PSA AK105

crazysarge16

crazysarge16

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Venturing back into AKs after a long hiatus.

Background, I’ve owned multiple AKs through my life. Mostly have been WASR 10 or 10/63s, and x2 CZ VZ2008. My cheapest one was one I snagged back in 2014 before I moved back home from Washington state I snagged for $380. Kept that one awhile until I traded it for a M16A1 clone I just had to have. Got another one around 2016/2017 but then parted with it thinking I’d get another before long. Then x2 kids and a house move later, still no AK.

Recently listed a M16A2 clone I built years ago, and thankfully worked out a deal with @Hunter600rr to get back into the AK game in form of this PSA AK105 in 5.45x39

Plan is to make it somewhat modern by doing the following:
-install Magpul plum handguards(ordered)
-install a Bulgarian 4.5mm triangle side folder (talking to someone now who might have one to trade, if not Soviet stocks it is)
-Install US Palms plum AK grip
-debating between ultimak or attero mount. Want to be able to still have irons as back up

Need to get more ammo and mags, but having to wait for my VA comp claim to be finished before I dive into that. Will probably go with the Bulgarian commercial mags ($12 on gun mags and Soviet stocks) to start as it’ll hurt to pay $50 a mag for the circle 10. Plus want to run a bunch of ammo through it to ensure function before dropping more money into it.

I know PSA just got into the AK game and had some hiccups early on, but I’m looking forward to running this especially with the tool craft parts in it.

Any and all information is greatly appreciated. My plan is to take this shooting next weekend, after I install the Magpul plum handguards and take some more pictures.

IMG_0924.jpeg
 
Pretty sweet set up man. I just moved 15 minutes from PSA and that rifle is what I'm interested in. Gotta wait til I get a license. Look forward to seeing how you like this
 
Hope it works out good for you. 5.45 is super fun to shoot in an AK.

If I were getting back into 5.45 I'd try some of the AC Unity mags:

www.robertrtg.com

AK12 30RD 5.45x39 MAGAZINE, FITS ALL AK74, AC-UNITY

AK12 30RD 5.45x39 MAGAZINE, FITS ALL AK74
www.robertrtg.com

www.robertrtg.com

AK74 30RD 5.45x39 WINDOW MAGAZINE, AC-UNITY

AK74 30RD 5.45x39 WINDOW MAGAZINE, AC-UNITY
www.robertrtg.com

They aren't the greatest mags in the world but they seem to work well from what I've experienced with the 7.62 version, they are exceedingly affordable, and no one else is making clones of the AK12 mags.
 
Exspiravit said:
Hope it works out good for you. 5.45 is super fun to shoot in an AK.

If I were getting back into 5.45 I'd try some of the AC Unity mags:

www.robertrtg.com

AK12 30RD 5.45x39 MAGAZINE, FITS ALL AK74, AC-UNITY

AK12 30RD 5.45x39 MAGAZINE, FITS ALL AK74
www.robertrtg.com

www.robertrtg.com

AK74 30RD 5.45x39 WINDOW MAGAZINE, AC-UNITY

AK74 30RD 5.45x39 WINDOW MAGAZINE, AC-UNITY
www.robertrtg.com

They aren't the greatest mags in the world but they seem to work well from what I've experienced with the 7.62 version, they are exceedingly affordable, and no one else is making clones of the AK12 mags.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I included an AC Unity AK12 clone magazine in the horse trade with @crazysarge16 with a full disclosure that it is hardly compatible with the magazine well on the psak105. A beatch to seat but once it is seated, it does function, albeit inspires the least amount of confidence.

Maybe he's confident enough to file on a polymer magazine, but i never brought myself to care enough to do it.. Though I did run it full to empty 3 times with no hiccup.

That's the only real issue I came across in my time with the rifle, everything else about it actually appears to be a good package for getting in to sweet sweet flat shooting 5.54. Kinda miss the ole girl taking up space in the safe, but glad to see sarge is going to do it up!
 
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Hunter600rr said:
Unfortunately, I included an AC Unity AK12 clone magazine in the horse trade with @crazysarge16 with a full disclosure that it is hardly compatible with the magazine well on the psak105. A beatch to seat but once it is seated, it does function, albeit inspires the least amount of confidence.

Maybe he's confident enough to file on a polymer magazine, but i never brought myself to care enough to do it.. Though I did run it full to empty 3 times with no hiccup.

That's the only real issue I came across in my time with the rifle, everything else about it actually appears to be a good package for getting in to sweet sweet flat shooting 5.54. Kinda miss the ole girl taking up space in the safe, but glad to see sarge is going to do it up!
Click to expand...
Could be a PSA specific problem but I have heard they are snug in Saigas.
 
Exspiravit said:
Could be a PSA specific problem but I have heard they are snug in Saigas.
Click to expand...
Right, I directly suspect the rifle as the cause for not playing nice with the mag.

I'm 100% certain PSA designed it to take magpul mags, and the magpul mags do fit and function perfectly in my experience with it. I never had another magazine to try beyond that and 1 AC Unity, and when I reached out to the vendor about the issue, he emailed me a video of his SLR 104 taking an AK12 mag flawlessly. Then advised maybe taking a file to spots that show impacting, for $17, I couldn't be bothered.
 
Tyrannosaur said:
Pretty sweet set up man. I just moved 15 minutes from PSA and that rifle is what I'm interested in. Gotta wait til I get a license. Look forward to seeing how you like this
Click to expand...
Let us know when they get the 5.45 in stock! Supposedly coming in Q4 from their rep in ar15.com
 
Exspiravit said:
Hope it works out good for you. 5.45 is super fun to shoot in an AK.

If I were getting back into 5.45 I'd try some of the AC Unity mags:

www.robertrtg.com

AK12 30RD 5.45x39 MAGAZINE, FITS ALL AK74, AC-UNITY

AK12 30RD 5.45x39 MAGAZINE, FITS ALL AK74
www.robertrtg.com

www.robertrtg.com

AK74 30RD 5.45x39 WINDOW MAGAZINE, AC-UNITY

AK74 30RD 5.45x39 WINDOW MAGAZINE, AC-UNITY
www.robertrtg.com

They aren't the greatest mags in the world but they seem to work well from what I've experienced with the 7.62 version, they are exceedingly affordable, and no one else is making clones of the AK12 mags.
Click to expand...

Hunter600rr said:
Unfortunately, I included an AC Unity AK12 clone magazine in the horse trade with @crazysarge16 with a full disclosure that it is hardly compatible with the magazine well on the psak105. A beatch to seat but once it is seated, it does function, albeit inspires the least amount of confidence.

Maybe he's confident enough to file on a polymer magazine, but i never brought myself to care enough to do it.. Though I did run it full to empty 3 times with no hiccup.

That's the only real issue I came across in my time with the rifle, everything else about it actually appears to be a good package for getting in to sweet sweet flat shooting 5.54. Kinda miss the ole girl taking up space in the safe, but glad to see sarge is going to do it up!
Click to expand...

Exspiravit said:
Could be a PSA specific problem but I have heard they are snug in Saigas.
Click to expand...

Hunter600rr said:
Right, I directly suspect the rifle as the cause for not playing nice with the mag.

I'm 100% certain PSA designed it to take magpul mags, and the magpul mags do fit and function perfectly in my experience with it. I never had another magazine to try beyond that and 1 AC Unity, and when I reached out to the vendor about the issue, he emailed me a video of his SLR 104 taking an AK12 mag flawlessly. Then advised maybe taking a file to spots that show impacting, for $17, I couldn't be bothered.
Click to expand...
I played around with it a little bit, got it to seat once somehow by the grace of God. Then took it out and it’s sitting on my work bench

@Gray hooked me up with x2 extra mags (pro mag and tapping) that I’m going to play with in addition to the AC one. Been so busy I haven’t even tried inserting those x2 mags from him to see if they work. If they do, I’ll compare them to the AC and break out my file.
 
crazysarge16 said:
I played around with it a little bit, got it to seat once somehow by the grace of God. Then took it out and it’s sitting on my work bench

@Gray hooked me up with x2 extra mags (pro mag and tapping) that I’m going to play with in addition to the AC one. Been so busy I haven’t even tried inserting those x2 mags from him to see if they work. If they do, I’ll compare them to the AC and break out my file.
Click to expand...
If I'm recalling correctly, it's easier with the mag loaded, and a little bit more easier if you pull the bolt back and seat. But when i fired it before heading out to meet up, I seated it bolt closed and fully loaded.

It will seat, apprently with a criteria met.. just once again, the least inspiring thing in the world lol.

And then, as I told you, "just another fantastic way I've spent $17"
 
Hunter600rr said:
If I'm recalling correctly, it's easier with the mag loaded, and a little bit more easier if you pull the bolt back and seat. But when i fired it before heading out to meet up, I seated it bolt closed and fully loaded.

It will seat, apprently with a criteria met.. just once again, the least inspiring thing in the world lol.

And then, as I told you, "just another fantastic way I've spent $17"
Click to expand...

Was already outside sweating so figured why not play around with the magazines while my wife was talking on the phone with her mother. Can’t get in trouble if I’m outside, right?

The pro mag, which historically I’ve never had good luck with them, popped right in. Did feed one round, which was good enough for my test.

The tapco mag was hit or miss, but did better than the AC magazine.

The AC mag I did last, and I guess after seeing the other two mags work decided it wanted to as well. Granted, insertion is going easier this time around as opposed to the day hunter dropped it off. The only downside is getting the dang thing out, which required me to fully changed my grip of the rifle to get it out. Tried using the AK mag trick with the tapco mag to no avail.

Either way, these will be regulated to range mags, and I can use them for failure drills so I’m happy.

Dude I was talking to about the triangle stock had a mint one but wanted $180 shipped which was almost double what Soviet stocks wanted.

More than likely putting an order in with them tomorrow and snagging x2 Bulgarian commercial mags to try out. If they work good, I’ll order some more or save up for Circle 10 mags. Thoug PSA does have some plum mags
 
Ordered the Bulgarian stock and x3 Bulgarian commercial mags from soviet stocks last night


BULGARIAN AK74 5.45x39 POLY MAGAZINE STEEL REINFORCED

www.sovietstocks.com

BULGARIAN 4.5MM SIDEFOLDER TRIANGLE STOCK

www.sovietstocks.com

Next pay period I’m planning on ordering the plum US palms Ak grip and some more Bulgarian mags from gunmagwarehouse

Now, to look for more ammo locally. Heard Fuquay gun had some, need to check bass pro as well since I work right down the road from them. Plus, I can only buy a couple boxes right now so can’t drop a lot on a bull pack
 
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Exspiravit said:
www.thefirearmblog.com

AK-74 Budget Magazine Shootout: Who Does It Best? -

Magpul, AC Unity, or Bulgarian Commercial AK-74 mags- We tested all three to see which one comes out on top in this comparison review.
www.thefirearmblog.com www.thefirearmblog.com

Relevant.
Click to expand...
Great read, appreciate it!

The AC mag I have is the 102 variant so maybe it is just with that one style mag. Might try to snag another one to do some testing but got a good lead on some legit mags I want to try to snag
 
Got the Bulgarian 4.5mm triangle stock in as well as the Bulgarian mags. The Bulgarian mags lock right up and look awesome, time will tell once I get them to the range but I’m happy for the price I paid

The triangle stock isn’t fully installed yet, pin from PSA didn’t want to fully seat, and I didn’t want to beat on it with a hammer to much. Plus had to stop to eat supper and I’m being lazy and don’t want to try messing with it anymore tonight
 
I don’t have the 105, but I have the PSA 74 variant and it runs like a top. This is the 2nd Gen version with the corrected firing pin.

I’ve ran $12 bulgy mags, Magpul, US Palm, Tula plums, ((10)), and ((21)) mags. All have seated well and performed wonderfully.

Also, as far as ammo goes… don’t be afraid to shoot corrosive stuff. When you get home from the range, douche it out good with some Windex. The ammonia in glass cleaner neutralizes the salts from the corrosive primers. I do it to my Mosin all the time and she’s happy and rust-free :)
 
Messed with it some last night when I couldn’t sleep and again this morning before breakfast.

Having to modify the pin from PSA to make it work, it’s slightly oversize. Going slow to ensure the best fit
 
AK-Ben said:
I don’t have the 105, but I have the PSA 74 variant and it runs like a top. This is the 2nd Gen version with the corrected firing pin.

I’ve ran $12 bulgy mags, Magpul, US Palm, Tula plums, ((10)), and ((21)) mags. All have seated well and performed wonderfully.

Also, as far as ammo goes… don’t be afraid to shoot corrosive stuff. When you get home from the range, douche it out good with some Windex. The ammonia in glass cleaner neutralizes the salts from the corrosive primers. I do it to my Mosin all the time and she’s happy and rust-free :)
Click to expand...
Good info thanks!

I always keep windex in the garage, learned that trick back when surplus rifles were more affordable (ie $70-90 nosing, $200-300 Enfield). I miss going to fun shows back then, the smell of cosmoline. The Bulgarian stock had it on there, was a trip down memory road

Just wish I hadn’t been done and got out of surplus back in the day and stacked this stuff deep. But, I was young and dumb on a college kids part time job income. Now I’m just older, married, x2 kids and limited disposable income
 
Got the Magpul handguards installed, got the triangle stock on but still need to work on the pin some as it is still too tight and not allowing the stock to lock into place. Back into the drill to spin onto sandpaper again

IMG_1088.jpeg
 
Got it to fit now, and had the Bulgarian stock installed and it locked up fine and looked great on the rifle.

Went up on Sunday to visit my parents, rifle came with me to do some shooting. Fired around 60 rounds (as we mainly shot pistol and I had to sight in an AR), and noticed it felt loose and then wouldn’t stay locked open. Put it aside to look into later.

Take it home, start fiddling with it and researching online. Read that the stock tightness was possible attributed to the two set screws PSA used. I check my top one, it’s gtg (so far as I can tell I’m an AK newb on side folders) but go to check bottom and the set screw is not there…..at all. I started looking around and notice it was lodged by the trigger components. Gun still fired so idk if it happened after I was done or what.

After what felt like an eternity, I got it back in and the slop in the stock is gone but my Bulgarian stock won’t latch anymore.

What other options do I have? Do I need to send into PSA to take a look at? (@palmettostateamory)

Is it my Bulgarian stock? I’m thinking not as it was working just fine before I went to the range. I placed the factory stock back on and it locks up but the first few times I tested it after installing it back it didn’t want to lock either. Took me pushing onto the stock to get it to work correctly. Subsequent testing with it it works 80% of time.

Here is a picture of what it looks like now, not being able to close

IMG_1147.jpeg
 
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