AKs

LVSteve · #51 11-11-2023, 11:34 PM

I have a WASR that came with a Red Star trigger from new. That gives it a vastly better trigger than your average AK. Shame its accuracy does not match the trigger. I think the handguard is way tight, never a good thing for accuracy. It's either that or the gas tube fit is causing the issue.

TX-Dennis · #52 11-12-2023, 01:01 AM

Only one AK in my safe. It's a USA made "MOEkov" folder by PSA. Reliable and reasonably accurate.

zeke · #53 11-12-2023, 12:39 PM

For my purposes, one of the most desirable features of the AK was the dirt cheap rounds commonly available. While the rounds are no longer "cheap", an AK is a handy thing to have in the new societies "right to riot" era.

They are not target rifles, but sturdy and reliable. Like some other rifles, find it handy to have open sights right over the bore. Even bought a cz 527 rifle in 7.62x39 to accommodate.

ggibson511960 · #54 11-12-2023, 08:29 PM

In my collector's quest to have one of everything I bought a milled AK, a Lancaster, just before the pandemic. I had always looked down my nose at the garden tool finishes and clunky features of AK's, but have changed my mind. They're not an object of beauty, but form follows function. Some pundits claim the AK is the most numerous firearm on the planet. Can't disagree.

Rustyt1953 · #55 11-12-2023, 09:13 PM

diyj98 · #56 11-12-2023, 10:06 PM

The AK isn't a match rifle, but they are tough and dependable. I once did some work for a former Russian military officer. He told me about seeing some of the locals in Africa drag their AK's through all kinds of dirt and sand without ever cleaning them and the rifles would just keep on working.

S-W4EVER · #57 11-12-2023, 10:39 PM

I grew to love the design so much that I carried my Arsenal SLR106FR (5.56x45) in my retirement job (Nightshift Patrol Officer in the city I live near). The folding stock really came in handy during building searches. (I added a peep sight, weaponlight and flash hider.). I never had a problem qualifying with it either.

glenwolde · #58 11-12-2023, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dump1567

As a gun guy, I cycle through the hobby. I haven't done AK's in awhile, but still have a few (mostly SBR's) in the safe.

I actually did purchase a Mini Draco last month, as I wanted something smaller than a 10". But after one range trip, that was defeated when I added a 3 inch KAK blast can. Even outside, the blast from that little 7.75" barrel was ridiculous. I couldn't imagine even attempting to shoot it in an enclosed space.

I was at my indoor range a couple of weeks ago when a guy with one set up next to me. Dear God. I had to move. The lane divider didn't help much.

Wyo · #59 11-13-2023, 12:15 AM

I only have one that I’ve had for years. It’s an Arsenal Saiga SGL21, Russian made. I don’t shoot it often, and I bought it mostly because I think everyone should have at least one. One thing for sure - nothing runs like an AK. These pictures have been around for a while. Story was this one was taken off a poacher in Africa. Maybe, maybe not. If so it appears he buried it for a while. The after market stocks are remarkable. 😊 I guess the owner just wasn’t a guy who would give up on a perfectly good rifle.

wood714 · #60 11-13-2023, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggibson511960

In my collector's quest to have one of everything I bought a milled AK, a Lancaster, just before the pandemic. I had always looked down my nose at the garden tool finishes and clunky features of AK's, but have changed my mind. They're not an object of beauty, but form follows function. Some pundits claim the AK is the most numerous firearm on the planet. Can't disagree.

Beauty is in the eye's of the beholder.

I look at this one the way a lot of you would look at a Registered Magnum. It's in flawless condition, I don't think it's ever had a round thru it. I have 2 others to shoot. This one is to admire, I do it frequently too!

alwslate · #61 11-13-2023, 05:03 AM

Estimates are that 50 million AKs have been made from various producers. Given the durability of them they are going to be around for 100 years or so. The milled receiver models in particular are over built for the 7.62x39 round. They were made to sustain extended full auto fire under combat conditions. Use one for a lifetime of hunting and recreational plinking and pass it on down to the next generation.

gdogs · #62 11-13-2023, 01:19 PM

I've had a few different AK's over the years, but currently have just two - both short barrel configurations, one in 7.62 the other 5.56. I SBR'd the 7.62x39 recently. I have kinda been craving an underfolder... though I know them to be uncomfortable to shoot... sometimes you just want what you want.

TeamPB · #63 11-13-2023, 01:32 PM

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for 1940's technology and that is what the AK is at heart.

I went with an ATI Galeo; USA receiver and barrel, Israeli parts kit (via South America?). A very good rifle, if a bit heavy and a lot of fun to shoot.

ggibson511960 · #64 11-13-2023, 03:40 PM

There is an interesting book out by C.J. Chivers, "The Gun" that chronicles the development and proliferation of the AK. It is a fascinating look into the hero manufacturing of the Soviet Union. Kalashnikov was a figurehead designated by the political leadership, not the gun inventor genius in the pantheon of Browning and Stoner. He did coordinate the team of developers, but is no more the inventor than Leslie Groves invented the atomic bomb.

sheepdawg · #65 11-14-2023, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ

I bought a Poly Tech AK about 15 or so years ago. I picked up a Norinco(IIRC)made 50 round drum for $50.00 (were selling for about $200 or so) and a bunch of AK mags for $10 a piece. I paid $300 for the AK. Then during one of the Obama elections a guy wanted it for $1200. So I sold it to him. Never have missed it.

Same here, Obama's second term made me over double on the one I bought. I'm just a bolt thrower now.

wundudnee · #66 11-14-2023, 05:33 PM

I only have one AK, it's a WASR my son gave me for Christmas one year. I am a little diversified. It's a fun plinker with a poor trigger.

I found these magazines at a estate sale, five bags of four for $30.00.

This is a suppressed AK that my son's group found in Iraq.

This is my son sitting in a pile of AKs in Iraq. The Iraqis are loading the semi with captured rifles.

CAJUNLAWYER · #67 11-14-2023, 09:03 PM

Bought my AK for the same reason I bought my Tacoma( they don't sell Hillux's here in the states)-terrorists world wide can't be all wrong

aaaahhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. At least that's what I tell the uptown people.
Full disclosure, I also own a Mini and a AR15.
And an SKS. To tell the truth, if I could have but one for a SHTF gun, it would be the SKS

JohnRippert · #68 11-15-2023, 12:15 AM

Back in the days when you could buy a pristine Romy G parts kit for $99 I had a local company, that is now defunct, Armory USA put together a AK for me on one of their 1.5mm receivers. Not as stiff as as a milled but much more so than the standard stamped receiver. Evil black rifle of another kind.

Glenn R. McMannly · #69 11-15-2023, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

Bought my AK for the same reason I bought my Tacoma( they don't sell Hillux's here in the states)-terrorists world wide can't be all wrong

aaaahhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. At least that's what I tell the uptown people.
Full disclosure, I also own a Mini and a AR15.
And an SKS. To tell the truth, if I could have but one for a SHTF gun, it would be the SKS

Uptown Girl Billy Joel

SmithNut · #70 11-15-2023, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Well Armed

Are those DSA Fals? I've heard mixed reviews about them. I just never came across a FAL yet. ARs, AKs, and G3 variants seem to be more plentiful.

Yes, DSA's....

Since this pic was taken I've added a DSA FAL pistol, man it's a blaster....

SmithNut · #71 11-15-2023, 11:54 AM

Lots have been said about the AK, some good and some not-so-good. About 15 years back a bunch of us went shooting up in the mountains in Western Washington. One of my buddies brought an Egyptian AK along to see if he could make it fail to shoot. He loaded up a bunch of magazines, sticks and drums with a full case ammo (1080 rounds of 7.62x39) for the torture test (can't remember the ammo vintage/source).
He started shooting and about 6-7 magazines into the test, the gun was getting hot so I fished out some leather gloves from my truck to help him keep shooting.
When he got close to the end the top of the handguard started to melt, and if you notice the barrel/gas tube was white hot.... then the handguard started on fire, which was put out by pouring a couple bottles of water on it (yup, cool water on the white hot gas tube and hand guard - see the pic below)
It was impressive to see that the gun made it through the test and still function, in fact to this day he's not cleaned the gun and it still shoots reliably.
That was the day that I turned my attitude around about AK's and decided to get one for a truck gun, ended up with a Romanian WASR, it's crude with sharp edges and nasty wood, but it works....

Over the years I've added a couple others to the stable, they are not target rifles but are proven to be reliable.

Here's a couple pics of the event.....

BarryinIN · #72 11-16-2023, 08:42 AM

I keep an AK around because I feel it’s a good idea to keep familiar with them whether you like the AK or not. You never know when you might have to pick one up and use it, like maybe a dead terrorist dropped one.

I have a Romanian WASR, which is generally regarded as one of the rougher variants. But when you look at what’s out there in the world, maybe it’s best to learn to use a rough one.

Well Armed · #73 11-16-2023, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryinIN

I keep an AK around because I feel it’s a good idea to keep familiar with them whether you like the AK or not. You never know when you might have to pick one up and use it, like maybe a dead terrorist dropped one.

I have a Romanian WASR, which is generally regarded as one of the rougher variants. But when you look at what’s out there in the world, maybe it’s best to learn to use a rough one.

The Wasr is just a utilitarian rifle without all the fluff. I have a couple of them, and I personally believe the only thing rough about the newly manufactured Wasr 10s is the furniture. I believe the "rough" label originated from and has now stuck because the orginal Wasr important that were built from used military trade in parts kits, and then assembled by the retarded monkeys at Century Arms who would mess the things up.

Battlefield Vegas, which is a popular gun range, rents out full auto Wasrs and has some with tens of thousands of rounds of full auto. They rave about the Wasr more so over any other AK. They also say AKs are their most rented and popular rifles. AKs aren't indestructible, but if I was dropped in the middle of a 3rd world war zone, I rather have an AK than the AR15 that most other Americans would probably perfer. They will eventually have catastrophic failures as mentioned below, but that with heavy use and tens of thousands of dollars worth of full auto rounds through it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battlefield Vegas

– The one thing I can say about the AK’s is that they hold up MUCH BETTER than the RPD’s. I thought for sure that RPD’s would last so much longer because of the milled receivers but the receivers only last about half the life (if that) of a Romanian WASR.

– Every single stamped receiver has suffered from a cracked trunion. This includes Saiga, Arsenal (Bulgarian), Norinco (Chinese), Arsenal (Russian stamped), WASR, Hungarian, Polish (vintage kits), Yugo (vintage and PAP-series) and new Polish (from Royal Tiger imports).

– We have every type of AK available to shoot except for Cuban, Vietnamese or North Korean.

– US (Century), Bulgarian and Chinese milled receivers have yet to fail.

– Stamped receivers split at the angle of the upper rail and the side wall. N-PAP’s have literally cracked in half perpendicular to the length of the rifle. The receivers cracked just posterior of the front trunion (between center bushing and the trunion).

– We have yet to shoot out a factory WASR barrel. The barrels on three of our C39’s started to keyhole and were pulled.

– We have WASR’s on the line that have lasted OVER two and half years and the barrels are NOT shot out and they continue to run. We installed new bolts to bring headspace back up to spec but they keep running.

– The Draco-C’s that we converted over three years ago are finally down to the last unit. Most have cracked trunions but one of the barrels right past the gas block literally cracked off. The portion of the barrel with the threads cracked right off while shooting. I will see if I still have pics on my phone.

…

– This may sound crazy but it’s fair to say that they finally suffer a catastrophic failure (cracked trunion) at 80,000-100,000 rounds. Also, we have WASR’s that have suffered a catastrophic failure and we just pull out the old trunion and barrel, grab one from a parts kit, re-rivet, re-barrel and get them up and running.

– The AK is the most reliable but after seeing how many have broken over the last two and half years on the range, it’s not the indestructible weapon everybody talks about (and I always thought it was). What makes is reliable is it’s simplicity. My guys clean/service 4-5 AK’s for every M4 or MP5. The Uzi it’s just as simple but you wouldn’t believe how often components of the top cover fail. We purchased 75 kits about a year ago and we have gone through so many top covers. We will lose an extractor here and there but not often enough to complain about.

firefighterjohn · #74 11-16-2023, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryinIN

I keep an AK around because I feel it’s a good idea to keep familiar with them whether you like the AK or not. You never know when you might have to pick one up and use it, like maybe a dead terrorist dropped one.

I have a Romanian WASR, which is generally regarded as one of the rougher variants. But when you look at what’s out there in the world, maybe it’s best to learn to use a rough one.

I agree BarryinIN, my WASR-10 has been a great rifle. It wore the standard wood furniture for years before I put a MAGPUL foreend and a Zhukov-S folding stock on it. The Zhukov-S stock is super strong and provides for a longer length of pull: ZHUKOV-S(R) Stock