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Palmetto State Armory's (PSA) "Dagger" series of pistols have presented a line of affordable American-made options . The Dagger Micro (sometimes mistakingly referred to as "Micro Dagger") is a Glock-pattern slimline pistol meant to compete somewhat with the Sig P365XL and Hellcat Pro-sized guns.
As with most of Palmetto State Armory's products, a wide variety of options are available off and on at random times. As of the time this article was written PSA listed 37 different color and size combination for this platform. The specific part number reviewed here is DM01-51655151485 which specifically features a ported slide cut for direct-mount of a Shield optic, and includes a Raven 3moa red dot.
What Is It? A slim, but not-quite "micro compact" pistol that with the use of PSA'a magazine, can hold 15 rounds of 9mm. This particular model features a ported slide and shorter barrel much like the Sig P365 X-Macro Comp. This design uses a ported slide (not barrel) to direct gasses upward and thus the nose of the gun downward to reduce muzzle rise. As with all ported systems, there is a loss of potential velocity, in this case it's by the use of a shorter barrel than would fit the slide, but with a 3.4" barrel this option offers more velocity than the Sig equivalent.
Who's It For? The PSA Dagger Micro is a less-expensive alternative to similar builds out there from companies like Sig and HS Produkt (sold in the US as a Springfield Armory product). Those prefering Glock's simpler design will find the PSA Dagger series familiar and enjoy some parts interchangability.
While the original Dagger Compact wasn't "the best thing ever", I was impressed with the value and could understand what has attracted so many to it. I later bought one of the incredibly-affordable slide options for the Dagger and found the weight difference to enhance the shooting experience (that review here). Naturally, I was curious about the Dagger Micro. Take a look at the package I purchased in the tabletop video below:
Specifications for this specific model:
Model: Palmetto Dagger Micro C-1
Caliber: 9mm
Action: Striker Fired
Weight: 17.4oz (unloaded)
Overall Length: 7.1"
Overall Width: 1.1"
Overall Height: 4.7" (Without Mag)
Barrel Length: 3.41"
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Barrel Finish: Black DLC
Twist Rate: SAAMI Spec 1:10
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
Slide Finish: Black
Frame: Polymer
Front Sight: White Dot Day Sight
Rear Sight: White Two Dot Day Sight
Safety: Striker Block Safety & Trigger Safety
Magazine: Comes with One (1) 15rd Magazine
Optics Mount: Shield RMSc Cut
MSRP: (what I paid with optic) $498.99
Dagger Micro Pricing (all models)
Pricing as of date article was written
click link to check current pricing and options
About the Raven optic included with this kit:
Mounting Footprint: RMSc/Shield
Magnification: 1x
Lens Diameter: 16mm
Elevation/Windage adjustment range: 35 MOA (Total 70 MOA)
Click Value: 1 MOA per click (no click sound)
Dot Size: 3 MOA Red
Parallax Free: 33yards
Red Dot Brightness Setting: 10 levels
Power Supply: 1x CR 1632 3V Lithium battery
Auto Wake/Sleep: 225 Seconds after no movement
Shockproof & Waterproof
Dimensions: (LxWxH) 40.7mmx24mmx26mm
Weight (with battery installed): 17g (approx.)
As always, it's a presentation and not a review unless it goes through the same battery of experiences as other guns. This is why the GBGuns range protocol exists and has become a standard by which handguns can be compared. Some manufacturers seek reviews because of the GBGuns range protocol, others avoid GBGuns because they fear what a non-influencer review might highlight.
Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun we used the following ammunition:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
65gr Norma Frangible
70gr Federal Frangible $31.99 / 50 direct from Federal
90gr Winchester Super Clean $20.49 / 50 at Bud's Gun Shop
115gr Hornady American Gunner $18.35 / 25 at Global Ordnance
115gr Blazer Aluminum-cased FMJ $11.99 / 50 at True Shot
124gr Federal Premium Tactical HST $39.99 / 50 at Target Sports USA
124gr PMC SFX JHP $22.99 / 20 at Bud's Gun Shop
135gr Federal Hydra-Shok Deep $37.99 / 20 direct from Federal
147gr PPU Defense Line JHP $23.74 / 50 at Sportsman's Guide
165gr AMMO, Inc /stelTH $24.99 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory
Range Ammo was Browning 124gr Belom $12.99/50 at TrueShot
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of our shooting experience and time for us to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
Watch the Process and hear the feedback from two shooters in the Shooting Impressions video below:
Ammunition seen in our Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared.
On the Range The PSA Dagger Micro performed well enough, but not great. We had the following major takeaways:
The narrow frame also means less real estate for cotrol of the gun.
We had accuracy issues, depsite our two differrent hand sizes and shapes because the gun swam left and right in our hands. This was inpart due to the narrow furring-strip-like shape which minimized surface area.
While of the same line as the Dagger Compact, it lacked the palm swells that enable that gun to be controlled so easily.
The slide ports seem to work for muzzle rise control, but also make the pistol very loud.
As with any ported handgun, considerations should be taken ebfore using it as a defensive firearm in which close-contact shooting is a possibility.
The 3.4" barrel provides more energy on target than other options of the same slide length.
