GunDigest®BookofAK&SKSVOLUME2

PATRICKSWEENEY

ThankyouforpurchasingthisGunDigesteBook.

Signupforournewsletterandreceivespecialoffers,accesstofreecontent,andinformationonthelatestnewreleasesandmust-havefirearmsresources!Plus,receiveacouponcodetouseonyourfirstpurchasefromGunDigestStore.com

forsigningup.

orvisitusonlinetosignupathttp://gundigest.com/ebook-promo

DEDICATION

Asalways,toFelicia.Inthefirstvolumeofthisbook,Imentionedourtwopoodledudes.Soonafterthatvolumecameout,weaddedathird.Bertiewasararityamongpoodles;ahigh-energy,sweet,almostmanicdog,whowassostrongheactuallypulledmeoffmyfeetmorethanonce.Hewasalso,aswediscovered,adogwhohadAddison’s.Ourlittle

Addisonianrequiredadailypill,andmonthlyshots,onastrictschedule.Wewillinglyundertookthatwork,aswehadsignedonaspackleaders,andthatisonethingthatisabsolute:assumeaburdenandstickwithit,regardless.FeliciaandIstuckwithhimuntiltheend.Itturnsoutitwasnothis

Addison’sthattookhim,butararecancerofvaguesymptomsthateventhespecialtyvetoverlooked.Asafirearmstrainerofmyacquaintanceonceremarked,“Toloveadogistoknowthatsomedayyouwillcry.”Onamorecheerfulnote,Ihaveawarningforthosewhowishtowork

athomeoratawindow.Donotinstallawindowmounthummingbirdfeeder.Ihave,andtodayaloneIhave“lost”almosthalfanhour,distractedeverytimeIseeazippingmotionfromthecornerofmyeye.Thisyear’s“owner”ofthefeeder(hummingbirdsareveryterritorial,theywilldefendagoodfeedingspot)istiny,evenforaruby-throatfemale.She’sbeenhereadozentimes,drivenoffinterlopers,andeveneyesbirdsmuchlargerthanherself.ShejustharassedapoormourningdovethatwanderedintoherAO,diving,pecking,andmakingsureitdidn’tcomenearherfeeder.Fiercelittlebirds,theyare.

Fiercelittlebirds,theyare.So,forFelicia,thepoodledudes,hereandgone,andtheferocious

hummingbirdoutsidemywindow,Idedicatethelatestbookforyourenjoyment.

PatrickSweeney,September2016

CONTENTS

SPECIALOFFERS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER1:AKMYTHS

CHAPTER2:HISTORYOFTHEAK

CHAPTER3:WHAT’SNEW?

CHAPTER4:HOWTHEAKISMADE

CHAPTER5:BUILDINGANAK

CHAPTER6AMMOISAMMO

CHAPTER7:AKMAINTENANCE&ASSEMBLY

CHAPTER8:TRIGGERS

CHAPTER9:AKACCURACY

CHAPTER10:SIGHTS&OPTICS

CHAPTER11:AKDURABILITY&SERVICELIFE

CHAPTER12:KRINKREDUX

CHAPTER13:SUPPRESSORS

CHAPTER14:AKMAGAZINES

CHAPTER15:TESTINGTHEAK

CHAPTER16:CENTURYARMSC39V2

CHAPTER17:KREBSCUSTOM

CHAPTER18:IWIACE

CHAPTER19:AKHANDGUARDS

CHAPTER20:AKPISTOLGRIPS

CHAPTER21:AKAFTERMARKETSTOCKS

CHAPTER22:SKS

CHAPTER23:FUTUREOFTHEAK

CHAPTER24:AKLEGALASPECTS

INTRODUCTION

WHYANOTHERAKBOOK?AFTERALL,WHATmorecanbesaidabouttheAK,thatubiquitousbullethoseseenonnetworknewseachnight,therifleaboutwhichbarrelsofinkhavealreadybeenspilled,thathasn’talreadybeensaid?Oneexplanationisthatthemarkethaschanged,andtheenduser’s

expectationshavechangedaswell.WhichmeansthepreviousAKvolumeisn’tasrelevantasithadbeen.TheadviceweweregivenbackintheearlydaysabouthowtorunanAKwas,

“itisn’tanAR,don’ttrytorunitthatway,learntorunitlikeaRussian.”Or,“runitlikeSpetsnaz.”Inotherwords:don’tbabyit.ThoseofyouwhohavereadmewillknowwhereI’mgoingwiththisone,butI’mnotanilliteratefarmerlivinginaThirdWorldhellhole.Iunderstandtheneedfor,andusesof,properlubrication.Andproper,safe,gunhandling.Now,wereIacontractorworkinginsomeGod-awfulplace,I’dcertainlyhavethe“Russianway”aspartofmymentaltoolkit.ButI’mnotone(acontractorthatis).So,exceptfortheusualrun-of-the-millneglectfromhavingtoomanythings

todo,Idonot“clean”myAKsaccordingtolegend.Theyactuallygetoil,nowandthen,andabrushandapatchdowntheborewhenIhavetimebetweenassignments.Similarly,Iexpectittobeareasonablycivilizedpieceofequipment.Iexpectatriggerthatisatleastmanageable.Nicewouldbebetter,eventhoughIdon’texpectasniperriflegradetrigger.

TheguardoutsideoftheKremlin,withhisSKS.Yep,anSKS,becauseanAKwouldbetooshortforhimtoholdthemuzzle.

Iexpectmyrifletobereasonablyergonomic.Let’stakethestockasanexample.Yes,thestockisshort.Becausetheuserswereshort,andtheywerepackedintosmallvehicleswhentheyrodeinvehicles.OriginalRussiandimensionstocksmaybeperiodcorrect,evenvisuallybalanced(inpartbecausethat’swhatweexpect)andsturdy.ButI’mnotaSovietmechanizedinfantrytrooperfromUzbekistan.I’mafoottallerthanthoseguys,andIneedastockthatfitsme.Andnodoubtyoudo,too.Yes,youcandoOKwiththeshorterstock,butyou’lldobetterwithalongerone,onethatfits.WhatareweasAmericans,ifnotlookingforbetter?Ialsoexpectthemakertohavedealtwithsharpedges,corners,burrs,wire-

edgedstampingsandpinch-points.Thatis,Iexpectthemnottobethere.AslongassomeinspectingGeneraldidn’tcuthimselfonanAK,themakersseemnottohavebotheredthemselveswithsuchniceties.Imean,myRomyAKMstillhasamachine-cutcurlofsteelonthegaspillar,decadesaftermanufacture,finishing,issue,storage,demillingandshipmenttome.TheergonomicsoftheAKwereacombinationofanothereraandan

unconcernfortheindividualuser.Hereinamarketeconomy,ifyoumakesomethingthatputsanextraburdenontheend-user,theywilltaketheirdollarsandfindsomeonewhoismorewillingtoaccommodatetheirirrationaldemandsofvalueformoney.IntheoldSovietUnionandtheWarsawPact,AKswerepropertyofThe

People.Meaningthegovernment.Meaning,noonehadanyrequirementtodomorethankeeptrackofserialnumbers,towhomtheywereissued,andthattheywerestillwheretheyweresupposedtobe.“Comrade,youwanttocustomizeyourAK?Submitaproposaltotherelevantcommitteeandtheywilltellyouifitisanapprovedmodificationornot.”Anybetsonitbeingapproved?AndthechancesofyourissuedAKbeingun-issuedtoyouinthenearfuture?

WepayforourownammunitionhereintheStates.Rightnow,itisstillrelativelycheap,anditcomesinnon-reloadable,steelcasesforthemostpart.Sonoonecareshowfarorhardtheemptiesareejected,andwhathappenstothemintheprocess.However,letreloading7.62x39becomeevennearlyascommonas ⁄ andthatwillchange.Userswillstarttoexaminewaystoeasetheejectionprocess.Nottobecome

marginal,butatleasttonotbebrass-destructive.Anexampleanddatapoint.Backinthe1980s,theHKseriesofrifleswerealltherage.TheHK91and93werehotpropertiestoown.Andstatussymbols.But,iftherewasonethingtheGermanslearnedfromtheRussians,itwasthatemptybrass/steelhadtobehurledvigorously.ThosewhoactuallyshottheirHKs,andreloadedammo,sooninvestedinabrassbuffer.Itwasasmallsteelclipwitharubberface,whichyouclippedtotheedgeoftheejectionport.Itsavedyourbrassfrombeingnearlybentinhalf.Andkeptitfrombeinghurledfiftyyards.Oncereloading7.62x39becomespopularenoughI’dexpectsomeoneto

inventandstartmarketingsuchagizmo.Youwillsearchinvainforsuchathingtobeimported,surplus,fromapreviouslycommunistcountry.Oh,ifitbecomespopularenough,you’llseecheapknock-offscomingfromChina,butthereisnosuchthinginexistenceinthecommieworld.Andyes,I’llkeepusingthatmildpejorative,commie.WhentheAKwasdeveloped,opticswereforsniperrifles.Theideathatthey

wouldbecommononstandardrifleswasludicrous.Tobefair,theSovietswerenotaloneinthatopinion.Well,it’sthe21stcentury,andweexpecttobeabletoputopticsonarifle,

anyrifle,evenifitisjustareddotsight.Throughaquirkofdesign,theARwasmoreamenabletothatchangethanhasbeentheAK.ThedesignoftheAKmakesthetaskabitmoredifficult,butitisthemakersandinventorshereintheWestwhohavecomeupwithmanageablesolutions,notthesurpluswarehousesoftheWarsawPact.Theevolutionincludesironsights.TheapproachtheSovietArmytookto

.223 5.56

infantryassaultswasvolumeoffire.Iftheothersidewastoobusyducking,theycouldn’tfireback,andonceyouwereontopofthem,thekindofsightsyouhadreallydidn’tmatter.Slotandport,withamarginalsightradius,servedthatneedwell.Well,weAmericansfancyourselvesasmarksmen.Oh,wearen’ttheeagle-eyedSergeantYorksweallliketothinkweare,butwedoaim.Thisattitudeisheavilyinfluencedbytheutterlackofselect-fireAKsforustoexperimentwith,learnonandfrom,andimprove.But,untiltheHughesAmendmenttoFOPA1986canbeexpunged,wehavetosettleforsemiauto-onlyAKs.Thatmeanswepracticeaiming.

Crouchedbehindaninfantryassaultvehicle,ateamofRomanian,Bulgarianand1stArmoredDivisionSoldiersprovidesecuritytoteammatesconductingaraidonanearbybuildingduring

ExerciseImmediateResponse06.PhotobySpc.TanyaPolk

Dittothemodernneedforlightsandlasers.Weidentifiedtheusefulness,inventedthesolutionintheAR-verse,andnowhavetransportedthatsolutionintotheAKworld.Railedhandguards—andastheevolutioncontinues,handguardsinKeymodandM-LOK—areavailablefortheAK.Youcanhavealightandlasersolutionthatcostsamere$35,oryoucanspendtentimesthatonarebuildandoverhaulthatmakestheAKthoroughlymodern.

arebuildandoverhaulthatmakestheAKthoroughlymodern.Andlast,fornow,aremagazines.Thequote“Youcanneverbetoorich,or

toothin”hasbeenattributedtoWallisSimpson,thedivorceewhocausedKingEdwardVIIItoabdicatefromthethroneofEngland.Shemayhavebeenthefirst,shemaynothavebeen.Butthemodernfirearmsversionis,“Youcanneverhavetoomuchammunition,nortoomanymagazines.”Self-loadingriflesdependonmagazinesto,well,self-load.Inthemodern

mnemonicof“Twoisone,oneisnone,”wegrasptheessenceofthis.Ifyouhavebutonemagazine,andyouloseit,oritbreaks,youhavenone.Ithasbecomecommon,almostacontest,tostockpilemagazinesandammunition.Costispartofthis.Myparent’sgenerationlivedthroughtheGreatDepression.Allofuskidsremembergrowingupwithfatherswhohadcoffeecansandmasonjarsofnailsandscrewsinthegarage.Why?”Youneverknowwhenyou’llneedthem.”Myfirstcarpentryskilllearned,growingup,washowtostraightenabentnail.Well,inthefirstfewyearsofthe21stcentury,ammunitionwascheap.Irecall

beinghandedaStateBidpricesheetinalawenforcementclass,acoupleofyearsafter ⁄ .Theprice,perthousandrounds,ofM193,was$143.9mmwaspricedat$95perthousand.Inafewyears,thepricesofeachhadtripled.Thatpriceshockcausedalotofpeopletoreconsiderhowmuchammoon-handwas“enough”andincreaseit.Andthenincreaseitagain,whentherewasno.22LRtobehadatall.NotthatAKsfire.22LR,butifthatdisappeared,thenwhatwasnext?Andsoitwaswithmagazines.Iftherewasashortage,youwerestuck.If

someoneactuallypassedalawbanningorrestrictingthem,thenyouwouldn’tbeabletogetanymore.So,stockup.Andtheunexpected(bysome,notme)synergykickedin.ifyouhaveagarage

fullofAKpartskits,andmagazines,andabasementfullofammo,theydoyounogoodifyoudonotpractice.So,asignificantnumberofshootersgotoutandactuallylearnedhowtorunanAK.Andtheywereunderwhelmed.Crappytriggers,tiltedfrontsightposts,amassofsharpedges,andindifferentaccuracy

9 11

triggers,tiltedfrontsightposts,amassofsharpedges,andindifferentaccuracybecauseofsurpluscommunist-madeammunitiondonotahappyshootermake.Thecleveronesstarteddesigning,testingandfabricatingsolutions.Thenot-

so-inventiveonesstartedlookingforsolutionstobuy.Wearestillintheupwardcurveofthatchange.Yousee,whilethechangesweredrivenbythemodernsocial,politicalandeconomicenvironment,theywerealsohamperedbyit.Shooterswhoarebuyingalltheammotheycanfinddonothavealotofdisposableincometobuyimprovedhandguards,stocks,magazines,optics,etc.Thosewhohome-builtanAKfromapartskitfor$200outofpocketexpensearegoingtogetstickershockwhentheywearitoutandgotoreplaceitwithanallU.S.-madeAKthatretailsfor$600.Asifallthatwasn’tenough,wehavetheconvergence-to-be,meldingAKs

withthehotnewmust-haveitem,suppressors.TheAKbarrelisthin,withmarginal,metricleft-handedthreads.FiguringouthowtoinstallasuppressorisgoingtoconsumeagreatdealofR&D,experimentation,anddownhometesting.That’sbecauseAmericanshootersvotewiththeirdollars.IftheywantAKsandsuppressors,someonewillfigureaway.Isuspectthatwhenthetimecomes,inafewyears(maybeevenafewshort

years)forathirdvolumeofthisbook,thelandscapewillhavechangedsomuchthatIwon’tevenhavetouse“commie”and“Soviet”andanyothermentionofourformerColdWaropponents.ThewholeAKshootersuniversebythenwillbeentirelyUSA-made.Wecanonlyhope.

CHAPTER1AKMYTHS

TOUNDERSTANDAKMYTHS,WENEEDTOexaminefoundationmyths—thestoriesthatweasacultureandsocietytellourselvesabouthowthingscametobe.Suchmythscanbefanciful,incrediblydetailed,andtheycanbebasedintruth,butthefoundationmythsarewhatsetthecourseforthegroup.Youcantellalotaboutagroupbypayingattentiontowhattheysayaboutthemselves,tothemselves.WhatarethefoundationmythsoftheAK?Thatatatimeofexistentialcrisis,whenSovietcitizensweredyingindroves,

andtheArmywasill-equippedtodealwiththeGermancriminals,acommonmancametotherescue.TheSovietsystemallowedthiscommonfarmer,withaknackformechanicaldevices,toriseandshowhisskillsforthecommongood.HeproducedacarbinethatwasbothRussianandSovietinitslineageanddetails;itwasmadeofcommonmaterials,incrediblyrobust,unfailinglyreliable,uncomplicated,trustworthy,andmadewithoutexcesses,fripperiesorcosmeticenhancements,asbefitsthepeopleoftheearthwhowoulduseittoachievevictory.Andforgetnotthatitwasdesignedwitheaseofproductioninmind,sothe

Sovietscouldmakethemprettymuchasfastastheycouldbakeloavesofbread.(ThesnarkyamongstyoumightremarkthatAKsweremorecommonthanbreadloavesinSovietRussia,butthat’sjustbeingcruel.)Alas,assomeofyouknow,andmanyofyoususpect,thisisnotentirelytrue.

AsIpointedoutinthefirstvolumeofthisbook,manyofthedesigndetailsoftheAKwerelifteddirectlyfrom,orinspiredby,inventionsofBrowningand

Garand.Inparticular,KalashnikovhimselfadmittedthattheGarandwasadesignmodelhecopied.Ican’tfindanymentionofGarandsbeingshippedtotheSovietsduringWorldWarII(hey,wesentthemplentyofotheritemsusefulforthewareffort)butitwouldhavebeeneasyenoughtohavecollectedsomesamplesattheendofthewarwhenthetwoarmiesmet.

AbronzestatueinoneofthesubwaystationsofMoscow,showingavaliantcomradeandhisMosinrifle.

Mosinrifle.

But,thebigdealwasnotthattheRedArmycouldhavecollectedafewhundredM1Garandsforstudy,butthattheyhadHugoSchmeisserandtheplanthedesignedfor.Theyshippedhim—alongwithtruckloadsofvariantsoftheStG ⁄ ,thetoolingandmachinery,andthousandsofpagesoftechnicalnotes,drawings,etc.—backtoMotherRussia.OnecanseebitsofStg ⁄ DNAintheAK-47,suchasthestamped-steel

constructionandgassystemsituatedabovethebarrel(unliketheGarand,whichhelditspartsbelowthebarrel).Thetwo-piecestockdesign,wheretherearstockdidnothingbutprovideaplacefortheshooter’sface.And,theselect-fireoption,whatwelightlyrefertoasthegiggleswitchtoday.BoththeGermansandRussiansfoundthislastdetailuseful(fordifferentreasons)inthemaelstromoftheEasternFront.Andconsiderthat,beforethewar,theSovietsdidnotmakeanythingexcept

aircraft,usingpressedsheet-metalmethods.TheAK-47cartridge,the7.62x39,isknownastheM43,orM-1943cartridge.This,aftertheirfirstencounterwiththeGerman7.92x33.Bothuseshortenedcases,andtheoriginalbullet(andthusbore)diameterofthestandard-issuerifle.Bothuseabulletmuchlighterthantheoriginal,125grains(more-or-less)comparedtothe190grainsorsoofthestandardrifle.Thesightsdon’ttellusmuch,sinceeveryonebuttheU.S.andEnglandused

notch-and-postsightsformilitaryrifles.BoththeStg ⁄ andtheAK-47weresimplymoreofthesame.AndSchmeisserremainedinRussiaforsevenyearsafterthewar,bywhich

timetheAK-47wasinproduction,andtherewereonlysmalldetailsofvolumeandqualitycontrol(QC)toworkout.(Ihaveheardthathewasnotalone.TherewasanentireapartmentbuildingfullofGermantechnicians,engineers,designersandplantsupervisors,all“voluntarily”workingtoassisttheSoviets.OncetheAKprojectwasdone,andtheywerefreetoleave,notasingleoneofthemremainedinRussia,alloptingtoreturnhometoGermany.Onewonders

44 45

44 45

44 45

themremainedinRussia,alloptingtoreturnhometoGermany.Onewondershowmanyofthemhadtomove,andquickly,againnineyearslater,whentheEastGermangovernmentstartedclosingtheborder?)ButnoneofthatinformationwasavailabletouswhenAKsbeganappearing

onthemarket.AndthefaultsandshortcomingsoftheAKwerethingswehadtoferretoutforourselves.SinceformanyyearswecouldnotlayhandsonanAKinanyformandtryit

outforourselves,wehadtosettlefortherumors,mythsandplainoldBSthatwasavailable.Thatendedinthe1980s,whenfirsttheMaadi,andthenliteralboatloadsofChineseAKs,becameavailable.Thiswasnotwithoutitsowndrawbacks.BecausetheChineseAKswere“copiesoftheoriginal”theywereseenasaseparateitem,andnotreallyrepresentativeofthe“trueRussianAK.”Honest,Iheardthat.Asabriefaside,thecriticswerecorrectthatasChinese-madeAKs,theywere

nottrueRussianAKs.Theplantswere,however,setupbyRussianadvisors,andtheproductionmethodswouldhavehewedcloselytothosetheSovietsthemselvesused.So,inthatregard,theyrepresentedtruecopiesoftheoutputofavitalcommand-economyitem.Whenthepartskitsbecameavailableinvolume,peoplestartedtobuildAKs,

tryingasmuchaspossibletobuildthemexactlyastheywouldhavebeeninSovietuse.Well,withoutthegiggleswitchoption,obviously.Thismeantthatbuildersandusersporedoverthetechnicalliterature,toferret

outdetailsoffit,finish,color,fabricationandperformance.Theironyofthiswaslostonmanybuildersandusers.Herewewere,inthelate20thandearly21stcentury,workinghardtoreconstructanartifactthatwastheapexofimmediatepost-wartechnology.Onemeanttobeusedinacontextmoreappropriatetopre-warthanpost.Onecomparisonmightbetorestoringa1960smusclecar.Findparts,rebuild,weld,machine,whateverittakes,evenmatchthepaintmixsoitisanexactcopy.Andwhenyou’redone,youhaveanautomobilethatreallymovesdowntheboulevardinstyle.Now,I’mnotsayingsuchacarwouldn’tbestylish,butitwouldmovedown

Now,I’mnotsayingsuchacarwouldn’tbestylish,butitwouldmovedowntheroadwithoutanti-lockbrakes,airbags,fuelinjection,cruisecontrol,andwewillnotevenspeakofGPSandsurround-soundstereo.Somemodelsmighthavehadair-conditioningasanoption,butdon’tbetoneverymusclecarthatleftthefactoryhavinghadit.Fivemilesperhourbumpers?Pu-leeze.Anybumpwilldent,bendorcrumpleyourfreshly-chromedsteelbumper.Butitdoeshavestyle,isfuntodrive,anditwillattractthebabes.TheAK-47?Wehaveaforged-and-milled,orastampedreceiverthatisa

massofcorners,edges,andprotrusions.Itistheverydefinitionofnon-ergonomic.ThestockistooshortformostWesternshootersunlessyoupositthatKalashnikovplannedfortheAKtobeusedwithbodyarmor,andthustheshortlengthofpullwouldbecorrect.No,itwasmadetobeissuedtomobsofconscripts,manyofwhomwouldbefromthesteppes,theoutlying“Republics,”folkswhoweremuchshorterinstaturethantheirEuropeancounterparts.That,andashort-stockedrifle/carbineiseasiertowranglewhilegettinginto

andoutoftrucks,tanks,APCsandarmoredcars.Thehandguarddoesaminimaljobofprotectingyourhandsfromheat.Infact,

thehandguardsareworsethanthat,becausetheypromisetoprotectyourhands,buttheveryhardwarethatholdstheminplace(orreinforcestheirconstruction)conductsheattoyourhands.GetanAKhot,andyou’llfindthatthebracketsandeventhereinforcingpingethot,stayhot,andwillraiseblistersifyouarenotcareful.Thesafetylever?UnlessyouhavefingerslikeClyde,theorangutaninthe

movieEveryWhichWayButLoose,youarenotgoingtomovethatleverwithouttakingyourhandoffthepistolgrip.AsfarasAKaccuracyisconcerned,thesightsmakeittough,butthe

constructionmakesitreallytricky.Oh,theywillshootwellenoughontherange.Ifby“wellenough”youmeangetahitonapersonwithintypicalcombatdistances.Themaximumexpectationformostarmiesthesedaysis300meters.InexpectedSovietuse,thatwouldhavebeenastretch.

ThesigninUglichthatleadmetothehouseofKalashnikov.JustnottheKalashnikovwereadabout.

ThetacticsoftheRedArmyontheEasternfrontbearsomereview.TheRedswouldpackartilleryintoasmuchspaceastheyhad,whichtheycalled“hubtohub.”Athousandartillerytubeswouldrainshellsdownontotheobjective,whilethetanksandarmoredcarswouldrollforward.Thetanksoftenwouldhaveanencrustationofinfantryridingtotheobjective.Yes,ifthetanktookahit,theyweremostlygoners,butitbeatwalking.(And,itbeattellingthepoliticalofficer“I’mnotriding,thankyouverymuch.”)OncethetanksrolledovertheGermantrenchline,orintothetownbeingused

asastrongpoint,they’ddismount,andgettowork.Typicalengagementdistanceswerenot300,butprobablymorelike30meters.Thiswastheplanforfuturewars.Afterall,youstickwithwhatworks,right?Thatkindof“minuteoffascist”accuracy,within50meters,wasplentygood

enough.

enough.Now,I’vehadmyfriendDaveFortierregaletheassembledgunwritersand

shooterswithtalesofAKprowess.Howhedroppeda450-metertargetwithanAK.Well,yes.But,itwasinFinland,withFinnishgear.TheFinnishAKatthetimewasbuiltonamilled,notstampedreceiver,andthebarrel(alsomadeinFinland)wasthreadedandscrewedintothereceiver.Notpressed-and-pinned.Andtheammo?Lapua.I’vebeentotheLapuaplant,andifyouthinksteel-cased,volume-made,SovietM43bearsmorethanthevaguestresemblancetoLapuaammo,youarefoolingyourself.Now,I’mnotonetomockM43morethanalittle.Ihavenointerestin

recreatingthedemiseofU.S.GeneralSedgwick,attheBattleofSpotsylvania.(“Why,theycouldn’thitanelephantatthisdistance.”Bang.Thunk.“General?General?”)ThewholepointoftheAK-47wastomakesomethingwithoutspendingalot

ofmoney.Somethingthatwouldbeeasilyexplainedtothetroops,mostofwhomhadarudimentaryeducationatbest.Itcouldbereadilyused,wassufficientlydurable,andintheuser’shandswouldbeeffectiveenoughthatthetroopswouldhaveconfidenceinit.

ThehouseofKalashnikov,therailroadengineer.

Whichbringsustothesubjectofdurability.Yes,youcanliterally“clean”anAK-47byswishingitaroundinaditchfullofmuddywater.I’vewatchedavideoofanAK-47,cachedinMozambiquenearlytwodecadesbefore,beinghauledoutofitsdirt-nap,lubedup,andfired.Doesthatmeantheyallwouldworksoreadily?Andthatnothingelsewould?Twoexamplescometomind.OneisaphotoIsawofNigerianSpecialForces

onmaneuver.SaywhatyouwillaboutThirdWorldarmies,theseguysseemedprettysquaredaway.AndtheywerearmedwithM16A1rifles,completewithtriangularhandguards.Thesecondarefriendsofours,whohaveasoneoftheirvehiclesa1999ChevyLumina.Itisnotanythinganyonewoulddesireasaprestigecar.AndChevydidn’tmakemany,sotherearen’tmanyassamples,butreally,a17-year-oldsedan?Itstillruns,itdoesn’tleakoil,andtheirmechanicisn’tgettingrichoffofit.Andyet,theNigerianSFuseM16A1s.Andourfriendsdrivea1999Lumina.

DoesthismeanthattheM16A1ortheLuminaareamazinglyrobust,durable,andnear-indestructible?Notachance,whatitmeansisthatdespiteeverything,somesamplesofanythingwillpersist.Ifyoumakeenoughofsomething,youwillbeabletofindatleastoneofthemsometimelater.Andasapersonalcomparison,theAR-15isheldbymanytobeamarginally

reliable,fragileandquirkypieceofmachinerythathastobebabiedinorderforittoworkatall.Hmm,assomeonewhohasliterallyburied,dunkedinwater,frozen,driven

overwithvariousvehicles,andotherwiseattemptedtomakevariousAR-15squit,Ican’tsaythatismyexperience.So,whathashappenedtomaketheAKsituationchange?Simple,oncewehadbuiltAKs,andhadachancetousethem,webeganto

rememberourownfoundationmyths.WhataretheAmericanfoundationmyths?Innoparticularorder:weareeach

andeveryoneofusabrilliantmarksman.WearetheinheritorsoftheprowessofDavyCrockett,DanielBoone,SergeantYork,andeveryHollywoodactionstareverseen.WiththeexceptionofthosewhowillinglyliveinNewYorkCity,andareactuallyproudofit,weareamorethancompetentdriver.Infact,butforacrueltwistoffate,wewouldallbeNascardrivers.Weareautomechanicswhocanmakeanyinternalcombustionenginerunlike

atop.Heck,weinventedcars,justaskus.(HerrenDaimlerandBenzmightdisagree,butwefoughtawartosettlethat,didn’twe?)Weareinventors,tinkerers,wanderers,andimprovers.

OK,IhopeImademypoint.Sowhathappenswhenaminimalist,deliberatelycrudeandsimple

mechanismfallsintothehandsofinveteratetinkerers?Why,weimproveit,ofcourse.Thetrickistoimproveitwithoutremovingtheverythingsthatattractedustoitinthefirstplace.Wearenotthefirsttodothis.TheIsraelishavedoneitbefore.Their

evolutionisquiteinstructive.TheyfirstfoughtwithWWII-erapickups—Mausers,Garands,BARs,M1919A6machineguns,etc.Then,theyupgradedtothethen-latestgearsuchasFALsandUzis.TheymadetheGalil,andputalotoftime,effortandmanufacturingabilityintomakingthem.TheythenputinanemergencyorderforM16sandendedupwithwarehousesfullofthem.Duringallthis,therewastheusualgroupofagitatorswhowereextollingtheAKasthebe-allandend-allofsmallarms.Andtheywereeverywhere,hereintheU.S.,inIsrael,inWesternEurope,likearelativewhohascometovisitandjustwon’tleave.UnliketheU.S.Army,wheresmallarmsresearchisviewedasaticket-punchingcareerstep,theIsraelisactuallygaveitatry.Theresultwas,asmentioned,theGalil.TheymadetheGalilasanAKwithergonomicimprovements.Whatthey

foundwasthattheycouldn’tmakeitergonomicenoughwithoutthoroughlyredesigningit.The5.56Galil(therewasno7.62x39Galil)wasnotaseasyhandlingandergonomicasthemuch-malignedAR-15/M16.Andnomorereliable,astheM16provedtobemorethanreliableenough.Andlestthedoubtersraisethespecterofmaintenancedifferences,here’sa

bulletin:theIsraelisarehardongear.Asin,theonlytimemostsmallarmsgetanymaintenanceiswhentheystopworking.Thephrase“benignneglect”comestomind.AndtheM16works,despitethat.Thebig-borecrowdwereparticularlydisappointed,asthe7.62NATOGalil

provedtobesuchaboatanchorthatnoonewouldcarryit.Itendeduplanguishingintheracksofarmoredunits,andothermotorizedpartsoftheIsraeliDefenseForces(IDF).Noonewantedtopacktheweight,andtheextrapowerof

DefenseForces(IDF).Noonewantedtopacktheweight,andtheextrapowerofthe7.62x51wasn‘tworththehaulage.Theyendeduptakingastepbackandre-redesigningityetagain.Andagain.TheRussians,meanwhile,foundthatthe7.62x39,whilegood,wasn’tasgood

asthe5.56.Sotheyinventedoneoftheirown,the5.45x39.TheoriginalplanwastoradicallyimprovetheAK,inthenew5.45chambering,andgetaleaponeveryoneelse.Alas,theyfoundthatMarxisttheoriesabouteconomics,whenconfrontedwiththerealworld,areprettymuchfornaught.(ToobadWesterneconomistshaven’tlearnedthatlessonyet.)Theyranoutofmoney.TheresultingAK-74wasprettymuchacaliberchangeandmuzzlebrakeupdateoftheoriginal.But,theymadeboatloadsofthemandearlierAKs.Andsodideveryoneelse

whowasweddedtoMarxistideology,ortreatedtoashotgunweddingofsame.Asaresultoftheproductionvolume,AKscanbefoundprettymuch

everywhere.IfyouaskanAmerican,“WhoisKalashnikov?”evenanon-gunpersonwill

tellyou“TheinventoroftheAK-47.”Yes,butwhichone?IstumbledacrossthiswhenIwastravelinginRussiaandsawasignto“Kalashnikovhouse.”Huh?Iwasn’tanywherenearIzvesk.IwasontheriverroutebetweenSt.PetersburgandMoscow,andthereIwasatthehouseofadifferentKalashnikov.ThetownisUglich,andwhileitisanicelittletown,ithashadtheunfortunatedistinctionofbeingontheroutetoMoscow.Thatearneditthehonorofbeingburnedthreeorfourtimes,ransacked,occupiedbyvarioushostileforces,andthenbeingbuiltupagain,thistimeinstoneandmasonry,includinganimpressivecityhallinclassicSovietstyle,builtbeforeeverythingwasslappedtogetherasuglyconcretecubes.WhenIgothomeIdidalittleresearch,anditseemsthatKalashnikovisaprettycommonRussianname.ThatparticularKalashnikovwasVasili,anengineerandinventorwhoworkedonsteamengines.Hewasbornin1849anddiedin1908,sohe’saKalashnikovwhoneversawtheriseoftheSovietsystem.Historycanbefascinating.

Historycanbefascinating.Onanotherrecenttrip,IhappenedtotraveltoBhutan.Itisatinycountry,

tuckedupagainsttheHimalayas,andhasbeenisolatedforalongtime.Mostlyisolatedbecausetheyweretooclosetothemountainsforanyonetobeabletoinvadewithanyassuranceoflockingdownallthepeopleincharge.Theytoohavefoundationmyths.TheyarestronglyBuddhist,andtherearetemples,calledstupas,alloverthe

place.Onewevisitedwasdedicatedtothe“DivineMadman”DrukpaKunley.Bornin1455,heintroducedBuddhismtoBhutanin1499,andalsoadvocatedavery(asin;very)non-monkapproachtoBuddhismofthetime.There’sastupainthePunakhadistrictthatisdedicatedtohim,completewithwoodenandpaintedphallus’ondisplay.And,insidethetemple,nexttothealtar,ontherightside,isaChineseType56AK-47.Ikidyounot.Itiscustomarytohaveabowandarroworbowandquiveronornearthealtar,because,well,Buddhistsarepeacefulbuttheyarenotnecessarilypacifists.AndifyouareaBuddhistwrongfullyattacked,youshoulddefendyourself.

ThisistheBuddhisttempleinBhutandedicatedtothemonkwhobroughtBuddhismtoBhutan.Trustme,there’sanAKinthere.

How’ditgetthere?Well,backinthelate1990sandearly2000s,AssamseparatistsweredrivenoutofIndiaandsettledinBhutantocontinuethestruggle.BhutanaskedtheIndiangovernmenttotakecareoftheproblem,butintheviewoftheKingofBhutan,theIndiangovernmentseemedmoreeagertosetupmilitarybasesinBhutanthanactuallysolvetheproblem.SoheorderedtheBhutanesegovernmenttosettleitthemselvesbytalking.Afteryearsoffruitlessnegotiations,theKingpersonallyvisitedtheremote

campstheAssamseparatistshadestablishedinBhutan.Thestory,astoldusbyourguide,wentthattheKingcamebearinggiftsofapples.Hedistributedthemineachcamp,asapeaceoffering.However,hehadstartedwithaverypreciseinventoryofhowmanyappleshe

took,andtrackedhowmanywerehandedoutineachcamp.Asaresult,whentheRoyalBhutaneseArmyswoopedin,theymanagedtoclearoutthousandsofseparatists,from30camps,intwoweeks,withminimallossoflife.Well,

separatists,from30camps,intwoweeks,withminimallossoflife.Well,Bhutaneselife.AsaresultoftheKing’svisits,theyhadaccurateheadcountsforeachsettlement,whichmadethingseasier.Theyhandedthepeople,andmostoftheequipment,overtotheIndian

government.ButtheKinghadasmallnumberofthecapturedAKsdistributedtosignificantplacesinBhutan.This,thetempleestablishedforthemonkwhobroughtBuddismtoBhutan,isonesuchplace.Andforthosewhowillscoffandsay“Thistaleisworthlesswithoutpictures,”

Ireply:onedoesnottakephotographsinsideofaBuddhisttemple.Onlyabarbarianwoulddoso,andourheretoforepacifistguidewillstudiouslyignorethebeat-downthe“pacifist”monksinthetemplewilladminister,shouldyoutry.I’mnotstupid,Ibehavedmyself.

AKREALITYSo,wenowfindourselvesinwhatmightbecalledthe“AK2.0”eraorthe

FourthAmericanAKera.Wehave,asIpredictedinthefirstvolumeofthisbook,reachedthetimeoftheallU.S.-madeAK.Theanti-gunside,notreallygraspinghowthesethingsaremade,triedtoslowlyclampdownandmakethemunobtainable.Manufacturers,startingwiththepartsandreceiverstheyhadtomaketoensure922(r)compliance,foundtheyhadtomakebarrels.Well,bythatpointitwasprettyeasytogearupforthefew(relativelyspeaking)partsleft,andmakeanAKfromscratch,allintheU.S.Thisdid,however,makethemmoreexpensive.But,we’vegottenusedtothat.

Sure,atthepeakofthepartskitsboom,youcouldsourceakitforamere$79.Butthemoredesirableoneswerestillinthe$179range.Addinareceiver,theU.S.-compliantparts,laborandre-finishing,andabuiltAKbackthenwasstillrunning$400-500,maybemore.Importedones,alreadyassembled,ranprettymuchthat.ChangeitalltoU.S.-made,andthepricegoesupto$650.Whichmayseem

likeanoutrage.“Icanbuyapartskitfor$79,andyouwanttentimesthat?”Youcouldbuyapartskit,backthen,for$79,butnotanylonger.

couldbuyapartskit,backthen,for$79,butnotanylonger.AndcomparedtothecostofanAR,a$650AKiscompetitive.Today,itisentirelypossibletosourcearelativelyplainAKthatislistedat

$1,500.However,themarkethasspoken,andtheAKoftodayisnottheAKofyesteryear.Thepartskitshadmanyproblems.Thingslikebentbarrels,tiltedfrontsightassemblies,andheadspaceodditieswerenotunknown.Today,peoplebuyinganAKhavetheexpectationthatthoseproblemswillnotbethere.Andiftheyare,theyhavenoqualmsaboutcomplainingwithfullexpectationthattheproblemorproblemswillbecorrected.Today’sAKsarefarbetterthanevenafewyearsago,andlightyearsaheadof

whattheWarsawPactmade.We’regoingtolookintothat,andreportonwhatyoucanexpect.Andwe’ll

avoidmyths,otherthanthefoundationones.

CHAPTER2HISTORYOFTHEAK

THEBIGGESTTACTICALCHANGESINsmallarmscameattheendofthe19thcentury.Thearmiesoftheworldwentfromsingle-shotbreechloadingrifles(liketheBritishMartiniandtheAmericanTrapdoorSpringfield)torepeatingrifles,chamberedincartridgesusingthenewsmokelesspowder.Inventorshaddevelopedtwoofthethreeessentialsforareliableself-loadingrifle.Ofthethree,twoaremajor,andmust-haves.Thethirdisarefinementandcanbegottenaround,butlackingitdoeslimitthedesignsthatcanbeused.Thetwomajorimprovementsaresmokelesspowerandtheself-contained

cartridge.Whileitispossibletoconstructaself-loadingriflethatcouldrunonblackpowder,itwouldbesuchamaintenancehogthatitwouldn’tbeworththeeffort.Scrubbingtheblackpowderfoulingoutofabarrelisworkenough,butdoingsotoagassystem?Let’sgetreal.No,untiltheFrenchchemistPaulVieilledevelopedPoudreB(PowderBlanche,orwhitepowder,todistinguishitfromblackpowder)thevariousformulationsofguncottonweretoosharpinburningrateandtoounstabletobeusedinfirearms.Oncetheprocesstotameguncottonhadbeendeveloped,therestwasrefinement.Burningwithmorepower(greaterefficiency,lessresidue)PoudreBallowedforhighervelocities.Whichleadtotheneedforcopperorbrass-jacketedbullets,whichleadtospitzer-pointbulletsforgreateraerodynamics,andfinallytotherepeatingriflewithgreatrangethatalmostalltheworld’sbestarmieswerearmedwithpriortoWWI.Theself-containedcartridgewasnecessary,asthereissimplynootherwayto

handlepowder,bullet,andignitionsource(theprimer)inarepeatingrifle.

Ship’scannonsandthelargerartillerypiecesusedbagsofpowderandapriming/sealingcaseheadwellthroughWWIIforthebiggestguns.Butsuchasystemforaninfantrymanissimplyabsurd.

WhiletheSovietsweregoingtoalightercarbine,theWestinsisted(mainlybecauseoftheU.S.)onstickingwithafull-powerrifle,likethisG-3.

TheAK-74andtheM-4areroughlythesamesizeandweight.Andshootbulletsthatareroughlythesame.

Withthestockfolded,theAK(herea’74)isshorterthananM4withitsstockcollapsed.

Thelast,andrefinementpart,istheprimer.Anon-corrosiveprimer,thatis.Theearliestprimingcompoundswerequitenasty.Themostcommonwasamixtureoffulminateofmercuryandgroundglass.Thefulminatewasbriskenoughtoignitepowderbutrequiredthegroundglasstoprovideasourceoffriction.Themercuryalsocontaminatedthebrasswhenfired,makingitbrittleovertimeandunsuitedforreloading.ThegreatvolumeoffoulingfromblackpowderhadsodiminishedthemercuryenteringthebrassthatblackpowdercartridgesignitedbyF-Mprimershadnoproblem.That,andthehabitofshooterstocleantheirfreshlyfiredbrassbydroppingeachintoajugorwater,orwaterwithvinegar.Thefoulingwasdissolvedbeforethemercuryinitcouldhaveanyeffectonthebrass.Smokelesspowdersimplydrovethemercuryintothebrassathighpressureandmadeitunreloadable.Thiswas,however,aconcernmostlyforuscrazyAmericans.Whichleadtothedevelopmentoftheleadstyphnateprimer.TheL-Sprimerwas(andis)incrediblystable,stillworkingwith100%certaintydecadesafterhavingbeenloadedintoacartridge.However,thecombustionresidueishygroscopic;itattractsmoisture.(Ihaveanammocanfullof.45ACPmanufacturedduringWWI.Despitetheirage,nonehasyetfailedtofirewhenrequested.Suchisthestabilityovertimeoftheearlyprimingcompounds.)

TheFALusesastock-containedrecoilspring.Itwasn’teasytomakeamodeloftheFALwithafoldingstock.

WastheM1Carbinethefirst“assaultrifle?”No,butitdidprecedetheAK-47.

Moistureleadstorust,andrustintheactuatingsystemofaself-loadingrifleisbad.Thenatureofpowdermanufacturingleadmanyshootersastrayinhowtheyviewedcorrosivecartridges.Sinceacidisusedinthemanufactureofpowder,itwasforalongtimeassumedthattheacidsofthepowderwerebeingdrivenintothe“pores”ofthesteel.Oncethere,itobviouslyrustedthesteel.Thisiswrong.

the“pores”ofthesteel.Oncethere,itobviouslyrustedthesteel.Thisiswrong.First,steeldoesnothavepores.Theremaybesub-microscopicjointsbetweenthecrystallinestructureofthesteel,butnopores.Second,theacidsinthepowderhavebeenfirstwashedawayinmultiplerinsingoperations,thenanythatmightbeleftarecounteractedbyamildbasicsolutionandchemicalstabilizers.The“solution”tothe“acidinthesteel”problemwastoscrubthebore

repeatedlywithlanolin-basedborecleaners.Thewaterinthecleaningsolutionscrubbedtheprimerresidueoutofthebore,andoncelightlyoiledtheborewasfine.

TheejectionportonthisSpringfieldmarksitasonemadeforthePedersenDevice.

ThecomplicatedrearsightoftheSpringfield.Markedoutto2,700yards,thesightishopelesslyoptimistic.

CorrosiveprimerswereinuseintheWestuntilthemid-1950s,andinEasternEuropeeventhroughthe1990s.Eventoday,ammunitionthatislistedas“non-corrosive”fromtheeastisinmanycasesstillmildlycorrosivebyWesternstandards.AsanyonewhohasshoppedforammofortheirAKknows,corrosiveprimers

arenotahindrancetotheKalashnikov.But,thatisonlybecauseofMikhail’scleverness,andtheabilityoftheSovietUniontohardchromeplatevariousparts.Manyotherdesignsflounderedonthecorrosiveprimerproblem.Oneoftheearliestself-loadingrifleswastheRemingtonModel8,designedbyJohnMosesBrowningandfirstofferedforsalebyRemingtonin1906.The“8”usesasystemknownasthe“long-recoil”action,thesamesystemfoundintheAuto-5shotgun.Inthelong-recoilaction,theboltandbarrelarelockedtogetheratfiring.Theyrecoiltogether,eachcompressingitsownactionspring.Attheendoftherecoilstroke(the“long”inlong-recoilmeansthetravelismorethanthelengthofaloadedcartridge.Short-recoilactionislessthanthecartridgelength)

theboltandbarrelunlock,andwhiletheboltisheldback,thebarrelisdrivenforwardbyitsactionspring.Justbeforeittravelsfullyforward,ittripstheboltlock,andtheboltthenfollowsthebarrelforward.Inallthisshuttling,theemptycaseisremovedfromthechamberandejected,thenextroundfedoutorallowedtoriseinthemagazine,thenchamberedbytheboltgoingforward.

Onevirtueofthepost-warAK-47iscompactness.NexttoitisaSpringfieldandaMosin.

TheMosin-Nagantrearsight,noaperture,butmarkedoutto2,000meters.Asif.

Thebigadvantageisthatthesystemdoesnotusegasasthemeansofworkingthemechanism,socorrosiveprimingdoesn’tmatter.Itiseasytowashtheboreclean,andthere’snogassystemtocomplicatethecleaning.Also,theactionworkswithinabroadrangeofbulletweightsandvelocities,almostirrelevanttotheburningrateofthepowder.Thedisadvantagesaregreaterweight,extraparts,andtheneedtoenclosetwopowerfulactionsprings.Also,inthecontextofarmedcombatintheveryearly20thcentury,itisdifficulttomountabayonetonaRemingtonModel8,oranylong-recoilfirearm.Bayonetswerestillofextremeimportancetothemilitarymindsofthefirstcoupleofdecadesofthe20thcentury.

TheAK-74wassupposedtobeagreatleapforward.Itendedupbeingagoodrifle,butnotthewonderweapontheSovietshaddesired.

Asasportingrifle,theM-8isfine.Asamilitaryrifle,itwouldnothavebeenrobustenough.Still,hadsomeoneinmilitarycirclesseriouslyapproachedBrowningatthattime,I’msurehewouldhavebeenabletocomeupwithsomethingbettersuitedtocombat.ThenextmodeltoshowupistheStandard,aself-loadingrifleintroducedin

1915thatalsocouldbechangedtoapumpaction(shadesofthe1980sSPAS-12shotgun).Gasoperated,itsufferedfromthesametwoproblemsthatallself-loadingrifleswouldforthenextcoupleofdecades:variabilityinpowderburnrateandcorrosiveprimers.Inabolt-actionrifle,aslongasthepeakpressureoftheburningpowderdoes

notexceedacertainlevel,theburnrateofthatpowderhardlymatters.Yes,you’llhavevariancesinmuzzlevelocity,butahundredfeetpersecondoneway

ortheotherhardlymatters.Inaself-loadingrifle,burnrateisofvitalimportance.Iftherateistooslowortoofast,thegaspressureattheportwillvary.Theactioncanbeover-orunder-driven.Botharebad.Addtothatcorrosioncausedbytheprimers,andmanydesignsprovedtobebalky,unreliableoutsideofarangeortrainingenvironment,orsimplytemperamental.OnesystemthatmanyinventorstriedoverandoveragainistheBangsystem.There,themuzzleoftheriflehasacuporreversedconewithaholethroughwhichthebulletpasses.Themuzzleblasthitsthecuporcone,drivingitforward.Alevertransferstheforwardjerkoftheconetoarearwardthrusttotheaction,andunlockstheboltanddrivesitagainstitsactionspring.WhiletheBangsystemismuchmoreforgivingofpowderburnrates(thepressuresofalmostallpowderswillhaveevenedoutbythetimetheyreachthemuzzle,24inchesawayfromthechamber)itismuchlessforgivingofcorrosion.Thelargeareaofthecone,andthebearingsurfacewhereitslidesbackandforth,providemuchmoreareaforcorrosion,andmoreresistancetomovementoncecorroded.

Whentheworld’sarmiesgaveuplow-velocityblackpowderleadbullets,theywentwithwhatseemedlike“smallbores”atthetime.Left,the.45-70,then7.92x57,7.62x54R,.303and.30-06.

TheFederovAvtomatusedashort-recoilsystem,mechanically-drivenwhich,liketheRemingtonModel8,didnothavetoworryaboutcorrosiveprimers.Anotherroadblockthathamperedself-loadingdevelopmentwastheinsistence

byeverymilitarythatlookedintoitthatnewrifleshadtochambertheexactsamecartridgesoftheirexistingbolt-actionrifles.Theinsistenceonafull-powerriflecartridge,whileatthesametimerequiring(inalmosteveryinstance)ariflethatwasnotanylongerorheavierthantheexistingbolt-action,madelife

thatwasnotanylongerorheavierthantheexistingbolt-action,madelifeimpossiblefortheinventor.TheAmericanexperienceisillustrative;theU.S.Armyinsistedonaself-loadingriflethatusedthesame.30-06asthe1903Springfield.(Thevarioustestboardssuggestedsomethingsmallerincaliber,butintheend,itwas.30-06.)The1903Springfieldisa7.5-poundriflethatislight,trim,handyandwell-balanced.TheGarandthatreplacedit,whilethesamelength,wasnearlytwopoundsheavier,notastrim,andnotaswell-balanced.Thatitwasareliableandaccurateself-loadingriflewasthevirtuethatmeantitsadoptionandlateradoration.TheGerman98KwasprettymuchthesameastheSpringfield.(Indeed,the

SpringfieldwassoderivativeoftheMauser,andfolloweditsosoon,thatMausersuedandwon,collectingroyaltychecksrightupuntilAmericajoinedWWIonthesideoftheAllies.)ReplacementriflesforitwereinmuchthesamepredicamentastheGarand—heavier,notaswell-balanced,andwhosesolevirtuewasself-loading.Iftheylackedsomewhatinthereliabilitydepartment,soldierssolvedthatproblembyhavingotherweaponshandy.

COMBATLESSONSThearmiesinitiallyengagedinWWIIwereusingthesameriflesthattheyhad

intheearlierwar.Solet’sgobackandseejusthowtheygotthere.PriortoWWI,aninfantrycompanycommanderlackedmuchofwhatwasconsideredessentialbytheendofWWII,andwithoutwhichwecannotconceiveofcombatoperationstoday.Hehadnotrucks,noradio,andnocloseairsupport.Lackingaradio,hecouldnotcountonartillerytobe“oncall”buthadtodependonscheduledbarrages.MortarswouldbereinventedinthetrenchesofWWI,andtheuseofrocketshadbeenabandonedaftertheirmiserablefailurestimeandtimeagaininthe19 century.Evenifhehadhadmortarsorrockets,hecouldnotcountontransport,ashisunitsownmuleswouldhavebeenfew,dedicatedsolelytocarryingfoodandwater.Ifhehadamachinegun,itposedbiggerheadachesthanadvantages.Amachineguninpre-WWItimeswasheavyand

th

water-cooled.AsingleMaximorVickersran75pounds,plustripodandcondensercan.Asinglegun,withausefulcombatloadofbeltedammunition,wouldtipthescalesatnearly300pounds.Allofwhichhewouldhavecarried(sometimesliterally)onthebacksofhismen.Whathehadathisdisposalwereahundred-or-somenandtheirrifles.

Differentarmieslearneddifferentlessons.Stationedinthewide-openplainsoftheU.S.,theAmericanArmylearnedthevalueoflong-rangeshooting.Militarypromotionboardstookintoaccounttheriflescoresandabilitytoestimaterangeofthecandidatesbeforethem.Riflequalificationsincludedfiringonmovingtargetsoutto900yards.TheBritishArmy,afterbeingroughlyhandledbytheBoers,learnedfastboltmanipulation.Theabsoluteminimumstandard,belowwhichyoucouldnotserve,wastenaimedshotsaminute.Skilledriflemencouldeasilybestthat,someevendoubleit.

TheGermanswantedadditionalfirepower,sotheydevelopedadual-magazinemagwellfortheirMP- ⁄ submachineguns.

RifletextsfromtheperiodcallforofficersandNCOstocloselysupervisethefiringoftheirmen.Forexample,anofficerwouldindicatetotheSergeantunderhimthataparticularfarmhousewasdeliveringfireontheirposition.TheSergeantwoulddetailagrouptofireonthefarmhouse,assigningwindowsandcornerstomen.Ifanearbyfoldofgroundwasseentohaveenemysoldiers,theSergeantwoulddirecttheirfirebyadjustingtheirtargeting:“Twosightwidthsleftofthefarmhouse,100yardsfurtheraway,nearthefence.Thecreaseinthepasture.Onemagazineeach.”Eachsoldiersodirectedwouldlocatetheposition,adjusthissight,fireamagazineandawaitcorrections.

Showingthegapbetweenriflesandsubmachineguns,wehavethe9mm,7.62French,and8mmNambu,aheadofa.30-06.

Withgoodsights,practice,powerfulcartridgesandopenground,aninfantrycompanycouldmaketheterrainforathousandyardsforwardofitdangerousforanyonetoenter.ToobadthatinthetrenchwarfareofWWInothingexistedforariflepast100

yards.Tocompoundtheproblem,theriflesightsinexistencewereallregulatedforlong-rangeshooting.Thatis,thesightsweresetforaman-sizedtarget,inthe

38 40

open,atdistance.A“combatsight”or“combatzero”involvedaimingatyouropponent’sbeltbuckleandstrikinghimatellingblowoutto400yards.Youneednotadjustthesights,providedhewasupright.Thetrajectoryofthebulletwouldriseabovethesight(andthebeltbuckle)andthenfallbackdown.Anywherefrombayonetdistanceto400yards,youwouldstrikeastandingmansomewherebetweenthebeltbuckle,uptothehead,andbackdowntothepelvis.Itdidn’ttakelongforeveryonetolearn:don’tstandupright.Ariflesozeroed,whenfiredat100yards,commonlystrikesthetargetanywherefromsixinchestoafoothigh.Youhavetowonderhowmanydoughboyssurvivedbecausealltheriflesinusehithighattrenchdistances.ByWWII,noonestoodintheopen.Machinegunswerecommonandbecame

alotmoreso.AutomaticriflesliketheBARandBrengunaddedvolumeoffire.Artillerybecameresponsive,firstwithfieldtelephonesand,later,radio.Butstill,theauthoritiesinsistedonfull-powercartridges.TheAmericansstuckwiththe.30-06.TheBritishwith.303.TheGermanswith7.92Mauser(andHitlerpersonally)putastoptothedevelopmentof“sub-power”rifles,althoughnotforlong.TheSovietsdidn’t,butnotbecausetheyweresoforward-looking.Simplyput,youcanmanufacturerarackfullofsubmachineguns,orSMGs,forthetime,effort,materials,andskilledlaborittakestomanufacturerapairofMosin-Nagantbolt-actionrifles.TheSovietsneededvolume,sotheymadelotsandlotsofSMGs.Asaresult,theylearnedalotfastertheadvantagesofvolumeoffire,lowrecoil,andhighcapacity.TheBritishactuallyveeredfurtherawayfromtheconceptofanassaultrifle

cartridgeatfirst,butaftertheycametotheirsensestheyjuststuckwiththe.303.Theiridea,inthefirstdecadeofthe20 century,wastopumpupthe.303British.Theywantedwhatamountstoa7mmRemingtonMagnum.TheplanwasforittobewrestledintothenewP-13rifle,whereitwouldofferlongerrange,flattertrajectoryandgreaterstrikingpowerthanthe.303.HavinghadtheirbuttskickedbytheBoers,theBritishwereveryinterestedinnothaving

th

thathappenagain.However,thewideopen,rollingcountrythattheywereinduringtheBoerWarwasnottobeduplicatedforalongtime,ifever.Incitiesandjungles,thechancesfora500-yardplusshotarefewandfarbetween.Itwasn’tuntilafterWWIIthattheBritishdecidedtogetawayfromthefull-powerrifle.Thentheywenttothe.280Enfield,whichwouldhavebeenquitethedeal.The.280Enfieldfeatureda130-grainbulletof.276-inchdiameter,ataround2,400fps.Thesleekbulletwouldhavehadadecentlyflattrajectoryandmildrecoil.

AtthestartoftheassaultrifledevelopmentwastheMKb42(H).Fromthenon,itwasmeredetail.

Alas,theAmericansinsistedonnothinglessthanthefullstrikingpowerofthe.30-06,intheformofthe7.62/.308,andtheBritishattemptfailed.TheBritishendedupdoingastheBelgianshad,scalinguptheFALtothesizeneededtohandlethe“.30-06Short”or ⁄ x51cartridge..308 7.62

Cartridgesfromduringthewar,andpost-war.Ontheleft,the7.92x33,then7.62x39,theCzech7.62x45,a7mmFN,andthe.308.

WhentheSovietsdecidedtoimprovetheAK,theyendedupwiththe5.45x39(right).Itcloselycopiestheperformanceofthe5.56inthemiddle.

TheAmericanexperienceencompassesthreephases:“BeforeGarand,”“DuringGarand,”and“AfterWar”periods.JohnGarandstartedworkingonaself-loadingrifleintheearly1920s.AstheArmywasstillverymuchweddedtothe.30-06inthattime,hehadtomakehisgunsinthemostpowerfulcartridgeeverissuedinarepeatingrifle.Hisinitialeffortsusedanovelprinciple:thesetbackoftheprimer,blowingpartlyoutofthecartridgecase,whichactedto

unlockthemechanism.Atthesametime,theOrdnanceDepartmentwasworkingonsealingprimersintothecasestopreventblowoutsthatwouldtieupmachineguns.Oncethecrimped-inprimersbecameaccepted,Garand’sdesignhadtobescrapped.Meanwhile,theArmywasconductingexperimentswithexistingself-loadingrifles.TheypurchasedRemingtonModel8s,equippedthemwithaperturesights,andbeganconductinglive-firefieldtrials.Now,theM-8isnotatallsuitedformilitaryuse.Thelong-recoilactionisn’tparticularlysuitedtotherigorsofmud,dust,dirt,andrain.AndthestandardM-8isreloadedfromthetop,withindividualroundsorstripperclips.But,the.30Remingtoncartridgecouldhavebeensomething,ifonlythetrialswereactuallystudiedformorethanjust“fireandmaneuver.”The.30Remingtonisahuntingcartridge,andassuch,ithasa170-grainround-nosedbulletatjustover2,000fps.Whatif?Whatifsomeonehadbeenpayingattention?Theycouldhaveshortenedthecaseneck(youdon’tneedalongneckexceptfora170-grainbullet),decreasedtheweightandmadetheroundnoseapointedone.They’dhavehada.30-caliberriflelaunchinga125-grainbulletat2,300to2,400fps.

IfonlytheSovietshadusedastandardcaseheadsize,IwouldhavebeenabletocreateammoforourlonelyMaadi.

TakethebasicM-8action,fitaboxmagazine,andswapoutthelong-recoilactionforapiston-drivenone.In1925,theU.S.ArmycouldhavehadaSturmgewehr.ButtheyconductedtheM-8trials,andthenwentonwithareplacementfortheSpringfield.

ModernSovietandRussiansmallarmsdevelopmentshaveparalleledtheWest.HereweseeanAK-74withagrenadelauncherunderneaththebarrel.PhotobyGunnerySgt.DonaldE.Preston

USMC

WhentheU.S.didchangethe.30-06pre-war,theysimplymadeitaflat-basebulletof150grainsandcalledit“Ball,M2.”

TheGarandtrialshadanotherhitchforJohnGarand:the.276Pedersen.ThecartridgeandtheriflePedersendevelopedweretobeanewapproachtotheself-loadingrifle.Theriflewasn’tsohot:itwasbasicallyaLugeractionscaled-uptoriflesize.Assuch,itrequiredwaxedcartridgesduetoitsmechanism’slackofprimaryextraction.(Therotationofthecasewhentheboltturnsbreaksthebondbetweencaseandchamberwalls.)However,thecartridgeshowedpromise,andtheArmyconductedtestsonpigs.Theyfoundthatthe.276workedwellenoughtomeritconsideration.

tomeritconsideration.

Now,insteadofsubmachineguns,the“experts”wantaPersonalDefenseWeapon.ThatmeanscartridgesliketheFN5.7,insteadof(ltor)9x18,9mmParabellum,5.7,.45ACP.

Thelongerabulletis,thefasterthetwistmustbetokeepitstable.PhotobyDavidFortier

Oneadvantagetothe5.7iscompactness.Youcanstuff500ofthemintoalunchbox.

JohnGarandwasnotdumb.Hemadetwoprototypes,onein.276Pedersen,andonein.30-06.TheArmyboardconsideringtheriflerecommendedadoptionoftherifleandendorseditin.276.ThenChiefofStaffGeneralDouglasMacArthurnixedthat,citingthewarehousesfullof.30-06.Thearmyhadarifle,andGarandwasfamous.The.30-06ofthetimewasarobustcartridge:launchinga173-grainbulletat2,700fps.ThelaterM2loadwasa150-grainerat2,800fps.AtthebeginningofWWII,wefoundweneededadifferentweapon,

somethingbetterthanapistol,buthandierthanarifle.Thecarbine,intheformoftheM1Carbine,wasquicklyadopted.Perhapstooquickly.Whilelightandhandy,thecartridgewasn’tquiteuptowhatyou’dwantinafightingrifle.Itlauncheda110-grainround-nosedbulletatanominal1,900fps.Inbothweightandvelocity,that’sastepbackfromthelaterM-43Sovietcartridge.Butitwas

andvelocity,that’sastepbackfromthelaterM-43Sovietcartridge.ButitwascertainlyawholeloteasiertoshootthanthetypicalriflecartridgeofWWII,typicallya170-grainbulletatsomethinglike2,700fps.TheCarbinewasperhapsabittoofragile,too,somethingthatevensixmonthsoftestingcouldhaveprevented.Butitbecameubiquitousandthevariousproductionplantsmanufacturedsixandahalfmillionoftheminfouryears.TheM2Carbine,aselect-fireversion,camebeforewar’send.

WealmosthadasmallercaliberbeforeWWII.Butthatgotaxedduetobudgetconstraints.

OneofthefirstandbestimportswastheFEGSA-85.

RussiausedtheMaximgun,chamberedin7.62x54R.Fullpower,heavy,butworththeweight.

The5.45cartridgeandasectionedbulletnexttoit.PhotobyDavidFortier

Realmilitarysurplusammocomesin“sardinecans,”twotoacrate.

DuringWWII,theGarandservedadmirably.However,inKorea,thereweredoubtsabouttheGarand.Specifically,therecoilmadeitdifficulttofirequicklyandaccuratelyenoughtodealwiththe“humanwave”attackstheChinesemounted.Anddespiteitsaccuracy,studentsofthewarcouldfindnoinstanceofwhereamovingbodyofChineseintheopenatdistancewerediscouragedfromtheattackordrivenbackbyriflefirealone.Atthetrenchline,theM1andM2Carbinesservedwell,providedtheyhadn’tbeenover-usedpriortothefinalassault.Thatandthesub-zerotemperaturesofKoreanwinterswerehardonthem.Long-rangeriflefirewasn‘tallitwascrackeduptobe,andtheCarbinewastoofragileforgeneralissue.Despitethelessons,theshortercaseforthe.30-06,madepossiblebypowderdevelopments,becamethenewcartridge.Itwastobeeverything:lightmachinegun,rifle,submachinegun,carbine,all-in-one

beeverything:lightmachinegun,rifle,submachinegun,carbine,all-in-oneuber-rifle:theM-14.Toobadreallifehasawayofmessingwithbeautifulplans.

Bothsidescapturedlotsofweaponsandequipment.ThisisanMP40capturedontheEasternFront,andondisplayinamuseuminMurmansk.

Thiscratehasalreadyhadthecanopenermisplaced.Losetheopener,andyou’reinforalotofwork.

GERMANYDuringWWI,theGermans,nodummies,lookedintoreplacingorimproving

theKar98rifle.However,switchingriflesinthemiddleofawarisanexperimentnooneintheirrightmindwishedtoentertain,sotheideawasdropped.TheGermansworkedonsmallercartridgesbetweenthewars.Inthe1930s,bothprivatefirmsandtheArmyWeaponsDepartmentwereworkingonsmallarms.WhattheArmywantedinamachinecarbinewassomethingthatweighednomorethanthestandardrifle,andifpossiblewouldbelighter.Thatitbesimple,ruggedanddurable.Thatitbeselect-fire,andhaveacontrollablecyclicrate.

AmonumentinMurmansk,tothedefendersintheGreatPatrioticWar.Itissolidconcrete,andthosearepeopleatthebase.

Theexperimentscenteredonshortcasesandbulletsinthe7to8mmdiameters.However,thewarchangedeveryone’splan.Theresultingcartridge,simplytoeaseproduction,usedthesamecaseheaddiameterastheexistingcartridges,andthesamebulletdiameter.Why?Thinkaboutit.Experimenterscouldeasilyobtainsmallproductionbatchesofcartridgecasesiftheplantonlyhadtomakesomesmallchangesinthetrimlengthsandthefinalshape-sizingdies.Topunchoutnewbrass,andformittoanewrimdiameter,isnotachangethatyoucandoinbetweenregularproductionruns.Dittobullets,whichsimplyrequiredadjustmentsinjackettrimlengthandcoreswageweights.Barrelscould

bemadefromproductionblankshandliftedfromtheregularproductionline.TherestoftheexperimentationcouldbedoneinasmallR&Dshop“out

back”andnotinterferewithregularproductionneededforthewareffort.So,the7.92x33cartridgewasborn.AndstuffedintothevariousM-42

prototypesandsentofftothefront.Bytheendofthewar,theStg- ⁄ waswelldevelopedandusedasthemeasureofallpost-warR&Defforts.

Riflesusingfull-powercartridgesmustbelarge,heavyandlong—andtheystillhavelotsofrecoil.Herewehavearackofarmorer’sFALs,machinedtoshowtheinteriorparts.

44 5

ARussianattacksubindrydockinMurmansk.OnethingyougetusedtoseeinginRussiaisrust.

CZARIST/SOVIETColonelFedorovdevelopedtheAvtomatbeforeWWI.Originallyintendedto

useaproprietarycartridge(thestandard7.62x54RRussiancartridgebeingentirelyunsuitedforthispurpose)hehadtoswitchduringthewar.TheJapaneseprovided6.5ArisakariflesandammunitiontotheRussians,whohadfoundthemselveshardpressedtoproducewhattheyneededtofightwith.SoFedorovchangedhisdesign,andtheAvtomatwasmadein6.5Arisaka.Itservedwell—duringthewarandafter—inthestrugglesthatleadtothe

Bolshevikscomingtopower.However,oncetherevolutionwasover,theideaofswitchingtoanewideaofrifleswasfar,far,downthelist.WhenWWIIerupted,makingmoreoftheriflestheyalreadyhadconsumedSovietefforts,asithadtheirTsaristpredecessors.NotuntilthedevelopmentoftheM-43cartridge,thentheSKSandfinallythe

AK-47,didtheideaoftheassaultriflecometofruitionintheSovietUnion.Onechangeinriflesthatshouldhavebeenaddressedbutwasn’twassights.If

Onechangeinriflesthatshouldhavebeenaddressedbutwasn’twassights.Iftheexpectedmaximumrangeofengagementwasonly300meters,whydideveryonestickwith1,000-metersights?Orlonger?Tradition,andkeepingthetraditionalistshappy.Whichbringsustotoday.WhatcartridgeswillyoufindfortheAK?The

superficialgun“expert”willscoff,andsay,“Thereareonlytwo:the7.62andthe5.45x39.”Notreally.Yousee,thereareafewothers.Firstupinourlististhe5.56x45.That’sright,thegoodold.223.WhenAmericanconsumersbuysomething,theywanttobeabletobuyitintheflavorstheywant.Yes,whentheAKfirsthitourshoresinvolume,7.62x39ammowascheap.Butsowas.223.Sothe.223chamberingisprettycommon,andyoucanfinditinalotofmodelsandcountriesoforigin.Thelater5.45x39ischeaperstillbutlacksthefollowingofthe.223.Theideabehindnotbeingsoardentonthe5.45isthatifimportsarecutoff,thenyouhaveanorphanrifle.Evenifimportsarecutoffyou’llstillbeabletobuy7.62x39and5.56,sincetheyaremadehere.

TheMP-44,thepenultimateSturmgewher.

Machinegunsruletheterrain.Riflemenmaneuvertotakeadvantageof,oreliminate,thethreatfrommachineguns.Here,IraqitroopslearnthebasicsofthePKM,underthewatchfuleyesof

Marines.PhotobyPfc.JerryMurphy,USMC

Thetrick,then,istomakesureimportsaren’tcutoff.OtherchamberingsfortheAKincludethe7.62x51,8mmMauser,and

7.62x54R.ThefirsttwocometouscourtesyoftheYugoslavians.WhenYugoslaviawasmakingriflesforexport,they’dmakethemforanyonewhohadthemoney.TheyscaledtheAKactionupinlengthandrobustnessandproducedAKderivativesinboth7.62x51and8mmMauser.WhileitmightbeastretchinsomecirclestocalltheSVDanditsclonesanAK,you’dhavetobearealperfectionisttoholdtothatpositionforverylong.

TheactionoftheMP-44wasnearlyidenticaltotheSKS,whichwasdevelopedjustayearortwolater.Thehookontheupperbarpicksupthetailofthebolt,unlockingtheboltbeforedrawingitto

therear.

WhiletheAKplatformisadaptable,therearelimits.ItwouldbemechanicallypossibletofitthefollowingintotheAK,justnottactically,economicallyorrationallypossible.

6.8REMINGTONSPCIheardofonefellow,MartyTerWeemeofTeppoJutsu,whoactually

undertooktheengineeringtomakeanAKin6.8.Sincehe’dbuiltmanyAR-15sinsomewildandcrazycalibersandhadthemworkjustfine,hefigured,“What’sthebigdeal?”Heundertookthingslikearight-sizedboltface,makingabarrel(andtheconcomitantproblemsofpressingithomeandnotchingitforthecrosspin)andthenmagazines.Oh,theproblemswithmagazines.Hefinallythrewhishandsup,andletsomeoneelsewhowasjustdyingtofinishtheprojectbuythe

handsup,andletsomeoneelsewhowasjustdyingtofinishtheprojectbuythepartsfromhim.

WhattheMP-44has,andtheAKlacks,isadustcover.

Asyoucansee,theMP-44isalotmoreergonomicthantheAK-47.Thesafetyisthelever,movedbyyourthumb.Theselectoristhebuttonaboveit,pressedhereforsemi-autofire.

Andwhatadvantage,intermsofterminalballistics,wouldhehavegained?Gee,he’dhaveessentiallyduplicatedthe7.62x39.Andoneoftheadvantagesofthe6.8R-SPCistheaccuracyitprovides,anadvantagethatwouldbelostintransferringittoanAK.Isuspectthatifthe6.8reallytakesoffsomeonewilldotheworktobuildanAKchamberedinitforcommercialsale.Butfornowtheideajustisn’tdoable.

.300WHISPERIsupposeyoucouldmakea5.56AKintoa.300Whisperifyoureallywanted

to.Afterall,themagazineswouldwork,moreorless.Theboltfacewouldberight.Butyou’rebacktoneedinganewbarrel,withallthelatheworkoffittingittothereceiver,andalltheextrapartstothebarrel.IfyoureallywantaquietAK,investthemoneyinagoodsuppressor(whichyou’regoingtoneedwiththe.300Whisperanyway)andthemeansoflashingittoyourAKin7.62x39.

TheRPKissimplyanAKMwithalonger,heavierbarrelanda40-roundmagazine.Here,Iraqisoldiersgetsomerangetime.PhotobyPfc.JerryMurphy,USMC

ArackofPPS-43submachineguns.

Oneadvantageofsubmachinegunsis,duetotheirlowvelocity,theycanbesuppressed.HereisaSterlingwithanintegralsuppressor.

6.5GRENDELThishasalltheproblemsofthe6.8,inspades.Plus,thegreatervigorofthe

6.5meansmorerecoil(itpushesbulletsofthesameweightorheavierasthe6.8acoupleofhundredfeet-per-secondfaster).Asitisalsoaprecisionlong-rangecartridge,the6.5GrendeladvantageisagainlostintheAKtranslation.Thatsaid,Ihavehadanopportunitytoshootamuch-overhauledandrebuilt

AKthathadbeenchamberedin6.5Grendel.IthitwhatIwasshootingat,outtoaveryrespectabledistance,butIreallydon’tthinkithasmuchofachance.EvenintheAR,the6.5isanichecartridge(albeitareally,reallygoodone)sointheAKitremainsaquestionmark.Basically,ifyouthinkyouhaveagoodideaforanewchamberingfortheAK,

thinkagain.Alotofpeoplehavebeenhereaheadofyou,andthechancesthat

whatyouhaveinmindarea)arealadvantageandb)somethingthatwillwork,areprettyslim.NotthatIwanttodiscourageexperimentation,butyouprobablyaren’tthefirstonetothink,“Hey,theAKin.35Remingtonwouldbearealdeerslayer.”

CHAPTER3WHAT’SNEW?

ASCOMMUNISMSPREAD,SODIDTHEmanufacturingoftheAK.ThiswasviewedbytheSovietsasastrengthduringtheColdWar,fortherewouldbelotsandlotsofAKstohandoutwhenitcametimetosettletheinevitabledifferencesbetweenthemodernsocialistmanandtherunning-dogcapitalistsandtheirpropaganda-drivenconsumers.WhentheIronCurtainfell,andvariousworldmarketsopened,theyfoundthatthemanufacturingbaseofAKs,thebasetheyhadsostudiouslycreated,wasnowabadthing,butI’mgettingabitaheadofmyself.ThentheBerlinWallfell,communismasabrandwasdone,andeveryone

whohadbeenbehindthatwallsuddenlyhadtoactuallyworkandsatisfycustomers.Thatdidn’tgoaswellasalotofpeople,Westerneconomistsincluded,hadpredicted,andwithinafewyears,theleadersofformerWarsawPactcountrieswerelookingforwaystokeepthelightson.OneopportunitytheyfoundwasthewarehousesfullofAKs.OK,let’sdoabitofmath.Aninfantrydivisionissomethinglike10,000to

12,000men,dependingonjusthowyoustructuretheirassignmentsandthemissionofthedivision.NotallofthemwillbehandedAKsastheirworktool,you’vegot(justinthedivision,notincludingsupportunits)officers,crew-servedweapons,medics,politicalofficers,etc.Mostofthemwon’tbeissuedanAK.So,let’scallit8,000AKsperdivision,andthisisinaninfantryunit.Anarmoreddivisionwillhavealotfewerofthem,sincethemainweaponisabig-borecannon,inthetankturret.SmallarmswillincludetruckloadsofMakarovsandStechkins,alongwithagooddollopoffolding-stockAKs.

Again,dependingonthestructure,you’vegottwoorthreedivisionstoacorps,andtwoorthreecorpstoanarmy.Addintheartillerysupport,armoredunits,anti-aircraft,etc.Theyallhavemachinestheyservice,buttherewillbeAKsissuedforunitdefenseinanemergency.Afull-upRedArmy,orWarsawPactcountryequivalent,wouldrequiresomethinglike100,000AKsjusttobeproperlydressedinthemorning.FacingtheWest,theRussianshadanarrayofarmy-sizedunitsreadytorolltotheshores,backedup(orleadby,insomeinstances,dependingonthecold-bloodedcalculationsoflossesearlyon)theEastGerman,Polish,BulgarianandRomanianArmyunits.

Don’tletpeopletellyouanAKcan’tshoot.Granted,I’veshotaperfectscoreinthiscoursewithjustabouteverythingI’vepickedup,butyoustillneedabasiclevelofaccuracytogetthejob

done.

TheyneededmillionsofAKsjusttogetoneinthehandsofeachservicemanwhoneededorwastobeissuedone.Thentherewerethereserveunits,trainingunits,cadetschools,Pioneers,NavalInfantry(don’tcallthemMarines,unless

units,cadetschools,Pioneers,NavalInfantry(don’tcallthemMarines,unlessyourelishafistfightwiththenearestUSMCrepresentative)theAirForceandsoforth.EveryoneofthoseAKswasbackedupbyanother,ortwoorthreeinstorage,inwarehouses,readytobeshippedasneeded.EverytimetheysentacargoshipstuffedfullofAKsofftosome

revolutionaryefforttheyhadtoreplenishthestores.That’showtheyendedupsittingonwarehousesfullofAKs,millionsofthem.

(Notjustthe“100million”we’vediscussed.)Andwithabitofwork,disassemblyandchoppingthefull-autoreceivers,theyshippedthemtotheU.S.forcold,hardcash.Abriefdiversionhere.WhenIwasdoingresearchforanearlierarticleontheCzechVZ-58,Icameacrossaninterestingfact;backwhenitwasCzechoslovakia,theyhad500,000VZ-58riflesininventory.Whentheysplitandbecametwocountries,eachofthemsettledonamilitarythatwas50,000strong.Andneithermilitaryneeded50,000VZ-58stoarmeveryone.Andtheyweregoingtomodernizejustassoonastheycouldscrapeupthecashforit.That’swhy,forashortwhile,therewerepartskitsandre-builtsemi-autoonlyriflestobehad.Therewere400,000surplusriflesonthemarket.ThatgivesyousomeideaofthevolumeofpartskitsthatfloodedtheU.S.overadecadeago.Someofyoumightrememberthosedays.Atthepeak,Irecallseeing

completeRomanianAKpartskitssellingfor$79andthecostofshipping.Shootersgottogetherwithfellowgunclubmembers,perhapsatamachineshopofoneofthemembers,orjustoneguy’sgarage,withahydraulicpressandworkbenchinit,andhad“buildparties”wheretheywouldtakethepartskitsand,usinganew,semi-auto-onlyreceivermadeintheU.S.,buildanAK.WearenowenteringtheFourthAmericanAgeoftheAK.DareIrefertoitas

“FAAAK”?TheFirstAgewasAKsmadeofunobtainium.UntiltheChinesewantedto

makethemforus,andexcludingtheRomaniansemi-autoonlyriflesandtheFinnishValmet,therewasnosuchthingasasemi-autoAK.Theywereallselect-fire.(TheRomanianswouldn’tbeshippingthoseaspartskitsuntilthe

select-fire.(TheRomanianswouldn’tbeshippingthoseaspartskitsuntilthe2000s,andtheValmetswerefabulouslyexpensive.)So,there’saphoto,ifyoucanstillfindit,fromtheWoundedKneeincident,backin1973.That’swhenagroupofNativeAmericansheldofftheFedsovercorruptionchargesandfailuretoenforcetreatyobligations.OneoftheAmericanIndianactivistsisstandinginthemiddleoftheroad,anAKheldaloftinonehand.In1973,therewereonlyselect-fireAKs.AndthatonehadprobablybeensmuggledbackfromVietnaminadufflebag.(Justoutofcuriosity,Iwonderifitwaseverrecovered,andwhereitistoday.)Speakingoftheearly1970s,thatiswhentheGalilcameabout.TheIsraelis,

havinghadquitetherompoverfirsttheEgyptians,andthentheJordaniansandSyrians,wereonceagainupgradingtheirdefensesystems.Thistime,alongwithothers,itwastheservicerifle.Theendresultwasaproduct-improvedAK,theGalil.Basically,itwas(andis)amilledreceiverAK,chamberedin5.56,withafewextraergonomicimprovementssuchasacharginghandlethatwaseasiertoreach,asafetyselectorthatyoucould(theoretically)operatewithyourfiringgrip,andahandguardthatactuallykepttheheatofthebarrelawayfromyourhand.Itwasalsomadein.308,achoicethatwasobviousbackthen,because“real

men”shota“realcaliber”rifle.The5.56Galilwasportly.The.308Galilwasananvil.Oh,andithadabuilt-inbipodthatalsodoubledasawirecutter.Iwasrelativelynewtogunsin1972whenithitthenews,andhadexactlynoexperiencewithbarbedwire.ButwhenIsawthenewsfootageofthenewrifle,andthatfeaturebeingtouted,evenIthought…“that’sstupid.”Youwantawire-cutter,getonemadeforthejob,andkeepit(andaspare)inyourpocket.Sometimelater,theGalilbegantoappearonourshores,anditwas

expensive.Whilesomejusthadtohaveit,Ihadachancetoshootsomeofthemandwasunderwhelmed.TheSecondAgeoftheAmericanAKwasthetsunamiofChineseimports.

Theyonlylastedforaboutthreeorfouryears,butthevolumewasstaggering.AtthetimeIwasaregulargunshowattendee(thejobrequiredit,orsoItold

thetimeIwasaregulargunshowattendee(thejobrequiredit,orsoItoldmyself)anditwasn’tunusualatagunshowtoencounteractualpalletsofammocrates,movedontothegunshowfloorwithpalletjacks,forsale.Andpalletsofriflecrates.For$250youcouldhavearifleandacrateofammo.Magazinescostextra,maybeawhole$5each,lessinvolume.Riflesweresocheapthatnooneevenbotheredtofixorupgradethem.Ifitworeout,you’dsimplyscrapit,sellthespareparts(maybe)andbuyanotherone.(AtthetimeIhadthisamusingthoughtofadumpsterinDetroit,withbagsofgarbageandaworn-outAKlayingontop,usedupandtossedout.Amusing,butthatisjustabouthowcheapanddisposabletheAKwasbackthen.)Or,ifyouwerelikeme,youduginandperformedanautopsyontheunresponsiverifle,andfiguredouthowitworked.Backthen,therewasnotalkofhowtoperformabarrelswap,oriftherewereextrabarrelsevenavailable.Forthecostoftakingouttheoldandputtinginthenew,youcouldhavejustboughtanewrifle.

OnethingyoucancountonisthatdamnfewthingsonanAKbreak.Thisisarare,butnot

unknownAR-15break.Badshowandyouneedanewbolt.

TheChicomimportofAKshadthebrakesputonin1989whenPresidentBush(theelder)signedanimportban,whichiswhentheMakarovsstartedpouringin.TheThirdAgecamewithinafewyearsafterthefalloftheBerlinWall,and

westartedtoseeatrickle,thenanothertsunami,thistimeofpartskitsforafixed-stockRomanianAK.Youcouldbuykitsatthepeakofthemarketglutfor$79andup.And,youhadachoice.WherebeforeyoucouldhaveanyAKyouwanted,aslongasitwasaglossy-blueChicomAKwithwoodofdubiousorigins,intheThirdAgeyoucouldhaveanythingfromyourchoiceoftheWarsawPactcountries,asaCosmoline-cakedpileofparts.EastGerman,Hungarian,Romanian,Polish,younameit.IntheThirdAge,youhadtobuildit,ofcourse,andyouhadtohaveenoughU.S.-madepartsinittobe922rcompliant,butmanyviewedthatasachallengeandnotanobstacle.BuildingAKsbecameasocialevent.But,buildingAKswasalsofocusedvery

narrowly.Ifyouwereata“buildparty”youcouldcountononething:youwouldbejudgedonhowcloselyyourbuildhewedtotheacceptedstandardforthattype.BuildanEastGermanAK,and“settle”forafurnituresetthatwasRussian,orGodforbid,HungarianandyoursocialAKstandingwouldsuffer.YoubuilttotheappropriateSovietstandard,oryoukepttheexistenceofyour“mutt”AKtoyourself.Guysevenearnestlydiscussedthepropertintofwoodstaintomatchthecorrectcountryoforigin.InthecurrentFourthAmericanEraoftheAK,webuildergonomicrifles,and

webuildthemhereintheU.S.Whathappened?ItcanbeneatlydescribedbyThomasKuhnandhistheoryofthemodelcrisis.Forexample,considerhowtheworldwas(andstillisbysome,justgoogleFlatEarthTheory)believedtobeflat.Everyoneknewandacceptedthis,exceptforafewcrackpots,upintothe15thcentury(andtodayonYoutube).Noonetraveledfarenough,orinamannerthatchallengedthisidea,andasaresult,theaccepted“knowledge”oftheearth’sflatnesscouldnotbesuccessfullychallenged.Then,suddenly,the

theearth’sflatnesscouldnotbesuccessfullychallenged.Then,suddenly,thePortuguesesailedofftoAsia,goingeast,andColumbusthensailedtotheWestandfoundland.Navigationbecamemorethanjusthuggingthecoast,andtoproperlydescribeit,themathematiciansandnavigatorsofthetimehadtoacceptthattheworldwasround.IntheKuhnapproach,thiscausesa“modelcrisis.”Themodeloftheworldas

flatworksforawhile,butthenitfailstoproperlydescribethechallengeofgettingfromheretothere.Therefore,thereasonssupportingflatearththeorywereprovedwrong.Crisis,wehavetohavenewdescriptors,neworigins,newexplanationsthataccuratelypredictwhatwe’reseeingandexperiencing.Theacceptedbasissuddenlyshiftsfromonetotheother.Yes,that’sright,

he’stheoriginatorofthe“paradigmshift”thateveryonenowknows,orthinkstheyknow.So,whytheparadigmshiftintheAKworld,hereintheU.S?Simple,unlike

therestoftheworld,weactuallyuseourrifles.Alot.Andweownthemourselves.So,oncethethrillofmakinganAK“exactlylikeaSovietAKM,exceptforthegiggle-setting”woreoff,wehadtousethemattherange.AndsincetherewerealotofAKsinprivateAmericanownership,alotofU.S.shootersgotalotofexposuretotheSovietwayofdoingthings.Whentherifleisissued,andusedforashortperiodoftime,andthenhanded

backtotheunitaccountant,whatitis,andhowitworks,reallyisnotofmuchconcern.Aslongastheoneyougotistheoneyouturnin,andallthepartsarethere,whocares?Whenyoupayyourownhard-earnedmoneyforsomething,andyoukeepitanduseit,younowbecomeconcernedaboutdetails.Basically,whatweallfoundoutwasthattheAKwasanun-ergonomicmass

ofsharpedges,unforgivingproportions,andcompromisesthatfavoredonlysimplicity.Itwasjustthesortofthingyoucouldchurnoutinhugevolumes,issuetonear-illiteratepeasants,andwhichwouldstillbeworkingafterthosepeasantswereshotdownindroves.YouthinkI’mbeingsnarky,butreadabouttheEasternFrontandthengetbacktome.Also,inthemodernworld,weviewtheuseofriflesasfightingtoolsandfelt

Also,inthemodernworld,weviewtheuseofriflesasfightingtoolsandfelttheneedforlights,lasersandreddotsightsifnotfull-onmagnifyingoptics.IfyouhewtotheoriginalSovietspecs,thereisnowaytoproperlymountthoseextras.SincetheAKshereintheStateswerepersonallyowned,andeasilyreplaced,

lotsofinventors,experimentersandshooterslookingtohavemorefungottowork.WhichishowwenowhaveamuchwiderarrayofoptionsandaccessoriesfortheAKthanwehadevenadecadeago.Wealsohavethemmadehere.AsIpointedoutandpredictedinthefirstvolumeofthisbook,theincremental

effortsatcontrolbytheanti-gunnerssimplymadethelong-termproblemworseforthem.Notbeingabletostoptheflowcompletely,theytriedtosqueezeitdowninincrementalsteps,attemptingtostoptheflowwithoutactuallyappearingtobetryingtostoptheflow.Well,oneofthebeneficialaspectsofamarketeconomyisthatwhensomethingisdesired,andpeoplewillpay,inventorswillinvent.Manufacturerswillassessthemarket,thecostofentry,andifthenumbersworkout,theywillpopuplikemushroomsafterarainstorm.Also,the922rcomplianceaspectwasanother,gentleboostalongtheway.

OK,whenwewereusingpartskits,youhadtochangeafewparts—thetriggermechanism,pistolgripandfurniture,andthereceiver.Thepistonwasadead-simplepartthatcouldbelathe-turnedoutofrodstockbythelazynephewofthemachineshopowner.Themiscellaneousrivets,plates,etc.wereminordetailsandrelativelycommonindustrialproducts.“What,wecan’tusetheperfectlygoodSoviet-madeJohnsonrodthatcamein

thepartskit?”We’llmakethemhere.”Andsoitwas.“Whatnow?Yousaywecan’tbringintheZarphonbars,either?Well,bleepyou,we’llmakethoseaswell.”Andsoonenough,allthepartsthatcouldbeeconomicallymadehereintheU.S.,were.Andthatbroughtadifferentboom.Yousee,whentheAKswewerebuildingwerereassembledfrombrokendownriflesmadewhoknowswhenandwhere,wewerewillingtoacceptallsortsofshortcomings.Anexamplewouldbebarrels.Whenweusedtheoriginalbarrels,we’dlive

Anexamplewouldbebarrels.Whenweusedtheoriginalbarrels,we’dlivewithcrooked,tilted,off-centerbarrelsandfrontsightassemblies.Afterall,“ThatisthewayitwasmadeinTula.”Gunsmithsandhomebuildersworkedoutupgrades,mods,andrebuildsthatcorrectedoratleastmitigatedtheshortcomingsoftheproductmadeinacommandeconomy.WhentheFedsnolongerpermittedtheimportationofbarrels,itwasnottheend,butthebeginning.Firstofall,post-regulationchange,noonewouldacceptacrookedorbentbarrel.Ifitwasmadehere,andwe’repayingU.S.workman’spricesforthem,weexpectstraightbarrelswithcenteredboresandverticalfrontsightassemblies.Suddenly,withgoodbarrels,webegantoseethatAKsneednotsimplybebullethoses.Barrelswereabigdeal.Theyhadtobereamedandrifled,threadedformuzzle

devices,agasblockattachedandthegasportholedrilled.Therearsightblockneededtobepinnedinplace,aswellasthefrontsighthousing.Ifyouaremakingbarrels,youhavetomakethemfitthefronttrunnion.Thatmeansthewildlyvaryingdimensionsoftheoriginalarsenalarenolongeracceptable.Whenthepartskitscamein,thebarrelandtrunnionshadalreadybeenfittedatthefactory.Now,weweremakingbarrels,andtheyhadtofitwhichtrunnions,exactly?That’saproblem,andyoucaneasilysolveitbymakingyourowntrunnions.Bythispoint,ifyou’reanAKimporterorrebuilder,you’vegotmostofthe

partsbeingmadehereintheU.S.anyway.Thusthefewremainingpartssuchasthereartrunnion,bulletguide,andscopemountbasearetheonlyonesleftthatyouneedtomake.Andifitisallmadehere,youhaveamuchbetterhandleontheQC,dimensionalstabilityandregularsupplyofpartsfromsubcontractors.Forexample,itisaloteasiertofindoutwhatisholdingupyoursupplyofscopemountsfromamakerinIowa,thanitistogetIzhmashonthephoneandfindoutwhytheyaremonthslate.Andkeepingthingsdomesticmeansnoproblemswithcurrencyexchangefluctuations,either.

TheStechkin,bothasidearmandasubmachinegun.Sortof.

Itdidn’thurtthatwiththechangeinmanufacturingtoCNCmachiningcenters,makingpartsbycuttingmetalgotawholeloteasier.IfyouareaCNCmachineshop,andyouhaveaslowdowninbusiness,thenextguywhowalksinthedoorwithanorderisyourbestbuddy.Changebegetschange.Ifwe’regoingtomakeuseofthatextraaccuracy,we

needbettertriggers.Andbettersights.Whileyou’reatit,whynotastockthatactuallyfitsnormalWestern-sized,grownadults,andnotconscriptsfromthesteppes?Hey,maybeafoldingstock,oranadjustableone,oronethatdoesboth?Nowyou’recookingwithgas.Wehavegottentothepointwherewehavetoaskanexistentialquestion:Is

anAK,withastraightandaccuratebarrel,anadult-fittingstock,opticalsights,goodtriggerandlocationstomountalight,laserorotheraccessories,stillanAK?AndwhatdowecallariflethatstartedonpaperasanAK,buthasbeenchangedintosomethingelse,butwithsomeAK-likefeatures?

changedintosomethingelse,butwithsomeAK-likefeatures?WhatistheessentialAK-nessofarifle?Theboltandoperatingrod?Nope,

KalashnikovstolethatfromGarand.Thetriggerdesign?Nope,heistedfromBrowning.Theexternalselector/safety?Uh-uh,thattoocamefromBrowning.Thegassystemabovethebarrel?Hmm,thatoneheliftedfromhisfellowRussianfirearmsdesigners,withtheSimonov ⁄ beingforemost.Ofcourse,hispistonwasconnectedtothecamblockthatrotatedthebolt,unliketheSimonov,buttheconnectednessandbolt-cammingfeaturewasGarandagain.Evenafterwe’vechangedallwecan,werecognizetheresultingrifleasan

AK,because,likepornography,weknowitwhenweseeit.Solet’sseewhatwecandotomaketheAKintoa21st-centuryrifle,evenif

wehavetodragit,kickingandscreaminginRussian,alongtheway.

IsanAKwithatoprail,andared-dotscope,stillanAK?Ithinkso,andsodomostothers.ButhowfarcanwetaketheAK,beforeitisn‘tanAKanymore?

38 40

CHAPTER4HOWTHEAKISMADE

MIKHAILKALASHNIKOVWASAGENIUS.However,therearedifferentkindsofgeniuses.Ifyouhaven’thadtheopportunitytohangaroundwithpeopleatthatlevel,youmightnotknowthattheycanberemarkablydifferent.Intheclassicalmusicfield,Mozartwasagenius.However,hisdifferedfromearliergeniusesinthatwhathedidwastaketheexistingmusicandcombineitwithnewcombinations,patterns,andforms.AnewerexamplewouldbeChuckBerry,EricClapton,andEddieVanHalen.WhatChuckBerrydidwiththeguitarwasnew,whileEricClaptonandEddieVanHalenproducedmusicatanewlevelofvirtuosity.Theirgroundbreakingeffortswereinvirtuosity.

TheAK-47hastheslantedgasblock,theAK-74,theuprightone.Unless,ofcourse,amanufacturersimplyusesAK-74gasblocksonriflesin7.62x39.

manufacturersimplyusesAK-74gasblocksonriflesin7.62x39.

Inthefirearmsfield,JohnMosesBrowning,JohnGarandandMikhailKalashnikovaresimilarlypositioned.EverythingBrowningdidwasactuallynew.Everything.Fromself-loadingpistolsandshotguns,riflesandmachineguns,evencalibers,whathedidwasnewandgroundbreaking.WhenBrowninginventedaself-loadingshotgunthatworked(theA-5),henotonlypatentedtheoperatingprinciple,butthreedifferentwaystoretractthebolttochargethechamber.Nowthat’sinnovationandoriginality.JohnGaranddidwhatnooneelsehadmanagedtodopreviously—hedevelopedaself-loadingrifleinafull-powermilitarycaliber,onethatmettheoverlyambitiousandunrealisticrequirementsoftheU.S.military.WhatKalashnikovdidwastakeseveralexistingdesignsandputthemintoasinglerifle.Icanhearthescreamsnow:“Heresy!TheAKisunique,perfect,

indestructibleandaproductofgenius.Burntheheretic!”ThegeniuspartIcanagreewith,therest,well,you’vebeendrinkingdeeplytheAKKool-Aid,comrade.

Ah,thefinestsocialistmanufacturingqualitystandards.This1983-madeRomanianAKcamecompletewithmachiningchipstillattached.

Kalashnikovborrowedthesafety/selectorfromtheRemingtonModel8.

Aproperaperturesightisclosetotheeye,allowingtheeyetoworknaturally.

TheSovietrequestforanewrifledidnotincludeaccuracybeyondwhatwasneeded.SowhiletheAmericanM14couldberebuiltasasniperrifle,noAKcouldbe.

AmericanM14couldberebuiltasasniperrifle,noAKcouldbe.

TheAKtwo-stagehammer/triggerdesigncomesstraightfromJohnBrowning.HereweseeitinanM14.

Themiddleofthereceiverhasareinforcingpillar,atubeheldinplacewithalongrivet.

WhatarethepartsthatKalashnikovincorporatedintotheAK?First,thepistonandcarrierdesigncomesrightoutoftheM1Garand.Thelongrod,drivenforashortdistancebygassesbeforeitventstotheexterior,isallGarand.Asistheangledcamslotthatactuatesonelockinglugofthebolt.(WinchesteralsoappropriatedthatforuseintheM1Carbine.DittotheU.S.ArmyOrdnancebureauwhentheyscreweduptheM14.Gooddesignsneverfailtobecopied,andRugercopieditagaininthe1970sfortheMini-14.)TheAKboltisalsoaGarandstyle.Itfeaturesopposinglockinglugs,withoneofthemusedastheleverpointofthecarriercamslot,thentravelingwiththecarrierforthelengthofthestroke.Thedouble-hooktriggermechanismisoftheGarand,butJohnGarandborroweditfromJohnBrowning.Thedouble-hooktriggermechanismdatesbacktotheAuto-5shotgunandtheRemingtonModel8rifle.ThesafetyalsocomesrightfromtheRemingtonModel8,firstmadein1906.Thepivotingleverthatbothblocksthetriggermechanismandthebolt,andactsasadustcover,comesfromtheRemingtonModel8.Thesheetmetalconstructionofthe

cover,comesfromtheRemingtonModel8.Thesheetmetalconstructionofthereceiver(thefirstmodelsweremadethatway)comesfromthevariousiterationsoftheGermanrifles,whichfromtheMkb42toStg-45weremadewithstampings.WhileSovietdesignerswouldhavebeenfamiliarwithsheetmetalpressingsasaconstructionmethodfromtheirownSudaevPPS-43,itissignificanttonotethatgoingfromthatopen-boltblowbackmechanismtostampingswithsteelload-bearinginternalshappenedonlyaftertheSovietswereexposedtotheMP-43/Stg-44rifles.Also,thecurved,double-stackmagazine,feedingfrombothsidescamefromtheStg.Pistolgripsarenotnew,aseverysecondgenerationsubmachinegunhasone.

Also,thesightsarethestandardEuropeanrifle/submachinegunsights,apostoutfrontandanotchinarangeadjustablerearforwardoftheaction.Giventhesimplicityofthedesign,hand-buildingnewAKs,orupgrading

them,iseasy.

ThecammedlockinglugpathisadirectdescendantoftheM1Garandandhasbeenusedmanytimessince.

timessince.

Thepiston,drivenbygasses,attachedtotheoperatingrod,isfromtheGarand.HereisanAK,nexttothe“refined”versionfromanM14.

Byputtingthegassystemabovethebarrel,Kalashnikovmadehislifesomucheasier.

Youhavetowonderwhatthearsenalworkmenwerethinking:perfectlygood,capitalist-shootingrifles,beingscrapped,andthescrapsoldtocapitalists.Whatistheworldcomingto?

Tomakenewreceivers,youonlyneedasimple,multi-tonpress.Thankyou,Mikhail.

Thisscrappedandcut-apartreceivershowstheboltguiderailandejector.

WhatmadeKalashnikovageniuswasthatheputallthesetogether,andusedtheM-43mediumcartridgeinsteadofthepreviousmilitaryimperativeoffullpower.OneaspectoftheAK-47whereMikhaildidinnovatewasthegassystem—asinitslocation.Heputthegassystemabovethebarrel.Allotherattemptstodesignaself-loadingriflehadplacedtheoperatingsystembelowthebarrel.Bygoingabovethebarrel,Kalashnikovsolvedanumberofproblems.First,heat.Havingthegassysteminthestockrequiredasmallsystemoronemadeofslenderparts,orthehandguardsgottoobulky.Youhavetoprotecttheshooter’shandfromheat,whichmeansmorebulk.Second,theheightputthesightshigher,whichallowedforalongerpoint-blankrange,importantwitharelativelyslowcartridgeliketheM-43.Third,sincethehandguardsdidn’thavetoencloseagassystem,theyweremadesimpler,lighter,andthushadlesseffectonthebarrel.Finally,theborelinewaslowerontheshooter,reducingmuzzleclimbduetorecoil.EachAKmanufacturermadedesignchangesthatdidn’tmatterintheoverall

EachAKmanufacturermadedesignchangesthatdidn’tmatterintheoverallschemeofthingsbutdidmaketheirliveseasier.Andnowwehavetodealwiththosedesignchanges.

Simplefixtureslikethisallowyoutosquashrivetheadswithease,andseveralatatime.

Thesetworeceiverswillrequiretwodifferentstocks.

However,itwouldbewrongtonotpointoutthatthecartridgepartofitwasbeyondhiscontrol.HadtheprevailingSovietmilitaryrequirementbeentomakeaself-loadingriflein7.62x54R,hewouldhavedoneso(andactuallylaterdid).Butaswediscussedearlier,whattheSovietArmywantedwasbasicallyasubmachinegunonsteroids.Whattheygotwasmuchmorethanthat.AsImentioned,thefirstmodelsoftheAK-47weredesignedandfabricated

withsheetmetalreceivers.Ihaveseenphotosoftransitionalriflesthatusedacombinationofsheetmetalstampingandmilledforgings,buttheyarenotcommon.TheSovietintentionwastomakeariflethatwasasinexpensivetoproduceaspossible.KalashnikovandEugeneStoneragreeaboutwhattheirrespectivebureaucracieswanted:ForStoner,itwas“light,light,light”andforKalashnikov,itwas“cheap,cheap,cheap.”Iftheindustrialbaseofthecountryissetuptomakemoreandmoresteel,itisrelativelyinexpensivetomakeproductsoutofsheetsteel.TheotherSovietindustrialbasewascement,butyou

cannotmakearifleoutofconcrete.Alloyingsteeladdstothecost,sotheAKhadtobeandisstrongfromdesignandnotfromalloys.ThatwasalessontheGermanslearnedinWWII.TheFG42,afull-powerrifle,wasmadefromsheetmetalstampings.However,toworkwiththe8mmMauser,ithadtobemadeoutofexpensivealloysteelsandheat-treatedexactingly.TheAKisnotmadeofhigh-techtemperedsteel,norheatorcorrosionresistantalloys.Itdoesn’thavetobe,usingthe7.62x39.Thesheetmetalreceiverisasstrongasitneedstobeforthejobitdoes.

Mostreceiversusepress-fitbarrels,butsomemilledreceiversusethreadedones.

ComparetheformingeaseoftheAKreceiver,below,withtheG-3receiver,above.Youaren’tgoingtobemakingthelatteronamulti-tonhandpress,withasimpleformingblock.

TheAKreceiverwithanearlierriflereceiver.TheAKisasimplestamping,whiletheMauseractionrequireshundredsofmachiningoperations.

Somereceiverdesignsuseathreadedpistolgripplaterivetedinplace.Othersusea“T”nutthatsticksthroughaholeinthereceiver(bottom).

Youcanseehowsimplethetriggerguardis:astampedloop,rivetedtothereceiver.

ItmusthavedroveKalashnikovcrazy,havingtogofromhissimplestampedreceivertomilled,in

ItmusthavedroveKalashnikovcrazy,havingtogofromhissimplestampedreceivertomilled,inordertogetriflesmade.

Morereceiverstockvariations,witheachofthesethree,notonlyrequiringadifferentstockshapebutdifferentattachmentmethods,too.

TheIsraelishadabetterideaaboutsights(nodoubtcluedinbytheFinns)andputanaperturesightontherearofthecover.

Themanufacturingofthesepartswasdesignedtobeasinexpensiveaspossible.Asaresult,Iwouldexpectthatagoodsetofstampingmachinescouldproducereceiverchannelsataclipofbetterthanoneaminute.EvenusingantiquatedSovietproductiontheyhadtobemakingthemattherateofmorethan200aday.Thatwasoneofthereasonsmakingmilledreceiverswassuchastepback.You’dneedmanytimestheinvestmentinmachinerytomake200milledreceiversaday.Fromthere,they’dgotoheattreat.(Or,iftheSovietsfiguredoutjusthowtomanagethealloys,heattreatfirst,thenstamp.ButIdoubtthat.)Onceheattreated,they’dbepickled,parkerizedandrackedforassembly.Thebarrelisaprettysimplething:asteeltubewithriflingontheinsideand

theoutsideturnedtovariousdimensions.Noprofiling,nosculpting,justacylinderofmanysteps.Especially,notapers.Theregularbarrel-makingmachinescoulddothat,astheyhadbeendoingfordecadesbefore.Here’swhereitgetsinteresting:Thetrunnions,rearsightpillar,gasblock,and

Here’swhereitgetsinteresting:Thetrunnions,rearsightpillar,gasblock,andfrontsighthousingareallcastings.Oncecast,theyaremachinedonlywhereneeded.Isuspectthatoncethebugswereworkedout,andthereartrunnionsdesignedanddimensionsfine-tuned,thecooledcastingsreadyforassemblyneverreceivedasinglepassfromamillingmachine.Thegasblockneedsalotofmachining,though,andthefrontsightcastingneedssome,mostlythefrontsightinstallationareas.Thefronttrunniontakesalotmorework.Simplyput,theideaoftheSoviet

productionindustrybeingabletocastatrunnionsothelockinglugsurfaceswere“goodtogo”isabsurd.So,thefronttrunnionreceivedmachining,mostlytolocateandestablishthelockinglugsurfaces.

ASSEMBLYTRICKSTheuseofhydraulicrivetstationsisobvious.Evenasocialistorganization,

lookingtocreatejobsforeveryone,isnotgoingtohavehundredsofpeoplewieldinghammersormodifiedwirecutterstofastenrivetheads.Sotherewouldbefixturesandpower.Themachinistswhodidtheworkonbarrelshanks,fronttrunnions,andbarrelinstallationwereprobablythehighestpaidinthefactory.(Hey,eveninasocialistenterprisetherearepaydifferences.)Therelativediametersofthebarrelshankandtheholeinthefronttrunnionintowhichthebarrelgoesiscritical.Toosmallabarrelanditwobblesinsidethetrunnion,andaccuracysucks—evenforanAK—andreliabilitygoesdown.Toolargeabarrelshankdiameterandthehydraulicpressthatinstallsthem

worksharder,wears,needsmoremaintenanceandbreaksdownmoreoften.Goevenlarger,andeitherthemachinebogsdownorthetrunnionssplit.Sothemachinistswhomakebarrels,andthemachinistswhomakefronttrunnions,havetobeinclosecommunicationwitheachother.Then,theyhavetopayattentiontowhatthebarrelinstallationcrewtellsthem.

Youcanputascopemountonit,butthatdoesn’tmaketheAKasniperrifle.Itbarelymakesitadecentdedicatedmarksmanrifle,orDMR.

Justwhenyouthoughtweweredonewiththisnonsense,theChinesecomeupwithanotherstock

Justwhenyouthoughtweweredonewiththisnonsense,theChinesecomeupwithanotherstockattachmentidea(left).

TheYugoslaviansmadetheirAKswithareinforcedfronttrunnion,thenbentthesheetmetaloverit.IfyouhaveaYugopartskit,goodluckwiththat.

Aslightaside.WereImakingAKsinamodernproductionfacility,thefirstthingI’dinsistonisthreadedbarrels.Noneofthiscommunistwartime-expedientnonsenseofpressedandpinnedbarrels,thankyou.Trunnionswouldbemachinedwiththefront-face-to-locking-lugsdimensioncloselycontrolled.Barrelswouldbemadewiththestop-shoulder-to-headspacedimensionequallycloselycontrolled.Usingmodernmachinery,itwouldbeeasytoproducebarrelsandtrunnionsthatsimplyscrewedtogethertoacertaintorquespecification,andheadspacewouldbecorrect.

Heretherivetsattachingthereartrunniontothereceivertubeareclearlyseen.

Astandardfronttrunnion.

Rebuilding“neutered”importscreatesscrap,likethesenowuselesstriggerguards,yankedoffof

Rebuilding“neutered”importscreatesscrap,likethesenowuselesstriggerguards,yankedoffofSaigarifles.

Shownnexttoaninstalledone,youcanseewhatthefronttrunniondoeswhenrivetedin.

Thebarrelswouldbestainless.Theycouldhavethegasportdrilled,andthevariouspartsinstalledwhileheldinfixtures.Notiltedfrontsights.But,thatwasn’tanoptionfortheSoviets.So,theprocesswentsomethinglike

this:barrelswouldbepressedintotrunnions,withtheassemblercheckingheadspace.Oncetheheadspacewaswithinacceptablelimits,thesetwererackedforthenextstep,andthecrosspinholewouldbedrilled.Thoseofyouwhoworryaboutheadspacewhenhome-buildinganAKshould

saveyourmoney.Iftheheadspaceisoff,thereisnothingyoucandoaboutit.Thatbarrelandtrunnionwere“married”atthefactorywiththatbolt.Theonlythingyoucanpossiblydotochangeheadspaceistoswapbolts.Barringthat,youhaveabsolutelynooptionsforadjustingheadspaceonyourbuild.None.The

headspacewassetbyYuriandthegangbackinMotherRussiaorBulgaria,Romania,wherever,andthereisnoprovisionforchangingitafterthefact.Also,theboreandchamberarehard-chromed,exceptonYugoslavianAKs.If

thechromeisatallpresent,you’llbedoingalotofharmtoyourchamberingreamertryingtoadjustinsufficientheadspaceonanAKbarrel.Toomuchheadspace?Ifyoureloadorplantoreload,thatcouldbeaproblem.Thenagain,ifyoutreatyourAKlikearealrifle,andnotjusta“surplusammoeatin’machine”youcanadjustyourreloadingdiestocompensateforexcessheadspace.Whichbringsmetoanotherpoint:WehavehadalotoffunwithourAKsin

thelastcoupleofdecades.We’vebeentreatedtoaflood,atorrentofammunitionatpricessolowthatyouhadtowonderhowthemakersmadeanymoneyatit.Basically,theydidn’thaveto.Theimportedrifleskeptpeoplebackhomeworkinguntiltheeconomycouldberetooledtoproviderealjobsandrealmanufacturing.Theammo?Thatwasjustlayingaroundinwarehouses,leftoverfromtheoldcommunistdays,andcouldbebetterusedgettingsoldforhardcash.Dittothepartskits.NoonewantstobuynewAKs,notwhenthemarketintheworldisawashwitholdones,cloggingarmsbazaars,fillingthestorageroomsofinternationalmerchantsofdeath.No,weAmericansaretheonlyoneswhowillpaymoneyfornew,andwe’llevenpaymoneyforoldstuffifitisproperlybustedupintoscrap.

Togetthecarrierinandout,Kalashnikovsimplycutslotsinthetoprails,whereyouliftthecarrieroutoncethetopcoverisoff.

Frontsightandgasblockscomeinalargevariety.Thepuristshate“mis‘nmatch”guns,butifitworks,whocares?

Youhavetoattachalotofthingstoabarreltomakeituseful.HereisthefrontendofanAK-74,gasblock,frontsight,andmuzzlebrake.

Therearsightpillarnestlesinthefronttrunnionshoulders.

Theboltandcarrierrideoverandontherailscreatedbyfoldingoverthetoplipofthereceiver,andspot-weldingrailsunderneath.

Thisreartrunnionismadeforafoldingstock,asidefoldertobeprecise.

Youhavetowonderattheworkmenintheplants;cuttingandtorchingtheveryriflesthattheyhadsocarefullyassembledtofightthegoodfightagainstthecapitalistmarket-forcehordeswhowerenowbuyingtheAKstheynowhadtoscrap.Oh,theirony.

Onethingisforsure:theveryaspectsoftheSovietcommand-economythatmadetheAKinexpensivetoproducemakeitamenabletohand-manufacturehereintheStates.Allyouhome-builders,begladtheSovietsweremechanizedonlyintheirInfantry.

CHAPTER5BUILDINGANAK

THEHALCYONDAYSOFPARTSKITSGALOREarelonggone.Still,therearepartskitstobehad,andthetoolswithwhichtobuildthemstillexist.Whileyoumaynotbeassemblingdirt-cheapAKsanylonger,thedetailsofwhatgoesintoabuild,andthethingsyou’llhavetobeawareof,havenotchanged.So,whilenotasmanyreadersmightfindthischaptertobeasusefulasbackthen,youcanbenefitfromhavingthisknowledgetuckedawayinyourdatabase.Thefirstthingyouhavetoknow,whichIhavementionedbefore,isthatthe

AKreceiverisnotablankslate.IfyouareassemblinganAR-15fromabarereceiver,youcanmakeitintojustaboutanythingyouwant.Short,handyM4clone,orfull-size-plusHighPowerSpaceGun,youcanbuildthembothonthesamereceiver.Youcanbuildone,thentakeitapart,andthenbuildtheother,ifyouwant.Youcanselectfromahostofcalibers(butnotgoupfromthe.223to.308,alas)andnothavetodoanythingbutpickupa“plain,standard,ARlower”fromyourlocalFFL.NotsotheAK.Thereisnosuchthingasa“plain,standardAKreceiver”

extant.Therearen’tevenplain,standardAKflats[Flatsandtubesareexplainedlateronthischapter.–Editor].Evenflatsaremadetofitaspecificmodelandcountryoforiginpartskit.Ifyouareplanningabuild,planahead,thereareanumberofthingsforwhichyouhavetoaccount.Ifyoubuyakit,orstillhaveonelayingabouttheshop,garageorbasement,yourkitswillhaveeverythingyouneed,saveperhapsthebarrel.Thekitwilldeterminewhatyoucanbuild.

U.S.-madepartsaremarkedassuch,soitisclearyouhavegonetothetroubleofbuildingakosherAK.

Yourflatcomescaliberspecific.Itshouldalsocomewiththeparticularholesyou’llneedforyourstocktype—fixedorfolding.

Therailsarenotonlycaliberspecific,butyou’llhavetoattachtheminthecorrectlocations,orforeverhaveacrankyAK.

CALIBERCONSIDERATIONSFirst,caliber.Thereceiverswilldifferbetweenthe7.62x39and5.45x39

variants.Theejectoristhemaindifferencebetweencalibers,butnottheonlyone.Themagazinewellopeningisalsodifferent.Isyourkit(orthereplacementpartsyouplantouse)asingle-ordouble-hooksemi-autotriggerkit?You’vegottoknow,oryou’llbedoingextracuttingandfitting.Youhavetousethestockthatcomesinthekit,unlessyouplantobuildusingadifferentstockthatyoupurchased.Whichalsomeansadifferentreartrunnion.Andyouhavetopickonestylebeforeorderingareceiver,andorderitaccordingly.Afixed-stockreceivercanhaveseveraldifferenttangconfigurations,andallthefoldingstockvariantsdifferaswell.AChineseunderfolder,aPolishunderfolderandaYugounderfolderlooksimilar,butwon’tfitareceiverexcepttheonesspecificallymadeforthem.Thentherearethesidefoldervariants.Luckily,thefrontendisthefrontend,moreorless.Ifyouarebuyingaflat,youhavetomakesureyourflatisspecificbothto

caliberandstockconfiguration,abenttube,ditto.TheeasiestwaytogetitallrightistosimplycontactNodakSpudwiththeparticularsofyourpartskit(“Polishunderfolder,”“Tantalin5.56”or“fixed-stockRomanian,”forinstance)andhavethemshipthecorrectlowertoyourFFL.Ifyouplantobuildfromaflatortube,you’dbetterknowexactlywhatyou

have,oryoumaybetheproudownerofabent,weldedandheattreatedreceiver,onerequiringaparticularpartskittofitthereceiveryousocarefullyfitted.Doyourhomework,andshopcarefully,beforeyoulogontoasecurepageto

orderapartskit.Somethingstobeawareofarethekeywordsyou’llseethere:

All-MatchingThismeansallthepartsinyourkitcamefromthesamerifle,andwerekept

togetherwhenstuffedintotheplasticbaginwhichtheywereshipped.Thisisa

togetherwhenstuffedintotheplasticbaginwhichtheywereshipped.Thisisagoodthing,asthebarrelandboltwillbecorrectlyheadspaced(atleastwithincommiespecs)andthepartsallcamefromaworkingrifle.

MatchingGenerally,thismeansthebarrel,boltandtrunnionareallmatching,andthe

restarewhatwashandy.Ifso,thenheadspacewillbefine,andsinceyou’redoingthehandworktomakealltherestfitanyway,itisnobigdeal.

Non-MatchingLookout.Thiscouldmeananythingfromthewoodisnon-spectoevery

singlepartcamefromthesparepartsbins—binsfilledfromscrapped-outriflesandthelike.Itprobablymeansyourriflewillneedawholelotofworktomakeitright.

VirginPartsNeverarifle,thisis“oneeachofallthepartsneededtomakearifle.”Notwo

ofthemmayhaveevenmetbeforetheywerescoopedintotheboxandshippedoverseas.Thesekitsaredefinitelyfortheexperiencebuilderonly.

AllNFARulesApplyCodefor“You’dbetterapplyforanSBRonaForm1beforeyoustart

building.”Krinkkits,andkitsthatcommonlycomewithbarrelstooshortsuchassomeHungarianmodels,willbeinthiscategory.

YouneedU.S.parts,sogetthem.ThisTapcoslantbrakecountstowardsyour922(r)compliance.

Notethefrontofthemagwell.Itisangledforareason,andwhyyoubuyaflatpre-cut.

Thedimplesontheflat(someflatsdon’thavedimples)aremagazinelocators.Theykeepthe

magazinefromwobblinginthereceiver.Youwantdimples,orinsiderails,tostabilizethemagazine.

Fromflattoreceiver.Assoonasitbeginsbending,yourflatisnowafirearm.Doitright,anddoitlegally.

Notethebentflatlackstrunnionholes,whiletheunbentonehasthem.Havingtrunnionholesalreadydrilledisagamble:ifyoursdon’tlineup,youhavesomeworktodotomakethemright.

Single-ordouble-hook?Ifyourtriggerpartsaredouble,buttheflatissingle,youhavetocut.Ifthe

Single-ordouble-hook?Ifyourtriggerpartsaredouble,buttheflatissingle,youhavetocut.Iftheopposite,fillorleaveagap.

NewAriflethatwasmade,thenscrappedasapartskit,withouteverleavingthe

rackorbeingissuedorfired.

Like-NewIssued,butnotfired,orfiredsolittleastonotmakeanydifference.

GoodBoreThekitmayberough,butsomeonetookthetimetolookdowntheboresand

setasidetheriflesthathadunpittedboresandstrongrifling.Aswithanything,thebetterthecondition,thebettertheprospectsofmakinga

goodrifle.Andalsothemoreyoucanexpecttopayforthekit.IboughtsomeAK-74folderkits,like-newBulgarian,whenthepartskitswerestillcommonlyfound.Theycostme$249each.Beforetheydriedup,thosesamekitsweregoingfor$499.IboughtRomaniankitsat$79forused,goodboreand$99forlike-new.Beforetheydrieduptheywentupto$249and$299respectively.Well,thatwasbackin2007.Ididaquickcheck,andfoundthatpartskitsfor

AKsaremoreexpensive.(Bigsurprise.)AndtheyoftencomewithU.S.-madebarrels.Also,thewood,fixed-stockkitsarecheaperthanthefolders,again,nosurprise.Wood,fixedstockkitsstartingat$500,andfoldersat$550werethenorm.ThesewereallU.S.-madebarrels,whichaddsanextrasteptothebuilding.So,partskitsarestillouttheretobefound,youjustwon’tfindaguyatthe

localgunshowwithapalletofthem,sellingthemdirtcheapandwithadiscountforvolume.Beawareofcondition,asitmakesadifferenceintheendresultandtheworktogetthere.Second,wearenotgoingtogothroughablow-by-blowdescriptionofallthe

gorydetailsofbuildinganAK.Todosowouldrequireabookasbigasthis,not

gorydetailsofbuildinganAK.Todosowouldrequireabookasbigasthis,notjustachapter.WhatIwillbecoveringarethedetailsyou’llneedtoknowtointelligentlyshopforparts,seekoutbuilders,orundertaketheprocessoflearningtobuildanAKyourself.Thedetailsofbuildingvaryfromcaliber,tomodel,tocountryoforigin.YoualsoneedabenchfulloftoolstobuildanAK.Ifyouthink“Hey,I’llbuy

apartskit,aflat,andthetools,andI’llmakemyowninexpensiveAK,”you’regoingtobedisappointed.Bythetimeyoubuythereceiverfixture,buckingbarandanvil,barrelpressandrivetpunch,you’veeatenupanysavingsfrombuyingaready-to-goAK.Andthenthereisthemulti-tonpress.Youcangetallthetoolsexceptthemulti-tonpressfromAmericanGunsmithingInstitute(AGI).Theyalsohaveinstructionsonhowtodothework.Themulti-tonpresscommonlycomesfromHarborFreight.

Firecontrolpartscountasthreepartstowardcompliance.

Thepistolgripcounts,too.SogettheU.S.-madeonethatfeelscomfortable,andlookscorrect(ifthatmatterstoyou).

TheseclearlyvisibleU.S.-mademarkingsproveyou’re922compliant.

Rivetsorscrews?Putmedownintherivetcamp.Afterall,theyweregoodenoughforComradeKalashnikov.

Amodifiedboltcutterworksquitewellasarivetsetter.

TAKINGYOURKITAPARTThepartswillbeinaplasticbagorpaper-wrappedincardboard.They’llbe

encasedinCosmoline.Pullthepartsoutandmakesuretheyareallthere.Ihadonepartskitarrivewithtwocompletefull-autohammer/triggerassemblies.WhenIsawthat,IimmediatelythoughtofthescenefromtheJackWebbmovieTheD.I.:“MaybeintheRussianNavytheyhaverifleswithtwooperatingrods,twotriggerassembliesandtwobolts,butintheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsweonlyhaveoneeach.”Iguesssomeoneouttheregotthenextboxinline,whichhadnohammer/triggerparts.Sincewe’rechangingthosepartsanyway,itdoesn’tmatter.Butlackingsomeotherpartmightmeanyou’llhavetoeithercomplaintothesellerforredress,orbuythemissinggizmo.Takeoffthehandguardsandstock.Typically,thetriggerguardisfreeatitsfrontend,wheretheytorchedthereceiveraway,andifyouaren’tcarefulyoucanbendthetrigger

guard.Ifbenttoomuchitwon’tstraightenproperly,andyou’llhavetobuyanotherone.Orputupwithafuglytriggerguard.Grindofftherivetheadsonthesheetmetalthatremainsfromthereceiver.

Useabenchgrinder,apairofheavyworkgloves,andashopapronthatyouwillnotmindgettingimpossiblygrubby.Grindtheheadsflushwiththesheetmetal.Thengrabthesheetmetaledgeswithabigpairofchannellocks,andpryitaway.Thetrunnionswillstillhavetherivetstubsinthem.Ontherear,drill

(carefully)thestubsoutuntilyoucandrivethemoutwithapunchandhammer.Thetrunnionsarehardened,soyoumaybustafewdrillsgettingafeelforthetechnique.Fromtheinside,grindofftherivetsforthetriggerguard,frontandrear.Again,don’tbendit.

Themodifiedfacesofthecutterjaws,madetoberivet-setterjaws.

Youneedaslewofrivets,ofdifferentsizes,andyouneedatube.Thattubeisthecentersupport.

Therivetsetterinplace,onthelowerrearreceiverofthefronttrunnion.

Oncetheoldsheetmetalispriedoff,andtherivetsgone,useamulti-tonpresstopushthebarrelcrosspinout.Itisintheretostay,sogettingitoutmaytakemorethanalittlework.(Youcandoitbeforeyouremovethesheetmetal,itdoesn’treallymatterwhen.)Onceitisout,usethebarrelpresstoremovethebarrelfromthefronttrunnion.Thenremovethelastofthefrontrivets.Younowhavethescrappedbitsremovedfromtheworkingpartsandtheparts

youwillbebuildingon.You’rereadytothinkaboutthebuilding.

LOWERRECEIVERBUILDSThefederalregulationsconcerningfirearmsareattimesmaddening,andat

timesquiterational.Occasionallytheyarebothatthesametime.Oneoftherationalsectionsconcernsunfinishedreceivers.Basically,itisthe“80Percent

rationalsectionsconcernsunfinishedreceivers.Basically,itisthe“80PercentRule,”meaninganyreceiverthathashadlessthan80percentoftheworkdoneneededtomakeitcompleteisnotyetconsideredafirearm.Andit’sagoodthing,too.Ifnotforthat,anysectionofpipecloseenoughindiametercouldbeconstruedasafutureStengun,orwhoknowswhat.Exactlyhowtheless-than-80-percent-work-donedeterminationismadeisnotsomethingIknow,thoughI’dguessthatifyouwantedtomarket“79percentreceivers”you’dsubmitasampletotheATFEalongwiththeworkflowchartsshowinghowmuchyoudidandhowmuchremained.(Quickbitofadvice:I’mnotanattorney,nordoIplayoneonTV.ButI’dcertainlywanttobedoingthisassomeonewhowasincorporatedandhadafirearmsmanufacturer’slicensealready.Otherwise,youmightbeintrouble,sendingan81percentreceiverinforinspection,lackingsaidmanufacturerslicense.Butthat’sjustme.)

Triggerguardsonpartskitscaneasilybedamaged.Takecareinopeningthepackage.

Knocktherustoffafteryou’veremovedthetriggerguard.Andallotherparts,too.

There’safronttrunnionwithbarrelinthere.Yourjobistogetthesheetmetaloff.

FLATSANDTUBESAsaresultofthedifferingapproachestothe“lessthan80percent”threshold,

youarefacedwithtwodifferenttypesofpartially-madereceivers:flatsandtubes.Flatsarejustthat,flatsectionsofsheetmetal,withalltheholes,magazine

slot,etc.alreadydrilledandcut.Itisuptoyoutofoldtheflatintoachannelandgetalltheholestolineup.Now,“justbendingit”ismoreinvolvedthanhammeringitovertheedgeofyourworkbench.And,itisalsothestepthattakesyoupastthe80percentthreshold.Assoonasyoubendit,itisafirearm,andyou’dbetterbesureitconformstothelawsofyourstateaswellasfederalregulationsandstatute.Aquickheadsup:Justbecauseyouaremakingthereceiverfromaflatdoesnotexcludetheassembledriflefromtherequirementtobe922(r)compliant.Tobendaflatyouneedaformingdie,whichisabigchunk

ofsteelshapedliketheinteriorofareceiver,plusamulti-tonpressbigenoughtobendthesteel.Biggerisbetter.Tentons?Barely.Twentytonsisbetter,andmoreisgood.

Itmusthavetakenabitofskilltolopoffthereceiverrightbehindthetrunnion,andnottouchtheimportantparts.

TheyusedabandsawonthisAK-74,andincludedtwocompleteFAfirecontrolunits.ShadesofthescenefromthemovieTheD.I.

Makingyoursfromanunmarkedflatortubeisallowed,quotingfromtheATFE:perprovisionsoftheGunControlAct(GCA)of1968,18U.S.C.Chapter44,

anunlicensedindividualmaymakea“firearm”asdefinedintheGCAforhisownpersonaluse,butnotforsaleordistribution.Tubesarepre-bentflats.Howcansomeonesellyouapre-bentflatandnot

exceedthe80percentrule?Theydon’tdrilltheholes.Theprocessis,acquirethetube,andthenpasteortapetheprovideddrillingdiagramtothetube.Thendrilltheholesintherightplaces.Youdon’tneedamulti-tonpress,justadrillpressandaselectionofthecorrect-sizeddrills.However,ifyouaren’tvery,verycarefulyoucandrilltheholesslightlyoutofalignment,andthatisabadthing.Icouldpointoutatthisstagethattheabsolutebesttoolfordrillingholesandcuttingthemagazinewellopeninginareceivertubeisamillingmachine.

cuttingthemagazinewellopeninginareceivertubeisamillingmachine.However,forthecostofamillyoucouldbuyafootlockerfullofready-to-goreceivers.If,however,youhaveaccesstoone,thenbyallmeansusetherighttool.Justrememberyouhavetoworkthecontrols.Youhavetodotheworkyourself.HavingyourbuddythemachinistdothecuttingjustmeanshehasmadehisownAKreceiver.

Itisimportanttodelicatelyprythesheetmetaloffthistrunnionifyouexpecttohaveaworkingsidefolderwhenyou’redone.

Inbothmethodsyouhavetoweldtheinteriorrailsinplace.Therailsaretheguiderailsandejectorforthebolt,andsomerailsalsoprovidefillersforthemagazineguides.Ifyouareusinganindustrialwelder,fourorfivespotweldswilldo.Ifyouareusingabargain(let’sjustcallit“cheap,”OK?)benchtopspotwelderyou’dbewisetodosixorsevenwelds.ThecorrectAKreceiverhastwodimplesstampedinplace,actingasmagazineguides.Youcangetthetoolstostampthedimples,oryoucanweldtherailswithguidesininstead.Theybothworktokeepthemagazineundercontrol,butthoseshooterswantingacorrect-

appearingAKwilloptforthedimples.

Yourreceiverdictateswhatkindofstockyouputonit.Dittothepartskit.

Withtheholescorrectlylocated,rivetsgoineasy,andsethardandtight.

Onbothbuildshand-fittheforwardandrearlengthsandrivetholesforthekityouhave.Again,thereisno“plain,standardAK”lowerinthisregard.Asthefactoryintendedthefrontandreartrunnions(thesteelblocksthatthebarrelandstockgointo)tobepermanentinstallations,therewasnoincentivetomaketherivetholesatallstandard.IfyouhadparallelassemblylinesofAKsinthesamefactory,I’dbettherivetholeswouldnotlineuponriflesfromeachline,evenonriflesmadeonthesameday.Asforriflesmadeindifferentdecades,indifferentcountries,getreal.(I’msuresomeonewillcometothedefenseofSovietmanufacturingstandardsandassertthatallriflesweremadetothehighestlevelofprecision.AskhimifheisdrivingaLada,YugoorZil.)AKsweremadeaswellastheyhadtobemade,andwerealmostconsidereddisposableitems.Therivetholelocationsarehand-locate-and-drillitems.YoucanbetthatifyoubuildenoughAKsyou’llfindyou’llhavetoadjusttheholelocationsonsomeofthem.Theejectorhastobeheattreatedbeforeyouwelditintoplace.Thatmeansa

propanetorchandabucketofwateroroil.Theinternalrailsmustbeweldedin

propanetorchandabucketofwateroroil.Theinternalrailsmustbeweldedinplace.Forthat,youneedpositioningrodsorfixtures.Theeasiestwaytoproperlylocatetherailsisbyusingdrillsasspacers.Therailsareusuallyspot-weldedintoplace.However,ifyoulackthat,youcandrillandrivetthemin—you’llneedmorethantheusualnumberofrivets—orevenusemachinescrewsandsolder.AwelderIknowtookonelookattheprocessandfeltthat“plug”weldswouldworktoo.That’swhereyoudrillthroughthereceiverwallbutnottherails,andthenweldthroughtheholetoattachtherails,pluggingtheholewithweldasyoufinish.Weldinginsuchawayisabitdelicate,andnotsomethingI’dturnovertoanyoldwelder,likethetypewhoattachestowloopstoMacktrucksforaliving.

Onceyouhavethefronttrunnionfreeoftheoldreceiver,youhavetogetthebarrelout.Youcan’tfitittothenewreceiveruntilyou’vegottentohere.

However,youdoneedhelpfromanexperiencedwelder,orknowledgeofweldingandthegear,todoanyofthis.

Next,spotheattreatthereceiver.Youcan’tjustheattreatthewholething,itisn’tthecorrectalloy.Mostmanufacturer-madereceivers,suchastheNoDakSpud,usea4100-seriesalloy.Theycanheattreatthewholething.Theyalsohavethecorrectovens,experience,andtemperingfluidstodoitcorrectlyandnotwarpthereceiver.Yourflat,ortube,isa1000-seriesalloy,andcannotbesoheattreated.Youhavetospottreatit.Thisinvolvesusingapropanetorchtoheateachholeinturntothecorrecttemperature,thenplungeitintowateroroil.Ifyoudonotheattreatyourreceiver,thehammerandtriggerpinholeswillbetoosoft,wearwithuse,andyourriflewillbecomeunsafetoshoot.Conversely,ifit’stoohard,thereceiverwillcrack.Asheetmetalreceiverthatlacksheattreatmentwillnotlastlong,somethingI’msuretheSovietsfoundoutpre-1947.

Agood-fittingchannel,andwell-setrivetslooklikethis.(It’sRussian,you’dexpectittoberight.)

Onedrawbackofa“virgin”kitisthatthebarrelisnotgoingtohaveapre-fittedgasblock.Thatmeansmorework,andmorethingsthatcangowrong.

Youcancheckthefitofthecarriertotherails.However,thetrunnionfitting,andthecentersupportpostandrivet,arelikelyto“tweak”thereceiverrailalignmentjustabit.Thuswhatfitwasafree-runningridebeforemaybindafterlaterassemblywork.Sowhileitisfuntocheck,youreallyneedtosavethatworkforlater.Fitthetrunnionsandseattherivets.The17rivetsthatgointoanAKarenot

allthesame.Sortthemout,andkeeplikewithlike.Then,makesurethetrunnionsfitproperlybeforeyoudoanyriveting.Ifneeded,fileorDremelthetoprailssothetrunnionfitssnugly,andtherailsdon’tswaythereceiverout.Afewminutesspentgettingthingsrightherewillsaveyouheadachestocome.Makesuretherivetholeslineup.Youcanevenhandseattherivetsandholdthingsinplacewhileyoucheckthefit.Ifyoufindthatyouhavetodosomefiling,goslowly.Theidealtoolforrivetingisthemulti-tonpressyouusedto

filing,goslowly.Theidealtoolforrivetingisthemulti-tonpressyouusedtofoldtheflat.However,ifyouusedatube,orfoldedyourflatonsomeoneelse’smachine(youdidpullthehandleyourself,right?)thenyoumaynothaveaccesstothepress.Inthatcaseuseamodifiedboltcutter.A12-tonpresscosts$120orsotopurchase.A20-tonpressruns$200.Butyoualsohavetofindaplacetokeepit.Itisn’tlikeyoucanshoveapressintoaclosetwhenyouneedthefloorspace,becauseitisheavy,needsaconcretefloor,andisnotonwheels.Amodifiedboltcutterruns$80,andyoucanhangitonthewallnexttotheweedwhacker.Itsetsrivetsjustfine.

Bulletguides(feedrampstosome)arecaliberspecific.Ifyourkitneedsone,gettherightone,notjustthecheapestone.

Ifyouwanttohaveascopemount,thatmeansmorerivetsorwelding.

Therearsightpillarhastoslidesmoothly(andvertically)intothespaceinthetrunnion.Ifit

Therearsightpillarhastoslidesmoothly(andvertically)intothespaceinthetrunnion.Ifitdoesn’t,backitoutandstartagain.

Asidefoldersetuponamilledreceiver.Oh,thathadtocostsome.

Thecentersupportisimportant.Don’tskipitbecauseitmakesformorework.

Thequestioncomesupofusingscrewsor“u-drives”(aself-tappingsortof“fastener”)insteadofrivets.AlltheprofessionalbuildersI’vetalkedtogrimacewhentheyhearmentionofscrewsasameansofAKassembly.That’sbecausescrewscomeloose.NogunsmithIknowofiseverenthusiasticaboutscrewsonafirearmofanykind,letalonethosethatholdittogether.Yes,youcandegreaseandapplyLoctite,butscrewsstillcancomeloose.Firearmsvibrateagreatdealwhenfired,andscrewscomeloosewhenvibrated.There’salsothematteroftheallegedtimeandcostsavings.Youhavetobuyscrews,whichcostprettymuchthesameasrivets.(Acoupleofbucks,bigdeal.)Andthetoolswithwhichtoinstallthem.You’llhavetodrillthetrunnionholesout,fromtheirmetricsizetothe10-24orwhateverthreadpitchyou’vedecidedon.Youneedtaps,andasthetrunnionsarehardened,you’llprobablybreakatapnowandthen.Tapsbecome

trunnionsarehardened,you’llprobablybreakatapnowandthen.Tapsbecomedull.So,ifyoubuildonlyoneAK,youmightsaveafewbucks.Ifyoubuildmore,probablynotsaveanyatall.U-drivesareworse,andIwouldnotshootonesobuilt.(AndI’msuretherewillbeabunchofreaderswhoownscrew-builtorU-drivebuiltAKsatthispointwhowillexclaim:“Mineworksfine.”Goodluckwiththat,I’mstillnotshootingit.)Onelastassemblymethodyoucouldtheoreticallyuseiswelding.The

trunnionscouldbeweldedtothereceiver,butwhy?You’dneednotonlyasmuchormoreequipmentaswithapressormodifiedboltcutters,butalsotheskilltousetheweldinggear.Justgettheproperrivets,atoolorthetimeonapress,anddoitright.Nextinstallthecentersupport.Thatisthesleeveandlongrivetthatgoesin

themiddleofthereceiver.Itsupportsthelong,emptyreceiverchannel,keepingitfromtwistingorbeingdentedinthemiddle.(Iwonderiftheveryfirstpre-productionandearlyproductionAKshadthecentersupport.DidMikhailthinkofitaheadoftime,ordidfieldtestingmakeitobvious.)Thetriggerguardandmagcatchassemblyarenext.You’llneedabacking

plateorbuckingbarandanviltosettheserivets.Thebackingplateallowsyoutosqueezeorhammertherivetsoneatatime.Thebuckingbarandplateenableyoutoseatthemallatonce,usingamulti-tonpress.AGImakesallthetoolsyouneedhere,aswellastheformingfixturetofoldyourreceiverflatintoachannel.YourreceiverwillneedsomeDremeling.Cutthecarrieraccessgapintherear

channelsofthecarrier.Donotremoveanymoremetalthanisneededtofitthecarrierdownintothereceiver,andallowittorideontherails.Ifthecarrierbindsontherails,dresstherailswithafiletomakethemevenandthecarrierasmooth-runningfit.

Onasectionedreceivernotetheejectorandguiderails.

Theejectoristheonewiththelittlecreaseinit.Thecreaseisastiffeningcomponent.Youmust

Theejectoristheonewiththelittlecreaseinit.Thecreaseisastiffeningcomponent.Youmusthardenyourejectorbeforeyouinstallit.

Barrelinstallationisahassleforsome,abreezeforothers.First,beabsolutelysurethatyourrivetinstallationonthefronttrunnionhasproperclearanceforthebarrelshank.Noclearance,nobarrelfit.(You’dthinkthatwouldbeobvious,butsomepeoplecanmessupanything.)Useafixtureandmulti-tonpress,oralongthreadedrodthatfitsdowntheborewithwrenchesandnutstofitthethreads.Thetrickistogetyourbarrelinvertically.Thatis,withthesightsdeadcenterabovethebore.Ifyoucountonthetopendsofthefronttrunnionto“straightenout”anymisalignmentasyoupressthebarrelin,you’llbedisappointed.Getitright,bepatientandkeepthingslinedup,anditwillgosmoothly.Trytocutcorners,orbesloppy,andyou’llhaveanuglyAK.(Youwon’tbethefirst.)

Saigatriggerguards,priedoffofimportablerifles.They’llbereplacedwithproper,in-front-of-pistol-griptriggerguards.

Ifyouarereplacingthegaspistonaspartofyourcomplianceset,lookonthebluedportionofthecarrier.You’llseeapolishedrivet.Ifyoucan’tseeit,sand⁄ -inchbehindthepistontoshowoffthepin.First,noticehowmuchplay,ifany,thereisinthefitofthepistontothecarrier.Someareloose,self-centering,andsomearetight,madetobestraightandfit.You’llwantyourstofitproperlywhenyoureplaceit.Placethecarrieronpartially-openjawsofabenchvise,anduseataperedpunchtostarttherivet.Onceitbeginsmoving,youcanswitchtoaclose-fittingstraightpunch,orjustpulltherivetoutontheothersidewithapairofvicegripsorchannellocks.Or,centerpunchtherivet,andthendrillwithadrillonesizebelow ⁄ -inch.Eitherdrillitout,ordrillenoughtodriveitoutwithadriftpunch.(Asthemanoncesaid:thisain’trocketscience.)Whenyouinstallyournewone,takeafewmomentstocheckforlength.Then,screwitinandcheckforfit.Thesimplestwaytomakesureitislockedinplaceistohaveyourweldertackwelditintoplace—assumingthatwhenscrewedinsnugitisafree-runningfitinthegastube.Or,screwitin,drillthroughtheexistinghole,andinstallapin.Peenovertheends,polishandpaint/touch-upblue,andyou’redone.Youcandrillhere,whileyoucan’tdrillanewbarrel,becausethenewpistonfillsthevoidcompletely.Thereshouldbenodrillbitwalking,ifdoneright.

1 2

1 8

Thetoprailssometimesneedtobedressedwithafiletomakesurethecarrierridessmoothlyonthem.

Thecarrierinsertiongap,cutoutoftherailsnearthebackofthereceiver.(Typically,yourivetthereartrunnioninplace,beforemakingthiscut.)

Assemblethehandguards,makingsuretheyfitthereceiver/barrelinstallation.Ifminorfilingonthepistontubeisnecessarytomakeitfit(itshouldn’tbe,thedistanceisdictatedbythepartsattachedtothebarrel)thengoslowly.Itiseasytotakemetaloff,hardtoputitback.Morelikely,thehandguardswillhavetobefitted,asthelowerhandguardiscaughtbetweenthefrontofthereceiverandthebracketlockedontothebarrel.Ifyoumustcutorfile,doittothehandguard.Handguardsarecheapandcommon.Messupthelockingbracket,andyouhavearealproblem.Boltonyourstock,installtheinternals,anddoanon-firingcheck.Whichisa

goodseguetothenextchapter,testingtheAK.Butbeforewegothere,let’stakeamomenttoconsideralltheabove.WhenIwrotethefirstvolumeinthisseries,thecosttobuildcouldbekept

under$200,toolsnotincluded.An“expensive”buildwouldrunsomethinglike

under$200,toolsnotincluded.An“expensive”buildwouldrunsomethinglike$400.Youreallyhadtogetcrazytospend$500onanAKproject.Pricesforcompleteriflesatretailwerealongsimilarlines.Youhadtoworktofindonethatwasselling—actuallyselling,notonthewallatanabsurdprice—forover$500.Today?Aquickcheckuncoversaminimumpriceof$550,withlotsof

optionsuppast$1,000.However,thoseareallU.S.-made,andbuiltatamuchhigherqualitylevelthantheimportsandmassbuildswesawadecade-plusago.Yes,theycostmore,butwe’regettingamuchbetterproduct.Whatdoesitcosttobuildtoday?Well,youneedapartskit.You’llneedthe

handtools,whichmeansattheveryleastarivetsetter,Dremeltool,files,etc.Thetooling,whichmeansattheveryleastacoupleofhundredspentonabarrelinstall/removetool,backingplates,etc.Ifyouusepre-bentreceiverchannels,you’llneedadrillpress.Ifyouuseflats,thenamulti-tonpress.Ifyouusepre-madereceivers,moneyandanFFLwillingtodothetransfer,butnoformingblockandpressordrillpress.Attheminimum,about$300-350intooling,plustheodds’nendspartssuch

asrivets,propanetodoheattreating,etc.Atthetopend,youcanspendabout$800ontooling,andneedatleastonesideofatwo-cargarageforthepress,workbench,etc.Thenyouneedthepartskits.Thosewhostockeduponkits(“Buy‘emcheap,

andstack‘emdeep!”)wereaheadofthecrowdbackthen,buthowmanypartskitsfromthattimeframearestillunbuilt?WithastackofRomanianpartskitsyouboughtfor$99,you’reaheadoftherestofus,atleastifyou’restilllookingtobuildavanilla-plainAK.Therestofus?Partskitscostmorenow,andtheadditionofaU.S.-madebarrelcomplicatesthings.BackwhentheneedtouseU.S.-madebarrelswasnew,fewpartskitswithdomesticallyproducedbarrelscamewiththegasblock,frontsightandrearsightpillarinstalled.Youhadtoaddthosethings,anditwasn’talwayseasy.Today,thesuppliersaresavvier,andtheydothathardpartforyou.Yes,itaddstothecost,butthespecializedtooling

neededtodrillandpinthefrontsighthousing,gasblocks,etc.ontoabarrelcanbepricey.

Thecentersupportrivetinplace.

IfyoubuildAKsfulltimeyouhavelotsofparts.Ifyoudoone,youhavejustenoughparts.Don’tloseyours,asyouwon’thavedrawerslikethisintowhichyoucandip.

UnlessthereisanotherfloodofAKpartskits,withoriginalbarrels,suchthatwecanseeallkindsofoptionsfor$200orless,(withtherealraritiesgoingforunder$300)thenthereisn’tmuchpointinbuildingyourownthesedays.Unlesswhatyouwantsimplyisn’tanoptionthatanycommercialmakeroffers,oryoureally,reallywanttodoit.Then,knockyourselfout,butdon’ttrytoconvinceusthatyou’resavinganymoney.

FUTUREBUILDINGANDREPAIRSOK,you’resomeyearsdowntheroad,andyou’vewornoutthebarrelonyour

neworhomebuiltAK.Whattodo?AsIseeit,thegreatmassofAKownersouttherearegoingtobeunwillingtosimplyscrapariflebecausethebarrelisshotout.Especiallyifithasbeenreliable,ifthey’veaddedcustomfeaturesoraccessories,andtheyhavearifletheylikeandknow.However,fittinganew,virginbarreltoanexistingAKreceiverisnoteasy.Thosewithmilledreceivers

virginbarreltoanexistingAKreceiverisnoteasy.Thosewithmilledreceiversusingthreadedbarrelscanresteasy.Anycompetentgunsmithcanre-barrelyourAK.Itisthepressed-barrelAKs(thevastmajority)thatwillbeaproblem.Yousee,thenotchonthebarrelforthecrosspinisdifficulttoduplicate.It

definestheheadspaceoftherifle,andmustbepreciselylocatedorthingswillgoverywrong.Whenyourriflewasmadeinwhicheversocialistworker’sparadise,thebarrelandtrunnionweremachinedandfittedbyexperiencedworkers.Thebarrelwaspressedin,headspaceset,andtrunnionandbarreldrilledasaunit.Areplacementbarrelcannotbedrilledinplace.Ifyoupressedabarrelblankintothealready-drilledfronttrunnion,andthentriedtodrilloutthenotch,you’dmakeamessofthings.Thedrillwould“walk,”thatis,trytobendawayfromtheobstacle,cuttinganoblongholeinthetrunnion.Evenagoodendmillwouldhaveproblems,butitcouldbedone.Millingthenotchbeforehandwouldbealevelofmachineworkbeyondmostgunsmiths,andalevelofgunsmithingbeyondmanymachinists.No,thebestwaytodoitwouldbeexpensive,butdo-able:EDMthenotch.

SomeoneisgoingtomakemoneyinthefutureusingEDM(electricaldischargemachining)tocutthenotchthroughthepinhole,afterthebarrelispressedinandheadspaced.Thebigquestionis,whatwillitcost?Anewbarrel,lathe-turnedandready,mightrunaslittleas$200.Ifashopissetuptodotheworktheymightbeabletodoitfor$100inlabor.IstheU.S.marketreadyfora$300+barrelswap,onamassofAKs,mostofwhichcost$350whennew?We’llsee.Ofcourse,ifthemarketbythen(ortoday,ifwe’vegottentothe

pointofreplacementAKbarrels)generallysupportsAKsatretailof$500-$700,withsomespecialtyonesgoingforoveragrand,thena$300barrelswap/rebuildseemsalotmorereasonable.Addinsomeupgradesforsuppressormounts,aKeymodorM-LOK

handguard,andtherejustmightbeanewmarketsegmentreadytoblossom.

CHAPTER6AMMOISAMMO

FormanyAKshooters,ammoisindeedjustammo.They’rehappywithwhatevertheycanget,atthelowestcost,aslongasitgoesbangandhitsreasonablyclosetotheaimingpoint.Forthem,thecasematerial,bulletdesign,andreloadabilityofthecaseareallmootpoints.Cheapammothatgoesbang,andcomescloseisalltheyask.Otherswantmore.SomeonewhoisplanningtogohuntingwiththeirAKnot

onlyhastoconformtoDNRregs(NoFMJbulletsallowed,typically)plustheyexpecttocleanly,humanelyandefficientlydispatchtheirgame.OthersareconcernedabouttheuseoftheAKinself-defense.Yes,youcan

shrugofftheirconcernsbypointingouttheAKhasbeenusedfordefenseandoffenseformanydecadesnow,butaneffectiveandefficientmilitaryuseisnotnecessarilythesameasoneforpersonaldefense.Toacertainextent,itisariflecartridgemuchlikeanyother.Primerinthe

back,impactextrudedcaseofmetal,withashoulder,neckandbullet.Pullthetrigger,itgoesbang.Repeatasnecessary.Buttherearesomedifferencesyouneedtoknowabout,ifyouaregoingtodomorethanrangeplay,especiallyifyouaregoingtoreloadammotosaveoncosts.

HISTORYTheoriginalcartridgeoftheAKistheM43,developedin1943,andfield

testedandrefinedduringthelatterdaysofTheGreatPatrioticWar.Asyoucanreadilytell,thecaseis39mmlongandthebulletdiameterislistedas7.62mm.DidtheRussiansinventthecartridgefromwholecloth?Didtheyripoffthe

GermanR&Defforts?Atthispointintime,isthereanyoneleftwhoknowsthe

GermanR&Defforts?Atthispointintime,isthereanyoneleftwhoknowstheanswer?Areanydocumentsthatmighttellusstillinexistence?Anddoesitreallymatter?No,whatmattersishowitcametothis.TheRussians/Soviet/Bolshevikswere

fightingawarwithamixofweaponsthatcamefromWWIandthegangsterera.Gangster,that’swhatpeoplecalledorganizedcrimebackwhenProhibitionwasineffect.TheThompsonsubmachinegunwassupposedlypopular,butbackthenthoseinvolvedusedeverythinginfightingoverterritoryforliquorsales.Andby“everything”Iincludebelt-fedheavymachineguns.OntheEasternFront,theSovietswereusingastheirmaininfantrysmallarm

theMosin-Nagant,abolt-actionfive-shotriflechamberedin7.62x54R.Thecartridgewasarimmed,.30-06equivalent.(Actually,thatisn’treallyfair.TheMosincamefirst,in1891,theSpringfieldroundwasfirstunveiledin1903asthe.30-03.Itwasupdatedafewyearslaterasthe.30-06.)Thatcartridgealsowaswhattheyfedtheirbelt-fedmachineguns.Thebigrimwasn’taprobleminabelt-fedmachinegunthen,becausetheywereusingtheMaxim.IntheMaximdesign,eachcartridgewasextractedfromitscanvasbeltbackward.Inthatprocess,abigrimwasabenefit,notaproblem.Itwasn’tuntillater,whentheyweredevelopingthePKMthatSovietmachinegundesignershadtostrugglewiththerim.Butwe’rewanderingafield,andshouldgetbacktoWWII.

Thestandard7.62x39cartridge,beforeimportrestrictionswereplacedonit,containedamildsteelcore.Notmuchexpansionthere,sonotmuchuseasahuntingcartridge.

RedArmyinfantryalsousedamixtureofsubmachineguns,allchamberedin7.62x25,theTokarevpistolcartridge.Asamix,itworked,butfortheindividualitwasn’tmuchfun.TheMosinkickedhard,andwhilethepowerwasusefulingettingthroughchanceobstacles,therateoffirewasslow.Nottomentionthattheriflewaslong,almostfivefeetwiththebayonetinplace.TheMosincarbineswerehandier,butalsolighter,andthuskickedevenharder.Thevarioussubmachinegunswerefast-cycling,andputalotofzippylittle86-grainbulletsdownrange,buttheydidn’tpenetrateanythingbutfascistsverywell.Therewerealotofchanceobstaclesthatactedascover,whenbeingpastedbyaSoviet

alotofchanceobstaclesthatactedascover,whenbeingpastedbyaSovietsubmachinegun.

Rifleperformancedependsonthecaliberandthebullet.ThisCorbonDPXreallydoesn’tcareifitislaunchedfromanAR-15,oranAK-47in.223.

TheGermanshadmuchthesameproblems,compoundedbytheliteralswarmsofSovietinfantrywithwhichtheywerefaced.Theywantedsomethingthatkickedlessthanthe7.92Mauser,penetratedchanceobstaclesbetterthanthe9mmParabellum,andheldmoreroundsthantheMauserrifle.Itbeinganindividualmachinegunondemandwouldbeawfullyhandyinanemergency.TheyfieldedhundredsofthousandsofMP-40submachineguns,andpressedintoserviceeverySovietonetheycaptured.TheycapturedsomanySovietsmallarmsthattheGermansactuallysetupammunitionplantstoproducecartridgesforthem,andconvertedmanyotherSovietsubmachinegunsto9mmParabellum.

Ifyoudoballistictesting,youhavetotakecarefulnotes.Thisistheresultsboardwecreateforrifleclasses,soeveryonecanseewhatwe’vetestedandhowwellitdid.

AsameansofhidingthenewdesignsfromHitler’sgaze,theGermanR&DbranchesofthemanufacturersandtheArmycameupwithacoolnewname—Sturmgewehr—andmanagedtodevelopwhatbecameknownastheassaultweaponorassaultrifle.Initsfinalform,theStg44firedthe7.92x33Kurzcartridge,whichhurleda122-grainbulletatanominal2,250fps.(Doesthatsoundfamiliar?)Testingwassimple,startingwiththevariouscontendersin1942;they’dmake

abunch,issuethem,andgetreportsbackfromthefront.There,themildrecoil,30-roundmagazineandselect-fireoptionwerefoundtobeuseful.TheSovietsalsoreportedontheirendofthistesting,andrecoveredsampleweaponsfortheirownstudy.Whytheneedtohideallthis?Rememberthederogative“gangstergun?”

Hitleralsoviewedthesubmachinegunasadefensiveweapon,andhedidn’twanttheArmyonthedefensive,hewanteditontheoffensive.OncethenewStg

wanttheArmyonthedefensive,hewanteditontheoffensive.OncethenewStgdesignhadprovenitself,andthattheArmyreally,reallywantedit,heapprovedit.InmuchthesamemanneraswiththeMe-262,politicalinterventionkeptausefultooloutofthehandsofthemilitaryforanappreciabletime.TheSoviets,beingontheotherendoftheStg,tooknoticeanduppedtheir

ownresearch.Asabriefaside,noneofthiswasnew.TheFrenchhaddevelopedacartridge

inWWI,andwereworkingonweaponsforit,thatfilledthesametacticalniche.Researchersbetweenthewars,onallsides,hadbeenworkingonintermediatecartridges.So,thepopularnotionthattheGermansinventedit,andtheSovietscopiedit,isn’tcorrect.NoristheideathattheSovietsinventeditindependently.Everyoneinventedit,andallmilitaryestablishmentsignored,it,untiltheyneededit.Andthentheyalltookcreditforit.I’msurethesamethinghappenedwiththetoolsoftheinfantryofNarmer,thePharoahwhounifiedEgypt,andwasthefirstEgyptianbutt-kicker.

Thecomputer-controlledpopupsattheNationalGuardbase.Ifyouhitit,thecomputerregistersthehit.Ifnot,thescorergetstoannounceyourscoreswithglee.

ThefirstfirearmtobeissuedinthenewSovietcartridgewastheSKS,alsoknownastheSKS-45.Whileaself-loadingcarbinewiththenewroundanda10-shotcapacitywasmuchmoreusefulthantheMosinboltaction,itwasnotthedesiredendproduct,butmerelyausefultoolthatcouldbemadeandissueduntilthefinalproductwasarrivedat.SoevenwhiletheRedArmieswerebeingequippedwiththeSKS-45,workontherealreplacementcontinued,culminatingintheAK-47.Thetwowereissuedside-by-sideforawhile,andthenatleastinSovietandWarsawPactuse,theSKSwasrelegatedtoceremonialandsecond-issuestatus.WhenIwasinMoscow,theguardattheexittotheKremlinwasarmedwith

anSKS,notanAK- ⁄ .Onereasonis,theSKSisjustlongenoughthatyoucanholdontothemuzzle,atattention,withthebuttgrounded.(Well,youcanifyouaren’toversixfeettall.)TheAK,5inchesshorter,istooshortforthat.The30-roundmagazineoftheAKcanalsomakesmallarmsdrillandceremonialpresentationsmorethanabitawkward.Buttheshort-termthinking,needformassiveamountsofmaterialnow,and

thelegacyofthewarleftafewoddaspectstothewholesystem.Onewasthebulletsize,weightandstability.WhenthevariousR&DshopsintheSovietUniongottoworkonnewproducts,theywerefacedwithoneunbendingrequirement:usethebarrelstheyhad.The7.62x54Rusedaborewithanominaldiameterof.310inches,andthebulletcommonlyusedweighed147grains,yettherewererelativelycommonloadsinuseupto181grainsinweight.But,ithadbeendevelopedinthelate19thcentury,andtheoriginalspecificationsweredrawnupforusewitha210-grain,roundnosedFMJbullet.Inorderforthatbullettobeproperlystabilizedouttotheexpectedinfantry

engagementrange(backinthe1880sand1890s,athousandyardsormore)theMosinboretwistwasquick;oneturnin9.5inches.Thatmadethelater,WWIandWWIIinfantryround,withabulletof147grains,abitover-stabilized,but

47 74

nothingthatwascritical.Thebulletcarriedsomuchenergyto(andthrough)opposinginfantry,thattheover-stabilitythetwistproducedwasnotanimportantconsideration.

Inthetransitionfromblackpowdertosmokeless,thecaliberswentdown,thevelocitieswentup,andbulletshadtohavejackets.

TheRussianswerenotaloneinthis.Allthemajorcombatantswereusingcartridgesdevelopedpriortothe20thcentury,originallydevelopedwithheavy,round-nosedbullets.Theywereallover-stabilized.TheAmerican.30-06usedatwistof ⁄ ,forexample,forabulletofthesameweightastheSoviets—147grains.TheBritish,FrenchandGermansweresimilarlyequipped.ThismeantthattheSovietsubmachinegunsinuse(PPSh-41&PPS-43,some

8millionbeingmadebetween1940and1946)hadbarrelswiththesameborespecsastheMosin.Theywerenominal.310-inchdiameter,withatwistrateof⁄ .Thismeantthe86-grainbulletofthe7.62Tokarevwasgrosslyover-stabilized.But,sinceitwas“only”going1,700fpsorso,andthejacketwasproportionallyrobustcomparedtotheMosin,therewasnoriskofitbeingtornapartbythecentrifugalforceofrotation.Andbeingastubbypistolbullet,yawasacomponentofwoundingwasnotasignificantfeaturetoattempttuningthesystemtoproduce.

Machinegunsrulethebattlefield,andriflesjustmaneuveranddothecleanup.Herewehave

1 10

1 9.5

Machinegunsrulethebattlefield,andriflesjustmaneuveranddothecleanup.Herewehavemachinegunsspanningoverfivedecadesandfourcontinents.

The7.62x39wasanothermatter.First,itwasabitlonger,andhavingityawwouldusefullyincreasewounding.Itwasgoing500fpsfaster,andanythingbutatoughjacketwouldincreasetheriskofbulletdestructionduetocentrifugalforce.Butthelackofwoundingwasthebigproblem.Basically,despitesomanyshootersholdingtoitsvaunted“.30cal.rifle”affection,itproducedthesamekindofwoundforwhichtheM16A2anditsM855bulletstakealotofflak—astraight,punctuate,perforatingwound.Thatis,itgoesstraightthrough,doesn’ttipsoonenough,andisn’tgoingfast

enoughforatemporarywoundcavitytohavemucheffect.We’llgetbacktothat.

BULLETSHowmanufacturingandmachiningtolerancesarespecifiedcanmakea

differenceonwhatwillwork.Forinstance,thetolerancesofmanyindustrialproductsintheWestarespecifiedas“plusorminus.”Thatis,forexample,abulletwillbelistedonthedrawingsorinthespecsas0.3080±.0002.Thatis,anacceptablebulletwillbeonethatfallsoutofthedrawing/pressingmachineswithadiameterbetween0.3078and0.3082inches.However,notallsystemsusethesetolerances.Forinstance,itispossibleto

listanaddeddimensioninonlyonedirection.TheM43issodefinedinsomespecifications,withthediameterlistedas0.310-.002,whichmeansthatanydiameterfrom0.3080to0.3100inchesisacceptable.Asaresult,abulletthatis0.3079inchesfails,asdoesonethatmeasures0.3101.Intheplus-or-minusspec,thefirstofthesewouldpass(0.3079-inchbeingwithinthenormal.308-inchspec.)whilethelatterwouldfailinbothmeasuringsystems.

Weforgetwhatittakestoequipanarmy.HerewehavearackofBrowningmachineguns,withaveryspecialmod:they’vebeenconvertedto.22LRfortraining.

Pedantswillarguethatthe“7.62”issupposedtobetheaveragebulletdiameter,thenominalgroovediameter,theaverageofthoseandeverythingelse,buttheendresultisprettymuchthesame;foreign-madeammunitionorbulletsrangefrom.308upto.312incheswithmostofthemrightaround.310inchesindiameter.However,U.S.-madeammunitionwillsometimesfeaturebulletsof.308inchesandthatisnotjustanaverage,butaprettytightaverage.ItisasloppyU.S.bulletmakerwholetstheirproducts(inthiscase,a.30-caliberbullet)wanderasfaras.3075and.3085inches.However,bulletsmanufacturedspecificallyforuseintheAKwillbeoffered

in.310or.311-inchdiameters.Youjusthavetofindthem.Doesitmatter,ifyouareloadingyourownammunition?Yesandno.Asaresult,youcanfindbulletsforreloadingyourAKindiametersof.308,

.310and.311inches.Youshouldstickwiththemore-or-lessnormalweights,thatis,rightaround125grains.Theweightmattersmorethanthediameter,for

thatis,rightaround125grains.Theweightmattersmorethanthediameter,forfunction,butthediametercanmakeadifferenceinaccuracy.However,mostshooterswhoareloadingthe7.62x39aredoingsolookingforeconomy,whichmeansthemorecommon.308-inchbulletswilllikelybelesscostly.Whichisjustfineforalotofapplications.A.308-inchbullet,travelingdown

aborerifledforanominal.310/.311-inchbullet,willhardlynoticethedifference.Reloadershavetobeawareofthat,however.Whenriflecasesareprocessedforloading,orreloadinginthisinstance,thecasegetssqueezeddowntoitsminimumdimensions.Thedecappingstem,thepointythingthatsticksoutofthebottomofthesizingdie,isalsoabullet-diameter-minusneckexpander.Thesizingdietopendsqueezestheneckdownbelowminimum,andthenthedecappingstemanditsexpandingballswagetheneckbackuptotheminimumforthepropernecktensionneededtoholdthebulletinplace.Ifyouareloading.308-inchdiameterbullets,butyouhaveanexpanderball

thatisthepropersizefora.310-inchbullet,youwilllacknecktension.Attheveryleast,theloosebulletsinthecaseneckwillgetbatteredoutofalignmentonfeeding,andaccuracywillsuffer.Youneedtobeusingtheproperexpanderfora.308-inchbullet,andtheotherdiameterforthe.311-inchbullets.Areloadingdiemanufacturerwhooffersa7.62x39diesetwillincludeoneofeachsizeforyou.Makesureyouusetheproperone.

TheMP-44,whichgotusstartedonthispath.

Intheswitchtomodernrifles,therewasabriefdalliancewiththe.308intheArmaliterifles.

CASESThe7.62x39caseistapered.Ifnothingelse,themagazineshapetellsyouthat.

Thetaperissoseverethatthemagazinefeaturesacontinuouscurvefromtoptobottomtoallowtheroundstoproperlystack,liftandfeed.Why?TheSovietswereusedtodealingwithharshclimates.ThesummersdownneartheCrimeacouldbehot,dustyanddry.UparoundLeningrad,thewinterscouldbemonths-long,bittercold,andheadhighinsnow.Andinbetweenitwouldbehot,cold,muddy,dusty,windy,gritty,anddidImentioncold?Anydayoftheyearcouldhavetwoorthreeofthose,andyoudidn’tgettopickwhichthree.Theyhadtodesignweaponsthatwouldworkeverywherethey’dbeneeded.

Andcontinuetoworkevenaftertheyhadbeenneglected.(Theymayhavebeencommunists,butinalotofareastheywereutterlypragmatic.)Acartridgewithaseveretaperoffersseveraladvantages.First,itfeedseasier,

astheconeofthecartridgereducesfrictiononfeeding,andkeepstheroundfromstallingifithappenstobindatsomepointalongtheway.Second,itextractseasily.Acone-in-conedesignbreaksfreeofadhesionassoonasthesystembeginsmoving.Ifyouthinkofacartridgeasacylinderinahole,thenasyoupullthecylinderout,itwilldragthewholeway.Notuntilitisclearwillfrictiondroptonothing.Aconeinacone,evenifittipsasitextracts,willhavefrictiononlyonaline,alongthebearingaxisoftheconewithinthecone.So,extractioniseasier,animportantpointforthedesignersbecausetheM43

wasgoingtobemadewithsteelcases.Steelwascheap(eveninacommunist/socialistcommandeconomy,theactualcostofacquisitionmatters)itwaseasytowork,anditwasstrong.Thetaperofthecasehelpedthere,also.Casesaremadebyamethodknownasdeepdrawing,inwhichadiskispunchedoutofaribbonofsheetmetal.Itisthen“cupped”aftergettingpressedintoadie.Thisworkhardensthemetal,soit’sannealed,andthencuppedagain.Repeatasnecessary.

TheMP-44sightisasimplebladewithasmallamountofadjustmentoutto500yards.

Oncetolength,itgetslathe-turnedtocreatetherim,thebaseishammeredtohardenitandcreatetheprimerpocket,andsinceitisaBerdan-primedcase,theprimerholeisdrilled.Thenthecaseissizeddowntocreatetheneckandshoulder.It’ssizedagainto

finaldimension.Asalaststepbeforeit’ssentoffforloading,thecaseisplatedorlacqueredtopreventcorrosion,whichwouldnegateallthehardworkdonetothatpoint.Steelannealsrepeatedlywithuncommonease.Itwork-hardensataknown,

andcontrollablerate.Itiseasytoleavethenecksspringyenoughtoclampontobullets,andmaketheheadandrimstrongsotheywon’tblowwhenfired.Andthetapermakesformingthebody,shoulderandneckeasy.HereintheStates,we’vespentalotoftimeandeffortmakingbrasscases,

alsoknownasgildingmetal,dothesamething.Andwe’vedonesuchagoodjobthatwedon’thavetoworryaboutmakingthecasestaperedtoeaseproblemsinotherareas.ButthiscanmaketheAKroundabitofapuzzleforU.S.reloaders.Forinstance,whattodoaboutheadspace?Headspaceistheroominthe

chamberforthecartridge.Thechamberandcasedimensionsarespecifiedsuchthatthelargestroundwillfitintothesmallestchamber.Thisrequiresaveryhighlevelofprecisiononthepartofrifleandammunitionmakers.AnditissomethingU.S.shootersarenotjustaccustomedto,butexpect.TheSoviets?Notsomuch.ThetaperofthecasemakesheadspaceonanAKadimensionthatdoesn’tmatteralot.Let’suseasanexamplethe.308Winchester.Itdoesn’thavealotoftaper.Ifthechamberhastoomuchheadspace,the.308roundcanshiftforward,leavingagapbetweenthecartridgebaseandtheboltface.Iftheextractorholdstheround,thegapisupfront,andtheshoulderwillbe

blownforward.Iftheroundhasshiftedforward,andthefiringpinreachestheprimer,thecasewillbetrappedforwardduetoexpansion,andcanexpandonlytotherear.Thisusuallycausesacaseseparation.

TheSchwarzlosemachinegunisablowbackdesign,despitebeingariflecaliberweapon.Youcandothatina60-poundplusweapon,butnotinarifleunder10pounds.

CenturyArmsAKsbeingusedintacticaldrills.

TheAKejectsforwardandtotheright,comfortingtoaleft-handedshooter.

TheAKejectsforwardandtotheright,comfortingtoaleft-handedshooter.

TAPERADVANTAGEInthecourseoftestfiringtherifles,Idippedintotheammo

supply.Ifoundthatsomeofthecartonshadnotbeenstoredaswellastheyshouldhavebeen.Thesteelcaseshadobviousoxideonthem.Thesteelhadbeengalvanized,soitwasn’trust,butratherasplatterofzincoxide.Itfeltlikesandpaper.Hadtheybeenmildsteelwithapolymerorlacquercoating,theywouldhavehadrustonthem.Now,inthecourseofhavingshotriflesformanydecadesnow,I

knowwhatthereactionofmanyshooterswouldbe,seeingammolikethis.Theywouldnodoubtwonder,woulditwork.Iknow,becausethatwasmyreaction,backinthemid-1980s,whenIscoredarealdealonsomesurplus.308ammo,cheap.Well,itwastheammointhebottompallet,ontheshipthatcameover,becauseitwasgreenandcrusty.MySpringfieldM1Aateitallwithoutaproblem.Haditbeen ⁄

ammo,Imighthavebeenlesscertain.AKownerswouldexpectsuchammotofunctionjustfine,provided

theprimerwasn’tkilledbytheexposuretowhateverrustedit.Andsoitwas.TheriflesItestedthisammoinworkedjustfine,ate

itall,andkeptonshooting.Isavedacoupleasphotosamples,buttherestwentdownrange.Asammoissupposedto.

.223 5.56

Othergunownerswilllookatammosuchasthisandwonderwillitwork.AKownerslookat

Othergunownerswilllookatammosuchasthisandwonderwillitwork.AKownerslookatthisandthink,ofcourseitwillwork.

IftheshoulderofthechamberistoofarforwardinanAK,theroundwillstopwhenthetaperwedgesittight.Nomatterhowfarforwardthatshoulderis,thecasecanonlygosofar.And,beingsteel,itisnotlikelytostretchenoughtobreakandseparate.However,ifyourAKhasanoverlygenerouschamber,youmayhavea

problemasareloader.Stretchedcases,sizedbacktotheminimum,areoverworkedcases,andcancrack,breakorseparatemorequicklythanthosefiredinminimum-sizechambers.IfyouhaveseveralAKs,theonewiththelargestchamberwillworkyour

casesthehardest.Andifyoureloadbysizingcasestofittheonewiththesmallestchamber,you’reworkingthemevenharder.But,ifyousizethemtolast,forthelargestchamber,theymaynotfitinthesmallestchamberedone.Theexemplarhereis,ofallrifles,theLee-Enfield.(Canwefindamore

disparatepairingofmilitaryriflesthantheSMLEandtheAK?)TheBritishdidnotcareaboutreloading.Theydesignedtheirrifle/ammunitioncombotoworkanywhereintheworld,literally.Itheadspacesontherim,nottheshoulder.So,chambershoulderscanbequiteawaysforwardofthecaseshoulder.ReloadingfortheSMLEisanexerciseinfrustration.IthinkthelargestnumberofloadingsImanagedtogetoutofabatchofcaseswasfive.AndImanagedthatbyresettingthecaseshoulder.

Onedrawbackofalargemagazinecapacityistheinabilitytogetreallylowinprone.EventheGermansrecognizedthatwiththeMP-44.

Thisinvolvedstartingwithnewbrass.(Abigexpenserightfromthestart,newbrasscostingprettymuchasmuchasnewammoofthetime.)Ithenneckexpandedthemwithanexpanderballcorrectfor.358-inchbullets.Ithenusedthe.303Britishsizingdietoresizetheneckdowntoproperdiameterforthe.311-inchbulletsIwasusing,butlefttheshoulderlonger,enoughtostopontheshoulderinthechamber.Andstilltheystretchedenoughtocausecaseseparationafterfiveloadings.I

finallygaveitupasawasteoftime.IfyouhaveanAKwithachamberthatissimilarlygenerous,saveyourbrass

casesfromthetorture,andyourselfthefrustration,andshootthatrifleonlywithsteel-cased,non-reloadableammo.TheM43caseisunlikeanythingelseoutthere.Thebaseisnominally.447

inchesindiameter.Thismeanstheliteraltruckloadsof.308and.30-06brassout

therecannotbeusedasabasefromwhichtomakecasesastheyuseacasewithabase/rimdiameterof.473inches.AsI’verecountedbefore,mybossatTheGunRoom,MikeKarbon,askedmetofindaparentcasefromwhichtomakeAKammo.Sincethepreviousbook,Icameacrosssomenotesfrombackthen,andIhadactuallyfoundtwo—the6.5Carcano(rimdiameter.449inches),andthe6.5Mannlicher-Schoenauer(rimdiameter.453inches).Asbothwereimported,usuallyBerdanprimed,andwhenboxer-primed,moreexpensivethantheAKammowehad,thatwasanon-starter.Ithinkbackonthattime,andwonderwhyitdidn’toccurtousthatifithadbeeneasy,someoneprobablywouldhavealreadybeentherefirst,inthebusinessofmakingAKammothatwasnon-corrosiveandreloadable.

TheM1Garand,withitsen-blocclip,wasahugeadvancein1936.ButtheU.S.Armyshouldhaveletgoofit,post-war.

Militarysurplusammocomeswrappedinpaperandisstapledshut.

Inarealpinch,wecouldhaveused.30-30brass.Thelocalrangesbackthenhadnotjustdrums,butdumpstersfullofonce-firedbrassfromdeerhunterssightingin.I’msureforafee,andthevalueofthebrassbyweight,they’dhave

sightingin.I’msureforafee,andthevalueofthebrassbyweight,they’dhaveletussortthroughandpulloutbucketsofthestuff.Ofcourse,thentherewouldhavebeentheworkoflathe-cuttingthe.30-30rimoff,andcuttinganextractorgrooveintothebase.Wewouldhavehadtoshorten,trim,neckdown,full-lengthresize,thenloadasammunition.Therewasnowayweweregoingtodoallthat,justtoshootanon-select-fireAK,evenintheearly1980s.Ofcourse,theMaadi,importedbySteyr,hada1982listpriceof$1,250,

comparedtoaRugerMini-14at$304,andaColtSP-1at$534.A“man’s”rifle,theSpringfieldM1A,waslistedat$560.AndthatwasatatimewhentheMedianHouseholdIncome(MHI)intheU.S.was$19,200.Adjustedforinflation,theMaadilistpricecomesto$3,100today.(AdjustedtoapercentageofMHI,itwouldactuallybe$3,450today.Yes,theMHIhasslippedbehindtheinflationrate.)Now,therearesomewhowillspendthatmuchonafully-spec’d,state-of-the-artAR-15.Somebodyletmeknowwhen$3,100isacommonpriceforanAK,andaplain-Janewoodstocknon-select-fireAKMatthat.

Commercialammomaycomeoffthesameproductionlinesasmilitary,buttheyusecolorfulpasteboardboxestoholdthepaperwrapper.

POWDERRememberwhatwejustdiscussedabouttheSovietswantingariflethat

workedontheEasternFront?Thatmeantithadtoworkinallweatherconditionsandwithnocare.Asaresult,thegassystemoftheAKisgrotesquelyover-gassed.Andtheyevendidthatdespitetheveryshortwindowinwhichthegashastooperate,time-wise.Whenthebulletpassesthegasport,gasisdivertedtothesystem.Actually,

whathappensissimpler;nodiversionneeded.Gaswillfindawayintoeveryspaceavailable.That’swhatgasdoes.So,thegastravelsupthegastube,intotheexpansionchamber,pressingontheendofthepiston.Thepistondoesn’t

theexpansionchamber,pressingontheendofthepiston.Thepistondoesn’ttravelveryfarbeforethegascanescapethroughtheventholes,orpastthepistondowntheslotscreatedbytheflutespressedintothepistontube.Thedesignersdeliberatelyover-gassedthesystembecausetheywanteditto

workinsub-zerotemperatures,whenfrozenshutbyrainandsnow,dirty,rusty,muddyorfill-in-the-blank.Over-gassingwaseasy,andtomakesuretheriflehandledit,theysimplymadetheboltcarrier,andthetrunnionorreceivershoulderithit,bigenough.Whentheboltcarrierbottomsoutattherearofthereceiver,ithassloweddown.Ithasabunchofmass,butsodoesthetrunnion.Andthetrunnion,madeofcaststeel,istough.Theimpactisonarelativelywidesurface.Evenifslightlyunevenoneortheotherwillpeenenoughtohammerdownanyhighspots,makingtheimpactevenlyspread.Thestockhelpssupportthetrunnion,andtheonlyrealstressisontherivets.

SincewedonotseereartrunnionrivetslooseningandfallingoutofAKsonaregularbasis,thedesignersgotthatright.AndontheoriginalAK,thereceiverisamachinedforging,noreartrunnion,norivets,andnochancewhatsoeverofthingsbreakingfrombottomingout.Justonalark,ItestfiredoneofmyAKswiththepistontuberemoved.It

workedjustfine,aslongasIwaitedforthepistontofindthecenterofthegaspillaroneachreturn.Thetubedoesnothingforgasretention,orresidualgaspressuretodrivethesystem.Itexistsfortworeasons:toguidethepistonheadbackintothegaspillar,andtokeepyourhandsfrombeingintheway.

Lefttoright:7.92x33,7.62x39,6.5Grendel,6.8RemSPC,.223,5.56insteelcase.

Inthelargercalibers,wehave.308,7.62x54R,8mmMauser,12gaugeand.410.(Amazingly,Idonothaveasingle20gaugeinthehouse,shoporbunker.I’llhavetocorrectthat.)

Butitdoesn’tmaketheAKfuntoshoot.Anditdoesn’tallowfortheusualhandloaders’trickeryonpowderselection.Self-loadingriflesaremeanttoworkatagivenchamberpressure,withthe

pressureexistingovertimeinwhatisknownasapressurecurve.Depressthetrigger,thecartridgegoesoff.Pressuresteeplyandquicklyrises,thebulletbeginstomove,andthenasthebulletmovesdownthebore,pressuresubsides,duetotheexpansionofvolumeandthebullet’smovement.Astandardruleofengineeringis,“workistheareaunderthecurve.”Workis

Astandardruleofengineeringis,“workistheareaunderthecurve.”Workiswhatmovesthebullet.Toincreasetheareaunderthecurve,youcanincreasethepressureatthepeak.But,anygivenmechanismwillonlytakesomuchpeakpressure,andsoonthegainofvelocitybecomestoocostly,astheriflefallsapartquickly.Orblowsapart.Theotherwayisto“lift”thetailofthecurve,thedown-slopingsection.By

keepingpressurehigherastheexpansionoccurs,youincreaseareaunderthecurve,thuswork,andvelocity.That’swhereaslower-burningpowdercomesin.Slowerburningpowdersarehowmagnumriflecartridgesmanagetowringmorevelocityoutofthesamelengthbarrelsastheirnon-magnumcounterparts.Except,intheinstanceoftheAK,we’restuck.Thereisamaximumand

minimumpressurewecanallowtohappenattheport.Abovethemaximum,andweoverdriveanalreadyexcessivelygassedsystem.Belowtheminimum,andwedon’tgenerateenoughforcetoworktheaction.WhenreloadingtheAK,wearestuckwiththemiddle-of-the-roadpowders,in

themiddleoftherange.YourcurbstoneshereareH4189onthefastend,andH4895ontheslowend.Straytoofarfromthem,andyouareaskingfortrouble.Asaresult,youwillfindthatyouareprettymuchstuckwithfactoryballistics.A123-grainbullet,atoraround2,250fpsisallyoucanexpect.Youmightfindaloadthatextendsthatby100fps,butyoudosoattheexpenseofhammeredbrass.Theextraportpressurewillworkyouractionharder,andhurlyourmangledbrassfarther.Youwantmorethana123grainsat2,250fps?Findanotherrifleand

cartridge.TheSKScanhelphere.Youwillfindsomeversionswithbarrelsaslongas20inches.(Don’tblamemeifyoufindthata“carbine”witha20-inchbarrelisnotallthathandy.Youwantedmoreperformance,I’mtellingyouyouroptions.)Buteventhathaslimits.Hornadylistsloads,testedfromanSKSwitha20-inchbarrelthatpusheda

123-grainsoftpointupto2,400fps.Justincaseyouareimpressedbythis,thesameloadingmanualalsoshowsloadsforthe.30-30outofa20-inchbarrel.The110-grainbulletscanbepushedto2,600fps,andthe150’sto2,300fps.Youare

110-grainbulletscanbepushedto2,600fps,andthe150’sto2,300fps.Youarereinventingthe.30-30wheelifyoutrytopushthe7.62x39pastitsdesignlimits.Andthemaximumpressureceilingforthe7.62x39,asloadedhereinthe

States?45,000PSI,on-parwiththe.30-30.

Thetypicalwoundscreatedbyvariousloadingsofthe ⁄ .ChartcourtesyDr.MartinFacklerandtheIWBA.

.223 5.56

Riflesneedvelocitytowork.Shortbarrelsandrangetotargetbothdecreasevelocity,affectingwoundingandrifleeffectiveness.ChartcourtesyDr.MartinFacklerandtheIWBA.

Thetypicalwoundresultofthe5.45x39,withashorter,moreconsistentoverturnthanthe7.62.ChartcourtesyDr.MartinFacklerandtheIWBA.

Whyisloadingslower-burningpowderssoalluringtosomeshootersandreloaders?First,theriflehasareputationforbeingalottougherthanitis.Yes,itwillsurvivetheutterneglectthatitwouldreceiveontheNorthwestFrontier,butthatdoesn’tmeanitisequallycapableofstandingupto50,000,55,000,oreven60,000PSIonaregularbasis.Itisn’tamagnum.Second,thecaseisratherlargeforitsperformance.The.223,forexample,deliversalotmorevelocity,andatahigherpressurefromasmallercase.Thecasecapacityofthe.223is31.1grainsofwater.(We’reusingmasstodeterminevolumesimplybecauseitisaquickandeasymethod,andoneshootersandreloaderscandothemselves.)The7.62x39hasacapacityof35.6grains.Thatgivesthecommiecartridge15percentmorespaceforpowder.Itistemptingtotryandshovelmoreinthere,toboosttheperformanceoftheAK.Thisiscompoundedbytheinsistenceofsometouse“pressuresigns”asan

indicationofthelimitsofacartridge.Simplyputyoudonotbegintoseepressuresignsuntilyouareuppast60,000PSI.Bythenyouarefarpastthelimitsoftherifle.Ifyouareloadingyourownammo,useyourloadingmanual,andstickwiththepublisheddata.Ifyouareusingfactoryammo,avoidloadings

andstickwiththepublisheddata.Ifyouareusingfactoryammo,avoidloadingsthatofferyousomethingfornothing,becausetheycan’t.

PRIMERSTherearetwoprimersizes,alas.Largerifleandsmallrifle.Remingtonhas

seenfittoloadtheircaseswithsmallrifle,andeveryoneelseuseslargerifle.ThefiringpinontheAKisnotspring-loaded,andasaresultmanyreloadersusetougher-than-normalprimers.ThesewouldbetheCCINo.34(large)andNo.41(small).Theyaremadespecificallyforsemi-autorifles,andhaveadifferentchemistryandtoughercups,tobeabitlesssensitive.Thisreducesoreliminateswhatisknownasa“slam-fire”wherethecartridgeignitesastheboltslamshome.Therearetwothingsyoucandotoprecludeslam-fires,withoutusingthese

primers.One,makesureallyourprimersarefullyseated,andbelowflushwiththecasehead.Second,donot,ever,loadyourriflebydroppingaloadedroundintothechamberwiththeboltheldback,andthenallowthebolttocrashhomefromfullyrearward.Theboltwillhavetoomuchspeedandforce,andtheinertiaofthefiringpincancauseittoslamforwardhardenoughtosetofftheprimer.(Itmayonlydothatonceinamilliontries,butdoyouwanttobetheguyholdingtherifleonthatoccasion?)TheAKrifle—likeeverysemi-autorifle—wasdesignedtohavesomeofits

speedandforceusedupinstrippingacartridgeoutofthemagazine,shovingitintothechamber.Loadthatway,notthe“holdmybeerandwatchthis”way.

The7.62x39islatetooverturn,andwithtumblingbeginningpast20cm,inmanycasesitsimplycausesapuncturewound.ChartcourtesyDr.MartinFacklerandtheIWBA.

5.45x39Inthelate1960sandearly1970s,theSovietsdecidedthattheAK-47,despite

havingbeenperfectedattheendofWWII,wasinneedofsomeupdating.Theylookedatanumberoffeatures,namelytoimprovehitprobability,capacityandsightingsystems,butfoundthatbudgetaryrestrictionslimitedthemtoaproduct-improvedandcaliber-changedKalashnikov.(I’msuretheironyofalackofbudgetaryabilitytoimprovesmallarms,ina

commandeconomy,wasnotlostonthoseintheknow.)TheendresultwastheAK-74,withafewchangestoimprovetheQCand

durability,andanewcalibertoimprovelethality.Vietnamwasawarthatprovidedalotofinformation.InthewordsofYogiBerra;“Youcanobservealotbywatching.”Beingonthereceivingendofthe5.56cartridgemusthavemadeanimpressionontheSoviets(OK,theyweren’tdirectlyonthereceivingend,buttheyhadobservers,andsourcesofinformation)becausethe5.45isbasicallythe5.56x45dialedbackanotch,andwrestledintoaKalashnikovpackage.

Thisbulletsheditsjacketandstillpenetrated12inchesaftergoingthroughplaster,glassandwood.

Theloadedcartridgelength(57.00mm)isinbetweenthe5.56x45(57.40mm)andthe7.62x39(56.00mm).ThatmeantthattheSovietsonlyhadtodoasmallamountoffiddlingtomakeitfitintotheregularKalashnikovreceiver.(Isuspectitwastheotherwayaround;“Comrade,makeusacartridgethatduplicatestheperformanceofthecapitalist’sblackrifle,butfitsintheKalashnikovandworkswithsteelcasings.”)Despitebeing39mmlong,the5.45doesnothavethesamehead/rimdiameter

astheM43.Itsdiameterisonly.394.So,the5.45x39isasteel-casedcartridgestillwithanoticeablebutlesstaper

thanthatofthe7.62x39.Itfeaturesasmall-borebullet,inthiscaseanominal.221indiameter,andthebulletis…complicated.The“magic”or“poison”bulletisthe7N6,a53-grainbulletatanominal2,900fps.Theallegeddesignmagicisthatitsmildsteelcoreisheldinplacebymeansofaleadsleeve,withanairgapinthetip.Supposedly,thegapletsthecoreslipforwardonimpact,

anairgapinthetip.Supposedly,thegapletsthecoreslipforwardonimpact,thiscausingthebullettoyawmorequickly.

Thesteelcoreinoriginal7.62x39loadsweighsasmuchasthewhole.223bullet:55grains.

Thebulletwasnotdesignedasanarmor-penetratinground,asdemonstratedhereagainstmildsteel.Butitwascheap.IftheSovietscouldhavemadebulletsfromcement,theywouldhave.

ThisislikelySovietpropaganda,becauseitisexactlytheoppositeofwhatyou’dwantabullettodo.Acoreshiftingforwardinthejacketwouldthrowthecenterofmassforward,increasingstability,andincreasingthelikelihoodofastraightwoundtrack.What’sactuallygoingonis,thedesignersofthe5.45,andthe7N6in

particular,aredoingthesamethingthatBritishsmallarmsdesignershaddonethree-quartersofacenturybefore.Whenthe.303Britishwasdeveloped,itcameintheusuallate19th-centuryform:aheavyround-nosedbullet,some215grainsinweight,andasuitablefast-twistboretokeepitstraight.Whentheywenttoaspitzerbullet,theyfoundittobeover-stabilized.Toincreasetheonsetofyaw,theymadethe174-grainspitzerwithanaluminumorfiberpluginsidethetip.Thiswasthe.303MkVII,achangethatpushedthecenterofmassbackinthebullet,behindthecenterofformand,asaresult,thebulletprovedlessstableterminally.Theywerenottheonlyonestodothis,theItaliansdidthesamethingwiththe

Theywerenottheonlyonestodothis,theItaliansdidthesamethingwiththe7.35cartridge,alongishbulletthatalsohadthecenterofmassbehindthecenterofform.TheSovietshadtoknowthisbothfromrecovered.303ammoinAfghanistan

andotherborderareas,andfromtheItalianuseagainsttheRedArmyontheEasternFront.(Theywerestubborn,butnotstupid.)Also,the.303hadbeeninuseformanydecadesbeforetheSovietsgotaroundtodevelopingthe5.45.Theknowledgewascommonintheballisticscommunity.Sothegapinthetipofthe7N6istheretopushthecenterofmassback.Thisspeedstheonsetofyaw.ThetwistoftheAK-74is ⁄ inches.That’salittlefastfora53-grainbullet,butremember—there’sabunchofsteelinthatbullet.Thejacketisacopper-platedsteel,andthecoreismildsteel,withtheleadlineraddingabitofdensity,butnotmuch.Theleadisprobablytheretokeepthecoreinplace,asmuchasaddweight.

Asealedcrate,withtwosealedsardinecanseachholding1,080rounds.Thisammoisgooduntil

1 7.5

Asealedcrate,withtwosealedsardinecanseachholding1,080rounds.Thisammoisgooduntilthecraterotsandthecansrustthrough.

Ifyoudon’thavesidecuttersorpliers,youaren’tgettingthebandoff.

The“poison”partcomesfromtheRussiansandtheirAfghanWarstartingin1980.Supposedly,theMujahadeenweremoreafraidofbeingshotbythe5.45thanthe7.62x39,becausethewoundsweremoreeasilyinfected.Well,giventheutterlackofsanitaryconditionsthere(andtheconcomitantincreaseininfectionsofanywound,ofanykind)amessierwoundcausedbyaquickly-yawingbulletwillbecomesepticfaster.Curiously,IhaveanacquaintancewhowasaSpetsnaztrooperinAfghanistan,

andhereportsthattheRussiantroopsweremuchfonderofthe7.62,asitwouldgetthroughchanceobstaclesbetterthanthe5.45.Everythinginlife,evenballistics,isatrade-off.The.394-inchbasediametermeansthatthe5.45andthe5.56,despitehaving

eerilysimilaroveralllengths,andsimilarperformance,areinriflesthatcannotbereadilyconvertedbackandforthfromonetotheother.Therimdiameterofthe5.56x45is.378inches,thusthedifferenceistoogreat.Youcan’tusethesmallercaseinaboltrecessedtofitthelargerone,andthelargeronewon’tfitatall.Youhavetopickoneandstickwithit.IntheU.S.,youcouldfindormakea

all.Youhavetopickoneandstickwithit.IntheU.S.,youcouldfindormakeabolttofitthe5.45,butgettingabarrelforyourAR-15wouldbeproblematic.IntheAK,fittingabarrelin5.56toanAK-74wouldn’tbetooterriblydifficult,butmodifyingaboltwouldbetroublesome.

The5.45isflashyandmuzzlebrakesenhanceflash.

Therecoildifferencebetweenthe7.62x39andthe5.45x39ismarked.Partofthatisthemuzzlebrakeontheend,oneeffectiveenoughtoconfusemychronographuntilIfiguredoutexactlywheretostand.Ihadbeendoingchronoworkforthebook,usingoneofthe7.62rifles.Iswappedtothe5.45,andonthefirstshotIstopped,loweredtherifle,andopenedthebolt.Ithadfeltasiftheriflehadnotcycled.Therewasaloadedroundinthechamber.Theriflehadworkedproperly,therecoilwasjustmuch,muchless.That’stherecoildifference,whichmakesadifferencewhenyouaretryingtoshootquickly.Thebrakealsoworks,andifyouaren’tcarefulyouwillbecomepersonanon

grataatthegunclub.WhenIfirsttestfiredanAK-74manyyearsago,Isimply

grataatthegunclub.WhenIfirsttestfiredanAK-74manyyearsago,IsimplyfloppeditontotheshootingrestwhereIhadbeentestingotherrifles.Onthefirstshot,theloosepaper,emptyammoboxesandotherstuffontheshootingbenchgotblownoff.Ifyouareonafiringlinewherethebenchesareclosetooneanother,yourneighborsmightnotlookfondlyonyourAK-74.

Twoapproachestothesamegoal.Ontheleft,the5.45,a.221-inchbulletthatweighs53grains.Ontheright,abulletmatchingthelatestM4load—a77-grainOTM.Yep,samelength,butwitha

one-thirddifferenceinweight.

AVAILABILITYTherealdifferenceisinavailabilityofammo.5.45usedtobecheapasdirt.I

recallbuyingtinsofitbackforthefirstvolumeofthisbook,andasardinetinofammowouldcost$120shipped.Now,thesameamountofammocostsalmost

ammowouldcost$120shipped.Now,thesameamountofammocostsalmosttwicethat,aboutthesameas7.62x39.The5.45isverymuchanichecartridge,asmanyshooterswhowantanAK,

wantonein7.62ornotatall.Ifyouaregoingtogothe5.45route,besureandstockup,andthenoncestocked-up,buyevenmoreasyourshootingammosupply,andkeepthereadysupplyonhandincasetheimportersstopbringingitin.Atleastthatwayyou’llhaveenoughtoshootuntilyou’vewornouttheboreofyour74.

TERMINALBALLISTICSTheoriginalroundwasdesignedtodoacertainjob,andwaslimitedbythe

barrelsavailable.Thebulletisover-stabilized,andcannotyawintime.Onceitwasadopted,therewasnowaytogobackandmakethatchange.So,ifyouareusingFMJammunition,itwilldoallthebadthingsthatthe

DNRsaysitwill,andthatiswhytheydonotallowFMJammunitiontobeusedinhunting.Itwillpasscleanlythroughyourdeer,notexpandoryaw,woundbutnotkill,andthedeerwilljump,runorwanderoff,nottobeseenagain.Atleastnotbyyou,butprobablythelocalcoyotes.However,thatdoesn’tmeanyoucan’thuntwithanAK.(Magazine

restrictionscompliedwith,ofcourse.)Hornadymakesthe7.62x39withtheirSST,theSuperShockTipbullet.This

isapolymer-tippedhuntingbulletthatisperfectfordeerhunting.A123-grainbullet,atanominal2,350fps,isrightintheballparkwiththeclassic.30-30inperformance.(Admittedly,the.30-30doeshaveabitmoreweight,butstill…)Their5.45loadusestheV-Maxbullet,asuperbvarmintbullet.Admittedly,theaverageAK-47cloneisn’texactlyminute-of-varmintouttotheothersideofthebeanfield,butifyou’rehavingfun,anddepletingthevarmintsupply,goforit.FederaloffersboththeclassicPower-ShokbulletandthenewFusion,bothin

123grains,in7.62.WinchesteroffersammunitioninboththeirRazorBoarandPDX1Defender.

TheRazorBoarisasolidcopperhollowpoint,designedfordeeppenetration

TheRazorBoarisasolidcopperhollowpoint,designedfordeeppenetrationwhilestillholdingtogether.ThePDX1Defenderisabonded-corebulletwithtwotypesofleadcore—asofterforepart,withanotchedjackettoinitiatequickexpansion,andaharderbase,tocontinuepenetration.(Notthatthe7.62x39lacksinthatregard.)RemingtonofferstheirREM-UMCline,fullmetaljacketbullets,123grains,

atthestandardvelocities.Allofthebrass-casedammofromFederal,WinchesterandRemingtonare

reloadable,thesteelcasesarenot.Inthemoreoriginalform,Wolfimportssteel-casedammo,asdoesCentury

Arms.TheseareloadedbyarsenalsthatwerebuiltspecificallyforthepurposeofmakingAKammo,andsoyouknowtheyhaveahandleonit.TulaandBrownBeararealsosuppliers.Now,thesoft-pointammo,designedashuntingammo,worksterminallyjust

asyouwouldexpectsuchammotowork.Uponimpact,thebulletexpands,createstheclassicmushroomshape,andbasicallydropsyourdeerdeadrightthere—assumingyouhavedoneyourjobonshotplacement,ofcourse.

Lefttoright,the5.457N6bullet,a55-grainFMJBT,anM855“Greentip”anda77-grainOTM.Becauseoftheirlengthstheyallneeddifferenttwistratesforstability.

Thewoundingmechanismoftheclassicdesign,thesteel-coreandlead-core123-grainflat-basebulletisdifferent.First,thesteel-core,whichisnotnearlyascommonasitusedtobe.Itcameoverinthelate1980sfromChinaassurplus.Well,“surplus”inthattheChicomswantedtogetcash,theywerewillingtosellusammo,andeverybodywashappy.Untilwefoundoutthatsteel-coredammopenetratesverywellindeed.(WelearnedthiswaybackinWWII,whenwemadeliterallybillionsof.30-06armorpiercing,butapparentlyforgot.)So,theChineseammowasbannedfromimport,andwenowusesteel-jacketed,lead-coreammo,

ammowasbannedfromimport,andwenowusesteel-jacketed,lead-coreammo,orbimetalbullets.“Bimetal”simplymeansacopperplatingoverasteeljackettoreduceborewear.Itstillwearsboresquickly.Steelandlead,steelandcopperorbimetal,thewoundingprocessoftheFMJ

isthesame;thebulletentersthetarget,andthereinfindsitselfunstable.Bulletstabilitydependsontherpmofrotation,butalsothedensityofthemediumthroughwhichitispassing.Theriflinginyourboreiscalculatedtokeepthebulletstableinair.Water(ofwhichweandgameanimalsaremostlycomposed)isdenserthanair,sotherateoftwistneededtoremainstableinwaterisfaster.Thelongerabullet,foragivencaliber,thefasterthetwistratehastobeto

makeitstableandaccurate.The“foragivencaliber”partisveryimportant.Ifyouhave,asanexampletwobullets;a.308/.310,anda.222/.224,andtheyareboth1-inchlong,theywillrequiredifferenttwistratestoachievestabilityandaccuracy.Howdoesinstabilityinthetargetmanifestitself?Thebullet,withitscenterofmassbehinditscenterofform,isnow

unbalanced.Inair,therotationalstability,thegyroscopicforcegenerated,keepsitpoint-on.Ithassufficientgyroscopicstabilitytoremainpoint-oninair.Onceitentersadensermedium,itdoesnothavesufficientgyroscopicstabilitytoremainpoint-on.Itbeginstoyaw,attemptingtoswapend-for-end.Thegyroscopicstabilityisnotsufficienttoovercometheleveragethenew,denser,mediaexerts,withthecenterofmassandthecenterofformnotbeinginthesameplace.Thetrickhereis,howquicklydoesityaw?Averystablebulletwillyaw,butonlydosoafterithaspassedthroughanappreciableamountoftissue.Yawingat(asanexample)12inchesdeep,whenapersonisonly10inchesthick,meansyawafterthetarget.Yougetaclean,straight,punctuatewound.Now,ifyouaretryingtoreach3feetdeepintoamoose,orevendeeperina

Capebuffalo,thenyouwantstable.Othertimes,notsomuch.HowstableistheM43?Thatdepends.TheclassiccalculationforstabilityistheGreenhillformula,developedbySir

AlfredGeorgeGreenhillbackintheendofthe19thcentury.Itcalculatesthe

AlfredGeorgeGreenhillbackintheendofthe19thcentury.Itcalculatestheneededtwistforagivenlead-corebullet.

Thesebulletsareprettymuchthesamelength.Buttheyneeddifferenttwists,duetomassanddiameter.

Thisisafired5.457N6bullet.Theriflingmarks(onthebearingsurface)donotextenduppastthehalfwaypoint.Thisiswhythe5.45caseisshortandfat,thebullethastoprotrudeoutoftheneck

soveryfar.

Theformula,whichhederivedexperimentally,is;

WhereTisthecalculatedtwistrate,Disthediameterofthebullet,andLisitslength.Cisaconstant,whichhedeterminedtobe150forbullets/projectiles(hewascalculatingthisforartilleryshells)goinglessthan2,800fps,and180forthosegoingmore.Youwillnoticethattheweightoftheprojectileisnotafunctionofthe

equation,onlyitsdensity.ThevalueS isthespecificgravityoftheprojectileinquestion,dividedby

10.9,whichisthespecificgravityofacopperjacketedprojectilewithaleadcore.Formostriflebullets,S is10.9,sothetwoineffectcanceleachotherout.(Whatitreallydoesiscreateavalueofone,andthesquarerootofoneis…one.)Whatmattersisnottheweight,becauselengthistheimportantconsideration.Weightchangestheforceonthemomentarmwearecallingthebulletatthisjuncture,butnotthelengthofthatlever.AsArchimedespointedout,leverlengthiswhatmatters.Ifyouhadabulletsuchastheoriginaljacketedmilitarybulletsinthelatter

19thcentury,you’dhavea.308-to.323-inchdiameterbulletthatwasupto220

g

g

grainsinweight,andwasessentiallyaround-nosedcylinder.Ifyouweretochangethatbullettoaverylowdrag,pointedbulletwithlongboattail,butthesamelengthasthe220-grainer,you’dhaveabulletthatweighsonly180grains.Andbecauseofitslengthitwouldstillrequirethesametwistasthe220-grainround-nose.If,ontheotherhand,youwentwithanot-so-low-dragpointedbulletwitha

flatbase,you’dhavea150-grainbullet.Thatwouldnotneedasfastatwist,butifthat’swhatyourriflesaremadeinthenyounowhaveover-stabilizedbullets.So,let’stakeabulletIjustpulledfromaWinchesterload,a123-grainFMJ.

Thebulletdiameteris0.3095.Thelengthis0.871.Itismostcertainlygoinglessthan2,800fps,sowecramallthenumbersinthere,kick-startthecalculator,andcomeupwithaGreenhill-predictedtwistrateof16.5inches.Greenhillisgood,andGreenhillcanbeuseful,butItookitastepfurther,and

cameupwithavalueImodestlynamedaftermyself,theSweeneyStabilityRatio,orSSR.First,wedroptheadjustmentfordensity,sincewe’reonlyconsideringlead-

corebulletsfornow.Thisleavesuswith;

Thenwedividebothsidesbythediametersquared,andsolvefortheconstant;

Sofar,sogood.Next,weusethelatestequationtosolvefortheconstantascalculatedwiththedimensionsofthebulletandtwistwehave.Andtogenerateourratio,wedividetheGreenhillconstant(150forlessthan2,800fps,180abovethat)byourcalculatedconstant,andwenowhavearatioofwhatwehave,comparedtowhatheexperimentallyderived.Ifthetwistwiththebulletwe’reusingandthevelocityagreewithGreenhill,

thentheSSRwillbe1.0.Alessstablebulletwillbelowerthan1.0,andoverlystablebulletswillhaveanSSRhigherthan1.0.

WhenIfirstdidthis,Icalculateditfortwosetsofconditions:theM-1935.56cartridge,ina ⁄ twistbarrel,andtheM855ina ⁄ twistbarrel.TheM193- ⁄setofparametersgiveacalculatedSSRof1.003.Hmm.TheM855- ⁄parametersproducedanSSRof1.19.TheM855hasareputationforbeingoverlystableandproducing“throughandthrough”wounds.WecanusethatobservedperformanceoftheM855asabenchmark,and

1 12 1 7 1 12

1 7

WecanusethatobservedperformanceoftheM855asabenchmark,andconsiderthatanSSRashighas1.2isperhapsabittoostable.

FMJbulletshaveastheirfinalmanufacturingoperationthecorebeingseatedinthejacket.Hereyouseethedished-inseatingattribute.NexttotheseisanOTM,withasolidbase.Nodish.

TheM193,forallofthecomplaintsbroughttoit,performsquitewellwhenyoudon’thavetodealwithbarriers.TheFMJboat-tailbulletwillyawprettyquickly,andinballisticgelatin,typically“J”hooksandexitsthesideofagelblock.Sinceablockis16inches(handguns)or18inches(rifles)andthebulletexitstheblockatthehalfwaysection,ithashookedenoughin8or9inchestohavechangeddirectionby90degrees—thatis,whenthevelocityofthebullethasnotdroppedtoolow(atdistance,forexample).Ifthetargetiscloserthan200metersorso,whenthebulletbeginstoyaw,itcannotwithstandthestresses.TheM193yawstypicallyatcloserthan200meters(fromarifle,carbineorSBRashortermaximumdistance)thenbreaksatthecannelureandthefragmentscausingsecondarywounds.TheM193hasitsfaults,butopenairshots(notbehindbarriers)onunarmoredtargetsisnotoneareainwhichitfails.Andthat’swithastabilityratioof1.03.Clearly,wewanttobecloserto1.0

thannot,and1.2(theM855- ⁄ parameters)isalreadygivingussomeproblems.TheproblemwiththeM855isnotthatthebulletwon’tbreak,itwill.Butthebulletissostablethatitdoesn’tyawenough,intime,tobreakapartbeforeithas

1 7

exitedthesubject.Ifapersonis(asanexample)10inchesthick,andthebulletbeginstoyawat12inchesormore,ithaspassedthroughbeforeitcanyaw.Agunwriteracquaintanceofminehashadatotaloffouroverseastours,two

inIraqandtwoinAfghanistan.HisreportontheM855was,“Sometimesitworks,andsometimesitdoesn’t.Therewasnopredictingit,andyoujustkeptshooting.”

The7.62x39isnot“equalto”oreven“closeto”abig-bore.30.Caseinpointisthebullet.Left,a168-grainAPfroma.30-06(andthesamebulletwouldbeina7.62NATO).Ontheright,anAK

123-grainFMJ.Thearmorpiercingalsohasastartingadvantageof400-500fps.

MEASURINGTWISTThetwistrateofaboreisnotalwaysaneasythingtomeasure.

Thecommonmethodistouseatight-fittingpatchandarotatinghandlecleaningrod.Poketheroddownthebore,bare.Insertacleaningpatchintothetip,inthereceiver,andthenpullbackuntilyougetitstartedinthebore,andyoucanseetherodturning.Takeasectionofmaskingtape,andtapeitaroundtherod,atthemuzzle,withthetailendsofthetapepointingstraightup,asclosetothemuzzleasyoucangetit.Pullsomemore.Asyoupullthepatchthrough,therodrotatesto

followthegrooves,whilethehandledoesnot.Thetapeactsasaflagtoshowyoutherotation.Usetherotatingrodtomeasureonefullrotationasyoumovethepatch.Whenthetapeflaggetsbacktofullyvertical,stop.Measurethedistancebetweenthemuzzle,andwherethetapeisnow.Thatisyourtwistrate.Thissoundsaccurate,butcanvaryabit.TheMosinrifletwist

specwas ⁄ .I’veseensomesourcesfortheAK-47as ⁄ .Ifyoumeasureyourtwist,don’tbesurprisedifyoucomeupwithmeasurementsbetween ⁄ and ⁄ ,fromthesamebarrel.Ahalfanincheitherwayisn’tmuchespeciallywhenyouareasstableastheM43intheAKtwist.Andthedifferencesmightbemore.Idon’tknowwhattheSoviet

mil-specwasfortheAK—andIsuspectnooneoutsideofthefactoryknows,either—buttherehadtobesometolerances.So,thetwistrate,measuredinmetric,is240mm,whichcouldhavebeen

1 10 1 9.45

1 9.5 1 10.5

allowedtovary.So,wasit240+/-5mm?+/-10mm?20mm?Differentarsenals,ondifferentdays,fromdifferentriflingmachines,couldtheoreticallyproduceaspecbarrelhavingatwistofanywherebetween230mmand250mm.Whoknows.Buttheywouldallhavebeenoverlystable.

So,fortheWinchester123FMJweplugthenumbersinandcomeupwithanSSRof1.73.Yowza!Thisisinterestinglystable,anditalsobearscomparison.Ifweweretofirethe55-grainFMJM193inariflewithatwistof ⁄ ,we’dhaveanSSRof1.71.So,theAK-47,withtheWinchester123-grainflatbaseleadcorebullet,hasthesamestabilityratioasalightweight55FMJoutofanM16A2.TheAKbulletissostablethatitclearlydoesn’thavetimetoyawmuch,ifatall,beforeithasexitedthesubject.Now,thecommonM43bulletisnotquitethesameasthebulletusedby

Winchester.ImanagedtowrestleabulletoutofaloadedWolfround,whichwasn’teasy.(The5.45roundofthe7N6loadwasevenworse.)TheWinchesterbulletisaflat-basebullet,buttheM43hasaboat-tail.Andtomakeitevenasmidgelonger,thefinalcore-bump,tomakesurethecoreistighttothejacket,meansthebaseisslightlyconcave.Asaresult,theWolfbulletis1.047incheslong.ThecalculatedSSRfortheWolfM43123FMJis1,44.ThisismarginallybetterthantheWinchesterforyaw.Andthatexcessivestabilityiswhatleadstothethrough-and-throughwounds

ofthecommiecartridge.Aquickstepbackatthispoint.Theoriginalsmall-borebullet(smallerthan

thecommon.45ofthetime)wasa220-grainFMJorsoftpoint.ThecurrentclosestthingtothatisaSierra220-grainsoftpoint.(HadIanoriginal.30-03cartridge,witha220FMJ,Iwouldnotbetakingitaparttomeasurethebullet.)Thebulletlengthis1.310inches.Also,asareminder,thatbulletwasnowherenear2,800fps,sowe’llbeusingthe150constantfromGreenhill.

1 7

TheGreenhillformulacalculatesadesiredtwistof10.86inches.TheSSRforthebullet,firedina ⁄ twistbarrel,is1.09.That’sabig,heavybulletthatisgoingtoyawprettyquickly.Whatwouldittaketobringthe7.62x39downtoanSSRof1.0?Atwistof ⁄ .That’sprettyslow,butthe123-grainflat-basebulletisprettyshort.Shortmeansslowtwist,justaslongmeansafastertwist.Toputthisallinperspective,let’sconsidersomerecenthistoryinsmallarms

development.In1940,theU.S.Armyrealizedthatwarwasimminentandthatnoteverysoldierwaswellservedwiththeissue1911A1.Notthatitwasn’t,andisn’t,afinesidearm.Butsoldiersneededmore,andnotallcoulddealwiththebulkandweightofthenewM1Garandriflewhileperformingtheirassignedduties.HencetheM1Carbine.Thecarbinecartridgefiresa110-grainround-nosedjacketedbullet.Thenormaltwistofthe.30boreinusethen, ⁄ ,wouldhavemadeitobnoxiouslyover-stable.Thedesignerssettledonatwistrateof ⁄ .NotthattheM1Carbinebullet,tumbling,makesforthatmuchmoreeffectiveawoundtrack,butitisenoughtomakeitstable,andtheywouldn’thaveproblemswithbulletconstruction,runningthelittlebulletattwicetheRPMitneededtobestable,thesituationthatthey’dhavehadwith ⁄ barrels.Whiletheywereatit,theyalsospec’dthecartridgetohaveanon-corrosive

primer.Thatmadeitaloteasiertoclean,andcutdownoncorrosion,atleastcorrosioncausedbyitsownammunition.TheM1Carbinewasn’tperfect,buttheydidgetalotright.Andtheydidnot

limitthemselvestotheone-and-onlyboresizeandtwistofthestandardrifle,unliketheAK.

1 10

1 16.5

1 10

1 20

1 10

Youdonotsimplyripthebandoffbyhand.Ifyoucan,youprobablydon’tneedarifle,doyou?

Theinspectors’tag,lettingyouknowwhoboxedthesecans.

BULLETCONSTRUCTIONANDSERVICELIFEThewaybulletsaremadejustmakesthingsworsefortheAK.Copperjackets

areactuallyanalloyknownasgildingmetal.Thisisanalloyof95%copperand5%percentzinc,alsoknownbythetradevernacularas“ninety-five-five.”Itissoft,easytowork,easytoanneal,andtherifling“bites”intoitverywell.Ithasareasonablylowcoefficientoffriction,soyoudon’toverworkthebulletorborewhilepushingabulletoutthemuzzle.Bulletsaremadebytakingcoilsofgildingmetalstrip,andpunching“coins”

outofit.Thecoinsarethenshapedinstepscalled“draws”wherethebulletisbystepspunchedmoreandmoreintoabulletshape.Itgetswork-hardened,andhas

stepspunchedmoreandmoreintoabulletshape.Itgetswork-hardened,andhastobeannealed(softened)andcleaned.Neartheend,asectionofleadwireiscut,inserted,andslammedintothe

jacketbymeansofahydraulicram.Onepeculiarityofgildingmetal,vis-à-vislead,isthatithasacertainamountofspringiness.So,ifyoupushajacketedbulletthroughasizingdietobringittoafinaldiameter,thejacketgetspressedin,andthenspringsback.Microscopically,butatriflevelocitiesandRPMs,itmatters.Yousee,theleaddoesnotspringback,andthatcanleadtolooseness,orgaps.Sothefinalstepofbulletmakingistoholdthebulletinsideofacorrectdiameterdie,andhydraulicallypressthebaseofthebullet,topressthecoretightlyintothejacket.Outofthedie,thejackettriestospringbackagainstthepressure,andcannotbecauseofthetightlypressedleadcore.Lookatthebase,andyou’llseetheimprintoftheram.ThepulledbulletfromtheWolf123FMJisaperfectexampleofthis.Mil-specAKbulletsaretoughbullets.I’vejokedthatthe.45ACP230FMJis

sotoughyoucouldshootitsidewaysthrougharailroadtieandnothaveitdeform.TheAKbulletisalmostthattough,ingildingmetaljackets.Steel?Eventougher.ThebimetalbulletsthatarefeaturedinalotofEuropeanandformercom-bloc

arsenalsaremadebyselectingfromacoupleofdifferentlyconstructedcoilsofmetalasthestartingpoint.Oneistogalvanizethemildsteelofthejacketmetalcoilofmaterial.Galvanizingisazinc-platingprocessthatinhibitsrust.Theycouldalsogalvanizethejacketsafterforming,butdoingittocoilsiseasier.Anothermethodistoelectroplateonesideofthecoil,thesidethatwillbeoutsidewhenthebulletisfinished.Thelastistouseheavyrollingpressestobondathinsheetofcopperorgildingmetaltoonesideofthesteelribbon,againthesidethatwillbeoutsidewhenfinished.Thesteelusedisverysoft.Tocallitmildsteelisactuallygivingitmorecredit

thanperhapsisdue.Apedanticmetallurgistmightbetemptedtotermitamalleableiron,asthecarboncontentisverylow.I’dwageragooddealofmoneythatthehighestgradeofsteelusedinjacketsisnotgoingtobebetter

moneythatthehighestgradeofsteelusedinjacketsisnotgoingtobebetterthanSAE1030inequivalence.Andmorelikely1020.(Youcan,ifyouareaverageinstrength,bendarodof1030steeloveryourknee.ThemanlymenamonguscoulddoittoarodofSAE1020withoutakneeinvolved.)Butitissteel.Thatmeansitishardonbores.Abimetalbulletwillhave

doublethewearofagildingmetalbullet.Andthegalvanized?Offthecharts,duetotheabrasivenessofthezincplating.There’sanonlineammunitionsellerwhodidanextensivevolumeammotest

withAR-15s.Theyfired10,000roundsthrougheachoffourrifles,andusedadifferentammunitionforeachofthem.Theriflessubjectedtothegildingmetalbulletammunitionhadsomeservicelifeleftoncetheammowasgone.Thebarrelsthatweretreatedtothebimetalbulletswereusedupbeforetheroundswereconsumed,andaccuracyanalysisindicatedthattheyhadlastedforabout5,000rounds.Keepthatinmind,asyoumerrilyshootthroughtheAKammoyouboughtso

cheap.

5.45x45The5.45x45isadifferentsituation.Firstofall,thebulletislongerthana55-

grainFMJ,inpartduetothelargeamounts—relativelyspeaking—ofsteelintheconstruction.Wealsohavetogobackandrecalculatethingsbasedonthechangeddensity.Let’suseballparkfiguresforstarters.Withmuchhammering,cursingandeffort,Imanagedtoextractabulletfrom

aloadedroundof7N6.I’mgoingtomakesureIsaveandkeeptrackofthisbullet,becauseIdon’twanttohavetodothatalloveragain.Thebulletis1.003incheslong!The7N6bullet,comparedtotheFMJboat-tailM193at.755inches,makes

the7N6athirdagainaslong.Plugginginthenumbers,wecomeupwithanSSRthatis0.937ifweusethe150Greenhillconstant,and1.125ifweusethe180constant.(The5.45x39straddlestheborder,soitcanbedifficulttoassigna

properconstanttoit.)Thatmeansthe5.45isjustabouton-parwiththeXM-193whereyawisconcerned,andifthevelocitydropsbelow2,800fps,itbecomeslessstableinwoundingthanthe55FMJboat-tail.Hmm,abulletthatcausesgreaterwoundingatdistance,thanupclose?Orrather,ismoreefficientinwounding?There’ssomethingthat’sjustwrongwiththat,butitwillrequireadifferentbookthanthisonetoparseout.

Lackingthecanopener,youcantryalotofwaystogetanammocanopen.Thisisoneofthemoreexpensiveways.

Atleast,withtherimmilledoff,Icanframetheammocanlid.

ThatSSR,however,ignoresthedifferenceinmass.Ironhas70percentthedensityoflead.Ifweassumetheemptyspaceinthe

7N6bulletpartiallybalancesoutthedensityoftheleadlining,wecanassignadensityof75percentforthe7N6bullet,comparedtoalead-coreone.Thatmeansourcalculationhastobethesquarerootof75percentof10.9.75

percentofthespecificgravityGreenhillusesis8.175.Butweneedthatasapercentage,sowe’recalculatingthesquarerootof0.8175.Thesquarerootis0.9041.Bycrankingthevariousnumbersin,wedeterminethatourbullet,the53-grain

boat-tailfromthe7N6load,willneedadifferenttwistwhenitisallsteel.So,bytheGreenhillformula,itneedsatwistof ⁄ tobehappyandhaveanSSRof1.0.Therefore,alighterbullet,allotherthingsbeingequal,requiresaslowertwisttoremainstable.Whatallthisarithmeticaljugglingdoesisconfirmthatthe5.45isindeeda

lessstablebulletintissuethantheoriginal7.62X39,andthuswill(anddoes)woundbetter.

1 7.99

TESTRESULTSThefirstactualinquiryintotheusefulnessofthe7.62x39camefromDr.

MartinFacklerandtheInternationalWoundBallisticsAssociation.Dr.Facklerused10percentgelatinasatissuesimulant.Theideawastofindasubstancethatwouldcorrespond,moreorless,withtissue,totelluswhatbulletsdidtotissue,andwhattissuedidtobullets.Therearetwoimportantfactorstokeepinmind.Oneisthatitisasimulant,

andassuchitisnotperfect.Youcanquibbleabouthowwellitreplicatesmuscle,orfat,complainthatitlacksbonesandother,tougher-than-fat-or-musclesubstancesinthebody.And,youcanreportthatwhilebulletsexpandconsistentlyin10percentgel,theydonotseemtodosoasconsistentlyintissue.Noonesaiditwasperfect.Second,thatitisconsistent.Ifexperimentersonthetwocoaststestthesame

bullet,atthesamevelocity,intheirgelblocks,theywillcomeupwiththesameresults.Thatistheessenceofthescientificmethod—repeatability.Previoussubstancesusedeitherwerenotatallclosetosimulatingtissue,or

weresovaryingintheirconsistencythatyoucouldprovejustaboutanything,ifyoucoddledthetestmediumtheright(orwrong)way.Forallitsfaults,10percentgelatinoffersconsistency.Anddensitythatoffersusawaytoexplorenon-expandingbullets.Remember

earlierwhenImentionedthatbulletstabilitydependsonthedensityofthatthroughwhichitproceeds?Whenabullettransitionsfromair,lowdensity,intotissue,highdensity,itbecomesunstable.Thatinducesyaw.Thelessstable,thesoonerityaws.Formanyyears,thoseextollingthevirtuesofthe7.62x39weretooneextent

oranotherequatingitwiththe7.62NATO.Thisisnotthecase.Let’sreviewthespecs.7.62x39;a123-grainbulletat2250fps.7.62NATO,a148-grainbulletat2650fps.TheAKroundisfromabarrelwitha ⁄ twist,over-stabilized.The7.62NATOfromabarrelwitha ⁄ twist,notsomuchover-stabilized.TheIWBAprocessdevelopedbyDr.Facklerwassimple,itusedablockofa

1 10

1 12

TheIWBAprocessdevelopedbyDr.Facklerwassimple,itusedablockofaknownsize,density,temperatureanddistanceintowhichabulletwasfired.Itwouldcapturethebullet,andyoucouldassesstheeffectsontheblock.Rifleblocksmeasure8x8x18inches.(Handgunblocksare6x6x16.)SincetheformationoftheIWBA(Iwasoneoftheoriginalmembers,joining

assoonasIheardaboutit,andcorrespondingwithDr.Facklerbackinthelate1980s.)I’vehadachancetotestriflebulletsingelatin.Whathefound,backinthedaysbeforewehadreliableexpandinghandgun

bullets,andriflebulletswerestillmuchofamystery,wasthatthe7.62x39as-issuedwasagreatpenetratorandwounder,yetnotsomuchakiller.ThetypicalbulletfortheM43wassteelcored,withaleadlinerbetweenthecoreandthecopperplatedmildsteel,orcopperjacket.Why?Steelwascheap.Oneofthecontinualfive-yearplanswastheincreaseinsteelproduction.(Alongwithconcrete.)Steelwascheap,easytoform,anditworked.So,thissteelbullet,over-stabilizedbythefasttwist,performedintheballistic

gelatinjustasyou’dexpect.Butbackthen,itwasnews.Thebulletwouldtravel,onaverage,some10inchesintothegelbeforeit

wouldstarttoyaw.Itwouldturnend-for-endinthenext4inches,andthendoitagain,beforereducedvelocitystartedcausingittowanderofftheoriginaldirection.Itwouldstopatthe75cm,or29-inchdepth.So,forthefirst10inchesofdepth,itwastravelinginastraightline,andnotexpanding.Itisahuskypersonwhoismorethan10inchesdeep,fromsternumtospine.

Asaresult,the7.62x39causedwhatisknownasapunctuatewound.Anin-and-out,withnoexpansion,andnoextradamageduetoyaw.Ifithitavitalorgan,orastructuralpart,theeffectwasimmediate.Butlackingthat,well,therearemorethanafewVietnam(andnowIraqandAfghanistan)veteranswhohavesimplecircularscarsfromwheretheywerehit,tonotmucheffect,byAKrounds.Howdidthisdifferfromthecomparator,the7.62NATO?Theheavier.308bullet,travelingatahighervelocity,andwithlessstability

beginstoyawat6inches.Anditdoessowithmoreenergy.Thisiswiththe

standardFMJ,aboat-tail ⁄ -grainbullet.Ifthesamerifleisusedwithaheavierbullet,suchasa178-grainer,theyawbeginssooner.Thisisoffsetsomewhatbecauseinmanyinstancestheusersofsuchbulletsarealsousingsniperrifles,commonlywitha ⁄ twist.Theheavier,fasterbulletyawssooner,andhasnotyetexitedthebody,thuscreatingamoreeffectivewound.Thetwo7.62sarenotcomparable.Intestingthemongelatin,Ihavefound

thatwhiletherifleblockssubmittotheimpactoftheAKround,theymustbelashedinplacewhentestingwitha7.62/.308round.Otherwisetheforceswillbouncetheblockupoffofthesupports,andifthesupportortableisnotwideenough,yourtestblockgoescrashingdownintothedirt.Oneshotofeachisenoughtodispeltheideathatthetwoareatallequivalent.Howdoesallthiscomparetothe5.56?TheoriginalwastheM193,a55-grainboattailfullmetaljacketbullet,witha

nominalvelocityof3,200fps.Thatwasfromthe20-inchbarrelofafull-sizedM16/AR-15.Outofacarbineitdeliveredless,butnotalotless.I’vegottenover3,100fpsoutofa16-inchcarbine,andover3,000outofanSBR.Inthe ⁄barrel,theeffectisimpressive.Thebulletbeginstoyawjustpast4inchesofdepth.However,thevelocityissogreat(withinwhatisknownasthe“fragmentationrange”)thatthebulletisnotstrongenoughtoyawsuccessfully.Itflattensandbreaksapartatthecannelure.Meanwhile,thefragments,drivenattheremainingvelocity,causeamuchmoreseverewound.Evenifthebulletdoesnotfragment,theforcesatworkcausethebaseto

flatten,andthebullet“j-hooks,”turningindirectiontoexittheblocktooneside,toporbottom.WehavelearnedthatifwewishtosavesampleM193bulletsfiredintoballisticgelatin,wehavetowraptheblocksinoldsoftbodyarmorvests.Theywillstopitwhenittriestoleave,almostinvariablybetweenthe8-10inchdeeppartoftheblock.Thelaterloading,theM855,firedfroma ⁄ twistbarrel(itisnotatall

accuratewhenfiredfroma ⁄ barrel)isnotsosuccessful.SometimesitwillperformastheM193,andsometimesitactsmorelikethe7.62x39.Inorderto

147 148

1 10

1 12

1 7

1 12

savesamplebulletsofM855,wehavetoputvestsonallsidesandontheback.Ifitdoesnotyawandj-hook,itwillyawandtravelstraight—exitingtherearoftheblock.The5.45isaninterestingmixtureoftheabove.Firstofall,itislessstable

thananyoftheothers.Thebulletbeginstoyawalmostimmediately,atthe3-inchdepth.However,sinceitisprettymuchanall-steelbullet,itdoesnot(indeed,itcannot)breakapart.Itthenproceedstoyawagain,beforecurvingoff-trackandstoppingatabout20inchesintothegelatin.Itoccasionallyexitsthesidesoftheblock,butnotasconsistentadepthasdoestheM193.Iwon’tsaythata1-inch-longbullet,travelingsideways,isn’tmakinga

seriouswound,butitisn’tanythinglikethewoundtrackoftheM193,ortheM855whenitisworkingthewayitissupposedto.

FRAGMENTATIONRANGEAsabullettravelsdownrange,theresistanceoftheaircausesittolose

velocity.VelocityistheforcecausingfragmentationoftheM193andM855bullet.Oncethevelocityhasdroppedbelowthelevelneededtobreakthebullet(andthisvelocitydiffersfromonedesigntothenext)itwillnotfragment.Itwillyaw,anditmayflattenandj-hook.Thisisnotofmajorconcerntothemilitary,asanopponentat300meterswho

mayhavebeen“knockedflat”byafragmentingbulletatashorterrangeisnotgoingtobeaproblemwith“only”apuncturewound.Well,notintheaggregate.Hemaystillbeaproblemtothepersonwhoshothim,andthatperson’steammates,butatleasthegotpokedandisbleeding.Givehimtime,he’llgiveup,andthingswillworkout.Herearesomereal-worlddatapoints.Alotofpeoplehaveexperienceshootingpeoplewithrifles.Thisincludes

non-swornprivatecitizens,policeandmilitary.Thefactsareclearonwhatcartridgesdowhat,theconfoundingfactorsarethatpeoplearenotequallymotivated.Somewillcontinuedoingwhattheysetouttodo,prettymuchregardlessofwhatcaliberyouhitthemwith.

regardlessofwhatcaliberyouhitthemwith.Andotherswilluseconvenientobstaclesforcoverorconcealment.Thereisnosuchthingasaone-size-fits-allcartridge.Biggermaybebetter,

butitcomesatacost—recoil,weightofammo,weightofrifle.Youhavetopickforyourself.

SHOOTINGWATERJUGSAsaquickanddirty(well,atleastaquickanddamp)methodofcheckingyou

canshootinto1-gallonwaterjugs,lineduptotestpenetration.Whatyouwilllikelyfind(andIdidthisagainrecently,justtorefreshmymemory,andtochecktheinfo)issimple.The7.62x39bulletwillexittheside,toporbottomofthefourthjug.The5.45x39,atleastwith7N6ammo,willexittheside,toporbottomofthesecondjug.

HUNTINGAMMOHowdoesthisdifferfromsoft-pointhuntingammo?Theexposedleadofthe

soft-pointbulletismeanttobeginexpansion.Thebulletdoesnotyaw,becausetheexpansionbeginsalmostimmediately,andastheexpansionproceeds,thecenterofmassofthebulletshiftsfrombehindthecenterofform,toatorinfrontofit.Asaresult,thesoftpointwillpenetrateinastraightline,expandingaslongasthevelocityishighenoughtohydraulicallydeformtheleadcoreandcopperjacket.

WHYSOFEWHUNTINGLOADS?WhilewenowseemorehuntingloadsfortheAKthaneverbefore,thereare

notnearlysomanyasinanynormalhuntingcaliber.Whyisthat?Asimple,andironic,detail:thesupplyofcheapimportsthatmaketheAKsopopular.Let’stakethe.30-30asanexample,sincewe’vecomparedthetwobefore.Ifyouwanttopracticewithyour.30-30,youcanbuyrelativelycheapsoft-

pointammo,thevanilla-plainstuff.Itwillnot,however,beasinexpensiveasimportedFMJ,orsoftpoints.Thehugevolumeofimportscreatesalower-priceniche,orlevel,forammunitionexpectationandconsumption.Simplyput,any

niche,orlevel,forammunitionexpectationandconsumption.Simplyput,anyAKshooterwhowantstopractice,willlookattheimportprice,let’scallitatthemoment$250perthousandrounds.Then,thepriceofhuntingammo,whichisontheorderof$950perthousandrounds,andsaytothemselves“I’llpracticewiththeex-commiestuff,anduseaboxortwoofthehuntingammowhenIhaveto.”Thelowvolumeofproductionandsales,relativelyspeaking,meansthe

huntingloadin7.62x39willalwaysbemoreexpensivethantheFMJ,evenwhenbotharemadehereintheU.S.Bycomparison,theAmericanFMJrunsaround$800perthousandrounds.EveniftheammomakerscouldgetthepriceoftheFMJAKammodownto

thatofvanilla-plain.30-30ammo,thetypicalAKshooterwouldlookatthe$700perthousandpriceofthe.30-30andwonderiftheycanstillfindtheimportstuffatthe“old”price.Thatsaid,theaverage.30-30shooterisnotgoingtoshootanywherenearthe

volumeofammoasthetypicalAKshooter.Ifthe.30-30shooter,practicingforhunting,puts40roundsdownrange,hefeelsithasbeenafullday.AnAKshooterismorelikelytobeshooting200roundsdownrange,andmightwanttodomore,ifhehadonlyrememberedthesecondrangebagfullofammo.Untiltheimportsupplydriesup,orthepricescomeup,therewillalwaysbea

fewhuntingloadsavailablefortheAK.Theywillbegoodloads,buttheywon’tbenumerous.Andhowgreatisthisdisparity?Ididaquick,butnotcomprehensivesearchforhuntingammoforthe7.62x39and.308Winchester.TheAKround?Icameupwithadozen,threeofwhichwereU.S.-made.Andthe.308Winchester?IcameupwithnearlyadozenjustfromWinchester

alone.IhavenodoubtthatifIweretototetheofferingsjustfromthefourmakersthatcometomeatthemoment—Winchester,Remington,FederalandHornady—I’dhaveover50huntingloadsin.308Winchesterwithoutbreakingasweat.It’snotaconspiracy,itissimpleeconomics.

CHAPTER7AKMAINTENANCE&ASSEMBLY

IKNOWTHERE’SSOMEONEREADINGTHISwhothinks,“Thisismoronic.EveryoneknowshowtotakeanAKapart.”Aucontraire,monami.Yes,itissosimplethatevenanilliteratepeasant(thebulkoftheSovietArmyformuchofitsexistence)coulddoit,butevenso,theyhadtobetaughthowtodoit.Eventhesimplesttoolhascertainmaintenancerequirements,andeventhecleverestpersoncangetitwrongiftheyjustjumpinwithoutinstruction.Anexamplemightbeillustrative:the1911pistol.The1911isassimplea

pistolasexists.However,youcanstillgetitwrong.Therewasatop-rankedshooterinourclub,onewhowasperhapsasinglestepbelowtheproshootersofthe1980s,whoonedayatamatchwastalkingabouthowhe’ddoneatriggerjobonhispistol.Fromlisteningtotheblow-by-blowdescription,itwasprettyclearhehadnoideahowthe1911worked.Yousee,he’dpolishedjustabouteverysurfaceonthehammer,sear,disconnectorandassociatedsprings—allthesurfacesexceptthosethatreallymattered.Howitwasthatheendedupwithatriggerpullthathelikedwasamysterytome.TheonlythingIcanassumefromthatwasthatI’djustseenanexampleofoneoftheaphorismsofsportsinaction:“Ifyouthinkitmatters,itdoes.”YoumaybelearningtotakeyourAKapartinordertoproperlycleanand

lubricateit.Oryoumaybedisassemblingapartskitpreparatorytobuildingyourown,onaflatyou’vebentorareceiver—thereisnolower-and-upperreceiver,asontheAR-15—andneedtoseparatethevariousparts.Thereareminorvariationsbetweenmodels,countryoforigin,timeperiod,andbetweentheAK-47andtheAK-74.Adaptasyougo.

IfyouhaveexperiencewithotherriflesyoumaybesurprisedathowmanyofthepartsofanAKaremadeaspermanentattachments.ThebasicideaoftheSovietEmpirewasthatAKriflesweremade,issued,maintained,servicedandthenscrapped.Iftheybecametooworntheywerereplaced.Incidentalitemslikestocks,pistolgripsandhandguardscouldbereplacediftheyweredamaged,butotherwiseitwassimplycheapertobuildnewriflesthanoverhauloldones.Getyourmindwrappedaroundthat,andyou’lldofine.Ifnot,you’llberegularlyfrustratedthatyoucan’treplacesomepartoranotherwitha“better”one,oronewithahigher“ChicksDigIt”(CDI)factor.

Itmaybesimpletomakeandtokeepoperating,butyoustillhavetoknowthedetailsofwhatgoesoninyourAK.Thisistheselector.

Thisisyourselectoron“Fire.”

Withtherifleempty(youdidcheck,didn’tyou?)pushtherecoilspringguidebuttonin.

Withtherifleempty(youdidcheck,didn’tyou?)pushtherecoilspringguidebuttonin.

So,totakeyourAKapartwithoutembarrassinghammermarksorchewingthingsupwithprymarks,youneedtoknowhowitgoestogether.Grabyourrifle,andfollowme:

[1]Oncetherecoilspringguidebuttonpassesflushwiththecover.

[2]Liftitwithyourthumbandtakeitoffthereceiver.

[3]Setitaside,thespringwillstayinplace.

[4]Noticethattheguideridesinitsownslot,andiskeptinplacebytherearlipofthetrunnion.

[5]Pushthebuttonforward,andliftitoffthetrunnion.

[6]Withpractice,youcandoitonehandedandlookcool.Ifyoufumble,thespringwon’tgofar.

IfyouhaveopticsonyourAK,youmayhavetoremovethembeforeyoucanproceed.Someopticalmountsmaycrowdthetopcoversomuchthatyoucan’tweaselthecoveroutfromunderneaththemount,soithastocomeoff.Inothersituations,youaregoingtobedoingsomeheavydutyscrubbing,hosingandcleaning,andyoudon’twantyouropticsorbattery-poweredsightsystemsexposedtothesolvents.Youmayormaynothavetoremovetheoptics,butbeawarethatifyoudo,itwouldbeprudenttocheckyourzerowhenyouputitbackon.Yes,yes,yes,themanufacturerhasassuredyouthatitwill“returntozero”butwhatifitdoesn’t?Youshouldhavecheckedthatbeforeyouwentandtookthescopeoffforathoroughcleaning.First,makesurethegunisempty.Pushthemagazineleverandrockthe

magazineout.Nocartridges?Agoodstart.Pushtheselectordownandrackthebolt.Nothingfliesout?Again,good.Takeamomenttopeerintothechamberandmakesurethereisn’tastraycartridgethere.Iknow,youpulledthebolt

andmakesurethereisn’tastraycartridgethere.Iknow,youpulledtheboltback,soanythingthathadbeeninthechamberwouldhavebeenextracted,right?Notnecessarily.Perhapsyouhaveabustedextractor.Orthecartridgeislockedinthechamber,rustedinplace,andtheextractorrippedtherimoffwhenyouslammedthecharginghandleagainstthebenchtopatthegunclub.Becertain,takealook.Iknowthoseofyouwhohavereadmyotherbooks

willbesensitizedtothis,butthenewreadersshouldknowabitofbackground.Ispentovertwentyyearsworkinginvariousgunshops,andinthattimeIlostcountofthenumberoftimessomeonewhohadjustpresentedafirearmforsaleorrepairremarked,“Oh,itisn’tloaded,”whenIwenttocheck.Andequally,I’velostcountofthetimesacartridgewouldclatteracrossthecounterandontothefloorrightafterthatconfidentdeclaration.Heck,there’saGalilontheeasychairrightbehindme,onethatIcheckedtomakesureitwasn’tloadedwhenIbroughtitoutoftheshop.AndthenexttimeIpickitup,whethertochecksomedetailwhilewritingortoreturnittotheshop,I’llcheckagain.DoIreallythinkthatmydogshaveplayedatrickonme,andloadeditwhenIwasn’tlooking?No.Butcheckingeachfirearmforitsloadedstatuseachtimeyoupickitup,evenifyou’vejustwatchedsomeoneelsedotheexactsamething,isperhapsthebesthabityoucanadopt.Enoughlecture,ontothefunstuff.SoyouhaveanemptychamberAK,withmagazineremoved.Pushthe

selectorallthewaydown.Lookonthebackofthereceivercoverandyou’llseeasquarebuttonprotrudingfromtherearofthecover.Thatisthebackendoftherecoilspringguide,whichkeepsthereceivercoverinplace.Pushthebuttonforward(usuallywithathumb)and,onceitisbelowflushwiththesurfaceofthereceivercover,leveryourthumbuptoliftthecoverfromitstrackinthereceiver.Onceclear,liftthecoveroffandsetitaside.Lookatthereartrunnion.You’llseethetransverseslot(crossways)attherear.Thatistheslotinwhich

thebottomrearlipofthecoverrides,keepingitfromsimplyscootingofftherearofthereceiver(andintoyourface)eachtimeyoushoot.Noticealsothattherecoilspringguideridesinitsownslot.Therecoilspringguideslotkeepsthat

recoilspringguideridesinitsownslot.Therecoilspringguideslotkeepsthatassemblycenteredinthereceiver,andfromspringingofftherearofthereceiverwhenyouliftthecoveroff.Toremovetherecoilspringanditsguide,pushthesquarebuttonendforward(towardthemuzzle)untilitclearsthetrunnionslot,andlift.Pulltheassemblytotherearandoutofthecarrier.Noticethattheassemblyisaself-containedunit.Itdoesnotcomeapartin

normalmaintenance,andyouprobablywillwearoutthebarrelbeforeyouwearoutthespring.TheonlyreasonIcouldseetotaketherecoilspringassemblyapartwouldbetorefinishtherifle.AndthenonlyifyouwantedtoParkerizetherecoilspringbuttonendofit.Then,youmightwanttotakethespringoffbeforethrowingthepartsintotheParkerizingbath.NotbecauseParkerizingwouldharmthespring,butbecauseyoucanfitthepartsintoasmallertray,requiringlesssolution.Therecoilspringsystemisasingleunit.Unlessyouaregoingtoreplaceabrokenorworn-outspring(andwhoknowshowmuchammoonehastoshootinordertohavetogoaboutaccomplishingeitherofthose)youdonothavetodisassembletherecoilspringsetup.No,letmebemoreclear,andforceful,onthat;donotdisassembletherecoil

springsystem.Period.Itneedsnothingfromyoubuttobebrushedclean,ifatall,andsprayedwithabitofoiltokeepitfromrusting.Thenleaveitalone.Nogoodcancomefromadjusting,tuningor“beefingup”thatspring.Leaveitalone,unlessyouaregoingtoreplaceentirelywithsomethingliketheDPMSystemsrecoilspringassembly.

Withthespringout,thecarrierstaysinplace.

Pullthecarrierbackuntilitstops.

Pullthecarrierbackuntilitstops.

Thenliftitstraightup.Ifthebuildermadeitcorrectly,itshouldliftwithnoproblem.

Theboltwon’tfallout.

Turnthecarrierover.

Setthespringassemblyaside.Beforeyougrabthecarrierandyankitoutofthereceiver,takeanotherlookat

thereceiverrails.Noticeatthebackthattherailsarecutawayfromtheupperlipofthereceiver?Thatgapattherearofthebolt/carriertravelistheplacewhereyouliftthecarrierout.Pullthecarrierallthewaytotherearandlift.Itshouldcomefreeofthereceiver.Ifitdoesn’t,orbinds,thatsimplymeanswhoeverbuiltthatrifledidn’tcuttheslotproperly.Ifyourriflehasabufferinit,you’llhavetoremovethebufferfirst,oryouwilllackclearancetoliftthecarrierout.Buffers,orshokbuffs,aresyntheticbumpersthatyouputintherearofareceiver.Theideaisthattheshokbufftakestheimpactofthecarrierwhenitcycles,savingwearandtearontherifle,receiverandthetrunnionrivets.Somehow,IthinkMikhailwascleverenoughtohavetakenthatintoaccount.AndI’veseenhigh-speedvideoofAKsfiringonfull-autowiththecoveroff.(Yes,therifleworkedjustfine.Abithazardous,asthecyclingpartsaren’tcovered,andyoucanfindbitsofclothingandsuchgrabbedbythecyclingparts.Butmechanically,itworksjustfine,andasnormallyaswiththecoveron.)Thecarrier,atleastinthevideoclipsI’veseen,doesnotstrikethereartrunnion.Maybeonsomeitdoes.Maybeonyoursithitshard.Andperhapstheshokbuffyouinstalledisn’tneededatall,andisjustlookingforawaytocausetrouble.Backtodisassembly.Pullthecarrierallthewaybackandlift.Thecarrierand

theboltwillcomefree.Continuepullingtotherearuntilthegaspistonclearsthefronttrunnion,andyou’reout.Settherifledown,andlet’stakealookattheboltandcarrier.Turnthecarrierupsidedownandlookatthebolt.You’llnoticethatitisfreetorotateinthecarrier.Spinitbackandforth.Rotatedownwayitgoesforwardandstops.Rotatedtheotherway,itmovesbackwardandstops.Rotateitback,thenkeepturning.Thelockinglugthatiscapturedinthecamslotwillcomefree.Onceitdoes,pulltheboltforwardandoutofthecarrier.Theboltcontainstheextractorandfiringpin.Theextractorhasanextractorspringandanextractorretainingpin.Again,unlessyou’replanningtorefinishtherifle,there

extractorretainingpin.Again,unlessyou’replanningtorefinishtherifle,thereisnoneedtoremovethefiringpinandextractorfromthebolt.

[1]Noticetheboltslidesbackandforthinthecarrier,cammedbytheangledslot.

[2]Pushtheboltwithafinger.

[3]Pushtheboltbackuntilitstops,thenrotateittogetthelugoutofthecamslot.

[4]Thenpulltheboltforwardoutofthecarrier.

[5]Thatangledslotiswhereyouwanttoputthegreasewhenyoureassemble.

Thereisonedetailofwhichyouneedtobeaware,shouldyoudetailstripthebolt.Theextractorretainingpinhastobeflushwiththeboltsurfaceoritcancauseproblems.IwasonceatafirearmsclasswherethestudentswerefussingoveranAK,tryingtofigureouthowtofitanewbolttoit.Itseemedtheboltnolongerfit.Theyweretryingtofitasparebolt,andwonderingjustwhatpartstheyhadtostone,fileorgrindtomakeitwork.Alarmbellswentoffinmyhead.AnAKboltthat“stopsfitting?”Somethingwaswronghere.SoItookalook,andafterperusingthingsforaminute(andbeingdistractedbybeingasked“Wheredowestonethisnewbolttofit?”)Inoticedthattheextractorpinhadbeenincorrectlyassembled—asin,notflushtotheboltsurface.Afterworkingonit(timespentmostlytryingtofindthecorrectlysizeddriftpunch)Ipositionedthepinsoitwasflush,andfittheboltbackintotherifle.Ifitfitbefore,andnowdidn’t,weneededtoputawaythecuttingandgrindingtoolsanddeterminehowitgotputtogetherincorrectly.Therifleworkedfineforthatclass,andasfarasIknow,workedforaslongasthebarrellasted.

AKCLEANINGOK,weallknowhowtocleananAK,right?Ifweeverfallpreyto

theurge,wesimplypopoffthetopcover,sloshitaroundinaditch(hopefullyoneexquisitelyslimedwithalgae,ofcourse)andputitbacktogether.That’sallitneeds,right?Therearealargenumberofpeoplewhotakegreatprideinhaving

neverrunabrush,patchsolventoranythingbutabulletdowntheboreoftheirAK.Theirideaofcleaningistousehot,soapywater(becausetheammoiscorrosive,dontchaknow)andairdry,blowdry,orsimplyspraywithwater-displacingoiluntiltheoildripsoff.Well,ifyouwanttodothatwithyours,goahead.Butyou’renot

doingitwithmine.AndnowthatIthinkaboutit,no,youcan’tborrowoneofmyrifles,either.IfI’mgoingtocleanmyAK(andI’lladmit,therearesomeintherackthathavenotseenmuch,ifany,cleaning)

therearesomeintherackthathavenotseenmuch,ifany,cleaning)thenIdoitright.ThecleaningoftheAKisinsomeaspectslikeprettymuchevery

otherfirearm,butbecauseofthedesignelementsstolenfromotherrifles,hassomethingsrequiringspecialattention.YoualsowillwanttobeabletotaketheAKapartinordertoinstallnewparts,upgradedproducts,orjustneat-ogear.So,oncewehaveitapartenoughtoclean,we’lljustkeepgoing,soyouknowwhattodowhenitcomestimetoinstallnew,replacement,orupgradedparts.You’llneedafewtools,butnotmany,andnotmanyofthem

specialized.However,therighttoolcantakeathankless,mindlessanduglytask,andifnotturnitintoafunexperience,atleasttakethehorribleedgeoffofit.ThereareabunchoftoolsavailablefortheAK,butI’mafanoftheonesfromRealAvid.First,there’sacleaningmatthatkeepsthegunkandfunkoffofyourworkbench.Keepingthegreaseyouusedononeriflefromgettingontheopticsofthenext,canbeagoodthing.SecondaretheAKScraper,MicroToolandtheGunBosscleaningkit.Thecleaningkitincludesthescraper.It’sasimpletool,butonemadespecificallyforthetasksofcleaningtheAK.EachedgeandrecessonitisdesignedtogetintoaparticularpartoftheAKandscrapethegrimeoff.Thecleaningkitaddsarod,brushesandpatchestothescraper.TheMicroToolhassomecleaningedgesonit,too,andasightadjustmenttoolbuiltin.Thecleaningkitcomesinazippedhard/semi-softcase,andthat’s

agoodthing.Itletsyousealthingsup,sotheywon’tgetlost,orfallout.Anditkeepstheoilandsolventtheywillaccumulatefromgettingonotherstuff.But,toolsaretools,andyouhavetousethem.

Nextupisthegastubeitself.Forthat,youneedtolookattheleverontheside

oftherearsightblock.That’sthepartthatisabovethebarrel,aboveandforwardofthetrunnion,andwhichappearsonsomeriflestobeonepiecewiththetrunnion.Theleverisaflatpiecewithalittleturned-uptabonit.Itcanbeferociously

difficulttoliftandmove.Carefulyoudon’tbendit.Anddon’tgetallhigh-octanewithascrewdriver,tacticalknifeorothertool,becauseitiseasytoslipandstabyourself.(No,Ihaven’tdoneit,butI’veseentheresults.Itwasnotpretty.)Useadriftpunchandahammertobangitopen.Itrotatesuptowardtherearsight.ThisiswhereRealAvid’sMicroToolcomesinhandy;ithasaslotthathelpsyougrabthetabandmoveit.

Fixedstocksareheldonwithwoodscrews.

Theremaybeone,twoorthreescrews.Useaproperlyfittingscrewdriver,asthescrewsmayhavebeenintherefordecades.

Onceyougetitmoving,rotateituntilitclearsthegastube.Therotatingshafthasaflatmilledonit,andthatflatiswhatletstherearofthegastubeliftupoutoftherearsightblock.Luckily,youcanseethiswhenyoulookdownonthegastube.Oncetheleverhaspivotedenoughtoclearthetube(someleverswillstopatthecorrectpoint,otherswillfloparound)youcanlifttherearofthegastubeoutoftherearsightblock.Standardreferencesonfield-strippingtheAKwilltalkofmovingtheleverwithyourbarehands,inwhatIconsideralaughableattempttomakeitlookeasy.Itisn’t.Atleastnotinanew,properlybuiltrifle.Ifyoudecidetogowithahammeranddriftpunch,becareful.Youcanbreaktheleverifyouhitittoohard.(NotthatI’vedoneit,butI’veseenrifleswhereitwasdone.)

done.)

Thepistolgripisheldonbymeansofaboltrunningupthroughthegrip.Again,aproperlyfittingscrewdriveriscalledfor.

Hereitis,apart,completewiththestirrupthatlocksintothereceiver.

Onceitcomestimetoremovethetube,yourhasslesarenotnecessarilyover.Youmaywellhavetouseabigscrewdrivertoprythebackendofthetubeuptoremoveit,anditcanbeaprettytightfit.Oncefreeonthebackend,pullitoffthegasspigothousingonthefrontendandsetitaside.Abovethegastuberetainingleverontherearsightpillaristherearsight.Itis

anon-removablepartunlessyouaregettingtheriflerefinished.Then,ifyoupivottherearsightallthewayupyou’llseeaflatspringunderneathit.Thatpowerstherearsight,andkeepsitfromfloppingaround.Toremovetherearsight(again,notsomethingyouneedtodofornormalmaintenance)youdonotdriftoutwhatappearstobetherearsightpin.Instead,putthesightdownflatagainandpressdownonthefrontendofthesightassembly.Presshardenoughsoyoucanslidetherearsightbackward.Whatlookslikeapinaretheshouldersoftherearsightpivotposts.Oncethesightisclear,pulltheflatspringoutofitsseat.TherearsightdesignissoclearlytakenfromtheMauserdesignthat,hadit

seat.TherearsightdesignissoclearlytakenfromtheMauserdesignthat,haditnotbeenfortheSovietsthathadjustrolledoverGermanyfromtheeast,theMauserCompanycouldhaveeasilyfiledpatentinfringementsuitsin1947andwon.Well,theywouldhavewoninGermancourts,notRussian.Andnotcollectedasinglekopekindamages.

[1]Useascrewdriverorsomeotherlevertopushthegastubelockupoutoftheway.

[2]Ithastopivotallthewayup.Don’toverpivotoritwillblockthetube.

[3]Onceclearontheback,pivotthetubeupandout.Done.

Nowwe’reofftothehandguard.Well,whatislaughinglyreferredtoasthe

Nowwe’reofftothehandguard.Well,whatislaughinglyreferredtoasthehandguard,asitdoesn’treallydomuchtoprotecthandsfromheat.Thehandguardisheldontothebarrelbyacrosspinandthatpinisheldinplacebyalittleleverarm,nestledinsideofthehandguard.Thiswillrequiresomedelicateandinvolvedprying.Therearsightblockcrowdsyourapproachangle.Theleverisatightfitinsidethehandguard,socomingatitfromthesideisn’talwaysanoption.Basicallyyouhavetoworkatitwiththecornerofalargeflatheadscrewdriver,untilyoucanrotatetheleverup.

Don’tyoulovetheparsimonyofgovernmentagencies?Evenbeforethisriflewaspartedout,ithadanewgastubeinstalled.Soofcourse,they“X’d”outtheoldserialnumberandstampedthe

newone.

Turnitcompletely,untilthetipthathadbeeninsidethehandguardisnowpointedtowardthemuzzle.Slidethefronthandguardbracketforward.Again,thisislikelytobeatightfit,andyoumayhavetotaponitwiththebackendofyourscrewdriver,oraplasticmallet.Oncethefronthousingclearsthehandguard,youcanleverthehandguarddownandawayfromthereceiverandremoveit.

removeit.Outonthemuzzle,lifeissimple.Thelittleplungeryouseeonthetopofthe

muzzlebrakeorslantbrakeisspring-loaded,andholdsthebrakeinplace.Presstheplungerintothefrontsighthousingandrotatethebrakeoff.Oops,theclevercommiesmadeitaleft-handthread,soyouhavetospinitintheoppositedirectionyou’reusedtowithnormalthreadedfasteners.Onthebackend,thestockcomesoffoneoftwoways.Afixedstockisheldto

thetrunniontangwithwoodscrews.(Generallyspeaking,milledreceiverswillhaveonescrew,whilestampedreceiverswillhavetwo.YourAKmayvary.)Nothingcomplexhere,justuseabig,well-fittingscrewdriver,andremovethescrewsholdingthestockinplace.Dittothepistolgrip,there’sascrewupinside,useaproperlyfittingscrewdriver.Noleft-handthreadsoneitherstockorpistolgrip.Thestockonstampedreceiversismilledormoldedwithasectionthatgoes

intothesocketintherearofthereartrunnion.Thisistogiveitabitmorestrength(inthecaseofthesyntheticstocks,alotmorestrength)topreventlooseningorwobble.Grabthestockinonehand,thereceiverintheother,andwiggletopullapart.Iftheydon’tseparateeasily,getabig,flat-bladescrewdriver.Stickthebladeendintothereceiverandleverthestockbackward,outofthetrunnion.Youarewearingsafetyglasses,right?Thepistolgripisabiteasier.Thescrewontheinsidegoesintoanutthatrests

inthebottomofthereceiver.Unscrewandremovethepistolgrip,andretainthenut.You’llneeditwhenyoureinstallthepistolgrip,orreplaceitwithanother.Thosewithamilled-receiverAKmaylookatthenut—whichismadeasan

angledpart,andonlyproperlygoesbackinoneway—andask,“Whythis?”Sure,onastampedreceiveritseemstomakesense,butamilledreceiver?Whynotjusttapthebottomofthereceiver,youmightwonder.Theansweris,becausethedesigners,forallthesocialistillusionstheywereworkingunder,understoodtheyweregoingtobedealingwiththeuntrained.Soonerorlater,someonewasgoingtocross-threadthepistolgripboltorotherwisemangletheparts.Anewscreworbolt,that’seasy.Butthereceiver?Ifsomeonemanglesthe

parts.Anewscreworbolt,that’seasy.Butthereceiver?Ifsomeonemanglesthethreads,theunitarmorercan’tfitit.No,aseparatenutandboltistheeasyway.Thatway,whensomeonemanglesthem,youreplaceboth.Andifsomeonelosesthenut?Thearmorercanhaveaboxoftheminhiskit.

Toremovethehandguard,pryupthelockonitsfrontrightend.

Upisnotenough.

Turnitallthewaytowardthemuzzle.

Turnitallthewaytowardthemuzzle.

Thenthebracketcomesfree,andyoucanpushitforwardtoclearthehandguard.

Onceoff,youcanclean,refinishorreplacethehandguard.Remember,everythingonanAKishand-fitted.

TheRealAvidAKscraperletsyoucleanlotsofareas,includingthepistonhead.

INTERNALSFirst,doyoureallyhavetotaketheinternalsout?Ifyouaresimplycleaning,

theanswerisno.Anaerosolcleaner,abrushthatreachesinfollowedbytheapplicationofproperlubricantwillgetthereceiverclean.If,ontheotherhand,youarereplacingtheinternalswithabettertriggerpartsassembly,oryouhavetotakeitaparttodealwithtriggerslap,thenyes,youhavetogettheinternalsout.Bereadyformorestruggling.Forthispart,youdon’thavetotaketherestofthepartsoffwediscussed

above,justthetopcover,boltcarrier,springandbolt.

Themuzzlebrakeisheldonwiththreads,andlockedinplaceviaaspring-loadedplunger.

Holdtheplungerdownwhileyouunscrew.

OK,wehavealltheoutsidestuffpriedoff,let’sgettoworkontheinsides.First,takealookinside,andmemorizewherethingsare.Youcaneventakeaphotowithyourdigitalcamera.Itneedn’tbeperfectlylitordetailed,yousimplyneedsomethingtojogyourmemory.Wehavephotoshere,buttheymaynotbeexactlytheangleyouneed,orbeofyourparticularrifle.Startwiththeselector.Pivotitallthewayup.Normally,thereceivercover

willstopit,anditcan’tpivothigherthaninlinewiththeejectionport.First,putyourthumbinfrontofthehammer,anddry-fire,loweringthehammerwithyour

yourthumbinfrontofthehammer,anddry-fire,loweringthehammerwithyourthumb.Ifyoudon’t,whentheselectorispivotedup,thecentercamontheselectorwillcamonthedisconnectorandtrigger,releasingthehammer.Withthecoveroff,theselectorpivotsallthewayup.Onceitisup,pullitfromthereceiver.Setitaside.Insidethereceiveryou’llfindoneoftwothingsasyournextstep:aretainingspring,oracurvedplate.Reachinandlifttheendofthespringoffthepinitlockson,orweaseltheretainingplateout.

TheMicroToolhasonegadgetthatmakesitagem:aslottoleverthegastuberetaineropen.

Noriskofstabbingyourself,andyoucanunlatchwithonefinger.WishI’dthoughtofit.

Withthespringorplateout,thetriggerandhammerpinscanberemoved.Makelifeeasieronyourselfandlifttherearofthetriggerspringsoffthetriggerlegstoeasethetension.Thenpushthehammerandtriggerpinsout(youmayhavetouseasmallball-peenhammerandadriftpunch).Theyexitthereceiverontheleftside,asnotedbycomparingthesideofthepinheadsontherightandleftsides.Oncefree,liftthemout.Thehammermayrequireabitoftipping,asthepivotdrumsreachtotheinsidesofthereceiver,andwithouttippingyouwon’tbeabletogetthehammerpasttheinternalrails(thosebeingtheejectorandboltguide).ThosewhoprofessionallyassembleordisassembletheAKusehookedrodsto

liftthespringendsoffthetriggerarms.Suchdevicesarenothardtomake.Cutoneortwofromcoathangerwire,andbend/cutanotchontheend.FortheaverageAKshootertheyareasmuchworktomakeastheysaveinannualcleanings.FortheguywhostripsandcleanshisAKweekly,theyareaworthysetoftoolstomake.

TheRealAvidAKcleaningmat.Arubberback,asoftbutoil-resistanttop,andinstructions.

Ifyouforgothowtotakeaboltapart,orputitbacktogether,themathelpsyou.Thanks,mat.

Noteyourtriggerandhammerassembly.Theycomeintwotypes:singleanddoublehook.Doesthetypematter?Notreally,exceptthatyoucan’tmixandmatchthetypeswithoutheadaches.Thebottomofyourreceiver,inthetriggerarea,ismilledwithreliefareasforthetrigger.Youcan’tinstalladouble-hooksetupinareceivercutforsinglehooks;itwon’tfit.Ifyouinstallasingle-hooksetupinareceivermilledfordoublehooks,therewillbeagap.So,ifyouplantoreplacethetrigger/hammerparts,replacethemwiththesametypethatyouhave.Or,accepttheneedformodificationsoragap.

AKCLEANINGRODSOneaspectoftheAKthatIdidn’taddressinthefirstvolumeofthisbookis

cleaningrods.ThereceiverdesignoftheAKissuchthatthereisnotastraightpaththroughthebore,andtotheoutside.Unlikewithaboltaction,youcan’tremovetheboltandthenstuffacleaningrodstraightthroughfortherearlipoftheAKreceivergetsintheway.Thisrequiresthatyoubendtherod,tomakeitenterthechamberandbore.Thisisbadforacoupleofreasons.

Apart,cleanedandbacktogether,shouldonlytakeafewminutes.Let’ssay15minutesifyou’re

Apart,cleanedandbacktogether,shouldonlytakeafewminutes.Let’ssay15minutesifyou’rereallythorough.

First,bendingtherodisbadfortherod.Benditoftenenough,anditwillstaybent.Second,thebentrodbearsagainstthetopsurfaceofthechamber,leadeandbore.Thishastheeffectofwearingtheriflingunevenly.Itcanhurtaccuracy.Finally,itishardonborebrushes.You’llusethemupfaster,andperhapsevenleavebristlesinthebore.Therearetwosolutions.Oneistouseashorterpieceofasectionedrod.

Screwsectionstogetherthatarejustlongenoughtoreachfromthemuzzletoreceiver,andstillgiveyouahand-hold.Poketherodwithoutpatchorbrushinfromthemuzzle.Installthebrush,pullingitouttowardthemuzzle.Swapthebrushforajag,repeat.Installthepatchwhenthejagisinthereceiver,applysolvent,andpullouttowardthemuzzle.OruseaBoreSnake,orotherflexiblecleaningtool,thatyoudropdownthe

boreandpulloutofthemuzzle.

SPECIFICSLet’sgetdowntothespecificsofwhatyouneedtoclean,startingwiththe

bore.Facefacts,alotofAKammoiscorrosive.Eventhestuffthatistoutedas“non-corrosive”probablyisatleastmildlycorrosive.Theonlystuffyoucancountonbeingtrulynon-corrosiveisAmericanmade,ortheferociouslyexpensiveammofromLapua.(Lapuaisworthit,inmyopinion.)Thecorrosivepartoftheammoisthechemicalcompoundsusedintheprimers.Theyproducehygroscopicsalts,whichattractmoisture.Nomoisture,nocorrosion.However,unlessyouliveintheSaharaorthedesertofNamibia,moistureisgoingtobeaneverydayoccurrence.Therearemanysolventstouted,buttheonlythingyouhavetokeepinmindisthis:saltsdissolveinwater.Themorewaterinyourcleaningsolution,thebetterthesaltsareflushedaway.Youcan’t“neutralize”or“deactivate”thesalts,theydon’tworkthatway.Youwashthemout.Iusedtoadvocatethe“dishwasher”methodofpumpinghot,soapywater

throughthebore.AfterworkingwithabunchofAKs,Igavethatup.Ijustusea

throughthebore.AfterworkingwithabunchofAKs,Igavethatup.Ijustuseastartingpatchwetwithhotwaterasaprelim.Thatgetsthesaltytangoftheresidueoutofthebore,wellenoughfortheboresolventstodotheirjob.ThenIuseboresolvents.

Noteherethelargediameterthreads.UsuallyforanAK-74,buthereona“Krink.”

Therearsightpillarguidesthegaspiston,andprovidesaplacefortherearsight.Here,itisthelocatingblockfortheKrinkrearsight.

Oncetheboreisclean,setthereceiverasideandscrubthegaspistoninhot,soapywater.Dumpthewaterandreplacewithclean,hotwater.Rinsethepistonwithhotwater,ashotascomesfromthetap.Thegastube?Trainingsergeantswhoreadthiswillshiverinhorrororanger,butIdon’tbother.Thepistonneedsitonlyasaguide,andnotmuchofthat.Iftheinsiderusts,sowhat?Itcan’tbindthings,andIhavetoomanyotherthingstodototryandkeeptheinteriorofthegastubeclean.RegardingthemuzzlebrakeofanAK-74,takethebrakeoffanddropitinto

thebottomofabucketofhotsoapywater,lettingthewaterdissolvethesalts.Dumpthewaterandretrievethebrake.IfI’vebeendoingalotofshooting,I’llscrubthebrakewithastiffbrush,andgiveitanothergo-aroundinthesoapy,clearwater.Rinseinhotwaterandairdry.Thenoilthethreadsofbothbarrelandbrakeonreassembly.Nextwegototheinteriorofthestrippedreceiver.Asimplebrushingwitha

firearmscleaningbrush,followedbyafewshotsofanaerosolguncleaner,will

suffice.Yes,thepowderresiduewillbelacedwiththesaltsfromtheprimingcompound.Scrubtheinteriorofthereceiverinthesamehot/soapy,hot/clearwaterbath.Then,ageneralspraywithsomeaerosolpenetratingoiljusttoputdownanon-corrosivebarrier,andyou’redone.Spraytheexteriorifyoulike,butalotofshootersarejustashappyleavingtheexteriordry.Itislesslikelytoattractdust,dirt,grit,andtransfertheoiltoyourhands,clothesandguncase.Agoodexteriorfinishwillworkjustfinewithoutoil.

[1]Youhavetodropthehammer,orwhenyoupivottheselectoritwilldropthehammerforyou.

[2]Pivottheselectorallthewayup.

[3]Pullitoutofthereceiver.

[4]Pulloutthecurvedplatethatretainsthehammerandtriggerpins.

[5]Setitasidebutdon’tloseit,asitisfarsuperiortotheshepherdscrook,andyoudon’twanttohavetogobacktothatwretchedthing.

Whileyou’rescrubbingthestrippedreceiver,spendsometimeonthegasportblockandthemuzzlebrake.You’relikelytofindaresidueofcarbonizedpowderlacedwithlacquerandcopper.Iflefttoatmosphericmoisture,thismixturewillturnalightgreenfromthecopperoxidizing.Also,theprimersonsurplusAKammotendtobecorrosive,evenwhentheyaretoutedasnot.Ifitbothersyou,cleanthisoff.Itwillsimplybuildupagain.Ifyouaren’tbotheredbyit,putsomepenetratingoilonittoreachunderandloosenthecaked-onresidue.Themuzzleblastandreciprocatingpartswillknockoffchunks,whichwillre-accumulateasyoushoot.Itisaself-limitingproblem,withoneexception.Ifyoudoalotofshooting,andbuildupaheavyresidue,thenputyourAKawaywithoutcleaningorapplyingoil,theboltmightlockforward.Whathappensis,thegaspistonhasbeengrabbedontobytheresidue,anddespitebeingstainlessorchromed,andwillbeheldfast.You’llhavetobangthecharginghandleagainstasolidobjecthardenoughtofreeit,andthenyou’reinbusinessagain.Speakingofthegaspiston,itisattachedtothecarrierbymeansofacrosspin,

thefitissupposedtobeloose,sothegaspistonisself-centeringinthegastube.Ifyoutightenitto“removetheplay”thenyoumayormaynothaveitcenteredinthegastube,anditmayormaynotridefreely.Scrubthecarbonandincidentalrust(itcomesfromthegastube)offthepiston,andlightlyoilit.Anyrustthathappensbehindthegaspiston,onthecarrieritself,shouldbescrubbedoff.(Rustasanormaloperatingcharacteristicofthesteelpartsofafirearmisahardconcepttodealwithforsome.Getusedtoit.)Thecarriershouldhaveallrustscrubbedoff.Theangledtrackoftheboltlugthatcamstheboltintoandoutoflockingshouldbescrubbedclearofrust,debrisorpetrifiedgrease.Whenyou’reputtingitbacktogether,anapplicationofagoodgungreaseisadvised.Yes,aplainoldoilwilldo,butinthislocationmoreisbetter.SomethinglikeLubriplate,usedasawater-resistantlubeforbearings(andtheM1GarandandM14inthesameapplicationastheAK)isagoodchoice.Atubewilllastyoumanyrifles,manyyears,andmuchshooting.Youdon’tneeddollopsofgrease,

butenoughtogivethewholecamslotacoating.Thecarrierhasnomovingparts,andissuchalow-wearpartthatyoucouldprobablyswapthesamecarrierthroughthreeorfourbuildsbeforeitbecamewornenoughtobeaproblem.Sinceeachpartskitcomeswithitsowncarrier,Idon’tseecarrierwearasanissue.

BOLTTheboltisarelativelyhighwearpart,butcomparedtootherdesignstheAK

boltislowstressand,again,couldprobablyworkthroughseveralrifles.Infact,whenthefuturetimecomestoconsiderit,I’dbetthatyoucouldusethesameboltandcarrierthroughtwo,threeorfourbarrels.Thetrickthenwillbeinfiguringouthowtodoabarrelchangethatisinexpensiveenoughtomakeitattractive,versusbuildingorbuyinganotherrifle.Thebolthastwocrosspins,oneforthefiringpinandonefortheextractor.

Theyaresimplydriftedoutwithacorrectlysizeddriftpunchandhammer.Becarefulwiththeextractor.Theextractorspringpowerstheextractor,anditislikelytojumpfree(ortry)whenyoupullthepunchout.ThefiringpinisnotspringloadedinmostAKs,butthosechamberedin.223oftenhaveafiringpinreturnspring.Thespringistheretopreventthefiringpin,undertheinertiaofchamberingaround,fromkissingtheprimer.AKammunitionismadewithprimersofextraordinaryinsensitivity.Americanprimersareabitmoresensitive,andtoavoidanyproblemsthemakersof.223rifleshavebeenknowntochangethebolttooneusingafiringpinspring.Justkeepaneyeoutforaspringinwiththefiringpin.Ifithasone,youwanttoputitbackwhenyoureassemble.Ifnospring,thennoneedtoworry.Theboltsimplyneedstobescrubbedcleanofpowderresidueandre-oiled.

Thegreasegoesinthecamslotofthecarrier,sothereisnoneedtogoopuptheboltlugswithit.Wipe/scrubthehammerandtriggerclean,andlightlyoil.Dittothehammer

springandretainer,eitherspringorplate,andtheselector.

REASSEMBLYTheusualroutehereis“reversetheabove.”That’stooeasy,andtherearea

fewthingstopointoutontheway.Firstthehandguardandstockfit.Placethestockbackintothetrunnionandpushitintoplace.Ifyouhaveto,smackit.Ifyoufindyourselfwhackingthebuttofthestockagainstyourworkbenchtoseatthestock,youmightwanttostopandlook.Istheresomethingintheway?Ifso,removeit.Ifnot,thetightfithastoleaveobviousmarksonthestocktank.Takealarge,flatfileanddressdowntheareasthataresuchatightfit.Youdon’twantyourstocktowobble,butahandpressedfitisaloteasiertolivewiththanahammerfit.(Congratulations,you’vejusttakenthefirstcourseintheSovietArmorerscourse.)Onceitfitsthewayyouwant,installthescrews.

[1]Afteryou’veliftedthespringlegsoffofthetrigger,pushthetriggerpinout.

[2]Notethatthepinsareheaded,andhavearetaininglip.(That’sthepartthecurvedplatehooksonto.)

[3]Frequentassemblersusehookstoliftthehammerspringlegs.

Herethetriggercomes.

Thetriggeranddisconnectorfreeofthereceiver.

Thehandguardshouldbeatightfit,butnotoneyouhavetoforce.Ifitislooseyoucanbendthelipsofthehandguardretainer(sometimes)orshimthehandguarditself.OnewaytoshimtofitistoapplyabitofJBWeldorotherepoxymixtothefrontlipofthehandguard.Applyareleaseagenttothefrontbracket,orbuildthelipandthenfileitbackonceithashardened.Youwantahandfitthatstayssnug,butdoesn’trequireforceorimpacttogetittoclose.Thegastubecansometimesbeahammerfitaswell.Useafiletodressdown

thebindingpartsoftherearendofit.Ifitisaloosefit,thereisn’tmuchyoucando.Bothendsaremetal-to-metalcontactareas,andtheonlywaytocorrectaloosefitistoeitherswaptubesuntilyoufindonethatisatightfit,orbuildoneortheotherendupwithweld.Personally,Ican’tfindthetimetowastecorrectingaloosegastubefit.Ifyouswapthegastube,beawareoftheports.Somedesigns/modelshaveports,othersdon’t.Thedifferencedoesn’tmatterfor

function,exceptthatariflebuilttouseoneortheotherhasthepistonfitmanufacturedaccordingly.So,ifyouwanttoswapagastubethathasports(two,fourormore)foranother,useonethathasthesamenumberofports.Or,onceitisfitted,drilltheextrayouneed.Ifyoutakeoffanunportedtubeandinstallonewithlotsofholes,youmightfindyourriflenotworkingproperlyinextremecircumstances.Thenagain,theAKissoover-gassedanywayIsometimeswonderifwecouldmakeoneworkwithoutagastubeatall.(Notreally,therewouldbenothingtoguideitbackintotheopeninginthegastubeblock.)Reinstallingthetriggerpartsiseasy,iffussy.Firstmakesuretheyareoiled.Yes,oilypartsareabithardertohandle,butoncethefirecontrolpartsarein,gettingoilontosomeoftheirsurfacescanbedecidedlydifficult.Triggerfirst,withdisconnector.Pushitdownintothereceiverandrunthetriggerpin(thehammerandtriggerpinsarethesame)throughthem.Makesureitsitsflushontherightside.Thentiltthehammersideways,makingsuretheattachedspringlegsrundownoverthetriggerbar.Pushthehammerdown,tiltitupright,andpressitspinacross.Makesurethehammerspringlegsrestontherearofthetriggerbars.Placethecurvedplate,ortheretainingspring(calleda“shepherd’scrook”)inthereceiver,lockingintotheturnedslotsinthehammerandtriggerpins.Thentakeyourselector,turnedupright,andpushitintothereceivertotrapthecurvedplateinplace.Turntheselectordowntothe“Fire”position.Pushthefrontofthetriggerdown,tomovethedisconnectoroutofthewayandcreateclearanceforthecentercamoftheselector.Oncetheselectorisinanddowntothe“Fire”position,cockthehammer.Checkthehammerspringlegsonemoretime,andthetrigger/hammer/selectorfunctionafewtimestomakesureitisallbackthewayitissupposedtobe.AtthispointI’dusuallysay“Youcan’tgetthembackincorrectly,”buteventheingenuityofmancandefeatthedurabilityofSovietengineering,andsomeonewillbeabletogetitwrong.Checkthatitisright,andmoveon.

[1]Withthetriggerout,removethehammerpin.

[2]Thehammerandtriggerpinsareidenticalandinterchangeable.

[2]Thehammerandtriggerpinsareidenticalandinterchangeable.

[3]Hereyouseethehammer,withspring,andthelegsthatbearonthetrigger.

[4]Thereisnoneedtotakethespringoff,unlessyouarereplacingabrokenspring,orsendingthepartsofftoberefinished.

[1]Notethereinforcingbarinthemiddleofthereceiver.Itkeepsthereceiverfrombeingpinchedortwistedduringroughuse.

[2]Slotsmilledintothereartrunnion.Oneguidestherecoilspringassembly,theotherkeepsthecoverfromcomingoffthereceiver.

coverfromcomingoffthereceiver.

[3]Thepinsareheaded.Theygoinandcomeoutontheleftside.

[4]Therearsightpillarguidesthegaspiston,butalsoindicatesverticaltobuilders.Itdoesnotcomeoffthebarrel,unlessyouareusingtheoldpartsonanewbarrel.

[5]Reliefslotscutinafreshlybentreceiver.Thecutsallowthecarriertobeliftedoutofthereceiver.Thereartrunnionfillsthegapattheendonceassemblyiscomplete.

Onthecarrier,makesurethegaspistoniscleanandwipedwithanoilycloth,andthenapplygreasetothecamslotsofthecarrier.Onthebolt,applyoiltotheextractorpivotpointandthespringthatpowerstheextractor.Dropoildownthefiringpinchannel.Installtheboltbackintothecarrier,andshovethecarrierandboltbackintothereceiver.Therecoilspringassemblyissomethingyouneverneedtotakeapart,butif

youreallyfeellikeyouhavetohere’show:Grabthespringstackwithonehandandholdthesquaresticks-through-the-coverendonthebench.Compressthespringtowardthebench.Withyourfreehand,weaseltheendcapoutofthefrontwireoftheassembly.Thenallowthespringtoeaseforwardandoffthewireassembly.Youcanthendowhateveritisyouneedtodowiththeparts.(I’dassumerefinishthem,butsomepeoplejusthavetotakethingsapart.)Ifyou

assumerefinishthem,butsomepeoplejusthavetotakethingsapart.)Ifyoudon’tfindthiseasy,that’syourcluethattheSovietArmydidnotexpect,orintend,foritssoldierstobetakingthespringassemblyapart.Toreassemble,reattachthewires(ifneeded),runthespringon,compress,andworktheendcapbackwhereitwasontheendofthewireassembly.Makesurethespringiswelloiled,thenshovethefrontendofitintothe

tunnelinthecarrier.Compressthespringenoughsothatyoucanreintroducetheretainingendoftheassemblyinitsslotinthereartrunnion.Toinstallthecover,ensurethatitsfrontendisintherecessedslotofthefronttrunnion.Ifyoudon’t,you’llbewrestling,hammeringandcursingthecoverwhileitresistsyoureveryeffort.Onceintherecess,pressdownontherear.Theangleoftherearofthecoverwillcompresstherecoilspringguide,allowingthecovertosnapdownintoitsrearslotinthetrunnion.Therecoilspringassemblyshouldpopoutthroughthesquareholeinthecover,andyou’redone.

LUBRICANTLubingiseasy.Putoilontheextractorandinthejointwheretheextractor

pivotsinthebolt.Standtheboltonitsfaceonthebench,anddropoildowntherearofthebolt,insidethefiringpintunnel.Whileyouletthatwickitswayin,greasethecarrier.Asmentioned,Lubriplateworkswell,butanygungreasewilldo.Alightfilminsidethecamtrackofthecarrierisallyouneed.Doyouneedanyatall?Notreally.UnliketheAR-15,whichdoesneedlube,andcannotbecountedontoworkwelldry,theAKworks.Butlubemakesitbetter.Congratulations,you’vejuststripped,cleanedandreassembledwhatwas,up

untilthemid-1980s,oneoftherarestfirearmsinAmerica.Afterthat,itquicklybecameoneofthetopfivemostcommon.You’vemanagedwhatanyilliteratepeasantcando,withtheexceptionofthelubricationpart.Theyknownothingofthat,andforthemostparttheirAKsseemtoworkjustfine.Thenagain,iftheirsstoppedworking,they’djustpickuporbeissuedanother.However,youwanttoprotectyourinvestment,sospendsometimeandcleanit.

CHAPTER8TRIGGERS

THEAKHAS…AVERYINTERESTINGtrigger.Forariflemanaccustomedtoa“clean,crisp,3-pound”trigger,theAKisnotjustodd,itcanbemaddening.Firstofall,thereisnothingcrispaboutit.Ithasalotoftravel.Now,youcancallthiscreep,oryoucanviewitmorelikethedouble-actionstrokeofarevolvertrigger.Italsoislightforarifletrigger,orsoitseems,onceyougetthetrigger

moving.Justaboutthetimeyougetusedtothetriggermoving…oops,itjustwentoff.Youdonot“prep”anAKtrigger.Onceyoudecidetofire,youstrokethroughit,keepingthesightsaligned.ThisisnotanaspectoftheAKthatwecoveredinthefirstvolume,aswewerefocusedonbuilding,nottuning.And,wewereallbuildingthemtobeasmuchliketheoriginalsaspossible.Theattitudewas,“IfSpetsnazcandealwithtriggerslap,thentherestofuscan,too.”Oneannoyingthingisthatinsomemodels,thetriggerispronetowhatis

knownas“triggerslap.”Thishappenswhenthehammer,beingcockedbytheboltcarrier,slamsbackdownagainstthetrigger,forcingitbackagainstyourtriggerfinger.Itwouldbebadenoughifitweresimplyslappingyou.Butsinceitoccursinthefollow-throughphaseoftheshot,yourtriggerfingerispressinghardonthetrigger,holdingitback.Onesolutionistoreplacealltheparts.Andsinceyouhavetodothatwhen

buildingapartskit(notthatthere’salotofthatanymore)yousimplyreplacewithpartsthatdon’tslap.However,ifyouhaveanimportanditslaps,youcandothesamething—replacetheparts.Notbecauseyouhavetobe922(r)compliant,butbecauseyouwanttoenjoyshooting.

Ifyouexperiencetriggerslap,lookontheundersideofthedisconnector.Seewhereitishitting,andremovemetalthere,andonlythere.

Beforewegoswappingoutparts,let’slookatwhyithappens,andhowyoucantakecareofitwithoutbuyingnewparts.TheAKhaswhatisknownasatwo-stagetrigger.Thesearanddisconnector

hooksarebuiltintothetrigger.Thesearhooksareafixedfeatureofthetrigger,whilethedisconnectorisahinged,spring-loadedpart.WhenyoufireyourAK,thehammerpivotsbackviatheboltcarrier,andthe

dualhooksofthehammerslamdownintothecamedgeofthedisconnector.Thedisconnectorpivotsoutoftheway,andthen,poweredbyitsspring,snapsbacktocatchontotherearhookofthedual-hookhammersearsurfaces.Whenyoureleasethetriggerforthenextshot,thetriggerpivots,allowingthedisconnectortopivotoutofthewayandreleasethehammer,intheprocessdroppingitontothetriggersearhooks.Thenextstepiswhenyoufire.Thetriggerpivotsunderyourfinger,andthe

searsurfacesofthetriggerpivotforward,eventuallyslidingoffofthehammersearsurfaces,releasingthehammer.Asthetriggerpivots,italsobringsthedisconnectorhookbackintothepivotpathofthehammerhooksontheirreturn.(Butinthispartofthecycletheyareunderneaththehammerhooksanddonot

(Butinthispartofthecycletheyareunderneaththehammerhooksanddonotinterferewiththefiringpress.)

TheCenturyArmsRAK-1isareplacementtriggerthatnotonlycountsasthreeU.S.-madepartsforcompliancepurposes,butgreatlyimprovestriggerpull.

Triggerslaphappenswhenthedisconnector,whackedbythehammer,pivotsbackoutoftheway.Ifthereisnotenoughclearanceinsidethetriggertrough,thebackendofthedisconnectorslamsintothetriggeritself.Sincetheimpactpointofthedisconnectortriggerstrikeisbehindthepivotpointofthetrigger,theimpulseactstocamthetriggerforward.Thishappensatspeedwhileyouareholdingthetriggerdown,soyourfingertakesthebruntoftheimpactasthetriggerisslammedforward.Ouch.So,thesolution,intheory,istoremovemetalsothebackendofthe

disconnectorcan’tcontactthetriggerwhenthedisconnectoriscammedback.Thismeanstakingallthetriggerpartsoutofthereceiver,lookingforthecontactpoint,andthenfilingorgrindingthatareaclear.Thisissimpletodescribe,butnotalwayseasytodo.First,thehardnessofthe

metalcanvary.Youmayfindthatafileslidesrightoff.Oryoumayfindthatthepartsaresoft,andabrieftouchuponthebenchgrinderwheelisallthatisneeded.Avoidthetemptationtoaddresstheproblembyremovingmetalfromtheback

ofthetrigger.Unlessyouhaveamillingmachine,andcanreachintotheslottotakesomemetalout,you’rebestjustdoingtheworktothedisconnector.That’swhatyoudoifyouaregoingtoworkwiththeexistingparts.Why

modifytheexistingparts?Ifyouhappentohaveatriggersetthatproducesanacceptabletriggerpull,that’sreasonenough.Ifyouhaveatriggerpullthat,asidefromthetriggerslap,isgoodorevenexceptional,youwouldbeanidiottoreplacethepartswithnewones.Unlessyou’reaninveterateexperimenter,ofcourse.Soifitisgoodenough,leavewellenoughalone.Ifnot,youcanalwayssimplyreplacewithanewtriggerassembly,suchasthe

RAK-1fromCenturyArms,oroneoftheALGDefensetriggerkits.There’soneotherdetailtokeeptrackof—singleversusdoublehook.

There’soneotherdetailtokeeptrackof—singleversusdoublehook.Mechanically,thedoublehookusesthedisconnectorasatriggerstop.Thismeansthedisconnectorcatchesthehammerandreleasesit,andisusedasatriggerpullstoptobearagainstthetriggerneartheendofthetriggerpress.Thissometimescanbefeltasastop,whileatothertimesitcannot.ThisdesignfeatureisstolendirectlyfromBrowning,andheusedittomake

thetriggerpullcleaner.ItwasusedtogreatadvantageontheGarand,andwasagreatpartofitssuccessasatargetrifle.Thesinglehookdesigndoesnotusethedisconnectorasastop,anddepends

onaverylargesearoverlapservingasthesafetyandtriggerpresscontrol.Thehistory,design,implementationandincorporationofthedoubleand

singlehook,overthedecadesandinvariouscountriesandmodels,couldfillabook.Oratleast,severalchaptersofanencyclopedia,andisnotsomethingweneedtodiveintohere.Justkeepinmindthatsomemodelswillhaveadouble-hookdesign,someasinglehook,andreplacementtriggersusuallyaremadetofitintoeither.Yes,that’sright,thedouble-andsingle-hookpartsaremeanttogointodouble-orsingle-specificreceivers.So,ifyouhappentohaveasingle-hookreceiver,anddouble-hookparts,you’llfindtheywon’tfitwithoutmods.That’sannoying,buttheSovietsandChicomswerenotinterestedinmakingthingseasyforus.Onthecontrary,theysimplywantedasmanyriflesastheycouldmake.

CENTURYARMSRAK-1TheRAK-1isapartssetfromCenturyArmsthatreplacesalltheinternalsof

yourAK.So,ifyouarebuilding,theycomprisethreepartsfor922(r)compliance.Ifnot,youwouldbewisetoreplaceall,ratherthanmessaroundtryingtoinstalloneortwooftheminavainattempttoproduceabettertriggerpull.You’llbebetteroffwithallthree.

ALGDefensemakesacrackinggoodtriggerset,asyouwouldexpect.Itcomeswithallthespringsandpartsyouneed,plusarollpinsetformakingsurethesafety/selectorfunctions

properlywiththenewparts.

Centurymakesthepartsoutofasteelalloy,thenheattreatsthemforalongservicelifeandsmoothengagement.Theyalsomadesurethedisconnectorwasmodifiedsoitdoesn’tcreatetriggerslap.Whiletheywereatit,theymodifiedthedesignsothat,despitebeingadouble-hooktrigger,itwillfitintoreceiversmadeforsingle-hooktriggers.Asabonus,Centuryincludesatriggersleeve,whichservesasaslavepin.It’s

handybecauseyoucanassemblethehammer,springandtriggerwiththesleeve,andthenslideeverythingintothereceiver.Then,whenyoupressthetriggerpinacross,itpressesthesleeveoutoftheway,soyoudon’thavetohavethreehandsandasticktoinstallalltheparts.Thepartscomewithinstructions,asifyouneedinstructionstoswappartsin

anAK.Butstill,itisagoodthingontheirpart.

ALGDEFENSEALGDefense,whilemaintainingthecriticaldimensionsoftheAKtriggerand

hammer,tooklibertieswiththeparts’cosmetics.Thesinglehook,whileshorterthanyourtypicalAKsinglehook,ismachinedtoacrisperengagement,andthelinesofthepartsaremoreEuropeanorAmericanthanRussian.(Itishardtodescribe,buttakealookandyou’llsee.)Theyusetriplealloysteel,whichmeansitismostlikelyachrome-moly

Vanadiumsteel.Whateveritis(andALGDefenseisn‘tsaying)itisgood,whichiswhatwe’dexpectfromthefolksthere.Itcomeswiththeneededdisconnectorspring,butyou’lleitherhavetousetheoriginalhammerspring,oraddanALGDefenseAKhammerspringtomakethingswork.OnevisiblechangetothetriggerfromALGDefenseistheshapeofthebow.

TheoriginalAKtriggerhasasharpcurvethathugsyourtriggerfinger.TheALGtriggerisamoreopencurve,providingasmallercontactpad,whichaidsinacleanertriggerpull.Asanaidtofitting,ALGDefenseincludesapairofrollpins,andhaveadded

aspotonthetriggertoinstalloneofthem.ThisistoensureyoursafetyleveractuallymakescontactwiththetriggerwhenonSafe.

Thetailonthebackend(totheright)ofthisdisconnectoriswhereyouneedtolookifyouhavetriggerslap.

TheAKhasbeenbuiltonfivecontinents(asfarasIknow,noonemadeAKsinAustralia,andtherearen’tanyinAntarctica)overtheprevioussevendecades.Theideathattheyallhavetriggersthatproperlycontactallsafetyleversisabsurd.So,ALGmadeiteasy,there’sawaytomakethetriggerandsafetymeetwhenandwherethey’resupposedto.TheALGDefensetriggersetcomeswithextensiveinstructions,thekindof

explanatoryoverkillofwhichIheartilyapprove.

CHAPTER9AKACCURACY

JUSTHOWACCURATECANANAKBE?Beforewecananswerthatquestion,wehavetoaskafewothers.First,howaccurateistheammunitionitself?Andhowdowegoaboutmeasuringaccuracy?Thecommongunwritermethodis,shootagroup,slapascaleacrossthe

widestspreadholes,subtractthebulletdiameter,andvoilà!There’syourgroupsizeandaccuracy.Butisthisreallyavalidmeasurementmethod?Notexactly.Themoreinformativemethodistoshootmorethanonegroup,andmorethanthethree-shotnormforhunters,andthosewhowriteforhunters.Huntershavereasonable(you’llnoticeIdidnotsay“good”justreasonable)reasonsforthree-shotgroups.Oncemeasured,thisistranslatedfromtherulertoatheoreticaldispersion

called“minuteofangle,”orMOA.Anglesaremeasuredindegrees.Eachdegreeissubdividedintominutes.A ⁄ thofadegreeisoneminuteofangle,andisprettycloseto1inchat100yards.So,a“1MOArifle”willtheoreticallyshoota1-inchgroupat100yards,a2-inchgroupat200,andsoon.Ahunterisnotgoingtotakemorethanthree,fourshotsatanygivengame

animal.Ifyouneedmorethanthat,itisn’tahunt,itisafight,oracullingoperation,andyoudonotneedtoworryaboutminute-of-angleaccuracyforthefollow-upshotsinafight.Plus,mosthunterstakea“coldbore”shot.Therifleandammunitionarebothatambienttemperature.Theyaren’theatedupfromalongstringoffire,sohowaccuratetherifleisorisn’t,whenitisheatedup,isimmaterial.Atargetshootercaresaboutaccuracyfromahotbarrel.Ifyouarecompeting

1 60

inHighPower,you’llbefiringtenshotsinaminute,or70seconds.Thatbarrelwillgethot.Ifitchangespointofimpactorgroupsizewhileitheatsupyou’reprettymuchnon-competitiveregardlessofyourskilllevel.Militaryriflesareexpectedtoworkregardlessoftheclimate,temperature,

lackofcleaning,etc.Andahotbarrel,well,whenyou’reinafightthere’snosuchthingasatimeoutforbarrelcooling.Keepthatinmindwhenyoureadabouttheacceptableaccuracylevelofservicerifles.So,hunters,competitiveshootersandthemilitaryalllookataccuracyfrom

differentperspectives.Eachperspectiveweighsthevariablesdifferently,andmeasuresresultswithadifferentyardstick.Theuse-a-rulermethodlacksacertainstatisticalprecision.Ifthegroupsare

widesidetoside,orupanddown,orarecomposedofaknotofholeswithoneflieralwayspresent,simplymeasuringthewidestholesdoesn’ttellyoumuch.Thenthereisthetendencytoimproveourskillsbyculling.“Well,Islappedthetriggerononeshot.Thathastohavebeentheoneoutofthegroup,sowe’llcallitgoodwiththerest.”Uh-huh.Goodluckwiththat,Bucky.A“calledflier”isjustthat.Ifyousawthefrontsightgohigh-leftonthebreak,andthewideshotisindeedhighandleft,thenyoucancallthatshotoutofthegrouponaccountofyourtriggercontrol.(Orlackthereof.)Butifyouhavenoideawhereitwentwhenyouslappedthetrigger,youcan’tjusttossthebadone.Forallyouknow,thatoneyouslappedwentintothecenterofthegroup,andtheflierwasacleantriggerpress.Butenoughsoapboxing.Themilitaryusesseveralprocesses,onecalledtheMeanRadius,theother

RadialStandardDeviation.Basically,theprocessissimple,ifnotarduous.(Youcanreadpagesandpagesofanalysisonthemathematicsinvolved,theyarenothardtofind.)Theammotobetestedisfiredthroughamachinerest,auniversalreceiverintowhichisscrewedaprecisionbarrel.Thelocationofeachandeveryshotismeasured.Thenthecenterofthegroupisplottedorcalculated.Next,eachshotismeasuredforitsindividualdistancefromthecalculated/measured

groupcenter.TheaverageofthedistancesistheMeanRadius.Thedistancescanbemathematicallymassagedbycalculatingthestandarddeviationforthedistancesoftheholesinthegroup,wherethestandarddeviationisavalueofthedispersionoftheplottedlocations.

Don’tletanyonetellyouanAKcan’tshoot,orisjustabullethose.Here,I’veshotaperfectscoreonthequalificationcourse,usingaborrowedAK-74.

Themoreaccuratetheammunitionbeingtested,thelowertheMeanRadiuswillbe,andthelowertheStandardDeviation.Theydonotnecessarilytellyouthesamething,andtheywillnotbethesamenumericalvalues.Also,thereisno“conversionfactor”forMOAtoMRorRSD.MOAisasimplemeasurement,andtheothertwoarestatisticalcalculationsthatalsocomewithapercentageofconfidence.Asin“theRadialStandardDeviationofproductionload#123is1.59inches,witha95percentconfidencelevel.”Whenyoureadthat(asan

1.59inches,witha95percentconfidencelevel.”Whenyoureadthat(asanexample)the“acceptedaccuracy”ofagivenlotofammunitioniswithinthe3inchesat100meterstheArmyfeelsisuseful,theyarenotbuyinginaccurateammunition.Or,whenyoureadthat“AnaverageM16A2,withM855ammunition,typicallyshoots3.5MOA”theArmyisnotbuyingcrap.Themilitarystandardismeasuredwithten-shotgroups.Theydonot“throwoutfliers”becauseinamachinerest,therearen’tany.Everyshothitswhereithitsbecausethatiswhattheammunitiondoes,notbecausethequarter-tonuniversalrest,barrelandstand,flinched.Whentheytestrifles,theyuseknownsamplesthatarerelevantexamplesofthetypetobetested.Theyarefiredfromfixedrests,withnohumaninterference.Onlyafterallthatdoesapersongetinvolved,andtheresults,withgoodrecordkeeping,canbeplottedovertimeandbeverypredictable.Andremember,theArmyrightlyexpectsarifletogobangeverytime,andto

deliveritsbulletprettyclosetotheintendedspotonthetarget.Inanyclimate,situation,orlocation.Thinkofitthisway.Ariflethat“only”shootsa3.5MOAgroupwilldelivera

bulletwithina10.5-inchcircleat300yards.Holdarulerup,acrossyourchest.Thentellmethat“3.5MOAisn’taccurateenough.”But,howdowetellaccuracyinanAK?First,weneedsomethingmore

accuratethananAK,totesttheammoandparseoutitscontributiontothesystem.That’swhereCZcomesin.Lackingamachinerestorauniversalreceiver,abolt-actionriflewithagoodscopeontop,firedfromasolidbenchandariflerestisthebestwaytodetermineammunitionaccuracy.Thelistsofbolt-actionriflesarenotexactlyrepletewithmodelschamberedin7.62x39.TherewastheRugerHawkeyeCompact,from2009-2012;theMiniMauserMarkX,importedbyInterarms—theMinihasbeenavailableoffandonin.223sincethelate1980s,butthe7.62x39versionwasonlysporadicallyavailable;andtheSavage10FCMScout,whichwasavailableforawhile,andSavagerifleshaveverygoodbarrels.Butwearereallyleftwithonechoice.Theonlybolt-actionfactoryriflechamberedin7.62x39(withabonus:a

Theonlybolt-actionfactoryriflechamberedin7.62x39(withabonus:adetachablemagazine)thatI’mawareofistheCZ527carbine,oneofwhichIhappentopossess.BasedonashortenedBrnoaction,ithasasingle-feed,single-stack5-roundmagazine,andsinceitwasdesignedandmadeinEurope,theyhaveaclueabout7.62x39.ThechamberisdimensionedtoCIPspecs,andtheboreismadefor.311-inchdiameterbullets.Beingaeurorifle,itdoesnothavethereceiverdrilledandtappedforscopemounts,insteadusingadovetailsystem,thusCZ-specificringsandbases.SinceCZUSAalsohastherings,thatisn’tanissue.Thisdoes,however,posesomethingofaproblem.Ifwehaveabarrelmade

for.311-inchbullets,andweuseammunitionthatisloadedwith.308-inchbullets,accuracymaynotbeallitcouldbe.Butthen,we’reusingtheammoelsewhereinrifles(AKs)thathaveboresdimensionedfor.311-inchbullets,sotheaccuracyresultsshouldtranslatewell.ThetwistrateoftheCZ527islistedas ⁄ ,whichisabitfasterthanthespecratefortheAK,withatwistof ⁄ .Asmallthingwhenpunchingpaperfromthebench.

THETESTINGPROCESSItooktherifletotherange,andshotgroupswithit.Ifiredfour,5-shotgroups

witheachtypeofammoavailable,at100yards,andmeasuredallthehits.Theresultswereasexpected.Agoodbatchofammo,fromthebench,witha

scope,fromabolt-actionrifle,shottoabout2MOA.Theless-premiumammunitionraninthe3-4MOArange.Whichisn’ttoobad,really.Oh,Iknow,asIpointedoutearlier,thatweAmericansareallsuperbshots.AnditisourbirthrightasAmericanstoown(andexpecteveryrifletobe)asub-MOArifle.Yeah,butwearen’t,andtheyaren’t.Andalightweight,handylittlecarbinelikethe527,especiallywithnoextra

effortputintobeddingit,isn’tgoingtobesub-MOA.Butasacross-checkforAKaccuracy,itisasolidperformer.

1 9 1 9.45

So,whenyoumountascopeonyourAK,andyoufindyouarestill“only”shooting3MOAfromthebench,keepthisinmind—you’redoinggood,runningprettymuchatthelimitsofthesystem.

There’sareasonAKshavebeenwithusforthree-quartersofacentury,andwilllikelybewithusforthatlongintothefuture.

forthatlongintothefuture.

CHAPTER10SIGHTS&OPTICS

IHAVETOADMITTOACERTAINAMOUNTofguiltoverhavingdissedandmockedtheallegedaccuracyoftheAK-47prettyrelentlessly.Iwon’tsayI’mwrong,butIwillsayImayhaveoversoldthecasualaccuracyoftherifle.TheSovietsknewhowtomakegoodbarrels.Howaccurateaparticularone

endedupdependedonthevagariesofthespecificplant,supervisor,productionquotasandtheammo.Whenallthatcametogether,theaccuracywasuptosnuff.Ifnot,well,theyweretobeusedasbullethosesanyway,comrade,sowhat’syourproblem?Besidesammo,thebigholdupintheaccuracyequationhasalwaysbeenthe

sightingsystem.Withanopennotch,andapostoutfront—thewholeassemblynothavingmuchinthewayofsightradius—youcanonlyexpectsomuchperformance.But,minute-of-capitalist-running-dogwasalltheywereafter,anyway.AssumingyourAKisinherentlyaccurateandyouhavegoodammowith

whichtofeedit,whatsightsoropticscanyouupgradetoinordertobolsteraccuracy?Andhowcanyoumountthem?Let’sdotheironsightsfirst.

Notetheheightofthescopeabovethereceivercover.

INDOORPLUMBINGTomymind,thenotch-and-postsightingsystem,atleastonrifles,isthe

equivalentof19th-centuryplumbing:itworks,butyoureallywishtherewassomethingbetter.Yes,lotsofmenduringwar,andlotsofdeerduringhuntingseason,havebeenkilledwithriflessportinganotchandpostsightingsystem.Andawholelotofpeople,andgameanimals,werekilledwithstonespears,bronzebladesandleadshothurledfromslings.Heck,ourEuropeanpredecessorscleanedthecontinentoutofcavebearswithfire-hardenedwoodenspearsandtheproperapplicationofsmallteamtactics.Thatdoesn’tmeanyouwanttobeusingthosetoolstoday.TheproblemwiththeAKisthatreplacingtherearnotchwithanewer,

higher-technotchisn’tmuchofanimprovement,ifanimprovementatall.Sure,someoneouttheremakesanight-sightvariantofastandardAKsight,butso

what?You’restillstuckwithanotchthat,dependingonhowmuchyoucrawlthestock,is11or12inchesawayfromyourface.Andthesightradiusisamere15 ⁄ inches.Addinganewnotchsightisn‘tgoingtohelpmuch.However,installinganaperturesightbackontherearofthereceivermakes

thesightradius23inchesandchange.That’sanappreciabledifference,andonethatislongerthanthesightradiusontheAR-15.Allisnotsweetnessandlight,however.Theonlyplacetoputtherearapertureisonthetopcover,anditwasnevermeanttobeasolidmountingplaceforanything.Itistheresimplytokeepstuffoutofthemechanism,andtokeepthemechanismfromgnawingawayattheuser’shands,faceandclothing.Andbeingmadeofcheapsheetsteel(Youaren’tundertheimpressionthattheSovietsgaveitanymorethanacursoryheattreatment,areyou?)thetopcoverjustisn’tthickenoughformuchinthewayofattachments.Inordertosolidlymountanaperturerearsightontothetopcover,youneedanewtopcover,onedesignedforit.Otherwisethesharpradiusofthecover’scurvewillmakeyourlife…interesting,asyoutrytofindalocationthatkeepsyournewrearsightverticaltotheboreaxis.

1 4

Thedaysofironsightsonlyonmilitaryrifleshasended.Ifyoudon’tmakeariflethatcanreadilyacceptareddotsight,youwon’tsellverymany.Oldriflesmustbeupdated.

TheUltimakopticsmounthastobecenteredbetweenthegasblockandtherearsightblock.

Also,inordertoinstallanaperturesightonthecoverrequiresthetopcoverto

Also,inordertoinstallanaperturesightonthecoverrequiresthetopcovertobetight.Howmuchcanloosenessmatter?Thelawofequaltrianglesletsuscalculatehowmuchmovementattheaperturechangespointofimpactofabullet.Let’sassumethattherearsightwobblesaminisculeone-thousandthofaninch,or0.001inches.The23.5-inchsightradiusmeansachangeinthepointofimpactofthebullet

by0.115inchesat100yards.Notmuch,right?However,Iwasnotover-statingitwhenIreferredto.001asminiscule.Itisamovementsmallenoughthatitisnoteasytofeelbyhand.Five-thousandthsisanamountyoucanfeel,andisalsoroughlythethicknessofadollarbill.(Actually,byTreasuryspecs,itis0.0043inthickness.)So,.005meansanerrorofjustover ⁄ ofaninch.Thatmaynotseemthatbad,

butrememberthatwe’retryingtoimprovethings.Goingfromarock-solidnotchrearsight,toawobblyaperturesightmeanswe’veprettymuchgivenuptheextrasightingadvantagethelongersightradiusgivesus.Whichiswhyareplacementtopcoverfitssotightly(asitshould)andwhyit

makesassemblyanddisassemblyabitmorework.So,withthatinmind,Isourcedreplacementtopcovers,andparkedaperture

sightsonthem.Now,thetoughpartisinassessingjusthowmuchtheyhelp.Todothat,Ihadtocarefullyshootforgroupswiththeregularnotchsight,thenreplacethenotchrearonthetestrifle,andinstallareplacementcoverandaperturesight.Thenshootthesamedistancewiththesameammo.

MOUNTSINTHE21 CENTURYConsideringhowrecentlywe’vebeentryingtoputopticsonAKs,thefact

thattherearefourlocationsyoucanuseformountingissurprising.Whatisn’tsurprisingisthatofthose,onlyoneistheoriginal,Sovietlocation.Thosefourincludethesidemount,rivetedtothereceiverwall(theoriginal,

albeitlater,Sovietadvance);areplacementtopcover,witheitherapicrail,orsomekindofscope-specificmountonit;therearsightsocket,wheretheopennotchrearsightwouldbe;andfinally,arailedhandguard.

3 4

ST

notchrearsightwouldbe;andfinally,arailedhandguard.However,sincealloptionsformountingascopeareafterthoughts,noneareas

satisfactoryastherailedupperreceiverofaflat-topAR.IhavetoadmitthattheARlocationisalsoanafterthought,andanadded-onlocation,nottheoriginal.But,luckilyforus,theARlocationisactuallyausefulone,andcanmakeforaverysecure,repeatable,ergonomicscopemountingsolution.AndnowthatI’veopenedthesubject,you’llhavetogetusedtocomparisons.

AsmuchasAKfansliketheKalashnikov,itdoesnotexistinavacuum.Ithastocompeteagainstotherrifles,andtheirfeatures.TheAKisnotaloneinthis.Themuch-laudedFALisalsoadisasterwhenitcomestomountingascope.Notonlydoesithaveameagersheetmetaltopcover,butitsportstherecoilofthe.308.So,assolidasthenewmakersmakethemountingsystems,theyarealllessercompromiseswhencomparedtoaflat-topARandasolidmount.Doesitmatter?Notmuch,really.Let’slookfirstatthesidemount.Thesidemountbecomesanissuewiththe

upgradesthatweretobetheAK-74.The5.45isgenerallymoreaccuratethan7.62x39,andinitsbestlotsmarkedlybetterthanrun-of-the-mill7.62.TheSovietswantedtotakeadvantageofthat,andtheonlycost-effectivewaytogetopticsontheAKwasthesidemount.Remember,thiswaslongbeforetheM4,andflat-topARs,sotheycouldn’t

usethatasatemplate.Andnooneelsewasthinkingthatway,either.TheGermans,excuseme,theWestGermans,werelookingatoptics,buttheywereusingthehideouslyexpensiveQDclawmountfortheirG3,apieceofgearthatcostasmuchasagoodAmericanscope.(NotthattheGermanswouldhavebotheredwithsomethingaslow-rentasa“good”Americanscope,ca.1974.)Despitethat,theydidthebesttheycould,whichisn’ttoobadatall.

TECHSIGHTSTheoriginalaperturerearsightforAKs,theTechSightssystemandtop

cover,isasolidandusefulupgrade.Theaperturesightisanassemblythatreplacestherearoftherecoilspringassembly.Toinstall,taketheassembly

apart,andassemblethefrontwireloopandrecoilspringtotheTechSightassembly.AtthispointIknowyou’retiredofhearingit,butnotallAKsarethesame.

You’llhavetoconsulttheTechSightscharttoseewhichmodelyou’llneedtoworkwithyourAK.Whenyouassembleyourrifle,plugthesightandspringintotherearofthecarrier,lettingthespringpushthesightassemblybackintothereartrunnionslot.Dependingonthetolerances,youmayfinditnecessarytodosomefitting.Fittingisgood,asitensuresatightfit,andnoslop.Installthecover.Insertthefrontlipofthecoverintothegrooveintherearsightblock.Hingeitdownand,whenyougettothetwocircularlumpsonthesideofthesight,pressthoselumpsintotheassembly.Theyarethespring-loadedcoverretainers.

TheTechSightaperturerear.Takethespringassemblyoutofyourrifletogettherequiredparts.

Onceassembledontherifle,everythingstaystogether.

Theplungersonthesideholdthecovertothesight,andthesightistrappedintheslot.Clever.

Thespringkeepsthesightwedgedbackintotheslot.Thecoverkeepsitfrommovingforward.Thecovercan’tlift,becauseitishelddownbythetwoplungersintherearsightblockthataretrappedintheslot.Cleverandsolid.But,noplaceforareddotoptic.You’llhavetomountthatsomeplaceelse.

TEXASWEAPONSSYSTEMSTheguysatTexasWeaponsSystemswentatanaperturesightforAKs

anotherway.TheGen2&3DogLegrailreplacesthetopcoverwitharailedcover.Onthebackendofthecoverisclampedasimpleaperturerearsight.Therearofthecoverhasaslitontherightside,andthecovermetalisbentinslightly,whichclampsthecoverontothereceiver.Also,thecoverretainerhastheengagementsurfacemachinedatanangle,andthatangleusesthespringpowertocamtherearofthecoverdown,tighttothereceiver.Itiscalledthedog-legcoverbecausethetopcoverdropsdownfromthehinge

Itiscalledthedog-legcoverbecausethetopcoverdropsdownfromthehingeintherearsightblock,keepingthecoveraslowaspossible.

TheTexasWeaponsSystemsreplacementtopcoverwithrailandrearsightisanotherchoice.Ireceivedabetaversion,sentfortest&evaluation.Howwelldiditwork?Let’sjustsayit’snot

goingtobereturned.

IfyouwantanaperturesightonyourAK,boththeGen2andGen3willwork.However,TWShaschangedfromtheGen2,totheGen3designentirely,sothoseofuswithlegacysightswillhavetogetGen3sifweexpandtheinventory.Thedifference?TheGen2usesacrosspinintherearsighttoholdthecoveron.TheGen3employsareplacementhingeassembly.TheGen3isalsomadeofthickermetal.Asalastdetail,theGen2wasintendedtobeaslowaspossible.However,notallthrow-levermountsfitwithit.So,theGen3wasmadetoaccommodateallthemounts.Therearsightissimple,butthelongrailonthecovermeansitisreddotsight

city.

RSREGULATETheoriginalsidemountswehadwereSoviet-made.Whattheywerethinking,

Ihavenoidea.Themountputsthescopesofarovertheriflethatyouhaven’tahopeofgettinganykindofapropercheek-weldoreventheslightestamountof

contact.Well,RSRegulatetookthebasicdesign,keptthesiderailbaseasthestarting

point,andthenranwithit.Therewasnowaytomakeaone-size-fits-allmount,sotheydividedit.That’sthesimpleandcleverpartoftheAK-300ModularSideMountsystem.YouassembletheRSRegulatemountyouneed,fortheopticyouwillbeusing,fromoneeachofthecorrectupperandlower.

RSRegulatemakesbasesandrings.Thesearethebases.Picktheoneyouneed,forthelocationofyourscopethatyoudesire.

Aforward-biasbase,readytoreceiveareddotsighttop.

Therearesevenlowers,forabias-to-the-rear,biasfront,orfull-length.ThentheVZ58getssomelove,aswellasYugo,andtheRomanianPSLgetstwomore.Thenpicktheupper.ThereareAimpoint30mm,AimpointMicro,BushnellTRS25,Trijicon,andevenaraileduppertouseforscoperingsorabasicthrow-leverbasedoptic.Withthelengthandbiasoptions,youcanputtheopticwhereveryouwantittobealongtheupperlineoftherifle.Basically,ifyoucan’tfindacombinationofRSRegulateupperandlowerhalveswithwhichtoparkopticsonyourAK,youprobablyshouldn’tbeusingit.Theoptic,thatis.

Withthecorrectbase,thetopallowsyoutoinstallareddotsightormagnifyingoptic.Mixandmatch,assemble,andyou’regolden.

MIDWESTINDUSTRIESMidwestIndustriesmakesabunchofmountsforinstallingopticsonyourAK.

Let’staketheminturn.

MidwestIndustriesAK-H-ML-2TheMidwestIndustriesAK-H-ML-2isareplacementhandguardandtopthat

hasrailsonthebottomandside,andaplaceforareddotopticontop.ItisobviouslymeantforuseonAKsthatlackasiderail,sinceifyouhavesucharailyoucanuseittoinstallascope.Toinstall,removetheoldhandguardandtakethewoodorplasticoffthegastube.Installthemilled/stampedadaptersontherearoftheMidwesthandguard.Milledandstampedreceivershavedifferentlyshapedandsizedsocketsforthehandguardtenon.Midwest’smodelmakesthehandguardandthetenonstofit.ClamptheMidwestlowerhalfontothebarrel,withtheprovidedclampandscrews.(Quicknote;therailsarenumbered,and

withtheprovidedclampandscrews.(Quicknote;therailsarenumbered,andmarkedLandR.LandRshouldbeobvious.)

Putthegastubebackintoplace.Placethetopcoveronthelower,andfastenthescrewsholdingthetwotogether.Checkthefitandfunction.Everythingfine?Great,nowinstallthereddotsight.Whenitcomestimetoinstallthereddot,removetopofthehandguard.

There’samachinedsectionmarked“T1”inthetopofit.Installyourreddotscopethere.Thesocketismachinedtobethebase,liketheriserorQDclampbase.Putthetopcoverbackon.Tighteneverythingandreassembletherifle.Testfireandzero.Ifeverythingiscorrect,removethescrewsoneatatime,

applyblueLoctite,andreinstall.

MidwestIndustriesAKRailedScopeMountThismountgoesdirectlyontotherailattachedtothesideofyourreceiver.

Unlatchthethrowlever.Slidethemountontotherail.Clampthethrowleverclosed.Ifyouneedtoadjusttension,openthethrowleverandremovethe

closed.Ifyouneedtoadjusttension,openthethrowleverandremovethemount.Withtheleveropen,presstheleveruptowardthemountbase.Thisliftsthelockingscrew,withitsflats,upoutofthesquareslotinwhichitrides.Useascrewdrivertotighten(orloosen,ifthemountistootight)thenut.Lineuptheflatwiththesquareslot,andlevertheclampclosed,topullthenutdownintotheslot.Checkfituntilyouhaveitsettobeclampedastightlyasyoucan,andstillget

itapartwithyourbarehands.Next,mountyourscopeonthetoprailwithcorrecteyereliefaswithanyotherrifle.

TheMidwestIndustriesrailtopisidealformountingscoperings,andallowstheuseofamagnifyingoptic.

MidwestIndustriesRedDotMountMidwest’sRedDotMountusesthesameclampingsystem—andadjustments

ifneeded—astherailedmount.Thedifferenceis,thetopisboredfora30mmreddotoptic.Thelatestreddotshavetheirownbuilt-inbaseandarenotjusttubes.Butforthosewithlegacyoptics,orwhowanttousesomethingthatis

tubes.Butforthosewithlegacyoptics,orwhowanttousesomethingthatisdirt-cheapasatestbed,thenthiswillcertainlydothetrick.

A30mmreddotsightwillfeelrightathomeinthisMidwestIndustriesmount.

OPTICSReddotopticshavecomealongwaysincetheearlydays.Whenwefirst

Reddotopticshavecomealongwaysincetheearlydays.Whenwefirststartedusingthemincompetition,theywerenotwell-received.However,oncethefirstguywon(thatbeingJerryBarnhart,atthe1990USPSAnationals)everyoneelsetookalook.Whenthesecondguywon(DougKoenig,atthe1990IPSCWorldShoot)thatwasit,wewereallin.Notonlydidweusethem,webrokethemleftandright.Sincethen,reddot

opticshavebeenredesignedmultipletimes,andthemodernonesareaboutasbulletproofasyoucanmakesomethingelectronic.Butthereareafewthingsyouhavetokeepinmindwhenmountingareddot

sightonanAK.Thehandguardtopmountinglocationcanbeveryhandy,butthere’salotofheatthere.Thegastubegetshotandthehandguardsconductheatfromthebarrel,soitisnotahappyplaceforelectronics.Thetopcoverblocksorabsorbsmuchoftheheat,butitisanareasubjecttoalotofvibration.Thesiderailmountavoidstheheatandsomeofthevibration,butitcanalsogetshakenifthemountisn’trigidoristheleastbitloose.Thatsaid,thelifeofareddotonanAKisn’tsignificantlylessstressfulthan

onanAR,butitisn’taneasyride.I’veincludedthereddotsItestedforthisbook,butnoteverythingavailable.Thisis,afterall,anAKbook,notanopticsbook.Butthesesurvived,sobasedonthatIcansuggestthemwithoutreservation.

MeoptaTheMeosightIIIisacompactreddotsightwithabuilt-inmountingsystem.

Allitneedsisarailontowhichitisclamped.Thezeroadjustmentsareobviousandmarked,andwithacorrectlysizedsmallscrewdriveryoucaneasilycrankthedotaroundtoadjustyourgroups.Thebatteryisheldinasmalltraythatslidesouttotheside.Youdon’thavetoremoveordisassembletheMeosightIIItochangebatteries.Ittakesyourbog-standardCR2032battery,whichyoucanfindprettymuchanywherethesedays.

TheStyrkareddotoptic,mountedontheKrebsCustom,anddoinganexcellentjob.Handy,butoutoftheway,andcompactaswell.

StyrkaS3TheStyrkaS3alsohasabuilt-inclampingsystem,andmountingitontoarail

isapieceofcake.TheS3hasanumberofinterestingfeatures.There’sanautoshut-offafteronehour,itiswaterproof,testedtoonemeterfor30minutes.Itcomeswithahigh-risemount,whichARuserswouldfindusefulbutAKownerswillnot.(Soleaveitinthebox.)Itcomeswithahandyneoprenecovertoprotectitwhileitisintherackorcase,andano-glarehoneycombfilter—incaseyouworryaboutreflectionsgivingawayyourposition.

AimpointTheAimpointMicrocomeswithnotonlyitsownmountingbase,butariser

topositionitatthecorrectheightoveranAR.OnanAK,youdon’tneedthe

topositionitatthecorrectheightoveranAR.OnanAK,youdon’tneedthemountingbase,sothefirstthingyou’lldoisdisassemblethebasefromtheriser,andreattachthebasetotheMicrobyitself.ThissimplemodpositionsitlowenoughforuseonanAK.Itsthrow-levermountissoover-engineeredyou’dthinkGermanswereinvolvedinsteadofSwedes.

ADVANTAGESAftergoingtoallthistrouble,whatkindofresultscanyouexpecttosee?To

beblunt,mostshooterswon’tseemuchimprovementinaccuracy.Yousee,theAKiskindofstubbornaboutaccuracy.Thetrigger,theun-ergonomicstock,thelight,whippybarrel,allworkagainstyou.Theammodoesn’thelpmuch,either,aswediscoveredinthepreviouschapter.Let’sputsomenumberstoit.Mostshooters,workingfromthebench(ifyou

canfindeitherabenchthatletsyouusea30-roundmagazine,oruseashortermagazine)withaplainoldAK,andsurplusorimportedammoandthenotchandpostsightscanshoot4-5MOA.Stopscreaming,that’snormalshooting.Oh,ifyouprowltheinterwebs,you’llfindlotsandlotsofpeoplewhowillclaimtheyare“1MOAshootersalldaylong.”WhatcanIsay?Theylie.Agoodshooter,withsharpeyes,canshadedownbelowthat4MOAfigure.If

hehasagoodAK,withacleantrigger,andgoodammo,hecangetitdownto3MOA.Ifyouhaveallthat,andtheninstallareddotscope,orbetteryetmagnifyingoptic,youcangetdowntoaround2MOA.Andthat’sgoingtobeit.Ifyouwantbetteraccuracythanthat,youaregoingtohavetojumpupin

equipment,startingwithamuchbetterbarrel.But,anaperturesightandreddotopticdon’tjustimproveaccuracy.They

speeduptargetacquisitionandshottimes.You’llstillbeshooting2-3MOA,butyou’llbeabletogetontarget,makefollow-upshots,andtransitiontothenexttargetalotfaster.Anaperturesightwillspeedyouup.Areddotoptic,comparedtothenotchandpostsight,willmakeitseemlikeyou’reatwarpspeed.That’swhatsightimprovementsreallydoforyou.

So,ifyou’veinvestedinanaperturesightorareddotsightmount,don’tbedisappointedifyourgroupsdon’tsuddenlyshrinkdowntosniper-rifleterritory.Remember,comrade,theAKisnotasniperrifle,andwasneverintendedtobeone.ThatwecanmakeitshootaswellasitdoesisatributetotheclevernessoftheAmericanexperimenter.Sofocusonwhat’sleftthatyoucanimproveon.Workonyourspeed—thereismorethanenoughaccuracytohittargetsatthedistancesforwhichthistoolwasdesigned.

CHAPTER11AKDURABILITY&SERVICELIFE

Ifyouareamongthedevoted,andhavedrunktheKool-Aid,you’llbelievethattheAK-47issodurable,soutterlyindestructible,thatafterthenuclearholocaust,andtheinevitablecockroachevolution,thatthosefutureBlattodeidswillbeabletoarmthemselveswithAKstheypulloutoftherubble.Puh-leeze.Andeveniftheydo,thoseAKswon’tbeanymoreergonomicforthem,thantheywereforus.Yes,theAKisdurable,butnomoresothanotherfirearms.Somedesignsare

fragile,andsomedon’tlastlong,buttypically,amilitaryorganizationattemptstoissuetoolstothetroopsthatwillstanduptouse.Rememberthatnotalltypesofabusearethesame.Ihadanillustrationofthisrecently.Iwasoutwalkingthedogs,andsaw

somethingshinyonthesidewalkahead.Ofcourse,thedogshadtoinvestigate.Itwasabustedsmartphone.I’mnotupenoughonsmartphonestoknowwhatmodelitwas,shortofdoinganautopsy.ButwhatIcantellyouisthatitwasbusted.Thrown,dropped,stomped,whatever,ithadgivenuptheghost.Innormaluse,itwouldhaveserveditsownerwelluntilthebatteryfinallydied.Butthisabuseitcouldnotwithstand.Everyobjecthasitslimits.So,ifyouseeinthenewsthatsomeonerecoveredanAKinAfghanistan,one

thathadthemarkingstoindicateitwasmadein,oh,let’ssay1950,whatcanyoulearn?ProofoftheutterdurabilityoftheAK-47?Uh,no.Withanyproduct,youwillhaveasmallsamplethatwillsurviveanything.Imean,we’refindingdinosaurbonesfromdeadcrittersthatexpired100,even200millionyearsago.AKswon’tlastnearlythatlong,evenwhenkeptstoredproperly.(Mostlybecausethebuildingtheyarestoredinwillhavecrumbledafterafewtensof

becausethebuildingtheyarestoredinwillhavecrumbledafterafewtensofthousandsofyears.)So,howlongwillyourAK-47,AK-74,orSKSlast?Thatdepends.Let’sconsiderthethicknessofyourstampedreceiverAK.Thecommon

measurementorstandardfortheshellisa1mmthicksheetofsteel.Howthickisthat?Well,theU.S.TreasuryDepartmenttellsusthatadollarbillismadeofcloth(actuallyakindofacloth/paperhybrid)thatis.0043inchesthick.Andweknowthat1mmequals0.0393inches.So,ninecrisp,new,$1-dollarbills,pressedintoaflatstack,isaboutthesamethicknessasyourstampedAKreceivershell.Hmm,notsothicknowthatyouthinkaboutit,eh?Theupsideisthatsteelisincrediblystrong.That’swhywewenttothetroubleofdevelopingit,afterall.And,theshelloftheAKreceiverisaself-supportingstructure.Internalforcesworkinthedirectionsofitsshape-strength,anditisnotstressedinthedirectionofitsweakness.Oneweaknessitdoeshaveislateralcrushresistance.Empty,youcouldjust

aboutcrushitwithyourhands.But,itisn’temptyexceptwhenitis,andwhenitisassembled,theinternalpartsandtheinternalbraceacttosupporttheshellfromlateralstresses.Thoseinternalpartsalsoactasstrutstosupportitwhenitisstressedfrom

firing.Whenyoufirearound,theloadofthechamberpressureisbornebytheboltlugsandthelockingrecessesofthefronttrunnion.Thereceiverdoesn’ttakeanyofthatload,notinarealsense.Theloadthereceivertakesisthetransmittedrecoil.Asthebulletishurledforward,therifleasawholeisthrustbackward.Yourshoulderstopsthat,andtheimpactistakenbytherivetsonthereartrunnionforthemostpart.Thefrontrivetsalsotakesomestress,fromthemassofthebarrelandtherestoftherifle,forwardofthoserivets.Iforwhentheboltcarrierbottomsoutintherearoftherecoilstroke,the

impactisagaintakenbytherearrivets,withnothinguponwhichthefronttrunnionandrivetsmustbear.So,betweenthefrontandthereartrunnion,thereartakesmostofthework,

andifyouarebuildinganAKyoushouldpayextraattentiontotherearrivets.

andifyouarebuildinganAKyoushouldpayextraattentiontotherearrivets.Besuretheyarefirmlyseatedandrivetedtight.And,itisworthpointingout,howeverobviousitmayseem,thatthemilledreceiversdonothavethispotentialproblem.TherearenorivetedtrunnionsonamilledreceiverAK,thefrontandrearofthereceiverareintegralpartsofthemilledblockofsteel.EvenintheAK-usingpartsoftheworld,thereisahierarchyofperceived

value.Finlandisagreatexample.HavingadoptedtheAK(theValmetisaFinnish-madeAK,withimprovementstheFinnsfelttheyneeded)theyhavebeenhappywithit.Awhilebacktheyboughtametricbuttloadof7.62x39AKs,EastGermanandChinese,foremergencyuseandtraining.Theideawas,inanemergency,they’dneedwarehousesfullofAKstoissue.(WhenyoushareaborderandalongandsometimesfractioushistorywithRussia,youtendtothinkofthesethings.)RatherthanspendthebigbuckstomakewarehousesfullofFinnish-qualityValmets,theywrotecheckstobuyupsurplusEastGermanAKs,andnewly-madeChinesetype56s.Theyalsousedthecheapimportsfortraining.TraininginFinland,infactany

countryororganizationthattakestrainingseriously,isnotlikeanafternoonatthegunclub.Riflesaresubjectedtoalotofwearandtear,eveniftheyarenotfired.(TheU.S.militaryuseswhatarecalled“rubberducks,”whicharesynthetic,non-firingclonesofM16/M4s,forjustthispurpose.)Backin2012,Finlandwaslookingtosellofftheunusedinventory,asthey

werereducingtheirreserviststrengthfrom350,000to250,000.Giventherecentsaber-rattlingthathasbeengoingon,andtheRussianactivities,Iimaginetheyarereactivatingsomeofthosereservists,andaregladtheydidn’tmanagetobroomoutallthat“excess”inventory.

IfyouscourtheInternet(anditwon’ttakemuchscouring)you’llfindphotosofcheerfulAKenthusiastsshowingoffinapeculiarSovietfashion.TheyaredoingpushupsontheirAKs.HoldtheAKhorizontally,magazineinplace,crosswaystoyourbody.Kneeldown,pressthemagazineintothedirt,andstartdoingpushupsontherifle,balancingonthemagazine.Asamachoshowoff,itisimpressivenotbecausetheriflewithstandsit.Ifyoucandopushupswhilebalancingononepoint,that’snotbad.Therifle?OK,soanARmagazinewon’twithstandthat.Sowhat?Slapinanall-steelmagazine,anditwill.Heck,I’vedrivenoverARswithcarsandtrucks.Sobigdeal,Isay.Asfarasservicelifeisconcerned,that’samatterofbarrellife.TheARhasa

barreldesignthatiseasytochange.TheAK,notsomuch.TheARhasbeenmadewiththebestbarrelsteeltobehad.Imean,ARshooterswillcomplainabout“inferior”steelinaparticularbarrelmade“only”of4140steel.Asifthesteelusedtomaketheirgrandfather’sGarandwasinferior.AKs?I’msuretheSovietsmadethemofthebeststeeltheycould,butyoudon’tmaketensofmillionsofanearlydisposablerifleoutofthefinestchrome-molyVanadiumsteel.Especiallyifyouarehard-chromingtheboreforcorrosionresistanceandwear.Combinedwiththecommonbi-metalbulletsusedinimportedorsurplus

ammo,anAKbarrelwillnotlastaslongasanARbarrel.So,realisticallyspeaking,whenyourAKhaslostitsaccuracy,whentheboreisterminallyworn,thenthat’sit,therifleisdone.Youcanretireit,pryofftheuseableparts(thepartsthatremainunbrokenforuseonyourotherAKs)andmoveon.Aswe’vediscussedelsewhere,youcanreplaceanAKbarrel.Butitisn’t

nearlyaseasyaswithanAR—ittakesareal-dealgunsmith,andonlytimewilltellifthereisasufficientdemandforthatservicetowarrantgunsmithsofferingit.Lookatitthisway:youoryourbuddyhavespent$450-500onaplain-JaneimportedAKoflessthanstellarquality.You’vehosedfivecasesofimportammothroughit,andnowitwon’tkeepitsshotsonthetargetboardat100yards.Anewrifleisnow$600.Thegunsmithquoteonreplacingthebarrelishalfthat.(Currently,thecheapestreplacementbarrelis$150orso.Thelabortofit,drillthegasport,cutthetrunnionpinrecess,fitthegasblockandfrontsight,andwe’resimplyball-parkingatanother$150.)Whichisit?Replacethebarrelonatired,worn,unrefinedAK,orbuyanotheronethatprobablyhashadabitmorerefinementdonetoitsincethefirstpurchase.Notallrifleswouldbeinasimilarsituation.Ifyou’vesprungforthebucksto

buy,forexample,anIWIAce,at$1,700–1,800,thena$300replacementbarrelisnotaproblem.Also,therifleitselfisalotmorerefinedthanthevanillaimportinthefirstexample.Alotofshootersjustmightgoforareplacementinthatinstance.Inotherwords,we’llsee.

IraqisoldierspracticeurbanwarfaretacticsatanadvancedtrainingcourseinMosul,ledbysoldiersfrom5thBattalion,20thInfantryRegiment.PhotobySpc.ChristaMartin

CHAPTER12KRINKREDUX

THEREISACLASSOFFIREARMSKNOWNasShortBarreledRifle,orSBRfor…short.Federallaw(yourStatemayhavetheirownopiniononthesubject)declaresthatinordertobeaplainoldrifle(let’scallitaPOR,comparedtoSBR,OK?)yourblasterhastohaveanoveralllengthofnotlessthan26inches,andabarrellengthofnotlessthan16inches.Inamomentaryfitofrationalthought,theFedsofficiallymeasureariflewiththestockextended(whichcausesnoendofheadachesforthosewholiveinastatewherethemeasurementismadewiththestockfolded).Over16-inchbarrel,over26inchesoverall?Congrats,it’saPOR.EveryAKoutthere,inregulartrim,iskosherbytheFeds.Thebarrelsareall

16inches(theyhadtobe,simplytohavebeenimportable)andthelengthofthereceiverissuchthatthefoldedlengthisnearly30inches.SBRsareshorterthanthat.TogetanSBR,youfirsthavetoliveinaStatethatallowsthem.FederallawonthissubjectdoesnottrumpStatelaw.(Toexplainwhy,isalong,convolutedlegaldiscussionthatweneednotgetintohere.JustacceptthefactthatifyourStatesays“no,”that’susuallytheendofit.)WhenitcomestoanSBRintheAR-15world,therearequiteafewtypes:TheretroXM-177,177A1and177A2.WehaveMr.M4,ColtCommandoandin9mm,theColtbuzzgunclone.

I’vehadachancetoshootKrinksmoresincethefirstbook.Istilldon’tlikethem,andthinktheycanbegreatlyimproved.Oratleastmadetobemorecivilized.

TherearsightontheKrinkovisattachedtothereceivercover.

Theshortergassystemmeansashorterpiston,whichcomplicatesthings.

Theshortergassystemmeansashorterpiston,whichcomplicatesthings.

IntheAKworldwehaveone:theKrinkov.Andthemysteryarounditisentirelyaboutthename.Thereasonforitis,theSovietswantedsomethingmorecompactthantheAK.Havingscrappedorstoredallthe7.62x25submachinegunsthey’dwonthewarwith,theyfoundtheyneededsomethingmorecompacteventhantheAK-47.EvenwithafoldingstocktheAK,AKM,etc.canbeabitbulky.IntheinterestsofmakingsomethingshorterfortheirparatroopersandSpecialForces,theSoviets,inadditiontotheirlaterupgradeoftheAK-47,developedtheshort-barreledAK-74—knownastheAKS-74U.OnceadoptedinRussia,otherWarsawPactcountriesmadetheirownversions.ThemembersoftheRedArmydidnotcallittheKrinkov.Ispenttime

discussingthissubjectwithtwoofthepublishingworld’sexpertsonthesubject,DaveFortierandPeteKokalis,andfoundoutthatmembersoftheRedArmyhavemuchthesamesensibilityassoldierseverywhere.RedArmysoldierscalltheshortriflethe“Ksyuka,”sortofavocalizationofthesymbolsof“AKS-74U”andsoundingsimilartothewoman’snameXenya.Orthesameprocess,leadingtoSuchok,“littlebough.”Thenthereare“Suchka”and“Okurok,”whichmean“littlebitch”and“cigarettebutt”respectively.(Ifnotrespectfully.)Aslightlyirreverentnameforanessentialtool,andatoolandnicknamethatmarksthepossessorasbeingmorethanjustanotherSovietgrunt.

Asyoucansee,therearsightisjustanotch—evenlessusefulthanthestandardAKrearsight.Thenagain,youaren’tshootingbullseyesat600yards.

ButnoKrinkov.TheearliestcitationanyonecanfindisfromDavidIsby,inanissueofSoldierofFortune(S.O.F.).Butnooneknowswherehegotit.

anissueofSoldierofFortune(S.O.F.).Butnooneknowswherehegotit.KokaliswasaneditoratS.O.F.backthen,andthesourceofthenameeitherdidn’tcomeupthen,orhedoesn’tremember.(Thosewhohavehadachancetotalkwithhimwouldfinditdifficulttobelievethathe’dforgetsomethingsomemorable,so“nomention”itis.)SinceDavidhasn’tsaidanythingsince,noonereallyknowswhereitcamefrom.OnespeculationisthatitcomesfromthenameoftheSovietGeneralcapturedbythemujahideen.Exceptthatthehighest-rankedSovietofficercapturedwasactuallyaCaptain(apilot)whosenamesoundsnothinglike“Krinkov”andnoonewithanameanythinglike“Krinkov”wascapturedorlistedasmissingintheAfghanistanwar.Anotherspeculationwasthatitisthenicknamegivenitbythemujahideen

themselves.ButwhywouldtheRedArmysoldierscalltheirriflebyanametheiropponentsuse?Weknowitdidn’tcomethroughthesoldiers.Ifthesourcewasthemujahideen,thatcertainlywouldhavebeenmentionedwhenitwasbroughtupintheS.O.F.issue;Ireadthepublicationmyselfbackthen,andthestylecertainlywouldhavebeensomethinglike,‘theKrinkov,thenicknamethemujahideenfightersusefortheshort-barreledAKinSovietuse,isaprizewhencaptured’orsomesuchpolished-upattribute.Sincethementiondoesn’thavesuchanattribution,thenweareleftinthedark.Inanyevent,bepreparedtogetapuzzledlookifyouusethewordwhen

talkingtoanyonewhoisn’tanAmericangunowner.Butthenameseemstobeonewearestuckwithhere.So,getusedtoit,andgetoverthefactthatnooneknowsfromwhereitcame.

ThisKrinkovischamberedin7.62x39,buthasanAK-74foldingstockonit.OnlyinAmerica,ortheNorthwestProvinces.

TheauthorshootingaKrink.The7.62modelkicksalotmore,asyou’dexpectfromsuchalight,smallrifle.

Areal-deal,SovietAKS-74U,broughtbackfromAfghanistan.Notethecorrectmuzzlebrake.

HowdoyoumakeaKrinkov?TherearetwoaspectstomakinganSBR,themechanicalandthelegal.Let’stakethemechanicalfirst,sincethedesignoftheAKmakestheprocessmoreinvolvedthanitisforotherrifles.TheshortlengthoftheSBRbarrelprecludesusingtheoldgasport,astheAKS-74Ubarrelisamere8 ⁄ incheslong.Thatrequiresanewport,andoftenanewbarrel.Thenewportlocationdefinitelymeansanewpiston,theoldonebeingtoolong.Dittohandguards.TheSovietdesignalsoputsthepistonthroughashorterpistonguide/rearsightpillar.Andthereceivercoverishinged,attachedatthefront.So,therearsightismadeasanassemblythatisspotweldedtothecover.Basically,todoitright,andauthentically,onemustreplaceeverythingforwardofthefronttrunnion.Thatamountstoalotofwork,startingwithanalreadyfinishedrifle.One

approachtohaveanSBR-readyriflecomesfromArsenal.Theymakeeverythingasitshouldbe,butleavethebarrelat16-inchesplusandyouthensimplygothroughthelegalworkandshortenthebarrel.(Ordon’tgothroughthelegalwork,leavethebarrelasis,andhavefun.)Anotherapproachistostartwitha

1 2

partskitandreplacethefrontendduringassemblywithanSBRset,aKrinkovpartskitormade-uppartskit.

Thefinishismostlyafine,hardlayerofrust.

Me,IthinkI’drathergothefrom-the-ground-uproute,asitiseasiertobuildonefrompartsthanitistorebuildonethathasalreadybeenarifle.Ofcourse,astimegoesonandwestarttoseemanymoreAKsinneedofnewbarrels,thatsituationmaychange.

SomeAfghanigunsmithing:anemptycaseweldedorbrazedtothecharginghandle.Makesiteasiertodealwithmalfunctionsinthedark.

Thelegalpartiseasier:assumingyourStatehasnoproblemwithit,youapplytotheATFonaForm1tohaveyourrifleputontheSBRlist.Onceyouhavetheapproval,thestampitselfaffixedtotheapprovedForm1,(thetaxstamp,whichislegallypartofyourtaxrecordsandcoveredassuch)youcanthensendtherifle,acopyofthetaxstampandacheckofftoanSBRspecialist.IntheARworldyoucoulddoityourselfwithanewbarrel,butintheAKworldthegunplumbingisalotmoreinvolved.Oh,yourriflemustalsobeproperlymarkedwiththenewmanufacturer’sname;thatis,withthemakeroftheSBRyouwillbeowning.Ifyoudoallthestepscorrectly—taxstamp,approval,mechanicalwork—butyoudonotmarkyournewSBR,youareinviolationofthelaw.I’mnotkidding,andwhenitcomestomachineguns(whichishowyourSBRwillbecategorized,atleastatthefederallevel)theATFhasnosenseofhumorwhatsoever.Getitmarked.

whatsoever.Getitmarked.

Thehandguardlookslikeacamelchewedonit.Thispoorthingsawsomeharduseinthemountains.

TheSBRalsohasanotherinterestingattributeunderthelawthatotherfirearmsdonot.Perhapsyou’veheardtheadage:Onceamachinegun,alwaysamachinegun?”Thatis,afirearmthathasbeenmadeas,orbeenmodifiedtobe,amachinegun,canneverbeturnedbackintoasemi-autorifle.Noamountofweldingwillbeenoughtoturnitbacktowhatitwas.Well,SBRscangobackandforth.IfyougettiredofowninganSBR,youcanpetitiontohaveitdelisted.Thatis,removedfromthelistofSBRitems.Youcanmakeitafull-sizerifleanytimeyouwant,whetherornotyougetitdelisted.ButuntilitisdelisteditremainsanSBRunderthelaw,withallthesalesrestrictionsthatgowithit.Onceyougettheapproval,youcansellyourproper-lengthriflelikeanyother.Aninterestingbitoftiminghere:ifyouwishtoownanSBRthatyouare

making,youcannotbeginanyoftheworkuntilyouhaveapproval.Ifyouwishtohaveitdelisted,youmustdotheworkfirst,thenrequestdelisting.Otherwise,assoonasyoureceivedelistingnotice,yourrifleisanunlawfulSBRforthe20

minutesittakestoreversetheprocess.(Hey,it’stooshort,andyoujusttookitoffthelist.Whosefaultisthat?)Approvalfirst,thenSBR,de-SBR,thengetdelistingapproval.

AKSBROPERATIONOperationally,anSBRcanbeabitfussy.Theshortpistonandchamber,

whicharelocatedclosetotheport,canmeantimingandfunctioningproblemsunlesstheworkwasdonebyanexpert.SomethinkthatapistonsystemrifleislesspronetoSBRproblemsthanagasimpingementsystemliketheAR-15.Noso,theyallhavethepotentialforfussiness.Whatyouwillhaveforsureislessmuzzlevelocity.The7-inchesplusyou

hadwhackedoffthebarrelwillensurethat.Youcanexpecta7.62x39SBRtoclockinatlessvelocitythana.30Carbine,albeitwithaheavierbullet.The5.45rifleswilldemonstratethesamesortofvelocitylossastheAR-15SBRs.Expect60-grainsurplus5.45x45ammotoclockinat2,200fps,andthe70-grainWolfat2,100-2,000fps.Also,theshortersightradiuswillmakeaccurateaimingmoreofaproblem.

Sincetherewon’tbemanyAKS-74UownersshootingtheirshortyinanNRAHighPowermatch,Ireallydon’tseeaccuracylossasmuchofaproblem.OneaspectoftheKrinkistheflashhider.Whichactuallyisn’taflashhiderat

all,butagas-storer(I’mthewriter,Igettoinventsometerms).Theproblemwithsuchashortbarrelandthegasportbeingsoclosetothemuzzleisthatthegasportonlyhasashorttimeinwhichtodoitsjob.Oncethebulletleavesthebarrel,thesealedsystemofgasflowisopenedandthegasescapes.Compoundingtheproblemisthenatureofthegassesattheportlocation,namelyhighpressure.Thehighportpressuremeansthedesignershadtouseasmall-diametergasport,orthesystemwouldbeoverdrivenandhaveashortservicelife.But,becausethegassoondissipates,asmallportmightnotbelargeenoughtodivertenoughgastoworkthesystem.Enterthemuzzlecap.Theshapeofthecapactstoslowdownthelossofgasthroughthemuzzle.Bydoingso,itmaintainsgaspressureintheborelongenough(andhighenough,althoughthe

maintainsgaspressureintheborelongenough(andhighenough,althoughthedurationofanyactiononthepartofthecapisshort,indeed)forthesystemtoreceivethegasitneeds.Theoriginalisacylinderwithaconedmuzzleontheend,withakinkbetweenwheretheyjoin.(Hey,“kinkoff,”“Krinkov,”hmm.Nah.)Theoriginalistheonepuristswouldwant.Thelaterone,refinedbyNoveske,doesactuallydosomeworkasaflashhider.(Butwe’llkeepthatasecret,lesttheStateofCaliforniafindsout,OK?)

Here,amilled-receiverAKisgettingtheSBRtreatment.

Lookcloselyandyou’llseejusthowshortadistanceitisfromthegasporttothemuzzle.Aninch?Thatisn’tlongtogetthejobdone,hencetheKrinkmuzzlebrake.

Notethecoverhingeonthemuchshorterpistonguide.

ShorteningabarreltouseitasanSBRisalotofdelicatelathework.Notallgunsmithsareupto

ShorteningabarreltouseitasanSBRisalotofdelicatelathework.Notallgunsmithsareuptothetask.

Traditionally,a“Krink”shouldonlybechamberedin5.45x39.That’stheonetheSovietsmade,andthat’stheonethatpuristswant.But,youcanmakeorhaveonemadeinanycaliberyoudesire.Justgetthetaxstampandpayforthework.OneKrinkovIhadthepleasureofinspectingwasareal-dealSovietshorty

thathadcomeoutofAfghanistan.IwasinthevaultsoftheBelgianArmyMuseuminBrussels,andmyhostsaid,“Oh,you’llenjoythisone,”ashehandedittome.ItwasaRussian-madeAKS-74UthathadsomehowcomeoutofAfghanistaninthelate1990s.Theconditionwasfarfrommuseumquality.Infact,you’dhaveahardtimesellingitanywherebutatanarmsbazaarintheNorthwestProvinces.Thefinish,exceptwheretracesoftheoriginalbaked-onlacquerremained,wasanevenlayerofrustovertheentirething.Onan18th-centurymusketwe’dcallthata“patina,”butona20th-centuryfirearmitisasignofnegligence.Allthepartswerethere,andmiraculouslythestockwasstillsolid.Thehandguardoverthegastubewasseverelyworn,andsometimeinthepastapreviousownerhadobviouslygottentiredofdealingwiththeundersizedcharginghandle.Attachedtothehandlewasanemptycartridgecase.Irecalllookingatit,butdonotremembertheproofmarksexceptthattheydidnotseemoutofplacegiventherifle’splaceoforigin.Soitwasprobablysomecom-blocproofmark.Sorry,collectorsofAKminutia.However,theborewasbright,contrastingwiththerestoftherifle.Ithadasling,andoncethey’dscrubbeditenoughtostoptherust,thecuratorsplannedtoputitondisplayina20th-centurywarexhibit.Alas,Iwasnotallowedtofireit.Abriefaside:museumsdonotfiretheweaponstheyhaveintheircollections.

Shootingaddstothewearmanysamplesalreadyhave,andthelastthingamuseumcuratorwantsistodecreasetheconditionoftheitemsintheircollection.Oftentheywillbeimmaculatelyinspected,gaugedandrestoredtolike-newcondition,butneverfired.Theideaistoretainimmaculatesamplesforfuturereference,sothatwithagoodscrubbingandproperlubetheywouldbeshootabledecades,evencenturiesfromnow.Itisnotuncommonformuseumsto

shootabledecades,evencenturiesfromnow.Itisnotuncommonformuseumstouseaspecialkindofwax,onethatdriesclearandunnoticed,butwhichsealsthesurfacesfromoxidation.Theideaistoputthereal-dealitemondisplay,andnothaveittarnishordecay.Although,whenIvisitedtheImperialWarMuseuminLondon,I’mprettysureIspottedsomefakesinthedisplaycases.ButwhatcanIsayabouttheBritishandtheiranti-gunkickthatwouldn’tgetmestrip-searchedthenexttimeIpassedthroughHeathrow?Oh,whatIwouldn’thavegivenforaborescopethatmomenttohaveseen

whattheborereallylookedlikeinthatAKS-74UafteradecadeormoreofknockingaroundAfghanistan.Sincethefirstbook,I’vehadachancetoshootabunchmoreSBRs,including

someKrinks.Actually,ifwe’regoingtobeimpossiblypedantic,a“Krink”wouldhavetobein5.45.AnSBRin7.62x39wouldbecalleda“KyberPassSpecial”becauseofthenumberofgunmakerstherewhowillmakeanything.Oneofmyfellowgunwritersdidjustthat,ononeofhistours.Theunitcapturedapileo’guns.HesnatchedacleanandotherwiseunmolestedAKMoutofthestack,andsentitofftoashop“downsouth.”ItcamebackSBR’d,withafoldingstock,andhewashappy.AnAKSBR,forme,musthaveonethinginparticular—somesortof

effectiveblastdampener.Themuzzleblastofftheselittlegunsissimplyobnoxious,andIreallydon’tfindtheeventasmuchfunasitpromisestobe.Afterthat,thesillysightingsystemtheSovietsputonithastogo.C’monguys,really?Afixednotch,halfwayupthetopcover,withthefrontsightpulled6inchesbackfromitspointoforigin?I’vegothandgunswithalongersightradiusthanthat.

AfinishedAKS-74Ucloneonamilledreceiver.

Herewehavea“Krinkov”in7.62,withaNoveskemuzzlecap,andtheKrebsfast-loadmagazine

Herewehavea“Krinkov”in7.62,withaNoveskemuzzlecap,andtheKrebsfast-loadmagazineguide.

Krinksneedtacticalraillove,too.HereisashortywiththeKrebstacticalquad-railhandguards,reddot,lightandverticalforegrip.

BackinthefirstvolumeIaskedthequestion,ShouldyouownanSBR?ManyshootershavefearsofmidnightinspectionsoftheirSBRbytheATF.Whisperedrumorsofcarsparkedoutfrontatallhours,andsurprisechecks.Getoverit,itdoesn’thappen.Whenyouapply,theATFrunsabackgroundcheckonyou,tomakesurethatyoudon’thaveany“dings”onyourrecord.Nocriminalhistory,nolegalproblems,nothingthatwouldkeepyoufromowningafirearm?You’realmostthere.TheATFwillalsochecktomakesureyouliveinastatethatallowsSBRs.Goodthere?Thenyoucancountonyour$200checkbeingcashed,andyourtaxstampbeingissuedasquicklyasthepaperworkflowsthroughtheoffice.

TheIntimidator:lookingdownthewrongendoftheNoveskemuzzledevice,abadguyhastothink,“Whatcaliberisthatthing?”

Theanswerfromgunownershasbeenaresoundingyes!Form1applicationshavepouredthroughtheATF,admittedlyalotofthemforsuppressors,butmany,manySBRs,too.AndwhereAKsusedtoberareonthegunranges,theyarenowcommonasdirt.SBRsusedtobewhisperedrarities,andnowtheyarealmostascommonasAKs.Itisabravenewworldthathassuchgunsinit.Sogogetone.Rightnow.Putlotsofammothroughitandbetheenvyofyour

shootingbuddies.

CHAPTER13SUPPRESSORS

ASUPPRESSORCANBEMOUNTEDONANAK,theSovietsjustdidn’tmakeitveryeasytodo.Thenagain,backwhentheriflewasbeingdesigned,noonehadacluehowcommonsuppressorswouldbetoday.TheproblemswithmountingasuppressorontheAKcomedowntothreethings:threads,barreldiameter,andgassystem.

THREADSThethreadsontheAK-47weremeanttoholdtheslantbrakeon,period.The

AK-74usesafrontsightcastingthatisthreadedtoattachthebodyofthemuzzlebrake.Thesethreadsaremetricandleft-handed.(Asifjustoneofthosewasn’tproblemenough.)TheAK-47threadpatternisM14x1L—thatis,14millimetersindiameter,onethreadpermillimeterofpitch.Thedesignationpatternis,“M”formetric,anumeralforthenominal

diameter,themultiplicationsigntoseparateitfromthepitch,andthenthepitchinmillimeters.Ofcourse,theworldofdimensionsbeingwhatitis,thereisacoarsepitchandafinepitch,plus-and-minusforthreadtolerances,andthematerialthatisthreadedhasspecificationsforhardness,smoothness,andsurfacefinish.Whattheoriginaldrawingslackedwasahard-and-fastrequirementthatthe

threadsbeaxialandconcentric.Thatis,straight.“Isslant-brake,comrade.Threadsarestraightenough.”

ThedifferenceinthreadsbetweentheAK-47andAK-74isobviousonceyoutakeofftheirrespectivemuzzledevices.

respectivemuzzledevices.

ThiswasnodoubtchangedwhentheAK-74camealong,asthebrakehadtobecenteredsothatthebulletwouldn’thitthebrake.Theycutthethreadsonthefrontsighthousing,andmadeitlargeenoughsothebrakebackendwasasimpleopencylinderwiththreadsontheinside.Thismadethethreadedportionofthemountimpossiblylarge.Thethreadsonthefrontsightassemblyare24x1.5R,whichmeanstheyarealmostaninchinnominaldiameter,butatleasttheyareright-handed.(TheRomanians,forreasonsknownonlytothem,used22x1.5R.Gofigure.)ThismakesboththeAK-47andthe74problematic.TheAK-47threads,

translatedtoEnglish,are.551inchesx25.4.Thatisprettyclosetothe ⁄ x28oftheAR-15muzzlethreads,butnotquite.Andthatleft-handedpartisarealproblem.Theissueisthatthosethreadsareona.30caliberbarreland.30-cal.threadsforasuppressor;herein‘Murica,theyaretypically ⁄ x24.Astandarddirect-thread.30suppressorwillsliprightovertheAKthreadsandnoteventouch.Youneedanadapter,whichrisksaddingevenmoredimensionalmisalignmenttothesystem.

1 2

5 8

Scalethisdowntoarifle.ThisiswhatgoesonattheendofyourAKthatyouaretryingtocontaininasuppressor.M109firinginIraq.PhotobyStaffSgt.Cupp

TheAK-74translatesto.945x17.I’mnotsureyoucanevenbuyanEnglish-dimensiontapofthatsize,you’dhavetocutthosethreadsonalathe.That’salotoflathework,butitcan,andhasbeen,done.Whichmeansyoucan’taskasuppressormakertoprovideyouwithaleft-

handmetricthreaddirect-threadsuppressor,unlessyouarewillingtoplaceanorderforenoughofthemtocovertheirset-upcharges.No,youhavetogowitheitheraconversionadapteroraQDmount.Aquick

searchoftheavailablesuppressormakersthatcametominduncoveredanAKmountfromGemtech,fortheirSandstormsuppressors.Andforadapters,I’vefoundtwosources—InnovativeArmsandMountingSolutionsPlus.

IttakesextraworktoinstallasuppressoronanAK.EspeciallytheAK-74,wherethemuzzlebrakethreadsaresowideandodd.It’sbesttofindanotherbrakeandstartworkingonthelathe.

BARRELDIAMETERThebarreldiameterontheAK-74isnotanissue.Thefrontsightassembly

holdsthethreads,sothere’snoproblem,right?Well,notlikethe’47,butwe’llgettothat.ThebarreldiameterontheAK-47isskinny.Ijusttookapairofdigital

caliperstoanarrayofmyAKs,andthediametersmeasuredfrom.580to.630inches,buttheimportantpartisthatthethreadsextendallthewaybacktothefrontsighthousing.Thatmeansthereisn’tashoulderagainstwhichthemountorsuppressorcanbottomout.Thereistheverticalsurfaceofthefrontsighthousing,anditsspring-loadedlockingplungerfortheslantbrake.Youcan’ttorquethecantightagainsttherearofthethreads,asyoucanonan

AR.IfthethoughtofthethreadsonanAKmuzzlebeingaxialandcenteredisoptimistic,thenthehopethatthefrontfaceofthefrontsighthousingis

perpendiculartotheaxisoftheboreishallucinatory.ThebigproblemwiththebarrelontheAK—boththe47and74—isthatit

islightweight.Thatmeansitflexeswhenyoushoot.I’veseenenoughhigh-speedvideoofAKsfiringtohavenoticedhowthebarrelbends,andspringsbackandforth.Sowhat’stheproblemwiththatifasuppressorisattached?Well,let’ssupposethebarrelhasflexed,reachingitsmaximumdeflectionjustatthemomentthebulletexitsthemuzzle.Onceout,thebarrelmovementcannolongerinfluencethebullet’spath.Canthebarrelflexbackintothepathofthebullet?Goodquestion.Alittleback-of-the-envelopecheckingmightgiveusahint.Let’sassumethebarrelflexes0.010inches.Thesuppressorissixincheslong.Thebulletwillleavethesuppressor0.00023secondsafteritleavesthemuzzle.Thesuppressorwouldhavetobevibrating0.010inchesin0.00023seconds,or12,000rpm,tomovebackintheway.So,highlyunlikely.Itmaynotbeenoughtocauseabafflestrike,butitcanbeenough,

consideringtheaddedweightofthesuppressor,tocauseazeroshift.Sincethat’swhatwe’reheretotest,oncewe’velaidoutallthedetailsofthesituationwe’lltestthatout.

Thisiswhatcanhappenifyoursuppressorisnotproperlyaligned.Don’tbethisguy.

AKGASSYSTEMAsdiscussedelsewhere,theAKsystemisgrotesquelyover-gassed.Fromthe

perspectiveofanend-userinterestedinusingasuppressor,itventstheexcessgasearlyinthesystemcycle,whenitisstillatarelativelyhighpressure.That

limitsjusthowquietyoucanmakeanAK,butyoustillcanmakeitquieterthanitwouldbeotherwise.

MOUNTINGTheprocessisprettysimple,evenifitisnotatallwhatyou’dexpect,having

workedwithARsandotherrifles.Thefirstthingyouhavetorealizeisthatyouhavetogiveupontheusualmethods.YouarenotlikelytofindadirectthreadsuppressorwithAKthreads.So,thatmeansyouneedanadapter,orametric-threadedQDmount.

MOUNTINGSOLUTIONSPLUSMountingSolutionsPlusmakesathreadedmuzzledeviceadapterfortheAK.

TheMDAhas14x1Lthreadsontheinside,and ⁄ x24Rthreadsontheoutside.Here’sthecatch:thecompanycannot,doesnot,andwillnotendorseitsusewithsuppressors.Thevariablesaretoomany,andtoogreat,forthemtodoanythingbutsay“Nope,noway.”That’sbecauseoftheunknownsinvolvedwhenremovingtheslantbrake,

screwingontheadapter,andtorquingitupagainstthefrontfaceofthefrontsighttower.Therearethreevariablesatworkhere—alignmentofthethreads,centerednessofthethreads,andthesquarenessofthefrontsightfrontface.Ifanyofthemisofftoofar,yourbulletswillhityoursuppressor.Iftheyarealloff,youcouldhaveyoursuppressorlaunchedononeshot.Or,theycouldcounteracteachother,andyou’dendupwithacenteredsuppressor.MountingSolutionsPluscan’tcontrolanyofthesevariables,norcantheypredictthem.Sotheyrightfullytellyoutonottryit.However,ifyou’regoingtotryit,usetheGeisseleAlignmentRod.Makesuretherifleisunloaded.InstalltheMountingSolutionsPlusadapter.

SlidetheAlignmentRoddownthebore,screwthesuppressorontheadapter.Tilttherifle,andlettheRodslideforward,outofthesuppressor.Stopitasitbeginstoexit,andstudythealignment.Geisselehasthreeclassesofalignment:CompletePass,PartialFail,CompleteFail.ACompletepassisobvious;therod

5 8

CompletePass,PartialFail,CompleteFail.ACompletepassisobvious;therodpassesthroughthefrontfaceofthesuppressorinexactcenteredness.

MountingSolutionsPlusmakesnoguarantees,andifsomethinggoeswrongtheywon’thelp.You’vebeenwarned.Butyoualsocanmeasurebeforeyoushoot.

You’vebeenwarned.Butyoualsocanmeasurebeforeyoushoot.

WithaCompletePass,youareprettysurethingswillworkjustfine.Yes,thebarrelmightflexenoughtocauseastrike,buttheoddsaremorelikelythatithappensbecauseyoudon’tkeepthingstight.APartialFailiswherethealignmentrodtouchesthebaffleasitpasses

through,orleavesthefrontfaceoff-centerbutnottouching.Therearesomewhowillacceptanot-touching-but-off-centeralignment,andbehappy.Imight,onariflewithamorerigidbarrel.OnanAK,Iwon’t.ACompleteFailmeansthesuppressorissomisalignedthattherodcan’t

comeallthewayoutwithgravity.Don’teventhinkaboutshootingthissetup.So,ifyouinstalltheMountingSolutionsPlusMDAonyourriflewitha

suppressor,andyougetaCompletePass,youcangoahead,butneitherMountingSolutionsPlusnorIwillsayitisOK.Justthatthingslineup.Andguesswhat?IfyoutaketheverysameMDAoffthatrifle,andinstallitonthenextrifleinyourrack,guesswhattheoddsareyou’llgetanotherCompletePass?That’sright,arollofthedice.Ifyoufindasetupthatfits,aligns,andworks,stickwithit.Don’tgoputtingitonanotherrifle,orloaningthepartstoyourfriend.You,orhe,mightnotbesohappysoonafter.Allthatsaid,ifyouwanttomountanactualflashhidertoyourAK,theMDA

isjusttheticket.It’savailableinblackoxideandstainlesssteel.

HereisthestainlessadapterfromMountingSolutionsPlusinplace.Willitwork?Thatdepends.

Itlooksright,butlookscanbedeceiving.WithouttheGeisseleAlignmentRod,youarejustguessing.Guessingisbad.

INNOVATIVEARMSInnovativeArmsalsomakesadedicatedadapterforsuppressorsonAKs.

And,likeMountingSolutionsPlus,theymakenoguarantees.Itisuptoyoutomeasure,gauge,andcheckalignment.Ifthingsareallcentered,havefun.Ifnot,don’tdoit.Andifyoudo,don’tsaywealldidn’twarnyou.

GEMTECHTheGemtechmountisatwo-lugdesignfortheHVTandQuicksand

suppressors.Thesuppressorrearcaphasasocketthatiscuttoacceptthetwolugs,whicharenotofthesamesize.Thatway,youcanonlyinstallthesuppressoroneway.Toinstall,pushthesuppressorontothemountuntilyoufeelthespringpressure,thenturntolockandletgo.Thespringpushesthesuppressorforward,andthelugspreventthesuppressorfromturningandunlocking.Toremove,waitforittocool(youlaugh,butpeopleforget)pressthesuppressorin(compressingthespring),rotateandpullforwardoff.It’ssimple,easy,anddependentonthebarrelacceptingthemount,squareand

straight.OnedetailinwhichtheGemtechmountdiffersfromtheadaptersisthatitismachinedtobottomoutonthebarrelcrown,notthefrontsighthousing.

PartialFail.TheGeisselerodisrubbingthefrontcapedge,andthatisnotagoodsign.Iwon’tshootthiscombo.

TheGemtechtwo-lugmountbottomsoutagainstthemuzzlecrown,notthefrontsighthousing.

TESTINGThefirstthingtodoistotrytheadaptersandmountsonrifles,with

suppressors,andcheckalignment.ThemountsandadaptersI’vementionedarefortwosuppressors—the.30AmtacSBR762,acompactdirect-thread,andtheGemtechQuicksand,aprimo.30madewithatwo-lugrearcap.Itriedthemonacross-sectionof7.62AKs;theCenturyArmsCenturion,CenturyArmsC39V2,aHungarianmilledreceiverAK,IEWIAce,andasacheckbackintothemistsoftime,myRomanianAKM.Theresultswerealloverthemap,andlaidoutbelow.OnethingIfound,

whichwasaratherstartlingsurprise,wastheradicallyoff-axisthreadsoftheRomanianAK.Asmentionedabove,Geissele’sAlignmentRodmeasuresthreeclassesoffit—Pass,PartialFailandCompleteFail.Well,withtheRomanianAKwehavetoaddafourthclass:EpicFail.WhenitcametimetotrytherodintheRomywithoneoftheMountingSolutionsPlusadapters,Icouldnotforcetherodfullyintothesuppressorandbore.Well,atleastnotwithoutbendingthe

rodmorethanIfeltwaswise.Lookcloselyatthephoto.Atthatpoint,Icouldpointtheriflestraightdownandshakeit,andtherodwouldnotfallout.Ouch.

NotethegapbetweentheGemtechmountandthefrontsight.Thisissupposedtobethisway.

Anotherpartialfail.Atthisrate,willanythingwork?

Success!Thispasses,anditworks.

Wow,simplywow.Thisfailedsobadlywehadtocomeupwithanewterm,the“EpicFail.”

Viewatextversionofthistable

CHAPTER14AKMAGAZINES

ASELF-LOADINGRIFLETHATLACKSAmagazineisnotveryuseful.Oh,inanemergency,anyfirearmisbetterthannone,butyoureallycan’ttakeadvantageofthetacticalanddesignadvancesofaself-loadingfirearmwithoutamagazine.TheAKmagisknownasadouble-stack,double-feeddesign.Thatis,the

cartridgesareheldinthemagazineside-by-side,alternatingly.Byalternatingly,Imeantheyarenestled,andnotdirectlyside-by-side,likethoseannoyingpedestriansonthesidewalkaheadofyou,whoarewalkingmoreslowlythanyouareandstaringattheirphones.Double-feedmeanstheystripoffonefeedlip,alternatingfromonesidetothe

otherandback.Thegapbetweenthetwofeedlipsiswiderthanacartridge,butsincethenextroundinlineisbearingagainstthetoproundfrombelowandtheside,theydon’tjuststreamoutallatonce.ThisdesignaspectwasperfectedbyPeterPaulMauser,forthe1898Mauser.EarlierMausers,andcompetingrifles,hadusedsingle-stackmagazines,withallroundsin-line.Suchadesignmadethestacktaller.Asacomparison,lookatthe1898Mauserandthe1889BelgianMauser.Thecartridgesareessentiallythesameasfarasfeedingisconcerned,buttheBelgianhasasteelboxbelowthestock,wherethe1898doesnot.Andyettheyholdthesamenumberofrounds.

Magazinesusedtobemetal,untilMagpul.Beforethen,plasticmagazineswereshoddy.Nowtheyaredurable,andthenewstandard.

The7.62x39cartridgeistaperedand,whentheroundsstack,theyalsoarc.Theradiusofthestackedcartridgesismatchedexactlybythecurvatureofthemagazinetube.Thisleadstothedistinctiveshape.WhentheAKwasbeingdeveloped,stampedsteelmanufacturingwasstilla

relativelynewthing.Well,itwasanewthingforfirearmsmanufacturers,atleastoutsideoftheU.S.Pressed-steelpartshadbeenanormalwayofmanufacturingfortheautomobileindustryforacoupleofdecadesbythen.Also,stampedsteelmagazineshellsforpistolshadbyWWIIbecomeadirtcommonitem.TheapplicationofstampingtechnologyintheU.S.waslimitedtoclipsfortheM1Garand(whichweremadeinthemillions)andmagazinesfortheM1Carbineand1911A1.Wedidn’tdelveintopressed-steelmanufacturingforfirearms

and1911A1.Wedidn’tdelveintopressed-steelmanufacturingforfirearmsproper(withthenotableexceptionoftheLiberator,asingle-shot.45pistol)becausewedidn’tneedto.

Thisshooterhasaslinglashedaroundthewristofhisstock,whichworksjustfineonanAK.He’salsoholdingthemagazine.Ifitworks,doit.

ThisIraqisoldierinTahrirhasanAKwithaPolish(orEastGerman)sidefolderonit.Notehisfingerisstraight,andhissafetyison.Goodhabits.PhotobyAirForceStaffSgt.StacyL.Pearsall

OnceweenteredWWII,theU.S.automakersproceededtostampoutcars,trucks,andaircraftattheliteralrateof“theycan’tblowthemupasfastaswecanmakethem.”Whenitcametimetomakerifles,post-war,westuckwithwhatworked—makingriflesbymachiningforgedblocksofsteel.Wedid,however,makethemagazinesforthoseriflesoutofsteelstampings.ButtheapproachestakenbytheSovietUnion,andtheUSA,differedgreatly.TheM14magazineholds20rounds.Itisstraight,inpartbecausethecartridge

itholds,the7.62x51or7.62NATO,doesnottaperanythingliketheAKround.Also,at20rounds,thetaperofprettymuchanycartridge—withtheexceptionofthe8mmLebel—wouldnotrequireacurvedmagazine.At20rounds,themagazinedoesnotrequireahugelyrobustspringwithwhichtoliftthecartridgestack.Also,thestateofengineeringexpertiseintheU.S.,vis-à-visstamping,meantthatwecouldstampspringsteel,anddependonthestampingprocessto

meantthatwecouldstampspringsteel,anddependonthestampingprocesstoworkhardenandproduceaproductthathadthedesiredpropertieswithoutextrasteps.

TheMagpulRangerPlatereplacesthestandardbaseplate,andmakeswrestlingamagazineoutofapouchaloteasier.

Somemagshavearoundedreinforcement,othersafinformedbytheshellhalvesbeingbentandwelded.

IfyouneedtostripandcleanyourAKmags(arareevent)thenthisiswhereyoustart,atthebaseplate.

Asaresult,theM14magazine,forthestoutcartridgeitholds,doesnothavetobegrotesquelyover-engineered.Asanexample,thefeedlipsoftheM14magazinearethesamethicknessasthesidewallsofthetube.Theydonotneedextralayersofsteel,nordotheyhavetobeweldedtothebackofthetube,orotherextrameasures.TheAKmagazine,ontheotherhand,isaproductoftheSovietsystem.

Despitetheever-arrivingFive-YearPlans,thequalityofSovietsteelwasonlymatchedbyitsvolume.Asin,theyalwaysfellbehindthegoals.Asaresult,thecleverdesignersandengineersoftheKalashnikovprogramdesignedthevariouspartsoftherifleandmagazinewithoneideainmind:thesteelmakerswouldlie.Now,thingslikethethicknessofthesheetsteelbeingprovidedcaneasilybechecked.Anyonewithadialcaliperscanfigureoutifthedeliveredsteelcoilsmeetspecificationforthicknessornot.“Don’tsignuntilyou’vemeasured”isan

meetspecificationforthicknessornot.“Don’tsignuntilyou’vemeasured”isaneasypolicytoimplement.Butalloyingconstituents?Hardness?Crystallinestructure?Theserequirea

testlabandtime,andnooneisgoingtowaitthefewdaysittakestodetermineifthesteelmeetsthosespecs.So,whilethetestingandmodelingindicatesyoucouldmake(justasanexample)thestampedreceiveroutofa0.8mmsheetofproperalloy,youorder1mm-thicksheets,becauseeveniftheysendyoucrappysteel,therifleswillstillwork.AndthatiswhytheAKmagazineiswhatitis.Thetubeisseveralsheetsof

steel,pressedintocorrugationforrigidity.(Youcanmakesoftsteelrigidifitisridged,butyoucanonlymakesmoothsteelrigidifitisaheat-treatedalloy.)Thespineisfoldedandleftstandinginsomeversionsforextrarigidity,orgivenarounded“hump”downitslengthforthesamereason.Thefeedlipsandlockingtabsaremorethanrobust,theyareridiculouslysturdy.Becausetheyhavetobe.

TheAKmagasoriginallymadeisunbelievablysturdy.Andheavy.Ithasenoughsteelinittomakeanotherfirearm,oratleast,astampedreceivershell.

Asaresult,theAKmagazine,asitwasoriginallyproduced,isheavy.Let’stakealookattheoriginaldesign,fromapartsandmanufacturingviewpoint.Thetubeisapairofmirror-imaged,asymmetricsheetmetalstampings.The

sectionsarepresscutoutofacontinuouscoilwiththeribspressedintotheblanksastheblanksarecookie-cutterpunchedoutofthesteel.Theyareoverlappedonthelipsandspotweldedtogether.Thebottomedgeshavethelips

pressedouttocreateflangesoverwhichthebaseplateslides.Thetopendfeaturesthefrontlockingbracket.Thisisalipofheavygauge

steel(muchheavierthanthetubesteel)thatispunchedwiththeopeningforthelatchclearance,andthefrontlipbenttocreatealargeroverlapforasecurehold.Thisheavypieceisspotweldedtothefrontofthetube,atthetop.Onthebackendwehavethemagazinelatchanchorplate.Thisappearson

manyversionstobeacasting.Itwasclearlymuchmorecost-effective(IalmostchuckledcoffeeoutontothekeyboardwhenItypedthat—cost-effectiveness,inacommunistcommandeconomy)tocastitthantomachinetheanchorplatefromabarofsteel.Consideringhowmuchoftherestofthemagazineandtherifleitselfiscomposedofstampings,Ihavetofigurethattherewasaveritablecareer’sworthofR&Dpouredintotryingtomaketheanchorplateastamping,andallfornaught.Thiscastingisalsospotweldedtothetube.

Therearlatchisacasting,andastoutone.

Atthetop,thefeedlipsofthetubeitselfarereinforcedwithapairofheavysideplates,platesthatarebentupandoverthefeedlips.Thisdoesanumberofthings.First,itreinforcesthefeedlipssotheycanreliablypositionanddirectthecartridges.Second,theyreinforcethetopofthemagazinetube,tokeepitfromspreadingunderthespringloadofthecartridges.Theforceofthespring,pushingtheroundsup,putsaloadonthefeedlips.Iftheybend,theyfail.Iftheydonotbend,theloadistransferredlaterally,causingthemagazinetoswell.Thetopplatesbothkeepthelipsfrombending,andthetubefromswelling.Theyare,

topplatesbothkeepthelipsfrombending,andthetubefromswelling.Theyare,youguessedit,spotweldedtothetube.ThefirstoneIpickeduphadagrandtotalof40spotweldsonit.

ThetopendoftheAKmaghasreinforcingplatesprettymuchallthewayaround.

Quickindustrialprocessbriefingonspotwelding.Youcanattachtwopiecesofmetalwithwelding,providedyoucangenerateenoughheatwhereyouwantthembonded,bymeltingthemintoeachother.Solderislikeglue,itbindstobothpartsandholdsthemtogether.Weldingismeltingthetwo,atleastpartially,andlettingthemmixandcool.Thetrickisinknowingwhatmetalsofwhat

andlettingthemmixandcool.Thetrickisinknowingwhatmetalsofwhatthicknesses,needwhattemperaturesforwhatlengthoftime.Spotweldingiswhereyoutakeapairofbigelectrodes(usuallycopper)thatlooklikehugebeetlepincers.Youholdthetwopiecesofmetaltogether,thenpressthetwocopperelectrodestotheparts,andforashorttimepumpaverylargeelectricalloadthroughtheelectrodes.Steeldoesnotconductelectricitynearlyaswell;theresistancethesteelpresentstotheflowofelectricitycreatesheat;andatahighenoughtemperature,themetalofthetwopartsflowtobondwitheachother.

Thevariousbitsandpiecesareheldonwithlargespotwelds.

Thereisalimittohowthickthepiecescanbe.Also,youhavetobeabletofitthepartsbetweenthejawsoftheelectrodes.And,youhavetoopen,close,heat,stopheat,open,move,andrepeatforeachweld.40spotweldspermagazine?ComparethistotheUSGIaluminummag,inwhichapairofaluminumhalves

arestampedandribbed.Theyreceiveadozenspotwelds,andtheshapeandsizeofthetubemeansyoucanprobablygangweldthem—meaningafixturethatholdstheparts,andappliessixorsevenspotweldingelectrodepairsallatonce.Onthe20-roundmagazinesthefeedlipswereunsupported,andindeedneedednoextrasupport.The30-roundmagazines,duetotheextraweightofthe

noextrasupport.The30-roundmagazines,duetotheextraweightofthecartridgesandtheextraspringpressureneededtoliftthem,havetherearofthefeedlipsweldedtothespineofthetube.

Thefrontlatchislargeenoughtobeimpervioustowear.

Thefeedlipreinforcementsaretubetopexpansioninhibitors.Thisthingcouldbeabackupweapononitsown.

Thefrontofthemagazinetubehasnolessthanninespotwelds.Theremaybeanotheroneortwounderneaththefrontattachmentbracket.

TheendresultisamagazinefortheAR-15thatisalotfasterandlessexpensivetomanufacturethantheAK-47mag.Thereisalsothematterofweight.AsteelAKmagazineweighs11.7ouncesempty.AUSGI30-roundARmagazineweighs3.9ounces.WhentheSovietshadenoughmagazinesinthepipeline,theybegantheR&D

toreplacethemwithsomethingsturdier,lessexpensive,andlighter.TheresultwastheBakelitemagazines.NotactuallyBakelite,butaresinmoldingoverasteelskeleton,theyarelighter,lesslikelytorust,andmorecommonlyseenintheAK-74.But,oneoftheproblemswiththecommiemagsisthattheywereimported.

Yes,theywerecheapwhentheyweresurplus,butthesupplycouldbecutoffatanytime.So,theonlysurpriseattheappearanceofU.S.-mademagazineswasinhowlongittook.

MAGPULAvailableinbothAK-47andAK-74versionsandintwocolors(inthe7.62

30-roundmodel)plus10-,20-and30-roundcapacities,theMagpulAKmagisalreadyintothethirdgenerationofproduction.Foradollarpermagazineless,youcangettheMagpulMOE.Whatisthedifference?Theybothhavethefour-wayanti-tiltfollower,stainlesssteelsprings,andGod-knows-whatMagpulpolymer.TheGen3magssportsteelreinforcementsonthelockingtabandalongthefrontfaceofthetube,partwaydownitslength.Theoriginaldesignwasallpolymer.Ihaven’theardoflegionsofMagpulAK

magsdisintegratingasaresult,butwhenitcomestoAKs,theendusersfeelstronglyaboutsteel.Asin,itmustbesteel,atleastonthewearpoints.So,MagpulmadetheGen3magswithsteelinside.Doesitmatter?Probablynot,butsteelisavailableifthat’syourthing.You

cansaveabuckamagandusetheMOEastrainingmagazines,orjustponyup

cansaveabuckamagandusetheMOEastrainingmagazines,orjustponyupanextradollarandtrainwithallyourmagazinesasregularmags.MagpulalsomakesextrasfortheirAKmags.Youcanslaptwotogether,

usingtheMagpulcoupler,whichholdstwomagazinesside-by-side.Thisdoesmakethemaratherbulkypackage,soyou’llprobablydothiswithjusttwo.Thatway,youhave60roundsontherifle.Therestofyourmagazines,inpouchesorthevest,willbeindividualones,becauseyoucan’tgetapouchorvestwithpocketsbigenoughtoholdacoupledpairofmags.

Magpulmagazinescomeinvaryingsizes,capacities,calibersandcolors.

Youcangetreplacementbaseplatesforyourmagazines,incaseyoubangup,breakorloseoneormoreoftheplates.Youcanalsogetsand-coloredplates,andinstallthemonyourheavy-weartrainingmags,andleavethego-tomagsallblack.Or,optforRangerPlates,whicharebaseplateswithabuilt-inhandletomakeiteasiertohaulthemoutofavestorpouch.Asabonus,thehandleisangledsothebaseplaterestslevelontheground,whenyouusethemagazineasamonopod.

OnethingMagpulisn’tshyabout,andthat’smarkingmagazines.TheseAKmagsnotonlytellyouwhattypeandwhatcaliber,there’samolded-inindicatorofyearandmonthofmanufacture.

MOEmagazineshaveaplasticlatch,M3magsmetal.Metalcostsadollarmore.

TAPCOTheTapcoIntrafusemagazinesarealsopolymerconstruction,withasteel

baseplate.UnlikeMagpul,whichfeatureswhateversuper-secretpolymerformulatheirmadscientistshavecomeupwith,Tapcoisoldschoolchemistry.Theyuseglass-fillednylon,whichhasaproventrackrecordoverdecadesofuse.Theybuildonthestrengthofthenylonwithaggressiveribbingontheexterior,providingasecurehold,andaddingstiffnessandstrengthtothetube.

CAACAAoffers30-roundAKmagazinesmadeoutofpolymerwithaninteresting

addition—acartridgewindow.Theyalsohaveatexturedsurfaceforeasygripping,andtheobligatoryanti-tiltfollower.Whattheydon’tsayisthattheyaremadeintheUSA.Themagazines,liketherestofthegear,aremadeinIsrael.Ifthismatterstoyou,thenitmatters.Ifitdoesn’t,thenyouhaveanother

Ifthismatterstoyou,thenitmatters.Ifitdoesn’t,thenyouhaveanothersupplierofpolymer7.62AKmags.Theydon’toffer5.45magazines.

U.S.-MADEMAGAZINESNotonlydoesmanufacturinghereintheU.S.meanthatthesupplycan’tbe

cutoffwithjustasignature,buttherearethreepartsofthemagazinethatcounttowardyourU.S.-made922(r)compliancetotal.Ofcourse,youmusthaveonlyU.S.-mademagazinesinyourinventory,otherwiseshouldyouinadvertentlyuseanimportedmaginaborderline922rifle,you’dtechnicallybeinviolation.But,giventhecostanddurabilityoftheU.S.-mademagazines,whywouldyouhaveanyheavy,rustyoldcommiemags?

CAAmagazinesfeatureaviewwindowtoseehowmanyroundsareleft.It’sabouttimesomeonediditfortheAK.

diditfortheAK.

TheAKmagisclearlyontheleft,thecurvegivesitaway.

CLEANING&MAINTENANCEForpolymermagazines,maintenanceiseasy.Prettymuchsummedupby…

youdon’tneedto.Innormaluse,aslongasyoudon’tletbigchunksofgunkfallin,theydon’tneedanyhelp.Ifyoudropyourmagazineinsandyormuddyplaces,youmightfindaquickstripandscrubisinorder.Thedesignmakesiteasy,anditshouldn’ttakemorethanaminutepermagazine.

MAGAZINEEXTRASAsmentioned,therearemagazinecouplerslikethosefromMagpul,whichlet

youboltapairofmagazinestogether.Butwhatshouldyougettofacilitatespeedloading?SolarTacticaltotherescue.

SOLARTACTICALMFERTheSolarTacticalMFERisabolt-onmagazinefunnelthatspeedsreloads.It

attachestothebottomofthereceiverwithanattachedlip,andclampingscrews.Madeofblackpolymer,itwillnotlookoutofplaceonyourAK.OK,therearetheusualcaveats.Itworksbestonstampedreceiver7.62s,Yugoincluded.Itcanworkonmost74s,butyou’llhavetomakesomemodifications.ItwillneedsomemodificationtoworkwiththeM92,socontactSolarTacticalwhenyouorder,sotheycanmakethemods.Onceinstalled,theMFERisanaddedfunnel,awideropeningforyour

magazinetohit.Ofcourse,youstillhavetohavethemagazineverticaltothereceivertorockitintoplace,butthefunnelgetsyoutherefaster.

TheCzechsgotonethingright;theymadethemagazinesfortheirVZ58withabolthold-open,sowhenitrunsdryyouknow.

ArmyStaffSgt.JasonLyday(left)instructsIraqiArmysoldiersonmuzzledisciplinepriortoenteringaroomduringadryrunofclosequartersbattleatweaponsclassonForwardOperationsBaseMcHenry,Iraq,onNov.23,2005.Lydayisattachedtothe101stAirborneDivisionofFort

Campbell,KY.DoDphotobyTech.Sgt.AndyDunaway,U.S.AirForce.(Released)

CHAPTER15TESTINGTHEAK

YOUCOULDBETEMPTEDTOBUYARIFLEinastoreoratagunshowbutwonderwhatyoushouldlookforbeforehandingoveryourcash.OrbeunsureofhowtothoroughlyassessyourownhandmadeAKbeforeit’sbeenshot.We’llstartfirstwithbuyingone,andthenmoveontotestingyours,andwhattodoattherange.

INSPECTINGAKSFORSALEFirst,makesureitisn’tloaded.Oh,don’tbesotouchy.You’regoingtohear

thatfortherestofyourlife,let’smakesureitisalongone,andnotashortonebecauseyougottestyoverbeingreminded.Besides,thinkhowlousyitwouldlook,carvedonthefaceofyourgravestone:“Hethoughtitwasempty.”Now,atgunshowstodayitiscommontousecabletiestokeeptheactions

shutonfirearms.Theideacomesfromtwodifferentdirections.One,thedealerswhowanttokeepthenon-buyingnoobsfromhandlingthemerchandise,andinsodoingputtingwearandtearonit.Theword“shopworn”comesfromjustthat—goodsthatshowwearfromhavingbeenhandledbywould-bebuyers.Theimpulseisunderstandable,andIcancommiseratewiththedealers.Thesecondcomesfromthemoronicpeoplewhothinkthatbylockingafirearmtheycanprecludeidiotsfromgettingaroundintothechamber.Unsafepeoplearegoingtobeunsafe,regardlessofwhatyoudo.Otherthankeepinganeyeonthem,youcan’tkeepthemfrombeingunsafe.So,thereyouare,witha“banded”rifleyouwanttobuy,butnotwantingto

endupwithapiginapoke.Whattodo?Simple,getthedealertoremovetheband.Understand,oncehecutstheband,you’veboughttherifle,unlessyoufind

band.Understand,oncehecutstheband,you’veboughttherifle,unlessyoufindsomethingsoegregiousthatthesaleisobviouslyoff.Ifthegunshowrulesareabsolute—nocabletiescanbecut—thenmysuggestionistomoveon.Letthemanagementknowwhyyoudidn’tbuyanythingtherethistrip,won’tbuyanythingthereeveragain,andwon’tbeback.Leave,anddon’tbetemptedbackuntilyouhearwordthepolicyhasbeenchanged.Tocheckthegunout,startbymovingtheselectordowntofireandworkthe

action,makingsureitisn’tloaded.Removethetopcover,takeouttherecoilspringandsetthemaside.Pullthecarrierbackandliftitout.Lookinside.Areallthepartsthere?Doyouseesignsofwork?Irefertothisstageofinspectionaslookingfor“hammermarksandtiretracks.”

Youownmorethanonemagazine?Testthemall.Youownmorethanonerifle?Testthemall,withallthemagazines.Yes,ittakesammo,buthey,you’regettingpractice,right?

withallthemagazines.Yes,ittakesammo,buthey,you’regettingpractice,right?

Itemslikethe45-roundAPK-74magazinesarefun,buttheydohavedrawbacks.Like,howdoyougopronewithamaglikethis?

Putyourthumbinfrontofthehammer.Pullthetriggerandcatchthehammer.Whileholdingthetriggerback,pushthehammerbacktocatchitonthetriggerhooks.Letgoofthehammer.Noweaseoffofthetrigger.Thehammershouldcatchfromonehooktothenext.Ifitdoesn’t,thepartsareeithermodified,orthepivotpinholeshavebeendrilledinthewrongspots.Ifyou’recurious,looktoseewhichitmightbe.Inanycase,itisarifleyoudonotwanttobuy.However,ifthehammerortriggershowobviousDremeltoolmarks,thenyoucanbargainitdowninpriceduetotheobviousmalfunction,andpluginnewpartslater.Justgetthepricedownbyatleastthecostofnewparts.Lookdownthebore.Isitbright,shiny,withsharprifling?Good.Ifnot,

bargainthepricedownmore.Ifthesellerinsiststhatit’sjustresiduefromtestfiringandyoulikethatparticularmodeloritsfeatures,insistonabrushandpatchtocleanitout.Here’syourclue:ifthepatchcomesoutblack,itispowderresidue.Ifitcomesoutbrown,you’reprobablylookingatrust.

Ifyouhaveoptics,installandtest.Don’ttakeitforgrantedthatthescopeisalreadyzeroed,orthebasewell-alignedsothescopehasenoughadjustmentrangetogetyouonthepaper.

Ifyouhavethetime,takethegastubeoffandlookatthepistonwhileyou’reatit.ArustygastubeisalmostrequiredonanAK,butarustedpistonisnot.Ifthepistonhasabrownresidueonit,anditdoesnotwipeoff,itisn’tchromed,andprobablyisn’tstainless,either.Ifeverythingchecksout,askaboutaguarantee,getareceipt,andpay.

TESTFIRING

TESTFIRINGYou’reattherange,andyouwanttoshootyournewrifle.Boughtor

homebuilt,followthesameprocess.Getsettledonthebenchwithyourammo,rifle,spottingscope,softdrink,etc.andgetcomfortable.Loadoneroundintoamagazineandinsertthemag,keepingthemuzzlepointeddownrange.Workthecarrierhandle.Settleinandfirethatroundatyourtarget.Looktoseeifitcameclosetoyourpointofaim.Studytheejectionporttomakesurethehammeriscocked.Ifthehammerisn’tcocked,yourrifle“follows,”andwillneedgunsmithing.Ifthehammerstayedcocked,loadtworoundsandfirethem.Onceyou’re

certainthehammerandtriggerworkastheyaresupposedto,loadupandshoottoyourheart’scontent.Testallyourmagazines.Don’tassumethatjustbecausetheyare“commie-made”thattheyareinfallible.Anddon’tassumethatonemag,testedinaparticularrifle,willworkinallyourrifles.Ihavesomemagazinesthatarecrankyinsomegunsbutnotothers.Ihavethechoiceofeitherselling/tradingthemoff,ormarkingtheminsomewaytoletmeknow.You’llalsowanttomarkyourmagazines.Ifyougotoamatch,orareinaclass,youmightfindthatyou’reonthelinewithothers,andwindupmistakenlypickinguptheirdroppedmagazines,anobviouspotentialforproblems.Youcanusepaintandstencils,paintpensorSharpiebrandmarkers.

Whenyoutestfireforthefirsttime,loadoneround.

Havingsomeonetowatchisagoodthing.Theycantellyouifthereisexcessivemuzzleflash,pluswhereandhowfartheemptiesareejecting.

Ofcourse,inthemidstofallyourhappyblastingthereisthelittlematterofsightadjustment.OntheAK,allsightadjustmentsforzeroingaredonetothefrontsight.The

postitselfscrewsupanddowntochangeelevation.Screwthepostdowntoraisethepointofimpact,uptolower.Thetoolisalittlecirculartabwithapost;itfitsovertheflatsofthefrontsight.Itiscommontouseapairofneedle-nosepliers,buttheyinvariablyfail.Toadjustwindage(left-to-right)drivethepostyouseeinthesidesofthefrontsighthousing.Thispostispress-fit,andIsuspectthatthespecscallforittobeametricsmidgenlargerthantheholeintowhichitallegedlyfits,foritisapaininthebutttomove.ThesightadjustmenttoolisamodifiedC-clamp,inthatthefarsidehasclearanceforthesupposedlymovingbar.I’vefoundthatitisnotuncommonthatyouhavetobashthebarwitha

punchandhammertogetitstarted,thenfine-tune(ifyoucanevenusethatterminthecontextofAKs)tofinishzero.Ifyoufeeltheneed,somewickingLoctitetosecureitonceyou’redonewillkeepitsecure.Whatifthereisn’tenoughadjustment?Thenyouhavethedreaded“tipped”frontsighthousing.Whenmanufactured,thesightwasn’tputondeadvertical.Tosolvetheproblem,driftoutthepins,tapthesighttovertical,checkbyfiring,andthendrilltheholeslarger.Use ⁄ -inchdrillandpins,andLoctiteinplace.Whatifyourriflewon’tfeed?Itcouldbethemagazinesthemselves,thefitof

themagstothereceiver,thebulletguide,theammo,oratwistedreceiver.GettingworkdoneonyourAKcanbeeasyordifficult.IfyouhaveanamebrandAK,thentheimporter,wholesalerorbuilderwillbethebestplacetogo.Ifyoubuiltityourself,you’llhavetoeitherfigureitout,orthrowyourselfonthemerciesofthenearestAKbuilder/gunsmith,whichmaybedifficult,ifyoubuiltfromaflatorachannel.Yes,youcantakeittoagunsmith,butnotallwillacceptit.Somewillturnitdownonthegroundsthatitishomebuiltandtheycannotlegallyacceptit.Don’targue,theywon’trelent.Otherswillrefuseonthequiteunderstandablegroundsthattheywillbasicallyhavetoreviewyourentirebuild,inspecteverything,andthenfigureawaytocorrectwhatevertheyfindwrong.Theycouldendupchargingasignificantfractionofwhattherifleisworth.

1 8

Yes,evenAKsmalfunction.ThisisabrandnewAKthatisbeingjustalittlebitrecalcitrant.

Gunsmithsareleeryoftellingacustomerthattheywillrackupa$200bill,repairinga$350rifle.Mostgunsmithsrealizethatatthatpointthecustomerwillwalk.Theyarethenintheunenviablespotofhavingtobillforthebenchworkandinspectionthey’vedone,andthecustomerfindshimselfpayingatleast$50fornorepairsatallhavingbeendone,andariflethatstilldoesn’twork.So,ifyoufindfewtakerstorepairyourhomebuiltrifle,theyarenot

conspiringagainstyou.Ifyouhaveaworkingrifle,thenyour“testing”fromthenonissimplyamatterofseeinghowmuchammoitwillconsumebeforeitwearsout.TheAKworldisinastateofflux.Wearebeingofferednewversionsofthe

oldrifle,andimprovedversionsthathavehadafreshlook.Everythingischanging.Ideally,I’dbetestingadozen,nay,twodozendifferentAKsmadebydifferentcompanies,withasmorgasbordoffeaturesandapproaches.Well,inan

idealworldwewouldhavedoneallofthisandmoreacoupleofdecadesago,becausethatwasthetimewhenweshouldhavebeenabletolayourhandsonalltheAKsweneededforR&D.But,wecouldn’t.Theyweren’there.Andwhentheybeganpouringin,theoldguard,thehuntersandbullseyetargetshooters,couldn’tbebothered.SoeventhoughtheAKhasnowbeenafixtureintheAmericanshootingscenefor30years,itisonlyrecentlythatithasbeguntogainthekindofacceptancethattheARgotlongago.

Isuspectitisamagazine,oramagazinelocationproblem,withcartridgesthisgrosslyoutofline.

Ifitismadebythehandofman,ithasthepotentialtomalfunction.Hereisabrandnew,brandnameAR-15thatmalfunctionedwithinanhouroftheAKinthischapter.Samerange,same

conditions,etc.

Gunwritershavetodosomestrangethings.HereIamtestfiringanAKwithoutitstopcoverorgastubeinplace.Itworked,butitisjustastunt.

Theironyofthisisthecurrentmakersarealsoinflux.Istartedthisre-writewiththeintentionoftestingaslewofnewrifles.AndwhatIfoundwasthatmanywerehappytosendmearifle…“whentheyweredonewiththeR&D.”Yousee,thefieldofAKmakersisnotpopulated,forthemostpart,withbigcompanies.If(justtonameafew)Ruger,Winchester,Remington,FN,orS&Wwanttohaveaproductreadybyacertaindate,theylayoutaplan.Theyhavepeoplewithbusinessdegreeswhonotonlywereeducatedonhowtodothat,buttheyhavedoneit.Ifitlooksliketheyarefallingbehindintheplan,thebigcompaniescanaddmorepeopletotheproject,inordertogettheextraworkdoneandstayonschedule.Smallcompanies,makerswhohaveaCEO/Presidentandthreeengineers,

noneofwhomhaveanMBA,can’tdothat.Theirstaffislimited.Ifthereisanunforeseenproblem(Yes,Iknow,fromtheDepartmentofRedundancy

unforeseenproblem(Yes,Iknow,fromtheDepartmentofRedundancyDepartment.)theydealwithitasitcomesup,andtheschedulefallsbehind.TheAKmarketislargelysmallcompanies.IhadabunchofAKsplanned,but

anunforgivingdeadline.Themanypromisedriflesendedupnotarrivingintime.So,Ichangedplans.I’llbetestingasmallernumberofAKs,andanSKS,inthisbook.AndI’llbe

usingthemastestbedsforthewarehouseofaccessoriesthathavesprungupfortheAK—accessoriesthatusedtobethesolepurviewoftheAR-15.And,giventhesurgeininterestinsuppressors,I’llbeusingtheseriflesastestbedsforthevarioussuppressorsandmeansofattachment.I‘vehadafewreadersaskmeifIwouldbedoingthesamesortofabusewith

AKsasI’vedoneinthepastwithARs.Theanswerisno,foranumberofreasons.One,I’vealreadybeenthereanddonethat.Ireallydon’tfeeltheneedtosplattermyselfwithoilymudjusttoprovewhatneedsnotbeproven.Second,unliketheAR,theAKhasareputationforreliabilityanddurability,sowhatwouldbethepoint?Andfinally,itwouldnotbenovel.So,Ididn’t.Ijusttestedforthenormallevelofreliability,thatis,IshotthemasmuchasI

couldstand,andnotedthesingularlackofmalfunctions.Itestedthemoffthebench,toseewhatkindofaccuracywecouldexpect.AndItestedthemwithdifferentsightingsystems,toseewhatchangesthatwouldproduce.Allofthiswasfun,asyou’dexpect,andIhopethatfuncomesthroughinthe

writing.Becauseifitdoesn’t,thenIreallyneedtoupmycoffeedoseinthemorning.Offtotherangewego.

CHAPTER16AKREVIEW:

CENTURYARMSC39V2

BACKIN2010,TOOLATEFORTHEFIRSTvolumeofthisbook,CenturyArmscameoutwithabrandnewAK.TheirCenturionwasoneofthefirst,trueMadeintheUSAAKs.TheCenturionwasasolidrifle,andalearningexperienceforCenturyArms.LiketheC39V2testrifleI’llbeplayingwithinthischapter,itwasmadefromamilledreceiver.ButwheretheC39V2isrefined,elegant(foranAK)andgood-looking,theCenturionwas…utilitarian.Bead-blastedtomakethetoolmarksgoaway,doneupwithrailedsynthetichandguard,syntheticfixedstock,andamixtureofpolishedselector,matteparts,andChevronbrake,itwasn’twhatyou‘dcallpretty.But,itwasmadehereintheU.S.,allofit,anditworked.IwroteitupinTacticalRifles,andlikeditsomuchtoldCenturytheyweren’tgettingitback.TheV2isthelatestCenturyArmsAK,andtheevolutionoftheirMadeinthe

USAline.TheC39V2isbuiltonamilledreceiver.(TheyalsohavetheRAS47,madewithastampedreceiver,andproducedintheU.S.)Thereceiverstartsasan11-poundhunkof4140steel,andismachineddowntotheessentialAK-nessofareceiver.Thisincludesthemagazinecuts,SandFmarkings,andtheC39V2logoontherightside.TheedgesoftheC39V2receiverhavebeennicelydehorned.OnethingmanyAKslackisergonomics.Addinsomesharpedges,andsomegunscanberealworktouse.TheC39V2,ontheotherhand,hastheedgesdehornedsoyouaren’tshreddingyourhandswhilehandlingit.Itisanicetouch,andaddstotheclassylooks.Ontheleftside,myC39V2camebare,lackinganopticsmount.Theyhavereceivedsomecriticismforthat,butthe

lackinganopticsmount.Theyhavereceivedsomecriticismforthat,butthemilledvariantAKisnotcommonlyseenwithanopticsmount.Infact,whenthemilledreceiverAKwasenvoguetheveryideaofopticsonariflesuchastheAKwouldhavebeenliterallylaughedat.

TheCenturyisarefined,elegantAK.Youwon’thavetomakeexcusesaboutitsappearanceorperformance.

Ifyouwantanopticsmount,thenthestamped-receiverRAS47fromCenturyistheobviouschoice.Or,ifyouaresufficientlyskilledwithmachinetools,youcaninstallanopticsmountonyourC39V2.Thetruthis,notalotofAKownersareinterestedinmountingopticsontheircommieblaster.Andthosethatdoarelookingmostlyatreddotsights,notmagnifyingoptics.Wecoveredthatintheopticschapter.

TherightsideoftheC39V2.

C39V2,leftside.

Or,youcouldspringfortheplannednewCenturyArmsC39V2SBR.Thatwillhaveabarrelthatis12.4-incheslong,withaCenturyArmsopticsbase/rail.Thecatchis,theCenturyopticsbaseandrailwillonlyworkwiththeCentury-mademountadapter.Thatsoundsbad,buttheCenturymountissolid,anditstoprailallowsyoutoadjusttheopticspositiononthemount.Thesafety/selectorisyourusualbigsheetmetallever,butwithatwist:

Centuryhasdesigneditwithanotchintheupperedge;thisisyourbolthold-opennotch.No,itwon’tlockopenautomaticallywhenempty,butyoucanlockitopenandleaveitthatwayintherack,guncase,orwherever.Thereceiver,bolt,carrierandbarrelwithaccompanyingfurnitureareall

givenablacknitritecoating,foramatteblackfinish.

WhiletheChevronbrakedoesmitigaterecoil,thecostisflash.Icouldseeflashoneveryshot,thecameraonlypickeditupnowandthen.

Thetopcoverisyourbasicstamping,withthereartabholdingitinplace

beingstandard.Noextraplungersorshelveshere.Therearsightisalsostandard,withtheregularopennotch,withrangeadjustmentsof“S”andnumeralsfrom1to8,indicatinghundredsofmeters.Therearsighttowerholdsthegastubedisassemblylever,keepstheupperhandguardinplace.Thegasblockissculptedtolooklikeaslantblock,butthepinsthatholditinwouldindicatethatitisaverticalgasportdesign.Notthatthegasblockanglematterstothevastmajorityofus.Thefrontsightispinnedinplace,andithastheretainingplungertoholdthemuzzledeviceinplace.CenturyshipstheC39V2withtheirChevronbrake.Thisisamuzzlebrake

withaslimprofileandV-shapedslotstoredirectgasanddampenfeltrecoil.Themuzzleisthreaded14x1L,thestandardAKthreading,soifyouwishtoswapitoutforastandardcommieslantjob,youcan.Thebarrelis16.5incheslong,witha ⁄ twist,andtheboreishard-chromed.

Themuzzlethreadsareun-communist.Thatis,theyareconcentricandaxial.ThatmeansyoucanmountamuzzledeviceordirectlythreadonasuppressorforyourAK(ifyoucanfindonewiththecorrectthreads).ThefurnitureontheC39V2isalsonotverycommunist-like.Itisnicewood.

MostAKscamewithwoodfurniturethatlookedlikeitwasfromthepackingcrateinwhichtheriflewasshipped.Oh,I’msurethetopbrassgotAKswithnicewood,butforthemostpart,itwasplainasdirt.ThewoodontheC39V2isnice.Thestockisheldontothestandardfixedstocktrunnionwithasinglewood

screwfromthetop.Thestockissupportedinthetrunnionbyatenonthatfitsintoasocketinthetrunnion,makingthewholesetupquitestrong.Thebuttplateisasteelstampingwithtwowoodscrews,whiletherearslingswivelhingesandisheldinplacewithyetanotherpairofwoodscrews.Thestockattachmentdesignisdeliberate,andintendedtomaketheC39V2compatiblewithallAKMstocks.Thatis,ifyouwanttoinstallareplacementstockontheC39V2,youjustneedanAKM-fitstock.ThisisaclevermoveonCentury’spart,asthereareaslewofstamped-receiverriflesoutthere,andifastockmakermakesacool

1 10

replacementstock,theywillbeofferingoneforstampedgunsforsure.

Theselectorisstandard,andgoesfromSafetoFire.

Themarkingsareclean,elegant,andnotatallyourtypicaluglymil-specstampings.

ThewoodoftheC39V2isverynice,andthehandguardshavepalmswells.Anicetouch.

ThewoodoftheC39V2isverynice,andthehandguardshavepalmswells.Anicetouch.

Interestingly,thepistolgripisblacksynthetic,withfingergrooves.ThemagazinereleasehasaT-shapedpaddle,andiseasytoactivate.

TheChevronbrakedivertsgas.Unfortunately,there’snotmuchgasfromthe7.62x39todampenrecoil.

Inside,theC39V2usesthenewCenturyArmsRAK-1triggergroup.TheRAK-1isatwo-hookdesign,anditisatruetwo-stagetrigger.Onatwo-stage,thedisconnectornoseactsasatriggerstop.Whenyoupullthetrigger,itslidessmoothlyalongthehammerhooksuntilthedisconnectorcontactstherearedgeofthehammerhookblade.Atthatpoint,thetriggerstops,andyouhavetoadd

pressuretocamthedisconnectorbackagainstitsspringtoreleasethehammer.Thisgivesalight,smooth,easytake-up,followedbyacrispreleasethatisabitheavier.Youendupwithasolidtriggerdesignthatcanwithstandroughhandlingbutprovidesacleanandcrisptriggerpullwhenneeded.Thetriggerisabigbenefitforaccurateshooting,asitmakesgettingtheshotoffwhenyouwantitasnap.ItmaycomeasasurprisetothosewhohaveonlyevershotanAK,butthisisthewayotherrealrifleswork.Well,manyofthem.TheC39V2comeswithapairofMagpul30-roundmagazines.Youwillend

upwithalotmoremagazinesbeforeyouarefullyimmersedintheAK-verse,sojustbitethebulletandbuyafistfulmorewhenyoupickupyourrifle.

Themilledreceiverisfinishedsowelltherearenotoolmarksvisible.ApleasantdifferencefromtheusualAK.

Intesting,thesmallamountofextraweightthemilledreceiveraddedwasabenefit.Notthatthe7.62x39kicksallthatmuch,butwhenyouareworkingonbuildingskillsforfastfollow-upshots,theweightisabonus.TheChevronbrakehelpsabit.Muzzlebrakesworkbydivertinggas.Themoregas,thebettertheywork.Thehigherthepressureofthatgas,thebettertheywork.Thecloserthe

work.Thehigherthepressureofthatgas,thebettertheywork.Theclosertheportsaretothebore,andthesmallertheyare,themoretheywork.Centurydoesalltheycanwithacompactbrake,butthe7.62x39justdoesn’tproducealotofgas,noratahighpressure.Whatitdoesproduce,withsomeloads,isalotofflash.WiththeChevronbrake,ornobrake,Icouldseeflashoneveryshot,eventhoughittookawhileforthecameratohavetherightmomenttocaptureit.ReplacingtheChevronbrakewithaflashhidertookcareofthat.NoknockonCentury,yousimplycan’tgetsomethingfornothing,despite

whatDemocratpoliticiansmaytellyou.Youwantrecoilreduction,yougetflash.Youwantnoflash,youcan’thaverecoilreduction.That’slife.

Themagazinereleasehastwotabs,makingitapaddlerelease.It’seasytogettheemptyoneout.

Fromthebench,thelimitisthesightingsystem—theAKnotchandpost,whichisnotmuchhelp.I’lladmitI’mnotabenchrestkindofshooter,noralong-rangesniperguy.Mylimitwithanotchandpostsetupisrightaround3MOA,andwiththebestammotheC39V2didjustthat.IfIwantedmore,I’dfigureawaytoputmagnifyingopticsontheC39V2,orjustgetaCenturyArmsAKwitharailalreadyonit.

AKwitharailalreadyonit.

TherearsightismarkedSand1to8,fordistance(inhundredsofmeters).

TheC39V2isavailablewithsyntheticfurniture,oneversionsportingtheMagpulMOEAKhardware,theothertheMagpulZhukovset.TheMOEisafixedstock.Thecheekpieceishinged,andinsideisastoragecompartmentwhereyoucanparkacleaningkit.TheZhukovisafoldingstockthatisadjustableforlengthofpull.Youcancollapseitandhavethestandard“thisthingistooshort”AKstocklength,oryoucanextenditandmakeitcomfortablefornormalWesternshooters.ThesestocksarepossiblebecauseCenturydesignedtheC39V2toacceptstamped-receiverstocks.Thefirstmodel,theCenturion,wasabitrough.ButtheC39V2isnotrough,it

iswell-made,cleanlyexecuted,andisarifleyouwillnothavetohideattherange,ordolluptomakepresentable.Ifthereisanythingtocomplainabout,itisthatperhapsCenturyArmshasdonetoogoodajob.TheC39V2issogood-lookingthatIfindmyselfloathetostartmodifyingorupgradingit.Asniceasthewoodis,doIwanttoinstallafoldingstock,orarailedhandguard?Thereceiverhasjusttherightlevelofpolish,andpaintingitinatacti-coolcamopatternwouldbe…unfortunate.Anddrillingthesideforascopemount?I’mnotsureIcanbringmyselftodo

that.Imight,whenallissaidanddone,replacetheChevronbrakewithaslantbrake,orinstallamuzzledeviceforasuppressor.That’saboutallIcanbringmyselftodotoit.Welldone,CenturyArms.

U.S.ArmySgt.Partyka(left)andanIraqiarmysoldierclimbaflightofstairsastheyconductacombinedcordonandsearchmissioninBaghdad,Iraq,onSept.10,2006.PartykaisattachedtoBravoCompany2ndBattalion,1stInfantryRegiment.DoDphotobyMasterSgt.MikeBuytas,

BravoCompany2ndBattalion,1stInfantryRegiment.DoDphotobyMasterSgt.MikeBuytas,U.S.AirForce.(Released)

CHAPTER17AKREVIEW:

KREBSCUSTOM

HOWWOULDYOULIKETOOWNANAKTHAThasbeenworkedoverbyamastergunsmith?Someonewhounderstandseverydetailofit,andcanbuildnotjustaperfectrecreationofaSoviet1959AKM,oranAfghanistan-eraAK-74issuedtoSovietParatroopers,butanAKbuilttobearun-n-guncompetitionspecial?ThenMarcKrebsisyourman.“Krebs,Krebs,thatnamesoundsfamiliar….”Itshould.Backintheearly

1990shewasoneofthepremiercustom1911gunplumbersfortheUSPSA/IPSCcompetitionset.Hebuiltbeautifulracegunsthatnotonlylookedgood,butranlikechamps.But,assomanyofusdo,hegotburnedoutofthegame,anddecidedtoswitchgears.ThegearsheswitchedtoareKalashnikov.Withoutintendingtoinsult,whenKrebswasmakingAKsduringthefirst

book,hewasmakingriflesthatweretoogoodforthemarket.Hewasbuildingnew,improved,updatedandergonomicAKs,atatimewhenthegreatmassofthemarketwantedperiodcorrect.Guyswhowerebuildingintheirgaragewantedone“justlikeSpetsnaz,”nota21st-CenturyAK.Well,themarkethascaughtuptohim.HemakeshisriflesthebestthatanAK

canbe.HebuildsonSaigarifles,madeinIzhmash,Russia,andVepr,bothofwhichareimportedhere.Assuch,they,likeallotherimportedAKs,comeintothecountry“neutered.”Thatis,theyhavethesociallyoffendingaspectsremoved,andthatmeanstheyhavetoberebuilttobringthemuptospec—oratleastthelevelofqualityexpectedbyU.S.buyers.TherifleItestedwasaSaiga,sowe’lldiscussit,andjustmentionthatVepr

TherifleItestedwasaSaiga,sowe’lldiscussit,andjustmentionthatVeprriflesfollowthesameprocess.Let’sfollowthisAKasitgoesthroughtherebuildandupgradeprocessatKrebs,turningaplainSaigaintoaK-AC15Mod2LongUFM.

TheKrebsUFMhandguardallowsyoutouseanormalhandposition.

Ortheextended-armhandposition,yourchoice.

Ortheextended-armhandposition,yourchoice.

MadeinRussiaandimportedasaneuter,theKrebsiscompletelyoverhauledandrebuilt.

Thereddotmount,cantileveredoffoftherearsightblockandoutoftheway.

ThelongUFMshowsupwellhere.TheKrebsisarebuiltandmuch-refinedAK.

OnceaSaigaarrivesatKrebsCustom,thecrewstripitdown,inspecteverythingandmakesureitiswithinthedimensionstheyrequire.Ifitfails,itgoesnofurther,andgetssentbacktotheimporter.Theimportstockisanon-pistolgriptype.Krebsremovestheoldstockand

triggerassembly.Theoldtriggerguardisremoved,andKrebsinstallsareplacementstock,triggerguardandpistolgripbase.Thetriggerguardandpistolgripbasearerivetedinplaceastheywouldhavebeenifnotbuiltfortheimportrequirements—thatis,asnormalAKparts.

TheKrebsMkVIselector,whichyoucanactivatewithyourtriggerfinger.

WhenyouneedtochangetheselectorfromSafetoFire,youcanuseyourtriggerfinger.Andyoudon’thavetoletgoofthepistolgrip.

TherearsightisausefulAR-15A2aperture.

Thestockgetsmorework.Ifthestockorderediscompatiblewiththeexistingtrunnion,thenanewstockgoeson.Ifthestockistobesomethingdifferent,thatcanmeananadapter.Onmytestrifle,itwasaRifleDynamicsM4adapterfastenedtothereartrunnion.ThentheyinstalledanM4buffertubeandtelestock,inthiscaseaMagpulmil-specdiametertubeandaCTRtelestock.IfyouhadorderedyourKrebsCustomAKtohaveafoldingstock,theywouldhaveremovedtheoriginaltrunnionandrivetedinacorrectoneforthefoldingstockyoudesire.ThenewtriggerguardandpistolgripbasereceivedaMagpulMOEpistol

grip.Theoriginaltriggerassemblywentbye-bye,fortworeasons:theoriginaltriggerwasextended,toreachbacktotherearofthereceiverandpositionitcloseenoughtothenon-pistolgripstocksothatyoucouldreachit.And,U.S.-madepartsareinstalledtheretobringthepartscountupandmaketherifle922(r)compliant.ThisgiveKrebsachancetomakethetriggerpullawholelotbetter,by

ThisgiveKrebsachancetomakethetriggerpullawholelotbetter,byinstallinganALGDefensetriggerset.Thattriggerissmoothandlight,andentirelysuitableformarksmanship(versusindiscriminatehosing).

Nosightrailhere,butyoucanhaveoneifyouask.

TheMagpulMOEpistolgrip.

MagpulCTRstockwithaRifleDynamicsadapter.

TheRifleDynamicsadapter,tomountanM4tubetoanAKreceiver.

Thepermanentlyattachedflashhiderextendsthebarreltolegallength.

Whilehewasatit,Krebsswappedouttheoriginalselector/safetyforoneofhisown.TheKrebsMkVI,inthisinstanceforSaiga(hemakesthemforVepr,milledandotherAKvariants)hastwoupgrades.One,ithasabignotchintheupperedge,foruseasabolthold-open.TheAKwon’tlockopen,ever.Notwhenitisempty,notwhenyouusethehold-openlever/button,becausethereisn’tone.What,exactly,Soviettroopersweresupposedtodo,isnotexactlyclear.ThesecondaspectoftheMkVIistheextratab.Locatedwhereyourtriggerfingercanreachit,youcanpushthesafetyonoroffwithouthavingtoletgoofthepistolgrip.Andsincetheyarefittingitintheprocessofrebuilding,theymakeitsmoothenoughsothatyoucanactuallydojustthat—clackitupordownwithafinger.Onthetopofthestampedreceiver,thingsgetevenmoreinteresting.The

coveritselfhasareinforcingplatepermanentlyattached—theKrebswedge-lockrecoilsystem—whichensuresthattherigidcoverhaszeromovement.

lockrecoilsystem—whichensuresthattherigidcoverhaszeromovement.ThatisnecessarybecauseKrebsinstallsanaperturesightonthetoprearofthecover.ThesighthasastandardAR-15apertureandadjustmentknob,inacustomhousingthatispermanentlyattachedtothecover.Forwardofthat,thestandardrearsighthousinghashadtherearsight

removed,andadotplateinstalled,soyoucaninstallacompactreddotsystemandhaveitcowitnesswiththeironsights.ForwardstillisinstalledoneofKreb’sownUFMhandguards.TheUFMisa

superlightweightKeymodhandguardthatisimpressivelystrong.Toinstallit,theytakeofftheoriginalhandguardandbracket,gasblockandfrontsight.Theytheninstalltheirownfrontsight,gasblock,andfronthandguardanchor.ThenewfrontsighthasapairofcurvedprotectiveearsinstandardAR-style,completewithspringanddetent.So,ifyouwanttoswaptheKrebssightforsomeother,suchasatritiumnightsight,youcan.TheUFMhandguardhasatoprailformountingareddot,lightorlaser.Of

course,beingaKeymoddesign,youcanmountalotofthoseonthesideorbottomofthehandguard.ThetopcoveroftheUFMcanalsoberemovedtoaccessthegastubewhenyouarecleaning.Onthisrifle,theUFMisthelongversion,extendingpastthefrontsight,forthosewhoareusingtheenvoguelongleftarmshootingstance.

ThefrontsightsticksupthroughtheUFMLongHandguard.

Theflashhiderworksverywell,andtherewasnovisibleflashintesting.

There’sasmallamountofflashinsidetheflashhider.Itwasnevervisibletotheshooter.

Thecentraldotplatformpositionsthereddotsighttobehandybutoutoftheway.TheStyrkareddotworkedlikeachamp.

Whiletheyareatit,theyalsotrimthebarrelbackto14.25inches.Fearnot,thisdoesnotmakeitanSBR(althoughKrebscoulddothat,ifyouwishedtogothecustomroute).Theythenpermanentlyattachaflashhider,tobringthebarrellengthbackuptostandardlength.Thecoldhammerforgedandchrome-linedbarrelisthenmatchedwitha

blueprintedbolt.Krebstakesthereceiverinternalsandtunesthem,makingthetriggerandreceiverdimensionsplaywellwitheachother,theboltfaceistrued,aswellaslockinglugscheckedandfittedifnecessary.Alltheedgesaregoneover,andanysharpsedgesareremoved.Thishappens

indifferentways,fordifferentparts,andatdifferenttimes.Forinstance,thestripped-downreceiverisindustriallytumbledtotakeoffanysharpedges.Thetriggerguardisdehornedbeforebeinginstalled,soyoudon’trubyourhandsorfingersrawwhileshooting.Thentherifleisfinishedinflatblacksprayandbakedonalkydfinish,aKrebshallmarkthattheycallKrebsCoat.

bakedonalkydfinish,aKrebshallmarkthattheycallKrebsCoat.TheendresultisaninterestingamalgamofRussiaandAmerica.Therifle

appears,andfeelsatfirst,tobeabitbulky.Butthatismostlyduetoourexpectationofwhat“anAKissupposedtobe”like.Thebulkdoesnotaddweight.TheUFMhandguardissolight(justover6ounces)thatitdoesn’tweighmuchmorethanthehardwareitreplaced.Thestockmakesiteasytofittherifletoyou,anditishandyandresponsive.Allthisin7.62x39andonly7pounds.Ofcourse,ifyoudon’texercisesomerestraint,youcanmakeitportly.Addasling,light,opticsandaloadedmagazineanditgetstobeheavier,butthenallriflesdo.Intestfiring,thetriggermadeitfuntoshoot.Themiddledotmountwasajoy

touse,andallthereddotsightsItriedboltedrighton.Theflashhiderdoesthejobverywell.Inshooting,Ididnotnoticeanyflash,

arareoccurrencewithanAK.Eventryingtocaptureflashwithacameraprovedfruitless,asallIcouldgetwasahintofflash.Youarenotgoingtogetariflethisgood,cheap.AndsinceKrebsisafull-

housecustomshop,ifthereisadetailyouwantchanged,butliketherifleforthemostpartas-is,youcancertainlydiscussitwithKrebsandcrew.They’llbehappytoquoteatimeandcostforthechangesyouhaveinmind.Me,I’dbeprettyhappywiththis,butalas,ithastogoback.Apparentlythere

areothergunwritersinthisworld,andtheyalsowanttotestit.Whoknew?

CHAPTER18AKREVIEW:IWIACE

THEIWIACEISANEVOLUTIONOFANevolution,whichwasthenfurtherrefined.TheSovietsdesignedandfieldedtheAK.Theyspreaditacrosstheglobe,andwhentheIsraelisclashedwiththeirneighbors,theycapturedlotsandlotsofAKs.Intheprocess,theIsraelisgottiredofthesmallarmsthey’dbeenusing,sotheynaturallytookalookattheAK.Aswediscussedinthehistorysection,theIsraelisstartedoffwithWWII

surplus.TheythenrearmedwithFALs.Bythe1970s,theIsraeliDefenseForces,orIDFhadbecomeextensivelymechanized.TryingtoexitanarmoredpersonnelcarrierwhilehandlinganFAL,all44inchesofit(thefoldercanbemadeas“compact”as33inches)isarealhassle.TheAKismuchhandier.

TheIWIAcechewedthroughalltheammoitwasfed,andevendigestedrusty-caseammowithoutacomplaint.

So,theIDFputalltheireffortintomakinganimprovedAK.WithinputtheygainedfromlookingatwhattheFinnsdidwiththeirRK62theresultwastheGalil.Well,theGalilwasnotexactlyamarket-dominatingproduct.Infact,itwasn’t

evenwell-receivedinIsrael.Especiallythe7.62version,whichendedupnearlyaslongas,andheavierthan,anAmericanM14.Thepoweritprovidedwasn’tworththehassleofhaulingit.TheIDFendedupissuingM16sbytheswarm,andtheIWIdesignerswentbacktothedrawingboards,withtheobjectionsoftheGalilbyend-usersringingintheirears.TheendresultwastheIWIGalilAce,inthisinstancetheproductnumber

GAR1639.We’llmakeitsimple,fromnowonitwillbecalledtheAce,becausethatisa

fittingname.TheAceisaproduct-improvedAK-47/Galilchamberedin7.62x39.Ihave

seenaversionchamberedin5.56,butitwasselect-fire,andthatisn’tonewecangethereinthegoodoldU.S.ofA.Thesamegasoperation,usingthesame

gethereinthegoodoldU.S.ofA.Thesamegasoperation,usingthesamemagazinesastheAK,theAcehasbeenchangedinsomanywaysitalmostdefiesbeingcalledanAK.First,thecharginghandlehasbeenmovedtotheleftsideofthereceiver.

Usually,thiscausesproblemsintheAK,becausethecharginghandleneedsanaccessslot,andthatmeansabiggapthroughwhichdebriscanenter.IWIdesignedandinstalledadual-hingedspring-loadedcoverforthisgap.Whentheboltisforward,thecoverispressedupbythesprings,coveringthegap.Whentheactioncycles,thecharginghandlepressesthecoverdownagainstitssprings.Whentheactionclosesupagain,thecoverslidesup,coveringthegap—ta-da,thegapisopenonlyforamoment,whentheactioniscycling,andthechancesofsomethinggettinginaresoremoteastobeunworthyofconcern.Andyes,thecharginghandlereciprocates.OntheFAL,itdoesnot.ButthecharginghandleonanAKismanythings—itisacharginghandle,forwardassist,andleveryouusetogettheactionopenwhenyou’verustedormuddeditshut.Itreciprocates.

TheIWIAceisalittleodd-lookingatfirst,butyou’llgetoverit.

Sincethecharginghandleisontheleft,therightsideofthecarrierwouldbeslick.IWIputamachinedrecessthere,whichyoucanuseasaforwardassist.

ThefrontsightdesignlookslikeitwastakenrightoffofaFinnishAK.

Thetopcoveristightlyfittedtothereceiver,withnoperceptiblewobble.Whichisgood,becauseinplaceofthenotchandpostoftheAK,thesightsoftheAceareaproperaperturerear,andafrontpost.Thisgreatlyincreasesthesightradius,andalsoimprovestheeye/brainabilitytorecognizealignmenterror.Therearsightisaflipsight,withtwoapertures,andeachismarked.Oneismarked“3”andhasapairoftritiumcellsfornightuseflankingtheaperture,butabitbelowit.That’syour300-meterzerosight.Theotheronelacksthetritium,andismarked“5.”That’syour500-metersight,andifyoucanusetritiumdotsona500-metertargetatnight,youhavefarbettervisionthananyoftherestofus.OnthetopcoverisaMil-Std.1913rail,commonlymiscalledaPicatinnyrail.

OnthetopcoverisaMil-Std.1913rail,commonlymiscalledaPicatinnyrail.Thegastubealsohasthisrail,atthesamelevelandalignedwithit.Thetopcoverrailhasatenonthatwedgesintothegrooveintherearofthegastuberail,sotheyaremutuallysupported.Thisarrangementprovidesyouwithafull-lengthrail,ontowhichyoucanputoptics,magnifyingorreddot.Youcaninstalllights,lasers,nightvision,thermaloptics,whateverfitsandisfoundusefulandworthyoftheweight.Fairwarning:thegastubeonanAKcangethot,soyoumightnotwanttoparksomethingonthatpartoftherail,ifitisheat-sensitive.

Theflashhiderusesalockingnut,anditdealswithflasheffectively.

Thefrontsightisinthegasblock,andtheblockisalignedsothegasportisvertical,notslanted.Thegasblockispinnedonwithapairoftransversepins,locatedbelowthebarrel.ThisisthewaytheFinnsdidit,unliketheSoviets,whocommonlypinnedabovethebarrel.BothworkthoughIfindIlikethelooksof

commonlypinnedabovethebarrel.BothworkthoughIfindIlikethelooksofthebelowmethodmore.Thefrontsightpostisanotherinterestingdeparturefromvanilla-plainAK.

Thepostistapered,andhasatritiumcellinit.Howdotheykeepitfacingtheshooter,youask.Thepostbasehastwoflanges.Ifyouareadjustingthesightsforzero,pressdownthespring-loadedplungerforadjustment,turnthepostandcheck.Onceyougetthezerodead-on,depresstheplungeronlyenoughtofreethetopflange,andturnthepostcoveruntiltheopeningforthetritiumcellfacestheshooter.Andthemysteryofthelowtritiumcellsontherearsightisnowsolved.Sincethetritiumonthefrontsightcan’tbeattheverytipofthesight,butbelowthetip,therearcellsarealsolower,soyou’llbeproperlyaligned.Clever,no?Thesightadjustmentsare1inchatonehundredyards,perclickoradjustmentnotch.Interestingly,therearsightcanberemovedfromthetopcover.I’dhazardaguessthat’stomakeiteasytoreplacewhenitgetsdroppedbysomefumble-fingeredrecruit.

Theleft-sidemountedcockinghandle,andthespring-loadedplatecoverthegap.

Thethumb-activatedsafety.Bothwork,usethemasneeded.

Onthebackend,thestockisbothadjustableandfolding.TheadjustmentsworkliketheAR—squeezethelevertounlockit,andslidethebuttstockforwardorbacktothelengththatiscomfortable.Fullyshortened(11.85inchesofpull)mynosealmosttouchesthereceiver,andthereceiverbumpsmeabitwhenI’mfiring.Icanseethefrontsightwingsthroughtheaperture.Fullyback(15.25inchesofpull)thewingsarealmostbutnotquitevisibleoutsideoftherearsightplate.That’salotofadjustment,withfiveseparatestops.

Thelockingmechanismofthefoldingstockisaspring-loadedpairofwedgesurfaces.

Thebuttplateisridged,hardplastic.Thereisaclip-oncheekpieceyoucanusethatallowsyoutohaveapropercheekweldforusewithoptics.

Fromhere,youcanseeboththefull-lengthpicrailontopofthereceiver,andhowthefoldedstockbearson,butdoesnotbindtheselector.

Thestockfoldstotheright,theejectionportside.Itdoesn’tinterferewithejection,anddoesn’tbindthesafety/selector(moreonthatshortly).Thestocklocksinplacewhenitisunfolded,soitwon’tfoldonyouwhenyouareusingit.Thelockissimple;itistakendirectlyfromtheFNdesignforfoldingstocks.Tounlockandfold,pressthestockassemblydowntowardtheground,againstthelockingspring.Oncethelockinglatchclearsthenotch,hingethestocktotheright,towardtheejectionport.Thehingepinhasanangledhead,andtheanglewillletthepinrideupwhen

youfoldthestock.Thepinwillcamdownwhenyouforcethestockopen,butthestockisnotmechanicallylockedwhilefolded.Thisiscleverandcorrect.Youwantthestocklockedopenwhenyouuseitasastock.Youdonotneedthestocklockedwhilefolded,becauseifyouwanttounfoldityoudon’twanttobe

stocklockedwhilefolded,becauseifyouwanttounfoldityoudon’twanttobemessingaroundwithbuttons,leversorothersuchproblems.Justgrabthestockandflipitopen.Insidethetopcoveristheexpectedcarrierandbolt.Gettingthecoveroffcan

beanadventure.TheretainingtabislongerthanonaSovietAK(asontheGalil/Golani),thetightfitofthetopcovercanmakegettingtheretainerpressedin—andkeptinwhilethecoverislifted—awholelotofwork.Insidetherecoilspringassemblynotonlyhasasyntheticimpactblock(I’m

goingtotryashardaspossibletoavoidcallingitashok-buff)butthebackoftheretainerfeaturesarubberslippad,orcover.Thisridesbetweentheretainerassemblyandtheinsiderearofthecover.Interestingly,thepartslistdescribesitas#23,Blocker,GasInjection.Hmm,neverdidgetgasupthenosefromanAK,butOK.Theboltandcarriercomeouttotherearandliftupjustaswithastandard

AK,butasyoumovethemyou’lldiscoveranimprovementtheIsraelisaddedin—thegastubeisnotheldinwithalever,asonastandardAK,butslidesintoplaceonashortsetofrails.Thetopcoverholdsthegastubeinplace.Youcantakethetopoff,theboltandcarrierout,andthegastubeoffinamatterofsecondswithnoriskofstabbingyourselfwithascrewdriver,orgougingthefinish.Insidethemilledreceiverisastandardtwo-hook,two-stagetrigger,withthe

disconnectorpositionedandtimedtoactasthestoponthesecondstage.Thesafety/selectorisaleverontheupperrearrightofthereceiver,andisnot

thecoverovertheejectionport.Infact,thereisnocoverovertheejectionport.Ifyouthinkitisoutofthewayandabitdifficulttoreach,you’rewrong.Well,thosewithsmallhandswillfindittough,buttheleverispositionednicelytoyourtriggerfinger.Butyouneedn’tfear,there’soneontheleftside,justabovethepistolgrip.That’sright,IWIhasfiguredouthowtonotonlyputasafetyleverintwoplaceswhereyoucanreachthem,butgiveittheleverageitneedssoyoucanactuallymoveit.It’sasafetyyoucanworkwithouttakingyourfiringgripoffoftherifle.Thesafetyontherightsidebearsagainstthestockwhen

gripoffoftherifle.Thesafetyontherightsidebearsagainstthestockwhenfolded,butthestockdoesnotkeepthesafetyfrommoving.

[1]Theselectoriswithinreachofyourtriggerfinger.

[2]Whenyouneedtofire,liftyourtriggerfingerandswipedown.

[3]Onceyouhaveselectedfire,bringyourtriggerfingerintowork.

Now,“leverageenough”canbearelativething.Icanpushtheright-handsideleverfromSafetoFirewithmytriggerfinger.However,IcannotpushitbacktoSafe.Forthat,Ihavetousemythumb,andtheleverontheleftside.Youmayfindyoursiseasier,oryourhandsstronger,butbeawareandrememberyouhavetwolevers.Thenextchangeisthebottommetalofthereceiveror,actually,thebottom

polymer.Thepistolgrip,magazinecatchandmagazineguideboxareallmadeofahigh-strengthpolymer.Thispolymerassemblyissemi-permanentlyattached

ofahigh-strengthpolymer.Thispolymerassemblyissemi-permanentlyattachedtothereceiver,andisnotmeanttoberemovedbytheuser.Ifyoureallyfeeltheneed,thereareacoupleofbigscrews,oneinthepistolgrip,theotherinfrontofthemagazinewellthatholditon.Isuggestleavingthemalone,becausethere’snothinggoodyoucandowithitoff.YoumaybelookingattheAceandthinking,“Thisisnice,butthosearesome

awesomelyfathandguards,andthere’snoplacetomountmylight.”Oh,yeoflittlefaith.Noticethebuttonsonthesidesofthehandguards?Thosearethelockingtabs.Pressinandthehandguardcoverslidesforward,andoffthehandguardbase.Justlikethat,youhaverailedhandguards.Allthreecomeoffat3,6and9o’clock.Thefirstpersontocomplainthatthesearepicrails,andnotM-LokorKeymod,getsslapped.

TheAcerecoilassemblyhasbothashokbuffer(leftofthesteelretainer)andagasblock(rightofthesteelretainer)tosoftenrecoilandcontrolgasflow.

Thegastubeslidesintothereceiverslots.Noneedforathumb-bustinglever.

Last,wehavetheflashhider.Itisthreadedontothe16-inchbarrel.Thebarrelischrome-moly-Vanadiumsteel,coldhammerforged,andchrome-lined.Theflashhiderlooksabitlongbecauseitusesalocknutbehindittoholdtheflashhiderinthecorrectorientationwithoutusingcrushwashersorotherdelicatetools.Asadesignamilitaryarmorercandealwith,itissimpleandrugged.Supposeatrooperblowshisflashhiderapart,havingcloggeditwithmudandthenfiringhisrifle.Theunitarmorersimplyusesapairofopen-endwrenches(andtheguyintheunitwiththebiggesthands,toholdtherifleflatonthebench)toloosenthejamnut.Hethenspinstheoldpartsoff,cleansthethreads,spinsthenewoneson,orientsthenewflashhidercorrectly,andtightensthejamnutupbehindit.Hedoesn’tevenneedaviseorothertools.Thelastdetailisinteresting.TheAcecomesintothecountryinanon-922(r)

compliantcondition.IWIU.S.theninstallsU.S.-madepartstomakeit922(r)

compliant.However,theydonotethatyoushoulduseonlyaU.S.-mademagazine.Useofimportedmagazinesmayputyouinviolationof18U.S.C.§922(r).SincetheyshipitwithaMagpulmagazine,thisseemsprettyclear.Theyaredependingonone,twoorallthreeofthemagazinepartstokeeptheAceincompliance.OK,justmakesuretouseU.S.-mademagazines.Thatwillbeeasy.OnceMagpulannouncedtheirmagazines(andTapcojoinedtheparty)IhavenotboughtanimportedmagazinefortheAKsince.Actually,exceptfortheperiod-specificbuilds,noneofmyAKsaregoingtoexperienceanythingbutaMagpul,Tapco,orotherU.S.-mademagazine.

AnIraqiNationalPoliceofficerpullssecurityalongsideasoldierfromCompanyC,2ndBattalion,12thInfantryRegiment,2ndBrigadeCombatTeam,2ndInfantryDivisionduringaraidtargeting

illegalweaponsinAlDoura,Baghdad.PhotobySpc.OlanrewajuAkinwunmi

CHAPTER19AKHANDGUARDS

WHENTHEAKWASDEVELOPED,THEIDEAthattherewouldbeflashlightscompactenoughtomountonariflewasludicrous.Oratleast,sciencefiction.EvenhereintheWest,theideatookalongtimetocatchon,evenafterlightsbecamesmallandpowerfulenough.But,nowwefindthemnotonlynormal,butoftennecessary.What’sanAKownertodo?Simple:replacethecraptastichandguardswithwhichthecommiessaddledus,withsomethingmoreuseful.Herearesomeofthebestoptions.

Moderntacticsrequirelightsfornightuse.Arailedhandguardgivesyouaplacetomountalight.

MIDWESTINDUSTRIESGEN2EXTENDED

MIDWESTINDUSTRIESGEN2EXTENDEDNotonlydothestandardhandguardsnothavemountinglocations,theyare

short.Ifyoushootusingthecurrentin-stylemethod—witharmextended—thentheAKreallysucks.TheGen2Extendedsolvesthatproblem,toacertainextent.TheGen2won’tfitontoaYugo,orYugo-basedrifle.Anditrequiresabarrelof.700inchesunderthehandguard,andlowerfurniturelengthof6.0inches.Thegoodnewsisthatitdoescomewithareplacementgastube,soyoudon’thavetocrossyourfingersandhopethattheoriginalgastubewillwork.Now,thisisnotareversibleprocess.First,youhavetouseagrinder,Dremel,

cutoffwheelorsomeothertooltocuttheslingloopoffofthefronthandguardcap,atleastonsomeAKs.Iftheslingloopisonthehandguardbracket,yes.Iftheslingloopisonthegasblock,thenyoumightnothaveto.Checkthefitbeforeyoubegincutting.Fittheanti-rotationblocktothehandguarddimensions.Therearesetscrewsyou’llhavetotighten,tofittheassemblyproperlytotherifle.MidwestIndustrieshastogototheselengthsbecausewhiletheAKis“the

samerifleeverywhere”thedimensionsofthevariouspartswerenotascloselycontrolledastheyhavebeenontheAR-15.Inthatregard,theAKis,andprobablywillalwaysbe,inthesamesituationasourAR-15swerebackintheearlydayswhenitwasColtorcrud.Or,attheleast,Coltandnot-quite-dimensionallycorrectgoodparts.But,onceinstalled,theGen2handguardgivesyouanM-LOKpartthat

extendsoutpastthegasblock,almosttothefrontsightassembly.Thetoprailprovidesyouaplaceonwhichtomountareddotsightormagnifyingoptic.TheM-LOKsystemallowsyoutoinstallM-LOKgear,andthere’sanincludedPicatinnyrailsectionforyourlegacygear.Also,therearetwoquick-detach(QD)slingswivelsockets,soyoucanpluginasling.Allthisfor16ouncesofaddedweight.

TheMidwestIndustriesGen2Extendedhandguard,withallthehardwareneededtoassembleandinstall.

TomakesuretheGen2issolidlyattached,Midwestdesignedthisclampingsaddletogoaroundthebarrel.Doitright,andthingswon’tcomeloose.Ever.

MIDWESTINDUSTRIESMI-AKIfyouwantasimpleandstraightforwardrailedhandguardreplacement,then

theMidwestIndustriesMI-AKisthething.Toinstall,taketheoldhandguardsoff.Usethehandguardclampandits

screwstopositionandsecurethehandguardonthebarrel.Removethewoodorplasticoffthegastube,andreinstallthegastube.Thenusethehandguardscrewstoholdthenewhandguardtopinplace.Sincethisisgoingtobeawarm,ifnothotplace,usetheincludedblueLoctite.

CAARS47-SETTheCAARS47handguardsarepolymer,withtheformulationbeinghardand

tough.TheyhaveapairofPicatinnyrailboltsonthesides,oneonthebottom,andthegastubecoversportsaPicrailmoldedin,ontop.Thetopandbottomrailsaremoldedin,thesideonesbolted,soyoucanremovethemifyouwantto

railsaremoldedin,thesideonesbolted,soyoucanremovethemifyouwanttoslimdowntheensemble.

Thisistheslingswivelthatsomereplacementhandguardsrequireyoutoremove.

TheCAAhandguardsarelightweight,anddirectlyreplacetheexistinghandguardsonyourrifle.Thatmeansyou’llhavetofitthemifyourhandguardbracketsaretooshort(tooclosetogether)orsettleforsomerattleiftheyaretoolong.Buttheyarelightweightandinexpensive.Thelistedweightis7.5ounces,andthepriceis$35.That’scheapenoughtoexperiment,andifyoufindyoudon’tlikethem,givethemtoagunclubbuddyorleavetheminyourgearbagastrademateriallater.

CAAXGGalil/Golaniownersneednotdespair,youhavenotbeenforgotten.TheXG

fromCAAisanaluminumhandguardwithrails.Thetopandbottomrailsare

fromCAAisanaluminumhandguardwithrails.Thetopandbottomrailsaremachinedin,whilethesiderailsareboltedonandremovable.Thetoprailisextended,andcomesbackoverthetopcover,soyouhavelots

ofroomtomountgear,andthelengthallowsforawiderrangeofpossiblelocations.Aluminumistough,butthecostofthisextragoodnessissomeweight.WheretheRS47weighsamere7.5ounces,theXGweighs14.Ofcourse,we’veallacceptedthatwehavetoputonweightifwe’regoingtobeabletoaddaccessories.Toassemble,removetheoldhandguard,includingtherearbracketandits

springs.RemovetheassemblyscrewsfromtheXG.Slidetheupperandlowerhalvesinplace,pressthehandguardbracketsbackinplaceandtighten.ThegastubefitsunderneaththeXG.Onetouchyaspectofreassembly:you’llhavetowigglethegastubearoundtogetittoslideintothegroovesonthereceiverandfitoverthesnoutofthegasblockonthebarrel.Oncethat’saccomplished,everythingsnapstogethernicely.IinstalledtheXGontotheGolaniIreviewedinthefirstvolumeofthisbook,

andnowIhaveplacesforlightsandareddotsight.IfyouhaveaGolaniorGalil,thisisagreatadditionandupgrade.

TheMidwestIndustrieshandguardreplacementisstraightforward,simple,toughandsolid.

MAGPULMOEHANDGUARDTheMOEisasimple,straightforwardswapfortheexistinghandguard.To

install,stripnormally,thenwedgetherearoftheMOEintotherecessonthereceiver.PivottheMOEup(ifyouhadtoangleittogetitinplace)andthenslidethefrontbracketbacktocaptureit.TurnthebracketlockleverdowntolocktheMOEinplace.Dependingonthedimensionsoftherifle,youmayhavetodosomefitting,oritmaybeabitloose.Magpuldoesalltheycan,buttheycan’taccountforeveryAKthathasleftafactoryinthelast75years.Asabonus,theMOEcomesintwodifferentlengths,soyoucanhavean

ultra-compactsetuporobtainabitmorerailestateandhandlocations.BothMOEAKhandguardscanbehadinoneoffivecolors,fromblacktoplumtoFDE,grayandODgreen.

TheCAApolymerrailedhandguardisalotofgearfornotalotofmoney.

Youcanseetherails.Don’tlikethem?Theycomeoff.

Aluminum,railed,tough.CAAmakesgoodgear.

MAGPULZHUKOVTheZhukovisanothernon-reversiblehandguardinstallation.Inorderto

installit,removetheoldhandguard,andcutoffthefrontbracket.Sinceyoucan’tdriftoutthegasblockandfrontsightpins(well,youcan,butyoucan’tgetthembackintightly,soit’sano-gomethod)you’llwanttomakesureyoureallywanttheZhukov.Oncethebracketisgone,usethebarrelclampsandscrewstoattachtheheat

shieldtothebarrel.ThisisallintheinstructionsheetthatcomeswiththeZhukovhandguard.TheZhukovcomesinthreeoftheMagpulcolors;black,plumandgray.Of

course,thatmaychange,asMagpulfindsoutwhatcustomersreallywant.

MAGPULDETAILSThereareacoupleofthingsyouneedtokeepinmindwithMagpul.TheMOE

andZhukovcomeinonefit,theMOEintwoflavors.Thefitisstampedreceiver.TheTenonthatfitsintothefrontofthereceiverisbigenoughforastamped

TheTenonthatfitsintothefrontofthereceiverisbigenoughforastampedreceiver,whichmeansitistoolargeforamilledreceiver.There’snoeasywaytoreachinthereandtrimthatdowntofitamilledreceiver.So,forthetimebeing(hint,hint,Magpul)theMOEandZhukovarestampedreceiveronlyadd-ons.ThetwoflavorsoftheMOEaretheAKandtheAK/AKM.Donotbedeceived,thetwoMOEsonlyfitstampedreceivers,withoneexception.TheCenturyArmsC39V2hasthefrontofthereceivermachinedfortheMOEhandguardbydesign.Otherwise,thedifferenceisoneofclearanceoftheslinglooponthehandguardbracket.TheMOEAKdoesnothaveclearance.IfyourAKhastheslingloopinthe

gasblock,you’rein.IfyourAKhastheslinglooponthebracket,anditislowenoughtositinsidetheMOE,again,you’regood,butyouwon’thaveaccesstotheloop.Anditifitinterferes,you’llhavetocuttheloopofftofittheMOE.

TheCAAhandguardinplaceandreadyforreassembly.

TheCAAGalilhandguardonmyGolani.

TheCAAforGalilprovideslotsofspaceforlights,lasersandoptics.

OntheAK/AKM,theleftsideofthehandguardiscutbacksoitclearsthehandguardbracketslingloop,butthatalsomeansyoudon’thaveahandguardupthere.Ifyouinsistonusingthatslingloop,that’sthepriceyoumustpay.

ThetwoMagpulMOEhandguardsets,standardandlong.

Somehandguards,likethisMagpulExtended,requireremovaloftheslinglooponthefrontbracket.Othersmightnot,andtherearestillothersthatwillrequireremovaloftheloopevenifitis

uponthegasblock.

TheZhukov?Itextendsallthewayto—andpartiallycovers—thegasblock.Thatmeansyou’llhavetotrimoffanyandallslingloops,betheyonthe

block.Thatmeansyou’llhavetotrimoffanyandallslingloops,betheyonthegasblockorthehandguardbracket.Bymycount,ifMagpulwasgoingtooffermilledandstampedreceiver

handguards,andaccommodatealltheslingloopoptions,they’dhavetomorethandoublethestockitemsinthecatalog.Sincetheyalreadyoffermorethanadozen,inthethreetypesandallthecolors,jumpinguptothirtydifferentitemsjustmightnotbeeconomicallywise.We’llsee.

ULTIMAKACR2HANDGUARDTheUltimakACR2isarailedhandguardwithadifference.Insteadoftrying

tofitintothefronthandguardbracket,theUltimakismadetofitoutside.Itmakestheassemblyabitwider,butgivesyoumoreroomforaccessories.Also,thehandguardcanextendpastthefronthandguardbracketallthewaytothegasblock.

TheZhukovhandguard,completewithanM-LOKslingswivelsocket.

TheUltimakhandguardfitsoverthefrontbracket.

Twomodels,formilledandstampedreceivers,andthreelengths—compact,standardandlong—areavailable.

ULTIMAKREDDOTSIGHTMOUNTTheUltimakreplacesthetophandguardandgastube.Disassembletherifle

andremovetheoldgastube.Removethehandguard.TheUltimakhasafewdetailsthatmakeitdifferentfromotherhandguardorrailmounts.Theinstructionsaredetailed,buttheimportantpartisthegastube,whichmustnottouchthefrontorrearofthegassystem.Itisnotdesignedtolockinplace,liketheoldgastube.Itismeanttolockontothebarrel.So,makesureitiscenteredbetweentherearsightblockandthegasblock.Youneedclearanceinsidethehandguardfortheclampingblocks.Ifyouhaveanold-stylewoodenhandguard,youmayhavetodosomewoodtrimming,orsimplyswapitforamoremodern,synthetichandguardliketheAK-74version.Aswithallclamp-ondesigns,checkthefitateachstepandasyoutightenthe

screws.Beingslowanddeliberateinassemblypaysdividendslateron,wheneverythingworksjustasitissupposedto.

Oncefitted,andtheleverthrown,theUltimakisreadytogo.

TheManticoreArmsreplacementisaveryslickhandguard,oncethereartenonisfiledtofitthereceiverofthisrifle.LikeI’vesaid,repeatedly,AKsdiffer,you’regoingtohavetomakealotof

thingsfit.

MANTICOREARMSManticoreArmstakesadifferentapproachtotheM-LOK/Keymodwar.

Ratherthanpickone,theyfiguredawaytohaveboth.TheirhandguardsystemisknownastheTransformer.Youinstalltheskeleton,frameworkorstructural

shell,andthepanelsyouwant.WantM-LOK?Boltthoseon.Keymod?Ditto.Neither?Putonthetexturedpanels.And,ifyouhavethe“railestate,”youcanmixandmatch,andinstallallthree.Whateveryouwant.Inthecourseofworkingonthisbook,theywereinthemiddleofworkingup

theirAKhandguard,buttheysentmeaprototype,apre-productiondoneinKeymod.TheTransformerhasthreedifferentpanelslots,willfitstampedreceiversonly,andwon’tworkonYugos,M92,KrinksorunconvertedVeprsorSaigas.

ThetenonoftheManticoreisbigenoughtofitthebiggestreceiverwithoutrattling.Thatmeansyouhavetobreakoutthefiles.

TheChaosApollo11380.Sturdyhardlybeginstodescribeit.

Youcanaddatophandguardwithabuilt-inPicrail,too.Installationissimple,disassembleandremovetheold,slipthenewin,andlockthebracketdown.Withallthecaveatsthatdimensionsvary,andsomefittingmightberequired.

CHAOS,INC.APOLLO11380Wow.Whenitcomestoanengineeredproduct,thisisahardonetobeat.First

ofall,theApollo11380iseverythinginone—ithasKeymodslotsformountingextragear.IthasaPicatinnyrailontopforopticsmounting.Ithasaflatbottom,soitwillsitfirmlyonasandbagorshootingrest.Itismadeof6061aluminum,andhasaGradeIIIhardcoatanodizedfinish.Theinstallationissimplebutabitinvolved.Yousee,thehandguardfitsinto

thereceiverslotfortheoriginalhandguard.Buttogetthereyouhavetodoabunchofdisassembly.UseanAllenwrenchtoremovethetopcover,andthefrontgasblockcollar.Takethegasblockcollarapart.Fitthegasblockcollararoundthebarrel,andfinger-tightenthescrews.FittherearofthelowerhalfoftheApollointothereceiver,andbringthegasblockcollarbackonthebarreltolineitupandfinger-tightenthosescrews.

lineitupandfinger-tightenthosescrews.

TheclampingcollarthatgoesaroundthebarrelandholdstheChaoshandguardinplaceatthefront.

Ifanythinginterfereswiththefit,liketheslingswivelorthefronthandguardbracket,you’regoingtohavetoremovethem.So,incaseofinterference,theApolloinstallationisanon-reversibleone.Iftheydon’tinterfere,youcanleave

themthere.Tightenthegasblockcollarscrews,andthescrewsthatfastenthecollartothe

handguardlower.Nextinstallthehandguardupper.Testfireandmakesureeverythingworksasitshould.

Toremovetheoldhandguardonthegastube,clampitinavise.

Toremovetheoldhandguardonthegastube,clampitinavise.

Grabholdandrotate.

Handguardwillrolloutofthetubecollars.

Andyoucantipitfreeandpullitoff.

Thetabholdsthefrontbracketon.

Onceyou’resureitisinplace,removeeachofthescrewsoneatatime,applyblueLoctiteandreinstall.Chaos,IncisquiteclearinthattheApollo11380ismadetofitaRomanian

AK-47andotherEurovariants.Itmaynotfitotherswithouthavingtodosomefilingorotheradjustments.

HANDGUARDTOPPIECEInmanyhandguardsets,you’llbereplacingthetoppiece.Insteadoftheusual

three-handedwrestlingmatch,taketheeasywayandclamptheendofthegastubeintoapaddedvise.Useadowelorpieceofpipeasaninternalsupport,butdon’tclampitsotightlythatyouwillcrushthetube.Withthegastube/handguardassemblypokingstraightup,graspthehandguardandwringitoutofthetube.Onceyouhaverotatedit180degreesitwillpopfree.Takeyourreplacementhandguardtop,makesureitisorientedproperly,pressitin,androtateitbackthewaytheoldonecameout.You’redone.

Withtheleverlifted,rapthebracketforward.

MAGPULMVGIfyou’reafanofverticalgrips,thentheMagpulMOEMVGwillgetthejob

done.ItisanM-LOKpart,soyouhavetohaveahandguardinstalledtheusesM-LOK,butonceon,itisasolid,unobtrusiveverticalforegrip.

CHAPTER20AKPISTOLGRIPS

THEAKPISTOLGRIPISDEADSIMPLE.ITISheldontothereceiverbymeansofaplainslottedpanheadmachinescrew.Therearemillionsofmachinetoolsthathavebeenmadethatarecapableofproducingsuchscrewsataprodigiousrate,sinceaboutthetimeoftheAmericanRevolution.Thescrewthreadsintoabasethathasbeenrivetedontothebottomofthe

receiver.Thebaserivetsalsoencompasstherearofthetriggerguard.Lookingatitfromtheviewpointofagunsmith,itseemsKalashnikov(oranengineerinthebureau)putalotofthoughtintoit.Forexample,ifsomeoneweretocross-threadthebolt,theunitarmorer(atwhateverlevel)simplyhastogrindtherivetsoffthebase,includingtheoneforthetriggerguard.Then,he’dslipanewbasein,andseatthenewrivetstoholditallinplace.Ifsomeonesomehowmangledatriggerguard,thatwouldbeasimpleone-

rivetfix—thetwobaserivetsneednotbetouched.Sincethescrewisnotgoingtoberemovedinnormalcleaningormaintenance,theoddsareitwon’tneedservice.Whatdoesthismeanforus?Replacingthepistolgripiseasy;onescrew.No

extraspringandplungertolose,likeontheAR-15.Onthedownside,theSovietsdidagoodjobonthepistolgrip.Itisn’tanylargerthanithastobe,doesn’thavefingergrooves,andthenthere’salwaystheneedforU.S.-madeparts.Asaneasy-to-makepart,thepistolgripgetsswappedoutonanyandallbuilds.Mydislikeforfingergroovesiswell-known,butalotofpeoplelikethem.Andsowehavechoices.

SomelovetheSAWpistolgrip,menotsomuch.

TwoMarinesconductaserialnumbercheckonanAK.Noticethelackofastock,commonfor“carguns”inIraq.PhotobyLanceCpl.ShawnCoolman,USMC

Onethingtokeepinmindwhenswappingthepistolgripisthatthebasehasalongthreadedsectioninit.Sothescrewwon’thavejustafewthreadsbiting,butaquarter-inchormore.Itwillbeontheretight.Makesureyouuseaproperlyfittingscrewdriverrightfromtheget-go.ThereareabunchofU.S.-madepistolgripsthatsimplymimictheshape,

angleandevencoloroftheoriginals.Ifyouarebuildingarifle,andwantittobeperiod-correct,thenyougowithoneofthose.Ifyouwantsomethingdifferent,ormoresuitedtoyourhands,thereareoptions.Ifyouwanttoexperiment,anewpistolgripisaboutthelowestcostchangeyoucanmaketoyourAK,shortofacanofspraypaint.

MAGPUL

MAGPULForacompanythatstartedwithpolymerAR-15magazines,Magpulhasan

impressiveamountofAKgear.Butthen,Magpulisasmartcompanywhowantstomakemoneyandpleasecustomers,andtherearealotofAKowners.So,wehavetwodifferentpistolgripsfromMagpul.Theybothfitmilledandstampedreceivers,includingthosewithreinforcingplates.However,aseverymakerofAKgearpointsout,therecanbedifferencesbetweenrifles,andsomefittingmayberequired.

MAGPULMOEAstraightforwardswapfortheoriginalgrip,theMagpulMOEgripisalso

madetoaccommodatetheMagpulGripCore—storagemodulesthatallowyoutopacksparesomething-or-othersintothepistolgrip.GripCorescanholdanoilbottle,CR123orAA/AAAbatteries.ForARowners,there’salsoonethatletsyoustuffaspareboltandfiringpininthere.AKboltsdon’tbreak,sothere’snopointinhavingaspare.TheMOEisanaggressivelytextured,reinforcedpolymermoldedpart.It

comesinsixdifferentcolors.

MAGPULMOE+TheMOE+startsastheMOE,andiscoatedwitharubberovermolding.It

alsohastheGripCorestoragespace,andcomesinfourcolors.

CAATheCAAUPG47is,likeeverythingelseitseems,madeofpolymer.

However,itisdifferent.First,thepolymerhasarubbercoatingforbettergrip,dampenedrecoilandreducedvibration.Next,therearereplacementpanels,frontandback,tochangethesizeandshapeofthegrip.Andasifthatwasn’tenough,notonlydoesitfitanyAK-47orAK-74,butalsotheVZ58andGalil/Golani.Changingpistolgripsiseasy.Useaproperlyfittingscrewdriver.Makesure

therifleisunloaded.Undothescrewandpullitoutofthepistolgrip.Pulltheoldoneoff.Checkthenewgripforfit.Ifitdoesn’tfit,findoutwhere,and

oldoneoff.Checkthenewgripforfit.Ifitdoesn’tfit,findoutwhere,andsand/file/cuttomakeitfit.(Remember,youmakethecorrectionsonthelessexpensivepart.Thisisdefinitely“alterthepistolgrip”territory.)Ifthegripcamewithareplacementscrewandneedsit,checkitforfit.Pressthenewgripon,dropthescrewin,turntocatchthethreads,then

tighten.Done.

TheMagpulMOEpistolgrip.

TheCAApistolgrip,withreplaceablefrontandrearpanelsforsizeandcomfort.

CHAPTER21AKAFTERMARKETSTOCKS

THEORIGINALAK-47STOCKSWEREWHATyou’dexpectfromtheSoviets—wood,laminated,short,andsturdy.Thefoldingstocksthatcamenext,theunderfolders,weredirecttake-offsoftheGermanMP40stock.Theytoowereshort,anduncomfortableaswell.ThenextstepcamewiththeAK-74sidefolder.Thesewereactuallykindofcomfortable.Thesyntheticfolderswereevenmoreso.Butwe’reAmericans,everythingcanbeimproved.Andtheyhavebeen.

STOCKSAsyouwillquicklyfindout,thereartrunnionofyourAKdeterminesthe

stockittakes.Forexample,ifyouhaveaRomanianAKM,youwon’tbeabletoputaBulgariansidefolderonit(oranyotheroriginalsidefolder,forthatmatter).Underfolders,ditto.IfyourPolishunderfolderpartskitismissingsomeessentialstockpart,you’dbettermakesureyougetPolishparts.Aswe’vecoveredbefore,importedrifleslackapistolgrip,andinordertoputthatgriponyouhavetoreplacesomepartswithU.S.-madeones.

TheTapcostockcomeswithoutscrewholes.Youlocateanddrillthem,sotheyarecorrect.

However,giventhenumberofriflesandpartskitsoutthere,youshouldbeabletofindwhatyouneedwithalittlework.Andtherearesomeoptions.

TAPCOTapcoisthebignameinAKandSKSaccessories.Theymakeasolidstock

forthosewhoneedaU.S.-madeonethatwillfitintoregularAKMtrunnions.Itwon’tfitmilledreceivers,northeweirdcurvedbackreceiversyou’llencounter.ItwillfitAKMstampedreceivers,however.Thestockscomewithoutscrewholes.ThereisenoughvariationinholepositionthatTapcoleavesthattoyou,soyoucangetyoursdrilledinexactlytherightlocation.Madefromsolidsyntheticsyouwon’thaveanyproblemswithdurabilityandyoucanhavethestockinanumberofcolors.Thestockhasside-mountslingswivels,andmatchingcolorhandguardsandpistolgrips.IfyouwantafoldingstockonyourfixedstockAK,it’sTapcototherescue

again.TheirsusesadesignsimilartothatoftheFAL,andisquitestrong.Asanaside,italsoaddsaninchorsotothelength,folded,ofyourAK.SoifyouliveinalocationwheretheymeasureAKsfoldedthenitmaybeenoughtokeepyou

onthecorrectsideofsuchinanedistinctions.Aswiththefixed-stockdesign,therearenoscrewholes,TapcoleavingthatdetailtoyouandyourAK.

VLTORIffoldingisn’tyourbag,buttelescopingis,thenVltoristheplacetolook.

TheymaketubesthatboltintotherearofyourAK,usingthetrunnionsforguidanceandsupport.Totherearofthetrunnion,thetubeisshapedtoallowtheuseofAR-stylestocks.Ifyouhaveafavoritestockorjustwantoneforthelooksorbatterystorage,thenyoucanslideitontotheVltortube.OrjustbuythewholeshebangfromVltor.ItwillmakeyourAKshorter,butnotsoshortthatanyonecancomplainaboutitslackofstature.Withsidefoldersyoucanswitchbetweenametalandsyntheticstockby

knockingoutthepinthatholdsthestocktothetrunnion,andreplacingonewiththeother—ifyoucanfindit.Butyoucan’tgofromasidefoldertoafixedstockunlessyoubuildsomethingthatfitsthesidefoldertrunnion.

TheTapcofolder,whichfitsafixedstocktrunnion.

TheTapcofolder,whichfitsafixedstocktrunnion.

HereistheTapcoinplace.

TheTapcofolded.

Anotherapproachtothefolder-on-a-fixed-stockAKistheVltor.Insteadofthefixed-stockadaptertubeforARstocks,gowiththefolderVltortube.Italsoboltsrightintothetrunnion(inmycase,installedonmyRomaniantestmule)andthenfoldsasneeded.Underfolderscomeinanumberofdifferentbasictypes,suchastheChinese,

PolishandYugo.Partsdonotreadilyinterchange.Theunderfolderhasanadvantageoverthesidefolder,andthatiscompactness.Whenyouuseasidefolderyoumakearifleshorter,butyoudosobymakingitwider.Forthe10to12inchesyouloseofftheback,youaddinwidthtothesidesome3to4inches.Themetalsidefoldersdon’taddasmuch,buttheyaren’tascomfortabletoshoot.SidefoldersonSovietandBulgariansfoldtotheleft.OnthePolish,Tapcoand

Galil,totheright.Youshouldpayattention,forifyougetintoaclassandkeepgrabbingopenthewrongside,itwillbeclearyou’vespenttimewithotherstocks.

stocks.Theunderfolderssimplyrotateunderneath,anddon’taddappreciable

thicknesswhenfolded.Buttrytoshootthem.ThestockisnottoobadinsomethingliketheMP-40,withits9mmrecoil.Butina7.62x39itcanbeathump.OnsomethingliketheHungarianorPolishmodels,withthestockdirectlybehind(onthelineofthrust)theyaren’ttoobad.ButgetoneoftheChinese,withadown-pitchedstock,andyourfacewillgetthumpedoneveryshot.Somehavefoundthatwrappingthestockononesidewith550cordeasestheimpact,butIhaven’tfoundthattobethecase.Itisaconvenientwaytostoreafewfeetof550cord,butitisn’tmuchofacheekpad.

TheVltoradaptertubenexttoafixedstock.

TheVltortubeinposition,stockinplaceandextended.

Sidefolderstockscanonlybeputonsidefoldertrunnions.

ORIGINALSTOCKSOriginalstockstendtobetooshort.TheaverageSoviettrooperapparently

wasquiteashrimp,asthestocksaremeanttofitashortpersonwhilewearingwinterclothing.However,U.S.-madestockscanbelonger,butarenotlongerunlessyouaskforonelonger.TheRPKstockislonger,hasalowercurvemeantasagrippingsurface.Butgettingextralengthofpullattheexpenseofastockthatlooksmorelikeapaddleforacanoeisn’tagreattradeinmybook.AndthestocksthatcomeonSaigaimportsarejustplainweird.Plus,onthe

12gaugeSaigasIfindthatthelowercornersaretoohardonmyhand.UnlessIrebuildaSaiga12ga.(anddothe922compliancedance)Ican’tshootitforverylong.Ofcourse,youcouldsimplydowithoutastock,butifyoudo,makesureyour

AKisaproperlyconstructedhandgun.(Andnoverticalforegrip.)Otherwiseitmaybeanunlawfulshort-barreledrifle,andcouldgetyouintotrouble.Apparently,itisprettycommoninIraqtosimplyremovethestock,boltonasling,anduseitasacargun.Lesslengthtobeabother,andwhoaims,anyway?

CAAAKTMPOnebigchangeintheuseoftheAKasofrecentistheshapeandlengthofthe

stock.WhiletheshortAKstockworkedwhenissued,itkindasucksforusWesterners.Theoriginaldesignwasmeanttoaccommodateshorttroopers,bundledupagainstthebittercold.Foraguy5-foot3-inchesinsevenlayersofinsulation,that’sfine.For6-footers,onasummerdaywithat-shirt,itiswaytooshort.Onewaytomakeitlongeristopullofftheoriginalstockandinstallabuffer

tubewithtelestockfromanAR.Andthat’swhattheCAAAKTMPdoes.It’spolymer(alsoavailableinaluminum)andisfixed.Afoldingbuffertubeisanoption.Thefixedpolymerstockcanalsobehadforstampedreceivers.CAAwantstocoverallthebases,sotherearenolessthanninebuffertubedesigns,formilled,stamped,AK-47,AK-74,andeventheVZ58.

AnIraqipolicemangivesusaclearviewofhisunderfolderwhileoutonpatrolwithMarinesinRawah.PhotobyCpl.RyanC.Heiser,USMC

CAAmakesapolymerbuffertube.It’ssolid,toughandinexpensive.

Thebuffertubeiscommercialdiameter,anominal1.168inches,soyouwillhavetomakesurethatwhatevertelestockyouuseisofcommercialdiameter.Themilitary-specdiameter(anominal1.148inches)willnotfit.

Themilitary-specdiameter(anominal1.148inches)willnotfit.Thetubecomeswithitsownfastener,anAllen-headmachinescrew,which

thestockisthreadedtoaccept.Thetubealsohasapairofslingloopsatthefrontendwhereyoucaninstallasidesling.Thefrontisarectangularbosswithroundedcorners.Ifoversized,simplyuse

acoarse,flatfiletodressdownthesidesandmakeitfit.(Goslowly,youcanalwaystakemorematerialoff,butyoucan’tputanyback.)Onceitisasnugfit,useamallettorapitbrisklyintoplacetofullyseat.Theninsertandtightendownthescrew.Slideonyourtelestock,andyounowhaveasix-positionstockonyourAK.

Thebuffertubeismoldedtofitandcomeswithanattachmentscrew.Noextratripstothehardwarestorearerequired.

Asmodsgo,thisisprettyreasonable.Thepolymer,fixedstockCAAbuffertubelistsfor$35.Thealuminumfolderruns$115.So,togettheM4stockon

tubelistsfor$35.Thealuminumfolderruns$115.So,togettheM4stockonyourAKwillcostyoutheCAAbuffertubeandateleslider.Notexpensive.

MAGPULMOEMagpulseemstobeonamissiontomakeeverythingoutofpolymerthatcan

bemadeoutofpolymer.StartingwithARmags,theyhaveexpandedtothepointthatwhatevercomesoutnextisnosurprise.TheMagpulAKMOEisasturdystockthatisaboutassimpleasyoucanget,shortofmakingitoutofwood.Thestockcomeswiththeinstallationhardware,sinceyouaren’tgoingtobeusingthewoodscrewsthatheldontheoriginalstock.Magpulincludesinstructionswiththestock,andyoushouldreadthembeforeyoustart.OneinterestingaspectoftheMOEdesignisthewedgeblock.Aswe’vediscussedbefore(OK,soI’vehoundedyouonit)thedimensionalstabilityoftheAKisprettymuchnon-existent.Yourstockfitstightlybecauseitwasfittedatthefactory.Magpulcan’tmakeastockthatfitsthemall,unlessitisadjustable.That’swherethewedgeblockcomesin.Simplyinstallthewedgeblock,butonlyfingertight.Then,onceyouhavethestockinstalled,tightenthewedgeblockto30to40in-lbs,whichcausesittoslipinside,wedgeintothesocket,andfittightly.Thisisn’trocketscience,butitisclever.

TheMagpulMOEstockhasahandybuilt-instoragecompartment.

TheMOEstockhasatopcompartment(whichyouhavetoopentoinstall)

whereyoucanstorethingslikeacleaningkit.TheMOEdoesnotfold,telescopeoradjustinanyway.Itisjustabrutallysimpleandsturdystock.

MAGPULZHUKOV-STheZhukovstockiseverythingtheMOEisandalotmore.Ittooissturdy

andsimple.Butitisalsoadjustableforlengthofpullanditfolds.InstallationfollowsthesamepatternastheMOE,butthescrewsareabitdifferent,becauseoftheneedforthehingeassembly.Finishbytighteningthewedgeblockinthetrunnion.TheZhukov-SlacksthestoragecompartmentoftheMOE,butitisadjustable.

Thetrigger-lookingthinginfrontofthebuttplateisthelatch.Grabthebuttplatejustlikeitwasapistolgrip,andpressthetabjustlikeitwasatrigger.Thisunlatchesthestocksoyoucanslideitinorouttosetitwhereyouwantit.

TheZhukovstockextendedfulllength.

TheunlockbuttonfortheZhukovisontheleftside.

Exceptforthehingepinandthespring,theZhukovstockisallsynthetic.

Exceptforthehingepinandthespring,theZhukovstockisallsynthetic.

Folded,theZhukovdoesn’tblocktheejectionport.Thatwouldbewrong,andMagpuldoesn’tdowrong.

POSITIONANDANGLETheoriginalstocksnotonlywereshort,buthadalotofdrop.Theideawasto

makeitusefulontheassault,andthatmeantstandingormovingforward.Theshortstockisevenworsewhenyoutrytofireprone.Manyofthereplacementstocksarenotonlylonger,buteliminatedrop,orareangledtolocatethestock,andyourface,inahigherspotbehindthesights.Thiscanbeaveryindividualthing.IfyoureallyaredeterminedtochangethestockonyourAK,itwouldbeprudenttotryafewothers.Whatmightbepopularwithotherfolkscouldbenotsogoodforyou.Whenyoufindwhatworks,getthedetails,andthengetoneforyourAK.

Onedisadvantageoffoldingstocksistheymakearifletwiceasthickwhenfolded.Fatisn’tasmuchofaproblemaslong,insomesituations.

CHAPTER22SKS

WITHTHEADOPTIONOFTHEM-43CAR-tridge,theSovietUnionnowneededafirearminwhichtochamberit.TheideaofputtingitintotheMosin-Nagantispatentlyabsurd,andIcan’timagineitwasconsideredformorethanthetimeittakestoholdM-43anda7.62X54Rcartridgesupside-by-side.Italsocouldn’tbewrestledintoanyofthesubmachinegunsbeingmade,evenwiththewillingeffortsofthedesignersandproductionteams.TheballisticsoftheM-43arejusttoomuchtoshoehornintoablowbackdesign.ItisonethingtofitaV-8engineintoasmalltrucklikeaFordRanger.(I’veseenonesuchconversion,hitthethrottletooheavyandthetorquethreatenstorollthetruckupside-down.)Atleastthereisenoughroom(barely)intheenginecompartmentinsuchconversions,andthedrivercanbejudiciousinhis/heruseofthethrottle.

TheguardoutsideoftheKremlinhasanSKS,notanAK.Themanualofarmsiseasier,anditislongenoughthathecanholditatrest.

longenoughthathecanholditatrest.

Butfirearmshavemuchmorerestrictivelimits.Eachroundfiresatthefullforcewithwhichitwasmade,nothrottlingispermitted.EvenwiththesteelcaseoftheM-43,ablowbackfirearmwouldnotworkverylong,norprobablyveryreliablywhileitwasworking.TheM-43neededalocked-breechdesign.TheSKS,orSimonov45,orSamozaryadniyKarabinsistemiSimonova,was

obviouslyadoptedin1945.DesignedbySergeiGavrilovichSimonov,itisaself-loadingcarbinethatfiresfroma10-roundmagazinefixedtothecarbine.Toload,putthesafetyto“Safe”(forward,whereitcanbefeltinthetriggerguard)andpulltheoperatinghandleback.Itwilllockopen.Grabstrippercliporclips(fiveor10-shotvariety)andplacethemintheslotsmachinedintheheadoftheboltcarrier.Striptheroundsdownintothemagazine,removetheclip,pullthecharginghandlebackslightlyandlettheboltdriveforwardunderitsownpower.

TheunclutteredtopcoveroftheSKSmakesitaneasy-to-machinepart,andalsolackssharpedgesthatcanhookonequipment.

Pushthesafetyoff,aimandpressthetrigger.Eachtriggerpresswillproduceoneshot(unlesssomeonehasbeenscrewingwithit,inwhichcaseyoushouldgetitfixedimmediately)andthehugeextractorgrabseachsteel-casedempty,haulsitoutofthechamberwheretheejectorcanflingitintothetallgrass.Oncetheammunitionisexhausted,theboltwilllockopen,whereuponyoucanreloadandrepeat.

SKSINTHEUSATheSKSusedtobearelativelyrarecollectorsitem.Theywereallowedas

bring-backsouvenirsduringtheVietnamWar,andsosomecamebackthatway.Butnotawholelot,andcombinedwiththelackofammo(WhoshootsacouplehundreddollarSKSwith$2-a-roundLapuaammothesedays?)Therewassome

hundreddollarSKSwith$2-a-roundLapuaammothesedays?)TherewassomeinterestincollectibleSKSsbackthen.IrecallthatourshopmanagerJohnhadone.Itwas(asIrecall)aRussian-markedbring-back,completewithpapers.NotmanyRussianSKSsappearedthen,andthisonewasinprettygoodshape.John’sdadaskedtoborrowit,andJohnrelented,remindinghisdadoftherarity,andaskedthathebecareful.Whenhisdadfinallyreturnedtherifle,Ithoughttherewasgoingtobebloodshed.Dadhad“sporterized”theSKSforahuntingtrip.Bayonet,gone;lugforsame,groundoff;cleaningrod,gone;stockshortened,sanded,stainedandlacquered;collectorsvalue,gone.Ivaguelyrecalledthathe’dalsodonesomepermanentalterationstothesights.Johnalmostmadesomepermanentalterationstohisdad.Ifithadbeenjustacoupleofyearslater,Johncouldhavesimplyhandedhim

aChineseSKSasagift,andavoidedthewholesituation.Yousee,whentheChinesewereswampingthemarketwithAKs,theywereworkingovertimetogetanSKSintothehandsofeveryonewitheventheslightestinterest.Somuchso,infact,thatnowyoucanseeinsomeruralareasthattheSKShasreplacedthelever-action.30-30asthecommonhunting/workgun.Forawhileduringthefirstimporttsunami,youcouldgotoalmostanygunshowwhereyouhadyourchoiceofanySKSfromthestackonthegundealer’stable,andacaseofammo,fornotmuchmorethan$150.Forthatkindofmoney,awholelotofshootersovercametheirdislikeof“commieguns”and“cheapChineseimports”andlearnedtoliketheSKS.Theyalsolearned“liketoshoot”andspentyearsconsumingvastquantitiesofcheapimportedammo.

[1]Grabthelittleleverattherearofthecoverandpivotitupandtotherear.

[2]Onceitispivotedfarenough,youcanwrestleittotheside.

[3]Itiscaptured,soyoucan’tloseit.

[4]Oncethelatchisclear,removethecover.

[5]Thecoverandtherecoilspringunderneath.

[6]Pullthespringout.

[7]Runthecarrierbacktotherearandlift.

[8]Thecarriercomesoutwithoutthebolt.

[9]Youhavetofisharoundinthereceivertogettheboltout.

[10]Notetheextractor—big,strongandheavily-sprung.

[11]Thereceiverisaprettysimplethingtomachine:justabig,squarechannel.

[12]Tolowerorunloadthemagazine,pressthelatchforward.

[13]Themagazinewillhingedown,butstaysputunlessithasbeenmodified,asthisonehasbeen.

[14]Hereisthedastardlytriggerassemblycatch.Thisspringisamazinglystrong.

[15]Yeah,goodluckwiththat.

Contrarytosome“experts”theSKSisnotjustanAKwithafixedmagazine.Theoperatingsystemsdiffergreatly.First,thegassystem.TheSKSusesafree-floatingpistonthatridesinthegastube.Thegasfromthecartridgeisdivertedthroughthegasportandstrikestheheadofthepiston.Thepiston,actinglikethetappetontheM1Carbine,worksthroughthepistonextension,whichstrikes/pushestheboltcarrier.Thethreeparts(piston,pistonextensionandcarrierontheearlydesigns)arenotattached,andwhenthepistonandpistonextensioneachreachthelimitsoftraveltheystop,whilethecarrierkeepsmoving.Later,thefussyextensionandspringweredropped,andthepistonisasimpleheadedrod,extendingfromthegasporttothecarrier.Thecarrierhasawedge-shapedclawonthebottom.Thatclawcontactsasimilar(albeitupsidedown)clawontherearofthebolt.Theanglesoftheclawsacttolifttherearoftheboltupoutofthelockingrecessinthereceiver,thenpushthebolttotherear.Whentheboltuncoversthecartridgestack,thelifterinthemagazinepushes

thestackupward.Afterrunningoutofroom,theboltstops,andpushedbythe

thestackupward.Afterrunningoutofroom,theboltstops,andpushedbytherecoilspring,runsforward.Itpushesthetoproundaheadandchambersit.Thecarriercontinuestorunforwardevenaftertheboltstops,andasmallangledsurfaceonthetoprearoftheboltgivesthecarriertheleveragetocamtheboltdownintoitslockingrecess.Thecarrierthencontinuestorunoverthetopoftheboltforashortdistance,trappingtheboltdowninthelockingrecess.Beforethecarrierreturns,andtheboltstripsandfeedsaround,thepistonextensionispushedbackoutofthewaybyitsownreturnspring.Thedesignshouldsoundfamiliar,asitisbasicallythesamesystemusedin

theFNSAFN-49andFAL.LestyouthinkSimonovthoughtofitfirst,theSAFN-49isadesignthatFNhadjustpriortoWWII,butjustbeforetheGermansrolledintoLiege,thedesigner,DeudionneSaive,fledthecountrywithhisdrawings.(Agoodthing,too,astheSAFN-49couldeasilyhavebeenmadein7.92X57,andprovidedtheGermanswithareliable,rugged,self-loadingriflefromthebeginningofthewar.)TheFALusesasinglepiston,notpistonandextension,butthetippingbolt,liftedandshoveddowninthebackendbythecarrieristhesamedesign.

SKSDISASSEMBLYTakingtheSKSapartisnottoodifficult,forthereisn’tthatmuchforyouto

workon.Firstmakesureitisunloaded.Ontherearofthecoveryou’llseealittlelever.Rotateitupandtotherear,andpullittotheright.Itwillstayattachedtothereceiver,andatthatpointyoucanliftthecoverupandbackoutoftheway.Therecoilspringwillhelpyoumovethecover.Pullthespringassemblyout.Thenrunthecarrierbackuntilyoucanliftitupandout.Useyourfingerstofishtheboltoutoftherearportionofthereceiver.Ontherearsightpillaristhesamekindofleverholdingthegastubeonas

you’llfindonanAK.Unlatchandpivotthisleverup.Onceitclearsthetube,pivotthetubeup.Notethatthepistonisheldinthetubeandifyoupointthefrontendofthetubedownward,thepistonwillfallout.Doingsocanresultinvaryingdegreesofdifficulty:youcandamageyourreputationatthegunclubby

havingthetubeclangonthepavementandclatteracrossthefiringline.Oryoucandamageyourrelationshipbyhavingthepistonslipoutofthegastubeandcrashthroughtheglasstopofthecoffeetableofwhichyourwife/girlfriend/significantotherissofond.Scrubthebolt,carrier,pistonandtube.Aquicklookatthemagazine:Thelatchisattherear.Pullthelatchtotherear

andthemagazinecoverpopsopenandhingesdown.Themagazinecover,andthefollower/lifteranditsspringareallattachedtothereceiver.Asarifleissuedtotheilliterateandunwashedmasses,suchadesignhasitsbenefits.Sincethemagazinecan’tdetach,itcan’tbelost.Itdoes,however,limitreloadingtostripperclips.TheSKScanbemodifiedtohavethemagazineremovable,butyouhaveto

attachthemagazineinteriortothecover,orthepartswillsimplyfalloutseparatelywhenyoupushthelatch.Self-containedmagazineswillalsofit,buttheyhaveasingulardrawback:sincethebolttravelsinteriorofthefeedlips,theboltmustbebacktoinsertorremovesuchmagazines.Still,Tapcomakesaremovable20-roundmagazinethatworksjustfine,in

yourchoiceofcolors.Othermakersoffer30-roundmagazines,andforthosewhohuntinjurisdictionsrequiringit,5-roundSKSmagsareeasytofind.Youcanalsoblockyourexistingmagazine.Simplyopenthemagazineandinsertasuitableblockofwoodbetweenthecoverandthefollower,suchthatthemagazinewon’tholdmorethanfiverounds,andyou’redone.Ofcourse,iftheblockfallsoutinthecourseofcleaningyourrifleinhuntingcamp,you’dhaveanunlawfulhuntingrifle(whereapplicable).Soalotofshooterssimplyponyupthelessthan$20fora5-roundmagazinefromCheaperThanDirt,installit,andbedone.TheChinesealsomadeaseriesofSKSriflesthatacceptAKmagazines.As

thesewereallimportedbeforethechangeinimportationlaws,youdonothavetoaddU.S.-madepartstoputahigh-capmagazineintothem.ThemagazineisheldinplaceonregularSKSsbythetriggerassembly.

Removingthetriggerassemblycanbesuchahasslethatonsomeriflestheownershavenevertakenitoff.Ifyouwanttotry,here’show:emptychamber,thenpushthesafetytotheSafe(upward)position.Behindthetriggerguardisabuttonwithabullet-tipdimple.Theideaisthatyouuseabullettiptocompressthespringholdingthetriggerassemblyontothereceiver.Thismustbesomesortofcommiejoke,becausethespringisstrongerthansomepeople’shands.Onceyou’vepushedthespringfarenoughoutoflinetoreleasethetriggerassembly,useyourthirdhandtoyankthetriggerassemblyoutofthereceiver.Onceyoudothat,themagazineassemblyisfreetofalloutonitsown.

Evenstout,steel-casedammosometimesisn’tuptothetask.Manyshooterssimplyleavethetriggerhousinginplace.

Toreassemble,insertthemagazineassembly.Makesurethefrontofthetriggerassemblycatchesandtrapsthemagazinebody,thenleverthetrigger

assemblybackintoplaceuntilthewretchedlittlespringlatchesitbackinplace.Uptop,puttheboltintherearsectionofthereceiverandplacethecarrier

overit.Thenrunthecarrierforwarduntiltheboltislockedinthefireposition.Inserttherecoilspringassemblyintotherearofthecarrier,pushthecoverdownandforward,lineuptheholesandpushthelatchbackacross.Rotatethelever,andyou’redone.

SKSLEGALITIESI’veheardpeopleexpresstheopinionthattheSKSisn’tcoveredby922(r)

because“itisn’tanAK.”Sorry,wrongthere.Asanimported,self-loadingrifle,itisindeedcoveredby922(r)andifyoubringittoanun-importablestatusyouhavetodothesamesortofpartsswappingrequiredoftheAK.I’llspareyouarecitationofthelegalboilerplateagain.Thelistofparts,as

you’llrecall,are:(1)Frames,receivers,receivercastings,forgingsorstampings(2)Barrels(3)Barrelextensions(4)Mountingblocks(trunnions)(5)Muzzleattachments(6)Bolts(7)Boltcarriers(8)Operatingrods(9)Gaspistons(10)Triggerhousings(11)Triggers(12)Hammers(13)Sears(14)Disconnectors(15)Buttstocks(16)Pistolgrips(17)Forearms,handguards

(17)Forearms,handguards(18)Magazinebodies(19)Followers(20)FloorplatesSKS-relevantpartsareinbold.

[1]ThegastubelatchisidenticalinfunctionastheoneontheAK.

[2]Liftandpivot.

[3]Onceitswingsfarenough,thetubewillclear.

[4]Simplyliftthegastube,butdon’tdropthepistonoutthefrontend.

[5]Thepistonextensionisprotrudingthroughtherearofthetube.Itdoesnottravelasfarasthecarrierdoes.

Youcanseethat,inimportedtrim,theSKSonlyhas15parts(16forthe

Youcanseethat,inimportedtrim,theSKSonlyhas15parts(16fortheYugos,withtheirgrenadelaunchers)andtheU.S.partsquotientisn’tonerous.Theeasiestwaytogetanotherwisenon-importableconditionSKSuptothecorrectpartscountistouseanallU.S.-madehigh-capmagazine.Ifyougofroma10-shotnon-detachablemagazine,toa20-shotdetachable,andthemagazineisallU.S.-made,you’vejustswappedthreeparts:body,follower,floorplate.Ifyouthenchangeoutthepistonandthehandguard,you’vemadeit.YoucanthenaddaU.S.-madepistolgripstock,andamuzzledevicesuchasamuzzlebrakeorflashhider,andyourcountstaysevenorgoesdown.(Thenewstockaddsapistolgriptothecount,butturnsanimportedstockintoaU.S.-madeone,droppingtheimportedpartscountbyone.)

Thefiber-opticrearsightsAccuratePlatinginstalledononeofthetestSKSs.

Thefiber-opticfrontsight.Red,green,yellow,youhaveachoiceofcolors.

SKSTriggersSomethinghappenedintherecentpast,somethingthatwasentirely

unexpected;theSKSgotrespect.Youcanfindmorestocks,accessoriesandextrasfortheSKSthaneverbefore,butthebigthing,thedetailthatmeansitisaccepted(besideshavingbeenpurchasedbytheliteralboatload)isthis:youcannowgetimprovedSKStriggers.Americanshooterspridethemselvesonbeingmarksmen.Allofusbearthe

burdenofSergeantYork,ofHawkeyeinLastoftheMohicans(andwhowouldnotgobacktorescueMadeleineStowe?)andanalmostendlesslistofothers.Toshootwell,youhavetohaveanaccuraterifle,butmoreimportantly,you

needagoodtrigger.Anaccurateriflewithatriggersowretcheditrequirestwofingersandapairofplierstodepressisgoingtobenotsofuntoshoot.Norwillitbeaccurate.EvenacursoryglanceattheSKStriggersystemdesignwillmakeitclearit

EvenacursoryglanceattheSKStriggersystemdesignwillmakeitclearitwasintendedtobeahard-userifle.Andonethatdidnotrequireexoticalloys,heat-treatmentorevencaretocontinuetowork.Well,we’reAmericans,andweinsistonagoodtrigger.WhenanSKScould

behadforamere$79,noonereallycaredwhatthetriggerwaslike.You’dbeshootingammothroughitthatcost$79percaseof1,600roundsanyway,havingamerrygoodtime,andwhenitfinallyquit,itwasliterallycheapertobuyanewonethangetthebustedonefixed.Well,nomore.Dependingontheorigin,condition,andthepoliticalclimate,

anSKSatagunshowthesedays(orintherackofagunshop)isgoingtorunyouover$300.Andifitisaclean,scrubbedandwell-madeone,itcouldeasilyhaveatagonitthatisover$400.Amanbuysa$400rifle,heexpectsittohaveadecenttrigger.Andifhefinds

itshootsreasonablywell,buthasanot-so-cleantriggeronit,he’lllookintoimprovingthetrigger.TheproblemwithmostSKStriggersisthattheyhavebeenmadeofsoftsteel.No,softsteelisnotanoxymoron,itjustmeansanalloythathasn’tbeenhardened.Becauseitissoft,itwillhavealargeengagementsurfaceonthesearandhammer.So,youcangoandstonetheledge,andmakethepullcleanandcrisp,butitwon’tnecessarilystaythatway.Asitwears,itchanges.Youhavetoknowhowandwheretostoneandadjust,anditisnotnecessarilyobvious.

Aone-piecepistondesignfromanSKS.

So,yougowithsomeonewhocanhandlethetask,likeTomPrinceofKivaariorMurray’sGunsmithing.Anotheroptionistoacquireanentirelynew,replacementtriggerassemblyfromKeepShooting.TheonlyflyinthisointmentisthattheKeepShootingassemblycannotbemadetofiteverymodelevermade.Theremaybesomefittinginvolvedonyourpart,butthatisnotaninsurmountablehurdleformanyreaders.Murray’soffersafiringpinupgrade,inwhichthefree-floatingoneas

originallydesignedisrebuiltwithareboundspring.Thisprecludestheannoyingfrozen-forwardfiringpinslam-firethatcanhappenifyouletyourlow-alloySKSgetabitrusty.(Hey,itridesinthebackofapickuptruck,insidethecap.Itgetshumidbackthere.)

OneofthemuzzlebrakesAPWcaninstallonyourSKS.

AnothergunsmithwhohassetuptodeliveranimprovedtriggerpullontheSKSisBarnesGunParts,whochangeitfromwretchedtoverynice.Thosewhoareexperimentallyinclined,orwhojustenjoyalearning

experience,cancontactAmericanGunsmithingInstitute,orAGIandacquireoneoftheirvideos,specificallytheonethatdetailshowtoperformatriggerjobonyourSKS.Finally,forthenewhistoricalcostofSKSs,whybother?Whyincur$100in

gunsmithing,forariflethatcanbereplacedfornotmuchmorethanthat?Becauseyoucanhavesomeveryinterestingrifles,that’swhy.

ACCURATEPLATINGWhenIlastvisitedBobCogan,hewasinSt.Petersburg,FL,rightnearwhere

mygrandmotherusedtolive.Whenhesetupshopthere(andwhenIwasvisitinggramsonvacation)St.Petewasnotsobig.Itgrewtothepointthatthereweretoomanyretireesandyuppieswillingtospendinordinateamountsofmoneyforcrappylittlecondos,andBobpackedupandleft.He’snowinruralAlabama,withnoneighborhassles,lowertaxes,andabiggershop.HesentmearaftofSKSrifleshe’dworkedon,toshowjustwhatyoucandowithabasicrifle.Now,beawarethatthefull-outeffortstomakeanSKSintosomething

interestingcanresultinspendingseveraltimesoncustomworkwhatyouspentontherifle,thoughnothinglikea1911whereyoucanbuya$500pistolandspend$3000gettingcustomworkdoneonit.Hesentacamo-paintedsyntheticstockSKSthathadbeenbroughtinwiththe

AKmagmodification.Upfronthe’daddedhisownmuzzlebrake,tomakethealreadycushySKSasoftershooter.Tomakeitassoftaspossible,he’dinstalledarecoilpadonthebuttstock.Thepistolgriphadbeensculptedtoprovidefingergrooves.Alotofpeoplelikefingergroovesbutmyhandsmustbeun-normal.I’veneverfoundagripyetwithfingergrooveswherethegroovesfellcorrectlyformyhands.Butifitworksforyou,itisgolden.Shootingthisonewasaboutassoftanexperienceasyoucanget,launching123-grainbulletsat2,300fps.Ifyourustledupsome5-shotmagazinesforit,youcouldhaveasuper-softhuntinggunforkidsorthelittlelady.Or,youmanlytypeswhoarerecoil-sensitive.Hesentanotherthathadtherearsightreplacedwithabaseforreddotscopes,

towhichhehadboltedonanearlymodelAimpoint.Togetsomeonehookedonshooting,there’snothingbetterthanareddotscope.Theeaseofaimingwithareddotmakeshittingacinch,andoncenewshootersstarthitting,theyreallystartlikingshooting.

Therelationshipofthecarrierandbolt,whentheboltislocked.Therearcamofthecarrierholdstheboltdownintothelockingrecess.

Asthecarriergoesbackward,thecamanglescontact,andthecarrierliftstheboltoutoflocking.

Hereisthebolt,unlockedandinpositionbeforethecarriertakesitbacktoopen,extract,ejectandbeginfeeding.

Forwardofthelockingrecess(totheright)isthedisconnectorandthebolthold-open.

Theboltinitslockedposition,withoutthecarrier,coverorrecoilspring.

Theboltinitslockedposition,withoutthecarrier,coverorrecoilspring.

TheTapco20-roundmagazinethatreplacesyourstandard10-shotmag.

Thereisapriceformoreammo:themagazineislonger.

Anotheronehadadifferentmuzzlebrakeonit,andfiber-opticsightsfrontandrear.Again,softinrecoil,andforthosewhoaregoingtouseironsights,

fiberopticscreateaglowingsetofdotsthatyoucan’tfailtosee.YoucanhaveyourSKShard-chromed,asBobhasdonetoseveralofthosehe

sentme.Oryoucanapplypaintinwhateverschemeappealstoyou.AnotheroptionistosendyourSKSofftoBobfortheheavy-dutyworkthatrequiresmetalworkandthelike,andonceitreturnsdotheextramodsthatappealtoyouandcanbedoneonyourworkbench.OneaspectoftheSKSthathasneverenthusedmeisthesights.Opensights

arejustnotthatgreat.Yes,youcanhitwhatyou’reaimingat,butitisaloteasierandfastertodosowithaperturesights.OnecompanythatisofferingaperturesightsfortheSKSandAKisTech-Sights.Thisaperturesightattachestotherearofthetopcover,whereitoffersseveralbenefits.First,itincreasesthesightradius.Here,moreisdefinitelybetter.Second,itisproperdistancefromtheeye.Third,itcanbeinstalledandremoveddependingonifyoufinditusefulornot.Therearealotofshooterswhodon’tlikeaperturesights(neverlearnedhow,toomuchtimewiththeoldsights,whatever)andtheycanberemoved.

SomeChineseSKSrifleswereimportedallreadytotakeAKmagazines.

Despitethelimitationsonthemechanism,theappealoftheSKSismultiple:itissoincrediblycheap,bothtobuyandfeed,thatitishardtoresist.Ifyoubreaksomethingonit,youcanbuyanewpart,oranewrifle.Andaslongasitisrunning,andammoischeap,shootingitisfunandwon’tbreakthebank.

SKSCOLLECTINGOK,youwantthecompleterundownofmarkings,datesofmanufacture,

variationsandvalues.PickupStandardCatalogofMilitaryFirearmspublishedbyGunDigest.OranSKS-specificcollectorsbook,liketheJoePoyervolume.Whateveryoudo,avoidliketheplagueoneoftheAK/SKSpolemicswrittenby“respectable”journalists.Whatyou’llgettherearescreedsblamingtheAK(andtangentiallytheSKS)foreverythingfromdecreasedindustrialoutput,increasedViagraconsumption,worldpoverty,globalwarmingandthepriceofname-brandcoffeebeverages.AswiththeAK,theSKShasbeenmadeforalongtime,inmanycountries,

andinanumberofvariants.I’msuresomeoneoutthereistrying(ormaywellhavesucceeded)incollectingthemall.

SKSUPDATESIhaveaconfessiontomake:Ihaven’ttreatedtheSKSwiththerespectit

deserves,notforalongtime.Whenitwastheonlycommierifletobehad,IstillhadmyheadwrappedaroundMausersandGarands,andastubbylittlecarbinewasn’tofmuchinterest.Collectingitwasn’tmuchofaplan,becausetheyhadn’tbeenimported,therewereonlyVietnamWarbring-backs.

[1]TheAPWhuntingspecial—camo,magazineandthree-dotsights.

[2]Therecoilpad.A7.62x39riflehardlyneedsit,butifyou’reteachinganewshooter,allthebettertogetthemhooked.

[3]Notethatthepistolgriphasbeensculptedtomakeitmorecomfortableforsomeshooters.I’mnotoneofthem,butmanyofyouare.

[4]Thebayonetlugisgone,butthemuzzlebrakemakesitasoftshooter.

Side-by-side,astandardSKS(withhardchrome)andachi-combuilttotakeAKmags.BobCogantookaregularreplacementstockandmadeitfittheAK-magvariant.

Thecamoversionislessflashy,whichworksinthewoods.Ontherange,flashyissometimestheidea.

idea.

Then,whentheChinesestartedbringingthemoverbytheliteralboatload,well,“collecting”theSKSwasnotunlikealater“collecting”fad,BeanieBabies.(Thatdidn’t’workoutsowellforthepeoplewhowerelatetothegame.Justaboutthetimeyoubuiltupacompletecollectionthefadpassed,andtheywereessentiallyworthless.Actuallyworthless.)Andnow?SincetheplainSKSslefttobringinarethelast,orthenewest,costasmuchasanAKusedto.No,really.BackwhenIwrotethefirstvolume,youcouldbuildanAKforacouplehundredbucks.Youcouldbuyanewoneforahundredmore.Well,nowanSKScostsyouthatmuch.Partlyduetothe“surplus”dryingup,partlyduetosupplyanddemand,andpartlydueto,Idon’tknow,callitthe“mutteffect.”Justastherearesomeofuswho,whenfacedwithawetpaintsign,justhavetotouchit,therearethoseamonguswhocannotpassupafirearmthatothersdon’tlikeorcan’twarmupto.OnethingIdiscoveredaboutthenewstateoftheSKSisthecondition.Not

thewearandtear,theyareallprettygoodstill.No,theconditioninwhichtheyareshipped.

IfyouhaveanAK-magvariant,youcanuseanyofthem:10,20or30rounds.

TheChoatefoldingstock.U.S.-made,anda922part.

Hereyouseethetackweldsthatallowthis10-shotmagazinetobedetachable.

ScopemountonanSKSanyone?

Withareddotscope(thisisanearlyAimpoint)shootinggetstobeeveneasierandfun.

Forthosewhomust,originalsightsworkjustfine.Thissightismarkedtoanabsurd1,000meters.

Forthosewhomust,originalsightsworkjustfine.Thissightismarkedtoanabsurd1,000meters.

Iorderedonerecently,justtokeepuptospeedonthings.ThecarbinewassocakedinCosmoline(ortheequivalent)thatatfirstIwasn’tsuretherewasarifleunderthere.ThisisthenormalstateofSKSsthatarrivethesedays.TheyhaveeitherbeenslatheredwithCosmowhentheywerestuffedintostoragedecadesago,ortheyweresprayedwithitbeforeshipping,sotheywouldn’trustontheboatrideover.

Anunmodifiedmagazine,showingthemagcoverandthehingedfollower.

Thespringthatdrivesthefollower/lifterisupnearthehinge.

Hereisachi-comSKSwitha30-roundmagazine.

Hereisachi-comSKSwitha30-roundmagazine.

Howtogetthethingclean?Mineralspirits.YouneedtodissolvetheCosmoline,andthenhaveasafeplacetodumptheCosmoline-cruddedmineralspirits.Thisisnotajobthatyoucandoinafewminutes,orevenafewhours.You’llneedgloves,buckets,plasticboxesorcontainers,andafewrollsofpapertowelsorshoprags.Putonthegloves,andashopapronifyouhaveone.Ifyoudon’t,recognize

thattheslightestslipwillbringaCosmolinecakedpartincontactwithyourclothing,andthat’sthat.DisassembletheSKS,andplacethepartsinasmallplastictub,liketheshoebox-sizedstoragebinsyoucangetatthebig-boxstoreforacoupleofbucks.Thestockandthebarreledactionneedatube,likeaPVCtubewithacapon

it,oralong,narrowtrough.Pouryourmineralspiritsontotheparts,ineachofthecontainers.Letthem

soak.Onewaytodothisistotakeeverythingtothegunclubinthemorning,andstartwiththis.Thenwhilethepartssoak,dowhateverelseitisyoudoatthegunclub.Then,intheafternoon,putyourglovesbackonandstartwiththepapertowels,wipingofftheCosmoline.ThebigadvantageoftheCosmoisthatitwon’tharmthefinishofthestock.If

youaren’tconcernedaboutthat,becauseyou’llberefinishingitanyway,youcangetmoreaggressive,anduseEasy-Offovencleaner.You’vegottobeevenmorecarefulwiththis,becauseitiscaustic.Gloves,apron,glassesofgoggles,anddon’tdothiswhenitiswindy.Also,haveabigcanofWD40handy.

TheTapcomuzzlebrake.

TheTapcopistonextension,forthosewithtwo-piecesystems.

ATapcopiston,laterone-piece.

Spraytheparts,letitsoakforafewminutes,thenwipeoff.OncecleanofCosmo,spraywiththeWDtocleanoffanyEasy-Offresidue.Oh,youaren’tquitedoneyet.Useacleaningrodandpatcheswithmineral

spiritstogettheCosmolineoutofthebore.Yes,itisinthebore.Andyouhavetogetitout.Thisisnoteasy,orneat.But,thestuffhasdoneitsjob;theSKSyoujust

cleanedhasnotchangedmuch,ifatall,sinceitwasdippedinavatofthestuffdecadesago.Reassemble,andenjoy.

CHAPTER23FUTUREOFTHEAK

YOU’DTHINKAFIREARMPRODUCEDTOthetuneof100millionwouldhaveasecureandrosyfuture.(We’vebeenthroughtheAKproductionnumbers,butforthepurposesofillustration,I’llgowiththehighestimate.)Notso.AsIpointedoutinthebeginning,therearemanypoliticianswhoequatethetoolwiththesituationinwhichthetoolisused.ThatThirdWorlddespotsarmtheirthugswithAK-47riflesisproofenoughforthemthattheAKisevil,andmustberemovedfrom“politesociety.”However,itislongpastputtingthatparticulargeniebackintothebottle.Here

intheU.S.,theAKhasgainedmorethanafoothold,ithasafollowing.Toomanyshootersownonefortheinanimateobjecttobevilifiedandexpunged.Notthattheattention-grabbing,vote-buying,perk-seekingpoliticianswon’ttry.Beingprotectedbyarmedsecuritydoesnotmakeoneanysmarterormoreskilledatarms.SoeverytimeapoliticianprotectedbyarmedguardstellsmeIdon’tneeda[fillintheblank]IknowI’mdealingwithsomeonewhoneedstobevotedoutofoffice.Prognosticationisatrickybusiness.Oftenthewrongpredictionswillbe

trumpetedtoprovethepredictorasanidiot.Withthatriskinmind,here’smytakeontheAK-47.Itwillbewithusforalongtime.Theinitialeffortstobanitfellapartontheveryanvilthatwastryingtobeusedtoeliminatethem:politics.ProhibitioneffortsintheearlyyearsranheadlongintothedesiretoextendMost-Favored-Nation(MFN)tradestatustoChina.Inthe1980sandearly1990s,Chinadidnothaveanindustrialbasesufficienttomakelaptopcomputersorsmartphones.Infact,laptopcomputersreallydidn’texistassuchbackthen.No,

whattheyhad,thatweindividualswerewillingtospendAmericandollarson,wereAKs,SKSsandtheammunitionforthem.So,weweresoonawashinAKsandammo.Ihavewonderedif,knowingthat,thepoliticianswhoweresoeagertoextend

MFNstatusonChinawouldstillhavegoneaheadwithit.Intryingtostuffthegeniebackintothebottlebackthen,politicianssimply

madeitclearerthattherewasamarketforAKs.Thehardertheytriedtobanoreliminatethem,theharderwestrovetoacquirethem.Afterthe“wanderinginthewilderness”oftheClintonyearstheshiftwenttoimportingpartskits.ThecollapseoftheSovietUnionandtheWarsawPactmeantmuchthesamethingtoEasternEuropethatithadtoChinajustafewyearsbefore:theonlythingtheyhadthatwewantedwereAKs.(NoonewantedaLada,eventodisplayasacuriosity.Migjetswereanothermatter,butwhocouldaffordone,evenatformerSovietfiresaleprices?)So,theysoldpartskits.However,thereceiverscouldnotbeimportedsincetheywereselect-fire.Remember,thedrivingattitudeinpoliticalcircles—andcastinstoneasaregulatorydefinition—istheidea,“onceamachinegun,alwaysamachinegun.”Butofallthepartsofwhichastamped-receiverAKiscomposed,thereceiverisbyfartheeasiesttofabricate.Ican’timaginethatittookacompetentsheetmetalstampingengineermorethanacoupleofeveningsonhishomecomputertodeterminethebasicdimensionsoftheflat.Thefirstwereprobablynotstamped,butwater-jetcut,andthenbentonhomemadejigs.Oncethedetailsofholepositionandsuchwereironedout(thattheoryvs.practicethingagain)thebasicAKflatdimensionsspreadlikeavirus.Flatsarecheapandcanbestampedoutofanumberofmaterials.Primarilysteel.

TheSCARmaybethefuture,oritmaynotbe.AsfortheAK’sfuture,thatwillbedeterminedbythemarket.

Thatleadsmetowonder,hasanyoneevermadeanAKoutofaflatofaluminum?I’veneverseenone,norheardofone,butIhavetoassumethatsomeoneouttherehastriedit.But,backtothesubjectathand.Welearnedtobendsheetsteelflatsandbuild

guns.WegotusedtocheapAKs(A$99partskit,a$10flat,$50inextraU.S.-madepartsandanafternoon,andyouhadanAK)andshotthemuntilweworethemout.WhereAKshadbeenrare,theybecamecommon.WhereanAKwouldhavebeenanobjectofcuriosityatthegunclub,itbecameraretonotseeoneonthelineoratamatch.AmericanslearnedtolovetheAK.Infact,theybecamesocommonthatrangeshadtolearntodealwiththem.Myhomeclubtriedvarioussteel-casepicker-uppersuntilwejustlearnedtoraketheemptiesupandliterallyshovelthemintotrashbins.ThegovernmentprohibitedtheimportationofAKbarrels.Afterall,they

ThegovernmentprohibitedtheimportationofAKbarrels.Afterall,theyweren’treallybeingusedtoreplacewornbarrelsonexistingAKs,andthuswereconsideredsuspect.PartskitsnowareofferedwithU.S.-madebarrels.WereItryingtocausethebuildingofanAK-manufacturinginfrastructure,I

couldhardlyhavecomeupwithabettermethodthanthepaththatgotushere.LookatthepartsthatgointoanAK:barrel,bolt,op-rod/gaspiston,trunnions,receiver,pistolgrip,handguards,gasblockandfrontsight.(We’llignoreforthemomentthevariouspins,rivets,etc.thatgointoit.)MostofthosearenowU.S.-made.Aslongaswestillgettrunnions,oprodsandgasblockscheapfromtheformercommunistcountriesthatmadethem,wecanassembleAKs.Ofthepartsleft,thetrunnionsareeasytofabricatefrombilletsonCNCmachines,andtheoprodisasimpleinvestmentcasting.Thatleavesthegasblock.I’dbetthateitherthetrunnionmachiningcompanyortheop-rodcastingcompanycouldeasilymakegasblocksaswell.Whichoneofthemisfirstdependssolelyontheenergyandindustryoftheownerofthecompany.Thatwas10yearsago.Now,everysinglepartyouneedorwantforanAKis

madeintheU.S.Entireriflesaremadehere,andinexpensivemagazinesarenowcommonfortheAKasfortheAR.Politiciansinadvertentlybuilttheveryindustrialbasethattheywishedtoprevent.Andsomeofthemstillthinktheyarethesmartestmenandwomenintheroom.Whenfreecitizenswithcashinhandwantsomething,ithappens.(Hmmm,didIjustdescribethewarondrugs?Ohwell,differentbook.)Therewillbecomplainers.Therealwaysare.Mostlythosewhocomplainare

thosewhoareaccustomedtocheapAKs,butthepuristswillcomplainalso.Theformer:“HowmuchforanAK?Why,Irememberwhenwecouldbuyallthepartskitswewantedfor[fillintheblank].”SpendingmorethanhalfofwhatanARcoststobuyanAKwilloutragethesepeople,givethemanattackofthevapors.Thepuristswillcomplainthatthecosmeticdetailsaren’tcorrect.“Therivet-headdiametersonyourU.S.-madeAKare2millimeterslargerthanthecorrectsize.”But,they’llgetoverit,forwe’llhaveAKs.Thehigherprices—Americanworkers,notformer-soviet-surpluspartsatsold-for-hard-cashprices

Americanworkers,notformer-soviet-surpluspartsatsold-for-hard-cashprices—meanachangeinquality.Sincewe’llbespendingmorefortherifles,andshootingbetterammo(thesurplusammowon’tlastforever)we’llexpectbetterperformance.TheAKmakerswon’tbeabletosell6MOAAKsatrealprices,sothey’llhavetomakeAKsthatdeliver2MOAwhenfedgoodAmericanammo.TostealaquotefrommyfriendDaveFortier:“Itwillbeglorious.”Italsohas

beenrocky.Therewillbedifferentfactions,differentdimensions.The1911industryhasbeenspendingthelasttwodecadestryingtoresolvetheminordimensionaldifferencesbetweenmajormakers.TheU.S.-madeAKindustrywillhavethesameproblem.Partswilldifferbyasmallamountbetweenonemakerandthenext.Assemblers,gunsmithsandcustommakerswillhavetofigureouthowtofitthedifferingpartsintoaharmoniouswhole.Andwewillhavetogetusedtotheendofthedirt-cheapAK.Allthattime,theAKwillstillbeincompetitionwiththeAR-15,andfending

offthemisguidedpoliticianswhowanttobanit,andallothermilitary-graderifles.Meanwhile,inthebackground,themilitaryitselfwillbeattemptingtoreplacetheAR-15/M-16andjumpuptosomethingbetter.OnesuchpossiblerifleistheSCAR,inLightandHeavyversions.TheLightisa5.56,Heavythe.308,andtheideawastotakeadvantageoftheadvancesinmaterialstoproduceariflethatworksmorereliably,andcanbemaintainedatalowerunitlevelthanispossiblewitheithertheARorAK.AsmuchasIlovetheguysandgalsatFN,theresultswereprettymuchwhatI

hadexpected,andpredicted.TheSCARisnotgoingtoreplacetheAK,ortheAR,soon.TheSCARwasmadeastheend-usersasked—anindestructible5.56,andalightweight7.62.Theendresultis,youcan’tmakeanindestructible5.56withoutmakingitheavierthananAR.Giventhechoicebetweenaheavy(forcaliber)5.56,andalight7.62,theend-usersoptedfor7.62.AnditshowsnosignsofreplacingeithertheARortheAK.Itisbig,itispowerful,itisexpensive,anditthumpsyou.Forlessweight,costandrecoil,youcanhaveariflethatrunsfaster,thumpsless,andhasanendlesschoiceofoptionsandspareparts.Forthemarksmanwhoneedsmorereachandaccuracy,wehaveahostof

parts.Forthemarksmanwhoneedsmorereachandaccuracy,wehaveahostofexistingsolutionsthatdon’trequireanewrifle.IstheSCARabadrifle?No,notatall.Itjustisn’tgoingtoreplacetheAKor

theAR,inthemarketplace,anytimesoon.WhataboutanupgradedAK?We’reseeingjustthatasthenextevolutionof

theAKisunfoldingevenaswespeak.Itishappeningeverytimeyouclickanonlineorder,orbuildanAKwithanewhandguard,topcover,stock,orsights.Everydecisionyoumake,everyaccessoryyoupurchase,issomethingthathappenswithapurpose.Thisisanaspectofthe“invisiblehand”asoutlinedbytheeconomistAdam

Smith.Thetotaleffectoftheenlightenedself-interestofthebuyingpublicactstobuildaprocessorstructurethatcouldnothavebeenplannedandbuiltfromscratch.Smithhaddefinedtheforcethatwouldcauseacommandeconomytocrumble,evenbeforesucheconomyhadbeeninvented.CouldtheDoDhavedesigned,testedandbuilttheperfectARorAK?Yes,

theycouldhave.Itwouldnothavehappenedinourlifetimes,buttheycould.Instead,becausewepayforgearoutofourownpockets,ARmakers(andrightbehindthem,AKmakers)developedtheproductswenowtakeforgranted.TakeMagpulforexample.WhenIstartedshootingARs,USGImagazineswerecraptastic,andtheplasticoneswereevenmoreso.Now,polymerARmagazinesarethestandardagainstwhichallothersaremeasured,andtheynumberinthemanymillions.

AsfunastheSCARis,itisaheavyandhard-recoiling.30cal.rifle.TheAKisacarbine.

Freefloathandguards?KeymodandM-LOK?Tack-drivingbarrels?ScopesandscopemountsthatfittheARperfectly,areindestructible,andallowyoutoshootuptoyourskills?Allofthesecameaboutbecausewewerewillingtotestandpayforthem—

notbecausetheOrdnanceDepartmentdesiredthem.Iwanttomakeitperfectlyclearthatthegovernmentdidnotcreateanyofthe

advancesintheARyounowtakeforgranted.Thehigh-speed,tricked-outARusedbyaSocomoperatortoday,would(absentthelaserunit)makeaprettydecent3-Gunrifle,circa1995.Thegovernment,exceptforbuyingthemforshipmenttoourallies,doesnot

make,specorconcernitselfwiththeAK.Whichisjustfine.Because,unlessthere’sabiggovernmentclampdownontheAK(whichwillleadtootherchanges)wewill,inanotherdecadeorso,haveredefinedtheAK.TheAK-47of

changes)wewill,inanotherdecadeorso,haveredefinedtheAK.TheAK-47ofthe2020’swillbemoreaccurate,reliableandergonomic;itwillacceptscopes,lights,lasers,anditwillbeevenmorecommonthantheAKistoday.ThemarketplaceitselfwillproducetheAKofthefuture,notaRussiandesign

bureau,DoD,orapanelofexpertswhohavebeenhandedthejob.Us.Youandme,spendingourmoneyonproductsthatserveus.I’dbeanidiottotryandpredictthingsspecifically.ButFortierisright,itwill

beglorious.

CHAPTER24AKLEGALASPECTS

ASMENTIONED,I’MNOTALAWYERANDdon’tplayoneonTV.Sodon’ttakeanyofthisaslegaladvice.However,Ihaveledasuccessfulcareerasagunsmith,whichsortofrequiresonetoavoidrunningafoulofthelaw.Alotofwhatwecoveredbackinthefirstvolumewithrespecttolegalitieshaschanged.Actually,thelawitselfhasn’tchanged,butthestartingpoint.Letmeexplain.Thefederalregulationknownat922(r)isstillonthebooks,andisstillsomethingyoushouldknow.But,unlessyouarebuildinguppartskits—kitsthathavebeensittinginyourbasementorgarageforadecadenow—922(r)isn’tsomethingtoworrymuchabout.So,let’stakealookatwhatyourAKmustbeifyouaretoownitlawfully,in

thisnewerainwhichAKsareeverywhereandbuiltbeforeyougettothem.Wewillconsiderthelawswithrespecttoimportedandhome-builtrifles.

SIZEFirst,ithastobeoflegalsize.Thatmeans,attheFederallevel,abarrelofnot

lessthan16inches,andanoveralllengthofnotlessthan26inches.Howmuchmoreis“enough?”Asmuchasyou’recomfortablewith.Thelawsays“notlessthan,”whichtechnicallymeansthatabarrelmeasuring16.01inchesislegallength.Caretoletjustanylawenforcementagentdothemeasuringonthatbarrel?Ithoughtnot.TheminimumI’dbehappywithisanextra.250inches.Whenitcomestobarrels,youareingoodhands.Theoriginalmakersofbarrelswillhavetakenoveralllengthintoconsideration,andtheywillhaveshippedariflewithenoughextrabarreltokeepyououtoftrouble.Asfortheoveralllength,theFedsmeasurethatinastraightforwardand

Asfortheoveralllength,theFedsmeasurethatinastraightforwardandrationalmanner—stockextended.Taketherifle,holditagainstawallwiththesightstouchingthewall.Slidetheunfoldedbuttstockdowntothefloor.Measuretheoverallheightfromthefloor,paralleltothewall,tothehighestpartoftherifle.(Bayonetsnotincluded.)Over26inches?Done,you’rekosher.YoucanbeprettysurethatanyassembledandimportedAKmeetsthose

measurements.Whenitcomestohome-builds,you’dbettermeasurethepartsbeforeyoubuild;but,unlessthebarrelcomesupshort,you’reprobablygoodtogo.Whenitcomestoregsinyourstatedon’tgetmestarted.Somestateagencies

areabsolutemoronswhenitcomestotheabilitytouseayardstickortapemeasure.Oh,didIsaythatoutloud?I’veheardfromsomeAKownersthattheirstateactuallymeasurestheAKmuzzleonthefloor,stockfolded,measuringfromthefloortothebackofthereceiver.(Notusingtheextralengthofthepistolgripangleifany,asitwouldtouchthefloor.)AndifIstartfumingonmeasuringitwiththestockfolded,we’llnevergettothegoodparts.Basically,thelengthofthereceiver,combinedwithastandard,16-inchplus

barrel,makesyourAKlengthOKbytheFeds.Foryourhomestateyou’llhavetoresearchit.Whatifyouwantsomethingshorter?Inthatcase,youhaveanewsetofrules

withwhichtocomply.Knowninthelawasa“Short-barreledRifle,”orSBR,ariflewithashorter-than-normalbarrelhastobeapprovedbeforeitisbuilt.(Unlessyou’rebuyingonethathasalreadybeenbuiltand“papered”bythemanufacturer.)TobuildanSBR,youmustfirstfilloutthecorrectpaperworkandsubmitteditwithyour$200checktotheATF.Onceyourformcomesbackapproved(thatisthe“Stamp”ofthetaxstamppartoftheNFA,orNationalFirearmsAct)youcaneitherbuildityourselfifyouhavetheskill,orsenditoffforbuilding.Thebuilderwillhavehisownlicensetodothatkindofwork,soyousimplyneedtoprovidehimtherifle,acheckforthework,andacopyoftheapprovedform.Youmightask,“Whynotcutdownonthewait,andsendtherifletothe

Youmightask,“Whynotcutdownonthewait,andsendtherifletothemakeralongwiththecheckbeforegettingapproval?Hehasthelicense,hecanbuildbeforemyapprovalcomesthrough,andthensendittomewhenIsendacopyoftheapprovedform?”Thisisabigno-no.Allowmetodescribeamessysituationthatcameup,relatedtomebyamakerwhodidjustthat.Hegavein,andacceptedthecheckforthework,andtherifle,beforethe

stampwasapproved.Then,hewaited.Andwaited.Finally,oncehecontactedtheownerseveraltimes,hefoundoutthattheownerhadhadan“oops”momentinhisyouth,andwasinthelegallimboofgettingthingsstraightenedout.Untilthen,henotonlycouldnotacceptthereturnofhisSBR(theformhavingbeendenied)buthealsohadtohaveallhisfirearmsspiritedawaybyhisattorneyforsafestorageuntilthingswerestraightenedout.So,thechoiceswerefew,andugly—reimbursetheownerfortherifle,then

trytosellittocoverthecosts.Sitonituntilthelegalwranglingwasdone,andchargeforstorage.Scrapit,eattheloss,andrisklawsuitfordestructionofpropertylater.Afterthatepisode,themakerwon’tevendoworkaheadoftimeforhisown

family.Andunderstandablyso.No,dothepaperworkfirst,thenthegunsmith/manufacturerdoesthe

metalwork.AshorterlengthoptionstillisahandgunbuiltonanAKreceiver.Thisposesa

differentproblem.Youcan’tjusttakeoffthestockandcallitahandgun.Thecruxhereis,whatwasitwhenitleftthefactory?Ashorter-than-rifle-lengthAK,evenonewithoutastockthatleftthemakersasarifle,isanSBR.So,itcoststhesame$200,takesthesameprocess,andsimplylacksastock.Whoop-de-do,sowhat?Ifwhatyouwantisahandgun-onlyAK,youhavetostartfresh.Tomakeahandgun,simplyacquireapartskitandanunassembledreceiver.Sinceithasbeenneitherhandgunnorrifle,youcanmakeitaseither.Onceithasbeenarifle,however,itcannotlegallybeconvertedtoahandgun.ItcanonlybecomeanSBR,ifyouwanttoshortenit.You’redeepintothehome-buildprocesstomakeahandgun:Newreceiver,neverarifle,nostocknoranyprovisionstofit

makeahandgun:Newreceiver,neverarifle,nostocknoranyprovisionstofitone,andasshortasyouwantittobe.That“noprovisionstofitone”meansyoucan’tuseariflereartrunnion.Ithastobeablanktrunnion.Youcansendapartskitandreceivertoabuildertomakeanythingyouwant,

providedhehasthelicenseandyouhavetheapproval.AstandardAKorahandgun,noproblem.AnSBR,you’llneedthestamp.(Whichisataxstamp,andassuchisviewedasbeingprivatetreasurydata,nottobecasuallysharedevenamonglawenforcementagencies.)Oh,andjusttofurthercomplicatematters,youarerestrictedastowhatyou

canputonyourAKhandgun.YouguyswithHungarianAMD-63or-65kits?Youcan’tbuildthatasahandgun,andusethepistolgrip.Averticalforegriponahandgunmakesitan“AnyOtherWeapon,”orAOW,andyouhavetoapplytomakeitthat.ThegoodnewsisthatyourAOWapplicationonlyrequiresa$5feewhenyoubuildit.

FLASHHIDERSAsin,“CanIinstallaflashhideronmyAK?”Sure,againwiththereminder

ofstateregsthatmightsayotherwise.WhatisonmostAKs(asin,thosein7.62x39)iscalleda“slantbrake.”Theshortbillisprovidedasapush-offsurfaceforthemuzzleblast,tokeepthemuzzledown,moreorless.Itisslantedtoaccountfortheupandrightrotationofthemuzzleonrecoil,whenfiredfull-autofromtheshoulderbyaright-handedshooter.Doesitwork?Moreorless,astherecoilisn’tthatharsh,andthegaspressurenotthatgreat.Youcaninstallarealflashhiderifyouwant.Thestandardthreadpitchismetric,andleft-handed—14x1mmL—andyouaregoingtohavetospecifythatwhenyouorder.YoucannotsimplytakeasurplusAR-15brakeandre-tapit.Ifyoucouldfinda14x1mmLtap,itwouldcostasmuchasafistfulofAK-specificflashhiders.TheAK-74differs.Thefrontsightcastinghasalargersectionthatisthreaded

fortheAK-74muzzlebrake,unliketheAK-47,whichhasthebarrelitselfthreaded.AK-74brakesandthreadscomeintwosizes:Romanian22x1.5mmR,andtherestare24x1.5mmR.Ifyouareorderinganewbrakeorflashhiderfor

andtherestare24x1.5mmR.IfyouareorderinganewbrakeorflashhiderforyourAK-74,you’llhavetoknowwhichitis.Flashhidersareconsideredbyanti-gunnersaslurestocriminalactivityon-par

withcrackcocaine.Hencethevigorouseffortstoeliminatethem.Muzzlebrakes,however,arenot.InCalifornia,thethreadsontowhicheitherflashhidersorbrakescanbeattachedareconsideredin-and-of-themselveseeeeevil,sobewarned.Athreadedmuzzlewillleadyoutoalifeofcrime,sodon’tsayIdidn’twarnyou.Justask,andmany“experts”insmallarmswilltellyouthat.(OK,I’mpullingyourleghere.Threadsarethreads,andtheyhavenorelationshiptocriminalsorcrime.Buttheycanbedefinedasprohibiteditemsunderstatelaw,andaresoinKaliforniastan.)

IMPORTEDRIFLESIntheearlydays,itwassimple.Asifanythinginvolvingthegovernment

couldbesimple,itactuallywas.Inthosedays,youhadtoknow:isitsemiauto;isthesourcecountrynotonaprohibitedlist;doyouhaveabondedwarehousewillingtoacceptdelivery;andhaveyousubmittedasamplerifleforreview?TheearliestriflescameinprettymuchasplainAKslackingthefull-autoparts.Later,itgotmessy.Thefirstproblemcamein1989,intheSeniorBushadministration.Whatwith

thedrumbeatof“assaultrifles”beingloudatthetime,andaftertheschoolshootinginStockton,California,theadministrationwroteaPresidentialDirectivehaltingtheimportationofalaundrylistofriflesthatwere“notparticularlysuitedforsportinguse.”We’llsidesteptheludicrousnatureofskeetandtrapshootingsnobswhoareaccustomedto$20,000+shotgunspassingjudgmentonwhatconstitutes“suitedforsportinguse”andsimplynotethatawholelotofriflesweremadecollectorsitemsthatday.ThenthePresidentialhaltwasmadeintolaw,andfurthermassaged.Theresultwaspredictable:partskits.Iftheexporters,whowanttomake

moneyprovidingthosecrazyAmericanswithguns,can’tshipguns,thenthey’llshippartskits.Thekitsareriflesthathavebeen“demilled.”ThesimplemethodistotakeacuttingtorchandcutthereceiverinenoughplacestomaketheATF

istotakeacuttingtorchandcutthereceiverinenoughplacestomaketheATFhappy.Theyhavedetailedspecsanddiagrams,andinspectors,butthestandardsdon’treallymatterunlessyou’reinthepositionofimportingaboatloadofpartskits.(Ifyouare,makeabsolutelysuretheATFhassignedoffonyourplannedcuts,andtheexporterfollowsinstructions,oryourmoneywillbeliterallydroppedtothebottomoftheocean.)Whatsurprisesmeisthatthereceivercutshavealwaysbeenapprovedwiththeinternalsremoved.ButIguessIshouldbemumonthatsubject,lestIgiveamid-levelbureaucratwithabadcomboveranymoreideas.Partskitsbecamethenewcurrency.Forawhileyoucouldbuyalltheparts

kitsyourwalletcouldstand,fornotmuchmoney.Used,goodconditionRomanianfixed-stockpartskitscouldbehad,atthepeakoftheparts-importingwave,foraslittleas$79plusshipping.Othermoredesirablekitswentformore,butyoucouldbuyjustaboutanythingyouwantedforlessthan$200.Now,youcan’t.Thathappenedfortworeasons,oneeconomicandonelegal.Theeconomiconewassimple:despiteallthestatisticsyou’vereadof“100

millionAKsmade”therewereonlysomanytobedemilledandexported.Manyofthemhavebeenwornoutandscrappedindecadesofuse.OtherswereexportedtotheThirdWorld,wheretheyactasirritantsintheconsciencesoftheanti-gunners,seeninvideoclipseverynightoninternationalnewsbroadcasts.Manyothershavebeenretainedbythehostcountriesneedingriflesfortheirownarmies.So,thereisandwasalimitedsupplyofriflestobehadaspartskitsgristfortheexporters’mill.Somesourcesweresimplydeniedus.WhentheBerlinWallfell,andthecountryformerlyknownasEastGermanyonceagainbecametheGermanStatesofBrandenburg,Mecklenburg,Saxony,Saxony-AnhaltandThuringia—partofGermanyagain—theirsuppliesofAK-47sandAK-74swerenotexported.Infact,theywereprettymuchfedintoshredders.Therehavebeenoddlotsofpartsshipments,andafewpartskits,butnothingliketheRomanian,PolishandHungarianshipments.Then,wewerethrownanotherwildpitch:barrels.Someonedecidedthat

barrelswerejusttoosensitiveanitem.Yes,theyprohibitedbarrelimportation.

barrelswerejusttoosensitiveanitem.Yes,theyprohibitedbarrelimportation.InJulyof2005,theATFissuedaletterinformingallwhowereinthebusinessthatthingshadchanged:“TheBureauofAlcohol,Tobacco,FirearmsandExplosives(ATF)has

determinedthatthelanguageof18U.S.C.§925(d)(3)permitsnoexceptionsthatwouldallowframes,receiversorbarrelsforotherwisenon-importablefirearmstobeimportedintotheUnitedStates.Accordingly,ATFwillnolongerapproveATFForm6applicationsforimportationofanyframes,receivers,orbarrelsforfirearmsthatwouldbeprohibitedfromimportationifassembled.Noexceptionstothestatutorylanguage,forexamplefor“repairorreplacement”ofexistingfirearms,willbeallowed.”Now,thewholebasisofpartsbeingbroughtinwasthattheycouldbeusedto

repairexistingrifles.Iguessthewhole“buildyourownAK”thingjustgottooobvious,andsomeone“hadtodosomething.”So,partskitsthatcomeinnowmusthavenewbarrels.Whichleadtothepresentsituation,ofallU.S.-madeAKs.NotthatsomeintheAKworlddidn’tcomplainbackthen.(Somepeoplewouldcomplainifyouhandedthemagoldbrick.“Thisthingisheavy.”)ThemainobjectionwasthatU.S.-madebarrelsaren’tchrome-lined,andthusaresomehowsub-standardtocommie-madechromedbarrels.Asif.Full-assembledriflescanbeimportediftheydonothaveallthe“assault

weapon”itemsonthem.Theimportersbringtheminasnon-assaultrifles,andrebuildthemtothestatusbuyerswant,plugginginU.S.-madeparts.IfyouhaveboughtanimportedAKthatisstillinitsneuteredstatus(single-

stackmagazine,thumbholestock,etc.)youmustaddenoughU.S.-madepartstomakeit922(r)compliantbeforechangingtodouble-stackmags,pistolgrip,etc.—dittoifyoubuildonakit,usingaU.S.-madereceiver.Yousee,theimportedAKsthathaveallthedesirablecharacteristicshave

alreadygonethroughthe922(r)process.Itworkslikethis.Theimporterpaysfor,andreceives,aboatload(sometimesliterally)ofneuteredAKs.Theywillhavethreadedmuzzles,butthey’llhavesingle-stackmagazinesandmagazinewells.They’llhavethumbholestocks,or“sporter”stockswithnopistolgrip

wells.They’llhavethumbholestocks,or“sporter”stockswithnopistolgripcomponentsatall.Theimporterthenrebuildsthem.Thestocksgettossed,andthefurnitureis

replacedwithU.S.-madehardware.They’llinstallenoughotherparts(theeasyonesarethetriggerassembly,pistonandaU.S.-mademuzzledevice)andbringtheU.S.-madecountuphighenoughtoresell.Thentheymilloutthemagazinewelllargeenoughtoacceptadouble-stackmagazineand…ta-da…it’sa922(r)compliantAK.That’showyouseethoseintherifleracksatthebig-boxstore.

CALIBERAsfarasIknow,therearenocaliberrestrictionsonAKs.Thereare

mechanicalones,asyousimplycan’tmakea7.62x39intoa7.62NATO,ora5.45intoa5.56model.Butnorestrictiononcaliber,withthepossibleexceptionofindividualstateregulations.

SELECTORSThefunctionofarifleiswhatmattersunderlaw.TheAKselectorisalsothe

safetyandejectionportcover.Onaselect-fireAK,thestopsare:Safe,Semi,andFull.Theywouldhavebeeninthecodesystemusedbythecountryoforiginmarkedonthereceiver,aseachlanguagedifferedenoughthatthemarkingsalsodiffered.Onasemi-only,theyareSafe-Semi.Couldyoucutyourreceiversoithadanintermediatestop,andmarkitwiththecountry-relevant“Full”symbol?Sure.Themarkingsmeannothing.Youmightthink:aslongasyoudon’thavethefull-autopartsintherifle,whocares.Well,thenosyStateTrooperwhoseesitattherange,that’swho.HisknowledgeofAKsmayextendsolelytotheposterhe’sseeninthestationReadyRoom,andmultipleviewingsoftheentireRamboseries.Butifhethinksyourrifleisafull-autoAK,yourleast-annoyingresultwillbeareceiptfortherifle,“Whiletheboysinthelabtakealook.”SaveyourselfthehassleandleavethemarkingstotheAirsofters.

HOME-BUILDS

HOME-BUILDSOK,let’ssayyouluckedontoapartskit,oryou’vehadonekickingaround

forawhile,andwanttoknowwhatyoucanandcannotdowhenyoubuildit.AsI’vesaidbeforeI’mnotanattorney.AndevenifIwere,youhaven’tpaidme,sothereisnothingbindingaboutanyofthis.Plus,anewlaworchangedregulationcouldhappenbetweenthetimeIwriteandthetimeyouread.Sodoyourhomework.Canyoubuildarifle?Sure.Youcanbuildoneforyourself,andnooneelse,

andyou’restillintheclear.Howmanycanyoubuild?That’samatterofinterpretation.Ifyoubuildoneanddon’tsellit,itisprettyclearwhatyoudid.Ifyoubuildacoupleofdozenanddon’tsellthem,thensomeonemightbecurious.Iftheriflesyoubuildarealldifferent,asincalibers,countryoforigin,etc,thenitisprettyclearyouarebuildingtocollect,andwecanbeproudofyou.Hey,takegoodnotes,consultreferencematerials,andmakeeachasperiodandcountrycorrectasyoucan.If,however,youbuilttwo-dozenrifles,eachandeveryoneofthemisthesame—samepartskits,country,configuration,someoneisgoingtowonder,“Ishebuildinginventory?”So,youbuildarifleorevenafew,andkeepthem.Youcan’tsellthem.What

canyoudo?Leavetheminyourwilltoyourheirs.Dotheyneedserialnumbers?NotaccordingtotheFeds.Again,statelawmay

differ.FederallawdidnotrequireserialnumbersatallonfirearmsuntiltheGunControlActof1968.Iknow,Ihaveanumberofentriesinmygunsmithsboundbook,wheretheserialnumbercolumnhastheentry“NSN.”Soyoudon’thaveto,butitwouldbeprudent.Imagineitgetsstolenfromyourvehicleoryourhouse.Icanimaginehowtheconversationgoeswiththeinsuranceagent.“Andtheserialnumber?”“Didn’thaveone.”“Wheredidyoubuyit,then?”Withobviouspride:“Ibuiltit.”“OK,sinceyouhaveareceiptforthepartskits,for$99dollars,we’llcutyou

acheckforthatamountandI’llpretendIdidn’thearthatitlacksaserial

acheckforthatamountandI’llpretendIdidn’thearthatitlacksaserialnumber.”Maybeyou’llgetaninsuranceagentwhoknowsthatnotallfirearmshave,or

werealwaysrequiredtohave,aserialnumber.Andmaybeyou’llgetonethattakesituponhimselftomakeyourlifemiserable.Considerthen,theconversationyou’llhavewiththeDeskSergeantwhenyoureportthetheft,togettherequiredpolicereporttogivetoyourinsuranceagent.“Serialnumber?”“Doesn’thaveone,itisn’trequiredunder…”“Noserialnumber?Thenhowdoyouexpectustoidentifyyourswhenwe

recoverit?”Thereisthelaw,andthereisprudent,andthereiscoveringyourbuttincase

ofapredicament.So,stampsomethingonit.Thenextquestionis,wherecanyougowithit,ortakeit?Asfarasgoingto

therange,orhuntingwithit,itisjustlikeanyotherAKoutthere.Youcangotoanyrangewhereyoucantakeanimportedoneto.IfyourstateallowshuntingwithanAK,youcanhuntwithyours,aslongasyoucomplywithalltheDNRregsconcerningcapacity,sights,lights,etc.Youcantakeittoagunsmithandhaveitworkedon.I’vetalkedtosomereallyhard-headedpeopleonthissubject,andtheyhavetheopinionthatyoucan’tletyourhome-buildAKoutofyourhands,underanycircumstances.No,youcan’tloanittoyourbuddytogototherange,orgohuntingwith,

withoutyoupresent.Butifthetwoofyouareshootingontherange,sureyoucanhandittohimtouse.Thatisa“non-possession”transfer.A“Transferwithpossession”isoneofthoseImentionedfirst:loanedtohimtoshootorhuntwith,andhisleavingyourimmediatearea.Whichiswherethe“Youcan’tgiveittoagunsmith”ideacomesfrom.Ifitisfully-assembledandhasallitsparts,youcanturnitoverforrepair,modificationorupgrade.Inthatregard,itisnodifferentthana.22LRriflemadebefore1968,onethatlacksaserialnumber.Whatyoucan’tdoishavehimbuildit.Youhavetobuildityourself.

80PERCENTRECEIVERSYoulikelyboughtan80percentreceiverbecauseitwasn’tacomplete

receiver,andyouwantedtoassembleyourpartskit.Youfinishedthework,beingthebuilder,andcomplyingwiththelaw.Havingdecidedtotakethatcourse,youcan’tcutcorners.Youhavetobetheonepullingthehandleonthepress,bendingtheflat.Oryouhavetobetheonepullingthehandleonthedrillpress,drillingtheholesinatube.Whatyoucannotdoishavesomeoneelsedothosethings.“HeyCharlie,you’vegotapress,canyoutakemytoolingandbendthisflatforme?”Well,hecan,butoncehehasdoneso,itishisrifle,notyours.Ortobeprecise,hisreceiver.I’llreiteratethis:Youhavetobetheonewhohasdonethework.Ithasbeen

commontoform“buildparties”whereabunchofguysgettogetherwithflats,partskitsandonepress,andhelpeachotherbuildAKs.Thatisallfine,andkosher,aslongasyouaretheguywhohauleddownonthehandlethatformedyourflatintoareceiver.Assoonasthatisdone,itisareceiver,andyoucanthengetthehelpyouwant

fromanyoneelse.Atthatpointyoucouldevenhanditallofftoagunsmithforassembly.Stoppanicking.Onceyouhavebentit,andgottenittothepointofbeingareceiver,thegunsmithisjustasub-contractordoingassembly.HeisinthesamepositionasifyoushowedupwithacompletereceiverfromsomeonewithaManufacturerslicensethatyouhadboughtandnowwantthegunsmithtoassemble.ThesameasanARpartskit,andaloweryoujustboughtatthegunshow.Itwouldmakeiteasierforhim,andeasehismind,ifyou’vestampedaserialnumberofsomekindintoit.“Bubbas#1AK”willdo.Yourperformanceintheactofcrossingthethresholdistheimportantone.

Sortoflikeenteringabuilding.Someoneinvitesyouin,you’reaguest.Yougoindespitebeingtoldnotto,you’reatrespasser.Samewithlowers:youpullthehandleonaflat,you’rethebuilder,andthelowerisyours,thesameasifyouboughtitfromamanufacturer.Handittosomeoneelsetopullthehandle,anditiseithertheirs(toobad,you’reoutthe$10bucksforaflat)orwhenhehandsitback,bendingdone,you’rebothinviolationofthelaw.

back,bendingdone,you’rebothinviolationofthelaw.Thisisalllogical.Notparticularlyrational,butthatisthewaythelawworks

sometimes.Theshortform:youwantitmadefromaflat,youhavetomakeityourself.If

youbuyit,themakerhastohaveaManufacturerslicense,andthesellerhastohaveaplain-oldFFL.Andyouhavetofilloutaform4473.

PARTSAREPARTSExceptwhentheyaren’t.Thesituationconcerningtheimportationofrifles

andpartsisaseesawlegislativebattlethathasragedonforovertwodecades.Basedontheillusionthatbanningtheimportationofsomerifleswouldstemcrimes,variouslawswerepassedintheverylate1980sandearly1990s.ThecurrentFederalLawcoveringimportedfirearmsis18USC922(r)imposedin1990.Toquote:Title18UnitedStatesCode(USC)§922(r)prohibitsassemblyofcertain

semiautomaticriflesandshotgunsfromimportedparts.Theimplementingregulationsintitle27,CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)part178,§178.39,providesthatnopersonshallassembleasemiautomaticrifleoranyshotgunusingmorethan10importedpartslistedinparagraph(c)ofthissection,iftheassembledfirearmisprohibitedfromimportationundersection925(d)(3)asnotbeingparticularlysuitablefororreadilyadaptabletosportingpurposes.However,partscouldbebroughtin,andwehaveATFregulationscovering

that.FromTitle27,ChapterII,CFR478.39,whichIquoteinitsentiretytomakesureIdon’tgetanypartofitwrong:§478.39Assemblyofsemiautomaticriflesorshotguns.(a)Nopersonshall

assembleasemiautomaticrifleoranyshotgunusingmorethan10oftheimportedpartslistedinparagraph(c)ofthissectioniftheassembledfirearmisprohibitedfromimportationundersection925(d)(3)asnotbeingparticularlysuitablefororreadilyadaptabletosportingpurposes.

(b)Theprovisionsofthissectionshallnotapplyto:(1)TheassemblyofsuchrifleorshotgunforsaleordistributionbyalicensedmanufacturertotheUnitedStatesoranydepartmentoragencythereofortoanyStateoranydepartment,agency,orpoliticalsubdivisionthereof;or(2)TheassemblyofsuchrifleorshotgunforthepurposesoftestingorexperimentationauthorizedbytheDirectorundertheprovisionsof§478.151;or(3)TherepairofanyrifleorshotgunwhichhadbeenimportedintoorassembledintheUnitedStatespriortoNovember30,1990,orthereplacementofanypartofsuchfirearm.(c)Forpurposesofthissection,thetermimportedpartsare:(1)Frames,receivers,receivercastings,forgingsorstampings(2)Barrels(3)Barrelextensions(4)Mountingblocks(trunnions)(5)Muzzleattachments(6)Bolts(7)Boltcarriers(8)Operatingrods(9)Gaspistons(10)Triggerhousings(11)Triggers(12)Hammers(13)Sears(14)Disconnectors(15)Buttstocks(16)Pistolgrips(17)Forearms,handguards(18)Magazinebodies(19)Followers(20)Floorplates

So,youhaveapartskitstillcoveredinCosmoline,andanewreceiveronwhichtobuild.Youmustreplacesomeoftheperfectlygoodpartsinyourkitwithnew,U.S.-madeones,tocomplywithfederallaw.Intheparlance,youhavetomakeyourAK“922(r)compliant.”You’reprobablythinking:“Ohdamn,Ihavetojunkhalfmypartskitjusttomakemyriflecomplywithsomestupidlaw?”Notreally.Yousee,someofthepartslisteddodouble-duty.Aswithsomanythingsregulatory,itappearsthepeoplewhodrewupthelistdidn’tknowasmuchaboutgunsastheythoughttheydid,andworkedfromalist.Thatlisthadtocoverallimportedrifles.Inreality,youneedtoreplaceonlyfiveorsixparts,andyoucanreplaceexistingonesinsomecaseswithevenbetteronesatlowcost.Forinstance,inthetriggermechanismyou’regoingtotossouttheautosear

andanti-bounceparts.You’llreplacetherestthatareleftwithbetter-qualityU.S.-madeparts,andthehammer,triggerandsearyouinstallarethreerightthere.ReplacetheslantbrakewithaninexpensiveU.S.-madeone,andyou’realmosthome.Don’tforget,yourreceiverisdomesticallymade,too,soyounowhavefiveU.S.-madepartsinyourrifle.Youcan’thavemorethan10importedparts,sogodownthelistandseewhatisleft,andwhatisonyourrifle.Atthispoint,probablynumbers2,4,6,7,9,10,15,16,17,18,19&20.Hmm,whatnext?AU.S.-madegaspistoniseasytoinstallandinexpensive.Thereallycheapguyswillthink,“Hey,ifIjustinstallaU.S.-madefloorplateonmymagazine,I’mdone.”Yes,butwhataboutthebinofnon-U.S.floorplates,importedsurplusmagazinesyouhaveundertheloadingbench?StuffoneofthoseinyourAKandyou’vegonebackovertenimportedparts.No,thesmartthingtodoisfindsomethingelsetochange.What’sthenextlowcostchange?Pistolgrip,forearmorbuttstock.Changeoneofthoseandyou’rein.Doyouhavetogothisfar?Willanyonenotice?Intheinterestsofkeeping

myselfandmypublisheroutoftrouble,yesyoudo.Willanyonenotice?Notuntiltheydo.Ifyoudon’tcomplywiththelaw,therecouldbebigtroubledowntheline.Supposeyouassemblearifleonthecheap,anddon’tswapoutanything

butwhatismechanicallynecessary.Thenyoudie.Doyouwantyourheirstopossessanunlawfulrifle?Howaboutsomethinglessproblematicforyou,likegettingpulledoverforspeeding,orexpiredlicense,oranyofamyriadofthingsthatcouldbringyoutotheattentionoftheauthorities.Doyoureallywanttobesittingintheholdingroomwhilethepoliceofficersinspectyourrifle?Theoneyouhappenedtohaveinyourtruck?WhiletheymakeaphonecalltoATFto“clearupafewquestions?”Don’tbeaschmuck,orsomeone’sroommateinprison.Doitright,doit

legally.Afterall,bythetimeyou’vegonetothetime,effortandcostofbuildingorbuyinganAK,theextracostoftheU.S.-madepartsisjustaboutnothing.Lessthan$100,includingshipping.

LEGALPROOFTobeabletoprovelegality,basicallyallyouneedtodoisnotremovethe

markingsonthepartsyou’veswapped.EachU.S.-madepartwillmostlikelybeU.S.-marked,asthemakersareawarethatyourriflehastohaveenoughparts.So,donotgoandsandofforpolishawaythosemarkings.Ifyoureallyareworriedthatsomenosypoliceofficeratthepublicrangewilltakeituponhimselftoinspectyourrifle,haveaprintoutofthepartslist(they’reallovertheInternet),justdoasearchon“922complianceparts”andyou’llgetlotsandlotsofpages.Printitout,stuffitinaplasticbag,andkeepitintheguncasewithyour

compliantAK.

UPTONOWObviously,ifyouhaveanallU.S.-madeAK,922(r)complianceisacomplete

non-issue.Andagain,thedetailignorance,andpettyinsistenceonlegallanguageonthepartofbureaucratshashelpedushere.HavingmadeusshifttoU.S.-madeparts,step-by-step,theydemonstratedthepoweroftheLawofUnintendedConsequences,andprettymuchmade922(r)irrelevant.AndinsodoingmadetheAKamuch,muchbetterriflethanithadbeenwhenwewere

doingmadetheAKamuch,muchbetterriflethanithadbeenwhenwewerebuildingcrappycommiepartskits.Let’shearitforpettybureaucrats.

LETHALFORCELAW:GettheFacts

MassadAyoob’sfirstbookontheuseofdeadlyforcebytheprivatecitizenindefenseofselfandothers,IntheGravestExtreme,isconsideredtheauthoritativetextinitsfield.DeadlyForceisthefollow-uptothisgroundbreakingguide,incorporatingAyoob’sthirtyextrayearsofexperience,duringwhichhe'sbeenanexpertwitnessinweaponscases,chairoftheFirearmsCommitteeoftheAmericanSocietyofLawEnforcementTrainers,andmuchmore.

Thisguidewillhelpyouunderstandanylegalandethicalissuesconcerningtheuseoflethalforcebyprivatecitizens.You'llalsolearnaboutthesocialandpsychologicalissuessurroundingtheuseoflethalforceforself-defenseorindefenseofothers.Inadditiontoexploringtheseissues,Ayoobalsodiscussesthestepsaresponsiblearmedcitizencanandshouldtakeinordertoproperlypreparefororhelpmitigatealethalforcesituation.

Retail:$21.99•ISBN:9781440240614

GetourLOWESTpricesonlineatGunDigestStore.comorcall855.840.5120(M-F7am-6pmMT)

Copyright©2017F+WMedia,Inc.

Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,

includingphotocopy,recording,oranyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbya

reviewerwhomayquotebriefpassagesinacriticalarticleorreviewtobeprintedinamagazineornewspaper,orelectronicallytransmittedon

radio,television,ortheInternet.

Publishedby

GunDigest®Books,animprintofF+WMedia,Inc.KrausePublications•700EastStateStreet•Iola,WI54990-0001

715-445-2214•888-457-2873www.krausebooks.com

Toorderbooksorotherproductscalltoll-free1-800-258-0929orvisitusonlineatwww.gundigeststore.com

Allphotosbyauthorexceptwherenoted.CoverphotographybyMatthewDemskiofEveryDayCivilianDedicatedto

TomCorrofKrebsCustomGuninfo:KrebsCustomAC-15Mod2SpecialOperationsEquipmentSlingPrimaryArmsAdvanceMicroDotBravoCompanyUSAVerticalGripandRailCoversLibertySuppressors

A-Kaotic

ISBN-13:978-1-4402-4719-4ISBN-10:1-4402-4719-6

CoverDesignbySharonBartschDesignedbyDaneRoyer

EditedbyCoreyGraff

PrintedinTheUnitedStatesofAmerica10987654321

Table

SUPPRESSORALIGNMENTTESTS

RIFLE MSPBLUE MSPSS IA GEMTECH

C39 PF PF P P

Hungarian PF PF* PF TF

C39V2 P PF* P P

Ace PF* P P P

Romy TF EF TF TF

KEYP:PassPF:PartialFailPF*:Partial

Fail,butnottouchingthefrontbaffleTF:TotalFailEF:EpicFail,stop,you’llbendtherod

Thosethatpassed,Itooktotherange,spentanafternoonplinking,andhadablast.InstallingasuppressorontoanAKisnotalwaysgoingtobeeasy.Butitcanbedone,anditworkswhenyouhavemadecertainalignmentiscorrect.

Returntomaintext