PSA Micro Dagger X-1: An Average Guy’s Take After a Few Hundred Rounds

I’m not a professional shooter.
I don’t shoot for a living.

I’m just a concealed carrier who pushes to train as much as I am able, carries daily, and wants a pistol that I can trust, carry comfortably, and doesn’t feel like a brick on my belt after ten hours.

That’s the lens this review is written through.

This is my experience with the Palmetto State Armory Micro Dagger X-1, the Glock 48–sized variant of PSA’s Micro Dagger line, after several hundred rounds and some real carry time.

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Why the Micro Dagger X-1 Interested Me

The Micro Dagger X-1 sits in a sweet spot for comfort and capacity.

It’s slim.
It carries like a single stack.
But it holds 15 rounds.

That’s Glock 19 capacity in a thinner, easier-to-live-with package.

I’ve carried compact guns. I’ve carried micro-compacts. I'll keep coming back to this size class because it balances shootability and concealment better than just about anything else.

The X-1 is essentially PSA’s answer to the Glock 48, but with features that Glock still makes you pay extra for.

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My Setup

Here’s exactly how I’m running mine:

• Pistol: PSA Micro Dagger X-1

• Optic: Osight K (Shield RMSc footprint): This new and affordable optic from OSight has been great. Easy to mount, zero, and use!

• Ammo Tested:

  • 115gr Winchester White Box

  • 124gr Sportsman’s Select remanufactured

  • Hornady Critical Defense (carry ammo)

• Holster: KSG Armory Lexington (more on that later)

No compensator. No ports. No trigger mods.
Just an affordable stock, everyday carry setup.

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First Impressions

Out of the box, the Micro Dagger X-1 feels familiar if you’ve ever handled a Glock slimline — but it also has features that I prefer over the Glock 48.

The Extreme Carry Cuts on the slide are noticeable in a good way. The edges are softened just enough that the gun draws smoothly without feeling slippery or rounded off. It’s subtle, but when you’re drawing from concealment, small things matter.

The Sniper Green Cerakote is purely aesthetic, but I like it. It’s clean, understated, and doesn’t scream “look at me.”

Grip texture is mild. Not aggressive. Not cheese-grater rough. For carry comfort, that’s a win in my book. I also tested out an aftermarket stick-on grip, but after several rounds of dryfire and one trip to the range, I ripped it off and threw it in the trash. The stock grip texture worked far better.

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Shooting Experience (The Honest Version)

Let’s get this out of the way:

It’s a slim, lightweight 9mm.
It’s going to be a little snappy.

That’s physics.

But the longer slide and 4.15″ barrel of the X-1 help noticeably compared to shorter micro-compacts. It settles faster between shots and feels more forgiving during strings of fire.

Reliability

Across several hundred rounds:

• No malfunctions

• No feeding issues

• No problems with defensive ammo

It's eaten everything I fed it, including the Hornady Critical Defense that I actually carry.

That matters more to me than tiny group sizes on paper.

Accuracy

From up close and personal to distances out to 40 yards, the gun shoots exactly as well as I can.

I’d love to build up to the talent level to shoot one-hole groups at 25 yards with my carry gun, but at my current levels, that's not a reality, regardless of the pistol in my hand.
In my situation, I care about consistent hits, predictable recoil, and a carry setup that I trust under stress.

With the Osight K mounted, hits are fast and intuitive. The RMSc cut lets the optic sit low, which helps with dot acquisition and keeps the gun feeling natural with easy cowitness with the stock iron sights.

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Trigger Thoughts (No Drama)

The trigger is… fine.

Not amazing.
Not terrible.
Usable.

There’s a little mush past the wall. The reset is audible and tactile enough. I didn’t find myself fighting it or thinking about it while shooting, and that’s honestly what I want in my carry gun.

If you’re a trigger connoisseur, I'm sure you’ll notice it.
If you’re the average concealed carrier, it won’t hold you back.

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Carrying the Micro Dagger X-1

This is where the Micro Dagger shines.

Slim guns carry better. Period.

The Micro Dagger X-1 disappears under a t-shirt or hoodie in a way that thicker compacts don’t. It doesn’t lever outward. It doesn’t feel like it’s constantly reminding me it’s there.

But, here's something I think most reviews gloss over:

If you are concerned about comfort, the holster matters more than the gun.

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Why the Holster Is the Real Story

I carry this setup in the KSG Armory Lexington, and it’s a big part of the reason this gun works so well for me on a day-to-day basis.

A good holster:

• Is Adjustable to fit your carry style

• Pulls the gun into your body

• Distributes weight properly

• Makes sitting, bending, and moving livable

The Lexington does all of that without unnecessary bulk or gimmicks. It’s secure, comfortable, and stable, exactly what you want for an everyday carry gun in this size class.

You can have the best pistol in the world, but if the holster sucks, you won’t carry it consistently.

That’s reality.

👉 You can get the KSG Armory Lexington right here from ConcealedCarry.com, which is why I’m mentioning it, because this setup works.

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Who This Gun Is For

This gun makes sense if:

• You want more capacity without going thicker

• You carry daily and care about comfort

• You want optics-ready without extra plates

• You appreciate value but still demand reliability

It’s not a competition gun.
It’s not a range toy.

It’s a practical concealed carry pistol that punches above its price point.

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Why Not Just Buy the Glock 48?

Let me be clear up front:
The Glock 48 is a solid pistol. Glock has earned its reputation, and if someone already owns one and trusts it, I’m not here to talk them out of it.

But when it came time for me to spend my own money the Micro Dagger X-1 made more sense.

And yeah, money mattered.

An optic-ready Micro Dagger X-1 is $359.99.
A Glock 48 MOS is usually around $500, with an MSRP closer to $600.

That’s not a small difference. That’s real money.

By the time you add:

• An optic

• Extra magazines

• A holster

• Ammo to actually test the gun

That price gap matters even more.

I was able to get my Micro Dagger X-1 with an optic mounted for about the same money as a bare Glock 48 MOS. That alone made the decision pretty easy.

Capacity Out of the Box

The Micro Dagger X-1 ships with 15-round magazines.
The Glock 48 ships with 10-round mags.

Yes, there are aftermarket options for the Glock, but now we’re spending more money and potentially introducing reliability questions.

With the PSA, the higher capacity is standard. No extra parts. No extra cost.

That matters to me too.

I Just Like the Way the PSA Looks More

This part is subjective, but it’s honest.

The Extreme Carry Cuts and the overall aesthetic are more attractive to my eye

The Glock 48 looks like a Glock. That’s not a knock, it’s just not exciting. The Micro Dagger X-1 looks a little more modern and intentional, and I enjoy carrying something I actually like the look of.

If I’m going to strap something to my body every day, I want to like it.

Value Over Brand Loyalty

I don’t have brand loyalty when it comes to carry guns.

For my needs, the Micro Dagger X-1 gave me:

• Optics-ready slide

• Higher capacity

• A price that left room for ammo and training

• A setup I could afford and trust

That last part is important. I've not heard reports from anyone that these Micro Daggers don't do the job they were built to do. If there were major questions on the reliability side I would have likely had to save up a little longer to afford some Glock Perfection.

The Bottom Line

It fit my budget.
It fit my carry style.
It checked the boxes for less.

And at the end of the day, that’s what most of us are trying to do: make smart, responsible decisions with the money we have.

If the Glock 48 is your thing, great.
For me, the Micro Dagger X-1 was the better buy.

Final Thoughts

I don’t want to carry guns I don’t trust. This gun will replace the daily carry I had for years, which has fallen out of favor for reasons I don't need to get into today.  
I don’t write glowing reviews for guns I wouldn’t actually live with.

The PSA Micro Dagger X-1 has earned its place in my rotation because it balances capacity, shootability, and carry comfort in a way that suits real-life use while also building a solid reputation for reliability.

No hype.
No gimmicks.
Just a solid, affordable, modern carry gun. Especially when paired with the right holster.