Romanian PSL, cost, accuracy, worth it?

[Strykervet]

Hi, I have a fetish for SDM rifles. Accurized battle and assault rifles, semi-sniper rifles, you get the idea.

Recently, I've wanted to expand the collection to include a PSL and a Tabuk. I know I can probably mod some heavy RPK or some such into a Tabuk, it would be a good project, but I want to know what you that own the PSL think of it? Would it be a good addition? What would be a good price on one and who makes a good one for the price? Are they accurate enough to consider? 2MOA would be what I'd expect out of something like this.

I obviously would like to have a real Dragunov, but considering the price and the accuracy combined, I could have a nice .338LapMag instead.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[CharlesT]

I am also curious of the answer. I really like PSLs but worry about the weakness of the receiver. (I've heard that...)

 

[Onmilo]

If you really want a 7.62X54 semi auto rifle they aren't a bad buy.
When scoped they are at least as accurate as a scoped Mosin 91/30 Sniper rifle.
They are as reliable as any AK based rifle when using quality ammunition.

The receiver is reinforced and i see no reason to expect at least a weapon capable of firing a minimum of 5000 rounds and I am willing to bet they will fire many more without issue.

As a plus , like many rifles that are cheap when available, the price will very likely rise quite a bit when they are no longer commonly seen making them a good investment when properly cared for.

 

[fpgt72]

I own one and like it quite a bit. Mine is a TGI rifle and I have never had any problem with it at all. I have yet to put it on paper but I can tell you it will hit a gallon milk jug at 100 yards with no effort from me. This spring I plan on putting it on paper to see how it really is.

As far as the receiver goes, I have read those same stories, I have never seen any damage first hand or IIRC any pictures of damage....still I will only fire less then the suggested 150grain. It is not hard to find and if you reload it does seem to like it better...better results with quart milk jugs.

I have never used the surplus ammo in the rifle...or my SVT for that matter....just not worth it to me. Partizan offers reloadable brass and I just go with that....the norma brass is pretty expensive.

I will also say they are a boomer....pretty fun.

Now a couple of pics of mine...first with the bear.

 

[Vaarok]

The PSL is a great rifle. It's not a super-duper-benchrest-sniper-accurate rifle, but it's accurate-enough, about two inches with surplus at a hundred, the trigger is okay but gets good with a Red Star kit, and it's as rugged, dependable, and simple as an AK, firing a far more robust cartridge, for only about $700.

I vote a hearty thumbs-up.

The thing to pay attention to is DO NOT fire 180gr ammo through them. Same as you shouldn't put 220gr through an M1 Garand. The gas timing is meant for 150gr and if you use the wrong stuff you can have similarly bad things happen to the gas piston and bolt-carrier from over-enthusiastic cycling of the action.

 

[PowerJoker6.0]

paid 800 for mine, fun gun to shoot and they look super super mean to the anti's

 

[fpgt72]

Forgot to add, paid $850 for mine

 

[Strykervet]

Okay, I'll keep an eye out for one and add it to the list. At least it won't be another AR!

 

[Onmilo]

Here's a tip, buy magazines, as many as you can find or afford.
They never import enough support material with these surplus weapons!

 

[Adam123]

Buy one. They are awesome rifles. If you can, get one that was imported from Romania and not a parts build. Also, ask if it has a last round bolt-hold-open. That's a nice feature. Price on these can still vary a good bit. I picked one up on the AKFiles Marketplace for $500.00. It's in great shape and a great shooter as well. As for accuracy, I think it's a bit overstated both ways when it comes to these rifles. Some don't give them enough credit and others tell fish stories. I can shoot 1.5" groups before my barrel gets hot. I really can't recommend a type of ammo though. Each PSL seems to have it's own preference. Lastly, PSLs are super-cheap to shoot. If you shop around you can get 7.62x554R for 17-18 cents per round. For a lot more info, I highly recommend you look here:

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19

THR doesn't seem to be the type of crowd that can offer a lot of info on a rifle like the PSL.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Had one, wan't impressed. It's only real perk is being able to shoot dirt cheap, full-power .30 cal ammo. As that ammo increases in price, the PSL becomes less attractive.

I rather have a rifle that can hit the target in one shot at $0.50/rd than a rifle that hits it one time in 3 (maybe) for $0.15/rd.

 

[fpgt72]

I think like most things in this catagory you can get one that is not that good. I think that Century or TGI are about the only people that sold rifles that are all in one big chunk...others you had to put together yourself.

I read bad stories on both, and some real bad stories on the Tenn Guns examples but mine shoots just great.

I have not put it on paper but like I said I can hit a milk jug with ease with Partizan ammo, and quart jugs with hand loads....that is good enough for me...those targets are at 100 yards.

People need to keep in mind that they never called this a sniper rifle...but a marksman rifle (whatever that means). And hitting a man sized target is much different the what some target shooters want.

You have to take what these old surplus weapons are and what their intended use is....if that does not fit your need or want then there is no point in buying one.

I find mine great fun...I wish it was spring so I could go out and really see what it will do.

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, it is an SDM rifle, not a sniper rifle. SDM rifles are my thing. The Dragunov is really a SDM rifle too, it isn't accurate enough to be called a sniper rifle in the US. But 1.5-2MOA, that is all I expect out of a basic SDM rifle and this one in particular. If it will do that reliably, that is all I'm looking for.

As for ammo, I'll probably load it all myself. I don't really shoot factory ammo anymore, so if the rifle is good to 1.5MOA with commercial ammo, I wouldn't be surprised on bit if it got .75-1MOA with good handloads. But I can't say for sure, I don't have one yet.

So Century and another were the importers huh? I'll look for a Romanian one, I had a Romanian AK74 that wasn't too bad considering. Now I just have to track one down... Should have gotten one when they were giving them away a few years back.

 

[springer99]

"Recently, I've wanted to expand the collection to include a PSL and a Tabuk. I know I can probably mod some heavy RPK or some such into a Tabuk, it would be a good project, but I want to know what you that own the PSL think of it? Would it be a good addition? What would be a good price on one and who makes a good one for the price? Are they accurate enough to consider? 2MOA would be what I'd expect out of something like this."

I wouldn't consider selling my Romanian built PSL. It's a great, affordable example of a SDM weapon and yes, it will do the 2MOA you're looking for, especially with some good reloads and not 40-70yr old surplus stuff.

From what I see, they've been slowly climbing in price since the supply has started to dry up.

 

[zoom6zoom]

As Vaarok noted, it's best to use the light ball ammo, not the heavy.
Rapid fire can spread your groups out as the thin barrel heats up rapidly. It's one of the reasons they didn't make mags over ten rounds for it.
I've got one of the Romanian built ones and it's a lot of fun.