PSL: "The Romanian Dragunov"

First, let me say that a PSL is not a Dragunov.  It's more of a stretched out and enlarged AK 47, which isn't a bad thing at all, but the Dragunov or SVD uses a different internal system. However, they perform the same role. Either way, the PSL is a sexy looking rifle.

The Romanians when they were "volunteered" to join the Warsaw Pact was offered the SVD, but the Romanians wanted something easier to produce, so they decided to make their own gun.  "Hey, the AK's like super easy to make.  Why don't we just make a big version of that?"  And so they did.  It's not a "sniper rifle" like what we think of in the west, the eastern Europe has a different philosophy about such things.  Instead of a super accurate bolt action, they wanted a gun that was more of a designated marksman rifle that would add a little range and firepower to a platoon or squad.  But they also wanted a rifle you could fight with.  So, the PSL is semi-automatic with a ten round magazine, a x4 power scope that still allows the user to use its iron sights. 

Let me talk about the scope for a second.  A x4 power scope isn't very powerful.  However, it does give you a much larger view of what you're looking at which is great for finding targets and avoiding tunnel vision.  So, it's more of a combat scope.  Also, it's very easy to use.  Let me show you.

Okay, do you see the "T" shape?  Those horizontal lines are for windage if you don't want to fiddle around with the knobs.  The vertical marks for for every hundred meters. (not yards) So if my scope is dialed in for 300 meters and I see a target at five hundred, I don't have to break my sight picture to change the scope, I just use the marks there to go down two more and I'm right on target!  Do you see the ski slope looking thing on the left? It's a range finder. There's a "1,7" at the bottom. That tells you that the person it's designed for is 1.7 meters tall which is about 5ft 7in.  You put your man size target so it touches the bottom line and whatever number it comes out to is how far away the person is in hundreds of meters. It's super simple and super quick.
But how does it perform? The AK is not known for being the most accurate firearm in the world and with the PSL being based off of the AK, you'd expect similar results.  You'd be wrong.  The PSL can be surprisingly accurate though it does have its eccentricities.  The PSL is ammo sensitive and it seems that each PSL likes a different kind of ammo.  So if you ever get one you have to try different ammo types before you find your match.  Also, the barrel is thin which helps keep weight down, but it tends to overheat and when it does it starts to loose accuracy.  But how accurate is it?  Accurate enough.  This pic shows a 2 inch group at 100 yards.  Not bad I'd say considering the new army SR-25 costs a billion dollars and gets 2.5 inch groups. So, the PSL is plenty accurate and effective enough for combat.

  How does it perform against body armor?  Between my two deployments the SAPI plate (the hard bullet proof part of the armor) was upgraded to a heavier, more protective plate.  Believe me, I felt a difference. The reason for the upgrade was because of Iraqi bought PSL's using armor piercing ammo.  How effective is it?  Let's see...

The Romanians export the PSL like crazy though the supply is drying up and they're becoming harder to find.  They say they'll be exporting a Nato 7.62 version.  Mine uses 7.62x54r which is a round that's been around since the late 1800's.  Same round used by the old Mosin Nagant. 

The controls are identical to an AK as is the take down. If you know how to run one, you know how to run the other. The wooden skeletal, thumbhole stock is short to compensate for heavy winter clothing or body armor. 

I've taken the PSL through a tactical carbine course to see how it runs as a combat rifle.

I'm use to the M4 or AK-47 in such situations but I really wanted to see how the PSL would run.  It worked, but it had its problems.  Yes, you can use it as a combat rifle in outdoor areas just fine.  But it runs into problems in urban areas due to its long barrel.  I found I had to stand further back from cover and follow-up shots were much slower.  Still, it worked just fine. 
The PSL is kind of like a jack of all trades, master at none.  It does long range and combat fighting, but excels at neither. It is however, a good, all-round combat rifle.