Ordered a PSL-54C - Updated - Range Report and Vid

[krecon1]

So after several months of kicking it around I ordered a PSL-54C from AIM Surplus for $579. I usually don't dabble in the ComBloc type rifles, but after checking a couple out I figured for the fairly cheap cost of the rifle, mags, and ammo - and that fact I can somewhat bash and shoot it and it would somewhat round out my rifles. I'm sure it will look odd sitting next to the SR25s and Surgeon in the safe, but again, just to round things out. Good choice, bad choice, thoughts?

<span style="font-weight: bold"> Update:</span>So the rifle arrived today. Typical ComBloc import style - lots of heavy grease and cosmoline. No major burrs or really rough finish, actually impressed in that area. Trigger is much better than I thought it would be, much nicer than my WASR-10. Optic is clear, though I had to clean a fair amount of gunk and grim from both lenses. Mags lock and fit well. Probably a good way to spend $579. It will require a decent degreasing and cleaning, but will be ready to go by the weekend.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Update Two:</span> First day on the range - shot about 30 rounds or so. Had no issues zeroing the PSO-1 type optic, adjustments are coarse, but worked as expected. Accuracy was around 3MOA, some groups were around 2MOA, some were around 4MOA. Might have been a combination of me, the rifle, and decades old surplus ammo. One FTF, but I was trying four different mags, so may have been a mag issue. Overall I'm happy - I called it a 3MOA rifle and that's what it looks to be....good enough for what I have into it.

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[NY700]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

May look out of place with the others but I bet it will be a blast to shoot. I've been looking at one for a long time there is something just really cool about them. What scope did it come with? Range report and photos are definitly needed!

 

[gszeto99]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

They can be pretty accurate rifles. I sold mine just because I did not like the length of the stock and the cheek weld or lack of that it provided. Also the fit and finish was not what I was expecting (the rear open sights were canted to the right just a little). The back in the day during the assault weapons ban the ATF realized mine had 3 or more of the restricted items on the rifle at the same time (detachable mag, bayonet lug, full auto disconnector in my trigger group?, flash suppressor). So they offered to fix the problem. It's the ATF so you can't say no. They took out the full auto disconnector and they ended up welding the holes for the full auto disconnector pins and also cut the bayonet lug off. I sold the rifle after that happend. If the new ones have full auto disconnector placed back in (I am not saying that it is necessary since this is an extended range rifle, but just nice to have and also since they were designed with them originally in there) with the bayonet lug then it would be nice to own one again. I hope yours has them back in.

By the way there now are aftermarket stocks that correct the shortness of the stock and the lack of proper cheekweld.

Hope this helps

Gene

 

[BCP]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

579 is a decent deal if it came with a scope and 2 mags. Mine was 7. You will love shooting it, although they aren't particularly accurate.

 

[dustinlotz]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

I have always been a fan of these rifles. I don't think the accuracy will compare to your other two guns, but I am sure it will be a fun one to shoot. Post a range report when you get it.

 

[black_ump]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

my brother has one, and he built his, we where racing who could get theirs built first and we where haveing a test


germany vs russia in accuracy, germany one, his rifle just almost wont sight in, after 3 shots the barrel is so hot and the pattern gets bigger and bigger from their, i wish i could talk him into a tikka or fal or remmington 700 but no dice

 

[BCP]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: black_ump</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
germany vs russia in accuracy, germany one</div></div>

Ooookay.

For one, they are made in Romania, which is kinda nearby where Dracula lives. Not Russia. Second, either something is wrong with the rifle or him. Mine was really easy to get on the paper and groups don't really grow when it gets hot.

People just think because it's advertised as "sniper" that it'll be as accurate as a 700 or other bolt gun, which is laughable. It's an accurized AK built by child labor for use by child armies.

 

[krecon1]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: black_ump</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
germany vs russia in accuracy, germany one</div></div>

Ooookay.

For one, they are made in Romania, which is kinda nearby where Dracula lives. Not Russia. Second, either something is wrong with the rifle or him. Mine was really easy to get on the paper and groups don't really grow when it gets hot.

People just think because it's advertised as "sniper" that it'll be as accurate as a 700 or other bolt gun, which is laughable. It's an accurized AK built by child labor for use by child armies. </div></div>

I'm looking to get 2-3 MOA out of it - at best. For a cheap blaster with cheap, surplus ammo, and able to hold 2-3 MOA maybe out to 500 or so, it will be loads of fun. If I want to accuracy I'll grab something else. Will be interesting to see how rough it is when it shows up and maybe a slight project to smooth things out and/or refinish the stock.

 

[1979Wolf]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

its a minute-of-dude accuracy.

 

[BCP]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Will be interesting to see how rough it is when it shows up and maybe a slight project to smooth things out and/or refinish the stock. </div></div>

When my FFL called me to tell me it had arrived I asked how it looked - he said "it's a Romanian AK, it looks like shit."

Sexiest looking ugly gun I have.

They are cheap fun, just don't waste time trying to upgrade the scope/stocks etc. Stock scope is a good little one and the money is better spent on lots and lots of nasty corrosive ammo

 

[fhpchris]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Mine was garbage... The bolt was cracked. It was splitting the sides out of the steel surplus cases... My gunsmith said just looking at it he believed the head spacing was wrong.

Luckily aim refunded me!

They are awesome.

I have 1700 rounds of ammo left over and no PSL now

 

[krecon1]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fhpchris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mine was garbage... The bolt was cracked. It was splitting the sides out of the steel surplus cases... My gunsmith said just looking at it he believed the head spacing was wrong.

Luckily aim refunded me!

They are awesome.

I have 1700 rounds of ammo left over and no PSL now

</div></div>

I've heard AIM is good with returns. I know some guys have returned them from canted front sights and other issues. Part of the reason I ordered from them. The local shop had one..for $900!

 

[cmh2007]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

i just ordered a mosin from them, adn next i kind of want a PSL let us know hw they are

 

[krecon1]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Rifle is in...stripped and sitting on the bench waiting for a good cleaning.

 

[Birddog1911]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Guys, check out Centerfire Systems; they have them with the nice poly furniture, with the new extending stock, for only $649 or so! I've used the poly stuff, it's nice.

 

[cruzie27]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Nice gun,. your gonna love it.

I have a 04 factory PSL that I put a Red Star adj. FCG & 8x POSP scope the gun shoots really good with mid 80's Factory 60 or 188 surplus ammo and even better with the new production, non corrosive Wolf 148 gr.

Few things to remember though.

Light ball ammo,.. Keep the weight below 175-180 max. The PSL's are over gassed and useing the heavy ball ammo could damage your rifle. There is a good fix for the over gassed problem over on TheAKforum.net in the Dragunov/PSL board.

The scope locking lever,.. Make sure it is tight, and the scope is all the way forward on the rail. A common rookie mistake is to leave it loose and then spend hours or days wondering why the gun shoots so good with irons and goes to shit with the scope on. There are also "how to's" for tighting that lever as well as adjusting the scope itself over on the AK Forum.

Ejecting,.. If you gun has a issue with ejecting and constantly stove pipes a spent case at least once per mag then it is one of two things,. Either your extractor is packed full of packing grease and crap or the right side rail need to me trimmed a bit. The extractor is a easy fix as all you have to do is take the bolt completly down and clean it and the extractor & spring. The rail problem is limited to some of the older TN guns that where kit builds,. Most factory guns do not have that problem. The fix is pretty straigt forward and there should be a post or two about it overthere as well.

Basically if you have not gone over to The AK Forum yet you should do so and read everything they have there about the PSL's

I know that seems like a lot but they are actually pretty sweet guns,. Just some of the kit guns from back in the day have had issues but they have all been well documented along with the fixes for them.

 

[Birddog1911]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Definately a must to put in a new trigger. The RSA is the best, but when I had mine I couldn't afford that and just went with a Tapco. Anything to fix that hideous trigger.

 

[krecon1]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Birddog1911</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Definately a must to put in a new trigger. The RSA is the best, but when I had mine I couldn't afford that and just went with a Tapco. Anything to fix that hideous trigger. </div></div>

I'm quite happy with the trigger in my PSL, I lucked out and received a decent one after hearing many showing up with less than desirable trigger pulls. I checked out those PSLs at centfire; nice stock set, but that price doesn't include the scope, so you'll be up to $800 or more once you factor in the scope.

Hope to have a range report and some videos this weekend.

 

[g5]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

It's a fun gun. Reasonably accurate. Reliable. Gets pretty hot pretty fast. Generally a poor AK type trigger with AK trigger slap. Enjoy it.

 

[Birddog1911]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Birddog1911</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Definately a must to put in a new trigger. The RSA is the best, but when I had mine I couldn't afford that and just went with a Tapco. Anything to fix that hideous trigger. </div></div>

I'm quite happy with the trigger in my PSL, I lucked out and received a decent one after hearing many showing up with less than desirable trigger pulls. I checked out those PSLs at centfire; nice stock set, but that price doesn't include the scope, so you'll be up to $800 or more once you factor in the scope.

Hope to have a range report and some videos this weekend. </div></div>

The good news is you can buy the poly stock set from them for $179. That ticked me off; I paid $250 from the designer! It really is a nice set, and the extendable feature the stock now has is interesting.

 

[Leppy311]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Nice gun

 

[krecon1]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Added range update and video.

 

[cruzie27]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

Find some ammo your rifle likes,. And take your time sending it down range,. The PSL's groups open up a bit when you get it hot.

 

[mouse07410]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

I got mine all in cosmoline, metal receiver block cover bent out of shape - so once taken off it wouldn't go back in. Five minutes of hammer work corrected the problem, and another hour of cleaning brought the rifle to condition when it's actually pleasant to handle with bare hands. I didn't like its Romanian scope, so I got a Soviet (er, Russian) 8x POSP with battery-illuminated SVD reticle. Great so far! (And I didn't expect it to beat my old Rem 700 in accuracy - so no disappointment

).

 

[Dsparil]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

try 7n1 ammo and see what it brings.

 

[mouse07410]

Re: Ordered a PSL-54C

7n1 ammo isn't trivial to come by here (any idea where it is available from and a what cost?), nor do I expect miracles from it.

The original SVD was spec'ed for about 2 MOA. So I'd expect with some decent ammo to hit anywhere between 1 MOA and 3 MOA (one minute of Taliban accuracy). There are other rifles for precision work at 1500m - this one is for fun and pleasure.