New Product Highlight: Palmetto State Armory AXR SSP

In a year when “bold new colors” dominated the new releases at SHOT Show, we can still count on Palmetto State Armory to bring the noise with fresh new designs driven by customer feedback.

One of the hottest announcements of SHOT Show 2026 was the PSA AXR SSP, or Short-Stroke Piston, platform. 

It’s not one firearm, but an all-new ecosystem built to inspire creativity and flexibility. Let’s break down everything we know so far! 

Palmetto State Armory AXR SSP Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO, .300 Blk
• Action: Semi-automatic, piston
• Capacity: 30+1
• Barrel Length: 6.5” (.300 Blk), 14.5” (5.56 NATO)
• Country of Origin: USA
• MSRP: TBD

Features

• User-swappable chamberings and barrel lengths
• Three-setting piston system
• Upgraded bolt for more cartridge options

The foundation of the PSA AXR SSP is a lower receiver that blends Mil-spec and proprietary components. While it is a unique design, it shares compatibility with AR-15 triggers, pistol grips, and safeties.

The upper receiver features an ambidextrous, side-mounted charging handle and redesigned bolt with dual ejectors. The new bolt profile doesn’t just work with 5.56 NATO and .300 Blk; the proprietary design is also ready to rock 6mm ARC and .338 ARC, which will come in very handy as new AXR SSP models become available.

A standalone, full-length Picartinny rail and handguard mount to the upper receiver. This will let owners swap out barrels and handguard lengths at home, while retaining the rigidity and accuracy of a monolithic Pic rail.

The short-stroke gas piston comes with three settings: suppressed, unsuppressed, and adverse.

This is a bufferless system. That means it will likely recoil a little more forcefully than an AR-15, but with the advantage of coming with a folding stock or brace from the factory.

PSA bills the AXR SSP as a natural and ambitious evolution from the JAKL platform we reviewed. If it performs as well as its predecessor, we can expect big things from this new, modular lineup.

Palmetto State Armory hasn’t announced pricing for the AXR SSP just yet. Expect more information closer to the public release.

How would you build your Palmetto State Armory AXR SSP, and what do you think it will cost? Let us know in the comments. For other unique platforms, check out our guide to the Best 5.56 Rifles That Are Not AR-15s!