Jim Fuller Weighs In: American Made AK's  

As a guy who owns a Fuller AK from 2009 that hit over 15,000 trouble-free rounds...Jim knows what he's talking about.

Jim Fuller considers PSA AK's a decent middle quality gun. That's pretty high praise. I like his take on the AK12. Wish I could afford one of his guns.

What often gets lost in the conversation with AKs, that Mr. Fuller mentioned during this conversation, is that it's more important that the gun be accessible price wise for your average John Doe, then be the most premium Com-Bloc AK out there. Way better to have a gun, then have nothing at all, so if someone wants a Riley or a PSA, then there's nothing wrong with that.

I stopped by Jim’s shop when he was still the owner in Vegas. Nicest guy on earth. He even took us to breakfast lol.

I'm glad I got into AK's when they were still cheap and available.. My mak90, two Arsenal's, Vepr, and Meridian Def, guns have all skyrocketed in value.. Its literally crazy what people will pay for one of them..

A Fuller AKM is The Apex of AKM's , The Man is a Living Legend.

I have had some outstanding WASR 10/63s and literally ran the crap out of them. This was back in the day where everyone was bashing the WASR rifles. I did 3 gun with them and they always went bang and hit the target. They worked for me so I stuck with them. I have built a few AKs and they aren't perfect but run very well. Having a Jim Fuller built AK is still a dream for me.

That PSA GF5 is pretty solid. FN barrel, forged components - good foundation. The meridian defense guns are pretty nice too.

Pretty high praise for PSA from Fuller himself. Even if he considers them mid-tier AK's. This was refreshing to watch.

I’ve got a couple of the PSA AKs. A 103 and a GF5. I’m not an AK guy. I have them as range toys. I shoot them enough to be familiar and proficient with AK type rifles … that’s it. For my purposes, These rifles have been more than adequate. Both are quite good … for AKs.

What an icon Fuller is!

I love Jim Fuller's sass. Imagine thinking you know better than he does.

Man 😮I love ❤️ Palmetto State armory AK and I have like 8 😂😂😭😭

THANK YOU JIM FULLER FOR HONESTY AND INFO!!!! IF ONLY OTHERS WOULD JUST SPEAK THE FACTS ON ALL MANUFACTURES AND GEAR.

I love hearing Jim Fuller talk about AK. I mean, I could do it aaaaaall day.

I am a PSA Fanboy. But I only shoot 1000 rds a year thru mine. It would be awesome if I could shoot 1000 rds a month! I just don't have time...even if I could afford it. I'd say this video if very fair and accurate. Even though they didn't mention the lifetime warranty.

I watch all videos with Mr Fuller, always a way to learn AK stuff 👍👍

He dang right though. I only run combloc factory AK’s and they are the only ones I trust other than maybe KUSA AK103SFS. Arsenal guns are my go-to.

And yet even the great AK master Jim Fuller would not be able to say why combloc AKs are actually "better" than a PSA AK. Just because they were required to do it like slaves in those combloc times, steyr forgings, tried and true building steps that never really evolved means nothing. Only time will show what is "good" and what is "bad." The fact that PSA is cheap is only because they build it all in house, not because they're cutting corners. And to produce such high quality first generation models (their 100 line) is astonishing. They didn't learn the hard way like they did when they started out of a garage and made questionable ARs long, long ago. See MAC's tour of PSA and you'll know they are high quality guns.

Love Jim Fuller. He's genuine and honest. I wish i could afford his guns, but i had ZERO Issue with my KUSA its a laser an reliable.

I run kit builds, wasrs, old yugos ( o paps, n paps ), new zastavas, arsenals etc and my gf3 has had no issues and over 10k thru it so far. With that said, I bought a gf5 and it wouldn't make it thru one mag without bursting primers and getting primer debre stuck in the firing pin channel. All the problems they had, I've heard they have fixed these issues. We will see. Still love my gf3.

Rifle dynamic is famous from that man right there 👍

Myself and a few family members have dealt with PSA and their products are really up for discussion per your budget. You want and pay for quality you get it- you want cheap you get cheap. I appreciate the variety of products(AK platform choices could be better) and appreciate your opinion Jim. Thank you fellas

Thanks for this video guys 🍻 I've got lots of ARs, but started off with a WASR 10/63 and so I will always love AKs. My AK arsenal list has evolved into.. 1. WASR 10/63 2. Arsenal SAM7SF 3. PSA AKV 4. Zastava M90 5. Zastava M85

Watching from UK. Jim as always a totally stand up guy. Love his stuff with Mike Jones and his Dad.

This was like a name-drop for me and walk down my early career. LtCol Blish kickstarted my Instruction Career when he was the Training Ops O at Group 47 in Miramar. I did 250, 260, met LtCol Cooper, Hans Vang, and Louis Awerbuck in a 2 week span. I had the honor to IA for my friend Louis for 3 weeks at Camp Pen teaching Combat Shotgun. Off to my 1st Iraq deployment in August 04. Left the Marine Corps as a SSGT in 2005 after 14 years to be CATM in the Air Force Reserve. Deployment to Iraq once more in 09 and some life challenge stuff after returning. Sent a "new" Romy G and a NiB Arsenal SLR107F off to Rifle Dynamics in late 2011 to have them rebuilt by then the Jim owned RD, JB Perrier built mine👍. Gifted the completed Romy G to my best friend and 3x Deployment buddy Nic. Done a couple classes with both guns. Absolute working art👍

Jim is the GOAT! I have his RD but now need a FP one!

I could listen to Jim Fuller all day.

A Great and Honest Discussion Folks! I Wish I could Try one of Jim's Rifle's.

I have a GF3. It shoots good and it's as accurate as it needs to be. I have a WASR too that I like. I'd like to get a 5.45 AK but the ammo situation really concerns me.

I have a gf4 with 2k round through it. I have to grind the back of the carrier down a little bit. But I believe it will harden over time. Other than that it functions flawlessly

I sure do you love my ak103 from PSA runs like a champ

I've got a Riley Defense AK and from what I understand some of their first had some issues but their newer rifles are pretty decent rifles. I've shot about 700 rounds through it and have had zero issues with it. I'm no gun smith though, but that Riley Defense rifle easily has the best stock trigger in any of the firearms I own.

I love Jim! The American AK father.

Jim is the man, and Buster is my dream gun!!!

That Midwest industries brake is great!

I like the AK-12 it's aesthetically cool, and I'd buy it.

I have a GF3, Maadi, WASR10, MAK90, and Galil Ace. They all work flawlessly. Never had any issues, no matter the price.

Well said guy’s. ✌🏾

I have a PSA GF4 pistol, I 6:02 love it! I don't shoot any kinda comps and it works well for me

I miss the good old days of affordable milled AKs like the MAK 90 and Polish model 1960. Those guns were affordable and were durable enough to go the distance. I guess once you move away from imports and parts kit builds due to import restrictions, cheap and durable milled AKs are out of the question. Century tried to make affordable American made milled AKs with the C39s but response regarding the durability of those rifles was mixed to say the least.

I am in total agreement with them. The weapon that works for the shooter is a good weapon. To hell what others think. The shooter gets to know his/her weapon. It is good to get input from experience shooters, however, the one pressing the trigger will make the decision what is good for him/her.

I have two PSA rifles (gf5 and 103) they’re great for me. They have run flawless so far but I only have a few hundred rounds through each, so I’m still vetting them. They shoot very soft compared to my SKS’s. If you get one just be sure to shoot them enough to work out any quirks. in my experience PSA has good customer service. My GF5 had a loose front sight post that would lose zero easily. I contacted them and they told me to send it in, they fixed it for free and reimbursed all shipping costs. So again, they can make great rifles just shoot yours to enough to know yours is up to par, otherwise they will fix it.

Tim from Military Arms Channel just finished a tour of PSA's production facility. Given PSA's QC implementation and structure it's probably fair to say that Palmetto is or will soon be building some of the world's finest AK variants.

love Jim Fuller !!!!!!!!!!1

BADASS.

I have a gf3 with 2,000 rounds through it, runs fine and is plenty accurate.

The jmac brakes work really nice on 762x39 aks they cut the recoil in half

I think KUSA gets less hate mainly because they never had a history of making terrible AKs and started off building fairly decently rifles while PSA had a very rough start using cast parts like Century and IO, but PSA actually fixed their issues unlike Century(domestic production) and IO, and have been making fairly good guns for its price range, but there's a reason why PSA GF1 and GF2 isn't being sold anymore. as someone who owns both domestic(PSA+KUSA) and import(Zastava+WASR), I don't know I'll ever get a Jim Fuller AK, but a reputable custom built AK from authentic Combloc parts is definitely something I definitely want.

I need a Fuller AK going to order 1 next year .

I love my psa AK.

I think PSA and KUSA are probably the first US guns that got the metallurgy closer to import . Maybe the first companies to really understand it .

The Meridian defense volk is the best ak I've ever shot. I own several ak's and the volk is hands down the best.

its really nice the Jim Fuller said that the GF3 is mid grade because PSA does make higher quality AK's that could stand the test of time however they are significantly more expensive. I've had my Gf3 (among other AK's) for about 3 years now and im not going to saying ive run tens of thousands of rounds through it but it has run very well for the meager 1,800 rounds i've put through it. So for the American market that is more than fine, its not like the RAS-47 or any of the terrible other low quality AK's that are pretty much unsafe to shoot. The PSA rifles just dont last nearly as long before replacing parts as your combloc AK's

Jim was right ,PSA make a great AK for the average Joe who wants to do a little training go to the range a bit and protect his family and he can get an AK with quite a bit of ammo to get him started for under a grand ,,i think PSA are great ,,betya half the haters dont own or never shot an AK before and bet if they went and had a look at there factory they would walk away lovers not haters!

For the price Zastava post Century's disaster is the best and gives option for caliber 5,56 ,Grandel 6.5 or 7 62

Some people are ak guys and some people are AR guys I like both but aks have always been my favorite platform since the first day I've handled one but ar and ak guys need to stop hating on each other its ridiculous

I can"t speak to the quality of PSA AKs but I do own 3 PSA AR 15s. Two have only a few trouble free mags thu them but one has somewhere between 4 and 5 thousand rounds with zero malfunctions and 2000+ rounds before first cleaning.

Would love to hear Jim's opinion on the Premium series from PSA, particularly their 103s. The trunions and bolt are made with substantially better materials and they're the only ak in the world with a cold hammer forged FN barrel. Mine's an utter tack driver and AKOU has around 10k rounds through one and it's ticking like a clock still. Had nothing but great luck with everything I have from PSA. They had some growing pains in the early years, but even their budget ARs are more than sufficient now. A lot of people are just elitists when in reality they don't even have the Gucci guns they're railing on your middle level gun for.

those voice overs from jim had me dying lol

Great interview! Fuller knocked it out the park with his comments on selecting a AK or any weapon. What do you need ? Not want.

I own a zastava m70. I probably have somewhere around 800 to 1000 rounds in it give or take. It really is a nice shooting gun my only issue with it is the safety selector is super stiff. I do plan on addressing that issue soon but I feel a 1200 dollar rifle shouldn't have a issue like that as minor as it is.

I have a MAK90 with an aimpoint on an ultimak, but I am going to the AR platform for a lot of reasons. The AR is quite modular and anyone can do basic part switching on it. Parts are everywhere and even a defect cheap BCA AR can be fixed by someone like me. ARs will handle 7.62x39, but the bolt lugs will fail sooner. The AR is a more accurate platform and decent triggers are not hard to install. The main thing making take another look at the AK is the new pending final rule on AR pistol guns with braces. My mak90 with a folded stock is about the same overall length as many of the pistol brace guns and so for transport in a tennis racket case, it is just about as good as the short barrel AR pistols, but this is with its 16 inch barrel.

It is a very rare person who needs a $3000-$4000 AK or AR or practically any gun in that price range. If you’re a competitive shooter that’s one thing. Going through a thousand rounds a week, yeah, that might require such a firearm. For the other 99% of gun owners, you’re looking at 200 rounds per month on the outside for an individual firearm, and probably a lot less for most people. I haven’t done any polling, but within my circle of friends, coworkers, etc., most are fellow gun owners. The people in my daily universe are just about all gun owners. I go to the range more than most of them, and I only go once or twice a month, three times at most. I’ve got two AKs, among other firearms, and those two rifles get maybe 700 rounds each per year through them. I don’t have a GF-3 but if I didn’t have an AK yet and I was looking to get one, I’m sure it would fully satisfy my requirements. It will work just fine for the vast majority of shooters who want an AK. One of my AKs is a Century Arms C39v2. Yes, that “terrible” AK, that “piece of junk”. I customized it; it has an East German bolt carrier and recoil spring assembly, and a Polish WBP new-build bolt that I had fitted to it by a gunsmith. I’ve got probably just south of 6000 rounds on it by now, and it still at least passes a field gauge. Just had it out to the range earlier today as I write this and it still shoots just dandy. My other AK is a Zastava M70 ZPAP that I got for about a grand; I could probably pass that down to my grandkids if I ever have any; it’s all the AK I will EVER need or want. Yes, Mr. Fuller, you serve a niche and a very small one at that. I wish you every success, but for everyone I know, the idea of spending that kind of coin on an AK just leaves us scratching our heads. Cheers.

Classic sit-down. Is the honey badger the best MB for an AK? Looking to change my standard MB on a PSA AK 103. Was told it seems to cause a tilt to the left. Which, I notice.

It would be interesting to see what handguns Jim likes!

I have a VSKA and it outshoots my saiga lol. It also has 6,000 rds ive had it for some tome

There's no better machine than a Zastava when it comes to AK clones. If you can get your hands on a russian AK take it but if not get a serbian Zastava.

just bought one of those KUSA blem rifles.. waiting on it currently but figured 949$ might give this a try and see where it takes me.

Well said !

I got a lot of good chit. But I still ain't got an AK yet. So I'm kinda drooling. Thanks guys.

The only negative stuff I've seen about PSA comes from their AK's and it's all about QC on assembly. I've dealt directly with KUSA and the only problem there is getting additional responses. I had issues installing the AK 2.0 trigger and they just pushed me off to CMC Triggers. CMC Triggers was beyond helpful but KUSA eventually got back to responding to emails. I went with KUSA for my AK b/c I wanted to install ZenitCo I had purchased and KUSA's firearms are all Russian pattern so the installation was really easy and didn't require any alterations, where as PSA seems like they threw together their AK's with the parts they thought would be best. They do use cold hammer forged components where KUSA just started doing earlier this year, but it also increased the price of their rifles by $300-$400. PSA uses a mix of 47's, 74's, and RPK parts. I also was on a budget.

I suggest, save your pennies and buy a military arsenal manufactured rifle. Wasr, Yugo, Arsenal or a Polish Radom. These companies have figured it out long ago. And yes,WASRs are the best of the " budget" ones out there.

Jim👍

Gun.super done~ ;)

I really like my psa ak104

Jim's done a fare amount of welding I see.

IWI Galil Ace 💯

I thought me shooting 2k rounds of steel a month was light duty? Am I way wrong haha. I love my PSAs as much as my arsenals Galils Zastava’s and even love my pioneers

The M10-762 by M+M ... its a sweet romanian AK.

I wonder what does Jim think about the Saiga sporter?

Had a century C39v2 that shot like a dream, but the bolt was slowly melting away. Got a Zastava ZPAP now, and I couldn't be happier with it. Doesn't shoot tiny groups like the Century did, but other than that it's way better.

Yikes. Fuller lost me when he said Palmetto State Armory AKs are about equal in quality as Kalashnikov USA AKs. I have both. Both are imperfect. The KUSA is a little better in build and parts quality. Bought the PSA first. It's not bad. It shoots great. The gun is straight, front sight post is perfectly straight. Rivets are damn near perfect. Lower handguard retaining cap sits a little crooked due to the cuts in the barrel not being perfectly level. The pistol grip reinforcement plate is riveted on a little crooked. Additionally, the more I examined it (compared to imported AKs) the more I could tell that certain design features are unique to PSA made AKs. If your wish is to have a firearm as close to the Russian AK as possible without paying boutique prices, PSA is not it. (And no matter how cool AKs are, from a buyer's perspective, the damn things just are NOT worth the $5k for an "expert" build, no matter how much care is put into it. And believe me... I can afford it. I'm just not into blowing money.) KUSA's overall build and parts quality (in my experience) is noticeably a step above PSA, but still not without a few amateurish manufacturing decisions. For example, it appears KUSA had pre-made an exorbitant amount of designated (engraved) "KR103" receivers; and so to meet the high demand for the KP104, they repurposed "KR103" receivers by actually dremeling over the "KR103" and then engraving deeper into the receiver "KP104". I can still see remnants of the "3" where they engraved a "4". I'm baffled as to how they would think that's okay to sell to a customer at full price (and not as a cosmetic blem). The model engraving looks like shit. The other thing: they've also repurposed the KR-103's 1000m rear sight leaf (designed for the range of a 16" barrel) and slapped that puppy right onto the 104s, which are designed to have a 500m rear sight leaf for practical reasons (to account for the decreased range of the shorter barrel). So the KP-104s have been shipping with inaccurate rear sight leafs. Others have reported the same thing, so it's not a fluke. I bought a military surplus 500m rear sight leaf for nearly $100 with shipping and tax to replace it. But what an amateurish decision to throw in the wrong part because it's all they had on hand. Rivets however, like PSA, are about as perfectly driven as one could expect. No qualms there. Like I said, I wouldn't pay $5k or even $4k or anything close to that amount for an AK that was built by Jim Fuller and absolutely perfect in every way. Alternatively, typical comblock AKs (e.g., Arsenal, Century, Zastava) aren't without their reported imperfections as well, such as canted front sight bases and maybe a mangled rivet head or two. In the end, K-USA (especially as this newer albeit highly capable company learns from customer feedback) looks like the best available path forward for buyers wanting the highest quality made American AKs for under $1,500.

They should build them with milled receivers.

Jim makes it pretty clear. PSA rifles did start off a little rocky but they’re turning out some nice quality rifles now. Anyone that likes AKs would obviously love to have a fuller build. But like the man himself said. Do you really need it? And for the vast majority of people no, you don’t. If you can afford one or have a job as a guntuber or just a collector then it’s understandable but if you’re spending outside your means or just buying it to impress internet nobody’s, you’re doing it wrong.

Luv my Saiga

would like to know more about the ak build with the foregrip on it

I used to buy Bulgarian barreled receiver and a Hungarian kit and put together the closest to the real deal as possible.

PSA GF5 AKs with the FN barrel and parts kits are badazz great value. Fuller Phoenix / Rifle Dynamics have to make a profit just like PSA has to make a profit.

Thank you gents for your honesty. Does Jim have a current web address?

All that being said below I would like to own another one just because.

The psa AK's are plenty good for most civilians even the guys that shoot alot if you need a new barrel psa will do that for you at no cost. The premium rifles have fn chf barrels too. Also the reason why psa gets hate is what jim fuller said about their AR15 stuff. They started off as a budget builder and since they would crank out a ton of inventory the quality control on the assembly was hit and miss so many ppl just dont trust them. Ppl used to say if you buy psa you'd better know how to build AR's because it was likely you would end up having to correct a psa assembled rifle in some way. They seem to have buttoned down operations since.

I hear what you guys are saying and I don’t shit on what anyone runs, personally all my AKs are kit builds our imports… but I gotta say it’s hard for me to understand why anyone would buy PSA when there’s WBP rifles coming in at $1200-$1300 or even M70s for less… everyone doesn’t need a rare kit build from a high end builder but when the difference between ok and really squared away is saving up for another week or two I say go for quality.

I just dont know why Americans cant make ak’s lighter. Like slim down thé receiver. Maybe mill it to make up the difference in strength. Thinner barrel maybe. Carbon fiber replacements?

What exactly wears out or fails quicker on an American made AK? Broad statements but I would like a bit more specifics.

I think it would be very helpful to break down what different qualities com-bloc manufactured stuff is compared US made gear. I'm 52 and can remember a lot about Soviet made stuff that was utter garbage.....having seen a lot of drop guns and captures over the years, I just don't know what you fine folks do about their construction.....fee free to add a few details. Grateful for the effort.

Are the forging on the American AKs not as good or is it the fitting process that is not as good?

Need to make a 6.5MM GRENDEL IN A RPK WITH A 2.0MM RECEIVER AND A HEAVY 22"BARREL Straight fluted barrel and 1/8twist for long range Shooting and accessories and still be able to use AK47 mags

Picked up a feg sa85m underfolder from a gun shop for $550 out the door

Well as much as I appreciate PSA and use their products, they (or whoever they contract out to) seem to be stumped on how to make an AK firing pin. I see firing pin issues non stop with them, my new PSA AK102 included. I’m glad I bought it as a toy/556 AK training rifle, not for serious use.