The American Bastard AK

Published on January 14, 2025
Duration: 13:29

This review of the Palmetto State Armory (PSA) AK-104 'American Bastard' delves into the complexities of American-made AKs, comparing PSA's GF3, GF4, and GF5 tiers. The 'American Bastard' features a 12.7-inch barrel with 1/2x28 threads for easier suppressor mounting. While the build incorporates aftermarket parts like a Midwest Industries handguard, initial testing revealed trigger reset issues and bolt carrier wear concerns, particularly on the GF5 variant.

Quick Summary

The PSA AK-104 'American Bastard' features a 12.7-inch barrel with 1/2x28 threads for easier suppressor mounting. PSA AKs come in GF3, GF4, and GF5 tiers, with GF5 using an FN-made CHF barrel. Initial testing showed trigger reset issues requiring polishing and bolt carrier wear.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: PSA AK-104 American Bastard
  2. 01:42Reputation of American AKs & PSAK Compass
  3. 02:44Why AK-104 in 7.62x39mm
  4. 04:37PSA AK Tiers Explained (GF3, GF4, GF5)
  5. 05:16American Bastard Specifics: 1/2x28 Threads
  6. 06:03Furniture & Accessories Build
  7. 07:11Trigger & Reliability Issues
  8. 08:16Bolt Carrier Wear Analysis
  9. 10:38Final Assessment & Suggestions

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the PSA AK-104 'American Bastard' unique in its design?

The 'American Bastard' variant features a 12.7-inch barrel threaded with standard 1/2x28 pitch, which simplifies mounting suppressors compared to traditional metric AK threads. It also includes a proper shoulder for better suppressor seating.

What are the different PSA AK tiers and their key differences?

PSA offers GF3 (nitrided barrel), GF4 (cold hammer forged, chrome lined barrel), and GF5 (FN-made cold hammer forged, chrome lined barrel). Higher tiers generally indicate improved durability and manufacturing processes.

What reliability issues were encountered with the PSA AK-104 'American Bastard' build?

Initial testing revealed trigger reset failures with the basic PSA trigger kit. Polishing the trigger components was necessary to achieve reliable function. Bolt carrier tail wear was also observed.

Is 7.62x39mm a good caliber for an AK-style rifle?

Yes, 7.62x39mm is considered by many to be the 'morally superior' AK caliber. It offers a good balance of power, availability, and historical significance for the platform.

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