When I first reviewed the PSA Dagger Compact, I was honestly surprised. For a pistol that retails for around $320, it ran flawlessly through 300 rounds of mixed ammunition.
At the time, I wasn’t ready to say I’d trust my life to it, but here we are, roughly 1,500 rounds later, and my opinion has shifted.
PSA Dagger Compact 9mm Pistol
Reliability Over the Long Haul
Let’s start with the big one: reliability. Since my initial review, I’ve put approximately 1,500 rounds through the Dagger Compact.
That includes a steady diet of 147-grain loads from HOP Munitions, my go-to for training and carry, along with plenty of other brands and bullet weights. The verdict? Not one single malfunction. Zero. Nada.
And here’s where some of you will shake your heads: I haven’t cleaned this pistol once since that first range session.
I’m not a “clean it after every range session” guy. I’m more of a “twice a year” at best. Yes, I know some of you are probably already roasting me in the comments.
The Dagger has just kept running…dirty.
Changes Since the First Review
I didn’t go wild with upgrades. In fact, the pistol is still almost entirely stock. The only tweaks I’ve made are:
- Talon Grip (Sandpaper Texture): This was the best $20 upgrade I could make. The added traction locks my grip in tight.
- Holosun 507C: I ditched the budget Amazon optic from the first review and mounted a Holosun. It’s been a rock-solid pairing, and I much prefer it for carry and training use.
That’s it. No trigger upgrades, no match-grade barrel upgrades, no fancy internals. Just simple, functional upgrades.
One additional change I might make is to remove the suppressor height sights and just run it with the dot. I have enough confidence in the Holosun 507C that I don’t worry about it malfunctioning. If, for some freak reason, the batteries die, there are aiming strategies that can be used in a pinch.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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PSA Dagger Compact 9mm RMR Pistol w/ 10 PMAG 27rd/15rd Magazines & PSA Pistol Bag | Palmetto State Armory | $ 449.99 |
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PSA Dagger Compact 9mm RMR Pistol w/ 10 PMAG 27rd/15rd Magazines & PSA Pistol Bag | Palmetto State Armory | $ 449.99 $ 419.99 |
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PSA Dagger Compact 9mm Pistol With Extreme Carry Cuts, Flat Dark Earth | Palmetto State Armory | $ 299.99 $ 239.99 |
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PSA Dagger Compact 9mm Pistol With Extreme Carry Cuts RMR Slide, Threaded Barrel - 2-Tone Sniper Green With PSA Soft Case | Palmetto State Armory | $ 359.99 |
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Build Quality
One detail I didn’t realize during my first review is that the Dagger uses actual roll pins for takedown, not plastic push pins like some of the polymer guns it’s modeled after. That’s a subtle but welcome upgrade in terms of durability and longevity.
The other welcome upgrade is the recoil spring/guiderod assembly. The Dagger Compact features a stainless steel guide rod, whereas competing pistols typically use a polymer guide rod.
Otherwise, the gun is still stock. Same internals and same barrel. And everything continues to hold up.
The Bottom Line After 1,500 Rounds
Here’s where I’m at now: I wouldn’t hesitate to trust this Dagger. It has proven itself to be reliable, accurate, and durable, even without regular cleaning. For a pistol that started as a “budget experiment,” it has completely earned a spot in my rotation.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
I carry it daily in my Tier 1 Concealed holster.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly carry gun, a training workhorse, or a red-dot-ready pistol to keep on the nightstand, the PSA Dagger Compact has more than earned its reputation.
I’ll keep pushing it. Next, I want to run it through one or two pistol courses. But as of today, the Dagger has 1,500 rounds of proof behind it, and I’m impressed.
Let’s see if we can push this thing to 5,000 rounds. I’m going to clean it before we get there (prob around 2,500 rounds), but I’m looking forward to seeing how this gun continues to run.
About Scott Witner
Scott Witner is a former Marine Corps Infantryman with 2ndBn/8th Marines. He completed training in desert warfare at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Mountain Warfare and survival at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, the South Korean Mountain Warfare School in Pohang, and the Jungle Warfare school in the jungles of Okinawa, Japan. He now enjoys recreational shooting, trail running, hiking, functional fitness, and working on his truck. Scott resides in Northeastern Ohio.
