PSA AK 103- Review: Does it rate the name?

Published on March 30, 2023
Duration: 31:02

This review of the Palmetto State Armory AK-103 highlights significant concerns regarding its quality control and long-term reliability. Despite initial positive impressions of features like the cold hammer-forged barrel and AK-100 style compensator, extensive testing revealed critical issues including failures to fire, excessive wear, and potential headspace problems. The reviewer strongly advises caution, suggesting the rifle is not suitable for serious use until PSA addresses its manufacturing and heat-treating processes.

Quick Summary

The Palmetto State Armory AK-103 exhibits critical safety and reliability issues, including frequent failures to fire, excessive wear after minimal use, and potential headspace problems indicated by smoke from the action. After approximately 1100 rounds, wear was observed to be far worse than on other AKs with tens of thousands of rounds, leading the reviewer to deem it unsafe for serious use.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: PSA AK-103 Review
  2. 00:12The AK-103 Name: A Bold Claim
  3. 00:19Reviewer's Perspective on AKs
  4. 00:42Initial Impressions and Features
  5. 01:51Muzzle Device and Front Sight
  6. 02:04Cleaning Rod and Gas Block
  7. 02:41Quality of Life Improvements
  8. 02:52Magazine Release and Safety Lever
  9. 03:11Barrel and Accuracy Performance
  10. 03:35Price Point Analysis
  11. 03:59Optic Mount Interference (UltiMAK)
  12. 05:08Magazine Catch Pin Walk
  13. 05:58Failures to Fire and Light Strikes
  14. 06:45Consistent Metal Fragments
  15. 07:49Recoil Spring Issues and Failures to Feed/Eject
  16. 08:23Smoky Action Area: A Clue
  17. 09:03Wear Analysis After 1100 Rounds
  18. 09:53Receiver and Trunnion Wear Comparison
  19. 10:31Theory: Soft Metal and Unsafe Design
  20. 10:47Other PSA AK Owners' Experiences
  21. 11:11Repeated Repairs and Headspace Issues
  22. 11:53The Real Issue: Safety and QC
  23. 12:27Comparison to Other AKs: Wear and Tear
  24. 12:53QC and Heat Treating Concerns
  25. 13:21Explosion Risk: A Bomb Waiting to Happen
  26. 13:41Horror Stories vs. Curated Rifles
  27. 14:15This Specific Rifle is a 'Turd'
  28. 14:27Ejection Patterns and Ammunition Storage
  29. 14:57Weird Ejection and Smoke Clouds
  30. 15:40Headspace and Gas Bleed Analysis
  31. 16:23Why All the Problems? Discussion
  32. 16:51Stopping Use: The Smoky Action
  33. 17:16Pipe Bomb Analogy
  34. 17:30Conclusion: Unsafe and Not Recommended
  35. 17:48Need for Better Homegrown AKs
  36. 17:53Support and Training Opportunities
  37. 18:26Patreon and Other Support Options
  38. 18:49Final Thoughts and Disclaimer

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main reliability issues with the PSA AK-103?

The PSA AK-103 experienced significant reliability issues, including frequent failures to fire (light primer strikes), failures to feed, and failures to eject. Metal fragments were also consistently found during cleaning, indicating poor material quality or manufacturing.

How does the wear on the PSA AK-103 compare to other AKs?

After only about 1100 rounds, the PSA AK-103 showed excessive wear inside the receiver and on the trunnion, resembling a rifle with 11,000 rounds. This wear was notably worse than on a Chinese Mac 90 with nearly 80,000 rounds.

Are there safety concerns with the PSA AK-103?

Yes, the PSA AK-103 exhibits concerning safety issues, including excessive smoke from the action area suggesting potential headspace problems. The reviewer considers the rifle unsafe to use and a 'bomb waiting to happen' due to its rapid wear and potential for catastrophic failure.

What is the reviewer's overall opinion on the PSA AK-103?

The reviewer strongly advises against purchasing the PSA AK-103, citing critical quality control and safety issues. They believe PSA needs to significantly improve its manufacturing and heat-treating processes before their AK platforms can be considered reliable or safe for serious use.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Regular Guy Training LLC

View all →