Building a Civilian Light Squad Weapon on a Budget

The idea for this setup came after watching Bear Independent’s discussion on light squad weapons for civilian resistance operations.

We’re not replicating a SAW.

We’re closing the gap between a standard AR and a weapon that can realistically fill the “light squad weapon” role for the average American who doesn’t have $12K to spare for a transferable civilian SAW.

Using the above photo of a Paratrooper SAW as an example, enter the PSA Jackl Light Squad Weapon with a bit of a GWOT vibe thanks to the EOTech 512 and KAC vertical grip.

Why the PSA JAKL Works as a Civilian Light Squad Weapon

The JAKL has two things going for it that matter in this context:

It hits the durability and reliability requirements thanks to its monolithic upper, robust gas system, and AK-inspired operating mechanism.
It uses the ammunition and magazines the entire squad already carries—the single biggest logistical advantage over anything in 7.62×39 or .308. That said, I will provide an AK option for this role at the end.

In other words, everyone can keep this gun fed. That’s the foundation of a realistic light squad weapon for the general population.

The Core Build

PSA JAKL 13.7 (5.56) – $1,300
Short enough to maneuver inside vehicles and tight structures, long enough to avoid extreme concussion and velocity loss you’d get from 10.5” setups. It strikes a balance between portability and ballistic performance.
EOTech 512 – $440
Absolutely bombproof for this type of work. Huge window. Fast. Proven. It also nails the GWOT aesthetic, if that matters to you.
Magpul D60 Drum – $130
Drums aren’t perfect. They add weight and can be finicky if neglected. But in testing, the D60 is about as reliable as drums get. Sixty rounds on tap buys time when you need to break contact and move.
Knight’s Armament Vertical Grip – $42
Forward leverage is important when operating a heavier gun.
Padded Vickers Sling – $62
A light squad weapon needs a real sling. The padded Vickers has been the standard for years. It works, it’s fast to adjust, and it’s comfortable under load.

Total investment: ~$1,974
For less than two grand, you’ve built something that offers legitimate capability without pretending to be a belt-fed.

Where This Fits in the Real World

This is not a SAW replacement. It’s a way for a prepared civilian to bring a useful volume of fire and short-duration suppression without carrying a 20-lb gun and 600 rounds of linked ammo.

A “light squad weapon” in this context is:

Controllable
Semi-auto
Supported by the squad’s existing magazines
Reliable under hard use
Sustainably fed by the average American’s ammo budget

The PSA JAKL checks all those boxes. It’s not fancy, but it’s durable and practical; exactly what this role requires.

If you want something that hits harder than 5.56, but don’t want to carry a heavy 308 pig, consider the AK. The 7.62×39 cartridge delivers more energy and is more of a barrier-busting round than 5.56.

Total investment: ~$1,132