It's 5.7 but CHEAPER.

Published on March 23, 2023
Duration: 15:33

This review of the Palmetto State Armory Rock pistol in 5.7x28mm highlights its affordability compared to the FN Herstal variant. Initial range sessions encountered malfunctions, potentially due to a heavy aftermarket optic and lightweight frangible ammunition. Reliability improved significantly after switching to Federal 40-grain 5.7x28mm ammunition and removing the optic, suggesting a combination of ammunition and slide weight sensitivity.

Quick Summary

The Palmetto State Armory Rock pistol in 5.7x28mm offers a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive 5.7 handguns, with a higher magazine capacity. While initial testing revealed potential reliability issues linked to heavy optics and light ammunition, these were resolved by using Federal 40-grain 5.7x28mm and a lighter optic, confirming it as a fun range toy.

Chapters

  1. 00:07Introduction to the PSA Rock 5.7
  2. 00:13Introducing the Palmetto State Armory Rock
  3. 00:53What is The Rock?
  4. 01:03Understanding the 5.7x28mm Cartridge
  5. 01:40FN 5.7 Pistol vs. PSA Rock Price Comparison
  6. 02:07Bang for Your Buck: PSA Rock Value
  7. 02:22First Impressions: Low Recoil, Loud Bang
  8. 02:51Range Day 1: Swamp Fox Kraken Optic
  9. 03:32Early Malfunctions Observed
  10. 04:06Investigating the Malfunctions
  11. 04:36Out of Battery Malfunction
  12. 05:24Removing the Optic to Test Reliability
  13. 05:50Testing with Iron Sights
  14. 06:10Switching Ammunition: Frangibles
  15. 06:37More Shooting with Frangible Ammo
  16. 07:28Improved Reliability Without Optic
  17. 07:49Optic Cut Gun Issues
  18. 08:09Frangible Ammo and Optics Revisited
  19. 08:51Testing Frangible Ammo with Lighter Optic
  20. 09:25Continued Issues with Lighter Optic
  21. 09:31Switching to Federal Ammo and Trijicon SRO
  22. 09:49Range Day 2: Federal Ammo and SRO
  23. 10:11Weight Reduction and Known Good Ammo
  24. 11:00Zeroed and Shooting Well
  25. 11:155.7x28mm Cartridge Analogy
  26. 12:08Super Fun and Reliable with Federal Ammo
  27. 13:03Energy Downrange vs. Plate Swinging
  28. 14:11Final Thoughts: Reliability and Issues
  29. 14:27Where Does This Leave Us?
  30. 14:27Grip Comfort and Texture
  31. 14:58Trigger Quality for the Price
  32. 15:10Slide Smoothness and Fun Factor
  33. 15:17Is it a Carry Gun? Range Toy? Absolutely.
  34. 15:24Viewer Thoughts on the PSA Rock 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main advantage of the Palmetto State Armory Rock pistol?

The primary advantage of the PSA Rock pistol is its significantly lower price point compared to other 5.7x28mm handguns like the FN Herstal 5.7, making the caliber more accessible to a wider range of shooters.

What issues were encountered during the PSA Rock 5.7 range test?

Initial range tests experienced malfunctions, potentially caused by a heavy aftermarket optic and lightweight frangible ammunition. These issues seemed to be related to the pistol's lightweight slide not cycling properly under those conditions.

How can reliability be improved with the PSA Rock 5.7?

Reliability improved dramatically when the heavy optic was removed and when using Federal 40-grain 5.7x28mm ammunition. This suggests that using a lighter optic and appropriate ammunition is crucial for consistent performance.

Is the PSA Rock 5.7 a good option for concealed carry?

The reviewer explicitly states that the PSA Rock is not a good choice for a carry gun, but it is an excellent and fun range toy, offering a low-recoil shooting experience.

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