#Ak

Last year, I published a series of articles about the history of Chinese AK rifles, Part 1 was about the construction of the factories and the Russian assistance, Part 2 was about the proliferation of Type56, Part 3 was dedicated to post-Cold War changes in Chinese firearms manufacturing and in Part 4 I wrote абоут modern variants of Chinese AKs. However, I ignored one important part of China AK history – importation to the USA. And who knows it better than Jim Fuller, one of the most well-known veterans of the industry who contributed to the popularity of the AK platform in the US.

The new RUK AK magazine adapter from Occam Defense brings standard AK mags to the Ruger American bolt-action rifle. Rather than the standard Mini-30 mags, which can be expensive and hard to find, AK mags practically grow on trees and tend to be more affordable (as long as you aren’t buying rare ones). Let’s check it out.

The new AK Trigger from Timney is now available. This drop-in trigger has a 3.5-pound single-stage pull and fits a wide range of AK models. Let’s check it out.

In the realm of laser training, Mantis is a well-recognized brand known for its comprehensive range of products. In recent developments, the company has set out to upgrade its Blackbeard system for the year 2024, making it available for platforms beyond the AR-15. The new upgrades will include compatibility with AR-10, AK, Scar 17, and Scar 16.

American firearms enthusiasts are soon to be treated to a new entry to the AK market from Blitzkrieg Firearms. At SHOT Show 2024, the company announced the release of an all-new milled receiver AK, taking its rifle lineup one notch up.

News of significant interest for firearm enthusiasts reverberates as the Zastava M70 Underfolder, the latest addition to Zastava‘s esteemed line, is now available for purchase in the United States. Based on a semi-automatic AK-47 pattern action, this eagerly-anticipated model forms a sublime blend of history and functionality that could send waves in the global firearm industry.

Few firearms are as iconic and legendary as the sturdy, heavy, and reliable AK platform. First developed in the Soviet Union beginning in 1946, the AK has come to be a world-dominating workhorse for virtually every rifleman on the planet. However, not all AKs are created equally, and not all of them necessarily have to be Russian-made in order to be quality – this especially applies to AKs chambered in 5.56 NATO. Rotating Bolt Industries (RBI) is a boutique gun shop specializing in built-to-order 5.56 AKs that incorporate modern features and a handful of options that can be selected by the customer to make it more suitable for them. Rotating Bolt Industries and American Steppe have partnered up to make the first run of these rifles and I’ve been fortunate enough to receive the very first copy of the RB-01, rifle serial number 001 to test out. Today we’ll go over my experiences and see how well this American-made 5.56 AK rifle held up.

Georgia-based firearms manufacturer 21st Tec is proud to introduce their new rifle that combines the 7.62×29 cartridge with the DPMS/LR308 AR10 platform – the TEC47 rifle. The TEC47 uses some unique parts to allow the rifle to feed from common AK mags, and cycle reliably with the 7.62x39mm cartridge. These rifles are in current production and will be selling for a suggested MSRP of $1,399 beginning on September 29th of this year.

AK-74 magazines have become increasingly expensive over the last few years. These days, surplus Bulgarian mags often retail for more than $50. Thankfully, the commercial market is stepping up to the plate with new options. This article is an examination of three of those magazines to see which is the best value.

Thanks to John aka Mr. Snow Makes for showcasing the Stuff and Things Bullpup Kit (BPK). It is a drop-in kit that converts your AK into a bullpup.

Photo Of The Day with some fresh and interesting images from the exercise Flintlock 2023 in Volta, Ghana. An AK and an AR captured in the same picture, with soldiers in the water. I don’t know the air temperature, but I have a sense that a swim could offer some refreshment.

Luke is catching up with Ranko from Zastava Arms USA at NRAAM 2023 to check out the new M92 Rifle – the closest thing you can get to a Serbian Krink! The new Zastava M92 rifle is in all actuality an M92 pistol that has been fitted with one of Zastava’s underfolding stocks, as well as a pinned and welded barrel extension to meet the minimum length requirements the ATF currently has outlined for the M92 Rifle to not be considered an SBR. The M92 Rifle will be available within a month or two and will be less than $1,500 MSRP.

This year at NRAAM 2023, Luke C stopped by the CMC Triggers booth to check out their new “Yella Jacket” CCT Single Stage AK47 triggers. These two new improved variants of the near drop-in ready triggers feature stronger hammer pressures to compensate for some of the harder primers found on certain brands of 7.62x39mm ammunition. While some hand fitting may be required, if you mess things up a little bit, no worries! CMC Triggers has you covered with their lifetime warranty.

This article is the final chapter of a 4-part series. In Part 1 I talk about how the production of AK began in China, Part 2 was dedicated to the “golden age” of Chinese AKs, and Part 3 was about the gradual decline in quality and the underlying reasons for it. In Part 4, we will take a look at the latest descendants of the Type 56 rifle, including the Chinese AK 103.

In Part 1 of this article, I wrote about the early days of AK production in China, Part 2 was dedicated to the “golden years” of Type 56 history when it was exported to the US and produced in multiple countries.