of it, permitting you to shoot with one hand. The brace additionally folds to at least one facet, making the gun shorter for storage and once more, mimicking the real inventory. The brace is superior, and I might extremely advocate you choose one up to be used on an AK pistol or any pistol geared up with a bit of Picatinny rail on the rear. 

I do know that Palmetto State Armory has had a tough time holding these in inventory and satisfying demand, however it’s simple to see why.

This gun simply flat out delivers every part that you would presumably need from an AK chambered in 9mm caliber ammo. It additionally does this cheaper than the competitors. I’m not going to say how less expensive as a result of costs on these appear to be fluctuating a bit, and as I discussed, demand is exceeding provide. Nonetheless, I really feel assured that PSA will hold it priced as little as potential to get the weapons out into the peoples’ fingers. One other big consider the price of possession is the mags. The AK-V mags are low cost, work nice, and are appropriate with one other platform. This makes the price of possession of this gun less expensive than any opponents, even when the retail worth of the particular weapons is fairly shut.

Everybody who shot the PSA AK-V completely cherished it, and there’s not a lot to not love. PSA has actually delivered on the AK-V; it’s enjoyable to shoot, correct sufficient, has nice ergonomics, and is comparatively reasonably priced. It’s nice to see PSA broadening their choices with high quality merchandise just like the AK-V, and I can say that it doesn’t matter what you need to do with it, irrespective of how laborious you need to run it, the Palmetto State AK-V gained’t allow you to down.

Editors Be aware: Sure we all know most of PSA’s AKV product is regularly offered out, however we carry on linking in within the hopes we catch it again in inventory.

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