Does anyone here have experience with the polish WBP Fox AKs?

[black22rifle]

I have been thinking about purchasing another AK in 7.62 and from looking at what is available I came across these polish aks on Atlantic's website and judging from the info they give on them they seem to be well built. They are made by WBP Rogow in Poland with parts made in the Radom factory which from what I have read has a lot of history in making AK47s. The most important facts off the top are all brand new parts and a CHF chrome lined barrel. At the moment they are not available but I am curious if anyone here has any experience with them and how they compare to other AKs on the market. My other choice is an SLR 107-R.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/products/wbp-fox-ak47-rifle-plum

[Arik]

I have been thinking about purchasing another AK in 7.62 and from looking at what is available I came across these polish aks on Atlantic's website and judging from the info they give on them they seem to be well built. They are made by WBP Rogow in Poland with parts made in the Radom factory which from what I have read has a lot of history in making AK47s. The most important facts off the top are all brand new parts and a CHF chrome lined barrel. At the moment they are not available but I am curious if anyone here has any experience with them and how they compare to other AKs on the market. My other choice is an SLR 107-R.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/products/wbp-fox-ak47-rifle-plumRadom factory is not the same factory that made AKs during the Soviet era. That factory has closed long long ago and has moved. It's now called FB Fabryka Broni Łucznik. The current Radom factory is like the US version of Springfield Armory. Name was once a gov armory, now a private company with no ties to the old name. Except in this case it's less Springfield and more HiPoint

[black22rifle]

Radom factory is not the same factory that made AKs during the Soviet era. That factory has closed long long ago and has moved. It's now called FB Fabryka Broni Łucznik. The current Radom factory is like the US version of Springfield Armory. Name was once a gov armory, now a private company with no ties to the old name. Except in this case it's less Springfield and more HiPoint

Ahh, I didn't know that, thanks.

[Arik]

Ahh, I didn't know that, thanks.All those weird polish AKs like the Hellcat, or Hellpup ... whatever...that came from Royal Tiger Imports and I.O Inc were made at Radom.

[RetroRevolver77]

From what I understand, WBP Rogow uses the machines purchased from the old shut down Radom factory. Fabryka Broni is the newer military manufacturer that uses high end equipment while WBP is more commercial export sales. They even export full auto rifles for government use from WBP. I'd say they build a decent product but would like to see some more reviews.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZAZ5cEoQDs

[Bret]

I want that barrel pin drilling setup. They need to send the barrel component aligning fixtures to Arsenal, NV. It's interesting that they check the headspace with the extractor installed.

[sundance435]

I have been thinking about purchasing another AK in 7.62 and from looking at what is available I came across these polish aks on Atlantic's website and judging from the info they give on them they seem to be well built. They are made by WBP Rogow in Poland with parts made in the Radom factory which from what I have read has a lot of history in making AK47s. The most important facts off the top are all brand new parts and a CHF chrome lined barrel. At the moment they are not available but I am curious if anyone here has any experience with them and how they compare to other AKs on the market. My other choice is an SLR 107-R.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/products/wbp-fox-ak47-rifle-plum

I researched them a bit when I was considering getting back in to the AK game - seems to be some conjecture as to the quality of the carrier (the tail, specifically). As Arik pointed out with his good analogy, Radom guns now are more of a Springfield Armory-type in that they took the name (not sure as to the equipment). To me, they seem a notch below an SLR, but probably a step above a WASR if you're buying it through Atlantic. If price is roughly the same, I'd go with an Arsenal.

[Bret]

I have no experience with the WPB Fox AK's, but if the price is the same I'd definitely go with them over Arsenal. Based on my experience with several rifles, Arsenal's quality is very hit or miss. As if that's not bad enough, their customer services is as bad as it gets. If you were to purchase through Atlantic you'd be dealing with a company that has a good reputation for backing up what they sell. Sorry sundance435, I'm not trying to discredit your opinion. It's just that my experience had led me to a different one.

[sundance435]

I have no experience with the WPB Fox AK's, but if the price is the same I'd definitely go with them over Arsenal. Based on my experience with several rifles, Arsenal's quality is very hit or miss. As if that's not bad enough, their customer services is as bad as it gets. If you were to purchase through Atlantic you'd be dealing with a company that has a good reputation for backing up what they sell. Sorry sundance435, I'm not trying to discredit your opinion. It's just that my experience had led me to a different one.

No worries - I've never bought an Arsenal (sample size of 2) I couldn't at least get pictures of beforehand because of horror stories and you're right about buying from Atlantic in that it's a little more peace of mind. I don't think Arsenal AKs are the greatest, but it's a known quantity, and when they're good they're about as good as we can get out of a factory AKM. As far as I know, stamped Arsenal AKs are still made by the very same people, on the same machines, as those getting exported for military contracts (other than Russian). The problems one finds with them are usually due to the monkeying by Arsenal that's necessary after import.

[Bret]

I don't think Arsenal AKs are the greatest, but it's a known quantity, and when they're good they're about as good as we can get out of a factory AKM.
I think that where Arsenal shines is with the configurations that they offer. No other company offers such a variety of desirable configurations and chamberings.


As far as I know, stamped Arsenal AKs are still made by the very same people, on the same machines, as those getting exported for military contracts (other than Russian). The problems one finds with them are usually due to the monkeying by Arsenal that's necessary after import.
Agreed. The only thing that I'd clarify is that the stamped receivers for 5.56x45 and 7.62x39 rifles are only a creation for the US market. The military full autos they sell only have milled receivers. They did make 5.45x39 stamped receiver military rifles, but they appear to be out of production.
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/assault-rifles-24

[RetroRevolver77]

The only thing that I'd clarify is that the stamped receivers for 5.56x45 and 7.62x39 rifles are only a creation for the US market. The military full autos they sell only have milled receivers.

Edited due to being off topic. However they produced briefly the AKS-74M1A1 a 5.56 stamped receiver 74 variant in 5.56NATO in the early 2000's prior to the AKM/74 hyrbrid that became the 106 and subsequent 107.

[sundance435]

Agreed. The only thing that I'd clarify is that the stamped receivers for 5.56x45 and 7.62x39 rifles are only a creation for the US market. The military full autos they sell only have milled receivers. They did make 5.45x39 stamped receiver military rifles, but they appear to be out of production.
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/assault-rifles-24

I didn't know that. So the SAM-series is close to what they're exporting for foreign mil sales? I've never owned a milled AK, but it's on my short(er) list. I don't see nearly as much negative feedback about the SAM series, but sales numbers are probably not close, either, given the price.

[RetroRevolver77]

I didn't know that. So the SAM-series is close to what they're exporting for foreign mil sales? I've never owned a milled AK, but it's on my short(er) list. I don't see nearly as much negative feedback about the SAM series, but sales numbers are probably not close, either, given the price.

The SAM has the same issues with the mag tabs being eliminated in some mags and requiring a lowered and widened feedramp bevel.

[montrala]

To clear a fog a little.

WBP Rogów Jacek Popiński is independent manufacturer, that makes "Jack" AKM in different variant using own components and sourced form FB Radom (state factory making Beryls) including CHF barrels (FB Radom also makes Beryl M762 in 7.62x39mm). Generally it is well regarded, small workshop. http://wbprogow.pl/

Hellpup and other "Polish AK" or "AK from Radom" made with random parts (Romanian, etc.) come from PAC or Pioneer Arms Corp. Their only connection to Polish "oval 11" AK is that they are in Radom and lease space in place where Polish ZM Łucznik used to be. https://www.pioneer-pac.com/

Those 2 businesses are unrelated. One sells on use of name "Radom" and "Polish AK". Second doesn't use such marketing.

[scottryan]

Radom factory is not the same factory that made AKs during the Soviet era. That factory has closed long long ago and has moved. It's now called FB Fabryka Broni Łucznik. The current Radom factory is like the US version of Springfield Armory. Name was once a gov armory, now a private company with no ties to the old name. Except in this case it's less Springfield and more HiPoint




FB existed before WW2 making Model 1935 pistols, Model 1929 Mausers, etc and was the state supplier to the Polish government.

Pre WW2 FB -----> the Radom 11 cold war era factory -----> and the current FB, are the direct lineage for real Polish military firearms.

WBP Rogów Jacek Popiński is a separate manufacture of real AK variants in Poland

All other "Radom" made polish guns on the US market such as Pioneers Arms, etc are not real Polish guns. They are parts kit builds from surplus Polish parts.

[Jonnyt16]

Quick question....I understand the WBP Fox rifles sold by Atlantic have the Beryl rear trunnion....how does this effect installation of aftermarket stocks and/or M4-style stock adapters such as the ones by Rifle Dynamics, Krebs, etc.?

[black22rifle]

You cannot install and M4 adapter if they have it.

edit: my mistake

[montrala]

You cannot install and M4 adapter if they have it.

Really? Looks like I didn't get the memo, when I installed Vltor M4 adapter on my Mini Beryl, with 0 (zero) modifications ;)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/44170536532_aa3487e235_b.jpg

BTW In before all wise comments: this picture presents 2 aiming configurations at once. IRL I was not using LPVO and Red Dot at same time. However I verified that it works good enough when aiming with LPVO trough Red Dot if needed. Putting LPVO mounted on POPC was 6 second job ;)

[RetroRevolver77]

The only "AK Variants" worth buying on the US market now days are standardized imported AKM or 47 pattern styles. Stick with what works, keep things simple- which is exactly what these WPB FOX rifles have to offer. Trust me on that.

M

[grizzlyblake]

Bump for any more recent experience. I have been looking at these at Atlantic since they are back in stock. Are these considered high quality enough to be a serious use gun?

[RetroRevolver77]

Delete.