PSA Dagger Review: Hands On Tested!
PSA has been killing it lately with new ARs, PCCs, AKs, and even Glocks. PSA effectively made their own Glock and called it the Dagger, and today we’re reviewing it. I originally reviewed this gun last year but after a few hundred rounds with it, my opinions have somewhat changed. In this updated PSA Dagger review, I’ll take you through the specifications, background, and my personal experience with this gun.
PSA Dagger Specs
- Barrel Length 4.5 inches
- Overall Length 7.65 inches
- Weight 22.4 ounces
- Caliber 9mm
- Capacity 15
Carrying a Dagger
As a former Marine, I can say that Glock handguns dominate the firearms market, despite efforts from SIG, CZ, and FN. By dominating the market, I don’t mean just occupying the holsters of a metric ton of shooters, but being the reason those holsters exist. It’s insanely easy to find Glock holsters, triggers, sights, barrels, and custom work.
In fact, you can create a Glock without using any actual Glock parts. That’s precisely what the Dagger is, a Glock without any Glock parts. Specifically, it’s a Glock 19 style pistol. It’s in the same realm as the Glock compact pistols. The Dagger works with standard Glock parts and pieces and is compatible with Glock Gen 3 parts. Just like the Gen 3, it also has slide rails that help the slide move back and forth smoothly
Palmetto State Armory is well known for its low prices, and the Dagger is priced to move. The base model sells for 300 dollars, which, in my opinion, is a very reasonable price. The optic’s cut, suppressor height sight, upgraded threaded barrel model we are reviewing cost 379.99. Regardless, they are a good deal cheaper than Glock brand Glocks and promise the same simplicity and reliability as the Glock pistols.
This isn’t just a cheap Glock clone. PSA went all out to equip the Dagger with a ton of features and lots of modern flair. You get a lot of ‘gun’ for the money, but does that gun run? Does it shoot straight? Well, we’ll find out today.
PSA Dagger Features
1 Optics Ready
2 Ameriglow lower 1/3rd Co-witness sights
3 Threaded Barrel
4 Flat Trigger
The Dagger Models
Palmetto State Armory Dagger has many variants to it. They come in micro, compact and full size options. Within each of these sizes there are various colors and slide cuts, threaded or non-threaded barrels, optics cuts, and colors to pick from.
Wielding the Dagger – Our Take
The first thing you notice when you pick up the Dagger is the aggressive grip texture. You won’t need to stipple this bad boy. It clings to the hand and gives you a solid stippling around the entire grip, including the front and rear of the gun. PSA’s grip angle feels a little straighter but not as straight as something like the Polymer 80 designs.
It’s plenty comfy and feels good in the hand. The grip seems to be a little longer than the standard Glock 19 grip. Typically about a quarter of my pinky hangs off the Glock 19’s grip, but here it’s firmly seated. The grip features two very aggressive cutouts that would allow you to yank the magazine out if necessary. They don’t get in the way of your grip by any means.
Ultimately it’s a comfy grip that provides a great purchase on the gun. When you start slinging lead, the firearm stays put and doesn’t require any readjustment of the grip. Since it’s a Gen 3 grip, you can’t add any backstraps to the dagger frame, so you get what you get. Luckily, what you get is a pretty comfy little gun.
I love the minor addition of a slight overhang at the rear of the grip. It allows me to choke up on the gun and not get hit with slide bite. On top of that, you get a decent trigger guard undercut that encourages a high grip.
The magazine release is absolutely massive! I love it. I don’t have to make some significant shift in my hand to reach it. The slide lock is standard Glock, and my thumbs almost always pin it down and render it useless.
Ringing Steel
The model I’m reviewing has a Holosun 507C equipped to the gun, but the Aemriglo lower 1/3rd sights are a nice feature. If I have an optic’s ready gun, I want these sights. The optics cut accommodates the Trijicon RMR and optics that use that footprint. Optically enhanced guns are straightforward to shoot accurately, and the Dagger didn’t disappoint.
I dinged steel, printed tight little groups, and generally ran the gun ragged. Even at 50 yards in an unsupported position, I rang steel over and over. The Dagger’s trigger isn’t fantastic, but it’s not bad. When it was first released, some folks encountered problems with the trigger not resetting properly and instances of the trigger pin walking out. The trigger is stock Glock-like. The short and tactile reset is lovely and also Glock-like. Speaking of the trigger pull, it feels rough like sandpaper, with a smooth initial movement and a clear, distinct break. It’s not super sharp, but it’s not too soft either. I have no significant issues with the trigger, but I’d likely swap it for a nicer Glock trigger. That’s a substantial benefit of this platform. Like the Glock, you can change almost everything.
Running Hard
Glock’s boring reliability is a big reason why this series of pistols took off. If the Dagger couldn’t match that reliability, it’s tough to call it a success. However, in all my shooting, I couldn’t get the gun to malfunction. I mainly shot brass-cased 115-grain FMJs through the weapon. In the midst of an ammo drought, you can’t be picky, especially when someone picks up the ammo tab.
The gun didn’t care about the case, projectile type, or ammo quality. It fired, extracted, ejected, and fired again. The Dagger couldn’t care less about the ammunition you fed it. I used the included Magpul magazine, but I doubt that Glock mags or the other mags as such ETS as KCI would cause issues with the gun.
In my testing, the PSA Dagger worked well. It was plenty accurate and reliable, the ergonomics are fantastic, it comes with optics cut, and with a threaded barrel and suppressor height sights for less than 400 bucks. That’s a ton of value for a reliable, modern pistol. It’s priced the same as a Taurus pistol, but it packs in way more features and likely fewer QC issues than Taurus as well.
That’s not to mention how easy it is to carry. PSA melted the corners at the front and bottom of the slide to make it snag-free and carry comfy. The DLC finish is nice, and the front and rear slide serrations are another nice add-on.
Now, it’s not all perfect. I’ve noticed some quirks, especially when trying to suppress the gun. There are also a lot of compatibility issues with the holsters cause the Dagger doesn’t fit the holsters made for Glocks. That said, value-wise it’s tough to beat.
PSA Dagger Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Feature Filled
- Feature Filled
- Not much…the trigger is merely okay.
Report Card | ||
Shootability | It’s still just a compact 9mm. The gun isn’t hard to shoot, but you’ll face the same recoil and muzzle rise you’re use to here. The grip’s nice but a bit thick, so some smaller-handed shooters may feel challenged. | B |
Reliability | Not a single flaw or failure in my experience. The gun eats and eats without complaint. | A |
Ergonomics | There are some seriously nice features on this gun. The massive mag release, the great grip shape, the aggressive texture, the undercut trigger guard, and beavertail make it easy to handle. The only reason it gets a B is that my thumb pins down that dang slide lock. | B |
Accuracy | It’s not a match-grade pistol and won’t outperform something like the LS Edge, but for concealed carry, home defense, and duty use, it’s more than capable. I can hit targets consistently over and over. | B |
Value | For less than 400 bucks, the Dagger gives you a reliable, easy-to-shoot, accurate, and feature-filled handgun. The Dagger might be the best buy of 2022 for a budget handgun. | A+ |
Our Grade
B+
Reviewed by Travis Pike
Reader’s Grade
A-
Based on 49 Reviews
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PSA Dagger Gun Deals
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$349.99
PSA Dagger – FAQs
What is the price range of the PSA Dagger?
The PSA Dagger typically ranges from $300 to $350, depending on the model and additional features like tritium sights.
Is the PSA Dagger compatible with Glock magazines and parts?
Yes, the PSA Dagger is designed to work with Glock magazines and shares compatibility with certain Glock internal parts.
Does the PSA Dagger have ambidextrous controls?
No, the PSA Dagger does not feature ambidextrous controls. Some controls, like the magazine release, are designed for right-handed us
Is the PSA Dagger’s locking block compatible with Glock parts?
Despite the Dagger being designed to be compatible with many standard Glock parts, the hybrid locking block/front rail and rear rail are exceptions.
PSA Dagger Ammo
Range Rounds
MagTech 9mm 115 GR FMJ Ammo
Marketplace | Cost Per Round |
| Gun Deals | $0.23 |
| Natchez Shooter’s Supply | $0.25 |
| Gritr Sorts | $0.27 |
| Firearms Depot | $0.28 |
Best Defense Rounds
Hornady Critical Defense 115 GR
Marketplace | Cost Per Round |
| Gun Deals | $0.84 |
| Firearms Depot | $0.94 |
| Sportsman’s Guide | $0.97 |
| Guns.com | $1.03 |
PSA Dagger Starter Pack
So what’s next? Well, if you decide to get the Dagger , you’re going to need to pick up some must-have basics. Here’s our recommendation for what you need to get started.
- Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
- Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
- Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
- Storage: Check our our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
- Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.
With the basics outta the way, let’s jump into some cool accessories you might want to consider when purchasing your Dagger
PSA Dagger Upgrades and Accessories
There’s a bunch of different options available to accessorize the PSA Dagger. However, if we had to choose only a few options… Here’s our picks.
PSA Dagger Accessories
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| Check Price |
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PSA Dagger
Not only do you need to keep your firearms safe and secure, you’re also going to need to know how to take care of it. While scouring the internet, we came across this excellent video;.
Important Links And Manuals For Your PSA Dagger
For more info regarding the PSA Dagger, check out the following resources:
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About Travis Pike
Travis is a former United States Marine Corps Infantryman and currently a firearms writer, instructor, and works in Emergency Management.
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Absolutely love this pistol I can honestly say I will never purchase another polymer pistol unless it’s another PSA Dagger .
Glock owner/shooter since 1989 ,hard pressed for me to buy anything else , decided to give the Dagger a try . so far very impressive {hard for me to say that }, solid feel , shoots straight , absolutely zero malfunctions. We will see how it does after about 30,000 rounds .
PSA Dagger in my opinion is as good as a Glock.
It shoots well and does not jam.
At 1/2 the price of a Glock.
The Dagger is hard to beat for EDC.
I got mine in march of 2022, and have put about 1500 rounds through it and I honestly can’t remember any malfunctions except one which was a primer failing and not the firearm. It has good balance, the grip is the best I’ve come across and it is fun to shoot. I normally carry smaller handguns for my EDC but I definitely rotate this one in from time to time. I’m currently working on accumulating the parts to build another from the ground up.
I built my plain Jane Black Dagger from PSA parts. 7- 25-2022. I bought a stripped lower at my local PSA store, and ordered the rest of the parts online. All the parts arrived within 2 days. It took me 5 minutes to install the trigger, I had it oiled and ready for the range in 15. I ran 1000 rounds of mixed ammo thru it. Steel case, Aluminum Case Brass, Chrome plated stuff with several different bullet weights, 115, 124, a few re-loads and some hollow points that were turning green. Not one single problem. I used 2 pro mags, and again, not one single problem. At 10 yards I shot real tight groups, at 25 yards my groups were very good once I got the sight picture nailed down. (Indoor range) The trigger is OK, I’m no real trigger guy anyway. I did not save any cash building one, I was just impatient waiting for one to become available. It is a great inexpensive Glock 19 copy. I would trust it for EDC.
…….well….you’re mostly right. …..with one glaring difference. ……the PSA Dagger grip angle (aka ergonomics) ate that of a XDM, HI Power, 1911, CZ……basically superior in every aspect!!!!! …..and I also have to say…..with more than (20) years (+) experience with Glocks coupled with more than 6,000 police and correctional officers trained and certified…..the PSA is a far superior handgun in every category compared to the Glock!!!!! …..everything from steel sights to superior trigger and ultimately to the Daggers superior accuracy!!!!!!
I purchased the 9mm Dagger in early July 2022. The Dagger cam with 5ea 15rd mags, 5ea 27rd mags, fixed front and rear sights. I went through all the mags at the range. the 15rd mags worked well. The 27rd mags would fall out of the mag well after the 2nd or 3rd shot. All five of the 27rd mags did this, but not the 15rd mags. I then put in a Glock mag with 27rds. No problem, the mag stayed in. This is definitely a mag problem. Next, after 200 rds through the pistol, the front sight is now loose and free-spinning. I’ve contacted PSA and am waiting for a response.
simply tighten the front sight post, a little thread locker will prevent any vibration causing it to loosen. They may not put threadlocker on since these are easily customizable and they expect some owners to want to change the sights.
I got the same deal $409 also included a nice soft case for all the above. I put an RMR that I had sitting around on mine. It shot 0.5 inch 10 yard five shot groups when zeroed. I believe the trigger is better than stock Glock as it is not as spongy and easier to predict the break. I also like the feel better given that there is no blade in the middle And the trigger is smooth and flat not stepped as the standard Glock is. Agree with the comment about the grip because I have large hands and Glock 20 and 21 are no problem for me but this fits perfectly. I gave this one to my wife and ordered one for myself. She loves it! I also added a Sigg foxtrot one X light to complete the package for her. I personally believe that it is the best 9 mm on the market all told. When one considers price, you can’t touch it. The caveat to all that is that I hate Sig and Beretta because their grip angle does not work for me. So I have no basis for comparison because I have no reason to pick one up. I have owned many Glocks and was one of the very first owners of the first generation G 17 back when people said “I would never own a plastic pistol“. Funny how that goes. But this is an incredible product and PSA is putting out many incredible products for extremely reasonable prices. Check them out.