rob_s
03-12-08, 20:11
As a self-avowed hater of the AK, I bought one late last year in order to have one to take an AK-specific class with and to see if my mind might be swayed.
I wound up buying a Lancaster built Bulgarian parts gun from Blaine at www.atlanticfirearms.com after a lengthy phone conversation. I explained to him what I wanted, we tossed out the milled guns for what they are (marketing hype and collectors pieces) and we both wound up agreeing that the Lancaster or the Vector would be good choices, and the Lancaster won due to the chrome-lined barrel (it is my understanding that some Vectors come with them and some don't).
My thought going into the class was to "learn the weapon", and that if I wanted an AK it would be because it was inexpensive and simple. If I wanted expensive and "jocked up" I have plenty of ARs for that.
I made some very minor changes before the class. I put a Blackjack SWIFT safety lever on it to make it easier to disengage the safety with my trigger finger without taking my hand off the grip. I bought two Ergo grips and went with the one I found most comfortable. I added a Blue Force Gear Vickers sling with a clip I ordered off the internet. and I took off the slant brake and installed an A1 birdcage flash hider to be more "tactical". This is what the rifle looked like when I took it to class.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_1917cropped.jpg
What I learned at the class was mostly what I expected would happen.
1) The trigger is horrendous. Coming off of a Knight's SR15 T&E rifle with one of their excellent tow-stage triggers and trying to make the switch to the AK trigger was a huge hurdle. A Two-day class isn't nearly enough to even begin to make a dent.
2) The sights suck. Call it being spoiled by dots and the like, but making 200 yard hits with the stock sights was extremely difficult for me (and my bad eyes), and I witnessed other students up and down the line with similar problems. Some were better than me and some were worse, but the ones that shot the best had optics.
3) The stock does not fit me. I find that the toe is not deep enough to really get it into my shoulder. The sights are so low that I barely get just the tip of the toe on my shoulder, and the lack of any kind of rubberized coating makes it hard to get it "into the pocket.
4) 7.62x39 kicks. Mostly due to #3 above, that little point of the stock that I was able to make contact with really bit in under the greater recoil of the larger round. I used to shoot a FAL exclusively so I'm no stranger to recoil, but the FAL has a much better stock design, has a rubber pad to keep it from sliding around, and it has a brake. Yeah, that birdcage on my AK wasn't helping at all.
I came back from the class, ran the rifle in a drills night, and set out to fix the things I didn't like. I decided that if I was going to shoot this gun, there was no sense fighting it when there are products available that make it possible for me to modify it to better suit my needs and help me to get better hits quicker. This is what it looks like now.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/IMG_2603.jpg
1) I bought an Aimpoint Micro. I got the H-1 model which is good to 5 meters instead of 30, and doesn't have the NV settings (as compared to the T-1). I mounted it on an Ultimak gas tube rail.
Man, what a difference! I haven't gotten it to the range yet, but already the slightly higher optic allows me to get more of the toe of the stock into my shoulder pocket, and it just feels 100% better already. In chasing the dog around the house I found tracking a moving target and swinging to that target to be much easier.
2) I bought a J-tac AK brake. This also made a huge difference in the felt recoil as well as the muzzle climb for followup shots. I would almost swear that the muzzle was diving it worked so well.
3) I figured out a way to mount the light. I bought an offset rail from Brownells, and attached a Surefire G2 in a Vltor mount to the offset rail. I also mounted a Surefire X300 to it to see which I preferred, and I actually like the G2 in this location better than the X300.
4) I changed the grip. I liked the Ergo OK, but some of the guys in the class had SAW grips and I REALLY liked the way they felt, so I switched.
There are some things I haven't/can't/won't change.
1) There is nothing to be done with the stock. Short of buying an AR stock conversion it just is what it is. However, I did find that the Aimpoint Micro did help by allowing me to keep my head higher and therefore the stock lower in my shoulder. I would still like to see a rubber buttpad, but for non-slip moreso than for recoil absorption. Something like the pad on the CTR, Emod, or SOPMOD would be nice.
2) I haven't addressed the trigger. I'm generally not a fan of tinkering with the trigger too much, but this one could use a lot of help. Although, for my intended purpose for this rifle (inside 100 yards) it's not that bad.
I'm going to keep playing with the AK for the rest of the year. I still don't like it, and I still think the AR is a better solution, but I can see a place for a $700 gun (base gun plus minimal upgrades) vs. a $3k jocked up AR. Eventually I suspect I'll scavenge off the optic, stick the thing in the truck somewhere with a couple of mags, and be done with it. I'll bring it out once or twice a year to dust off the skills. I think it's very well suited to this application.
In the meantime, it is kind of fun beating AR shooters running jocked-up guns when I'm running an AK. We had a match last month that required 4 reloads, and even with the tragically slower reload of the AK my time was still something like 3rd overall out of 17 shooters. Gave me a chuckle and a certain sense of satisfaction. I think I'm starting to understand what the revolver shooters enjoy.
Links to components
Lancaster AKM 47RM Poly Rifle (http://atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=446)
BFG/Vickers Sling (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=23992&title=CAR-15/M4%20VICKERS%20COMBAT%20APPLICATIONS%20SLING)
Blackjack Swift Notched Safety Lever (http://www.blackjackbuffers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=202)
J-tac47 Compensator (http://www.blackjackbuffers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=585)
Tapco SAW Grip (http://www.tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?Id=1ffb4242-ec89-4dd7-88e7-45c3a9137326)
Ultimak Rail (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1571&title=AK-47%20SCOPE%20MOUNT)
Aimpoint Micro H-1 (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=23984&st=h-1&s=)
Warne Picatinny Side Mount Adapter (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=18402&st=947-000-095EC&s=42515)
Surefire G2 Package Deal (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=G2-P) (w/ Z32 Bezel, Z49 Tailcap, and Vltor mount)
Arsenal Bulgarian Waffle Mags (http://www.impactguns.com/store/AIM47W.html)
5.56 Magpuls (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1498&title=MAGPUL%20INDUSTRIES%20MAGPUL)
ETA:
Well the light mount crapped out. The threads won't stay tight even with red Loctite, so I pulled it for now. I'm thinking of either going with the GG&G 90 degree mount and the Sure quick release ring I have now, or just going with the Vltor M-OCG (Off-Set) Scout Mount.
In other news, people have asked me about the cowitness of the optic. I finally got some passable pictures, so here they are.
Irons
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_2090Medium.jpg
Dot
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_2088Medium.jpg
In addition, some people have asked about weight. I know that, subjectively, it doesn't feel heavy. In fact, this gun with mounts etc. weighs less, by feel, than a stock Yugo does with wood stocks. The weight, without light, as pictured below is 7 lbs 5.5 oz empty, with a loaded Bulgy circle-10 mag weighing in at 1 lb 10.2 oz. Clearly a magazine that adds over 1.5 lbs is a major factor. For reference, a loaded 5.56 Pmag (30 rounds) is 17.5 oz.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_2081Medium.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/weights/DSC_2086Small.jpg
I wound up buying a Lancaster built Bulgarian parts gun from Blaine at www.atlanticfirearms.com after a lengthy phone conversation. I explained to him what I wanted, we tossed out the milled guns for what they are (marketing hype and collectors pieces) and we both wound up agreeing that the Lancaster or the Vector would be good choices, and the Lancaster won due to the chrome-lined barrel (it is my understanding that some Vectors come with them and some don't).
My thought going into the class was to "learn the weapon", and that if I wanted an AK it would be because it was inexpensive and simple. If I wanted expensive and "jocked up" I have plenty of ARs for that.
I made some very minor changes before the class. I put a Blackjack SWIFT safety lever on it to make it easier to disengage the safety with my trigger finger without taking my hand off the grip. I bought two Ergo grips and went with the one I found most comfortable. I added a Blue Force Gear Vickers sling with a clip I ordered off the internet. and I took off the slant brake and installed an A1 birdcage flash hider to be more "tactical". This is what the rifle looked like when I took it to class.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_1917cropped.jpg
What I learned at the class was mostly what I expected would happen.
1) The trigger is horrendous. Coming off of a Knight's SR15 T&E rifle with one of their excellent tow-stage triggers and trying to make the switch to the AK trigger was a huge hurdle. A Two-day class isn't nearly enough to even begin to make a dent.
2) The sights suck. Call it being spoiled by dots and the like, but making 200 yard hits with the stock sights was extremely difficult for me (and my bad eyes), and I witnessed other students up and down the line with similar problems. Some were better than me and some were worse, but the ones that shot the best had optics.
3) The stock does not fit me. I find that the toe is not deep enough to really get it into my shoulder. The sights are so low that I barely get just the tip of the toe on my shoulder, and the lack of any kind of rubberized coating makes it hard to get it "into the pocket.
4) 7.62x39 kicks. Mostly due to #3 above, that little point of the stock that I was able to make contact with really bit in under the greater recoil of the larger round. I used to shoot a FAL exclusively so I'm no stranger to recoil, but the FAL has a much better stock design, has a rubber pad to keep it from sliding around, and it has a brake. Yeah, that birdcage on my AK wasn't helping at all.
I came back from the class, ran the rifle in a drills night, and set out to fix the things I didn't like. I decided that if I was going to shoot this gun, there was no sense fighting it when there are products available that make it possible for me to modify it to better suit my needs and help me to get better hits quicker. This is what it looks like now.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/IMG_2603.jpg
1) I bought an Aimpoint Micro. I got the H-1 model which is good to 5 meters instead of 30, and doesn't have the NV settings (as compared to the T-1). I mounted it on an Ultimak gas tube rail.
Man, what a difference! I haven't gotten it to the range yet, but already the slightly higher optic allows me to get more of the toe of the stock into my shoulder pocket, and it just feels 100% better already. In chasing the dog around the house I found tracking a moving target and swinging to that target to be much easier.
2) I bought a J-tac AK brake. This also made a huge difference in the felt recoil as well as the muzzle climb for followup shots. I would almost swear that the muzzle was diving it worked so well.
3) I figured out a way to mount the light. I bought an offset rail from Brownells, and attached a Surefire G2 in a Vltor mount to the offset rail. I also mounted a Surefire X300 to it to see which I preferred, and I actually like the G2 in this location better than the X300.
4) I changed the grip. I liked the Ergo OK, but some of the guys in the class had SAW grips and I REALLY liked the way they felt, so I switched.
There are some things I haven't/can't/won't change.
1) There is nothing to be done with the stock. Short of buying an AR stock conversion it just is what it is. However, I did find that the Aimpoint Micro did help by allowing me to keep my head higher and therefore the stock lower in my shoulder. I would still like to see a rubber buttpad, but for non-slip moreso than for recoil absorption. Something like the pad on the CTR, Emod, or SOPMOD would be nice.
2) I haven't addressed the trigger. I'm generally not a fan of tinkering with the trigger too much, but this one could use a lot of help. Although, for my intended purpose for this rifle (inside 100 yards) it's not that bad.
I'm going to keep playing with the AK for the rest of the year. I still don't like it, and I still think the AR is a better solution, but I can see a place for a $700 gun (base gun plus minimal upgrades) vs. a $3k jocked up AR. Eventually I suspect I'll scavenge off the optic, stick the thing in the truck somewhere with a couple of mags, and be done with it. I'll bring it out once or twice a year to dust off the skills. I think it's very well suited to this application.
In the meantime, it is kind of fun beating AR shooters running jocked-up guns when I'm running an AK. We had a match last month that required 4 reloads, and even with the tragically slower reload of the AK my time was still something like 3rd overall out of 17 shooters. Gave me a chuckle and a certain sense of satisfaction. I think I'm starting to understand what the revolver shooters enjoy.
Links to components
Lancaster AKM 47RM Poly Rifle (http://atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=446)
BFG/Vickers Sling (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=23992&title=CAR-15/M4%20VICKERS%20COMBAT%20APPLICATIONS%20SLING)
Blackjack Swift Notched Safety Lever (http://www.blackjackbuffers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=202)
J-tac47 Compensator (http://www.blackjackbuffers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=585)
Tapco SAW Grip (http://www.tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?Id=1ffb4242-ec89-4dd7-88e7-45c3a9137326)
Ultimak Rail (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1571&title=AK-47%20SCOPE%20MOUNT)
Aimpoint Micro H-1 (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=23984&st=h-1&s=)
Warne Picatinny Side Mount Adapter (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=18402&st=947-000-095EC&s=42515)
Surefire G2 Package Deal (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=G2-P) (w/ Z32 Bezel, Z49 Tailcap, and Vltor mount)
Arsenal Bulgarian Waffle Mags (http://www.impactguns.com/store/AIM47W.html)
5.56 Magpuls (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1498&title=MAGPUL%20INDUSTRIES%20MAGPUL)
ETA:
Well the light mount crapped out. The threads won't stay tight even with red Loctite, so I pulled it for now. I'm thinking of either going with the GG&G 90 degree mount and the Sure quick release ring I have now, or just going with the Vltor M-OCG (Off-Set) Scout Mount.
In other news, people have asked me about the cowitness of the optic. I finally got some passable pictures, so here they are.
Irons
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_2090Medium.jpg
Dot
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_2088Medium.jpg
In addition, some people have asked about weight. I know that, subjectively, it doesn't feel heavy. In fact, this gun with mounts etc. weighs less, by feel, than a stock Yugo does with wood stocks. The weight, without light, as pictured below is 7 lbs 5.5 oz empty, with a loaded Bulgy circle-10 mag weighing in at 1 lb 10.2 oz. Clearly a magazine that adds over 1.5 lbs is a major factor. For reference, a loaded 5.56 Pmag (30 rounds) is 17.5 oz.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/DSC_2081Medium.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/weights/DSC_2086Small.jpg