The C.A.I PSL-54 is back

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They are very cool. The original scope ( I have the Romanian military version) has a very effective ranging reticle. I put it through some tactical drills on a frozen lake, ranging my brother in law (scope off the rifle) while he placed cinder blocks from 300 to 900 yards. I was able to make first shot hits on most of them using the yardage dope on the optic. The only misses were wind calls, elevation was good. I got to handle one of these at a recent gunshow, the new Russian scope is not nearly as good as the originals. Mount is flimsy and poorly fit, ranging reticle is not as sharp in focus, scope is heavier.

Only problem I've ever had with mine, is they tend to shift POI slightly as they heat up. POI also shifts with disassembly/reassembly.
 
adcoch1 said:
I always thought these were amazingly cool..
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Not so cool for a left handed shooter like me because the scope is offset to the left a bit, but there are scope mounts that can be got that centers the scope center of the rifle I have seen. Supposedly these new ones are complete rifles built in Romania not just parts kit guns. They want two grand for one though.
 
Many of the older imports were also complete manufactured rifles, but were surplus/reserve, never issued. Mine has matching original serials on scope, receiver and one magazine. Appears these are new-made for the commercial market.

In addition to the offset scope, I would not want to fire one of these left handed. The action is very violent and they sling brass with authority. I think it would be bad for your facial complexion.
 
Random 8 said:
Many of the older imports were also complete manufactured rifles, but were surplus/reserve, never issued. Mine has matching original serials on scope, receiver and one magazine. Appears these are new-made for the commercial market.

In addition to the offset scope, I would not want to fire one of these left handed. The action is very violent and they sling brass with authority. I think it would be bad for your facial complexion.
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AK's never hit my face but PSL might be different, I do want one, but the price and ejection are things to consider now
 
Jackal said:
As an owner of one, its the best $600 rifle you can buy for $2000....
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yeah, when they first came out 10 years ago they typically went for $800.00. Then they stopped coming over and people who owned one started listing them on auction sites for $1500.00 to $1700.00 or so. I don't know if CAI saw that and decided to tag the new one at 2K , don't know what it costs them to get and import and all the shipping and red tape but 2K is steep.
 
Ive owned 3 and still have one. All of mine were imported complete.
I completely agree with Jackal.

The magazines are crazy stupid expensive now. I'm glad I bought a dozen when they were cheap
 
I tried to sell mine recently at a gunshow. It got a lot of interest, but nobody pulled the trigger so to speak. Not sure what the real market value will be, but betting CAI will not sell too many at their current price.

Also, the current scope on these is Bellarusian, not IOR made as on the originals. If you watch such things, you'll know that IOR Valdada has become a serious rival to the big time German and Austrian optics since the iron curtain fell.
 
Random 8 said:
I tried to sell mine recently at a gunshow. It got a lot of interest, but nobody pulled the trigger so to speak. Not sure what the real market value will be, but betting CAI will not sell too many at their current price.

Also, the current scope on these is Bellarusian, not IOR made as on the originals. If you watch such things, you'll know that IOR Valdada has become a serious rival to the big time German and Austrian optics since the iron curtain fell.
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well try to hold on to it for now if you can I have something planned down the pike you may want to put some rounds through it for;)
 
I have one of the earlier ones (and I'm left handed too). Love the rifle and I'm setting up to reload for it. It's been awhile but I can shoot 1 MOA with it.
 
lionking said:
yeah, when they first came out 10 years ago they typically went for $800.00. Then they stopped coming over and people who owned one started listing them on auction sites for $1500.00 to $1700.00 or so. I don't know if CAI saw that and decided to tag the new one at 2K , don't know what it costs them to get and import and all the shipping and red tape but 2K is steep.
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I only paid $675 for the one I used to have, plus another $20 per magazine. Since I bought four extra they tossed in the issue mag rig and sling. I've still got one of those mags in my tool box for some reason. They're worth a bit more now, just like the rifles.

I kinda liked the original scope, and accuracy was pretty good with the cheap spam can ammo I burned through with it.

It was an ergonomic nightmare though. I handled my buddies FAL's and CETME's much better which is really saying something. That's why I got rid of it. Shooting a nice R700 is much easier and more comfortable.

If semi-autos in powerful 30cal cartridges are your thing though, I'd much rather an AR10, M1A1, or PTR in that order.
 
Always wanted one but did not have the money when they were affordable. Glad I built my STG58 , from parts kit) when I did. Thirty cal semi autos are expensive to buy and feed.
 
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