Do you like or dislike AKs?
- Thread starter Eleven Mike
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Essex County
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I voted liked, but upon reflection respect is more like it. It's simple and reliable as gravity. I sold mine a couple of years ago as I prefer the AR platform and have gone in that direction. Like an old Farmall Tractor, a great piece of machinery.....But I'd rather take the SUV if I'm going to town. Essex
HorseSoldier
Member
Indifferent.
Some strengths -- rugged, reliable, good magazine capacity.
And some weaknesses -- control layout done one day while Kalashnikov was apparently deep in a week-long vodka bender. Short sight radius and sights slower to acquire than a peep sight like on the AR (can obviously be fixed with a red dot or something). The 7.62x39 round is bulky and inefficient for what it is (not an issue with AK74s).
I'd prefer an AR or a number of other options over an AK, but would certainly not feel inadequately armed with an AK if it was what was available.
Some strengths -- rugged, reliable, good magazine capacity.
And some weaknesses -- control layout done one day while Kalashnikov was apparently deep in a week-long vodka bender. Short sight radius and sights slower to acquire than a peep sight like on the AR (can obviously be fixed with a red dot or something). The 7.62x39 round is bulky and inefficient for what it is (not an issue with AK74s).
I'd prefer an AR or a number of other options over an AK, but would certainly not feel inadequately armed with an AK if it was what was available.
Carl N. Brown
Member
trigger slap
Some semi-auto triggers "backlash" sometime painfully,
sometimes just enough to be irritating..
I believe--but am not sure--that it is due to
taking a full-auto secondary sear and cutting off part
of the tail that would contact the disconnect on a
full auto firing mechanism. A gun built with a
new semi-auto fire control group should not have
trigger slap, and a proper re-shaping of a full-auto
secondary sear should eliminate the tail entirely
to eliminate trigger slap. And someone with
better knowledge of AK FCG will propbably know
the proper term for the secondary sear, but I
don't have access to my library at this time.
Some semi-auto triggers "backlash" sometime painfully,
sometimes just enough to be irritating..
I believe--but am not sure--that it is due to
taking a full-auto secondary sear and cutting off part
of the tail that would contact the disconnect on a
full auto firing mechanism. A gun built with a
new semi-auto fire control group should not have
trigger slap, and a proper re-shaping of a full-auto
secondary sear should eliminate the tail entirely
to eliminate trigger slap. And someone with
better knowledge of AK FCG will propbably know
the proper term for the secondary sear, but I
don't have access to my library at this time.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Amen.
Add the gas cylinder vents above the barrel -- which indicates he didn't test it at night.
skeeter1
Member
Indifferent for me.
I'm a levergun kind of guy, and I have no beef with someone who wants an AK. They're just not for me.
I'm a levergun kind of guy, and I have no beef with someone who wants an AK. They're just not for me.
Tigerclaw_x
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AK is a good design, now the execution of it....
Basically, what we are talking about is a design with a gas piston long stroke above the barrel and rotating bolt lock. Now, if you look at SIG 556, what do you see? The SAME THING. If you look at VALMET, what do you see? The SAME THING. If you look at Galil, Beretta M70, etc, what do you see? The same thing.
The issue with accuracy comes from TWO sources:
1) How was it made. You can get an AK, especially Finish (Valmet), Russian or Yugo made, that will be VERY accurate to about 200meters. Then again you have hungarian and romanian ones, which are usually worse. it is an issue of tolerances and balance and QC.
2) Ammunition. People who critisize AK for bad accuracy forget that it is not the SYSTEM, it is the CARTRIGE. What was this rifle built for? As something more powerful then a PPSh, needed to arm mass of Motor Rifle Divisions (an equivalent to Panzergrenadeers). The issue was VOLUME OF FIRE and engagements at the ranges 300-400m. Replace the round, give it 2-3 more inches of barrel and then you will see a HUGE difference.
3) Nobody complained about bad accuracy in Galil 7.62NATO. And that is AK.
Why? BEtter cartrige, better built. Nobody is complaining about accuracy of Saiga .308 or .223. Change the cartrige and see the difference.
4) Yugo M76 sniper rilfe uses 7.92 Mauser cartrige in an AK style rifle. It has NO issues with accuracy.
The basic system, is the same system used on: FN FAL, Bereta M70, Valmet, Galil and bunch of other systems: rotating locking bolt with 2-4 lugs, gas tube ABOVE barrel and a gas piston with long stroke. This system was first tried in SVT-40 rifle, then copied in FN-FAL and many others. The problem is with 7.62x39 cartrige, more then anything. Replace it with 6.5grendell and you will see TOTALLY NEW ballistics.
Basically, what we are talking about is a design with a gas piston long stroke above the barrel and rotating bolt lock. Now, if you look at SIG 556, what do you see? The SAME THING. If you look at VALMET, what do you see? The SAME THING. If you look at Galil, Beretta M70, etc, what do you see? The same thing.
The issue with accuracy comes from TWO sources:
1) How was it made. You can get an AK, especially Finish (Valmet), Russian or Yugo made, that will be VERY accurate to about 200meters. Then again you have hungarian and romanian ones, which are usually worse. it is an issue of tolerances and balance and QC.
2) Ammunition. People who critisize AK for bad accuracy forget that it is not the SYSTEM, it is the CARTRIGE. What was this rifle built for? As something more powerful then a PPSh, needed to arm mass of Motor Rifle Divisions (an equivalent to Panzergrenadeers). The issue was VOLUME OF FIRE and engagements at the ranges 300-400m. Replace the round, give it 2-3 more inches of barrel and then you will see a HUGE difference.
3) Nobody complained about bad accuracy in Galil 7.62NATO. And that is AK.
Why? BEtter cartrige, better built. Nobody is complaining about accuracy of Saiga .308 or .223. Change the cartrige and see the difference.
4) Yugo M76 sniper rilfe uses 7.92 Mauser cartrige in an AK style rifle. It has NO issues with accuracy.
The basic system, is the same system used on: FN FAL, Bereta M70, Valmet, Galil and bunch of other systems: rotating locking bolt with 2-4 lugs, gas tube ABOVE barrel and a gas piston with long stroke. This system was first tried in SVT-40 rifle, then copied in FN-FAL and many others. The problem is with 7.62x39 cartrige, more then anything. Replace it with 6.5grendell and you will see TOTALLY NEW ballistics.
spyderdude
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I love my Romanian GP WASR10.
MCgunner
Member
Don't really have a use for such an inaccurate weapon.
DMK
Member
The FAL doesn't have a rotating bolt and it's gas piston is not attached to the bolt carrier. It uses a tilting bolt and tappet system, much more like the SKS than the AK.
Having a 7.62x39 AR15, and shot different brands off bench with a scope and free floated barrel, I agree with you about the ammo quality. Russian 7.62x39 ammo has very disappointing performance. I doubt that it's a flaw in the design though. More likely just a lack of consistency in production. One of these days, I'm going to handload some x39 to put it to the test.
scurtis_34471
Member
Shoot a VEPR. Granted, it is not strictly speaking an AK. Its an RPK-74 chambered in 7.62x39, .223 or .308 with a heavy 20.5" barrel and its more accurate than I am. I forgot to mention the nice 2-stage trigger.
My attitude toward AKs ranges from "indifferent" to mildly interested. I appreciate their historical significance and the traditional AKs with the laminated wood stocks are kinda cool lookin. I guess if I ever bought one, it would be mainly as a collectable.
ranger335v
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I'm indifferent to YOU having one! But I don't have any use for one myself. Low power and much too ugly.
OK, ugly guns and ugly women are just as useful as pretty ones. The pride of ownership is much different tho!
OK, ugly guns and ugly women are just as useful as pretty ones. The pride of ownership is much different tho!
RugerOldArmy
Member
There is some utilitarian appeal, and I could understand why some folks like them. But I voted dislike. They just seem to be made cheaply, the triggers seem to suck, I'm not a fan of the cartridge (7.62x39), don't feel they're accurate. I'd rather have a m4 for a carbine, and an AR/M1/M1A or FAL for a semi-auto rifle.
Accuracy is pretty much the main drawback in my book, I'm more of a bolt gun type. My Rock River Varminter can hang with a (non-benchrest) bolt gun. I don't think the AK can be made as accurate as a varmint or NM AR.
Accuracy is pretty much the main drawback in my book, I'm more of a bolt gun type. My Rock River Varminter can hang with a (non-benchrest) bolt gun. I don't think the AK can be made as accurate as a varmint or NM AR.
possum
Member
i love my mak-90 and my dad's yugo underfolder, i would recommend an ak to anyone. my mak is reliable, easy to maintain. and 17 out of 20 on an e-type shilloute at 200yds in the prone all day long with wolf 154gr sp.
FMJMIKE
Member
I absolutely love my three Saiga .223/5.56 rifles. Accuracy is as good as a couple AR-15s that I once owned. 100% reliable too....
I love the AK for it's simplicity of design and superb reliability. The accuracy leaves much to be desired though. I think my ideal gun would be a hybrid between the AK's reliable gas system and the AR's accuracy. Something in a bit more substantial caliber than .223 but a little flatter shooting than the 7.62x39. Now that they're making gas piston AR-15's, I guess my dream gun is a reality!
My name is Adam, and I am an Ak-holic. I love them!
Accuracy is the most often cited reason for disliking them. If you want a tack driver, then they basically stink on ice for the most part. But if you want a battle rifle that can hit minute of man at 200 yards, then they work just fine.
I love the way they shoulder, the feel of the pistol grip, the way the magazine loads into the rifle, the way they look. Plus ammo is still pretty darn cheap, I can still find it for $3.00-$3.50 per 20 round box. I love the rifle. Honestly if my AK was a serious tack driver, I would have no reason to want another rifle.
And my main reason, becuase I built my own. Started with a $100 parts kit (starting with quality military surplus, not castoff junk) and for a smidge over $200 had built me a beautiful, functional, hardy, evil black rifle. I built it with my two hands, a pile of parts, and a heap of borrowed knowledge from some internet forums.
Accuracy is the most often cited reason for disliking them. If you want a tack driver, then they basically stink on ice for the most part. But if you want a battle rifle that can hit minute of man at 200 yards, then they work just fine.
I love the way they shoulder, the feel of the pistol grip, the way the magazine loads into the rifle, the way they look. Plus ammo is still pretty darn cheap, I can still find it for $3.00-$3.50 per 20 round box. I love the rifle. Honestly if my AK was a serious tack driver, I would have no reason to want another rifle.
And my main reason, becuase I built my own. Started with a $100 parts kit (starting with quality military surplus, not castoff junk) and for a smidge over $200 had built me a beautiful, functional, hardy, evil black rifle. I built it with my two hands, a pile of parts, and a heap of borrowed knowledge from some internet forums.
Interesting,
You guys are comparing AK – made in 1946 and AR (even not M-16 Vietnam veteran) which is modern issue rifle. So, between these rifles about 40 – 45 years. Well, how about HK G3 or even HK G11 versus MP-40? Should we compare M1903 Springfield rifle and M1 Garand rifle?
From my point of view – it is amazing that after 60 years in service in more than 50 % of all world counties – this rifle is still something which brings attention.
You guys are comparing AK – made in 1946 and AR (even not M-16 Vietnam veteran) which is modern issue rifle. So, between these rifles about 40 – 45 years. Well, how about HK G3 or even HK G11 versus MP-40? Should we compare M1903 Springfield rifle and M1 Garand rifle?
From my point of view – it is amazing that after 60 years in service in more than 50 % of all world counties – this rifle is still something which brings attention.
Some of you think ergonomics suck with the AK? Try the G3(PTR-91), talk about sucky ergonomics and a horrible trigger to boot. The AK is the Winchester '94 levergun of the 21st century. Sure there are good and bad variants out there, but why buy a bad one? I bought a Arsenal milled receiver model and it's quite accurate for a carbine. Even talked with a Vietnam vet at the range who commented on how it wasn't unusual, for someone that knew how to use one, bring down a Huey and that it wasn't the gun, but the shooter.
Eleven Mike
Member
The fact that a man was in theater doesn't mean he knew about everything that went on there. I would want to substantiate such a claim with facts.
kcmarine
Member
Don't know. About 3 years ago, when I was 12, I was at the MODOC rifle range in Galatin, Missouri. Two guys were there with different military rifles. They had an M1, an M-16, and an AK- 47. I got to shoot both the M-16 and the AK-47. I took my time with the shots when using the M-16, but if you give an AK to a 12 year- old boy, there is no way in hell he's aiming the thing. And I didn't . Fun as hell. I'll get a pic...
. Fun as hell. I'll get a pic...Cesiumsponge
Member
Ugly as sin but works like a charm
I don't have an AK in 7.62x39mm but I do love my Izhmash Saiga-12.
I don't have an AK in 7.62x39mm but I do love my Izhmash Saiga-12.
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