The year is 2023 and the resistance is still holding on. A central player in the good fight sits behind enemy lines just outside Santa Barbara, California. In a nondescript industrial plaza sits one of the country’s absolute best AK manufacturers. Of course, we are talking about Meridian Defense Corp.  Long known for their legendary AK builds, Meridian Defense Corp has revolutionized this popular platform.

Once the realm of “mostly accurate” and “ok” to shoot, Meridian Defense has elevated the AK to a highly accurate precision-built firearm. Like everyone in the AK world, MDC struggled to secure quality parts. They also heard the cry of shooters who wanted to join other platforms in their ability to be easily run while suppressed. After some discussion, they decided they were unwilling to just accept this AK status quo. With that, MDC has taken matters into its own hands and is now manufacturing an American-made, suppressor-ready AK47. Say hello to the Meridian Defense Corp PMC-S.

Behind Meridian PMC-S

Driven by a commitment to quality and control, MDC has decided to produce all its core parts in-house. They were tired of overseas parts that often fell short of expectations, so the company set out to establish tighter tolerances and a new standard for the AK community. In short, they did not want to depend on foreign suppliers. The PMC-S has the newly introduced US-made MDC billet and fully machined trunnion, bolt, and forged carrier.

The designers at MDC also aimed to provide a hassle-free, out-of-the-box solution for shooters who wanted to run their rifles suppressed without facing over-gassing issues. To address that, the rifle also features a fully machined adjustable gas block with four positions, accommodating various scenarios with ease. Standard Gas Setting: Ideal for regular firing conditions. Suppressor On with Supersonic Ammo: Optimized for high-velocity rounds with suppressor attachment. Suppressor On with Subsonic Ammo: Tailored for suppressed firing with reduced noise and recoil. And an Off Setting: When the suppressor is not in use, it ensures adaptability to any situation.

Digging Deeper

MDC’s attention to detail doesn’t stop at the core components. The rear Picatinny trunnion is crafted for compatibility with various Picatinny-style stock assemblies. The MDC PMC-S boasts a Sig-style side-folder with a low-profile tube, CTR stock, and an extended butt pad. The 14.5-inch barrel is made of 4150 and is black nitride coated. It has a custom twist rate and ensures optimal performance with both subsonic and supersonic ammunition. The muzzle device is the MDC BD2-K. A two-port compensator and muzzle brake hybrid designed for compatibility with Dead Air suppressors, offering versatility and adaptability to different configurations.

The rifle also utilizes the SLR 9.7-inch M-Lok rail system and gas tube, the MDC PMC-S offers a robust and modular platform for accessories. One of the most impressive aspects of the gun in my opinion is the trigger. AK triggers have never been known as “good” but that has changed with the PMC-S. The MDC-FCG (fire control group) is a game changer for the AK platform. It offers a modernized approach to trigger design with a sleek appearance and a crisp 3.5 lbs trigger pull.

History With Meridian

I will be honest and say that I have a positive bias towards MDC and their guns. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to test and run their Project Alpha gun and came away with a different view of AKs. The PMC-S had a similar feel, so a request was sent for a testing sample. In short order, FedEx was at my door with a test gun for me to use. I cracked the box open like a kid at Christmas and pulled the MPC-S free from its case.

First impressions were less than professional and essentially consisted of “Oh hell yes!” I enjoy discussing fit and finish on guns because it truly does matter. It’s not a matter of a catchy paint job or flair but of attention to detail. The PMC-S has an exceptional fit and finish. Most AKs can double as a maraca in a mariachi band because they rattle so much. This is not the case with the PMC-S. The gun came set up with an EOTech HWS XPS2 set on top of an MI-AKSM mount system. With the gun in hand, a range session became an immediate must-do.

I have been fortunate to have shot some pretty sexy AKs over the years. Most were classics and included the unicorn of AKs, a Type One. This was not a classic gun, however, so I was interested in seeing how some modernization would affect this Eastern Block staple. I know for a fact that any modernization of the AK is seen as blasphemy in some circles. My response to that is, “Lighten up Francis.” The rifle is due for some improvements and a trip to the range would let me see just how far Meridian had taken the gun. 

Hush Little Meridian PMC-S

The only item I would add to the gun was a Dead Air Nomad 30 suppressor. The suppressor-friendly aspect of the gun is a major point so a can was necessary. Mounting the suppressor was a breeze because MDC included their special brake. The BD2-K (Key-Mount) is a 2-port compensator/muzzle brake hybrid, designed to attach your Dead Air Sandman-L, Sandman-S, Sandman-K, or KeyMo-equipped Nomad-30 or Primal to your rifle.

Feed ’Em & Weep

Ammo for this range session would come in three flavors. Tul Ammo 7.62×39 122gr FMJ, Red Army Standard 7.62×39 124gr HPBT, and Federal 7.62×39 Soviet 123gr soft point. I realize that no matter how much I preach that we need to always use high-quality ammo, sometimes budgets don’t always agree. With that, I wanted a mix of inexpensive steel cases as well as some good brass ammo in the mix. A quick zero of the gun and we were off to the races.

Two things jumped out at me immediately. First was the trigger. This trigger is a world away from the standard clunky AK trigger that’s hard to believe. It broke consistently at just over three pounds and had a crisp quick reset. The Dead Air Nomad 30 did a solid job on the gun. Following the directions from MDC, I adjusted the gas setting to “Suppressor On with Supersonic Ammo: Optimized for high-velocity rounds with suppressor attachment.” This adjustment was easy and required no tools or contortions. I have run other AKs with suppressors in the past and they were all gassy. In fact, I am pretty sure I have black lung disease from the amount of gas that was spewed back at me on those guns. The PMC-S is a different experience though because of the adjustable gas system. It is a pleasure to run suppressed.

Performance-wise, the gun is a shooter. The only issue I had was with one specific box of Red Army Standard ammunition. I am guessing the primers were obscenely hard. I could not duplicate it once I opened and ran other boxes of the same ammunition. Of course, I am a fan of running brass ammo in my guns to minimize wear and tear. The Federal Soviet ran perfectly. Function wise the gun is fast. Even with a suppressor on it, the gun is easy to manipulate and move. The super nice trigger made it faster than any AK I have ever run, and quick groups were no issue. To some, a gun like this will have an “elite” air about it and that is honestly true. However, this is not a safe queen and belongs on the range.

Final Thoughts On Meridian PMC-S

Meridian Defense Corp is not a collection of snobby gun nerds. They are shooters who share our passion for performance and heavy use. Everything they make is designed to fight with. I had the luxury of visiting with Tony Arria of MDC and asked him about the Meridian PMC-S. “We developed these Core US parts because we were tired of purchasing overseas parts, we wanted our own, and we wanted to control the quality and quantity in-house. Too many times we brought kits in from overseas that ended up becoming garbage or we got ripped off ($150K by some local US importers as well.) I still have a love for that part of the nostalgic part of the industry but unfortunately, the market is becoming flooded with trash and overpriced parts. We wanted to run tighter tolerances and we wanted quality parts we could stand behind. We started as builders but the end goal is to grow the company and set the standard for the AK community, no more depending on Ivan and Sergie to send us parts, we will make our own!”

Meridian Defense Corp has changed the AK game. In the end, they have indeed done it right. Making your own parts in-house is the ultimate quality control move. They have produced a very smooth shooting AK that feels more like a modern precision fighting rifle than the AKs of old. It was a treat to run and has definitely made my “want” list! For more information, visit meridiandefensecorp.com