PSA Dagger Compact 9mm Pistol Tactical Review
The PSA Dagger Compact 9mm is a pistol manufactured by Palmetto State Armory (PSA) that has been making waves in the firearms market since its release in 2020. It is a striker-fired, polymer-framed handgun designed for concealed carry and self-defense. In addition, the PSA Dagger Compact 9mm is touted for its excellent reliability, impressive accuracy, and affordable price point. In this blog, we’ll examine the features and specifications of the PSA Dagger Compact 9mm and what makes it stand out in a crowded market of concealed carry handguns.
Table of contents
About PSA
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) was founded in 2008 by veteran military and law enforcement professionals to produce high-quality firearms and accessories at affordable prices. The company began as an online retailer specializing in ammunition, firearms parts, and accessories but quickly expanded its product line to include complete firearms.
Since its founding, PSA has become one of the leading firearms manufacturers in the United States, with a reputation for producing high-quality firearms and accessories at competitive prices. The company is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, and operates multiple retail locations and manufacturing facilities throughout the state.
Today, PSA offers a wide range of firearms, including AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, as well as handguns like the PSA Dagger Compact 9mm. In addition, the company is known for its affordable, quality AR-15 parts and accessories, which are popular among gun enthusiasts and builders. Despite some controversies and challenges over the years, PSA has continued to grow and expand, earning a loyal following of customers who appreciate the company’s commitment to quality, and affordability.
About THE PSA Dagger
The PSA Dagger is a relatively new handgun introduced by Palmetto State Armory (PSA) in 2020. It is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol designed for concealed carry and self-defense, and it has quickly gained a reputation for its reliability, accuracy, and affordable price point.
The PSA Dagger was developed by PSA’s in-house team of engineers and designers, who set out to create a handgun that would meet the needs of both civilian and law enforcement customers. The design process took several years and involved extensive testing and refinement to ensure that the final product would meet PSA’s high standards for quality and performance.
The PSA Dagger was officially launched in May 2020 and quickly gained attention in the firearms market for its impressive specifications and affordable price point. It has since become popular among gun enthusiasts and concealed carry permit holders, earning praise for its reliability, accuracy, and ease of use.
While the PSA Dagger is a relatively new product, its popularity suggests that it will likely be a fixture in the firearms market for years and a worthy addition to the Palmetto State Armory product lineup.
Unbox the PSA Dagger
When I reviewed the Tisas Zigana PX-9, I was surprised at the quality of their presentation and the effort and cost of presenting a handgun that was so inexpensive. I felt the same way about the PSA Dagger; the display is quality. It didn’t have all the extras, but PSA does run promos that include many amenities and some that are more minimalistic, but the handgun cost is excellent. So that was one I bit on.
The PSA Dagger came with one 15-round magazine, the red dot mounting plate hardware, and the gun lock. But the go-bag style carrying case is well thought out.
Once you remove the handgun from the box, you’ll notice the smooth polymer frame and the well-finished stainless steel slide, which features front and rear serrations for improved grip and slide manipulation.
Overall, unboxing the PSA Dagger is straightforward and makes a good first impression.
Getting to know the PSA Dagger
The PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm feels like a quality handgun designed for self-defense and tactical use. It features a 3.64-inch barrel and an overall length of 6.77 inches, making it a compact and easily concealable pistol. In addition, it weighs 23.1 oz, which is relatively lightweight for a handgun of its size, making it easy to carry for extended periods.
Specifications
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel Length: 3.64 inches
- Overall Length: 6.77 inches
- Weight: 23.1 oz
- Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds (with the option to use extended magazines)
- Frame Material: Stainless Steel
- Slide Material: Stainless Steel
- Grip Material: Textured Polymer
- Sights: Adjustable Sights
- Trigger: Curved Face Trigger
- Safety: Manual Safety and Trigger Safety
- Rail: Picatinny Rail
- Finish: ODG/BLK
Barrel & Slide
PSA-DAGGER-COMPACT 9mm features a quality barrel and slide. The barrel is A threaded 3.64 inches long, making it ideal for concealed carry and tactical use. In addition, it is made of high-strength stainless steel.
The slide is also made of stainless steel with Extreme Carry Cuts RMR slide and features a matte ODG finish that is sleek, good-looking, and durable. In addition, it provides a smooth and easy cycling action. The slide also features front and rear serrations, which offer a secure grip for manipulating the slide, even in wet or slippery conditions.
Overall, the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm barrel and slide are quality components machined to tight tolerances, durable, and easy to operate.
Finish
The frame of the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is made of stainless steel and polymer.
The slide is also finished with a Cerakote sniper green coating and RMR footprint for compatibility with RMR style reflex sights. A Cover plate is also included.
Overall, the sniper green coating of the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm provides a sleek and professional appearance with excellent protection against wear and tear.
Frame
The PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm has a sturdy frame made of polymer, which makes it highly durable and resistant to wear and tear. The frame also has a textured polymer grip and a secure and comfortable grip.
The PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm frame is ergonomically and fits comfortably in hand. It features a beavertail for extra support. Additionally, the frame features a Picatinny rail, which allows for various accessories, such as a flashlight or laser sight.
Overall, the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm frame delivers a secure and comfortable grip. Its ergonomic design, beavertail, and Picatinny rail make a solid frame choice.
Grips
The PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm features a textured polymer grip, that feels great. The grip has a stippled texture, with the PSA Logo on the bottom of the grip, a nice touch.
Overall, the polymer grip of the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm provides a comfortable and secure hold for the shooter while also being highly durable and customizable. This makes the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm a reliable and versatile choice for any shooter.
Photo Gallery
Magazine
The PSA Dagger, Compact Tactical 9mm magazine, has a capacity of 15 rounds, which gives the shooter plenty of ammunition for self-defense or target shooting.
PSA runs frequent promotions that also offer multiple magazines with purchase of a Dagger.
Safety’s
The PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm features a couple safety mechanisms to help prevent accidental discharges and ensure safe operation. It features a trigger safety, which prevents the trigger from being pulled unless the safety is first engaged.
The PSA Daggers Striker Block Safety is a mechanical safety mechanism that prevents the striker from moving forward until the trigger is fully depressed. This means the gun cannot accidentally discharge if dropped or bumped.
It offers extra protection for gun owners, particularly those carrying firearms for self-defense.
Sights
OUCH! I was digging everything about the PSA Dagger, and then we got to these sights. All black sights may have a market somewhere, but not with a 50-something-year-old man with LASIK. I said it when I saw these on the Tisas Zigana PX-9 and the Tisas 1911A1 Service 9, which are comparably priced to the PSA Dagger, and are also quality firearms, but I just don’t get it. Why not just go with the lower-end three dots? It’s not a deal breaker for me because I often upgrade sights anyways, but I don’t get the all-black sights.
The PSA Dagger Compact features a fixed suppressor height front and rear sight; they are quality steel sights, but yes, all black. Although, in fairness, I did pick this up on promo for a fantastic price of $299.
RMR Ready
This PSA Dagger RMR offers a footprint for compatibility with RMR-style reflex sights. A Cover plate is also included.
RMR stands for “Ruggedized Miniature Reflex,” a type of sight that can be mounted on a handgun. An RMR sight is a small, lightweight, and durable sight that provides a red dot aiming point. The RMR sight can withstand the recoil and harsh conditions of firing a handgun. The red dot sight allows for faster target acquisition and improved accuracy, particularly in low-light or high-stress situations. RMR sights are available in a range of sizes and configurations.
Trigger
The PSA Dagger, Compact Tactical 9mm trigger, is curved-faced and features a smooth and consistent feel. Like many striker-fired triggers, the trigger has a bit of travel to the break but has a short reset and a clean break, which allows for quick follow-up shots and improved accuracy.
The trigger came in steadily between 5.5 and 6 pounds; overall, it’s a decent trigger experience.
Aftermarket Parts Compatibility
One of the benefits of the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is that it is compatible with various aftermarket parts, allowing easy customization and upgrades to the firearm.
Several aftermarket manufacturers produce PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm parts, including triggers, barrels, grips, magazines, and sights. These parts are designed to improve the firearm’s performance, reliability, and overall shooting experience.
Holsters
WeThePeople Holster– IWB
Rail-mounting flashlights
Streamlight TLR-1 – or TLR-7
SIG SAUER FOXTROT 1X – Fits flush
SureFire X300 Ultra
Contenders in the Inexpensive Compact Market
Over the years demand for cheaper firearms that allow people to carry concealed or just protect themselves while still being budget-friendly, has increased. Many firearms companies have answered that call producing quality, inexpensive carry concealed handgun options..
Here’s a comparison of some of the quality choices that exist.
| Model | MSRP | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Height | Width | Weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith and Wesson Shield Compact | $479 | 3.1″ | 6.1″ | 4.6″ | 0.95″ | 18.1 oz | 7/8 rounds |
| Taurus G3C | $305 | 3.2″ | 6.3″ | 5.1″ | 1.2″ | 22 oz | 10/12 rounds |
| CZ P-10 C 9mm | $524 | 4.02″ | 7.3″ | 5.2″ | 1.26″ | 26 oz | 15 rounds |
| PSA Dagger Compact | $399 | 3.5″ | 6.4″ | 4.9″ | 1″ | 18 oz | 15 rounds |
Based on the specifications and pricing, our top choice for an inexpensive concealed carry option would be the PSA Dagger Compact. It has a longer barrel than the Shield, and the G3C but is still compact and lightweight enough for concealed carry. It also has a larger magazine capacity then most carry concealed options. It is the only one of the above that has the threaded barrel in this price range and also the RMR mounting option.
Finally, when factoring PSA’s promotions, they consistently run, the PSA can be bought many times a year under the MSRP.
Review Wrap
In conclusion, the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is an excellent firearm that offers a range of features and benefits for shooters. Its compact size and lightweight design make it a great choice for concealed carry and tactical use, while its compatibility with aftermarket parts allows for easy customization and upgrades.
With a durable construction, reliable performance, and an affordable price point, the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is a top choice for those looking for a quality firearm that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a first-time gun owner, the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is definitely worth considering for your collection.
PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm FAQs
The PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is priced at around $399.
Yes, PSA offers a limited lifetime warranty on the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm.
Yes, the PSA Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is designed for easy disassembly and cleaning.
Yes, the Palmetto State Armory (PSA) Dagger Compact Tactical 9mm is rated for use with +P 9MM ammunition. However, it’s always important to check with the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations before using any ammunition in your firearm.
