TFB Review: Palmetto State Armory PA-15 300AAC Blackout PistolThe Firearm Blog

Alright alright, I know you may be surprised to see the guy that talks about old stuff and makes fun of all the tacticool folks out there reviewing a 300AAC Blackout pistol. I will own the fact that I really genuinely am usually disinterested in anything that looks like this but when Palmetto State Armory reached out to TFB, I took the opportunity to work with a caliber and specific pistol offering for a reason; I’ve never shot 300 Blackout. Queue the gasps and shock! Let’s dive right into the PSA PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistol!

Palmetto State Armory @ TFB:

Specifications: PSA PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistol

As most of you out there probably already know, 300 Blackout was engineered to be suppressed. It’s just one of those things that are in its DNA and with that in mind, it drew my interest in a pistol platform. I recently had a 30 caliber suppressor approved and here in MN, we have slug zones in which you can only hunt whitetail deer with shotguns that use slugs or handguns. This is a handgun so it is pleasant to think about hunting in a slug zone with little recoil and hearing safe gunshots. The PSA PA-15 300ACC Blackout comes in the typical Palmetto State Armory foam-lined cardboard box. In it are a manual, cable lock, chamber flag, Magpul magazine, PSA sticker, and the pistol.

SKU: 5165458537
Brand: Palmetto State Armory
Model Number: 5165449807
UPC: 5165458537
Gas System: Pistol Length
Barrel Profile: Heavy
Barrel Steel: 4150V Chrome Moly Steel
Barrel Finish: Nitride
Barrel Length: 8.5”
Chrome Lining: None
Muzzle Thread: 5/8-24
Chamber: 300AAC Blackout
Twist Rate: 1 in 7″
Barrel Extension: M4
Diameter at Gas Block: .750″
Gas Block Type: Low-profile

Muzzle Device: A2 Style Flash Hider
Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum
Receiver Type: A3
Handguard Type: PSA 7″ Lightweight M-Lok
Bolt Carrier Group Included: Yes
Bolt Steel: Carpenter 158
Bolt Carrier Profile: Full-auto
Charging Handle Included: Yes
Lower Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum
Receiver Finish: Hardcoat Anodized Black
Fire Control Group: Single-Stage, Enhanced Polished Trigger
Grip: Magpul MOE Grip, Black
Buffer Tube: 7075 T6 Aluminum
Adjustment: Fixed
Pistol Brace: SB Tactical SBA3 Adjustable Pistol Brace, Black
Magazine: 30 Round (One Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4 Gen M2)

Note: Palmetto State Armory’s website mentions that it comes with a 30 round aluminum magazine. Mine was shipped with the Magpul magazine listed above. This may have been a change from a long while ago, typo/mistake, or change on the fly out of necessity. In some of the photos, you may notice that I bought my own Magpul 300ACC Blackout-specific magazine. I did this because I knew I was going to be using heavier grain weighted bullets which this magazine is made to cycle reliably. I did not try to shoot the heavier grain bullets in the other magazine. The lighter ones worked fine out of it.

The MSRP of this specific model as of right now is $829.99 although the website infers that it is usually $939.99. Either way I would say this is in that fair to the common ballpark as far as 300ACC Blackout pistols go. All the materials are quality stock, the accessories and furniture are good stuff, and the gun works out of the box (more on that in the range time section). Palmetto State Armory has this in-depth breakdown on their pistol:

Barrel: 4150V chrome-moly steel. Chambered in 300AA Blackout, with a 1:7 twist rate, M4 barrel extension, pistol-length gas system, and nitride treated for accuracy and durability. This heavy profile barrel is finished off with a PSA 7″ Lightweight M-Lok free-float rail, .750″ low-profile gas block, and an A2 flash style flash hider.

Upper: Forged 7075-T6 A3 AR upper is hard coat anodized. These uppers are made for us right here in the USA!

Bolt: Full-auto profile bolt carrier group. Shot-peened, mil-spec Carpenter No. 158® steel bolt. Gas Key Hardened to USGI Specifications, Fastened with Grade 8 screws, and Staked Per Mil-Spec.

Lower: These forged lowers are quality made using 7075-T6 aluminum and are marked “MULTI” for caliber. The finish is hard coat anodized. Pistol 7075-T6 buffer tube is hard coat anodized and is fitted with an SB Tactical SBA3 Adjustable Pistol Brace, Magpul Grip, and Enhanced Polished Trigger (EPT).

First Look: PSA PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistol

My first impressions out of the box were “Wow this is a sturdy little handgun”. The SB Tactical SBA3 Adjustable Pistol Brace is a welcome addition right off the bat since I have longer arms. The free-float handguard with plenty of M-LOK slots is reassuring. I can take or leave the A2 flash hider on any gun so no big impression there. Overall, the gun looked nice, compact, and well put together. It did not blow me away but stood up to my expectations. I had a feeling I was going to like this gun but I had no real clue till we hit the range.

Range Time: PSA PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistol

Honestly, this portion is a part I have had to dwell on for a while because I get very excited about new experiences with firearms and I do not want to come off as a salesman, that’s not my job. I have shot a good amount of AR15s and AR10s and I have always felt that once you have shot one you have shot them all and that is just not entirely true.

Obviously, the scope, scope mount, and suppressor are not stock. Fellow TFB writer and editor of AllOutdoor.com (our sister site) Adam Scepaniak lent me his Athlon 1-4×24 FFP and Vortex one-piece offset mount. Besides that, my Silencer Central Banish 30 got approved after a little more than five months so I was stoked to get to give that some range time with a worthy host.

It may be me falling in love with the cartridge but this pistol did not kick, it was as quiet as a 22 suppressed when I had my can on it, and it shot decent. I had been so used to putting my suppressor on other guns and having them just be hearing safe and not quiet. This pistol was very quiet and comfortable.

At the range, I had a Caldwell AR500 66% IPSC silhouette target, some Fiocchi 150 grain, and some Remington 220 grain ammo. The pistol was very fun to smack the target with and the Caldwell target held up really nice. Later on a separate range trip, I made sure to go and get some three-shot group photos for the folks that like pictures of holes in paper. The picture has two groups: the left is the 115 grain and the 220 is on the right. Ignore the center bullet hole that was from the sight in. Both were shot with the Banish 30 suppressor attached.

Final Thoughts: PSA PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistol

I am usually overly excited about talking about my experience working with review items and I still remain unapologetic because I have been lucky to work with stuff that I genuinely enjoy. This PSA 300AAC Blackout Pistol gets an especially high seat in my book. I think it was probably one of the best options to get to know the caliber and it was so easy to use and work with. The brace was comfy, the barrel length was just right, and the simplicity and modularity eased my brain. I would happily recommend this pistol to anyone looking to get into the 300 Blackout game!

Check Prices on PSA PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistols

In closing, I want to say thank you to Palmetto State Armory for allowing TFB and myself the opportunity to try out one of their PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistols! That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that this AR platform pistol is something worth spending your money on? Would you run to the range with this lovable piece of PSA? Would this be your go-to fun gun at the range? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Order from PSA here.

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TFB Review: Palmetto State Armory PA-15 300AAC Blackout Pistol