.308 JAKL
The JAKL is a well-established long-stroke gas piston firearm previously offered only in intermediate calibers, but PSA plans to bring it up to speed in a .308 Winchester model. The .308 JAKL will basically be PSA’s version of the FN SCAR 17, offering a beefed-up modular platform that packs more of a punch but at a third of the price of pretty much all the competition.
Staying in form with how the current JAKL runs on a standard AR-15 lower, the .308 JAKL will run on the standard PA-10 lower with an adapter plate in the back. The rifle accepts standard AR-10-pattern magazines with either a mounted stock or a Picatinny rail on the back for mounting different stocks or braces.
One of the most impressive things about this design is the handguard, which I believe is one of the slimmest .308 piston system handguards on the market. The rifle also features a non-reciprocating charging handle that can be swapped from left to right, as well as an eight-position adjustable gas block in the front. Most rifles will feature pinned and welded suppressor-ready mounts with options for SilencerCo, Dead Air, AAC, and more.
The current plan is to offer the rifles with 13.7, 14.5, 16, and eventually 18-inch barrel options, with plans to expand to 6.5 Creedmoor.
Vuk
The next concept rifle is the Vuk, a merging of the JAKL and PSA’s mutant AR lower. PSA believes this rifle is the next evolution of the AK platform. Using the same long-stroke gas operating system, the JAKL upper features a wide array of more modular and customizable options, making this AK as easy to build and customize as an AR. The Vuk will be offered in 5.56, 7.62x39mm, .300 BLK, and 5.45.
The lower accepts the standard rock-and-lock AK-pattern magazines and features a standard AR pistol grip footprint, a standard AR safety, and a standard AR trigger pattern. Since the lower is basically a modified AR-15 lower, the monolithic upper can be customized with endless design options. The rifle features a non-reciprocating charging handle that can be switched to either side, just like all the JAKLs already in production.
The Vuk offers a major advantage over a standard AK with the options provided by the monolithic upper, as there will be adequate rail space for lasers and optics that can maintain zero. Along with that, the upper’s eight-position adjustable gas block makes it easier to suppress the rifle. Just like with all the other JAKL pattern uppers, the muzzle brake can be pinned and welded with popular quick suppressor mount patterns.
Olcan
The next rifle concept is also built off the JAKL series and is designated the Olcan (an Irish name meaning “little wolf”).
The Olcan is the bullpup version of the JAKL, as it is basically just a bullpup lower that can accept any JAKL upper. This design offers the ability to switch between a standard rifle and bullpup while using the same upper.
The Olcan lower features a standard AR pistol grip and safety, with a rear-mounted ambidextrous magazine release. The current lower is designed for right-side ejection, with the bolt release on the left side.
Summary
When voting closed on PSA’s concept guns for 2024, the .308 JAKL was in second place behind the X5.7, and the Vuk third. Again, it is nice to see PSA opening up a dialog with customers and allowing them to set put priority on what they want to see next. Regardless of the order, there are a ton of new things to be excited about in Palmetto State Armory's future.
