Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-$500 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger — SHOT Show 2022

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Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
This is Palmetto State’s new 5.7mm pistol, The Rock.

Palmetto State Armory has been busy. Less than a year after announcing their first handgun offering—the Dagger—the South Carolina company is set to release three new handguns: a subcompact Dagger, a full-size Dagger, and a 5.7mm handgun called “The Rock.”

Just announced at SHOT Show 2022, these three handguns have not been released yet. Reps for Palmetto State could not provide spec sheets (one of them told us he’d only seen The Rock for the first time the day the show started), but we are able to report MSRPs and hopeful release dates for each new firearm.

The Rock will come with a $499 MSRP for the standard model and $549 for the model featuring a threaded barrel and RMR-footprint slide cut for optics. Both iterations of the gun accept 23-round magazines of 5.7x28mm.

We found the gun to be lightweight with great grip texturing. The trigger is also light but a little gritty, and the controls are not ambidextrous.

PSA hopes The Rock will be available within the next 30-45 days.

Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
The Rock is a full feature handgun chambered in 5.7x28mm capable of holding 23 rounds.

New Dagger iterations offer users full-size and subcompact options, but all handguns will be offered between $299 and $399 MSRP. Since PSA manufactures almost every component on the Dagger except the polymer, the company can offer what could be the best value in the industry.

The subcompact Micro Dagger features a 15-round magazine, and the full-size Dagger (PSA doesn’t have a name for it yet) comes with a 17-round magazine.

The original Dagger unabashedly took its cues from Glock, and the new Daggers do the same. The full-size Dagger, for example, isn’t really a traditional full-size handgun. It’s basically a Glock 17-sized frame on a Glock 19-sized slide. The original Dagger could accept Glock 19 parts, and the newest versions appear to offer the same aftermarket options.

All new Daggers will come with the slide cut in the RMR footprint.

PSA hopes to start shipping the Micro Dagger in the third quarter and the full-sized Dagger in the second quarter.

Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
The Micro Dagger.
Palmetto State Armory Unveils New Sub-0 5.7mm Handgun, Subcompact Dagger -- SHOT Show 2022
The full-sized Dagger. All new Daggers will ship with RMR slide cuts.

Click HERE to learn more about Palmetto State Armory.

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  • BR January 21, 2022, 12:27 pm

    How about the option of putting a longer barrel on the Rock. 5.7×28 is a pretty high pressure cartridge, moving the muzzle out a bit further and getting the velocity boost will make it more pleasant to shoot without having to add a can.

  • Micah January 19, 2022, 3:05 pm

    Loving my current Dagger compact and WILL be getting the Dagger full-size ASAP! Now, when will they offer a long-slide (G34) version… or even a TRUE long-slide like the G17L!!!

  • Slim January 19, 2022, 8:05 am

    I want to be fully honest I didn’t bother to read the column no disrespect meant to who wrote it through. Just warning people that Palmetto State Armory sends out some real junk as I wish I could show you this complete upper(minis BCG and charging handle)I bought from them that was supposed to be brand new that I only bought since I had just bought their blemished version of the same exact upper with same Magpul mid length hand guard/gas system, barrel, A2 gas block/front site and of course the cheap finishing touch with an A2 flash hider as well. Sadly the blemished version I received looks so much better than the so called “new” one! The literally entire upper from lugs to top rail has small to decent sized dings that are deep enough to all show bare metal. The anodizing across the entire top and side of the upper is totally off and should of been redone at the finish shop but clearly this is cool with PSA which is why they weren’t shocked to hear all the problems. The hand guard is canted which I’ve not looked into since I don’t plan on keeping it as I’m sure I’ll need to open a case with my bank since they’ve not replied to any emails after me sending so many pictures they asked for. Hand guard probably isn’t something I can’t adjust/fix but shouldn’t have to since that’s why I bought a complete upper and didn’t just build it myself. The delta ring which any good shady tree smith let alone surely not qualified gunsmiths would use the proper $20 tool or at least have enough sense to wrap the wrong tool with electrical tape to not leave tool marks and at the same time ruin the finish. The forward assist has a huge scratch on it that I have no clue how it was made so bad except blatant carelessness. Upper has damage from inside and out at the tail of the upper where it meets the lower at the buffer tube area that looks like it was caused from abuse and again carelessness inserting the bolt and/or slamming it down while testing. The pivot and take down lugs are so worn the upper had to of been half hazard and carelessly pinned to the lower and looks like a lot of times. The top rail from front to back has dings from only PSA knows what which for sure could of been from them trying out or using it to surely half a$$ sight in the optics they I pray they don’t make but just slaps their name on for the sake of all who have bought them! And last I have to mention is how I truly can’t believe or understand why this would ever be done to a customers uppers but some moron actually carved his initials into the rear of the take down lug like he’s five and loses the upper he works on all the time and required the moron to carve his name in it! BUYERS BEWARE!!!!!! CUSTOMER SERVICE IS WORSE THAN THEIR UPPERS!

    • Willie-O January 21, 2022, 4:34 am

      Ouch, talk about harsh. That said, if all is completely accurate, justified. No reason for me to think otherwise. I’d like to think any company would be reluctant to do business like this, especially in the age of instant ability to tell scores of people with the push of a few keys given the world wide inter-web. Thanks Slim, I was really considering a “Rock” – I’ll still consider, albeit with ALOT more hesitancy. NO excuse for no follow-up after politely taking/sending pictures as described. You should already be slinging rounds with your replacement rifle. Rounds that they supplied for your trouble. Best of luck resolving your issue.

    • Don January 21, 2022, 7:34 pm

      PSA did make me right. I bought an upper, which looked great. I shot it an the sight didn’t have enough windage adjustment to zero. After a series of unanswered emails, I finally made contact. I sent the upper back and was sent a new one that would zero. Communication with PSA was poor. But they did make it right.

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