PSA AK-103

I have been going through my AK era, so I've been deeply diving into the variety of AK-47 and AK-74 models.

I have always been more of an AR-15 guy but I wanted to dive more into AKs.

My first "AK" was a Norinco Mak-90 back in my early 20s and I let it go shortly after owning it.

I didn't have the desire or love for the AK platform yet.

Well, that's changed.

Let me jump into this AK-103 project and why I selected this gun and how it ended up.

AK Model Run Down

I wanted to create a tactical-style AK since I already had a PSA AK GF3 that was the "fakelite model".

I settled on the AK-103, which has a classic triangle folding stock and nutmeg furniture.

The nutmeg was very nice furniture, but it wasn't the aesthetic I wanted, so here's how I built it out.

This Gun

1. PSA AK-103
2. ALG Trigger
3. US Palm Grip
4. Midwest Industries Alpha Rail 10"
5. Putnik Suppressor
6. LevTech Wood Panels & Shark Fin
7. X-Tech Tactical Magazines

I'll keep you updated on this and other builds over in the Lynx Defense Gun Builds section.

Barrel

One of the main appeals of the AK-103 series from PSA is the FN cold hammer forged barrel.

If you are familiar with cold hammer forging, it is often the go-to for heavy-use barrels.

It has an enhanced barrel life because of the hardening that the cold hammer forging creates.

It typically creates a more uniform barrel, thus improving accuracy.

There are also several thermal benefits to CHF barrels, such as allowing for sustained shooting.

The most important thing to take away from the cold hammer forging process is the enhanced metallurgy that improves the structure of the steel, making it tougher and stronger.

The barrel was a big draw to the platform because FN has a solid history of making good barrels.

Charging Handle & Bolt

Controls on a firearm are one of the things I'm most critical on in my reviews.

The controls largely determine if you have a good experience or not.

In the case of AKs the charging handle and bolt are married together.

So it will be a swing and a miss or it will work well.

The PSA 103's forged bolt works well, and the charging handle is large enough to be used easily with and without gloves.

One of the only downsides of a large charging handle is when setting the gun down or storing it in a bag.

It can often puncture things or get caught.

But those are relatively minor issues but something to keep in mind.

Trigger

AK triggers aren't known to be spectacular by any means.

But the factory AK-103 trigger wasn't bad and it got the job done.

But this was my "build AK" so I went all out and snagged an ALG AKT and threw it in the 103.

It's easily the nicest trigger you can put in an AK, currently.

It has a much flatter face than the stock trigger and a cleaner more AR-15 style trigger pull and release feeling.

Changing it out was easy enough, but if you're used to the AR platform, be prepared to learn something new.

Again, the original trigger was fine and got the job done but I wanted something more (also I wanted to be able to say I had changed/installed an AK trigger).

Safety

Rifle safeties are a very important control but having a useful safety on an AK is even more important.

I like the Palmetto State Armory safeties because they are similarly modeled after the Krebs custom safety.

They have a lower ledge on the safety that allows you to easily articulate with your trigger finger.

To my knowledge, these safeties are the same across the entire Palmetto State Armory AK lineup.

Original Furniture

The original furniture was very nice. I liked the nutmeg.

But this was a rifle that I wanted to customize because I had never customized an AK before.

So because of that the hand guard and the pistol grip configuration didn't matter which color I chose.

I got the classic triangle folding stock because it matched the overall tactical aesthetic that I was looking for and wouldn't need to be changed right away. More on that below.

Updated Furniture

There wasn't much information on compatibility, but it was pretty easy to figure out what hand guards would work for my PSA AK–103.

Even searching Google, it was hard to discern what was gonna work and what wasn't.

I was really between a SLR Rail and a Midwest Industries rail.

I finally settled on the Midwest Industries rail because I could find that it was most likely compatible with this gun.

As a quick side note, I like JMAC products; however, I already have several other JMAC'd AKs, specifically the PSA Krink and the PSA AK-V.

So I gave the Midwest Industries rail a go.

Muzzle Device

I wanted to try the Resilient Arms Putnick on this gun because I had already run the Dead Air Wolverine on other AKs.

The nice thing about the Putnick is you don't have to play 50 shades of mounting devices.

Since the AK-103 is a 24x1.5RH facemount, the Putnick will thread directly onto the rifle.

This was another area that didn't matter much to me when considering the rifle.

But there is some logic and reasoning behind which AK muzzle device you want. If you don't know where to start, here's a great article on AK muzzle devices. It includes a history of them and the pros and cons.

Folding Stock

I can't lie.

I'm a sucker for a classic triangle folding stock on an AK.

Really, I'm just a sucker for a triangle folder on an AK.

I do want to look into upgrading this triangle folder to something like the JMAC Customs triangle folder.

But I'll have to do some more digging on that later.

Pssst! Check out our triangle folder bag.

Magazine

One interesting note is that PSA has updated the magazines they send with their AKs.

They used to include the Magpul AK magazine.

Now, they include their own slick PSA/Soviet Arms branded magazine.

So far, so good, on these magazines working for me.

I must confess, though, that I'm a big fan of the X-Tech Tactical magazines, so most of the photos in this review are using their magazines.

They are nice because they have a reinforced metal locking lever, and if you are in a state with magazine restrictions, they have options for you.

Upgrading this PSA AK-103

If you have ever upgraded an AK, you'll understand what I mean, but if you haven't, here's your warning.

AKs aren't adult legos like AR-15s are.

To make AK upgrades, you may need a hammer, mallet, Dremel, and a little bit of hate.

However, with a little TubeYou (YouTube hates gun people) ,you can find enough guides to get you through.

Looking back, I realize it wasn't too bad because I had all the tools I needed.

I just had to do it on a day I had the focus to finish it.

AKs can be tricky, but they really aren't too bad once you understand them.

That being said, I would definitely take up another AK project and use a PSA AK as my base gun any day of the week.

Shooting

How does she shoot?

Like an AK.

Kidding. Kidding.

I'll admit that with the upgrades, she's a bit heavy.

Between the added metal foregrip, optic rail, and silencer it adds some weight.

But what that weight does do is make for a really smooth shooting gun.

Firing rapid fire, the gun is flatter and easier to keep on target than with the original furniture.

Again, with the original furniture, the recoil still isn't bad, but there is a noticeable difference when all the weight is added.

Range Bag

Russian pattern meets American manufacturing in the AK-103. The Bronx fits this side-folder with room for your loadout.

Final Thoughts

This is my favorite AK so far.

I have reviewed the Krink, which is awesome in its own way.

I've done a review on the PSA GF3 as well as the AK-V.

All of them have been great. But nothing lives up to this and that's probably because I got to get down and dirty with the AK platform.

I got to customize it to my liking and using the PSA AK-103 as my base gun I have no regrets.

If you are an AK purist, you shouldn't even be here; go back to Reddit; you don't like me anyway.

If you are a reasonable person who wants a fun gun to buy, shoot, and tinker with, the 103 is a hard value to beat.

Related Reviews

• PSA AK-47 GF4
• PSA AK 101
• PSA AK-105