Day of the JAKL

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Ok, a .223 that isnt an AR or an AK. Why not?

Yes..given a choice I will cerokote everything in green.

The lack of a buffer tube would seem to suggest this thing uses the AR-180-style system that every 5.56 in the last thirty years seems to use but, no…..Its actually a long-stroke system just like the AK.

Why? Well, I wanted a .223 that was more compact than the AR pistols out there which require buffer tubes. The lower on this is pure AR15 so parts, including the lower, interchange. Its only the upper that is unique. This, by the way, is quite similar to Brownells BRN-180, which is a short stroke system, which I hope to also have at some point.

This is a relatively new offering from Palmetto State Armory…the guys that make the Dagger pistols that I’ve been picking up here and there. PSA designates it as the JAKL. Its offered in carbine and pistol versions. With the maybe-maybe-not arm-brace situation the pistol’s utility is questionable but I’m an optimist and got the pistol version anyway. Worst case i can always SBR it.

Gonna take it out this weekend and test it out. But, others have beaten me to it:


It comes across as sort of a poor man’s SCAR, at least aesthetically. Does it do anything an AR doesnt do? Nope. But for a pistol, it provides a smaller package than your typical buffer-tube’d AR pistol so it does wind up being a bit more compact. The gas system is, in theory, a bit less prone to fouling issues than the AR’s direct impingement (yeah, yeah, I know…not a true DI, but…) but with an accuracy tradeoff due to the moving parts up on the barrel.

I’ll take it out this weekend and play with it. In a world of $600 M4 clones everywhere I’m not sure this amounts to much more than a niche gun, but, hey, its new, it’s .223,  and it isn’t an AR so thats kinda noteworthy.

5 thoughts on “Day of the JAKL”

  1. Every PSA AR I have worked on for customers has been built well.

    The Lower is Proven.
    The Upper is a amalgamation of a number of other Weapons from over the decades thats proven.

    The Gas System “style” is Proven. And damn robust. Aint much to wear out there.

    Grab a xtra bolt and get xtra recoil springs.

    Reminds me of my MCX(s)/Virtus..
    Should be a solid gun.
    More than capable of “Reality” Defense accuracy.
    I am curious to rip it apart and see how she’ll group.

    I think I am going to see about getting one.

    Thanx

  3. The biggest benefits of a AR pistol is that it falls under pistol carry laws + compatibility with your rifle. I keep one as a truck gun.

  4. Following. It will fulfill a role particularly in vehicular movements and the urban, suburban built up areas. There is an already obvious graduation of criminal forces running with ak47 and ar15 pistols as much for the status symbol as well as to bring more firepower to sporty events. If readership is dwelling in such spicy terrain having plates and helmets close by handy would be prudent. There is an arms race in effect out there and .gov forces can only play catch up and take the typical bureaucratic after action crime reports. Maybe up armored vehicles should be Commander’s next hobby interest. Yes to the cerrakote green on everything.

    Stay Equipped and Stay Frosty.

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