PSA KS-47 Review: Hands On Testing!

The love child of an AK-47 and an AR-15, the KS-47 might be the perfect blend of both — or at least enough to make both sets of fans angry. From design to practical use, we’ll have the complete review below!

PSA KS-47 Background

The history of the KS-47 is pretty simple. The folks at Palmetto State Armory were so busy asking if they could create this gun that they forgot to ask if they should! Jurassic Park jokes aside, that’s basically what happened. They wanted a 7.62x39mm rifle that could use AK magazines but still give you all the ergonomic benefits of an AR-15. This is the same basic idea that led to the development of the 300 BLK cartridge, except instead of focusing on a new cartridge, they focused on redesigning the rifle itself.

The final result is a mash-up of parts that sounds weird, but trust me—it works. The upper receiver is all AR-15: a single upper design, a long handguard, plenty of Picatinny rail for optics, and an AR-15-style bolt carrier group and charging handle. The bolt is the real magic. It’s not thin and fragile like most 7.62x39mm AR-15 style bolts. This means it doesn’t break with ease like most 7.62x39mm AR-15 bolts.

The lower receiver is where things get interesting. It’s heavily modified to accept AK-47 magazines, but it still takes AR-15 trigger groups and a standard buffer tube and stock. However, it uses AR-10 buffer springs.

It sounds like a Frankenstein’s monster of a rifle, but the results are pretty awesome. AK magazines just feed 7.62x39mm better than AR magazines, no question. Plus, you get the superior ergonomics of the AR-15. It’s also way easier to find a great AR trigger group than a great AK trigger group, and the AR’s huge aftermarket of stocks beats what you can get for an AK every day of the week.

It might sound weird—but it absolutely works.

PSA KS-47 Features

1 The best of both worlds

AR-15 reliability and ergonomics, AK-47 cartridge and magazines

2 More durable than an AR-47

Redesigned barrel extension and improved bolt bring extra durability

3 Wide aftermarket support

AR-15 trigger, handguard, and stock are easy to customize

KS-47 Gun Models & Accessories

PSA KS-47 Review – Our Take

I love shooting this gun; it’s sad that AK ammo has skyrocketed. Banning imports from Russia has affected the supply chain and rasied the price of 7.62x39mm to the same price as 5.56, if not more. That’s a real shame because the KS-47 is a blast. Literally and figuratively.

While I have other rifles that can blast 7.62×39, the KS-47 gives me that AR-15 feeling, which makes it a little easier to shoot that expensive 7.62x39mm ammo.

I also see my KS-47 as a poor man’s 300 BLK, with 7.62×39 and 300 BLK being almost identical ballistically this gives me a more accessible platform to sling big weights at short-range targets without having to buy into a whole new ammo ecosystem. Plus, it suppresses well, and the industry produces some heavy subsonic 7.62x39mm.

With a suppressor, the ammo cycles fine in semi-auto rifles. Be warned that subsonic ammo reliability can be tricky when it comes to reliability without a suppressor.

I run my KS-47 with a muzzle brake, but even with a standard A2 flash hider, this is a smooth and easy rifle to shoot and keep on target.

Reliability

My rifle has been dead on reliable from the first shot to last. I rarely clean it, I lube it regularly, and I’ve put at least 3,000 rounds down range without a problem.

However… my story is the minority. I’ve talked with a lot of owners who have never-ending problems with extractors breaking almost constantly.

This isn’t surprising and is a fairly common issue with steel cased 7.62×39 with AR-15 bolts, but it is annoying. 

Palmetto State Armory took their time addressing this issue, but eventually, they’ve finally come out with an improved extractor from Toolcraft that is designed for the added stress of steel cased 7.62×39.

These extractors are standard in the KS-47 now, but can also be bought separately if you want to upgrade an old rifle.

Oddly, I’m running an old standard extractor and haven’t managed to break it yet… knock on wood that it keeps running.

Ergonomics

KS-47: The Best of Both Worlds

Look, the KS-47 is a mash-up of parts that just works. The AR-15 trigger, stock, handguard, and pistol grip make the KS-47 incredibly comfortable to shoot and use. Plus, you get that AR-15 inline recoil design where the bolt’s mass goes straight into the stock. This makes for a big improvement in ergonomics over the AK-47.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the AK-47. It’s a classic, but the KS-47 is just fundamentally better when it comes to being user-friendly and comfortable. It’s also a lot easier to hand off to a new shooter since you can adjust the stock to fit them. With a standard AK, you’re pretty much stuck with one size, which is great if you’re a Soviet conscript, but less so if you’re a normal dude.

My biggest complaint? The lack of a last-round bolt hold open. It’s a bummer, but hey, you can’t have everything, right? I’d also love to see a side-charging option. Using the standard charging handle gets old pretty quick. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wish for an extra hand or, at the very least, a stronger grip. Normally, I get around this by using a Devil Dog Hard Charger to convert the standard AR-15 charging handle into a side-charging system. It’s a solid workaround, but a factory option would’ve been a nice touch.

Despite those two minor gripes, the KS-47 is an incredibly user-friendly rifle that combines the best aspects of two legendary platforms.

Accuracy

I’ve never fed my KS-47 match grade ammo (do they even make match grade 7.62×39?) or handloads, so I can’t really say how much accuracy you could squeeze out of the system.

But fed my steel-cased borscht-soaked coffee grounds for power bottom shelf ammo, I get around 3 MOA. That’s pretty great considering just how bad this ammo really is.

And that’s right in line with the horrible quality steel-cased ammo I use as my .223 Remington plinker ammo that is made by the same brand.

I was using the Bushnell TRS-26 Optic, and took 5-shots at 50 yards standing resting on a tripod.

Seeing as how the KS-47 is fundamentally an AR-15 in terms of barrel, bolt, and trigger — it makes sense that the accuracy is right around the same when using similar quality ammo.

I fed my KS-47 some S&B ammo once and got the accuracy to around 1.5 MOA, but that was a one-time buy for me.

Value

Alright, let’s talk about the price. The KS-47 is sitting at around $699.99. With the new Russian sanctions, the ammo gas skyrocketed. Back in the good old days when 7.62×39 Soviet was practically a third-world currency, I would have said this rifle was an A+ value. But now? The base rifle costs more than its AR-15 counterpart, and steel-cased 7.62×39 is more expensive than steel-cased .223 Rem. So, unless you’re one of those people who just has to be different, the value proposition has dropped faster than a politician’s approval rating.

That being said, this is still one of the best ways I’ve ever had the pleasure of slinging 7.62×39 downrange. Sure, it doesn’t have the rich, storied history of the AK-47—which, let’s be honest, is mostly a history of peasants fighting other peasants—but it has all the ergonomic improvements that make the AR-15 so damn comfortable.

So, if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest way to make some noise at the range, this might not be your best option. But if you want a better way to shoot 7.62×39, or you’re a hipster looking for a cheaper alternative to the .300 BLK, the KS-47 still shines. It’s a great way to get what you want, even if you have to pay a little extra for the privilege.

PSA KS-47 Pros and Cons

PSA KS-47 Ammo

PSA KS-47 Starter Pack

If you’ve decided to pick up the PSA KS-47, or found another firearm that suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to pick up in order to maximize its potential and your safety regardless of if it’s your first firearm or not.

• 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.

Upgrades and Accessories

PSA KS-47 Accessories

1. Holosun HS403B		Best Entry Red Dot Adjustment value: 1/2 MOA Features 12 brightness settings	Check Price
2. Aimpoint PRO		Best Duty Red Dot Battery Life: 30000 hours 2 MOA center-dot, with 6 daylight and 4 night vision brightness settings	Check Price
3. BFG Padded Vickers Sling		Best Sling 1.25″ sling webbing 2.00″ tubular webbing with closed cell foam padding	Check Price
4. Surefire Procomp 762		Best Muzzle Break Caliber: 7.62mm (.308 caliber) Length: 2.67”	Check Price
5. PSA KS-47 TC-E Extractor		Best Reliability Upgrade New and improved extractor Palmetto State Armory	Check Price

PSA KS-47

Owning and storing a firearm safely is one thing, but knowing everything about it is just as important. Below we have a great video from Palmetto State Armory overviewing this gun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTwrThdNRU

Important Links and Manuals

• PSA KS-47 Repair Request Form
• PSA KS-47 Warranty Information