First AK....what should I know?

**TBAR_94** · 02-12-21, 14:12

I finally pulled the trigger on my first AK...a Zastava M70 triangle side folder from Atlantic. I've always had a passing interest AKs, but I've been guilty of the "I can get one whenever," mindset and never went out of my way to buy one.

I'm not looking to trick this one out--I just want a functional rifle with a classic feel. I ordered some steel cased Wolf FMJ and 2 each of the steel mags and the Zastava polymer mags, but I'll also be looking to drop some pigs with this gun--is there anything I should know before shooting soft points in an AK? I'm also aware AKs can be finicky with mags--if anyone has insight on what historically works well with the M70 before I drop a few hundred bucks I'd appreciate it.

Other than an trying to source as much ammo as I can, are there there any other widgets I should look in to? I'm already tracking that a sight tool makes zeroing easier and I ordered one of the AKOU website. I see this rifle probably spending most of its time as a range toy but in my part of Florida I think it would be suitable for hogs too.

Thanks!

**Kevslatvin** · 02-12-21, 14:52

It was my understanding that with 7.62x39 AK's most mags are good to go since there was a standard and everyone used it unlike the 5.56/.223 where each country made there own and they didn't necessarily work in another country's 5.56 AK. That said on occasion one may have to file them a little to get them to fit smoothly. I've heard it recommended to stick with surplus steel mags and it's hard to go wrong.

**Circle_10** · 02-12-21, 15:20

I think the “finicky” aspect with 7.62 mags really only pertains to fit. Some mags fit in some guns and not so good in others. If the mag fits and it isn’t isn’t cheapass Promag or some other crap brand, you should be good to go. Most East Bloc mags should be good to go, and for US mags X-Techs are supposedly good, and I believe the Gen 3 AK Pmags with the reinforced locking tabs are ok as well. I’ve never tried US Palm mags but I think their newer mags with the reinforcement are alright. Don’t even bother buying polymer AK mags without steel reinforcement in, at the very least, the front and rear locking lugs. More steel in the feed lips and front and rear “spine” is even better. The Bulgarian waffle-pattern mags are my personal favorite.
Whatever decent mags you decide you favor, get a lot of them.

Regarding softpoint ammo, I haven’t had an issue with it in my SGL-21 thus far, although I have heard some AKs don’t like it. The Russian soft point loads seem to perform pretty well. I was pleased with the accuracy, considering we are talking about a 7.62 AK here.
Only thing odd about the Wolf 125gr softpoints I have is that the POI is way right compared to 122gr FMJ for some reason - like 2-3 MOA at 100yds, both with irons and optics. It seems to be slightly hotter than a lot of my ball ammo so maybe that is doing something with the recoil and barrel harmonics or something....I dunno, I’m not a ballistician. So my irons are zeroed for ball because that’s what I have the most of, and the optic is zeroed for the softpoints.

If you want to mount an optic I believe the side rails on the Zastavas are different and require a specific style of mount. RS Regulate makes mounts for a variety of different side rail patterns.

**utahjeepr** · 02-17-21, 11:09

Pretty much all European mags are good. Asian mags, you'll end up throwing enough away that they end up costing more. Magpuls are good to go.

Your hand guards are longer than std AKM. Rear sight slider is shorter. Other stuff: selector, gas tube... No big deals, just make sure of what you order.

I have not seen any picky eaters outside of saiga conversions, YMMV.
I'll take vympel golden tiger over anything else when I can get it. Bernaul (xxx bear lines) and Tula are good. Uly has a fat spread, but their hollow points explode like no others if you can get a hit on varmints. Wolf and RAS are importers not manufacturers so there stuff comes from all over made to their spec/price point. It all tends to work well and go bang though.

All the AK Fudd crap, is just that. Rust, dirt, mud, and running it over with a truck are not recommended.

**Alba9999** · 02-17-21, 14:12

AK should not be finicky to mags at all. Main additions - install this trigger, carefully
https://www.primaryarms.com/alg-defe...-lightning-bow

**ThirdWatcher** · 02-17-21, 14:42

First thing that came to mind when I read the title of this thread was that you probably won’t be able to stop at just one.

**Uni-Vibe** · 02-17-21, 14:49

Xtech Tactical?

Don't know about their AK mags, but their VP9 ones were instant failures. Spewed rounds out of the feed lips, they did. Sent 'em back and got HK factory.

My buds with AKs like the Magpuls.

**Circle_10** · 02-17-21, 16:39

Originally Posted by Uni-Vibe

Xtech Tactical?

Don't know about their AK mags, but their VP9 ones were instant failures. Spewed rounds out of the feed lips, they did. Sent 'em back and got HK factory.

My buds with AKs like the Magpuls.

I’ve heard Xtech AK mags are good, but I personally only have experience with Eastern Euro, Chinese and Magpuls. Safest bet is probably just stick with combloc mags if you can procure a decent quantity of them.

**SteyrAUG** · 02-17-21, 17:59

Originally Posted by utahjeepr

Pretty much all European mags are good. Asian mags, you'll end up throwing enough away that they end up costing more. Magpuls are good to go.

Except of course Chinese mags which are excellent. If you have Yugo mags with the follower that acts as a bolt hold open get rid of them because they are useless. When you take the mags out the bolt closes.

Some people keep ONE to put in when they let the rifle cool. Bulgarian mags are probably the best but spendy. I have heard MAGPUL AK mags with metal tabs are good to go but never tried them personally. Thankfully I'm sitting on a ton of warsaw surplus mags from 15 years ago.