I’m told that there are ways to improve one’s AK-47 (quit that sniggering, there), and said improvements come in these options:
Here are my thoughts.
I’ve never cared for the AK’s trigger, and as far as I’m concerned it’s the only change I’d do immediately — if, that is, I actually owned an AK.
There is one good reason to dump the old wooden fore-grip, and replace it with item A: when you plan to fire 700 rounds on the trot through an AK.
Watch till the end to see how he extinguishes the fire. Try doing that with your Mattell poodleshooter.
Lipstick on a pig.
Eric should have reserved one mag for AFTER the dunking. That would have been impressive. And it’s a damned shame we now cannot buy these in IL. Oh .. f*ck fatboi toilet-yanking Putzker, State Rep Bob Morgan, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, State Sen Julie Morrison and all the other foul progs who got behind “Protect Illinois Communities Act”. Lord help us all if Putzker decides to make a run for 1600.
prickster and co. need a “jfk” asap.
What the article fails to mention, because they didn’t want their article to be simply a MagPul catalog, is that, except for the trigger, MagPul also makes their own versions of all the non-Magpul bits mentioned.
I haven’t tried their pistol grip*, but their other stuff is, like most stuff they make, top notch.
*I may have low tastes, but I still prefer the old Tapco SAW-style pistol grip. I wish, now that Tapco is gone, Magpul would make something similar for the AR and AK.
Our overlords in the state capitol banned these firearms not long after the national experiment with the evil AWB. You can still buy “pre-ban” MSRs but they are ridiculously expensive for what you get. They cost $1500 and frequently much higher. I think it was the rash of drive by bayonettings that really doomed the rifles.
In the current legislative session they are seeking to ban anything currently called “pre-ban” as well as normal sized magazines, no open carry, micro-stamping, and a host of other absurd ideas.
JQ
AK’s are interesting toys, relics of a previous era. They served their purpose well. But the AR platform is a better platform in every way. And if you don’t like the “poodleshooter,” you can take advantage of the AR platform’s not so secret superpower: you can chamber it in anything you like, at home, with only a barrel and /or bolt change. Including, BTW, 7.62×39, if you like fat slow cartridges.
But then, Kim, you like fat slow cartridges (I may resemble that remark).
” Including, BTW, 7.62×39, if you like fat slow cartridges.”
True, but be aware that the bolt face has to be opened up for the wider case head, and there were reports of issues with cracked bolt lugs.
That’s why I bought a CMMG Mk47 Mutant. It has the best of the AR platform (ergonomics, modularity) with the best parts of the AK (7.62×39 cartridge, magazines) without the bolt issues of standard size x39 ARs.
I have a Sig 556–basically a Swiss AR that shoots .223/5.56.
If you’re talking about the AK as it existed in the 1970s and 80s compared to a contemporary AR, well, no shit.
But modern AKs–for example a contemporary AK in 5.45×39 are within the margin of error as good as a contemporary AR. You don’t have as many caliber choices in the AK world as you do in the AR, but you’ve more than a few.
The AR is basically “Barbie For Boys”. It’s like a Jeep. Almost no man will buy a Jeep and leave it stock, and neither will they leave their AR15 stock. This is a lot less easy to do on the AK side of the house. Just putting a rail on an AK involves a bit of surgery.
This is why the AR seems so much better–so many options at so many price points.
But out in the world there are very, very few people who can shoot an AR more accurately than an AK. Nor can they run the manual of arms that much faster–it’s not the paintbrush, it’s the artist.
And you can shoot an AK with the stock folded.
I could never quite reach for my wallet for an AK, likely because–
1) I am firmly grounded in the AR platform.
2) I already had an SKS (or two).
In the far wayback times when I had my FFL, I did sell a few AK’s to those who wanted one. I likely killed as many sales by explaining that for the price of an AK ($400-ish back then) one could buy an SKS and a 1200 round case of 7.62 X 39 and still have $200 left over.
For myself, I got an SKS “Paratrooper” with a 16.5-inch barrel. I got a plastic stock for it made by Butler Creek but marked and marketed by “K-sports”. It is the perfect truck gun. I also have 30-round “duck bill” magazines to go with. At one time, there were some 20-round fixed magazines. I tried one out. Don’t bother, they are crap. Here is a fair illustration, however my stock is black–
http://chinesesks.weebly.com/k-sports-composite.html
Before the last round of madness up here I looked hard at a VZ-58. It looked like an AK from a distance but was very different. I never bought it though. Oh well. I went M1A instead and now those things are pushing $2k.
JQ
I replaced the wood furniture on my AK with polymer when I put a picatinny rail forward of the receiver in order to mount a Aimpoint M2.
I have a Magpul folding stock, foreend and larger pistol grip–I have large hands, and I’m well hung for a lesbian–that’s going on when I know I’ll have time to get to the range and re-zero.
Nothing is perfect out of the factory.
Well he gave that hanging plate a good fright anyway.
Thought long & hard about jumping into yet another AK vs AR discussion.
But, what the hell, here’s a leap into the fray.
First a few givens:
1, Due to its design tolerances, the AK is and will be more reliable in dirty, sandy, wet conditions.
2, Due to its design tolerances, the AR is and will be a little more more accurate overall than the AK.
Beyond those two clear differences, the differences between them are primarily in ergonomics, and personal likes / dislikes.
But to the meat of my personal knowledge with the AR.
Any AR can easily be changed with readily available parts to being an extremely accurate match rifle. (and I don’t mean the “match grade” commonly applied to most common barrels) A good trigger, such as a two stage Geissele, Timney etc. and a real match barrel such as Krieger, Criterion, White Oak, Shilen etc will yield a rifle with good ammo easily capable of sub 1/2″ groups at 100 yards from a rest and 1″ groups at 100 with a sling and jacket. Order the barrel / bolt with a Wylde chamber and it is good for any .223 / 5.56 ammo (like mine) or order it with any of the dozen or more other cartridges available for more power / accuracy if that is your desire. If even more power is demanded, upsized AR platforms are readily available in .308 class cartridges. Just as accurate as the smaller AR 15 sized when (again) fitted with good triggers & barrels. If its 600 yard AR 15 hits are desired, fill the mag with rounds loaded with Sierra 77 grain tipped match kings and Varget propellant. If 1000 yard hits are wanted, use the .308.
Another point of superiority of the AR platform over the AK is the fitment of optics. AK optics are not mounted with precision or ease. AR optics are readily available, mounted easily and securely.
In the end it comes down to perceived need / intended use. The AK is a better combat rifle, the AR a better overall use rifle and a superior match rifle.