Romanian PSL (Trash Dragunov at home) 🏁 Speedway [ Long Range On the Clock ] - Practical Accuracy

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The Romanian PSL is one of the worst Eastern Block Sniper/DMRs we've shown on this channel, and it's not because it can shoot cold bore shots tightly or not.
The PSL is a poor example of a DMR because of two things: 1, it heats up fast, and then 2, it looses control over any accuracy when it's hot. This is a particular issue due to its employment in Eastern doctrine, and we delve into this phenomenon in our video.
Please watch our other PSL videos before you watch this one, as we delve into the PSL's heat issues at length, and it will provide context to why we come to these conclusions.
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[@9HoleReviews]

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[@joseph8134]

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[@Mongo63a]

How tightly is the gas tube fitted between the trunion and the gas block? Is there room for expansion of the tube without applying downward pressure on the barrel? There should be asmall amount of room for the gas tube to grow before it hits the end of the slip joint on the gas block.

[@hermatred572]

Nice

[@mrguiltyfool]

Thought u reviewed psl 8 months ago like 800 yard review

[@cobannie]

You need to do a Speedway Mosin 91/30 for comparison. I’d bet you could hit better with an old 3-Line rifle with 3x scope than the PSL!

[@juncho1977]

That last mag was the rifle's way of saying, "Uhh, sorry but I'm done here."

[@Jack-ur5or]

Maybe they should change the designation to POS!

[@hermatred572]

'ight imma head out'

[@mrkeogh]

"I'M TIIIIIIIIIIRED!" 😢

[@chrisrepine3489]

That rifle is crap past 350

[@RazvanMihaeanu]

Nonsense. It's his fault. He uses the same weapon from the two PLS videos from 8-9 months ago (january-february)...with the same issues: modified 2-stage trigger, modified KNS gas-piston adjustment system), and 174gr. ammo instead of 147-148.3-149gr (that's an increase of over 17%!) And yet, he continues to call it "match grade"...which is not. He destroys PSLs (this is his 3rd) faster than Balkanic ricer-drivers are destroying their 20-25 years old, black Beemers. I'm not saying that the PSL is the best from the soviet DMRs designed to work just fine for 600 meters (Dragunov SVD, Zastava M76 - weapons with different calibers and grains...the Irakian Tabuk only is good for 400 meters because - inspite of being based on M76, it's using the 7.62x39I... *edit - and he tested all these). But... he should admit that he fcked up the weapon, and get an endoscopic/borescope mini-camera and shove in the barrel, could discover some loose/chipped rifling-grooves! Otherwise (knock on wood) might get the Scott from Kentucky Ballistics... treatment. Kaboom!

[@fell9654]

*watches video and tries to keep Polenar Tactical parody out of mind*

[@michalsoukup1021]

I am waiting for random Brandon Herrera appearance to tell Henry "Niet, Rifle is fine"

[@benjaminkeepfer8968]

I'm excited for y'all's overview of the Zastava M91. Considering it's the M76's replacement, but in form it goes much closer to the PSL than the M76 did.

[@jimpinetree2531]

My father-in-law is Romanian lived close to cugir; he said PSL was quickly conceived and put into production because Romania was preparing for regional conflict with Hungry over the sovereignty of Transylvania. Because Hungry had the Soviet supplied SVDs, Romania felt that she needed something comparable (Romanian relationship with USSR was not good at the time because Ceausescu was pro-western in the early 1970s and protested against Soviet invasion of Czechoslovak ), and hence Soviets withheld SVD tooling etc to the Romanians). He also said the PSL I have had the original Romanian military barrel (purchased from the early 2000s), and current production barrels are not made to the same original mil specs, as the original mil barrels were different with respect to a different spec of complex low temp heat treatment to relieve barrel stress after forging. Some were not even properly chrome lined in more recent productions. He said, regardless, the PSL was never meant for continuous fire after 2 mags, as they were only issued with 3 mags, with the 3rd mag as spare in emergency situations. Also Romanian used different ammos as the Russian surplus and PPU variants we are using currently. But nice experiment, guys. But, you are right that you can’t expect too much from a non-free floated pencil barrel after 20 rods of continuous fire in 54R regardless…

[@Talentx310]

Loved seeing Robski’s response to this on AKOU

[@singular9]

Pusca (or in russian, Pushka) is the word for cannon. And it fired about as accurately as a medieval one.

[@9HoleReviews]

Spot on comment

[@adriangheju150]

Pusca means rifle. Tun would be a cannon in Romanian.

[@Schrodingers_kid]

russians will call literally any gun "pushka" lol

[@TheWolvesCurse]

пушка - pushka in serbian/croat means rifle. i think the romanians are the same. the word for gun as in artilley is different.

[@lardomcfarty9866]

Pusca is rifle in Romanian. The name is Pusca semiauto cu luneta meaning semiauto rifle with scope. But yeah, looks like it was garbage. Romanian culture despises guns, and that seems to reflect on the rifle.

[@andrewstoll4548]

Knowing that it loses accuracy as it heats up it would be interesting how fast to run the course in reverse.

[@jason200912]

Must be paper thin barrels

[@ricdandel1145]

That's a question I wonder as well.

[@ryanpeck3377]

Turkey Hunting style ... “we shot the ones in the back first, the ones in front dont realize the one in back fell” ... paraphrased from Audie Murphy (i think, but i could be misremembering and conflating different things, lol)

[@andrewstoll4548]

@@ryanpeck3377 actually this is from Sgt. York.

[@MM-sy6ud]

the "AK operator union" channel teaches us all how to use Romanian PSL well.

[@chrisbarcus3280]

Years ago, for less than $700-$600, these were a great way to own a fun DMR. What they go for now versus what you can get for the same OR less and get way better performance, is insane.

[@RemetaD]

Here is a bit of experience from Croatian Homeland War. We had a lot of Romainan PM 1963/1965s (Romainan version of Kalashnikov) in the beginning, and they had same issue with overheating. As for Romanian ammunition, it was flying everywhere except where you were aiming it. We hated them. But, Romanians have claimed this is bullshit, and that their stuff isn't any worse than any other. And they were demonstrating it there, without anyone being able to prove they are wrong. It took a while before it was figured out what is the problem. When they have started with it as a project, "Glorious Leader" had to put his nose in it, just as he did with everything else. And he has proclaimed that Romanian steel is the best steel in the world, and barrels do not need chroming in order to prevent corrosion. And off course, it turned out it was opposite. Barrels were deteriorating very fast. So, people in charge of the project decided to chrome them later on. However, they had to make sure that ol' Nic (or his cronies) does not find out about it, because all of them would end up as political prisoners. That way, they have ended up with caliber 7,61 instead of 7,62, while all markings and documentation was still showing original info. It was easier (and more secretive) for them to recalibrate ammo production tools, than to redo the ones for rifle production. So, if you were using Romanian ammo with Romanian rifles, all is fine. If you are using someone else's ammo, barrels are overheating very fast, because of higher friction in the barrel. I would say you had same issue here.

[@alanw1775]

Ohh, so thats what happened.

[@lignorof8475]

that explains a lot of things

[@RazvanMihaeanu]

He's using the same 174gr. ammo from the 2 videos from like 8-9 months ago (january-february), with modified trigger and piston on the same weapon... instead of the 147-148.3-149gr... and still complaining about the accuracy and overheating. That is not "match grade" how he claims. At this point, the PSL is living rent free in his/their head(s). I'm starting to be afraid that the freaking thing might explode in his face.

[@brasstard7.627]

Czech 7.62x54 is the best I've used in my PSL and M39 Mosin and I've heard the same from others, it's in blue boxes. As for Romanian the ammo I've used was the worst, figured Romanian ammo for Romanian gun. Blown primers and accuracy problems plus one stuck case where part of the rim was torn off, only stuck case I've had in the PSL. As a teen got a MAK90 and me and my dad just out plinking noticed the Romanian 7.62x39 had different charge weights of powder or something as the ejected cases came out the gun different distances and was hard to hit the target at 300 or so yards, when using Russian or Chinese ammo there were no issues

[@Cyan_Nightingale]

Yeah. Ceausescu-era's built quality is trash.

[@Poverty-Tier]

19:04 Hiram Maxim is like: “put a water jacket on it, duhh”

[@tsufordman]

I swapped a psl for slr-106fr and your series has guaranteed that I haven't regretted it since.

[@Gorkabandit]

I also swapped my PSL for my 106f

[@Austin-jl5pb]

I had both and sold the psl and kept the 106 ahahaha. Used the money for an lmt mars h in 6.5 where the money makes sense at least.

[@alphazulu9stormer770]

My SLR-106 exploded when I was shooting it lol

[@Gorkabandit]

@@alphazulu9stormer770 what happened

[@lewisskunt307]

I bought one of these when they were under $500 and the shot group was barely broad side of a barn at 500m. Sent it to Rifle Dynamics in Las Vegas to get their GSR mods done (which took about two years to get back), they cut off 8” making it around a 16” barrel along with a few other mods. It shot so much better even when the barrel got hot, you could put about 90% of rounds on an 18”x18” target at 500m. But it was an underwhelming rifle in most regards. Got an offer I couldn’t refuse and sold it. Anyone buying these things for $2500 now has more money than sense.

[@kalashnikovdevil]

What all did they do to it exactly?

[@lewisskunt307]

@@kalashnikovdevil Shorten barrel to 19 inches (I was thinking it was 16”, but I sold this rifle several years ago) Cut 11-degree target crown on barrel Rethread barrel for muzzle device Uncant sights and gas block Modify rear sight Correct breach face Correct bolt face True and fit bolt carrier and locking lugs Re-headspace and pin barrel to proper spec New single stage trigger group Fit and smooth safety Properly fit magazine catch Deburr PSL, including trigger guard, charging handle, and mag catch Sandblast and cerakote all metal parts I had this GSR mod done in 2011ish and it was around $450. It definitely made the rifle much more capable.

[@jonathansmith7306]

​@@lewisskunt307minus the lead time, $450 for that many rifle dynamics labor hours seems like a great deal

[@robertcollura7236]

Speedway is my favorite podcast. I love watching the shooting portion combined with the debrief. Great job guys. I can only imagine how frustrating this run was.

[@Poverty-Tier]

All because Ceausescu said “maybe the Soviets cracking down on Budapest and Prague was a bad idea,” Moscow says “No SVD for you”

[@mitchbertone3809]

I agree the PSL drifts with heat, but I would question what ammo you were using. To get the best results you need to be using Romanian or Bulgarian ammo with the correct bullet diameter. The PSL requires .311 diameter projectiles with a steel core147-149 grain weight for correct balance point in the bullet. Some bullets get loaded in 7.62x54R are .308 or .310 which will not properly engage the rifling lands, Projectiles weighing over 150 grains can damage the rifle. Yes I own a PSL. Not the most accurate semi-auto in the world, but if I had to, I would not hesitate to take it into battle.

[@RazvanMihaeanu]

He is using the same 174gr. with different, modified piston and trigger like he did in the two videos from like 8-9 months ago. No wonder... he's effing the weapon.

[@mitchbertone3809]

@@RazvanMihaeanu I guess even the "experts" aren't really experts. PSL's are all over the middle east and eastern Europe, and in the hands of someone experienced with them, they can be extremely deadly.

[@josephhomen]

Or even larger, my psl likes .312 bullets it’s bore slugged at .314. It’ll shoot Bulgarian sliver tip around 2MOA and hand loads under 0.75moa 5 round groups. I instated a krebs railed sight system and a 10x scope

[@SALTYCOMBATDIVER-ExInstructor]

These videos have been such a relief. I realized that my PSL, which I built, would shift to the right and up as the barrel would heat up. I even went so far as to freefloat the barrel as much as I could. Still love my PSL and know my first 3 shots will be dead on.

[@MatterMadeMoot]

Cope

[@andyshubert]

Fun idea for this rifle would be to shoot the course in reverse. Start at 720 and work your way in, like you were fighting off an assaulting enemy force.

[@privateaccount247]

Awesome! Could you guys create a second-chance type of video for rifles that didn't perform well the first time?

[@dann3skjold]

New Speedway day is my favorite day. I'm so envious of that range setup.

[@davidjernigan8161]

A comparison between the PSL, Zastava M76, and M91 as far as the heat effects and speedway performance

[@secondamendment1927]

I'm just impressed that you had that many magazines on hand

[@9HoleReviews]

Unfortunately we found out that you also can’t just buy mags for the PSL. I heard that they factory fit these mags to the rifle 🤯

[@connorburnes7697]

@@9HoleReviews That is factual 🤦‍♂️ They really missed the mark on these things.

[@aceman1126]

​@@9HoleReviewsthere's cheaper poly mags out there that work fine but I doubt you'll be wanting to put any more time or money into the psl at this point

[@TheGreatSmitzJoey]

Great video! Side note: I bought my PSL probably around the same time Henry bought his first (I paid about $500 too if I recall correctly). Despite the dramatic increase in value over the past 2 decades and poor groupings with a hot barrel I can't convince myself to part with it due to it being a milsurp.

[@andersjjensen]

Aaaand let's not forget that the PSL is the sexiest looking of the family. Slim in all the right places, the right curves where applicable, etc. If they had offered it with peroxide white furniture we all know what it would have been called...

[@MrSolLeks]

same, I paid 750 for mine quite a while back, got few extra mags for $25 ea to fill out the pouch I got with it (I got 2 mags.) I'v only shot out to 200 with it but it's a fun gun. Sadly I can't afford a dragonuv, though even if I could i'd prob keep my PSL lol.

[@beelow84]

Would we? Clue in the rest of us. what would it be called?@@andersjjensen

[@andersjjensen]

@@beelow84 "Daddy's little Bimbo PSL" :P

[@alexdelarge1074]

I am from Serbia (used to be Yugoslavia), Romania's neighbour. Before the entire world got flooded with low quality Chinese crap, that was what Romanian stuff was known for :)

[@9HoleReviews]

Yeah it’s kind of crazy how huge the quality between Yugoslavia and Romania was

[@samanthamalikov7157]

@@9HoleReviews Ridiculous. Most Romanian firearms are higher quality than anything out of Yugoslavia.

[@justinbendorf9882]

If y’all want to try a vepr 54r for a comparison to finish up the “dragunov” at home series let me know, have a 20inch vepr with svd style scope, flash hider and furniture, I’ll lend

[@A.Mad.Lad89]

Hopefully, they take u up on that. The vepr has a way higher quality and fin n finish than the PSL.

[@davesaunders568]

Always good to see you all going through the specifics and pro's and con's of what we in the UK can only dream of. I fired many wpns in my time in the Reserve's . I never got to fire AK'S . Love watching you, Ian, Bloke on the range , In range. So many more names I can't recall at the moment. Keep it going fellas 👌 👏 💯

[@dan3162]

Had an early PSL, it was not a precision rifle by any stretch of the imagination but definitely entertaining. Had hard jams with factory mags when fired on an empty chamber, outside of that I sold it when prices doubled what I paid.

[@matthewfox3468]

I remember when you could get a PSL off of Shotgun News with an extra mag cleaning kit and optics under $500

[@Sedici-Competizione]

I bought one of these over 20 years ago while I was in the military. I can understand your frustration with it. Once you get a few rounds through it, you can forget accuracy coming out of it.its like chasing a ghost trying to get rounds on target. It’s an interesting rifle, but, it’s not a very good choice.

[@anthonyburdine2873]

I would love to see the Zastava M77 run this course.

[@afkirby]

I wonder if running the course backwards would help the time at all? Maybe hitting the more difficult targets before the barrel starts heating up.

[@kevinelliott9679]

I want to see this also

[@ryanhilton9401]

The thing that rubs me the wrong way about a PSL is that they are priced in the $2500-$3000 range for $400-$500 performance.

[@Drago2600]

Wondering if psa is going to start looking into svd types 👀

[@stackscustominc1]

I've had 3 psl's, one did this exact same thing with it's accuracy and the other two just opened up the group size. one of them i still have but now with an adjustable gas block and it makes s huge difference. now with handloads it's a 1.5" rifle until it gets really warm

[@selmevias1383]

KNS piston saved many AKs out there.

[@billybop90]

Yep, picked up a KNS kit from AK47 Operators Union. Improved a little bit, but not by much. Not accurate by any stretch but she sure is a looker..@@selmevias1383

[@christopherreed4723]

That's they key modification for a lot of AK variants, and the PSL in particular. Reduce the amount of excess gas pushing the operating system, and allow the use of heavy ball ammunition which, on the whole, is more accurate. Unfortunately, there's not much that can be done about the barrel heating up. Another big factor is ammunition. An unmodified PSL can *only* shoot light ball, and most 147gr ammo available in the US is, at best, machine gun ammo that's not manufactured to a high degree of precision. The 180gr rounds out there, especially the S&B match ammo, is very high quality...but also quite expensive and hard to find. Hornady used to make an absolutely fantastic 150gr load, but they stopped offering it years ago.

[@selmevias1383]

@@christopherreed4723 Very true. That's also why I tend to roll with AKs rather than AR, a simple KNS piston and AKT can turn the lemon-iest rifle into something more than acceptable. I feel you man, being Euro based surplus precision 7.62x54R loads are everywhere and cheap (for now, with what's going on in Ukraine I don't think it's going to last) 174-180 grains ball is the sweet spot, that's what my PSLs like at least (weirdly enough my Dragunov much prefer 147 surplus, especially STV ones) Hope you can duplicate that Hornady load at some point, until then take care.

[@stevegee218]

I did the old gas port mod with the resized plug back in the day before the adjustable piston and gas block were available. At the time is was the only way to tame the gas system.

[@roberttaylor5995]

You Guys have legit all round experience and knowledge in medium - long range distance shooting. Very educational, brilliant video, thankyou Guys! I enjoyed this vid very much. Enthusiast & historical arms collector Rob, UK.

[@discodan3367]

Dude, I was waiting for you to break character during the opening bit post shooting, but you freaking nailed it!

[@JohnKleman1]

I’ve always wanted a psl but the more I see it on your channel the less I actually want one

[@yanbaihuzxzxzx]

wise choice

[@Supercereal4]

I have *never* had luck with Romanian barrels, like when compared to other AKs they're uniquely bad. Both my SAR-2 in 5.45 and Wasr in 7.62 pattern more than they group and it's all over once it gets hot

[@zubdub2506]

Your luck is uniquely you, then. Romanian barrels in their WASR/SARs are notoriously robust. While 3-4 MOA is the norm, that MOA stays consistent. It sounds more like a shooter error issue on your part.

[@donwyoming1936]

I agree. I've found Romanian barrels to be of very low quality. 🤠

[@JustSomeGuy69420]

@@zubdub2506 Doesn't sound unique to him in my opinion. I've had similar luck with other semi auto mag fed rifles. Sounds like an issue inherent to this type of rifle to me.

[@buellboy007]

Mk12 for the win Great video as always 👍 thank you for the continued high quality and information 👍 😊

[@roscoegadsdenshighcapacity7218]

"Guy's PSL blew up". Henry, pal, wear safety glasses while shooting! If you feel they compromise your vision, A) gun / cartridge case fragments in your eye will will do that too, and, B) slide them down your nose just enough that you can see over them through the scope but but still have a lot of protection from fragments coming upward from the rear of the gun. Otherwise.... really diggin' the channel, great stuff!

[@TheBetterManInBlack]

I had similar issues with my PSL at first. Interestingly, I loosened the front forearm clip and it settled down. Looked to me like the wood was impinging on the barrel. The magazine problem is expected, since they (for some reason) fitted mags individually (4 per rifle), and I've seen long running forum threads for locating mags that match your rifle.

[@MrSolLeks]

interestingly enough, the extra mags I bought for my PSL all have run flawlessly, though I second on that the mags were fitted to each gun. I'v honestly never fired my PSL enough to heat up the barrel and shot for accuracy at the same time, I will have to give that a try some time when I go to a range that is not a fudd range...

[@calebdean2440]

I think they fixed the mag issues on the newer built guns. I have 10 of the South Korean plastic mags and a couple beta testing 20 round mags and never have had an issue. Mine is a 2020 build date.

[@Lee_Adamson_OCF]

With an intro like that, I can already tell this is going to be a fun video. :D

[@MW-sw4cp]

That was brutal! Such a struggle to put rounds down.

[@OCofthe3]

I think the barrels on these are made of trash metal. Mine would make a nice group until it got hot, then it would just go to crap. Should have ran the course in reverse so you got the far targets with a cooler barrel!

[@herrcobblermachen]

Everything in context really. I think I bought in at $6oo, years ago. 762x54 ammo was still around that $1oo for a tin price. At the time some people may have had an AK platform rifle, but just one, the gp variant of the wasr had just debuted and so you had something that was reliable and affordable finally, in that $300-350~ range. The PSL was a great companion to that- Its an AK, but like beefed up all around, and took pretty standard AK parts. I never considered it a sniper or a dragunov, just shooting a big round for cheap. As a perk it had that musty soviet era vibe to it. It does start stringing shots when it heats up, and attracts rust bad. At the time, a lot of people cut the barrels down on them to offset the barrel whip. The closest affordable thing to this came when saigas and veprs came to the market, and those were liked too. But they didnt have that soviet era vibe, but that was offset by the fact that they were new and actually russian made. I think they began the change where people weren't content with seeing a plain jane wood stocked AK with some tapco furniture here and there. It had to become this mall ninja special. I think the demise of the PSL came during the parts kit ban. PSLs started climbing in price. The parts kits for them were maybe $200 iirc, they doubled, tripled, and then were no where to be found. Its shocked me to see them back again, and for that crazy 2k price. They're cool, but not that kinda money. The world went tactical and high precision, and that left the psl behind. I have no idea what the original intent of the psl was- surely they did testing and knew about how quickly the barrel heated up. I suppose the idea was take a shot, and wait 5 or 10 minutes for your next opportunity.

[@Just2Evil]

The Zastava M76 shines even brighter in retrospect.

[@MrSolLeks]

I own a PSL, I would 100% not pay the price for them today, but when I got it it was 750 and it's been a fun gun for a while. My rifle loved check silver tip, i'v put both that, a case of polish and a good bit of wolf though it over the years. It's never been a gun I shot for accuracy, if I do that I have an AR platform I built up for accuracy, but it's much like a lot of my other surp guns, it looks cool and it's fun lol. I don't have any plans of ever selling it, keep kicking around the idea of getting the adjustable piston for it so I can shoot heavier ball ammo safely and maybe swap out the wood to give it more of that "tactical dragonuv look".

[@taylormartin4346]

I still want one...kind of. Great video guys

[@brittongolfwang]

My PSL displayed weird zero drift because of the retaining clamp nut on the PSO optic backing off over time.

[@SuperMarshall2009]

I do fairly well with my PSL, but only have taken it to 200yds. Which isn't ideal testing, however I remain pleased with its accuracy as a stock AK. To me they were just another AK and should have been priced as such. I paid $500 for it back in the day, never thought of it more than an AK except caliber.

[@dannymalesh2654]

PSL on last mag, in John Coffey's voice: "I'm tired boss"

[@9mmARman]

I considered buying one of these out of my friend's father's estate. I was disappointed when it was sold before I got to it, but not anymore after seeing this!

[@dyingearth]

When a video starts with a disclaimer on expectation, you know it'll be good.

[@adamkovac1523]

Hello, very good content, can you video abou Stg-44?

[@tudc7367]

This may be a receiver, not a barrel issue(I don't know). Unlike SVD, it is stamped, not milled. You should run it with iron sights.

[@9HoleReviews]

All of the regular stamped AKs have handled this course without this issue

[@connorburnes7697]

It’s definitely a barrel issue. The Zastava M91 is like 85% the same gun, and it shoots very well. It has outshot my DD5 V4 on more than a few occasions. The correct M91 ammunition is the PPU 182gr Match. I have gotten decent performance out of 175 S&B Match, but the PPU has been a consistent 1-1.25 MOA performer. Edit: I’m far from the only person to have a good experience with them. My PSL experience has almost round for round been what they’ve shown here on the channel.

[@jason200912]

The barrel is always the reason for any shifts. You can test if it's a receiver problem by wobbling the barrel and feel how much play there is. If it's loose and wobbles around like a sausage then it is a receiver connection problem where its not fixed in

[@whatnow9653]

Sightly oversize the trunnion rivets?

[@BV-fr8bf]

'I'm going to par out on this one' Translated, *ain't wasting no more valuable ammo* !

[@alexanderp8037]

When i saw the title "PSL" i immediately knew it will lose zero when the barrel gets heated up

[@mandrakevermilyea7488]

Also remember, due to arbitrary inflation caused by sketchy business dealings these rifles now cost upwards of $2400. For that money you can build a sick AR10 with a nice scope, or any number of .308 DMR's.

[@henrymorgan8335]

PSA just had MK 10 clones on sale for $800.

[@mandrakevermilyea7488]

@@henrymorgan8335 yea but I said build a nice rifle. I guess the QC on the saber has been hit and miss

[@stevenallen1392]

Your composure in the face of issues was epic. Maybe it's because of the camera in your face. Regardless, well done.

[@BuckF0eJiden]

If you're drifting low and wide when the barrel heats up, it sounds like your barrel isn't mated into the trunion/receiver securely enough. I suppose it could be a bad barrel... but most likely, it's just heating the trunion/receiver/barrel up, allowing the barrel to droop ever so slightly, and with that, giving your barrel side to side shift. Had that happen with an LR308 I put together myself. Shimming the barrel extension into the receiver fixed the problem, and it's now holding sub (half or lower) moa groups. It sounds silly, but when you're talking about distances of 500, 600, 700+ yds, even the slightest deviation from barrel/bore alignment can show up massively down range. I'm not super familiar with how PSL barrels mate up with the trunion/receiver, but I'd bet you my next paycheck that that's where your issue is on this gun.

[@sportydoubledee]

Really wish they would bring parts kits for these in like they are for the wasr

[@donwyoming1936]

They did bring in thousands of parts kits, and Romanian made receivers about 20 years ago. They probably sent everything they had back then. For the most part, the kit built rifles were trash. Depending on who built it, of course. But, if I see a bayonet lug on a PSL, that screams kit build. Just because it has a Romanian receiver, doesn't mean it was assembled in Romania.

[@pbbananas]

Great video!… but i got to say, I miss the OG 9hole intro music.

[@teppouotinen9136]

1) please do a Speedway run with a Valmet Petra for a reference of a big bore "AK". 2) As of 2017 Kia-Hyundai does actually have a luxury brand in their corporate portfolio - Genesis Motor, LLC, - obviously nowhere near Bugatti territory, but apparently good enough for Tiger Woods...

[@MaverickTangent]

My PSL shoots, AT BEST, 5 MOA. It did exactly what yours did past 300. I've had it for over 15 years. It's just in their nature. Some PSL aren't great. And we've gotten used to cheap PSA rifles shooting 1 moa out of the box.

[@rozkaz661]

This just goes to show how good of a design mr. Dragunov managed to come up with so early on. Ahead of his time

[@xeronicus]

I have one of these rifles, but it's a very early import. I haven't had many issues with it, and it shoots well enough at 400 yards. I actually traded a DSA SA58 for it, which was actually less accurate. Side note, Some mags just do not work with it at all, but if i buy early made mags, they work fine.

[@Plata-ori-plumbu]

Wow! I've got both the PSL and DSA FAL but haven't tested them for accuracy, just function. Both are 100%.

[@jeramyw]

Imagine the m76 and psl with the galil ace treatment. Lightened receiver for the former, folding stock, and free floating rail. Throw in a hinged dust cover too.

[@thomasbaughman9941]

What's that jacket/pullover Henry was wearing while shooting? I must have one.

[@adamcichon6957]

As always, very entertaining, and at the same time, educational video from 9HoleReviews. It's kind'a shame, that those rifles are to expencive to experiment with them. But the diagnosis of the problem, heat issue and heat shift, makes people curious, what would do a barrel change? If i had money to do such an experimental PSL-M build, i would changed the barrel for properly stress relieved (for example Faxon blank .308 barrel... if it'll be aviable and if it'll fit... somehow), installed the DAG-13 stand alone regulated gas block (i would have leave the original piston, for less reciprocating mass), and replaced handguard for aluminium one (something like Bonesteel Arms SRS handguard set for PSL). As i writing this, it souns like it would be modeled after Zastava M-91 front end... huh. Of course, it would be "the art just for the sake of art", but i wonder if all of that would have solved observed issuees?

[@donwyoming1936]

The handguards on my 308 WIN PSL look like they were cut by a drunk, blind man. Definitely need to be squared up. 🤠

[@BratuB]

I just want to know what jacket the shooter is wearing. I love it.

[@jb8086]

Same problem I’ve had with my.308 Galil ace. Very frustrating indeed.

[@theritchie2173]

Clicked this to kill 3 mins while waiting for a meeting to start - "Should be just enough time to watch Henry's run". Heard the intro - "Oh boy, gonna need a little bit longer for this one".

[@alexanderp8037]

This is the best DMR for the elbonian army

[@Max_Da_G]

Hi guys. Russian word "Pushka" means "Cannon" or "Gun" primarily in artillery terms. Sometimes someone would refer to a pistol as a "Pushka", just as a bastardizing term. Anything bigger than 14.5mm really. Russian word for Rifle would be Vintovka. But in Romanian, "Puska" is indeed referring to Rifle. I think to date the best Dragunov that might be available to you one day, would be a war trophy SVD-M. Better quality barrel, optic and a pic rail. It has the original 1 in 320mm twist rate which makes it more precise that rifles with 1 in 240mm twist rate. Heaver profile barrel would also resist heating up much better than well-known light profile original barrel.

[@Plata-ori-plumbu]

Romanian is a Latin language. "Pusca" is just a Slavic loanword. The proper word for "rifle" in Romanian is "carabina".

[@orozcocris93]

it sounds like its an assembly issue. the receiver may have too much tolerance where the barrel attaches. would be great to take it to a gun smith and see what they can do to fix it or at least to know what they find

[@2006Mercury]

Im glad to hear that after the Military arms Ch deal

[@billydurbin8165]

I'd like to see someone do a barrel change and see how much it helps.

[@nichtgefunden404]

Do the HD-18 next! I know you have one, I seent it! 😅

[@distalradius8146]

I paid $700 (scope included) for mine back in like '08(ish?). At that price it's worth every penny, for what it is. Surplus x54R was around 15-20 cents at the time also. I cannot fathom why anyone would charge, much less pay, in excess of $2500 (scope not included) for one today.

[@zoiders]

Somehow the Romanians managed to create a scoped sharpshooters rifle that is still out performed by an iron sighted Lee Enfield No 4.

[@Don-Coyote-De-Transylvania]

Do you heard of IOR?

[@Someone-out-there]

I like my KIA. What is wrong about them? :D :D Immobilizers are actually included in their cars in Europe. :-) No KIA boys here. :D Your videos are awesome guys! Keep it going. Best regards from Czech Republic.

[@future_phonk]

What jacket are you wearing, Henry? It looks awesome.

[@richardmartin3243]

Take the rifle from the front site to the gas block use UTG Tri barrel mounts it will create a stiffer barrel help with harmonics help draw the heat out of the barrel and let it cool off quicker and easier and help you with long-range accuracy

[@justicier10-7]

Since ya'll have covered the Romanian "Not Dragunov," Why not cover the Russian "Not Dragunov" for the U.S. Market? The full-length VEPR Rifle in .308?

[@R.Tafolla]

Have you guys tried either the Zastava M77 or M91?

[@raifsevrence]

He's got an M91 leaning against his shoulder in the Patreon segway they always do right after they finish the range session. Video isn't out yet, but I'm assuming it's coming at some point.

[@11B30Inf]

I was thinking of buying a Romanian PSL rifle. But thanks to your review on the Dragunov wannabe I will not buy one. Thanks to informing me before I made a big mistake on buying one.

[@waynejustinen2843]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I would expect that by the time heat shift became an issue, in a fire fight, one would be engaging targets at closer, not further ranges. Perhaps it would be appropriate, with rifles of this sort, to do the speedway runs from far to near.

[@ParaBellaActual]

I’m surprised at what is essentially a scaled up AK, has exaggerated zero shift. Although the barrel is by no means heavy, it is long (more steel, more heat capacity).

[@509Gman]

Long means more leverage, more droop. Just like some other facts of life, thicker is better for heat shift.

[@retiredafce3373]

I was just watching your “Dragunov” video when this came out lol!

[@LDR1100RS]

I've been using Kore belts for several years now. Highly recommended.

[@mr220v]

If they had cut the length down to 20 or even 22, and reallocated the material to barrel thickness, this would be a totally different discussion. Instead, they kept the same barrel thickness that didn't work great for the standard ak. I see psl barrels available, but they are all the same thickness as oem. You would think that somebody would offer a thicker alternative. Especially for parts kit builders who have to replace the barrel anyway.

[@lowtdave]

13:30 my jealousy level reached peak level.

[@userJohnSmith]

Had one of these for years. Cold bore it was a 1 minute gun. 2nd, 3rd, 4th...8 minutes.

[@alexanderp8037]

VHS2 next !

[@tsuchinokoz5036]

20”

[@djdrack4681]

So what is better a Finnish M38 w/ those great finnish irons...or a Romanian PSL ? For a rifle in x54R I'm thinking I'd take the mosin.

[@orion2250]

Thank you guys for the content

[@doomguy4829]

Where did you got this cool Jacket

[@BeamMonsterZeus]

This sounds like pitting within the barrel and/or poor rifling surface contact with rounds causing a double-trouble kinda deal. On one hand, there's obvious warping after minor heat stress, indicating some sort of defect/damage/metallurgic failure. On the other, as it warps bizarrely, the internal diameter is likely also randomly shifting around, which is obviously poor for accuracy as well as safety. This might mean it's nearly out of battery after a few rounds. 6:39 Ahh, yeah. They blow up.