Some rifles feel like they’re built for war. Others feel like they were built to survive the war and keep on fighting. The PSA JAKL is the latter.
This rifle is a beast, and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s a cross between an AK-47, a SCAR, and an AR-15. It borrows the gas piston system from the AK, the bolt and stock profile from the SCAR, and all the familiar controls of an AR-15.
The result is a monolithic tank of a rifle that blends battlefield ruggedness with modern ergonomics.
TL;DR Specs Breakdown
- Operating System: Long Stroke Gas Piston
- Trunnion: 8620 Steel
- Carrier: 4340 Steel
- Bolt: 7-Lug Shot Peened Carpenter 158
- Receiver: 6105 Monolithic, Hard Coat Anodized
- Barrel: 13.7” 5.56 NATO, 4150V Chrome Moly Steel, Nitride Treated
- Twist Rate: 1:7”
- Thread Pitch: 1/2×28″
- Muzzle Device: JMAC Customs GFHCE-R (Pin & Weld)
- Handguard: Partial Picatinny, Black Lower
- Stock: F5 MFG Modular Stock System G2
- Grip: Magpul MOE SL, FDE
- Finish: Flat Dark Earth Cerakote
Where To Buy
It came with one 30-round Magpul PMAG, but I’ve also been running it with old school metal mags for that GWOT aesthetic.
Built Like a Tank
The first thing you notice when you pick up the JAKL is the weight. It’s got some serious heft, thanks in large part to the monolithic upper and that thick government profile barrel. This isn’t a featherweight Recce build. It’s a purpose-built battle rifle. It’s designed to fight.
The JAKL is a hybrid in every sense. PSA basically took the best features of an AK, a SCAR, and an AR-15 and mashed them together:
- AK DNA: Long-stroke gas piston for rock-solid reliability.
- SCAR DNA: Monolithic receiver, side-folding stock, and bolt design.
- AR DNA: Familiar controls, standard lower receiver parts, and AR-like handling.
And, yes, I’ve heard the complaints about the weight. Some folks just aren’t built for it. But if your biggest gripe is that it’s front heavy, maybe go hit the gym.
Setup & Accessories
I topped the JAKL with an EOTech 512. It’s old-school, indestructible, and just looks damn right on a rifle like this.
I also slapped on a Knights Armament vertical grip. Practical? Absolutely. But let’s be honest; part of this is about the vibe, and this setup passes the GWOT check with flying colors.
A Blue Force Gear padded sling rounds it out, because when you’re hauling a front-heavy beast like this, comfort matters.
On the Range: Tuning the Gas Block
Right out of the box, I had to open the gas block all the way to get AAC 77-grain OTM to cycle reliably. Once dialed, it ran smoothly but a little gassy, which is expected when running an adjustable gas block wide open. The good news is that the toolless system makes dialing it in stupid-easy.
Recoil? Totally manageable. I’m not recoil-sensitive, but even for a guy who enjoys spicy loads, the JAKL stayed on target during rapid fire thanks to its weight and the piston system. Dumped a mag at 25 yards as fast as I could and kept everything in the C-zone steel.
With M855 and HOP Munitions 62-grain solid copper REX, I could close it one click and still run 100% reliably. Backing it off two clicks induced malfunctions, so the sweet spot for my rifle/ammo combo was wide open to be safe with all ammo across the board, but I could go one click down for M855 or other higher-quality ammo.
Over 200 rounds, including folded-stock magazine dumps and transition drills, I had zero issues once the gun was tuned. This rifle is clearly built to run.
This was all done unsuppressed. Your results may vary if you’re running a can.
Final Thoughts: A Go-To Rifle
Look, I’ve been around the block with a lot of different platforms. But after spending time with the PSA JAKL, I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes my go-to rifle. It’s front heavy, sure. But it’s balanced, reliable, and accurate. With the right accessories, it’s more than capable.
The charging handle has a little wiggle, and the safety selector could be crisper, but these are nitpicks. For what it is—a SCAR-lite battle rifle you can actually afford—this thing punches way above its price point.
If you want something different that blends the best traits of three legendary platforms, the JAKL is it.
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