Revisiting the PSA AK-V 9mm: Still A Top PCC Pick After 6 Years?

The PSA AK-V is built with a robust combination of a forged front trunnion and bolt/carrier paired with a 1mm stamped steel receiver, giving it the durability AK’s are known for. Its 10.5-inch nitrided 4150 steel barrel (1:10 twist, threaded 1/2×28) is optimized for 9mm Parabellum, including +P+ ammo, and interfaces well with common muzzle devices and suppressors. The blowback system ensures smooth cycling, and the inclusion of a last-round bolt hold open (a rarity for AK platforms) enhances user-friendliness, especially for quick reloads.

The AK-V uses PSA’s U9 35-round magazines, which are reliable and affordable at around $14-$17 each, and it’s also compatible with most CZ Scorpion magazines, expanding options for shooters. For those wanting more capacity, PSA offers a 50-round drum mag, though it’s pricier. The curved magazine design maintains the AK’s iconic aesthetic while ensuring reliable feeding with steel feed lips and an anti-tilt follower.

The AK-V comes in various configurations, like the MOE, Classic, and ALG models, with options for Magpul furniture, M-LOK handguards, or traditional polymer/wood setups. The triangle side-folding brace, often an SB Tactical SBA3, adds portability (folded length: ~19 inches, extended: ~27 inches) and mimics the Vityaz’s look without requiring SBR registration. A Picatinny-railed dust cover supports low-mount red dot optics that co-witness with the fixed sights, though high-mount optics won’t align.

Ergonomics are a mixed bag. The AK-V retains classic AK controls, including an enhanced safety lever and a thumb-friendly mag release, but it lacks ambidextrous features. The single-stage, single-hook trigger is serviceable but not exceptional, with some noting a heavy pull and forceful reset. Upgrades like the ALG AKT trigger can improve performance for faster shooting. The Magpul grip and cheese-grater handguard are functional, though the gun’s 6.7-7.4-pound weight (depending on configuration) feels hefty for a 9mm PCC.

Accuracy is adequate for a 9mm PCC. At 50 yards, it delivers ~1-3 inch groups, depending on ammo and shooter skill, making it effective for self-defense or plinking. At 25 yards, it easily hits the T-zone of a target, and some reviewers suggest it can engage 100-yard targets with a 19-inch silhouette. While not a precision platform, it’s more than capable for its intended close-quarters role.

Reliability is a hallmark, with most reviews reporting zero malfunctions across hundreds or thousands of rounds, though early models had minor issues that PSA addressed in later iterations. The blowback system and robust construction ensure it “eats everything” without fuss, even with budget ammo. However, one rare report mentioned an out-of-battery detonation, likely ammo-related, but the steel receiver contained it safely—unlike some polymer PCCs like the CZ Scorpion, which can suffer catastrophic failures.

The PSA AK-V competes with PCCs like the CZ Scorpion Evo, Kalashnikov USA KP-9, and PSA’s own AR-V. The Scorpion offers a lighter polymer frame but risks receiver cracks, while the KP-9 is a closer Vityaz clone but pricier and less customizable. The AR-V, an AR-style 9mm PCC, provides better ergonomics and Glock mag compatibility but lacks the AK-V’s unique aesthetic. For budget-conscious shooters, the AK-V’s price-to-performance ratio is hard to beat, especially with 9mm ammo remaining cheaper than rifle calibers (though some note rising costs, ~50 cents/round in 2024).

Rating: 4.5/5 – A near-perfect PCC for its price, held back slightly by ergonomics and weight but excelling in reliability and enjoyment.