AK 47 questions

[mdwest]

AK’s are ergonomically friendly rifles for us left-handers.

Im a lefty... but I've actually always struggled with the AK's ergo's..

With an AR I can manipulate the safety/selector with my trigger finger easily (righty's manipulate it with their thumb)... since my trigger finger is already outside the trigger well and off the trigger prior to engaging (safety first! ) I just rest it on the selector.. if/when I need to engage I rock the selector down and insert my finger into the trigger well in one single motion.. (just as fast and reliable as a righty manipulating the selector with his thumb and then inserting his trigger finger into the well..)...

To move the weapon back to safe, when I remove my finger from the trigger well I just use the outside of my trigger finger to push the selector back to safe and keep the finger parallel with the well and positioned on top of the selector so that I can move back to "fire" quickly if/when needed....

And.. one of the beauties of all of the after market high quality components available for the AR platform is... installing an ambi safety is both inexpensive and super easy (10 minute task tops..)... you can also easily replace the handguards, pistol grip, etc with a wide variety of options with different angles, surface materials, etc and pretty much get the gun to "feel" just about any way you want...


With the AK, manipulating the selector is a more difficult task for me.. I have to take my non firing hand off of the handguard and bring it rearward to the selector which puts me in a less stable firing position for 1 to 2 seconds each time I need to move the weapon from "safe" to "fire" and back again...

And while there are lots of aftermarket handguards, stocks, pistol grips, etc for the AK as well... the number of options are limited compared to what is made for the AR..

 

[shootist~]

I "sort of" wanted an AK at one time. But after seeing a few show up in the 3-gun matches, that desire went away. The AKs were simply not competitive in the gun games, which was my primary focus at the time.

 

[spike.t]

Agree.

20 years ago 762x39 was both significantly cheaper and was much easier to purchase by the case.. that combined with the low cost of getting into the most common rifles chambered in x39 (AK and SKS) made the AK extremely attractive to a lot of people...

Today I can get a 1000 round case of wolf (steel cased, NOT reloadable) x39 ammo for about $410 ($0.41 per round)... 1000 rounds of brass cased, reloadable x39 starts at about $525 ($0.53 per round)...

I can get 1000 rounds steel cased Tul 556 is about $425 ($0.43 per round)... a case of of PPU (brass cased, RELOADABLE) 556 for $510 ($0.51 per round)..

The cost difference is negligible..

And both are widely available... In fact there is A LOT more 556 on the shelf at both my local Cabelas and Scheels right now than there is x39...

I wish...a 1000 rounds....

 

[CraigV]

With all the misery going on in Ukraine I have been thinking about AK 47s. This is the only group I belong to that I trust most of the input.

I was wondering what to look for if I bought 1 and some basic knowledge.

Thanks for any help.

Jamie,

You've gotten a lot of input on this question. Hope it was/is hopeful. Some great suggestions on manufacturers, and some things to look for and avoid.

There's also been a lot of opinions on the performance and reliability of AK's. Remember what they were designed as, a battle rifle, and not MOA accurate. Also, to be used until they failed, and then you simply picked up one from a fallen comrade and continued to fight.

I believe they are in the category of "guns to have". I think whether you like them or not, Glocks, AR's, AK's and 1911's are something that everyone should own. Why, because everyone own's them. In the event things truly go pear shaped, magazines and common calibers are readily accessible. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mdwest]

I wish...a 1000 rounds....

I will refrain from posting pics of my ammo stash...

 

[spike.t]

I have a Hungarian FEG variant...not here I will quickly say as probably wouldn't go down well.... ..but when at the range when club I am a member of back there was shooting...I had it along...think it was 200 yards that day....and fired full 30 rnds....walked down when we went to patch the targets...and was like what the fk....only time I have been shooting when I didn't hit the target once....put it in the gun room when got home and think must have been at least 2 to 3 years before I took it out again....

 

[spike.t]

I will refrain from posting pics of my ammo stash...

Thank you for being so thoughtful that works out at about 6.6666 years of ammo allowed for one rifle here ...150 a year ...

 

[R.M.C.]

Everyone needs an AK, maybe three or four per person in your household.

 

[mdwest]

Thank you for being so thoughtful that works out at about 6.6666 years of ammo allowed for one rifle here ...150 a year ...

I'll also refrain from telling you I loaded 250 rounds of 308 just last weekend...

 

[Red Leg]

I have a Hungarian FEG variant...not here I will quickly say as probably wouldn't go down well.... ..but when at the range when club I am a member of back there was shooting...I had it along...think it was 200 yards that day....and fired full 30 rnds....walked down when we went to patch the targets...and was like what the fk....only time I have been shooting when I didn't hit the target once....put it in the gun room when got home and think must have been at least 2 to 3 years before I took it out again....

Like I said - they tend to put them in the general vicinity of the target.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I am by no means an expert on anything, particularly AK’s. My theoretically take is, they ain’t built for beauty. Good finishes are great, but you are not going to hurt the looks by applying flat black paint if required. I have never thought, wow that is a pretty ak. Same applies to an ar. Utility grade looks for both, to my eyes.
The service grades have never been known for stellar accuracy, some better than others. Mechanical they are pretty simple. Service grade triggers seem to vary from satisfactory to near terrible. A trigger replacement might be a good idea
The sights are serviceable, but certainly not designed for shooting eggs at 100 meters.
From what I read the scope mount system is serviceable.
I think, I would prefer the rpk type forged trunnion and heavier sheet metal. The barrel, I would prefer the chrome lined. Particularly if I was recreationally shooting with surplus type ammo.

The 7.62x39 cartridge is an intermediate cartridge, more than a pistol cartridge and less than a 7.62x51. Supposedly designed for 300 meters and under.
I think for the cartridge, 150 meters as rather ideal maximum range fun, and 200 Far maximum, if the rifle is accurate and shooter can use the sights. I believe my happy hit targets would be in 6-8”diameters. Pretty much for me the same for a lever action 30-30.
I certainly do not think the bulk ammunition is loaded for maximum accuracy nor the projectiles that it is loaded with. As is in case with all bulk ammo.

For me I would prefer one over a semi-auto Thompson. I view the more true to original design ones as a bit more flexible than a semi-auto pistol cartridge rifle. They are rather compact, a folding stock stows in pretty short spaces with a 10 or even 20 magazine.
The 30 round magazines are more length than I would want, be it ak or ar. The 20’s stick out far enough for me. The 10’s are compact. I have nothing against the 30’s other than the space and the weight. Of course their is also the drum magazines also.
I assume the 300 Blackout cartridge is a more modern 7.62x39.

I would like a Thompson? But I'd really prefer a BAR. Maybe I'll win the Lottery tonight. LOL

 

[spike.t]

I'll also refrain from telling you I loaded 250 rounds of 308 just last weekend...

As there isn't this one available under the post...here it is .....

 

[CJW]

I would like a Thompson? But I'd really prefer a BAR. Maybe I'll win the Lottery tonight. LOL

If I could own one ridiculous, don't need it firearm, it would probably be a Thompson. A BAR would be a close second. Full auto 45 acp and 30-06. What's not to love?

 

[ARHinAK]

I "sort of" wanted an AK at one time. But after seeing a few show up in the 3-gun matches, that desire went away. The AKs were simply not competitive in the gun games, which was my primary focus at the time.

“The AKs were simply not competitive in the gun games”
Allow me to translate = Put accurate shots on target in a hurry”.
Save yourself some trouble and get a quality built FN, Colt, BCM AR, lubricate as needed and don’t even mention to me reliability, lethality or longevity.

 

[wesheltonj]

I wish...a 1000 rounds....

That's not even close to a good supply.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’d like to get a 5.45 39 in a Bulgarian AK. They are just so expensive, compared to a high quality AR.
My FN-FAL would be my favorite if cartridges weren’t so high.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I’ve got a few AKs, I like them and wouldn’t have a problem using one to cover my ass. The AR is a better platform. The HK 91/G3 is my favorite battle rifle platform. If it came down to what I would pick up and fight with out of everything I own it would be a 91 or a 93 made by HK. Would prefer a 91 in 7.62x51 but would not worry with a 93 I 5.56x45

 

[shootist~]

I'll also refrain from telling you I loaded 250 rounds of 308 just last weekend...

.....
My FN-FAL would be my favorite if cartridges weren’t so high.

The Hornady 150 gr FMJ-BT and Benchmark powder make a dandy and inexpensive reload for a 7.62 FAL (or SCAR-17). Also a great practice load for a 308 bolt gun for that matter. The 150 FMJs are in good supply if you have the other components.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Primers are the main issue. I’m not going to cut my other calibers short.

The Hornady 150 gr FMJ-BT and Benchmark powder make a dandy and inexpensive reload for a 7.62 FAL (or SCAR-17). Also a great practice load for a 308 bolt gun for that matter. The 150 FMJs are in good supply if you have the other components.

 

[RTG]

Check options here:

Home - Zastava Arms USA

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zastavaarmsusa.com

Agreed. For quality, reliability and availability I would choose this: https://zastavaarmsusa.com/product/zpapm70-zr7762w-semi-automatic-sporting-rifle/