Romak3/PSL/FPK

[jcetto0351]

I have had the PSL bug since Christmas and have started to squirrel away the necessary funds...

My question is how reliable is this rifle? I have heard the century ones that were imported as kits, then built stateside had some issues but does anybody know if they are still worth buying?(if I can find one!)

Is there another combloc alternative to the psl other than a saiga .308(which I'm not a fan of)??

4x pso or 8x posp?

will I be able to find one in the $700 range like they used to be or is it a solid $1000 as I've seen on gunbroker??



Lots of crappy open-ended questions on my part so sorry in advance but my search on this board only turned up a few posts by sksray that were helpful but I still have the above questions

 

[vellnueve]

I recently inspected one which had a slightly bent barrel and a gas/handguard assembly that was pretty horribly skewed.

I would love to have one, but it would have to be one of the earlier imports.

 

[jcetto0351]

What kind of quality can I expect from a parts kit from centerfire?

 

[Bankjob]

No issues with mine, fun and rather cheap to shoot

 

[flintoid]

What kind of quality can I expect from a parts kit from centerfire?

A few guys bought parts kits recently. Check the PSL build thread in members section and PM the guys that received kits. From what I hear their stock is limited and comes and goes.

I've got a Romanian imported PSL that I bought retail for $550 a few years ago and it's very reliable and came to me in great condition. I tacticooled it out and then came to my senses and put it back into stock form. They like light ball x54r (150gr) and mine operates best with russian and bulgarian surplus. If you find brass privi for it, that's about as good as you'll get beyond handloads. It'll hold 2 MOA with that brass stuff. It'll hold 3 with bugly/russian surplus.

Anyone claiming it'll do better than 2MOA is full of shit. Mine will hold 1 MOA if I hand pick a 3 shot group. But that's what internet spec ops do.

 

[AllaSnackbah]

i like mine, i paid 550 from a guy on THR, i saw one for $1000 at a gunshop in new britain a few weeks ago i couldnt believe it. they are not dragunovs in any way, IIRC i think they are actually built more like an RPK. everything flintoid said about the accuracy is spot on, mine is pretty good until it starts heating up then you start seeing more flyers. i have a PSO and like it, havent seen any POSP's but they seem cool, id love to find one of the tritium illuminated ones. my favorite thing about the PSL is the way they look.

 

[jcetto0351]

I don't need a tackdriver...2-3moa is more than enough for me. I just like the way it looks and it shoots for cheap!

I'd wish I could find one for $550 but I don't know if I'm that patient. I might get the kit and use the members section to hop on a group build


http://m.youtube.com/#/results?q=romanian psl build

^^^ this guy has a five video series that makes me feel like charging a kit to my CC right now

 

[SKS Ray]

I have had the PSL bug since Christmas and have started to squirrel away the necessary funds...

My question is how reliable is this rifle? I have heard the century ones that were imported as kits, then built stateside had some issues but does anybody know if they are still worth buying?(if I can find one!)

Is there another combloc alternative to the psl other than a saiga .308(which I'm not a fan of)??

4x pso or 8x posp?

Why don't you like the Saiga 308? Mine outshoots my PSL using even cheap Wolf 308 ammo and I haven't even done a trigger swap to it yet.

Eventually I'll move the trigger and put a Choate Drag style stock on it. Maybe a different handguard and thread the muzzle for a brake.

The possibilities with this platform are endless and people customize them in so many different styles.

 

[jcetto0351]

I really like the look of the psl and .308 can be expensive in bulk so the 54r appeals to me. The saiga is a very viable option for me but if I can figure out how to build the psl thats what i will most likely do.

I should really be posting in the build crew thread but if I buy a kit WITH the barrel will I need to worry about headspace or will it be alright when attached to the receiver (i may be in way over my head because I am a rifle building noob)

either way, I'm excited for my next DMR and will be taking it down to texas to do some coyote hunting this spring

 

[jcetto0351]

I believe I found a way to shoot heavier ammo out of a psl build...

http://www.shop.dezarms.com/product.sc?productId=29&categoryId=1

anybody ever used one of these or heard how well it works?

Also, where did the build crew thread in the members go to? how many people were serious about a psl build because all I need is a good reason to order a kit right now...just sayin

 

[NickW85]

I don't need a tackdriver...2-3moa is more than enough for me. I just like the way it looks and it shoots for cheap!

I'd wish I could find one for $550 but I don't know if I'm that patient. I might get the kit and use the members section to hop on a group build


http://m.youtube.com/#/results?q=romanian psl build

^^^ this guy has a five video series that makes me feel like charging a kit to my CC right now

You have tools? I am working on getting tools together for a build of my own. Not sure what will happen first, my build or group build. So far I have de-milled my kit and waiting on a receiver. I plan to do my rivets with an air gun once I move my compressor to my basement. I still need to get go no-go gauges, a press for the barrel, and reamer for setting a new barrel pin. I'm new to this so anything could happen.

 

[jcetto0351]

very few tools and even less experience but I have posted the video series in a previous post here and the build looks very doable. I am pretty much only concerned about headspacing the barrel. I was hoping that if we got a group together that I could be taught how to do it...

One of flintoids posts about how likely it is to have headspace problems has me a little worried and I'm trying a little harder to find a CHEAP complete rifle...

Century sells a "fixem up" special that is I think is available to my local gunshop and I am going to do some research about how often you get a POS that isn't worth the ~$400 they cost

 

[SKS Ray]

very few tools and even less experience but I have posted the video series in a previous post here and the build looks very doable. I am pretty much only concerned about headspacing the barrel. I was hoping that if we got a group together that I could be taught how to do it...

One of flintoids posts about how likely it is to have headspace problems has me a little worried and I'm trying a little harder to find a CHEAP complete rifle...

Century sells a "fixem up" special that is I think is available to my local gunshop and I am going to do some research about how often you get a POS that isn't worth the ~$400 they cost

Some U Fix Em rifles can need headspacing and that may be the reason they are offered as such.

 

[flintoid]

a vendor just sold 60 romanian PSLs for $800 a pop. Not sure if they are out yet or not, but it's kind of the going rate for them unless you find them in a gun shop sitting in a state where it is a "worthless AK."

edit:

As far as the "You fix em" PSLs from century, evidently they are sold without bolts because they failed headspace. Rather than century mucking around with that, they are just selling them as generally complete rifles that are in good shape.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=87056.0

you just need to find a bolt, buy it, and then headspace the barrel properly.

 

[SKS Ray]

a vendor just sold 60 romanian PSLs for $800 a pop. Not sure if they are out yet or not, but it's kind of the going rate for them unless you find them in a gun shop sitting in a state where it is a "worthless AK."

So glad I got mine when they were $499 w/out scopes and got a really nice 8x scope off Tantal's years ago.

 

[jcetto0351]

a vendor just sold 60 romanian PSLs for $800 a pop. Not sure if they are out yet or not, but it's kind of the going rate for them unless you find them in a gun shop sitting in a state where it is a "worthless AK."

edit:

As far as the "You fix em" PSLs from century, evidently they are sold without bolts because they failed headspace. Rather than century mucking around with that, they are just selling them as generally complete rifles that are in good shape.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=87056.0

you just need to find a bolt, buy it, and then headspace the barrel properly.

In the end, I'm just looking for a functional rifle...it can be ugly as hell but if it fires as accurately as it was intended to be (2-3moa) then I'll be more than happy! in your opinion, go with a centerfire kit or try one of these CAI junkers and buy a bolt/HS guages and fix the headspace?

I am not afraid to take a risk and screw the build if it means I learn how to build from a kit but I might be in over my head and really value the input from you guys who have been there, done that

 

[jcetto0351]

So glad I got mine when they were $499 w/out scopes and got a really nice 8x scope off Tantal's years ago.

heh wanna sell it for $501?? seriously though, i have found so many OLD ads online with psl with scope for $699....why didn't I want one in 2009!!!!!!!!!!

 

[flintoid]

I hear ya on that. It's outrageous at how many AK variant prices have shot through the roof in the last few years.

The american dollar is weak. So weak that even ex-communists think it's total crap.

 

[jcetto0351]

I don't even want to think about how the Obama Scare part duex will probably be just as bad if he wins!

 

[flintoid]

In the end, I'm just looking for a functional rifle...it can be ugly as hell but if it fires as accurately as it was intended to be (2-3moa) then I'll be more than happy! in your opinion, go with a centerfire kit or try one of these CAI junkers and buy a bolt/HS guages and fix the headspace?

I am not afraid to take a risk and screw the build if it means I learn how to build from a kit but I might be in over my head and really value the input from you guys who have been there, done that

well, the good thing about getting the "junk" rifle is that it will come with a receiver and just about everything you need. You just need to find a bolt (apex gun parts might have this).

Headspacing it is the bitch. You need to press out the barrel pin, and then press the barrel either out of the trunnion or in, just enough to headspace it properly. You will probably need to remove the barrel completely so that you can clean up the journals and lube it, so that when you press it back in, you can press it on a field or go gauge. There are guides on how to do this. You'll need a go, a no go, a shop press, and a drill press with the proper drill bit for a larger barrel pin. Once the barrel is headspaced, then you can drill out the old slot for a larger pin and press the larger pin in.

Do some research on www.gunco.net to see what your pin options are. I don't know this info. Someone out there does.

 

[flintoid]

here's the bolt you'll need

https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_99/products_id/1564

$75. Jeebus Priced.

I would probably either go this route or hunt for one in obscure gun shops in the south. I really like my PSL. I still remember the romanian paperwork and fresh cosmoline smell it had when I first unpacked it.

 

[jcetto0351]

well, the good thing about getting the "junk" rifle is that it will come with a receiver and just about everything you need. You just need to find a bolt (apex gun parts might have this).

Headspacing it is the bitch. You need to press out the barrel pin, and then press the barrel either out of the trunnion or in, just enough to headspace it properly. You will probably need to remove the barrel completely so that you can clean up the journals and lube it, so that when you press it back in, you can press it on a field or go gauge. There are guides on how to do this. You'll need a go, a no go, a shop press, and a drill press with the proper drill bit for a larger barrel pin. Once the barrel is headspaced, then you can drill out the old slot for a larger pin and press the larger pin in.

Do some research on www.gunco.net to see what your pin options are. I don't know this info. Someone out there does.

+1!!! I love NES