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The Evolution & Variants of the AK-47 Probably the single most recognizeable military firearm today is the AK-47. In fact this is not a single type of rifle developed in 1947, and there after mass produced unaltered; but rather an entire family of rifles and light machineguns in several calibers. In recent years semi-automatic sporting versions of the AK have become popular in the United States. In this thread i will do my best to answer the most common questions asked and give a brief account of the development of this series. I. History AK-47 Polish AK-47  Click here for the full 1095x400 image.  Click here for the full 994x641 image. Semi-auto version of Polish WZ.1960 AK-47 type III, with early style steel slab-sided magazine. The AK didn't spring out of the void, in fact it was designer Mikhail Kalashnikov's third design and a highly modified one at that. During the Great Patriotic War, he first attempted to win a competition to create a self-loading carbine, using an intermediate cartridge. His design went nowhere and the Soviet Union adopted the SKS-45 rifle. After the war, he sought to produce an assault rifle, after Russian troops saw first-hand the effectiveness of the German STG-44 carbine in 8mm Kurz. This second design did much better in trials and was designated AK-46. Nevertheless, improvements were suggested and a major redesign resulted in the now famous AK-47 assault rifle. AK-47s built between 1946 and 1948, featured a sheet steel receiver folded and welded into shape. The Type I receiver prooved to be too difficult to produce for that era in Soviet Russia. As a result, in late 1948, the original receiver was replaced by a more traditional unit created from milled steel forgings. The Type II was actually more costly than the sheet steel receiver, but since Russia already had tooling and the expertese from building millions of Mosin Nagants and thousands of SKSs, it was quicker and easier given that new machinery didn't have to be created at that time. After full scale production of the AK had begun, the 3rd and final receiver appeared. The Type III receiver was very similar to the Type II, but was machined from steel barstock. This measure decreased the cost some what and sped up the assembly process. Type II and III receivers can be told apart by differently shaped lightening cuts on each side, above the magazine; and the Type II has a lip onwhich the dustcover rests and the Type III does not. The AK-47 was a selective fire assault rifle capable of either single shot or fully automatic fire. It chambered the 7.62x39 M43 cartridge, which was fed from 30 round slab-sided heavy sheet steel magazines. Its barrel was 16.25" and it utilized a two-lug rotating bolt with a long-stroke gas-pistin system. The first AKs had fixed wooden buttstocks with a downward sweep, intended to compensate for muzzle climb during full-auto fire. Soon after, a version was unvaled with a metal underfolding stock, which was based on the German MP-40 submachinegun's stock. This version known as the AKS-47, was intended for airborn troops and others needing a more compact small arm. Muzzle had 14mm threads on it and came from the factory with both a muzzle nut and blank fire adapter. At this time no flash hider or compensator was issued with the AK-47. Bayonet attached on a lug directly underneath the front sight block. AK-47s produced in the 1950s featured a surprisingly high level of workmanship and fit & finish, especially those made in Russia and Poland. Arsenal SAS M-7  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Modern production AKS-47 in semi-auto by Bulgaria. Milled receiver but with new style gas-block and muzzle brake. The rifle was officially adopted in Soviet service in 1949, but due to the various changes made in the receiver and the complexity of setting up assembly lines, it was not to reach the majority of Russian soldiers until well into the 1950s. After Russia fielded the AK-47 and AKS-47, most Warsaw Pact nations followed suit, including: Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and East Germany. At first all nations received either completed rifles or parts to be assembled into such, from Russia; but later Poland and Bulgaria began domestic production. All of Romania's AK-47s were of Russian origin and it is unclear if Hungary ever produced whole rifles, or merely furniture and other minor components. At any rate, by the 1960s, most of East Europe was armed with Kalashnikov's rifle. AKM  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. SAR-1: Civilian version of Romanian PM.63-almost an exact copy of Russian AKM, but with different handguards. In 1959, the second generation of the rifle was announced and began being issued to Russian troops. This new design wasn't really anything new at all. The AKM's Type IV receiver was a return to the stamped steel idea with then modern manufacturing techniques. The receiver was a stamped sheet of metal folded and riveted together, with two machined trunions at each end. The front trunion held the barrel, gas tube and front sight base, while the rear one held the stock in place and served as a backstop for the recoiling bolt and carrier. This switch from machined receiver to stamped took 3 lbs off the total weight of the rifle. One new mechanical element of the AKM was its rate-reducer. This device was actually put into place as an out-of-battery safety, not allowing the gun to fire until the round was fully seated and the bolt closed. It also had the effect of slowing down the rifle's firing rate a bit. The AKM's furniture was lightened and scaled down slightly. The buttstock lost much of its swept angle and the pistol grip and lower handguard became slimmer. Finally, the AKM's barrel was lighter and thinner than the one found on the original AK-47. Instead of having a muzzle nut, this design most often came with a slant style muzzle brake intended to help with muzzle climb and direct gases away from the ground. This is why the stock's angle was reduced. The operating system of the new design remained the same, though magazines were changed to a ribbed style made of thinner but more durable sheet metal. The AKM could still accept older AK-47 magazines and vice-versa. The bayonet lug was shifted from the front sight base, to a new style located under the gasblock. As you can see, the driving idea behind the new design was 'lighter-lighter-lighter. The AKM didn't show as high a degree of refinement as the AK-47, but nevertheless was just as reliable and durable. The AKM prooved to be even more popular than the original. In the 1960s, most East European nations began manufacturing a variant. With its light-weight and inexpensive manufacturing costs, the AKM rapidly spread around the world and was used in virtually every conflict beginning in the 1960s, through today. RPK  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. AES-10B Civilian version of Romanian PM-64 which is almost an identical copy of original Russian RPK. The RPK is essentually an AK modified for sustained fire to fulfill the role of a light machinegun. In the 1950s, Soviet Russia was using the RPD belt-fed LMG in 7.62x39, which was both felt to be too costly to produce and unreliable. Indeed, the 7.62x39 cartridge had minimal power to operate a belt and if the gas system lost power due to fowling or poor containment the RPD could fail to cycle properly. As a result, the AKM design was upgraded to replace the RPD. Changes from the AKM to the RPK are many. First and foremost, the barrel was made much heavier and extended to 22" long. The receiver was slightly lengthened and increased from 1.0mm thickness to 1.6mm. Likewise the dustcover was stretched and made 50% heavier. The front trunion was buldged outwords to accommidate the heavier barrel and itself was reinforced. The rear sight was altered to allow it to be adjustable for windage via a knob on the right side, as well as still being able to be set for elevation, like on the AK-47/AKM. The RPK received new furniture with a thicker wooden handguard and a buttstock designed very much like the paddle one found on the RPD. Most recognizeably, the RPK had a bipod attached just behind the front sight, which could fold under the barrel. This LMG was issued with either a 75 round top-loading drum magazine, or more commonly a set of 40 round box magazines, identical to the ones used in the AKM, only larger. Due to the longer receiver, the RPK's rate of fire was slightly lower than that of the AKM, which allowed for longer fire-sessions with fewer magazine changes and less heat build up. A side folding stock version was created for airborn troops, named the RPKS. AK-74  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. ORF assembled AK-74 from Bulgarian parts on US made receiver. After viewing the effectiveness of the American M16 and its 5.56x45 intermediate cartridge in the Vietnam War, the Soviet Union felt it was time for a redesign of its traditional AKM rifle. Ironically it seems that the M16 earned a better reputation in Russia than it did back in its homeland. Anyway, in the 1970s work began concurrently on a new cartridge and rifle to become the new standard issue small arm in the Red Army. The 5.45x39 cartridge was created to match or out-perform the American 5.56, while still remaining the same basic length as the previous AK cartridge. This was important because it meant radical measures would not be required in the redesign of the AKM. First prototypes of the new rifle appeared in the mid-1970s, and by 1977, selected units of the Army received the very first AK-74s. The new caliber and rifle began to be issued on mass in 1979 and saw extensive service in Russia's war with Afghanistan. Mechanically, the AK-74 is little different from the AKM. The biggest difference is of course the new caliber and smaller bore diameter. The AK-74's gas block was changed from the AKM's slanted 45 degrees gas port, to a vertical 90 degrees one. This was done to reduce bullet shear. The gasblock was also reinforced with brackets so a grenade launcher could be mounted underneath on a lug of the same type as the AKM's bayonet lug. Another major change was the front sight block. The AK-74's had a sleave which covered the end of the barrel and added 24mm threads. This meant the AK-74's barrel itself was not threaded, but rather the front sight block supported the muzzle brake. The brake itself was probably the rifle's most interesting and creative aspect. It compensated for recoil by redirecting the gases backwards, as well as decreasing muzzle rise and right-drift through a series of ports. It was not; however, a flash hider. The new front sight block also supported the bayonet. Lug was located under the sight and the ring of the bayonet fit around the end of the muzzle brake. The AK-74 originally featured wooden laminated furniture with palmswells on the handguards and lightening cuts of an ovular design on each side of its buttstock. Original buttplates were of a ribbed design with a rubber coating over metal, but quickly this changed to simply a ribbed metal plate. Handguards were reinforced with spring brackets, to insure a tighter fit and less play. The first type of magazine was of the now famous red or 'rust' colour, held 30 rounds, and was made of a glass reinforced plastic. Magazines made in the 1980s, switched to a brown plastic, the better for concealment. A new feature of the 5.45 magazine was that unlike the 7.62 one, it could be loaded from 15 round stripper clips by using a special guide which fit into grooves on each side of the magazine, at its rear. The AK-74 used many of the same pins and springs as the AKM, furniture was even interchangeable. Naturally bolts, carriers, and gas pistins were not, but trigger groups were. A version of the AK-74, known as the AK-74N was produced with a side-rail mount, intended for the addition of night optics. The first variant of the AK-74 to appear was the AKS-74. This was simply a standard rifle, which had a side folding stock and new rear trunion, instead of the traditional fixed stock and trunion. The stock was made from stamped and folded steel of a triangular shape. It folded to the left side and when folded was locked in place with a strong spring-loaded hook. When opened the stock was also held firmly inplace by another large spring-loaded catch. These rifles were designed for airborn units and replaced the AKMS. They were felt to have a stronger and more durable folding stock.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Arsenal built clone of the AKSU, with polymer handguards. The AKS-74U was the next variant of the AK-74 to appear and it was a much more extensive modification of the original design. First, the stock from the AKS-74 and rear trunion were taken. Then the barrel was shortened from 16.25" to just under 8.5". This meant the entire gas system had to be shortened accordingly. The gasblock and front sight block were combined into a single unit to conserve space and the handguards also had to be shortened. The rear sight was changed to a flip-style with two settings and was moved back to be on top of the dustcover. The dustcover itself was also redesigned to have a hendge at the front so that during disassembly, instead of being removed, it was simply folded forward. When dustcover was open like a carhood, a spring-loaded pin automatically retracted, allowing the gastube to be lifted off. Finally, the AKS-74U had a new muzzle device, on the same 24mm threads. This was a conical flashhider combined with a gas-expansion chamber, which was neccessary to insure reliable cycling with such a short barrel. This carbine could not accept a bayonet and took a specialized sling as well. It was primarily intended for special operations forces and mechanized units, but also was sometimes requested by airborn troops. It was extremely small and easy to handle, but for these attributes, it traded range and had a tendency to overheat. Nevertheless, the AKS-74U was popular among certain circles as it was an intermediate step between an assault rifle and submachinegun; very similar to the role the Colt CAR-15/XM-177 filled.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Zastava M92 AKSU, built into a pistol. It has no buttstock and a 9.5" barrel. The RPK was also rechambered for the new 5.45x39 cartridge and renamed the RPK-74. This new model was very similar to the original LMG but instead of having a muzzle nut on its 14mm threads, it had a 5 slot birdcage flash hider. An RPKS-74 appeared at the same time. This model used 45 round magazines. First generation ones were made of the same reddish plastic as the AK-74's and later generations were black or plum polymer. No drum was ever mass produced. Overall though, the new RPK was the same as the original. AK-74M & the Century Series In the 1980s, Russia turned its attention to developing a new line of AKs, intended for the World market. They took their AKS-74 and began modernizing and upgrading it. Furniture was changed to ruggid polymer and buttstock became a solid body style that could still fold just like the one on the AKS-74. This new stock could even house a cleaning kit, a feature previously only available on fixed stocked models. Next, the side-rail mount became standard on all rifles and magazines were made of polymer with metal reinforcement in a 'waffle' pattern. The muzzle brake was also changed to both be more effective and cheaper to produce. Dustcovers were changed from a ribbed style to a smooth style, at least on some models. Many other small changes also occurred both in design and manufacturing techniques. This new generation became known as the AK-74M.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Bulgarian RPK-74M parts kit built on US receiver with modern magazine and LMG sling. At the same time, the RPK-74 also received a facelift. Its laminated furniture was changed to the same black or plum polymer style as the AK-74M and its magazines were made from black polymer. This new model became known as the RPK-74M and came standard with a side-rail mount. Russia released an AK-74M chambered in 5.56 NATO for commercial sales designated the AK-101. Next out the door was the AK-103, the same design but in 7.62x39mm M43. This model was both for world sales and was requested by certain groups inside Russia, who felt the 5.45 caliber was not best suited for their needs. To replace the AKS-74U and address some of its issues, the AK-102/104/105 carbine series was developed. These were of the same class weapon as the later Colt M-4 carbine. This series has a 12" barrel, conical style flash hider, combination front sight and gas block; but retains a standard length gas system and sight picture. AK-102 = 5.56 NATO, AK-104 = 7.62x39, and AK-105 = 5.45x39. All versions are in production today, along with the AK-74M, which is now the Russian federation's general issue small arm. The most recent AK designs are the AK-107 and AK-108. These have a counter-weight system to cancel out most felt recoil during automatic fire, but have not been adopted by any military in large numbers yet.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Arsenal SLR-106CR with removeable muzzle device and 'smoke' waffle magazine of 30 rounds. And there you have a brief history of the AK as a military firearm. II. Military Variants & Accessories: This is not a complete list by no means. The AK has been produced officially and otherwise in dozens of nations and used in hundreds more. Here are only the European nations, and by no means all the models they have created over the years. Albania Type 56: Used Chinese made Type-56-1s and later produced its own. Ironically, China first acquired the design for AK-47 Type III from Russia, but never AKM. As a result stamped Chinese guns are partly based on original AK-47 and partly on reversed engineered AKMs. Bulgaria AK-47: First received parts from Russia and Poland and then produced a copy of the original Russian design. When the AKM was developed, Bulgaria stuck with the milled receiver but simplified production and manufacture by switching from a barrel held in by threads, to one held in by a large pin, very similar to the way the AKM's barrel is held inplace. AK-47 M1: modern milled AK in 7.62x39 with polymer furniture, vertical gasblock, and plastic magazines. Ambidextrous safety optional. AK-74/AKS-74/RPK-74: produced virtual clones of the first Russian styles, but with suddle differences such as not having a rubber buttplate. AK-47 MA1/AR M1: milled receiver modern firearm firing the 5.56 NATO cartridge used in the Bulgarian Army today. Fixed and folding stock versions available. Arsenal of Bulgaria also produces many modles with both stamped and milled receivers in both select and semi-auto only fire, for the world market.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Arsenal SA M-5R, semi-auto version of Bulgarian AK-47 MA1, with side-rail and Warsaw buttstock. Czechoslovakia SA Vz.58P/58V: Not actually an AK-47 design at all or in any way similar aside from the fact it fires the 7.62x39 cartridge; nevertheless, many mislabel the Vz.58 as an AK clone. No parts can interchange between the two designs. The Vz uses a gas pistin like the one found in FN FAL or SKS, not anything like the AK's. Bolt is of tilting block design and weapon is striker fired, not hammer. Receiver is milled but surprisingly light weight. Barrel is of 15" and magazines are of 30 rounds with bolt-hold open lever located in the gun. Stock can either be of fixed type (58P) or side-folding type (58V). This is still the main small arm of the Czech Republic and Slovakia today.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Vz.58 Sporter made by CZ with military furniture and 30 round magazine. East Germany AK-47: Issued but did not manufacture complete rifles. MPI KM: built domestic version with either fixed buttstock or metal side-folding stock. Furniture could either be of wood or brown plastic, including buttstock. Grey furniture sets were also created. MPI M72: Updated KM design with bakelite handguards and a right side folding wire shoulder stock. MPI M74/M74s/M74k: Beginning in 1983, and until the reunification of West and East Germany, E.G. manufactured a series of rifles in 5.45x39. Basic model was very similar to Soviet AK-74, but most likely would have had plastic furniture. The folding stock version had a right-hand metal folding stock, and a carbine (Kurz) version was also created with shorter barrel and combination front sight and gasblock. Finland RK.62: Essentiallyan AK-47 with different furniture, a flash hider, new sights, and a high degree of fit and finish. The RK.62 and its later variants were and still are made by first Valmet and now Sako. Early versions had plastic handguards and pistol grips along with a steel buttstock. Later rifles could be fitted with a side-folding stock. All RKs have night-sights and use 30 round magazines. RK.62/76: Stamped receiver version of the RK.62 with updated furniture. Somewhat like the AKM of the Valmet world. M78: LMG version of theRK.62/76 with folding bipod and heavier barrel. RK.95TP: A modernized and improved version of the RK.62 with longer and better vented handguard, enlarged trigger guard for the use of gloves, standard folding stock, and the addition of rails for various tactical devices. The RK.95TP is manufactured exclusively by Sako. (additional info on RK.95 supplied by Sormus ) Hungary AK-47: Type III rifles, most likely built from parts received from Russia, with domestically manufactured furniture. AMD-63: domestic modified AKM with vertical pistol grip under a skeletonized front handguard, with exposed gastube, and wooden buttstock. Also had a unique ported muzzle brake known unofficially as the 'snake' brake. AMD-65: carbine version of the 63 with barrel shortened to 12" and slightly shortened gas-system. Fitted with wire folding stock with rubber buttplate. Typically was issued with 20 round magazines instead of 30 for easier operation and manuvering in armored vehicles. AK-63: A close clone of the AKM first fielded in 1977 and still in use today. Israel Galil AR/ARM: licensed produced copy of the Finnish RK.62 with FN style metal side-folding stock, M16A1 style sights, birdcage flash hider, 18" barrel, and chambered in 5.56 NATO. The Galil is not considered an AK but it was directly developed from an AK-47 copy. It uses 35 round steel magazines, themselves based off the AK-74's magazine. An LMG version with bipod and extended magazine is known as the ARM. Galil SAR/MAR: carbine versions of the AR. Galil Sniper: Israel chambered some Galils in 7.62x51 NATO for long range machine gun fire (ARM style) and others for sniper duty. These have heavier barrels and fixed or folding stocks. Magazines are of 25 rounds only.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Golani Sporter made from IMI parts on US made barrel and receiver, with original IMI sling and magazine. Poland WZ.1960: Polish produced copy of the original AK-47. Had a high degree of fit and finish. WZ.1961: same as 1960 model, but with the addition of a grenade launching feature and gas-cutoff lever. WZ.60/72: Modernized Polish AK. WZ.1988: Commonly known as the Tantal. the 88 was a heavily modified AK-74 design with combination flash hider/grenade launcher muzzle device on 14mm threads. It had multi-coloured plastic furniture, except very final versions had black polymer sets. All models had a wire folding stock. Rifles were issued with a bipod which clipped onto the barrel, just forward of the gasblock. The Tantal had a separate safety lever on the right side, and fire selector on the left. WZ.1991: same as WZ.88 but chambered in 5.56 NATO. This was a temperary measure until new rifle could be developed for Poland, after the end of the Warsaw Pact. WZ.1996: Commonly called the Beryl, this rifle has a 18" barrel, fires the 5.56 NATO cartridge, and can be fitted with a railed forearm for accessories. It uses a buttstock some what like the one found on IMI's Galil and accepts unique clear plastic magazines, which are not interchangeable with early 5.45 mags. Otherwise, the Beryl is similar to Tantal. WZ.1996 'Mini': a shortened beryl with 9.5" barrel.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Tantal Sporter,semi-auto version of WZ.88 on US receiver, with Polish sling (a goon gift) and steel 30 round magazine. Romania AK-47: received rifles from Russia PM-63: a close copy of the AKM but with wooden vertical pistol grip located on the lower handguard. PM-65: a close copy of the AKMS, but again with forearm pistol grip added. PM-64: copy of the RPK, but with a carry handle added to later models. Could have fixed or adjustable leg bipod. PA-86: not a true AK-74, but rather an AKM rechambered for 5.45x39. All models had a folding wire stock and used a unique 22mm threaded barrel with AK-74 style brake. Handguards could be made of wood, bakelite, or a mix of both. One unusual thing about the PA was it was capable of 3-round burst mode, not just full auto. This model is still in use today with Romanian forces. An LMG version has also been produced. PM-90: a modernized version of the PM-63 with folding stock and slant style muzzle brake, instead of a muzzle nut. PM-90 Short Rifle: similar in concept to the AK-104, this carbine has a 12" barrel, folding stock, 14mm threaded barrel and slightly shortened gas-system. Original ones came with a conical flash hider, later ones come with either a birdcage one or just a muzzle nut. This carbine comes in all three common AK calibers and may or may not have a vertical pistol grip. Handguards seem to always be made of wood. Some buttstocks fold to the left, though most are standard right-hand wire folders. PM-97: a commercial version of the PA-86 chambered in 5.56 NATO and intended exclusively for international sales. PSL-54: Often mis-labelled as a Dragunov, the PSL is a scaled up RPK type firing the 7.62x54R cartridge. It features longer wooden handguards, an SVD style buttstock, AK bolt and carrier, bayonet lug, and muzzle brake. For export the PSL is also offered with a 14mm threaded barrel and removeable muzzle brake, though this could have a negative impact on accuracy; some nations request it for the ability to attach a blank fire adapter. All rifles have a side-rail mount and are issued with either a 4x or 8x scope. Magazines are steel and hold 10 rounds. All versions are semi-automatic only. PL-54: Same as PSL but chambered in 7.62x51 NATO and with a new magazine type.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. SAR-2, civilian version of PA-86 with Romanian side-folding stock and muzzle brake. Russia Saiga 12: In addition to its standard AK line, Izhmash of Russia also produces a series of combat shotguns intended for military and law-enforcement sales. The most popular is the Saiga 12k-s, a 17" barreld 12g shotgun with an AK-74M style folding stock and handguards. It features a birdcage style flashhider and either a 5 or 8 round magazine. A version with a 23" barrel is known as the Saiga 12-s. Poland has been Russia's biggest military contract for these shotguns to date, but many other nations and private security firms have also placed orders.  Click here for the full 2044x1533 image.  Click here for the full 2044x1533 image. Russian Saiga 12k-s with 19" barrel, flash hider, and original Izhmash folding stock/pistol grip set. Yugoslavia AP M64/M70: altered versions of the AK-47 Type III with various features such as different kinds of bolt hold open mechanisms and lengthened handguards. None of these were officially adopted by Yugoslavia, but were used in combat. AP M70B1: Production model of a fixed stocked AK with a 1.6mm thick stamped receiver. The M70B1 is less an AKM copy, than it is a AK-47 with a stamped receiver. It retains the AK-47s heavier barrel, sling swival placements, and overall heavier design. Buttstock attaches in a unique way unlike any other AK design. Buttplate is of rubber and gasblock has a gascut off for launching of grenades. The magazine serves as the last-round bolt hold open. AP M70AB2: same as B1 but with an underfolding buttstock. M72: loosely, an RPK version of the M70 with heavy and longer barrel, fixed buttstock and windage adjustable rear sights. M72A: same as M72 but with an underfolding buttstock M92: An AKSU type in 7.62x39 with a 9.5" barrel and other minor differences, such as an underfolding stock, instead of side folding. M95: A 5.56 NATO Yugo AK with underfolding stock, grenade launcher, and night sights. Produced for commercial sales. M21: Latest Zastava offering, intended to be Serbia's new standard issue rifle. M76: Like the PSL, the M76 is a scaled up AK design for designated marksman use. The M76 fires the 7.92x57 Mauser (8mm) cartridge, out of 10 round steel magazines. It has a milled receiver, heavy barrel, flash hider with interrupted threads for the use of a suppressor, and can mount a bayonet. Furniture is totally of wood with a pistol grip and military stock. M77: Same as M76 but chambered in 7.62x51 NATO and i believe magazines are made from a polymer material.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. M70B1 Sporter built from original Zastava rifle with removeable grenade launcher on barrel. Note longer handguards and grenade sights on the gas block. Bayonets AK-47 Milled Type:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. This is the original type of bayonet used on the Type II and Type III AK-47s. It has a longer, thinner blade and scabberd has no wirecutting feature. This particular one is Polish. AKM Bayonet: Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. This is the bayonet type that was created for the AKM rifle. Note the wirecutting feature and that the blade is shorter and thicker. This is an early Romanian bayonet. .jpg) Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. A later style Romanian AKM bayonet. AK-74 Bayonet: .jpg) Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. This is the type of bayonet issued with AK-74 rifles. Note the different shape to the grip and plastic sheath. This one was made in Bulgaria. AK-74M/AK-103 Bayonet:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. This is the latest style of AK bayonet with black polymer grip and sheath. This one is a circle 10 Arsenal Bulgaria make. Magazine Pouches 2 Pocket for 30 round magazines:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. 3 Pocket for 30 round magazines:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. 4 Pocket for 20 round magazines:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. 4 Pocket for 30 round magazines:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. 4 Pocket for 40 round magazines:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. 5 Pocket for 30 round magazines:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. to be continued.... Mishaco fucked around with this message at Jan 12, 2013 around 04:41 |
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III. Civilian Semi-Automatic Types Beginning in the late 1960s, AK type rifles have been imported into the USA from many different nations and in many different configurations. In 1989, the AK was banned from import by name as it was declared non-sporting. Soon after importers installed thumbhole stocks and limited the rifles to 10 round magazines, in order that they might be allowed in again. In 1994, this loop hole was plugged and after that any AK brought in had to have no more than a set number of foreign made parts. Also in 1994, the Assault Weapons Ban passed which outlawed bayonet lugs, threaded barrels, folding stocks, high-cap magazines, pistol grips, and barrel shrouds. To be exact, what the AWB did was say that no civilian firearm would have more than any 2 of those 'evil' features. In most cases, the two features put on AKs were pistol grips and the ability to accept double stack (high-cap) magazines. If a gun had a thumbhole stock and only could take 10 round magazines, then it would have been ok to have a bayonet lug or flash hider. In 2004, the AWB was allowed to Sunset and once more AKs could be allowed un-nutered, but in 2005, the BATF ruled that barrels of a non-sporting nature were no longer importable. As a result parts kits, created from demilled machineguns by cutting the receiver, now also had to have their barrels cut up. Today the AK has become a popular civilian platform in America and comes in two general types. The first type is Imported Rifles. These are rifles brought into the country with no bayonet lugs or threaded barrels and with thumbhole stocks. Once in the US they are modified by installation of a normal fixed or folding stock, pistol grip, bayonet lug, and threads on the barrel. These rifles have original foreign made barrels and receivers. The second type is that of Parts Guns. These are built from demilled military assault rifles on US made semi-auto receivers. As mentioned before, in recent years parts guns also have had to be made with US made barrels due to the 2005 BATF ruling. Generally speaking, imported guns are more desirable and collectable because they are all original. On the other hand, parts guns are normally just as reliable and accurate and some times are less expensive by a good bit. for example, you could pay $2,000.00 for an original Zastava M70 imported by Mitchell back in the 1980s, or pay $500 for a parts gun made from a military M70 kit with US made barrel and receiver. Here is a brakedown of some of the most popular designs in the country today. For the most part i won't talk about pre-89 AK imports because they are not commonly encountered and are of high pricing when found. Most of the time pre-89'ers are just like their military counterparts, only with receivers which can not easily be modified to fire in full-auto. Arsenal USA Arsenal USA of Las Vegas is related to but not the same as Arsenal of Bulgaria. For legal reasons each is a separate company, though in reality they use the same machinery, blue prints, materials, and offer much of the same firearms. Arsenal of Bulgaria primarily sells select-fire weapons on the international market, where as Arsenal USA sells semi-auto only models for the civilian market. Two basic lines of arsenals are offered (please note that the SLR-95 and SLR-100 series do not hold) 1) SAM series: These are rifles in 7.62x39 or 5.56x45 and have US made milled receivers. These come in any number of configurations: standard AK-47, M1, MA1, AKS-47, even in AK-102 and AKS-74U lengths. Barrels can either have 14mm or 24mm threads and stocks can either be fixed, underfolding, or right-hand side-folding. They can accept all standard double stack magazines. Most models come with polymer furniture, though some limited edition ones have blond wood. SA M-7 = 7.62x39 fixed stock SAS M-7 = 7.62x39 underfolding stock SA M7 Classic = Same as SA M7, but with AK47 features: heavier barrel, 45 degrees gasblock, Type I bayonet lug, wooden furniture SA M-5 = 5.56x45 fixed stock 2) SLR series: These rifles are in either 7.62x39, 5.56x45, or 5.45x39 and have stamped imported receivers with Bulgarian made barrels. Most often they are in AK-101/102/103/104 configurations with left-hand side-folding stocks and 24mm threaded barrels. All models come with polymer furniture. Please note that some models come with solid side-folding stocks, while others have metal triangular ones. Most Arsenal rifles come with a sling, cleaning kit, and either a 5,10, or 30 round polymer magazine. SLR-107 = 7.62x39 SLR-106 = 5.56 SLR-105 = 5.45 FR = AK-101/103 style CR = AK-102/104 style UR = AKSU style SLR101: In late 2012, Arsenal imported a relatively small batch of these rifles. They are modern AK101 types with fixed stocks and have a Bulgarian milled receiver. Saiga (EAA & RAA,) The Saiga is a wholey Russian made rifle, assembled in the original Izhmash factory and modified into a sporting/hunting configuration. Trigger group is moved rearward and hunting forearm and stock are added. No bayonet lug, no threaded barrel, and rarely with a muzzle brake. For a brief time in 2004, versions were imported with standard military pistol grip, buttstock, and muzzle brake, but no longer. These rifles are commonly chambered in 7.62x39, .223, .308, 12 g, 20 g, and .410. A whole industry has sprang up around converting these rifles into many different layouts and for diverse usages. In the beginning EAA imported the Saiga, but now RAA has taken over the dueties. Saigas come with a cleaning kit and low-cap magazine. Update: Even more recently, companies such as Century Arms and FIME Group have also started importation of Saigas. Arsenal/Saiga Beginning in 2008, a partnership was created between Arsenal and Izhmash to bring Russian Saigas into the USA in military configurations and with proper military rather than sporting markings. These rifles are still wholey made in Russia, with the exception of their required US made parts: stock set (3) trigger group (3) and muzzle brake (1). Receivers are Russian made, as are the chrome-lined barrels, bolts, carriers, trunions, front sight and gasblocks, and rear sight base. These rifles accept standard furniture and magazines. SGLs come with just a 10 round magazine (in the case of SGL-41, its a 4 round mag). SGL-20/21 = 7.62x39 SGL-31 = 5.45x39 SGL-41 = .410 shotgun. Update: In 2012, FIME Group took over SGL importation and distributation from Arsenal. SGL12-07 & 12-09: models with factory pistol grip, military stock, and properly located trigger group. SGL12-61 & 12-67: Versions with US furniture, which are 922(r) legal. The '67 model comes with an Izhmash factory 8 round magazine, which is considered 'high-capacity' for a shotgun.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. SGL-31 with 30 round magazine and Russian sling.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. SGL-41 with birdcage flash hider and recoilless stock. WASR So so so very much can be said about these rifles, some good and some bad. Their import began in 2003, after the discontinuation of the SAR series. From the factory the WASR accepts low-cap single stack magazines of 10 rounds. This is why its receiver has no dimples on each side of the magwell. WASRs can be fitted with standard AKM furniture as well as most AK-74 sets. Barrels are chrome-lined and of 16" and are Romanian made, just as the receivers are. Century Arms is the main importer of this series and offers the rifle in many configurations. After the AWB sunset, the GP-WASR was released. This is a WASR with threaded barrel, slant style brake, and bayonet lug. The WASR comes with 2-30 round magazines, sling, cleaning kit, bayonet (for modles with a lug), and some times a mag pouch. WASR-10 = 7.62x39 WASR-2 = 5.45x39 (currently not imported) WASR-3 = .223 (currently not imported) WASR-22 = .22 LR (limited numbers) Stock Types: fixed (either of woode or plastic), Galil style side-folder of plastic, Romanian style side-folder of metal, Russian style under folder (either stamped or milled), M4 style collapsable Handguard Types: Standard wood (with or without pawmswells), Galil style plastic, wooden with vertical pistol grip, tri-rail  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. GP-WASR-10/63 with Underfolding stock and wooden handguards. AES-10/AES-10B The AES-10 is basically a WASR-10 with 22" barrel and bipod located behind the gasblock. It also has an RPK style buttstock but standard handguards. This rifle generally comes with 2-30 round magazines and has been discontinued. The AES-10B is almost identical to the military RPK, but with a semi-auto receiver. It has a 22" heavy barrel with bipod located behind the front sight, RPK furniture, windage adjustable rear sight, 1.6mm thick receiver, thicker dustcover, and carry handle. it generally comes with 2-40 round magazines and is currently not being imported, yet again. In 2012, a few hundred did make it in, but this supply only lasted a few months. All AES10Bs are Romanian built, with Cugir receivers and barrels. Three types of bipod have been used: quick-detach short PKM type, standard fixed RPK type, and late style Romanian RPK type with adjustable legs. Drako/Champion 2007 Pistol The Drako is a semi-auto version of the Romanian M90 Short Rifle, without a forearm pistol grip or buttstock. These changes legally make it a pistol, and thus importable as a complete gun not requiring any US made parts. It is chambered in 7.62x39 and comes with 2-30 round magazines and a cleaning kit. It has a 12" barrel with 14mm threads under a muzzle nut. A rifle version is also available with metal folding stock and extended barrel, the GP-WASR-10/63 KR. The KR has been discontinued and the Draco is only on limited availability-- probably soon to also be discontinued. The Champion 2007, is the same gun but in .223 or .22LR. It comes with 2-30 round proprietary magazines.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Drako Pistol SAR/Romak Beginning in the 1990s, Romania started importing the Romak series. This was an AKM limited to semi-automatic fire only and complying with the AWB: NO threaded barrel, bayonet lug, or folding stock. IN 1999, the Romak switched to the SAR. Both types could accept standard magazines and came with 1-10 round mag, 1-30 round mag, sling, and cleaning kit. Importation of the SAR ended in 2003. Generally speaking these rifles have a good reputation for workmanship and a great one for reliability. All models came with wooden furniture with a plastic pistol grip. Romak I/1 SAR-1 = 7.62x39, Romak II/2 SAR-2 =5.45x39, SAR-3 = 5.56x45 PSL-54c/Romak III The civilian legal PSL is identical to Romania's military version, except that its receiver is missing the 3rd axis pin, which the ATF ruled made it a machinegun, even though all PSLss are limited to semi-auto fire from the factory. For importation the bayonet lug is also ground off, but can be reinstalled once in USA, though then its a question of 922(r). The rifle has been imported under many names but is the same: Romak III, FPK, SSR-97, and PSL-54c. It comes with 2-10 round magazines, sling, cleaning kit, mag pouch, and 4x scope with cover. furniture is always of wood. No 7.62x51 NATO version is imported. Update: It appears that PSL importation from Romania has effectively ended.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. PSL-54c Romie 'G' Kit Builds What is commonly known as a Romie-G in America today, is actually the Romanian Guarda PM.63. This is a standard PM.63 limited to semi-auto only and intended for their version of the National Guard. Many of these guns have been demilled into kits and imported in recent years. Century Arms makes a few different rifles from these kits under the name GP-1975. Early ones had original Romanian furniture. Recent ones have US made black plastic furniture with various tactical 'upgrades.' Another company to build up these kits is I.O. Inc. They use the metal parts from the kits along with a Tapco 'Galil' handguard, pistol grip, and plastic side-folding stock. Lancaster too uses Romie-G kits to build their stamped AK designs. These rifles usually have better finish than Century's but are still made from used military kits on US made receivers and possibly also barrels. These guns have red stained Romanian furniture, meant to memic the Russian style. M70B1/AB2 & M72 Sporter The M70AB2 Sporter was Century's first AK parts kit build up, released immediately after the AWB sunset in 2005. These rifles are built from Zastava military rifles which had their receivers cut. Original barrels were not used because so many of them were dark and pitted from long and hard use. Instead US made barrels have been utilized. Rifle retains all the features of the military rifle, including underfolding stock, grenade launcher sights with gas-cut off, threaded barrel with slant brake or muzzle nut, bayonet lug, and polished steel bolt carrier. The US made barrel and receiver do a very good job of reproducing the original Zastava designs, down to the proper thickness and the reinforced dustcover latch. Handguards can either be of wood or polymer and are not interchangeable with standard AK types. In fact most parts on Yugo rifles are unique and not standard.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. M70AB2 Sporter with wooden handguards and Yugo magazine. Three different versions are available. The M70B1 is built from a fixed stock kit, the M70AB2 from a folding stock kit, and the M72 from an LMG heavy barrel kit. All are very accurate reproductions and are some of the best products that Century has ever offered. They normaly come with just 2-30 round magazines, though some early M70AB2s also came with sling, cleaning kit, bayonet, and mag pouch. Please note: no M70 type Yugo either military or sporter ever had a chrome-lined barrel.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. M72 Sporter M76 Sporter Like the PSL, the M76 in military service is not a select-fire weapon, nevertheless it is not allowed into the country because it has too many evil features such as pistol grip, flash hider, and bayonet lug. Thus Century contracted with Ohio Rapid Fire to manufacture receivers for the M76 kits which became available a few years back. The receivers are milled, just like the originals, minus the 3rd axis pin. Barrels are US made and of a heavy contour. Scopes are original though, as are many of the other parts including all of the furniture, flashider, sights, bolt and carrier, and adjustable gas system. Early ORF M76 receivers had issues with having had been improperily heat-treated, but ORF promises that the latest generation (5th if you were wondering) has resolved this issues and is Zastava milspec. The rifle comes with 2-10 round magazines, bayonet, military scope, and hardcase.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. M76 Sporter with original military scope AMD-65 Sporter These rifles are built from demilled Hungarian AMD-65 kits, using a USA made receiver and barrel. Because the original gun had a 12" barrel with a 2" snake-brake, to make these Sporters legal Century used a 14" barrel and welded the brake on to have an overall length of 16". Features include a wire folding stock with rubber buttplate, wooden or plastic twin pistol grips, and compact light design. This is one of those designs that some people love and others find extremely ugly. Judge for yourself. AMD-65 Sporter comes with 2-30 round magazines, mag pouch (usually a nice 5-cell one), cleaning kit, and rarely a leather sling. No major problems have ever been associated with this model.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image.  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. AMD-65 Sporter with original Hungarian sling and 20 round short magazine. Note the extended barrel. Tantal Sporter The infamous Century Arms Tantal Sporter. It is true that Inter-Ordnance did make some Tantals, but the majority of them out there today were made by CAI. These use specialized receivers with a spot for the left-side safety lever and demilled Polish WZ.88 Tantal kits. The kits themselves are of a high quality and saw light to medium use. They all come with a right-hand side folding buttstock of wire design with a reinforced locking system. Handguards are of the now well known multi-coloured pattern. Lower handguard is standard AKM/AK-74 but upper handguard is unique to the Tantal. There is a lug infront of the gasblock where a bipod can be attached. The muzzle device is a combination flashhider and grenade launcher. Even though the Tantal has 14mm threads, it can't accept any other muzzle device currently available because the barrel goes past the threads about 3/4ths of an inch. The Tantal sporter would have been a great design, firing the now cheap 5.45x39 cartridge; except Century had a cock-up on the barrel front. They got the twist rate wrong and even used some barrels with 5.56 diameteres instead of 5.45. Despite internet rumor, there are no specific serial blocks with improper barrels as they just used whatever barrel was at hand at the moment. Additionally, the bullet test has also proven to be unreliable. Why is this all a problem? Because without the proper twist rate or bore diameter, the 5.45 bullet tends to keyhole part of the time. For many shooters this is unacceptable. The Tantal Sporter comes with 2-30 round magazines and detachable bipod. Magazines can either be polymer or steel. ORF AK-74/AKS-74 SA Ohio Rapid Fire has built up manyAK-74s and AKS-74s from demilled Bulgarian kits, on US receivers and using original Bulgarian barrels. Both fixed stock and left-hand side folding stock variants have been offered. Handguards can either be of wood or polymer. The kits that are being used are medium to heavily used but still quite accurate. These rifles consistantly get good reviews and come with 1-30 round magazine, sling, cleaning kit, and bayonet. Golani Sporter these are semi-auto clones of the IMI Galil AR built from original parts kits on ORF made milled receivers and using green Mountain 20" barrels. They retain the Galil's folding metal stock, birdcage flashhider, polymer handguard and pistol grip, and ambidextrous safety. As with the M76, ORF did not properly heat-treat early Golani receivers. This problem was resolved by 2007 they claim. And why Golani Sporter and not Galil Sporter? Actually the first batch of rifles were marked Galil and then IMI/IWI threatened Century with legal action because the name had been pattened. Therefore CAI had to change the name to satisfy the original manufacturers. The Golani comes with 2-35 round magazines. Bayonet lug is an optional feature. Update: Golanis manufactured since mid 2010 were built using a new receiver made by Caspian. These receivers have prooven of better quality than the older ORF ones. IV. FAQ I will add and update this section for questions that are commonly asked and address points of interest. Q: Tell me about the differences between milled and stamped receivers? A: They are made differently...one is machined from a block of steel. The other is a single pressed sheet of steel that is then folded into a U shape with rivets and pins. They take the same forearm furniture though its of different shapes. Their buttstocks are not interchangeable. Q: Will my Yugo Sporter take standard furniture? A: No, the Yugo's handguards are longer than standard. Its buttstock is held onto the rifle in an entirely different way too. Only pistol grips can interchange. Q: Will my Tantal Sporter take standard furniture? A: It will take any standard fixed buttstock for a stamped gun and any right-hand folding stock that uses normal rear trunions. It will also take standard pistol grips and lower handguards. the only part that is unique on the Tantal is the upper handguard. Q: Can i put one of those K-Var solid side folding stocks on my rifle? A: Probably not, unless your rifle is say one of the ORF AKS-74 builds. The K-Var stock is a left-side folder, which uses a totally different rear trunion, separate latching piece, and even a different receiver. To modify say a WASR to use one, you'd need to make quite a few new holes in the receiver and change the angle of the back of it too. Its just not practical. Just by an Arsenal SLR if you really want a rifle with that stock. If you do have an ORF AKS, then go for it. Nothing could be more simple. All you need do is drive out 1 single pin, take your old stock off, put the K-Var stock in, and drive the pin back in: Done! Q: Are WASRs made from rejected military parts? A: No concrete evidence has surfaced to proove this is the case. Rather in recent years they have begun building WASRs from actual military rifles so by definition they can't be of reject parts. If there is a triangle with an arrow in it or just an empty box on your front trunion, then your WASR was made from a real military gun. Q: What's the deal with SGLs? Why not just buy a normal Saiga? A: They were never Saiga Sporters with a pushed back trigger group and hunter furniture. They were made as thumbhole stocked guns with their triggers in the right spot and with normal forearm furniture. Also they have markings that more closely resemble Russian military ones, than the Saiga Hunters do. Finally, their receivers have the dimples on each side of the magwell, to complete the military look. In short, the reason to buy an SGL is to get a rifle that closely memics a real Russian AK-74M/AK-103, but without the folding stock. Q: I see PSLs but no SVDs. Why isn't someone importing or building an SVD clone? A: They are banned from import by the 1989 restrictions by name and in 1994, Russia agreed to stop exporting Hunting versions of the sVD into the USA. No one is making one here because it would be too drat expensive and a US made SVD would loose its Russian mystique. In short, its not profitable. Q: How do i field strip my AK? A: Like this.... 1) Again my SAR-1 a good solid AKM clone, completely assembled:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. First remove magazine and triple check that the chamber is empty. 2) Remove the dustcover:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Push the button in all the way, which is located at the rear of the dustcover. While holding it in, pull the dustcover up and off at a slightly tilted angle towards the front of the rifle. 3) Remove the recoil spring & rod:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. With the dustcover off, you can see the internals of the rifle. Push the same button again and now with the cover off it will move all the way out of its guide grooves and then let go. Spring tension will push it back forward but just make sure it goes above its grooves. Then just pull the spring and rod out of the bolt carrier. 4) Remove the bolt carrier, with bolt in it:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Grab the charging handle and pull all the way to the rear of the receiver. You will feel minor resistance as it passes over the hammer. Once in the rear most position, simply lift the bolt carrier out of the receiver. It will take with it the gas pistin and bolt. 5) Taking the bolt out of the bolt carrier:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Push the bolt back until it impacts the rear of the bolt-carrier and then rotate the lugs out of the way. When it is in the correct position you can then push the bolt back forward and it will come out of the carrier. 6) Remove the gas tube:  Click here for the full 2028x1521 image. Now that the bolt-carrier is out of the rifle, you can remove the gas tube, which houses the upper handguard. Look on the right side of your gun, on the trunion, just below the rear sight. You will see a lever. Move it clockwise to about the 11:00 position. This might require a good amount of force so you might want to use a small hammer. On other guns, this lever can be moved by hand. When the lever is in position, you just lift the gas tube off. On rifles with the AK-74 style spring-loaded gastube, you will need to push the tube rearwards a small amount, and then lift it off. This is as much as you should take your AK down, for standard cleaning. Do not remove the lower handguard excessively or it could become loose. Buttstock is held in place with 2 screws. Just remove these and pull it out, if you are replacing the stock. Otherwise do not remove it excessively either. Lower handguard is held on with a lever and spring clip. Removing the barrel is not a good idea either. Only do this if it is100% neccessary. Q: What's the difference between 'Warsaw' and "NATO' length stocks? A: Short answer, NATO is longer. The Warsaw stock was the standard length used in most all of those nations during the Cold War. The NATO length is based on the length of the M16A2's stock. The NATO is 1" & 1/4th" longer than Warsaw. There is also an intermediate length stock which is 3/4th" longer than Warsaw and is currently being offered for both milled and stamped receivers by Arsenal USA. Q: I'm thinking about building a stamped AK and I need a receiver. What do the percentages mean? A: A 100% receiver is prebuilt and ready to have the trunnions riveted in. These are serialed, and must be transferred through an FFL just like a completed firearm. An 80% receiver is a length of square steel tubing. While this can ship directly to your door (no FFL), you will need to drill all axis pin and trunnion rivet holes, as well as cut out the magazine well and install the center support and internal rails. A 0% receiver (or 'flat') is simply a piece of sheet metal that must be bent into a receiver shape. Most flats have the holes predrilled and the magazine well already cut out, but you'll still need to install the internal rails and center support. With good quality 100% receivers available for a reasonable price, there's really no need to invest in the tooling to build up an 80% or less receiver. Q: What are compliance parts and why should I care? A: US Federal law prohibits some weapons from importation, and further prohibits the construction of a weapon that would be banned from importation in certain configurations. You can build your own stamped AK at home so long as you use no more than 10 imported parts. Here is a list of AK parts. Remember that no more than 10 may be imported: Receiver Barrel Front and Rear Trunnions Muzzle Attachment Bolt Bolt Carrier Gas Piston Trigger Hammer Disconnector Buttstock Pistol Grip Handguards Magazine body Magazine follower Magazine floorplate (donated by ShaiHulud ) Q: Tell me about the AK buttstock cleaning kit. A: Here is a great TFR exclusive write-up. "What What (in the buttstock)" by ShaiHulud http://img.waffleimages.com/95baeb0...c87/t/buttstock tool.jpg the cleaning kit. A marvel of functionality, its presence next to your cheek every time you pull the trigger should serve as a reminder that AKs do in fact need to be cleaned. http://img.waffleimages.com/8fbcec1.../components.jpg Look at all the great stuff it contains! The parts of most AK cleaning kits are as follows: A: Cap B: Tube C: Multitool D: Jag E: Bore brush F: Pin punch Each component is plenty useful on its own, but when they combine like a ghetto Russian Voltron they can do even more useful stuff. If you unscrew the cap of your cleaning kit and it contains a smaller cleaning kit nested inside, return your AK to the manufacturer immediately. Screwdriver Placing the multitool into the tube as shown allows you to tighten buttstock and pistol grip screws, depress the spring-loaded muzzle device detent easily, and lift up the lower handguard locking lever. http://img.waffleimages.com/92bca80...screwdriver.jpg Phillips head screws were outlawed by Stalin. Sight Adjustment The small hole in the end of the multitool is the perfect size to sit atop your front sight pin. Reversing the multitool's orientation in the tube allows you to adjust elevation. http://img.waffleimages.com/f00fa87...c1bec4e/t/sight adjustment.jpg Stop ruining your front sight pin with pliers. The Tube The tube itself contains a long narrow slot at one end, designed to fit over the tab of the gas tube locking lever. http://img.waffleimages.com/4c4261c...86d8bc070/t/gas tube lock slot.jpg The long slot http://img.waffleimages.com/5fad19e...908/t/unlocking gas tube correctly.jpg Stop scratching your finish by using pliers or a hammer. Pin Punch This punch is perfectly sized to allow you to disassemble your bolt. In a pinch, the bolt carrier itself makes for a decent field-expedient hammer. The Cap In addition to its obvious function keeping the various components in place, it also fits over the end of your rifle's barrel, keeping the cleaning rod aligned and preventing damage to the crown. Jag, brush, and general cleaning procedure A boresnake is a much easier way to clean your barrel, but if you're bored or playacting the Fulda Gap invasion in your backyard, you have all the necessary tools at hand. We won't discuss the relative merits of using urine, diesel, or vodka rations as barrel cleaning agents, but a scrap of cloth or even some string wrapped around the jag does an adequate job. First, insert the cleaning rod into the large hole in the tube, then angle the rod slightly so it exits the tube through the smaller hole directly opposite. Drop the multitool into the tube so the large hole is covered and the cleaning rod is effectively captured within the tube. You now have a T-shaped cleaning apparatus that is easier to grasp while wet and grimy. If you have trouble tightening or removing the jag from the cleaning rod, use the multitool as a wrench by inserting the flattened area on the jag into the semicircular cutout in the multitool. http://img.waffleimages.com/448d144...98c/t/assembled cleaning rod.jpg Here is everything thrown together. V. Useful Links: English version of Izhmash's Official site: http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/ (current manufacturers of the AKM, AK-74M, and semi-auto SGL series) Arsenal USA's Official Site: http://www.arsenalinc.com/ (Importer and manufacturer of semi-automatic AK clones) Arsenal of Bulgaria's Official Site: http://www.arsenal-bg.com/main.htm (In Bulgarian) List of USA manufacturers of the AK and AK parts: http://www.ak-47.us/AK47_Manufacturers.php (also has links to pictures) List of foreign manufacturers of the AK: http://www.ak-47.us/AK47_Factories.php The Wikipedia homepage for the AK-47/AKM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-47 (they have a few errors, but not too bad for the AK-47, but when you branch out to the variants, they get worse) Max's site. He lives in St. Pitersburg Russia and has a lot of first-hand AK experience. http://world.guns.ru/assault/as01-e.htm (AK-47 & AKM) http://world.guns.ru/assault/as02-e.htm (AK-74 & AK-74M) Links to different field manuals related to the AK. http://www.ak-47.us/AK-47_User_Manuals.php (donated by Miso Beno ) 'the Big Guide to Romanian AKs' http://www.weaponscache.com/forum/a...ccessories.html (a great write-up of the Romanian military PM-63 & PA-86) That's all i have for now. I hope you found some part of this write-up helpful or informative. I am willing to update the OP with any new FAQs and correct any errors that you find. I would like this to become a good all-around resource for all things AK. Mishaco fucked around with this message at Jan 12, 2013 around 08:17 |
| # ? Dec 23, 2009 04:07 |
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Thank you, this is great.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 04:26 |
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Wow, you obviously put some serious effort into this. Thanks for putting this up, this will be a great reference. TGI built AK-74 
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 04:27 |
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Excellent. This is a pretty comprehensive start to the new thread.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 04:33 |
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I told TFR I would do this...and yes i put quite a few hours into typing and getting pictures. Call it my Christmas Gift to you all.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 05:49 |
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Finally, an AK thread with a real OP! Thank you Mishaco.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 06:38 |
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mishaco this thread loving rules.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 07:11 |
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I normally don't ask this but guys, lets not let this one go to the archives boneyard. I put some serious effort into it. For my part, i will keep the OP up-to-date and put Questions that commonly arrise in the FAQ section, so people don't have to dig through pages to get a simple answer. I love the AK and i enjoy sharing what i know. Its just such a simple but drat good design. Its the best thing maybe to come out of Communist Russia perhaps....besides my wife naturally. I picked up one of those Polish milled guns so i hope to have some pictures to post in the OP next week, when it gets in.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 07:24 |
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Excellent thread.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 10:26 |
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Best AK thread ever
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 13:41 |
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WASR-10 74 style brake Midwest Industries rail system Aimpoint CompML2 Ace grip adapter with MIAD VLTOR stock adapter with MOE stock Discuss
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 15:16 |
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The Automator posted:Discuss (I like it) Great thread, Mishaco, but you know you're going to get a ton of questions about how to mount a scope on an AK. 
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 15:20 |
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Great thread so far. I would like to see some stuff about how to replace parts and maybe more on upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance. Links to reputable sites that sell AK stuff would be cool too.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 16:46 |
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I love this thread, I hate not being allowed to own an AK in DC, even with a 5 round mag.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 17:15 |
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The pictures aren't working 
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 17:17 |
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Way to go Mishaco, huge and exhaustive introduction to the world of AKs, a megathread first post done right. I go back and forth about if/when/what kind of AK I'm interested in and at least now I'll be well informed about the decision.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 17:17 |
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Uncle Caveman posted:That's a lot of money for a cheap Romanian AR-15! I for sure want a red dot, and the MI rails are close in price to the Ultimak tube. Plus I get sides and bottom if I want a light and one of those new Magpul AFGs. Word on the street is they're the heat on an AK. I hate standard AK grips and I don't care for the SAW grip, either. A couple reasons for the stock: The VLTOR tube has a QD sling swivel in just the right place to run a single point. Magpul makes a rubber buttpad that I also really like and think would work pretty great for a x39 AK. They have an attachable cheek piece if I need one for the Aimpoint. I was looking at those Aimpoint clones, but I don't want to waste money on something that will get beat up by the recoil or gently caress up from the heat. Edit: Are these good reasons, or am I just trying to talk myself into spending money? The more I think about it the more I just don't know Edit 2: Pic of the new Magpul grip on an MI forend: 
The Automator fucked around with this message at Dec 23, 2009 around 17:33 |
| # ? Dec 23, 2009 17:21 |
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Heh, yes I know that the scope/sight mounting question will arrise. Truth is...i am not qualified to answer it. I thought about just saying something simple but no. I will wait to voices of experience chime in, see whats working for people and then make a FAQ about it in section IV. Likewise with links, I will get some good disassembly diagrams and decent parts sights that i've bought from myself and review them. Maybe in a new section V later? Really cleaning an AK is a breeze if you are using non-corrosive ammunition. Just clean the barrel out, and also the bolt and parts of the carrier that get dirty. Its important to note that the internals of an AK require next to no oil. They like running dry, though white lithium is some times a good thing if your rifle is a bit sticky. If you are using corrosive, Cyrano's guide to cleaning milsurp is great. On an AK though also remember to remove teh muzzle device and clean it and the threads good. Also remove the gastube and clean it out. Also cleaning the gasport well. I just advise if you can get Wolf ammo in your area, pay the extra couple of bucks and shoot that if you have a high-end AK like an Arsenal. Now if you just have a WASR or TGI truck gun..whatever. Go for it. Again, next go around, i will put up a more complete cleaning guide, or a link to one. Keep the suggestions coming! I want the OP to be as complete as can be.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 17:51 |
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Mishaco posted:Really cleaning an AK is a breeze if you are using non-corrosive ammunition. Just clean the barrel out, and also the bolt and parts of the carrier that get dirty. Its important to note that the internals of an AK require next to no oil. They like running dry, though white lithium is some times a good thing if your rifle is a bit sticky.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 18:30 |
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I know this thread was in the works (read all 130+ pages of the last one) but I sometimes think me bugging the poo poo out of Mishaco buying from him prompted this one. But I am very  about having an AK. I've not had a rifle in quite some time.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 19:36 |
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B4Ctom1 posted:The cheapest non-corrosive I can find is roughly twice the price of the cheapest Russian 7N6 corrosive. Is any ammo "more" corrosive than others? I need to sit down and take some pictures but I have been running my slr105 through a tin of surplus (about 800 or so through it in the past couple months.) and have yet to clean it. Gas tube is a bit orange and the brake is a bit tight to remove (still able to just unscrew with hands). Rest of the gun is pretty clean and not a single issue so far. I know it might be bad but I am pretty curious about how bad I can get it before boiling a pot of water and breaking out the brushes.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 22:00 |
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king of the bongo posted:I need to sit down and take some pictures but I have been running my slr105 through a tin of surplus (about 800 or so through it in the past couple months.) and have yet to clean it. Gas tube is a bit orange and the brake is a bit tight to remove (still able to just unscrew with hands). Rest of the gun is pretty clean and not a single issue so far. I know it might be bad but I am pretty curious about how bad I can get it before boiling a pot of water and breaking out the brushes. This is one of the many reasons I want to get a set of poly plum furniture so that it will handle hot water and such.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 22:15 |
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This thread is the best. I'm gonna read through the OP's tomorrow. Great work Mishaco!
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 22:16 |
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TossedSalad...no comment But about not cleaning your AK to see how much it can take. If you are firing non-corrosive..why not? the risks are minimal. Let your AK get as dirty as you like, just so long as the barrel doesn't become so fowled, that its plugged. But if you are firing surplus corrosive ammo...you will do serious damage to teh bore & gas port, as well as bolt face and pistin. What will happen will be extreme pitting which will destroy your rifling. This will be perminant and never reversable after it sets for a few weeks. Once a bore is pitted...there's no way to unpit it. Rust will continue to collect on your pistin and in your gas system. If it gets really bad, it will even gently caress up your extractor and firing pin. Firing enough corrosive ammo through a gun without proper cleaning will basically turn it into a pile of rusty junk.
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| # ? Dec 23, 2009 23:13 |
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Well, I picked a hell of a time to sell my last two AKs. Those beautiful custom '74s...but they paid for my AR15. On the optics question from the old thread, let me say, first page, that the Ultimak gas tube rail system is such a good idea for compact red dots(Aimpoint H1), the Russians recently stole it. Worth every penny, balances better than side mounts, and sturdy. If you need a magnified optic with a close eye relief, a side mount may be a better option. Edit - Mishaco, this is an excellent thread. I applaud the work you put into making the first page complete and comprehensive. Aquarium Gravel fucked around with this message at Dec 24, 2009 around 00:30 |
| # ? Dec 24, 2009 00:26 |
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That was a really informative OP. Mishaco, do you own ALL those AKs?
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 04:16 |
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Ensign Expendable posted:That was a really informative OP. Mishaco, do you own ALL those AKs? Yea really, do you honestly own 23 different Kalashnikov variants?
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 04:22 |
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Best AK thread. Also, I dont know if you did the poo poo post icon on purpose but I approve.
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 06:59 |
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thanks again guys... No i dont own 23 AKs....i own 24 ...just don't have pictures of the Polish AK-47 milled up yet. What I like them? So what? they were cheap when i got into them! Merry Christmas Eve...
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 07:15 |
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After proofreading my post i want to add a disclaimer stating that I'm not trying to be preachy here and I'm sure Mishaco knows more about rifles than i ever will, but my patriot blood demands me to voice some issues RK-62: Later versions of the rifle actually use a different name. RK-95 TP, where TP means folding stock, you can't get the -62 with side-folding stock. Another improvement with the -95 version is the ability to use different scopes or optics without too much hassle. I haven't actually seen a -95 rifle on a regular serviceman, because that stuff is so good that we're not worthy of it.
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 17:48 |
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Not preachy at all man. I told in the beginning, i wasn't going to list all the European AK variants. There were several Zastava designs i didn't talk about either. I knew there was an RK.95 but have never seen one and know next to nothing about it aside from its the 'new & improved' version. I dont like talking about things i am not knowledgeable on. If you'd like to do a small write up on the RK.95, especially telling about the upgrades and changes from the 62, I'd be greatful. With your permission, I'd put into the OP. Please PM this write-up to me if you want to do it (or about any other Finnish AK varaiant for that matter) and i will include it the next update of the OP. How does your national pride feel about my new KP.44 and KP.31? What's a Finn's attitude towards those old machineguns? They are over in my shipping thread.
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 18:15 |
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I really appreciate the level of detail and time you put into this thread, Mishaco. It's an excellent read. I'm happiest about the partnership between Saiga/Arsenal/K-Var. I've wanted a AK 100 series rifle ever since I bought my WASR-10 and Saiga-12 a few years ago and started researching more about AKs on the net here and elsewhere. I had no idea just how close we can get to the real thing. I see an SGL-31 in my very immediate future and thanks so much for tipping me off to it.
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 18:34 |
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**Edit** Upgraded to Platinum, sent PM Those SMGs are nice, they're pretty hard to come by in their country of origin, because MIL usually sells them to collectors and such to be deactivated, meaning that they're actually permanently "destroyed" as weapons and become more like a decorative piece. Sormus fucked around with this message at Dec 24, 2009 around 20:58 |
| # ? Dec 24, 2009 19:43 |
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Sormus , well at least here in USA they get second lives as civie legal semi-autos or as full-auto post-dealer samples. As for the SGL-31...i like mine. Its the nicest 5.45 i own and aside from having a folding stock and go-fast parts, its pretty close to the current Russian military issue. I got to fire a full auto one in 2005 while in Russia and the SGL-31 feels a lot like it. Also interesting note. Izhmash is marketing their quad-stack 5.45x39 magazines quite heavily now. Maybe eventually some will make it over here to the USA?
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 21:51 |
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Mishaco posted:Sormus , well at least here in USA they get second lives as civie legal semi-autos or as full-auto post-dealer samples. Here is an extremely detailed AK-74 mag guide that I tripped over online. maybe some of it could be useful to the op? http://home.comcast.net/~shooter2_i..._mag_guide.html
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| # ? Dec 24, 2009 22:02 |
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Mishaco posted:Also interesting note. Izhmash is marketing their quad-stack 5.45x39 magazines quite heavily now. Maybe eventually some will make it over here to the USA? I read that they had some pretty big problems with reliablity and longevity on the quad stack 60 rounders initially. Have they worked those out with new revisions?
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| # ? Dec 25, 2009 00:18 |
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Kommienzuspadt posted:Here is an extremely detailed AK-74 mag guide that I tripped over online. maybe some of it could be useful to the op? awesome link. I have one of those 10 round romanian mags (thanks mischa!) and that arch on the side is annoying to my tantal.
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| # ? Dec 25, 2009 01:39 |
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How exactly does the quad-stack mag work? I can't wrap my brain around it.
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| # ? Dec 25, 2009 01:47 |
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| # ? May 21, 2013 07:13 |
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Uncle Caveman posted:How exactly does the quad-stack mag work? I can't wrap my brain around it. it's effectively 2 double stacks side by side. they are separated in the middle iirc.
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| # ? Dec 25, 2009 01:56 |
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