PSA AK-V First Shots & Thoughts

IUHoosier429

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Originally, I started a thread about this thing over there: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/finally-snagged-one-psa-ak-v.46797/, but then @JRHorne admonished me for posting in the wrong section :p SO ... I'll start posting here. This may be my umpteenth AK but it is also my first PCC.

Say hi to the AK-V from Palmetto State, an American-built homage to the Vityaz subgun:
vnL0earh.jpg


I finally snagged one of these earlier this week after buying mags for one for quite some time. Stopped by the range after work this evening and although I may have sweated right though my shirt, this little thing is cool as hell. I shot a couple hundred rounds of Speer Lawman 147-grain rounds and had zero malfunctions of any kind:
cZXGKfCh.jpg


Played around with it a bit at first, plinking at steel gongs, rapid firing, etc. and then stapled up a target. I started at 25 yards to zero the red dot and put five rounds into the top left corner, moving clockwise from there and ending with a 10-shot group in the center at 50 yards. I adjusted the Burris FastFire 3 after the four five-round groups (yes, there are indeed five shots in the bottom right of the target - two bullets just decided to share one of the holes). I may need a couple more clicks to the right after looking at the center bullseye:
1egzIfPh.jpg


Overall, this little 9mm AK pistol is quite impressive. Stout and overbuilt, and maybe even a bit heavy for its size. Nice trigger reset. Two hundred rounds through four different PSA mags and not a single hiccup. If I have time Saturday or Sunday, I'd like to get back out and try a few more brands of brass- and steel-cased ammo in 124 and 115gr, along with some HP rounds. I left the factory-installed aluminum buffer alone today. I've read that removing it softens the recoil a bit, and PSA has stated that running the gun without the buffer does not void the warranty. However, 9mm ammo + seven pounds of gun = negligible recoil to begin with.

At this point I'd certainly recommend one of these to anyone who's interested and has the funds. As I said over in the AK section, it appears PSA supply of these things is finally catching up with demand, as multiple AK-V models remain in stock for a good while every weekday afternoon starting at about 4 p.m. (the pricier folding brace model is in stock as of this post). If you have an Active Junky account you can save an additional 6% on one of these (if you don't have an account, feel free to PM me and I'll send you a referral link - we'll both get an extra $10 in our accounts).

Fun gun!
8onIscMh.jpg
 
Thanks for posting. I'd really like one and then file the Form 1. I need to research the stock options.
 
I need to research the stock options.

Zenitco looks good on this thing! If you're on Facebook, check out the closed group "PSA AKV Group - Official." Lots of good content, and there are some PSA guys in there as well who jump in a lot.
 
The magazines are 50% off this week

Also, free shipping if you buy five. That's pretty much the norm though. When they're not offering the free shipping deal, the mags are generally $15.99. Most I've seen them at is $20.
 
Anyone commented on suppressed use? Or have pics from the FB page?

Several guys are running various cans. Some report it's gassy; others say they have had few or no issues at all. Overall it sounds like the gun is GTG if you want to run it suppressed.
 
Several guys are running various cans. Some report it's gassy; others say they have had few or no issues at all. Overall it sounds like the gun is GTG if you want to run it suppressed.

Likely differences due to ammo selection and suppressor type

Man I’d like to run a few mags through one with my suppressor on it.

I wonder if anyone coming to Battery Oaks in October has one....

And I’m assuming those have come a long way since the initial release video by military Arms channel that showed it to be a gigantic failure? Makes me nervous still
 
And I’m assuming those have come a long way since the initial release video by military Arms channel that showed it to be a gigantic failure? Makes me nervous still

Yeah that was one reason I held off on buying one right out of the gate, and I was really excited about these finally coming to market. Rob Ski has been doing a 5,000-round review and he's more than halfway through. If you're not familiar with him, he puts his guns through a ringer or two:


It seems the gremlins have been worked out on these following the factory tweaks and installation of the "MAC Bracket" by PSA. Over on the AK Files and in the FB group, people seem to love theirs and anyone with a minor issue has reported swift customer service. I haven't drank the Kool-aid yet and will continue to put mine through the paces. But it seems these things are widely GTG by now.
 
Here’s mine with a new SLR Ion hand guard and railed gas tube. I like it better than the Magpul one that came with it. My favorite PCC right now...also my son’s favorite! Guessing around 350 to 450 rounds shot so far without any issues.
ED6CC05B-667E-45BB-9EC3-595DF384BF18.jpeg
9D8D7B0F-E325-4BC9-89A9-B66EFC14049E.jpeg
 
Dammit I want one. At least I'm going to finally file the Form 1 for my MP5 tomorrow!
 
@IUHoosier429 have you had a chance to put any more rounds through your AK-V yet? I’m really considering pulling the trigger on one of these soon.

Yes and so far, so good. No signs or symptoms of unusual/premature wear or tear. Mine is still in stock configuration but I'm starting to get itchy to mess with it, and have a bunch of surplus AK parts in the basement. I may end up swapping out the handguards and grip for some old Romy wood and bakelite.

If you have the funds, go get yourself one. I too would opt for the SBA3 brace instead of PSA's production triangle folder. I think the current version is fugly compared with their prototype brace.
 
Happy new year!

Still thinking, @Derek8404? I just ran another 200 rounds through mine this afternoon. A hundred each of Magtech 124 and Remington 115. That brings me right up to about 800 rounds so far. Still at zero malfunctions of any kind. Haven't cleaned it yet, either.

Side note, I ventured into my first indoor range today. Boy oh boy was the experience a far cry from the wide open expanse that is DPRC. This was a very nice place by indoor standards but still felt dark, cramped, and was quite smoky. I also zeroed a VEPR and could barely make out the front sight post at 25 yards. Idiot with a scattergun and a 7-yard silhouette in the next lane kept peppering my target. FFS.

Man do I miss NC.
 
Happy new year!

Still thinking, @Derek8404? I just ran another 200 rounds through mine this afternoon. A hundred each of Magtech 124 and Remington 115. That brings me right up to about 800 rounds so far. Still at zero malfunctions of any kind. Haven't cleaned it yet, either.

Side note, I ventured into my first indoor range today. Boy oh boy was the experience a far cry from the wide open expanse that is DPRC. This was a very nice place by indoor standards but still felt dark, cramped, and was quite smoky. I also zeroed a VEPR and could barely make out the front sight post at 25 yards. Idiot with a scattergun and a 7-yard silhouette in the next lane kept peppering my target. FFS.

Man do I miss NC.
Yeah, I think I’m gonna pull the trigger soon....
 
You all are killing me! I still need to file my form 1 and get an optic for my Zenith, which is likely the same costs as an AK-V. Really wanting the AK-V though...

Plus I think it was @BigWaylon that said someone was coming out with an AR9 lower that takes Scorpion mags too, so that'd be 3 guns I had taking the same mags!
 
Plus I think it was @BigWaylon that said someone was coming out with an AR9 lower that takes Scorpion mags too, so that'd be 3 guns I had taking the same mags!
PSA is...

Last update was earlier this week:

There is no time-frame at the moment, but be on the look out for more info at Shot Show!

Thanks,

Josiah
 
PSA is...

Last update was earlier this week:

There is no time-frame at the moment, but be on the look out for more info at Shot Show!

Thanks,

Josiah
Can't be that hard right? All they need to figure out is feed angle and mag depth to make it cycle!
 
Hopefully the wait isn't too long, although vaporware at Shot Show isn't without precedent. Some of us AK guys are still waiting on PSA's 5.45 and 5.56 models after last year's Shot announcement. There have been a lot of delays.
 
Hopefully the wait isn't too long, although vaporware at Shot Show isn't without precedent. Some of us AK guys are still waiting on PSA's 5.45 and 5.56 models after last year's Shot announcement. There have been a lot of delays.
Posted yesterday:

I just talked with engineering for an update on the AK74. He is saying that we will have an AK74 at Shot, but we are looking like 1-2 months after Shot for an actual mass-production release. The Krinkov is on the radar, but no timeframe yet!

Thanks,

Josiah
 
Yeah that's exciting to see what updates they have for their 74 at this year's show, but they had it at last year's show, too.

I don't mind delays as long as they get stuff right, and I don't like how PSA uses buyers as beta testers. But I feel like they're biting off more than they can chew right now with all these new products in various development stages.
 
IMO, CNC Warrior did a far better job than PSA when it comes to a "triangle" folding brace. Well worth the month wait it took to get here.

aF2VqbRh.jpg

Do you have a link for the brace? Also what kind if dot are you running? I've got a Romeo5 on mine but I'd like something small like that. Thanks.
 
Do you have a link for the brace? Also what kind if dot are you running? I've got a Romeo5 on mine but I'd like something small like that. Thanks.

You betcha! https://www.cncwarrior.com/AK-Saiga-Sidefolding-Armbrace-p/29380.htm

The AK-V mates up with the "AK stamped" hinge base option, and you can choose a right- or left-hand folder. The optic is a Burris FastFire 3. I've had it on a few AKs, most notable for a few years scout-style on top of an M70AB2. Accidentally dropped the rifle upside down with the FastFire taking the brunt of the ground impact. It has survived falls, recoil, barrel heat, and bad weather. Still on the original battery, too! Long story short, it's a tough little optic.

ETA ... I put the gun in the vise real quick to show how the FF3 co-witnesses nicely with the AK-V:
DqIhS8Zm.jpg
 
Last edited:
You betcha! https://www.cncwarrior.com/AK-Saiga-Sidefolding-Armbrace-p/29380.htm

The AK-V mates up with the "AK stamped" hinge base option, and you can choose a right- or left-hand folder. The optic is a Burris FastFire 3. I've had it on a few AKs, most notable for a few years scout-style on top of an M70AB2. Accidentally dropped the rifle upside down with the FastFire taking the brunt of the ground impact. It has survived falls, recoil, barrel heat, and bad weather. Still on the original battery, too! Long story short, it's a tough little optic.

ETA ... I put the gun in the vise real quick to show how the FF3 co-witnesses nicely with the AK-V:
DqIhS8Zm.jpg

Thanks. I'm liking that brace a lot. Plus it's $30 less than PSA's. One more question if you don't mind. What's the overall length with the brace deployed?
 
Yeah that's exciting to see what updates they have for their 74 at this year's show, but they had it at last year's show, too.

I don't mind delays as long as they get stuff right, and I don't like how PSA uses buyers as beta testers. But I feel like they're biting off more than they can chew right now with all these new products in various development stages.
...and FWIW.

They claim more info on the bufferless 9mm truck gun is coming at SHOT as well.
 
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