At the 2020 SHOT Show, Palmetto State Armory announced a new 9mm pistol called the PS9 Dagger.
With its combination of features and price, the new gun stands to make quite a splash in the industry.
Let’s dive in with all of the details including pricing, shipping times and holster compatibility.
Now Taking Orders!
The PS9 Dagger is now shipping. It can be purchased by clicking here.
However, the company releases a small batch of these – typically every day around 4 pm EDT. They go quickly, so I recommend setting up a PSA account to speed checkout when the company has a new drop.
General Information
The short story is the new PS9 Dagger is a Glock clone. I don’t mean that in a disparaging way, but instead as shorthand for a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol that takes 9mm Glock 19 magazines.
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) will make several variations of the gun, but the basic model is the one that will ship first. It has many parts that are compatible with the Gen3 Glock pistols including the magazine and trigger group. PSA ships the PS9 with Magpul P15 magazines, but you can use your existing G17, G19 and other 9mm magazines with the gun.
Obviously, the gun differs from the Glock pistol in a number of ways. One of the things that Glock is often criticized for is the use of plastic sights. Thankfully, PSA elected to use metal sights on the PS9 Dagger. The metal sights use a 3-dot arrangement and are far more durable than standard polymer sights.
Additional features include:
- forward cocking serrations on the slide
- slide made of 416 stainless steel with lithium-infused nitride finish
- an accessory rail for a weapon light or laser
- stainless steel guide rod
- a moderately aggressive texture that is not likely to damage clothing but still provides a positive grip
- frame cut-outs at magazine well to better grab magazines should you need to strip them from the gun because of a malfunction
- undercut trigger guard to allow a higher grip on the pistol
- a barrel with traditional rifling (unlike the Glock, lead bullets should be ok)
Palmetto State Armory states the PS9 Dagger will be backed by a full lifetime warranty.
Specifications
Here are the specifications for the base model PS9:
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Standard Magazine Capacity | 15 |
| Barrel Length | 4.0″ |
| Trigger | PSA hinged |
| Trigger Pull Weight | 5.5 lbs |
| Sights | nitrided metal 3-dot |
| Grip Frame | glass-filled polymer |
| Finish | matte black |
| MSRP | $299 |
Variations
Customer demand will ultimately drive variations of the basic PS9 pistol. However, Palmetto State Armory does have a number of variations already in the works.
Future releases will offer suppressor-ready versions that include threaded barrels and suppressor-height sights. Also, there will be options for optics ready PS9 Dagger pistols.
Another version the company is working on is a G17 sized slide/barrel on the PS9 frame. This would increase the sight radius for improved accuracy and goose the bullet velocities.
PSA also suggested that custom pistols might be available also.
A final variation will be the grip assembly alone. It is completely compatible with Gen3 Glock parts, so you can build a completely custom 9mm or even a .40 S&W or .357 SIG gun.
Holster Compatibility
According to a PSA rep, the guns will be compatible with some Gen3 Glock 19 holsters.
I would urge caution with any hard fit options like Kydex as small dimension differences may impact how well it fits. I would expect that leather rigs would work without much problem.
PS9 Dagger Pricing
Even if you aren’t impressed by the features of this gun, the price might get your attention:
$299.99
Yes, that’s correct. A Glock 19 compatible pistol for less than $300. With shipping and transfer fees, I estimate the average person should be able to get one out the door for about $360-370.
Assuming that these guns run as reliably as a Glock pistol – and only time will tell us that – a $299.99 defensive pistol is a major value. The price alone will sell many of these pistols.
If you want a model with a slide cut for an RMR sight with suppressor height sights and a threaded barrel, the pricing remains unbelievable:
$349.00
According to PSA staff, the PS9 grip frame alone should sell for $100.
It also makes you wonder what Glock’s margins look like.
When Is the PS9 Shipping?
The PS9 Dagger is now shipping. Click this link to buy one.
What are your thoughts about the new Palmetto State Armory PS9 Dagger? I’m cautiously optimistic about them. A $300 Glock clone would be huge in the marketplace.
Special thanks to Paul Carlson of the Safety Solutions Academy for helping with the photos and additional details. Paul’s a good friend and one of the best trainers working today. You should check out his availability and try to book time with him.
Last update: June 4, 2021
153 replies on “Palmetto State Armory PS9 Dagger: $300 Glock Killer [UPDATED]”
HELP! I’m Trying to buy myself a 9mm handgun. My girlfriend just bought a Kimber micro 9mm and can barely pull the slide!!! I’m overwhelmed by the lack choices and can’t seem to find a place to buy “Sold Out†on everything! I don’t want to buy something just because it’s the only thing left in the case!
Hi Jennifer,
Sadly, there are problems with keeping guns in stock right now due to the disruptions to the supply chain from the pandemic and the organized violence in many cities around the world. So, yes – your choices are limited.
In general, smaller guns are more difficult to operate. The Kimber Micro is one example. Small guns also produce more recoil.
In general, I recommend medium to larger handguns for people – especially if they are relatively new to shooting. Some good examples include the Glock 19, SIG SAUER P320, Walther PPQ, and Smith & Wesson M&P. There are other quality choices as well.
One of the easiest 9mm guns to manipulate is the Smith & Wesson M&P9 EZ. It was specifically designed to be an easy shooting gun. It is large enough to get a full grip, mitigate recoil and use sights large enough to see well. Yet, it is still compact enough for concealed carry if that is important to you.
The slide on the EZ line of pistols is designed to work with a reduced amount of force. In other words, it is easy to pull back. Also, the magazines are much easier to load than many alternatives.
I reviewed a .380 ACP version of this gun here. That version has a few nice upgrades that aren’t on the standard pistols, but it should give you an idea of what the gun is like.
As far as buying one, you might have to be patient due to the surge in demand for all firearms. The local gun shops I’ve spoke to say that they are unable to use normal ordering processes. In other words – they get whatever they can find with no real ability to order specifics right now.
I’d suggest checking with Palmetto State Armory. Even if it is not in stock right now, you can click the “notify me” button and they will email you once the gun you want comes in stock.
If you like the 9mm EZ, they do carry it here. It is out of stock at this precise moment but might be in stock shortly. You can upgrade to the same gun with a removable laser sight that is in stock right now. It costs a little more, and you may not like the laser. But it is available.
If you don’t have a lot of formal training with firearms, I encourage you to also seek that out. The state required concealed carry classes are not enough. There are a lot of good instructors out there. Depending on where you live, I may be able to recommend one if you like.
I hope this helps!
Richard
When I acquire one I’ll change out the split hinged trigger for an oem Glock or perhaps an Apex. Nothing more to do, though others might have their own recommendations and ‘remedies’ to “objections”. And remember to vote against infringement of 2nd Amendment gun rights if we want these and everything else since 1899, the ruling class mean what they say and will do it all if we let them.
Is there a waitlist Tj get on to purchase this?
Hi Huss,
No waitlist on these. The company expects to go into production as soon as they get the BATFE to sign off on a design change. Hopefully, it won’t be too long.
-Richard
How about a Pre-Pay?
I’d gladly pay Retail for a few now even if I have to wait a few months to take possession.(Christmas presents for the whole family – and I as well).
Your first run is going to sell out in less than 10 minutes as it stands if not faster.
I wish they would accept a pre-order, but I can appreciate them holding off until they get final ATF approval. They have no control over when the agency will respond and probably don’t want to hold people’s money in the meantime.
But yeah – the first run will sell out very quickly.
-Richard
When can we can these come to market? I myself am waiting for this new pistol the PS9 is what I want but I don’t know how much longer I can wait.. Any idea when we will be able to buy one?
Hi Brad,
According to one of my contacts, the company is waiting on approval from the BATFE on a design change. Once they have that, they will go into production.
-Richard
Getting a little crazy…. honestly starting to think the hype will be gone .. if they keep this up and people will be on to the next gen 6 Glock 10mm
I’m with you. I’ve wanted to buy one since if first saw them at Shot Show. I love to support good American Companies.
I hope the PS9 is released soon.