Palmetto State Armory has taken a Netflix approach to gun manufacturing. They started by manufacturing and selling AR-15s and various AR build kits that were other people’s designs. Over time, they evolved to give rise to 1911 clones, AKs, and even Glock clones. Netflix now produces its own original content and PSA produces its own library of designs. Their leading origin design rifle design is JAKL.
The JAKL began as an ultra-short .300 Blackout design, morphed into a 5.56 rifle, and PSA recently released a .308 variation. I have had the opportunity to observe its design from afar, meet its designer, and discuss the rifle over the years. I believe the first time a member of the public fired a JAKL was at a PSA rally event I attended.
JAKL is all the rage in the firearms industry, and PSA lent us one of their newest models for testing and review.
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Inside and outside of JAKL
The first JAKL rifles were large-format pistols, often fitted with a brace. All our models are rifles. This is a 14.5-inch barrel that PSA pinned and welded with Surefire WARCOMP, making it a 16-incher. As a regular 5.56 rifle, it has a stock rather than a brace.
PSA created the JAKL by crossing an AR-15 with an AK. That may be a bit of an oversimplification. Like the AK, the JAKL uses a long-stroke gas piston system. Unlike the AK, it does not follow the design philosophy of post-World War II Soviet submachine guns. The layout is modern and takes its main cues from the AR-15, namely the bottom.
The JAKL upper can be used with the standard AR-15 MILSPEC lower with two minor modifications. While the difference from the stock adapter is obvious, a unique bolt catch must also be used when attaching the JAKL upper to the AR lower. PSA sells bolt catches, so if you already have the lowers you want to use, it’s not a big problem.
Adopts adjustable gas system and long stroke gas piston system. The gas system can be adjusted between different settings to accommodate suppressors, dirty weapons, or ammunition selections. If you use a steel cased .223, we recommend adjusting it to a more open setting to ensure reliability. Steelcase .223s tend to have lower power output and the steelcase does not expand to form a good gas seal.
Running a suppressor makes sense, and the pin-welded Surefire WARCOMP is available with a Surefire SOCOM suppressor. Due to the semi-permanent nature of muzzle devices, there are only a limited number of suppressors available, so plan accordingly.
Throw JAKL
The JAKL’s lower ergonomics match the AR’s ergonomics. With ARs dominating the market, you can easily customize the controls with ambi safeties, large magazine releases, and any triggers you want. AR ergonomics provides an intuitive control system that most of us are familiar with.
The top replaces things. This is a monolithic design, and monolithic is always a good option for rails. The monolithic upper provides the longest optical rail possible, eliminating rotation and bending issues when firing, allowing for superior optic placement and laser usage. This rail is thick and feels strong and durable.
JAKL has abolished the AR type charging handle and adopted a side charging design. The charging handle can be attached to the left or right. It is located directly above the barrel for easy and quick access. Thankfully, this design does not reciprocate, but on the other hand, it cannot be used as a forward assist.
PSA did not hesitate to hold the stock. This is very reminiscent of ACR/SCAR stock and I love it. Not only does the stock offer a fold-and-fold design, but the cheek rest can also be raised and locked in place. It also has excellent compatibility with optical systems.
spittin’ lead
I also passed JAKL with the Monstrum LPVO I was testing. My first shot was to zero the optic, which served as a great measure of the rifle’s accuracy. At 100 yards, I was able to produce 1.75- to 2-inch groups using PSA’s proprietary AAC Saber 62-grain ammunition. That’s not terrible. Using a cheaper type of ammunition, the Tula 55-grain steel-cased crap, the groups opened up to about 2.5 to 2.7 inches. If we can get the premium grade 5.56, I think we can strengthen these groups.
The JAKL is not a 1 MOA gun, but it is more than a rack-grade AR-15. The trigger is designed to exceed MILSPEC. It feels smooth and nice, but you won’t mistake it for a custom drop-in trigger design. The stock and cheekweld provide great visibility through the scope and are very comfortable.
Driving back to 200 yards, as far as I could go, I had a steel IPSC target buzzing with boring consistency. I came out of the prone position and assumed the traditional rifleman position. The heavy front end helps with stabilization and keeps the gun securely in your hand. Hitting a 200-yard target while prone is fun, but doing the same thing while standing up is just as satisfying.
go fast
Up close, I switched my optics back to 1X and performed a series of modified build drills, close transition drills, and failure stop drills. The recoil impulse becomes lighter and easier to control. Adjustable gas system and long stroke gas piston provide better light recoil shock.
WARCOMP does a great job of reducing muzzle rise, keeping the gun flat and minimizing reticle movement between shots. I think the front-heavy design also contributes to this gun’s lack of noticeable muzzle rise.
I felt some piston movement in some rest positions, but if you start shooting offhand and use proper recoil reduction techniques, it’s fine. If you get close, you can use the front weight to run faster. It’s an easy-to-use weapon to record impressive times. I fired a sub-2 second bill drill from a low stance and walked away grinning.
Those with long-stroke gas pistons tend to get hot around the piston, and the handguard tends to get hot as well. Load your AK quickly and you’ll see what I mean. That doesn’t matter here. That thick handguard eats up heat. The gun was still comfortable enough to carry in the hand.
Howl of JAKL
JAKL had no problem firing hundreds of rounds of Tula Steel and PSA’s own Saber bullets. It reached over 500 rounds without any failures. Adjusted the gas between the two loads or changed most of the gas system. When I changed from steel ammo to saber ammo ammo without being careful, it gave me the sensation of overgassing, but there was only a little gas and it was still shootable.
At $1,300, the JAKL isn’t in your budget category, but it’s still one of the cheaper AR alternatives. Guns like SCAR are 2-3 times more expensive. Considerable price seems to be the right word. PSA’s JAKL offers an alternative for those tired of their AR-15. JAKL provides an excellent restrained platform. JAKL encapsulates the best of AR with some innovative alternative features. AR can get boring sometimes, but if you want something a little different, JAKL has you covered.
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine machine gunner, lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now just a regular guy who loves shooting, writing, and finding ways to combine the two. He is NRA certified as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the safest firearms instructor in the world.
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