AK-47 / AK-74 / Everything AK

Palmetto State Armory is back in the news with a new and logical next step in the evolution of its Soviet Arms Krink series of firearms, chambering the new "Krinkov" in classic 7.62x39. Whatever your thoughts may be when it comes to PSA, there is no doubt that they are taking feedback seriously and developing firearms that the gun community wants to see hit the market. More than that, PSA is known for taking on the mission of spreading 2A cheer at a price that won’t take you to the cleaners or a family law practice, and the 7.62x39 Krink is no exception.

The Vietnam War drew in weapons from across the globe, as socialist nations rallied to support their revolutionary ally in the fight for reunification. Among the most significant contributions were the Kalashnikov-based rifles supplied by the Soviet Union and its allies. While traveling across Vietnam, I encountered many of these rifles on display, each representing a unique chapter of the war and international military aid. Here, I'll cover the AKs I could see and give a little overview of the Kalashnikov variants that found their way to the battlefields of Southeast Asia.

While in Serbia, I had the opportunity to visit the Old Gun Foundry Museum in Kragujevac, a must-see for anyone interested in the country's industrial and military history. The museum highlights the pivotal role of the Zastava Arms factory, a historic manufacturer of firearms and military equipment in the region. Its exhibits feature a diverse collection of weapons produced over the years, offering a look at the development of Serbian small arms and industry.

I like to keep at least one “back to basics” rifle in my collection, and this might be another perfect fit. Arsenal, Inc. has expanded the SAM7K family with a short-barrel rifle variant, the SAM7K-28, pairing the proven 7.62×39mm SAM7K action with a purpose-built precision-machined aluminum buttstock. The new stock attaches via a 1913 Picatinny interface and was engineered and manufactured in-house to deliver the rigidity, fit and ergonomics required of a compact Short Barreled Rifle (SBR).

Recently, fellow TFB writer Lynndon Schooler and I had the opportunity to visit the Zastava factory in Kragujevac to see their latest weapons and explore their vast collection of historical firearms.

We spent a day inside WBP’s factory in Poland to get hands on with a new configuration that blends Polish manufacturing with Ukrainian-designed furniture from KRUK. If you follow AKs, you know high-quality modern furniture for this platform is thin on the ground. KRUK’s approach aims to change that with CNC-machined aluminum, an M-LOK ecosystem, and a stock that finally gives AK shooters real adjustability without looking like an afterthought.

During my recent visit to Serbia, I had the remarkable opportunity to tour the Zastava Arms factory, located in the historic city of Kragujevac. Known for its long-standing tradition in firearms manufacturing, Zastava Arms has played a significant role in the region’s industrial and military history. Upon arrival, I was welcomed by members of the administrative staff, who provided a brief overview of the company's legacy, current production capabilities, and export operations.

After the Assault Weapons Ban ended in 2004, I became familiar with Zastava rifles, particularly the M59/66 and the M70AB2. Before that, my gateway into the world of Kalashnikovs was the Romanian WASR-10, which initially sparked my interest in foreign firearms. I owned several Zastavas over the years. Aside from the somewhat flimsy underfolder stock, the M70AB2 was a rock-solid rifle built like a tank, which left a lasting impression.

Thinking about picking up an AK, but not sure which caliber to choose? In this video, we’re at the WBP factory in Poland to get real answers from the people building these rifles. From 7.62x39 to 5.45x39 and even 5.56/.223, we dig into the pros and cons of each option with WBP CEO Stefan—covering everything from accuracy, reliability, barrel length, suppression, and of course, ammo availability.

If you spend enough time shopping for a civilian AK, you’ll keep running into one name: WBP. The Polish manufacturer has built a reputation over the last decade for making rifles that look and feel like the military classics, but with the fit, finish, and reliability that modern shooters expect. If you had walked into WBP’s shop in Rogów, Poland, a couple of decades ago, you wouldn’t have seen rifles. You’d have seen ironing boards and parade sabers. That’s where the company started. But over time, WBP shifted gears—first into defense manufacturing, then into building some of the most respected civilian AK-pattern rifles on the market.

JMAC Customs has released its new   1913 Dust Cover Assembly for the popular Zastava M85 and M92 family of AK pistols, or rifles if you’re into doing paperwork. The West Virginia-based company claims its full-length Picatinny assembly, trusted to hold zero on your aiming devices, is precision-designed for versatility and reliability. Having had vast experience with their products, I’m inclined to believe them.

Not only is JMac Customs’ money clip a great gift for the TFB reader who has everything, the product images also make for a great Photo Of The Day. The Kalash Stash is a limited-edition money clip made from one ounce of solid 925 silver. It’s a detailed, scaled-down model of the AKS-74U, a compact variant of the Kalashnikov rifle known for its distinctive shape and historical significance in military use, as well as its appearance in numerous films and video games.

Kalashnikov Concern have announced that they will soon start the production of the modernized AK-308, an AK-pattern rifle chambered in 7.62x51. Designed in 2018, this battle rifle is primarily made for export. Let’s see what has been changed in the design of the AK-308.

Today’s Photo Of The Day features the FB MINI-BERYL S 223, a semi-automatic AK-platform carbine chambered in .223 Remington. Built around a cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel, the BERYL M1 delivers consistent precision.

Photo Of the Day and Bravo42 Photography gets our attention in this Call of Duty-inspired build, including a thermal optic, suppressor and weaponlight. You can look at the build details below:

The AK market is still very much alive and thriving in 2025 and the guys over at Strike Industries and XLogic are all here for it with a new pair of muzzle devices specifically designed for AKs and AKM-patterned rifles. The new Strike/XLogic AK Widow Flash Hider and Ghost Muzzle Brake are designed for slightly different user groups, with the Widow capable of still allowing for the mounting of an AKM bayonet and improving flash suppression, and the Ghost Muzzle Brake redirects felt recoil and helps control muzzle flip with its 6 port brake system (probably loud!). Details on both new products are below and a full list of specifications and features is available on the Strike Industries Website.

This is the CW Gunwerks and JMac Customs Signature Series - 14.5" IMR Limited Edition Rifle, perfect for our Photo Of The Day. CW Gunwerks, based in Miami, Florida, builds each rifle with careful attention to detail. Partnering with JMac Customs, which designs and manufactures most of the components, the two companies focus on quality and precision.

In my series on the weapons of the South Caucasus, I have previously discussed the background of the region's territorial disputes. In this section, I will focus specifically on the AK-103. This firearm was designed in 1994, which is noteworthy because it was the same year the First Nagorno-Karabakh War ended with a ceasefire agreement.

WBP is releasing a new version of the Jack AK-47, now featuring Ukrainian KPYK parts for a modernized, lightweight tactical upgrade. Shown at IWA 2025, this updated Jack retains its Polish craftsmanship but now comes with KPYK handguards and stocks, known for their rugged, lightweight construction and enhanced modularity. With these upgrades, the WBP Jack is now optimized for tactical applications while maintaining AK reliability. Could this be the best modernized AK variant yet?

As the AK-12 assault rifles evolve, new models have been introduced to cater to modern trends favoring shorter rifles for urban operations. Recently, Kalashnikov Concern launched the compact models AK-12/15K and AK-12/15SK. These rifles were showcased alongside the entire AK-12 family at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2025.

The Firearm Blog has so far covered many new weapons produced by the Vietnamese small arms industry, from assault rifles to sniper rifles, light machine guns, pistols, and some other unusual guns. Today, let’s talk about a rather interesting rifle that is being adopted in significant quantities by the Vietnamese military: the STV-022 stockless carbine. In the USA, such weapons are often called “rifle-caliber pistols”, but they are typically not employed by military forces.

The Arsenal AK-20 series is now available, bringing modern upgrades to the legendary Kalashnikov platform. Unveiled at SHOT Show 2025, the AK-20 features a free-floating barrel for superior accuracy, an adjustable gas system for suppressor optimization, ambidextrous controls, and M-LOK/Picatinny compatibility for customization. Available in rifle, pistol, and SBR configurations, the AK-20 is built to meet the demands of modern shooters. Check out our in-depth look at SHOT Show 2025!

Arsenal first showed their AK-20 concept rifles back at SHOT Show 2020. While retaining AK rifles’ renowned reliable mechanism, these rifles are designed to offer modern features like free floated handguard and adjustable gas system. Well, after five years, the first model of the AK-20 rifle, a 7.62x39 SBR, is finally available for purchase. Let’s take a closer look.

In part 1 of this series, I wrote about procedures I developed for upgrading AKs after working as an armorer in various Middle Eastern countries and evaluating many AK modernization projects. I divided all AK upgrades into three categories: Ergonomics (I), Technical Capabilities (II), and Sighting Systems (III). The first two were already covered in Part 1, and this article is dedicated to Category III — Sighting Systems.

The president of Kalashnikov's concern announced at a press release on October 8th, 2024, that state tests for the AM-17 had been completed. The rifle was developed by order of the Ministry of Defense, and full production is reported to start in 2025. The AM-17, a small-sized or compact assault rifle, was officially adopted in 2024, marking a significant milestone in the development of modern military weaponry.

The AK-12 is a modern iteration of the iconic Kalashnikov that has undergone significant changes since its inception. Designed to meet Russian Army needs, the AK-12 features several enhancements to improve its functionality and adaptability. Kalashnikov Concern has diligently worked on the finalized version of the AK-12, reflecting a commitment to continual refinement over the years. In line with this dedication, the organization is developing further iterations of the AK-12, culminating in the 2023 model, focusing on operational feedback from military use. These prospective advancements may enhance ergonomics and overall performance in diverse combat environments.

Many years ago, when I just started writing for TFB, I published a big article: Red dots on AKs: Critical View: Part 1, Part 2, trying to summarise the information about the use of reflex signs on Kalashnikov rifles. Since then, the topic of AK rifle modernization has become even more prevalent: every day we are seeing updates on conflicts in the Middle East where all sides are using AK and actively trying to modernize them. The war in Ukraine is another modern conflict where both sides have AKs and try to get the most out of this weapon system, even turning it into anti-drone weapons.

Today I’d like to welcome Colonel Julian T. Urquidez—Director of Operations for the U.S. Army Futures Command. The U.S. Army Futures Command is a fairly new department of the Army that specializes in modernizing the Army’s arsenal, from next-generation combat vehicles to advanced small arms. While the Colonel is no longer involved with the Trigger Empire project we covered at TriggrCon 2024, he is here today to tell us about a new project that will hopefully see the delivery of the industry’s first mass-produced AK Forced Reset Trigger.

Welcome back to another TFB review. In recent years, the AK market has taken a hit with the loss of cheap 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 ammunition. Whether it’s because of import bans, supply problems because of world conflicts, or just higher demand over the last few years it can be rather tricky to get ammo for AKs like it was in the past. This week, I’m looking at the new 5.56x45 AK from Century Arms. There has been a push to create an AK that users can shoot easily without searching for paying a higher amount for ammo. 5.56 AKs could not only keep the AK market alive in America but also offer a cheaper option. Let’s take a closer look at the new Century Arms BFT556 AK.

The battlefield on the Eastern Front of World War II illustrated a horrific lesson—that victory can be won with tragic heroism and noble sacrifice. Still, ultimately, without technical and tactical innovation, it is a cruel waste of life. The Soviet Union learned quickly, changing tactics and developing vast small arms to combat the next war. With lessons fresh in their memories, new concepts were developed and evolved to change the world.