Love them or not, there’s no denying that Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is one of the biggest players in the American gun market. Not content just releasing AR-15s and old 1911s, PSA has been regularly expanding their list of available platforms. This includes the Soviet Arms lineup, consisting of American-made AK-47 variants, which is where we find today’s review gun. The Palmetto State Armory Krink, a modern production of the old Soviet AKS-74u “Krinkov”.
PSA Soviet Arms 5.56 Krink
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Soviet Arms 5.56 Krink Triangle Side Folding Pistol, JMAC Rail, ALG, and Soviet Arms Grip | Palmetto State Armory | $ 1299.99 |
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Soviet Arms 5.56 Krink Complete Bolt, Carrier, and Trunnion with Bullet Guide | Palmetto State Armory | $ 299.99 |
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Soviet Arms 5.56 Krink Barrel 8.4" | Palmetto State Armory | $ 149.99 |
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Soviet Arms 5.56 Krink SBR w/ Triangle Side Folding Stock, Plum Gloss | Palmetto State Armory | $ 1199.99 |
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Let’s check the details on this gun as provided by PSA before we dig into hands-on time and range results.
Tech Specs:
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm
- Barrel Length: 8.4″
- Barrel Twist Rate: 1:7
- Barrel Material: 4150 Steel
- Barrel Finish: Gas Nitride
- Muzzle Device: Krink Booster
- Muzzle Thread: M24x1.5 RH
- Receiver: Stamped Steel
- Front Trunnion: Hammer Forged 4340AQ
- Bolt: Hammer Forged
- Carrier: Hammer Forged
- Handguard Type: Voodoo
- Grip: Checkered Grip, Voodoo
- Brace: JMAC Customs Stock Adapter with Black Triangle Side Folding Brace
- Fire Control Group: Single Stage, Single Hook
- Side Rail: Yes
- Sights: 90 Degree Combo Sight/Gas Block, Dustcover Rear Sight
- Magazine: 30 Round Magazine (1); Where Allowed by Law
So the first thing many Krink purists are going to notice is the caliber, 5.56. At the time this gun was shipped out, only 5.56mm and .300 Blackout Krinks were available, but PSA has since added 5.45×39 to the options. The delay was due to the lack of imported 5.45 ammo, but Palmetto State has since started producing domestic supplies of 5.45×39.
Fit and finish on the PSA Krink is excellent. I’m not a massive AK-series aficionado, but I do have extensive hands-on experience from 5 deployments to the sandbox during which foreign weapons training was a routine matter. This Krink would right at home in the corner of an Afghani mud hut, once the finish had been worn off by decades of rough handling.
Running the Krink through some dry fire and manipulation drills reveals exactly what you’d expect: Soviet ergonomics and design. The iron sights are absolutely the most basic (and durable) design possible. Functional, and that’s it. The safety lever moves more freely than even some ancient, worn-in AK-47s I’ve used. It’s not going to drop to “fire” unbidden, but it’s easy enough to flick off. The mag release is strong and gives great lockup when that new mag is rocked in.
The furniture is all tight, except for a little wiggle in the triangle brace. Folding the triangle brace is a minor challenge, and I’ve had this gun for 6 months. It’s definitely broken in, but that brace’s JMAC folding adaptor likes to stay open or folded… changing positions is a big nyet.
All told, the PSA Krink definitely looks the part of a classic krink with modern manufacturing.
Range Time:
Using some vintage Silver Bear 55gr and 62gr ammo, I hit the range on my property. The PSA Krink definitely has a ton of bark, with the booster muzzle device giving a unique report. Very little recoil, which is par for the course on a 5.56 gun.
What really stood out though? The sights. Not only the absolutely minimalist design, but the short sight radius as well. I know this isn’t a precision rifle by design, and don’t expect it to be. Trying to shoot this accurately and fast is a struggle. Just keep it fast, and accurate enough to stay somewhere on target and you’ll have a great time.
That little wiggle in the brace is back. A little lateral pressure takes up the slack, it’s just a small issue that takes up a bit of brain space while you’re shooting.
This is an AK-based platform, so reliability isn’t something I’d normally feel the need to mention much. But, since this is now made in America, there’s a fair number of people out there wondering whether or not the legendary Kalashnikov base can be successfully made here. I’m only 500 rounds in, but 500 rounds of my beloved Silver Bear ammo was hard to part with. So far, I haven’t run into any reliability issues, nor have I bothered to clean or lube the gun since I pulled it from the box.
Groups? Well… not really. The short sight radius and chunky iron sights definitely don’t lend themselves to shooting tight groups. Even when I’m shooting supported at 25 yards, it’s immediately evident that this gun just really doesn’t wanna go under 1″ (~4 MOA). This is just as true when moving to 50 yards (2-3″ groups, 10 rounds each) to the point I didn’t bother trying to confirm at 100 yards. I feel like the PSA Krink is almost more accurate when shooting in a “tactical” manner than from a bench.
While 4-5 MOA isn’t impressing anyone, it’s a fully functional level of accuracy for what amounts to a PDW/truck gun. Keeping the Krink on an E-type steel torso at 100 yards is easy.
Best Use:
If every gun is a different tool in the toolbox, then every tool has a best use scenario. Your circular saw makes for a poor hammer and a worse screwdriver. A gun like the Palmetto State Armory Krink is compact, durable, reliable, and provides that “good enough” level of accuracy for certain jobs. As mentioned in the preceding section, the Krink makes for an excellent truck gun. Opportunity strikes when least expected, so having a reliable option tucked away for that cougar or coyote that crosses your path means you won’t have to tell an “almost had it” story; you’ll have the pelt instead.
Last time the PSA Krink was in stock, it ran for $1099.99. If you’re a fan of the Krinkov’s history and want a quality American-made example (with a warranty!), look no further than Palmetto State Armory.
About Rex Nanorum
Rex Nanorum is an Alaskan Expatriate living in Oregon with his wife and kids. Growing up on commercial fishing vessels, he found his next adventure with the 2nd Bn, 75th Ranger Regt. After 5 tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, he adventured about the west coast becoming a commercial fisheries and salvage SCUBA diver, rated helicopter pilot instructor (CFII) and personal trainer, before becoming a gear reviewer and writer.”
- -Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer
- @Rexnanorum
- See more of author Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer at The Truth About Guns, and Shooting News Weekly.
