New to the AK clan...

[CanuckZ]

Any reasonable way to convert a pressed metal MAK-90 into a better configuration?  Where do you get parts?

[BRASMAN]

You can get parts from Tapco, Kvar, Black Jack Buffers, ACE, Cheaper than Dirt and several other places. Just make sure you have the correct amount of USA parts and you are good to go. The trigger mech and the furniture normaly cover it. I have several G2 triggers that came from Tapco and they are great for AKs. The red star is the cats meow if you want an adjustable target trigger however on AKs I just go with the G2 that is cheaper but single stage and non adjustable but works great. If you are looking for a specific configuration you might have to look a little if you want a historical correct copy of a particular AK but if you just want a cool looking shooter with evil fetures it is easy as pie.

[verbaltharhino]

"CanuckZ"

I think he might be able to get by the US parts count!

[BRASMAN]

OOOOPS SORRY LOL. I keep forgeting that not every one in the forum is not from the states. This internet thing is neat.

[GaryXD]

I've got an Arsenal Inc SA M-7. Great gun. I use Brown Bear ammo and Bulgarian polymer mags. 100% reliable. I have to admit I prefer AR's though. More accurate, more ergonomic, and reliability is not a problem with my Bushmaster and LMT M4's.

[SDDLUP]

GaryXD,

No doubt the AR is more ergonomic, but I do prefer the charging handle on the side of the gun (1st left, 2nd right) more than in the rear right at your face.

As far as reliability I'd say that the Bushmaster is probably the most reliable AR you can get, but they are not as reliable as an AK. I have some friends that took their AR's to a tactical rifle course and started having trouble after about three hundred rounds or so. One Arsenal Inc. AK they have has probably had a couple of thousand rounds through it without cleaning and without malfunction.

I'd still like to get a Bushmaster CAR-15 type rifle though, it's on the ever expanding list, but slipped behind the AK in my own personal lineup.

[jwc007]

I think that you made a very wise choice in the purchase of your AK and particularly at this time, as I'm now seeing price increases on AK Rifles and Parts Kits, due to the new restrictions about to take place.

As for an AR, it may never be quite as reliable as an AK, but they can be made to be very reliable. The way to do that is to go to the Single Coil Gas Ring Gas System on the Bolt offered by CMMG, and to use magazines that your AR likes. (Mine likes the polymer Canadian Thermold and Israeli Orlites.)  Also, the chrome silicon Ejector Spring will eliminate most FTE's that occur when the Bolt gets hot. On my last outing to a Range, I was able to go thru about 360 rounds without a single failure.  The only reason I quit shooting was that I had run out of ammo.  I recommend that your friends who have had trouble with their AR's install this kit, pronto!

208.16.99.27/inventory_a/...e_tbl.html

"New E.G.R.E.S.S. Bolt Upgrade Kit.  Enhanced Gas Regulation Extraction/Ejection Supplementing System is low cost bolt upgrade that aids extraction and ejection and provides a superior gas seal.  Extractor and ejector springs are chrome silicon which won't take a set and provides added corrosion resistance over standard springs.  The single coil gas ring provides more consistent gas pressure than conventional gas ring.  The addition of the E-Ring and Mil-Spec Black Extractor Insert assures  enhanced extraction performance."

[atblis]

sell it and buy an
AK
or
a Daewoo
or
insert biased rifle brand opinion here.

Have fun and buy lots and lots of ammo (you're going to need it).

[SDDLUP]

JWC,

Part of the criteria I used to determine an AK would be best suited to my needs is that it had to be a "factory" gun without any tweaks or custom additions. Sure there are some things that cam be done to make an AR more reliable, but some of it's unreliability is inherent in the fact that the 5.56mm NATO round is smaller and thus malfunctioned from soot/crud/dirt more easily.

My friends are now aware of how critical it is to keep those AR's clean and they do have AK's if they need them.




"Arm youself, arm a friend!"

[GaryXD]

There is no doubt that the AK is more reliable than an AR. However, it is not hard to get a 100% reliable AR. It just takes a little knowledge selecting a gun, magazines, ammo, and of course you have to clean them after every case of ammo as opposed to not ever cleaning an AK. Just for the record my two M4's are 100% reliable. That's as good as I need it to be. I think AR unreliability is blown way out of proportion. Normally when I see problems is when some guy buys a cast lower, a cheap upper from the "chicken grease lady" at the gun show, then feeds it Wolf ammo from USA brand magazines, and then wonders why their "mil-spec" gun won't work.

[BRASMAN]

I had problems with my factory Bushmaster and Factory Armlite with USGI mags. Both however were fixed easely and Bushmasters cutomer service was fantastic they just simply went and got a gun smith and put him on the phone. ARs can be made 100% reliable. I look at them sort of like I look at 1911s. They are both fantastic firearms but normaly it takes a little more care than AK or my Glock. At least mine do anyway.

[CanuckZ]

Anyone installed the MSG polymer stock on their AK?  This firm is out of Fullerton, CA.

[jwc007]

Quote:I think AR unreliability is blown way out of proportion. Normally when I see problems is when some guy buys a cast lower, a cheap upper from the "chicken grease lady" at the gun show, then feeds it Wolf ammo from USA brand magazines, and then wonders why their "mil-spec" gun won't work.

I've seen that from a vendor at a Gun Show!  He'll sell anything and claim they're Mil-Spec Parts.  For some reason, he's not in business anymore.  AK manufacturers probably never had to deal with vendors/Government Contractors producing substandard parts, some of which wound up sold at Gun Shows.  To do so, would've meant a long Siberian vacation.

I can say that my AR15A2 is currently 100% reliable.  It was that also, back when I first built it. (1987)  It was only recently when my Range round count went past 200 rounds that I noticed a drop off in reliability.  New Gas Rings and an ejector Spring would probably have solved the problems, but I do like the CMMG design upgrade and my next AR will get it, too! Even before it needs it!

I love both AK's and AR15's, but admittedly I would reach for my AK first, should trouble come to call.  I like the AK and the 7.62x39mm cartridge for the Urban Combat Scenario.

[BRASMAN]

"I love both AK's and AR15's, but admittedly I would reach for my AK first, should trouble come to call. I like the AK and the 7.62x39mm cartridge for the Urban Combat Scenario."


That is how I feel as well. People can say whatever they want about the 7.62x39 not being accurate. I am not going to use it at 200-300yrds any way I will use a .308 then and I think with real ammo you could hit a man at 200 with 7.63x39. I also would rather have the .30cal bullet to stop my target. The only thing is the over penetration issue in a duplex but I keep a 12ga with no4 next to my bed anyway.

[Devy55]

I've had 2 AKs and offer the following opinion....

If you get one, get one that's a standard AK, ie; 7.62x39 and accepts all the standard AK stuff.  You'll be much happier and will be able to enjoy all the various products available such as magazines, flash suppressors, bipods, stocks, scopes, etc.

I had one in .223 and had trouble finding mags that would fit, plus reliability issues.  Continually jammed.  Plus I spent a bundle on magazines for it and half of them didn't work. Swapped it for a standard AK (Romanian) and it worked flawlessly.  My brothers have the same thing and swear by them.

If you get one of the Romanian AKs, they now come with a bayonet and other cool toys that weren't available when I got mine.

Food for thought.  Hope it helps.