The Great Kalashnikov - Official AK Thread

[GrkPranksta69]

[Elbows]

That's good advice...Jim knows his stuff. I've watched most of his armorer's dvd on Panteao.

[2screw]

So after putting approximately 4 spam cans of surplus through the 74 I finally had my first failure to eject yesterday. Actually its the first failure I have had of any kind. It seems to me that the extractor pulled through the lip on the casing leaving me with a spent shell jammed in chamber. It was pretty easy to clear with the cleaning rod but I am wondering if it is a common issue with steel cased ammo or possibly due to residue build up in the chamber that I was unaware of? Have any of you guys running 5.45 run into this before?

[NightTrain EX]

T-Bag (Robert Knepper)?

[Obin Robinson]

So after putting approximately 4 spam cans of surplus through the 74 I finally had my first failure to eject yesterday. Actually its the first failure I have had of any kind. It seems to me that the extractor pulled through the lip on the casing leaving me with a spent shell jammed in chamber. It was pretty easy to clear with the cleaning rod but I am wondering if it is a common issue with steel cased ammo or possibly due to residue build up in the chamber that I was unaware of? Have any of you guys running 5.45 run into this before?

That's unusual. I'm wondering if you ever clean the chamber on the gun? Is there possibly a lacquer buildup or dirt buildup?

obin

[Elbows]

Yep, while it is very possible that you simply had a bad shell (poor metal structure etc.), I'd guess it's from lacquer build-up in the chamber if you're running spam can ammo. That stuff is simply dipped in lacquer. I'd brush your chamber out.

I've only had one failure in 10,000 rounds of 5.45 through my guns, and it was post-gunsmith-surgery and was immediately sent back for repair (he had mussed it up ril' bad).

However, I only shoot Silver Bear. The Brown Bear (lacquer coated) 9mm has given my Walther numerous failures to extract in my 900 round torture test. (I'd say...12-15 failures to extract, resulting in double feed).

No worries. Also, if your gun is a kit gun, may be time to swap out extractor/springs etc. If it's a kit, the extractor and such could be quite old. If it's a new gun, then brush the chamber.

[2screw]

Yep, while it is very possible that you simply had a bad shell (poor metal structure etc.), I'd guess it's from lacquer build-up in the chamber if you're running spam can ammo. That stuff is simply dipped in lacquer. I'd brush your chamber out.

I've only had one failure in 10,000 rounds of 5.45 through my guns, and it was post-gunsmith-surgery and was immediately sent back for repair (he had mussed it up ril' bad).

However, I only shoot Silver Bear. The Brown Bear (lacquer coated) 9mm has given my Walther numerous failures to extract in my 900 round torture test. (I'd say...12-15 failures to extract, resulting in double feed).

No worries. Also, if your gun is a kit gun, may be time to swap out extractor/springs etc. If it's a kit, the extractor and such could be quite old. If it's a new gun, then brush the chamber.

Thanks for the info. I usually clean the gun, including the chamber, immediately after I get back from the range but I had a sneaking suspicion that I had failed to do so thoroughly after the last time it had been fired. Lesson Learned.

[Subie J]

Any suggestions on a traditional, wood stock AK? I plan on buying one for my birthday as a gift to myself. This will be a range toy. I'd like to keep it under $800.

[Vee-Dubber-GLI]

Any suggestions on a traditional, wood stock AK? I plan on buying one for my birthday as a gift to myself. This will be a range toy. I'd like to keep it under $800.

I'd suggest the Zastava PAP, WaffenWerks AK74, IAC offers a great array of models... You really can't go wrong even starting with a Saiga and converting it yourself- it's all Arsenal does.

Check Atlantic Firearms and CDNN; they're where I look to when I need a glimpse of some free-state goodness.

[Elbows]

While slightly more expensive, the SGL line can be purchased around $850, and you can simply put wood on it --- Ironwood Designs sells some nice stuff, even blank stuff you can finish yourself.

I agree with the other posters, IAC makes some nice rifles in that range.

[Subie J]

I've actually been eying this. Really worth the price?

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/inde...=23&Itemid=762

[Elbows]

Yep. They used to be a bit cheaper, but everything is going nuts. Check out my blog if you're looking for info on solid AK's. The Arsenal SGL series are generally good to go. Now is it "worth the money". That's up to you - but that $865 AK will outrun any other $865 carbine on the market, so it depends on what you value.

I don't know if places are selling them cheaper - Atlantic firearms never really gives you a good deal. May be worth shoppin' around.

[Vee-Dubber-GLI]

I've actually been eying this. Really worth the price?

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/inde...=23&Itemid=762

Spiffed up, converted Saiga. Depends on if it's worth it to you.

Yep. They used to be a bit cheaper, but everything is going nuts. Check out my blog if you're looking for info on solid AK's. The Arsenal SGL series are generally good to go. Now is it "worth the money". That's up to you - but that $865 AK will outrun any other $865 carbine on the market, so it depends on what you value.

I don't know if places are selling them cheaper - Atlantic firearms never really gives you a good deal. May be worth shoppin' around.

Atlantic has a nice selection; price-wise, if you get one of their 'forum discounts', it will usually match other retailers, though communication leaves a bit to be desired. I had a lot of luck with RRC firearms and they stock Arsenals, IAC, and WW.

[GrkPranksta69]

Just wondering on what the opinion is on any .308 AK, VEPR or Saiga?

[Obin Robinson]

Just wondering on what the opinion is on any .308 AK, VEPR or Saiga?

IMHO the be-all and end-all of .308 AKs was made by Zastava. This one was designed from the ground up to be a gun that the JNA could use to fight WWIII against "decadent Western aggressors" coming from NATO.

http://zastava-arms.rs/cms/index.php?id=223





You can find semi-auto versions for sale all the time:

http://www.armslist.com/posts/464037...win-ak-zastava

obin

[Subie J]

I've actually been eying this. Really worth the price?

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/inde...=23&Itemid=762

Some how I went to cabelas for a jacket and came home with a new bushmaster m4a3.

Guess my ak purchase will have to hold off till christmas.

[Obin Robinson]

Some how I went to cabelas for a jacket and came home with a new bushmaster m4a3.

Guess my ak purchase will have to hold off till christmas.

I've done that before. I went to a gun show looking for $30 worth of reloading dies and came home with $800 in handguns. There is a reason I am not allowed to go gun shopping alone.

obin

[Wilbur the pig]

Ive completely switched over platforms. Sold off all my AR stuff except for the SBR lower, and picked up an Arsenal SLR-106FR / 5.56. These are very addictive, im already looking for a second one.

[Elbows]

Eh, that can happen. Time to get yourself an SLR-106UR and SBR it.

[SuperStar]

I love my SLR106fr, runs well with the black and clear/smoke circle 10 mags, xm193, m855 and WPA, I had a double feed with Tula ammo though. much more fun than my AR or mini-14. Next up is maybe an ultimak gastube and I think I'll be trying a bushnell trs-25. I'll probably also be selling couple other rifles or pistols soon to fund a SLR107fr or a SGL 31-94

[Vee-Dubber-GLI]

I love my SLR106fr, runs well with the black and clear/smoke circle 10 mags, xm193, m855 and WPA, I had a double feed with Tula ammo though. much more fun than my AR or mini-14. Next up is maybe an ultimak gastube and I think I'll be trying a bushnell trs-25. I'll probably also be selling couple other rifles or pistols soon to fund a SLR107fr or a SGL 31-94

Great combo; I got the TRS to use as an entry to RDS. Ultimak tube is great; tip: the tube is supposed to not be long enough and not be snug in either side.

[SuperStar]

Good to know on the ultimak! I heard the trs is good, and they're under $100 at Walmart, I'll see how much beating it will take until I can save for an aimpoint or an rmr. I'll be running the gun hard like sonny Puzikas

[Elbows]

Main thing to watch for is overheating the optic on the Ultimak. Normal Aimpoints and stuff don't have a problem with this, but the Ultimak can get boiling hot when you're running the gun hard (particularly in areas like AZ etc.).

[SuperStar]

thats what im worried about, if the trs can withstand the heat, if it holds up until i can get a better rds i'll be happy.

gotta go cheap somewhere, i try to shoot once a week and i need $ for ammo lol

[YF19EX]

To hold me over since my Century Bulgarian is undergoing a HSP conversion at Rifle Dynamics (give or take another 3-5 months) I have decided to buy something else to hold me over.



Should be here next week.

[Elbows]

Great minds think alike...guess what I'm buying when my RD rifle returns and I sell it...^.

I used to have a Kreb's AK and it was even nicer than my RD rifle. I went with RD a couple years ago because his wait times weren't bad, and Kreb's does not do custom work. However, I think you'll find you'll love your Kreb's more than your RD.

The only reason I sold my old Kreb's was because it was a Tantal and at the time, it was too nice to shoot. Beautiful finish, fantastic polishing work on most internal components. You're in for a freakin' shock.

[SuperStar]

that krebs carbine length is nice, what are the wait times to get one of those bad boys and can a 100 series folding stock be added?

[YF19EX]

I talked to Krebs last week and they had no rifles in stock except for some Speed Loader 762s. Atlantic Arms had this in stock ready to ship. Bought Tuesday night, shipped the next day.

They do make the Skeleton folding version of this rifle but again not in stock. If Krebs is not taking custom orders, I'm not to sure of you could get the polymer AK100 added on.

[YF19EX]

I only had one reservation on ordering this system with a welded 74 brake. And that is how do I clean out the brake and muzzle face of carbon fouling. Anyone who runs these knows it builds up fast. I'm probably looking for the best chemical carbon remover or some kind of wire brush I can insert into the brake to keep it clean while trying to preserve the crown integrity. Otherwise I can't wait.

[Elbows]

Don't worry about it. I had a 74 pinned, and removed it after about 5,000 rounds...the rifle was still shooting fine. I would say every 5K maybe find a way to dunk it in some carbon killer or something.

Maybe over the life of the rifle it could be an issue - in which case I'd schedule to have someone remove and replace (or clean it). Overall though, not a huge deal. I have pictures of my 74 muzzle somewhere...

If you're shooting corrosive it may be a little more of a pain.

[YF19EX]

If you're shooting corrosive it may be a little more of a pain.

Yea I got a ton of 7n. And that's all I shot in my Century Bulgarian before. Cheap but constant cleaning was always a necessity.
The funny thing was, I found most of the rust in the barrel and in the brake. But not on the piston or bolt. After studying more about AKs, I figure Century put on a cheap US made non chrome lined barrel which rusted easily.

[Elbows]

Yep, Century normally throws non-chromed barrels in their guns...in fact most US made barrels are non-chrome etc. Just one of the many "meh" factors of cheap built AK's using sub-par US components.

[dj age one]

the corroive salts will damaged chrome the same as non chrome barrels there are a few coatings that are availibl to resist the corrosion.

http://vuurwapenblog.com/2011/10/05/...rosion-part-2/

I'm sure there availible for AK parts as well.

that being said, I run lots of corrosive ammo, both 7.62x54R (in PSL) and 5.45x39 (in a AR) even with though windex/ then hot water then oil cleanings I was still getting pitting. then Obin informed me to CorrosionX
http://www.goodboatgear.com/detail/1...FYZaMgodAWwA6A

so far over 1k threw my 5.45 and probably 600 x54r cleaning and lubing with this stuff. I haven't pulled threw one single rag with any orange on it since I started using this stuff. I now have zero reservations about running corrosive ammo in any of my guns.

[SuperStar]

hows that Corrosion X against the finish? I know on arsenal ak's, they only reccomend CLP because alot of solvents/cleaners can strip the enamel off.

[Vee-Dubber-GLI]

hows that Corrosion X against the finish? I know on arsenal ak's, they only reccomend CLP because alot of solvents/cleaners can strip the enamel off.

It may have to do with Arsenal's finish as well. I've hear it wears easily.