Palmetto State Armory unveiled their new STANAG magazine compatible AK-556 at NRAAM 2022.  The new model comes ready to accept your favorite AR-pattern magazines and is loaded with new features.  I had a chance to sit down with Palmetto State Armory to go over the new AK-556 at this year’s NRA Annual Meeting.

Palmetto State Armory @ TFB:

• Now Available: The Palmetto State Armory 5.7 Rock Pistol
• New Palmetto State Armory PSAK-101 and 102
• TFB Review: Palmetto State Armory AK-V Pistol
• Palmetto State Armory Parent Company JJE to Acquire Nodak Spud

[NRAAM 2022] New STANAG Magazine Ready PSA AK-556 Rifle

The AK-556 comes from the factory with a 1:7 twist nitride-coated barrel.  A factory muzzle brake sits atop what’s now AR-15 industry-standard 1/2×28 muzzle threads.

PSA manufactures the STANAG mag adapter for the AK-556 in-house.  It functions the same way as your typical AKM paddle mag release, but with a few extra features we’ll get to in a moment.

The receiver features a bulged front trunion that’s commonly seen on Serbian pattern AKM rifles.  This extra bend in the receiver adds rigidity where it’s needed at the front trunion.

On the right-hand side of the receiver is an AR-style mag release.  If you’re familiar with AR controls the button and placement feel almost identical.

The left-hand side of the receiver features an accessory rail for mounting an AKM optic or optic mount.

However, the driving feature on this new PSA rifle is the bolt release on the left-hand side of the STANAG mag adapter.  This rifle has a functioning last-round bolt hold open (LRBHO) system, and you can send the bolt home by simply pushing down the tab on the left-hand side of the mag adapter.  This makes mag changes on an empty mag AR-esque and much faster.

Palmetto State Armory’s AK-556 is available now and has an MSRP of $1,100.

Product Specs

• Caliber: 5.56x45MM
• Model: AK-556Barrel Length: 16″
• Thread Pitch: 1/2x28mm
• Barrel Twist Rate: 1:7″
• MSRP: $1,100
• Barrel Material: Gas Nitride 4150 steel treated barrel
• Barrel Finish: Nitride
• Front Trunnion: Toolcraft Bulged Hammer Forged 4340AQ
• Bolt: Toolcraft Hammer Forged
• Carrier: Toolcraft Hammer Forged
• Handguard Type: PSA Classic Polymer AK-47 Handguard, Black
• Grip: PSA Classic Polymer AK-47 Pistol Grip, Black
• Stock: PSA Classic Polymer AK-47 Stock, Black
• Fire Control Group: Single Stage, Single Hook
• Sights: Standard 1000 Yard Rear Sight Leaf & Fixed Front Sight
• Side Scope Mount: Yes
• Dust Cover: Ribbed Dust Cover
• Mag Release: AR-15 Style Button and Paddle
• Last Round Bolt Hold Open: Yes
• Magazine: Includes (1) 30rd Magazine; Where Allowed by Law
• Cleaning Rod: Not Included

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Thank you to the team at PSA for walking me through their newest AKM pattern rifle.

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