I thought that the sam7sf was 1lb heavier than the stamped arsenals, which would put it about 2 lbs heavier than the VZ58. VZ58 aluminum mags vs steel makes an additional difference.
I also believe AKs are about 1" longer (bare muzzle) than the VZ58 due to a slightly longer receiver. And then the SAM7SF is even an inch or so longer w/ the longer length stock... I've seen some complaints about that; however, the Galil world, you have both the IMI Israeli versions and then the South African Vektor versions. The SA versions have a longer stock, which I prefer. With the VZ58, AR, etc, the ideal stock length depends on the amount of clothing you're wearing, body armor, etc... Especially with body armor plates, and inch too short in plain clothes is often perfect if you have BA on...
I like folding stocks for storage, concealment, compactness, etc... I find that folding the stock and cinching the weapon tight while slung w/ a folded really makes a big difference vs extended -- not having to worry about muzzle in dirt or muzzle catch limbs while in woods/brush, etc...
Shooting a rifle w/ the stock folded is to be avoided whenever possible however...
Triggers on AKs -- with the safety being a bit of pain to transition on and off, I'd prefer a 2 stage trigger actually, but many/most of the AK triggers are single stage affairs at sub 5 lbs once polished...
The VZ58 while a mediocre trigger overall, I do like it performing a bit like a 2 stage setup. A bit longer takeup/pretravel than I'd like after reaching reset point, but it's acceptable for minute of man work -- and trigger control (even with a less than ideal trigger) is something that practice and the operator can control for, unlike inaccuracies inherent in a weapon itself...
Regarding the safety lever -- Galil's come in two versions of safeties, a forward to fire version and a rear to fire version. The forward to fire version adds an add'l pivot point onto the pistol grip screw lug and then an add'l hinge on the safety lever mechanism itself. This is the semi-auto civilian version only I believe. The rear to fire was standard and is what is used on military weapons with safe-semi-full auto... Like the standard AK, all the way back would be full auto, with semi-auto in the middle. I prefer the rear to fire version actually, and it also matches my VZ58 (Century versions w/ safety fire going to the original semi-auto location as well, instead of the CSA guns that go forward to where the original full auto position was...)
For the folks that don't like it, there's a big group of folks in the AK community that don't believe in adding rails, or optics, etc, to the weapon... They don't want any changes. And then there's also the folks that have an established manual of arms that involves the standard safety only, and don't want to confuse or upset that balance by having a feature that is "different" or even if having that feature, they wouldn't use it... Both are opposed, but for different reasons.
Even the AR world, there's a big group of folks opposed to any coating but phosphate (some find chrome acceptable since original specs were for that) on the bolt/bolt carrier group... Or that oppose any treatment but chrome for the bore, etc.
Bottom line, it's par for the course.
