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Posted: 10/6/2015 8:08:36 PM EDT
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Save your money and buy your 1st AK elsewhere....Hell a CAI WASR would be a step-up IMHO.
With the PSAK you get these issues to deal with: * Cast trunnions. * Out of mil-spec front sight drum hole. * No sling loop on the hand guard retainer. (just a issue for those wanting a AKM clone) * Muzzle threads cut too short for a mil-spec slant brake or muzzle nut. * Very thin blue on the receiver. * Cheesy PSA logo in the left side of the receiver....The small one on the bottom was enough. * Missing parts. * Kits widely reported with missing and likely out of spec parts. (2nd hand info) Yeah, it shot OK but it was no more accurate than a WASR or SAR 1. The cast trunnions give me pause as far as durability goes but that's something I can't prove. They may be just fine for all I know. Had I known they were cast I would not have bought. LOL....The sad part is I read where they were surplus Polish trunnions when I researched it.....Bonjour. 
I'll likely just put it in the safe and during the next "panic" change out the furniture (gotta keep that Russian plum) and trade it off. I certainly won't lose anything on it. In the future I'll just stick with buying ammo and the name brands I trust from PSA. 
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Considering so many things are made with cast steel nowadays... What's everyone's issue with cast trunnions? So long as they're made properly, they should be no less durable than a milled piece. Unless people intend to use their rifles as $700 clubs? Going forward as US manufactures produce AKs I suspect cast trunnions will be the norm rather than the exception to keep costs down. Thing is we really don't know who made what/where (they are unmarked) much less where their quality is at. I guess only full disclosure (which PSA is not famous for) on who made their cast trunnions or time and user experience will tell. Bottom line is the PSAK is coming up way short on first impressions. 
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Quoted:
Considering so many things are made with cast steel nowadays... What's everyone's issue with cast trunnions? So long as they're made properly, they should be no less durable than a milled piece. Unless people intend to use their rifles as $700 clubs? I intend to be able to do so, should the need arise. Is it necessary? No, but AKs aren't $300 anymore either. If I spend $700 I want the quality to be there. |
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Considering so many things are made with cast steel nowadays... What's everyone's issue with cast trunnions? So long as they're made properly, they should be no less durable than a milled piece. Unless people intend to use their rifles as $700 clubs? I'm not hung up on the fact that the trunnions are cast. I'm more interested in how they were cast, and by who. Companies like Ruger have been making cast firearms for decades, and they have an excellent reputation for strength. |
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In theory if the parts are cast with quality steel and a good process with no voids, I don't see it being an issue. Just curious though how have you determined that the trunnion is cast? Is there flashing on it? In theory, that is absolutely true. The key is going to be how good PSA is at detecting the potential voids. I thought the front trunnions looked cast as soon as I saw a close up. Most of the time, milled trunnions will have very smooth surfaces or will show some tooling marks. The PSA ones have tiny little pockmarks that are consistent with cast production. |
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Thank you for your comments.
We regret any inconvenience. Customers who are having issues only need to contact Customer service to obtain satisfaction. Our AK receivers, kits, and rifles carry a lifetime warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. The front block and rear trunnion are cast from 4140 steel, heat treated. We have extensively tested the trunions and have not seen an issue with the quality, strength or longevity. |
I'd agree this shouldn't be your first AK, but in all fairness I don't think PSA ever intended it to be. This is really aimed more at being "your first AK build." With the exception of starting with a preassembled barreled-receiver, this is still an AK build and thus comes with all the potential for pitfalls and quick-witted workarounds. It's not for novices. The miscues on parts and fitment by PSA hasn't made it any easier, as you well know, but that's why the rest of us appreciate those of you who pay the "early adopter tax." 
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Quoted:
In theory, that is absolutely true. The key is going to be how good PSA is at detecting the potential voids. I thought the front trunnions looked cast as soon as I saw a close up. Most of the time, milled trunnions will have very smooth surfaces or will show some tooling marks. The PSA ones have tiny little pockmarks that are consistent with cast production. Quoted:
Quoted:
In theory if the parts are cast with quality steel and a good process with no voids, I don't see it being an issue. Just curious though how have you determined that the trunnion is cast? Is there flashing on it? In theory, that is absolutely true. The key is going to be how good PSA is at detecting the potential voids. I thought the front trunnions looked cast as soon as I saw a close up. Most of the time, milled trunnions will have very smooth surfaces or will show some tooling marks. The PSA ones have tiny little pockmarks that are consistent with cast production. I asked who made them and PSA claims that they make their own cast trunnions. I don't have the most warm and fuzziest feelings about that.....Of course now there is a selective recall for bad front block assembly. |
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I asked who made them and PSA claims that they make their own cast trunnions. I don't have the most warm and fuzziest feelings about that.....Of course now there is a selective recall for bad front block assembly. Quoted:
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Quoted:
In theory if the parts are cast with quality steel and a good process with no voids, I don't see it being an issue. Just curious though how have you determined that the trunnion is cast? Is there flashing on it? In theory, that is absolutely true. The key is going to be how good PSA is at detecting the potential voids. I thought the front trunnions looked cast as soon as I saw a close up. Most of the time, milled trunnions will have very smooth surfaces or will show some tooling marks. The PSA ones have tiny little pockmarks that are consistent with cast production. I asked who made them and PSA claims that they make their own cast trunnions. I don't have the most warm and fuzziest feelings about that.....Of course now there is a selective recall for bad front block assembly. I have heard from several people that these cast trunnions are sourced out of China. Had a guy try to sell me one of these kits the other day.Honestly i wouldnt touch one of these rifles or kits for $200 much less shoot it. |
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I have heard from several people that these cast trunnions are sourced out of China. Had a guy try to sell me one of these kits the other day.Honestly i wouldnt touch one of these rifles or kits for $200 much less shoot it. PSA, in another thread, was adamant that these are sourced from a non-communist country. |
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I have heard from several people that these cast trunnions are sourced out of China. Had a guy try to sell me one of these kits the other day.Honestly i wouldnt touch one of these rifles or kits for $200 much less shoot it. Who are these "several people," and how do they know where PSA is getting the trunnions? |
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I intend to be able to do so, should the need arise. Is it necessary? No, but AKs aren't $300 anymore either. If I spend $700 I want the quality to be there. Quoted:
Quoted:
Considering so many things are made with cast steel nowadays... What's everyone's issue with cast trunnions? So long as they're made properly, they should be no less durable than a milled piece. Unless people intend to use their rifles as $700 clubs? I intend to be able to do so, should the need arise. Is it necessary? No, but AKs aren't $300 anymore either. If I spend $700 I want the quality to be there. Well, You can build/assemble one for $440. Mine was $480 with nice black furniture and an awesome ALG trigger. If I can put one together, anyone can! Honestly, I can't speak to the cast trunion issue, but the rest of the parts look great IMHO. I'd say the 4150 Nitrided barrel should be very good. That's nice steel. And, the parts require some fitting which results in everything being nice and tight, instead of a loose rattle trap. For example the front sight, it doesn't slide in easy, but it installs without alteration and will not move unless you move it! |
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Well, You can build/assemble one for $440. Mine was $480 with nice black furniture and an awesome ALG trigger. If I can put one together, anyone can! Honestly, I can't speak to the cast trunion issue, but the rest of the parts look great IMHO. I'd say the 4150 Nitrided barrel should be very good. That's nice steel. And, the parts require some fitting which results in everything being nice and tight, instead of a loose rattle trap. For example the front sight, it doesn't slide in easy, but it installs without alteration and will not move unless you move it! Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Considering so many things are made with cast steel nowadays... What's everyone's issue with cast trunnions? So long as they're made properly, they should be no less durable than a milled piece. Unless people intend to use their rifles as $700 clubs? I intend to be able to do so, should the need arise. Is it necessary? No, but AKs aren't $300 anymore either. If I spend $700 I want the quality to be there. Well, You can build/assemble one for $440. Mine was $480 with nice black furniture and an awesome ALG trigger. If I can put one together, anyone can! Honestly, I can't speak to the cast trunion issue, but the rest of the parts look great IMHO. I'd say the 4150 Nitrided barrel should be very good. That's nice steel. And, the parts require some fitting which results in everything being nice and tight, instead of a loose rattle trap. For example the front sight, it doesn't slide in easy, but it installs without alteration and will not move unless you move it! I was thinking they were a bit more. For $450 or less I guess I'd consider one after they get everything worked out. I've been needing a beater rifle. |
| This is one of the reasons why I'm divesting my collection of AKs. With imports drying up, and a lackluster domestic performance, my life is too short messing around and tinkering to make a rifle fit me, when ultimately it's all a compromise with modern accessories and optics. |
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