Folder AK Dillemma

[classcpl]

I was recently bitten by the AK bug ( Lancaster RR AK74) and have now decided that I must have a folding stock AK in 7.62X39 for use as a "trunk gun." I don't care if it's a silly excuse to buy a new gun... I need one!

My rough budget is around $500 and I have narrowed it down to two choices, a M70AB2 Yugo underfolder or WASR with an ACE internal receiver block side folder installed. Either option will work out to around $500. I don't have any time behind either one of these rifles but Ive been doing plenty of Internet research. From what I have read about these rifles, my Pro's and Con's are:


Yugo Underfolder

Pros:

No major modifications required, like cutting off the tang, its pretty much ready to go from the box.

Word on the internet seems to be that this is a very robust and reliable build.(i.e, no mag wobble, canted sights or receivers, thicker receiver, etc.) BTW, this is a big deal for me.

Looks cool as hell.

Cons:

Mixed reviews with the comfort/functionality of the underfolding stock. I have no personal experience with such a design and have been unable to find one in a local store to try out. I'm not looking for a benchrest rifle, and am not recoil sensitive in the least ( one of my favorite long guns is my 444 marlin) but I do want something that will work well with irons or red dot.

Inability to change out stocks. (cutting the tang off the WASR will limit options somewhat but not in the same manner.)

Lack of a side rail. This is a big one for me as I am a huge fan of the quick detach mount, especially in a SHTF scenario. I will probably only use a red dot sight if any, but I prefer a rear mounted scope as opposed to a handguard mount.

WASR or Romy MV (basically the same thing as I understand.)

Pros:

I am confident that the ACE stock will fit/function exactly the way I want it to.

Side Rail. Nuff said.

Chrome lined bore. ( this is not a huge factor for me since I shoot corrosive 7N6 in my non chrome lined '74 all day long and have had no problems with it.)

Full compatibility with AK parts/accessories

Warm fuzzy feeling you get from personally completing a gun project. (albeit a minor project.)


Cons: All the bad things that can happen when you buy a WASR sight unseen. You all know what I'm talking about. Some of these problems will be mitigated by buying from a reputable dealer, but, really, who wants to keep sending a rifle back?


With either rifle I will be adding a Hogue Monogrip (LOVE the one I put on my AK) and a different muzzle brake/flash supressor ( I hear good things about the YHM Phantom.)

I appreciate all of your input. I have been going back and forth on this for a couple of weeks.

 

[briansmithwins]

Underfolders look really cool but suck to actually shoot. Horrible cheek weld, relativly fargile, and have a bad tendency to go wobbly with use.

The only folder I'd get is the AK-100 type side folder. Locks up like a bank vault, same cheek weld as the fixed stock, and durable. Downside is you need a special receiver and rear trunnion to get one.

Barring the AK-100 folder I'd go with a fixed stock. BSW

 

[Prince Yamato]

Get the side folder. The Yugo will be better quality, but the Underfolder was not meant for quick deployment. It was more of a space-saver for transporting. The side folding stock is more practical.

 

[Birddog1911]

I gotta say, go with the side folder pictued above. I'm like you; I love a side folder, and the only reason I haven't owned an under-folder is because of all that I've heard about how bad they are.

I gotta say, I wish someone offered a side folding receiver like above other than Arsenal; I hate the idea of spending 700-800 for a damned AK. But I really, really like it!

 

[Tuckerp229]

Lack of a side rail. This is a big one for me as I am a huge fan of the quick detach mount, especially in a SHTF scenario. I will probably only use a red dot sight if any, but I prefer a rear mounted scope as opposed to a handguard mount.

I have a Yugo underfolder. I was just visiting this issue tonight..the options to install a red dot. I too dislike the available options, side mount, handguard mount, rear sight swap extended rail placing the scope/ red dot wayyyyyy forward-also no chance of co-witness. After removing the dust cover I was pleased to find that the rear flat portion of the receiver is ripe for drilling and installing a plain old flat chunk of steel with a 90 degree bend placing a nice flat surface directly over the rear end of the receiver and dust cover. With this it would be a cinch to add a section of picatinny rail and your choice of red dot. A little creative sizing and positioning would yield a co-witness for the factory rear sight...not that they are that great to shoot over. As for the dust cover removal afterwards for cleaning this would not be a big deal since this would be infrequent and secondly one could fabricate a securing "wing nut" or "knob" that would allow for field removal of the 90 degree mounting plate. It is nothing to drill and tap a few holes or tack stud onto the rear of the receiver.

As for the ergo's, I have yet to meet a folder of any model rifle that is "comfy". Comfy is not part of the design requirement list.

 

[nalioth]

I do wish we could get "mag wobble" out of our lexicon.

All Kalashnikovs have mag wobble.

Every.

Single.

One.



The "mag wobble" folks like to scare ya over hasn't been seen in years. . .

. . . it occured when Century would open mag wells so much, the magazine wouild literally swing so far one way or other that it would cause the rifle to malfunction.


If you're buying an AK and expecting the mag not to wobble or rattle when you shake it, you need to stop right now and reevaluate your expectations.

 

[Birddog1911]

Sadly, it looks like Mark LaRue discontinued his AK mini red dot sight; it mounted on the rear sight assembly, with a new sight, and was easily co-witnessed. Best darned product out there.

 

[classcpl]

I already have an AK.

There is some very slight side-to-side play in the magazine but I would not describe it as a "wobble." The amount of play I have observed in some, not all, WASR rifles is considerably more pronounced.

I would love to go hand pick a WASR from one of the local shops ( I prefer to support local businesses) but I flat out refuse to pay $520 + for a stock WASR. That may not be a bad price in some places, but this is TEXAS dammit!

 

[briansmithwins]

Sadly, it looks like Mark LaRue discontinued his AK mini red dot sight; it mounted on the rear sight assembly, with a new sight, and was easily co-witnessed. Best darned product out there.

There were some problems with it, which is why it was pulled. It seems like Larue would rather give up sales than make money on a product that has problems. I suspect the problems were with the optic chosen.

BSW