Considering an AK

"A pistol is what you use to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have left behind!" Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch

Moderators: carlson1, Keith B

User avatar
74novaman
Senior Member
Posts: 3798
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:36 am
Location: CenTex

Re: Considering an AK

Post by 74novaman »

In a previous post, I mentioned the possiblity of discretely carrying an AK with a folding stock.

Here is my "travel bag" for my AK, a ~$20 tennis bag from academy. As you can see, an AK with a folding stock and 30 round mag fits perfectly in the bag.
Image

In addition, I can wrap up my surplus Chinese chest rig (or as Andy calls it, my mag bra) and throw that in the bag too, though a gun plus 4 loaded mags does make it a bit heavy.
Image

That being said, it provides a lot of options that a fixed or collapsable stock cannot.

In a katrina type disaster, I can look like an idiot who couldn't bear to part with his fancy tennis racket, when in reality all I have to do is unzip the bag and anyone planning on robbing/mugging/looting on my property would be in for a heck of an unpleasant surprise. A tennis racket bag is also less likely to draw the attention of the police than say, an AR on a single point sling strapped to your load bearing vest. ;-)

If you'd rather not have all your neighbors know that you own guns, transporting the gun to the car in a tennis bag for a trip to the range is a far more discrete option than a long and obvious rifle bag. (although, a golf bag might fit the bill there....though a heavier and more expensive option)

Just thought I'd expand a little on my "folding stocks are good" statement earlier.
TANSTAAFL
User avatar
74novaman
Senior Member
Posts: 3798
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:36 am
Location: CenTex

Re: Considering an AK

Post by 74novaman »

AndyC wrote:Good deal - that tennis bag might be more discrete than my guitar bag; the contents wouldn't appear as expensive :thumbs2:

Thanks. My only concern so far is that with the extra mags in the bag as well, there is a lot of strain on the straps, though it handles the AK with a mag in it just fine. I think unless I'm ONLY carrying this bag, I'll stow the chest rig in another bag, and just transport the AK. If I had spent more on a nicer Tennis bag, I wouldn't be as worried, but hey....cheap, discrete carry is hard to argue with, and its not like i'll be carrying it around like this very often.
TANSTAAFL
Jules
Junior Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:49 am

Re: Considering an AK

Post by Jules »

I'm really a fan of my yugo underfolder. It's built solid, and with a picatinny rail from CTD it's very practical. The wasr isn't a bad gun, but the one I had was pretty loose. If the sights are good you should still be able to get the 350-400$ you'll be paying for it if you decide to sell it. I would t pay any more than that for the wasr. Ymmv
Sputz
Member
Posts: 174
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:19 pm

Re: Considering an AK

Post by Sputz »

Today went to the gun shop and looked at some ak's and was really disappointing. All were wasr 10 and all had canted front sites and it was rather obvious. However I did see the new Ruger tactical 10/22 with tapco body and 25 rd mag. Thinking about picking that up instead and work on getting a can for it.

Sputz
Sputz
Member
Posts: 174
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:19 pm

Re: Considering an AK

Post by Sputz »

Nope haven't considered it. I'm pretty good with minor smithing so I'm sure I could do it. Where would I start? What tools and skills in particular are neccessary?
User avatar
ELB
Senior Member
Posts: 8128
Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 9:34 pm
Location: Seguin

Re: Considering an AK

Post by ELB »

Sputz wrote:Nope haven't considered it. I'm pretty good with minor smithing so I'm sure I could do it. Where would I start? What tools and skills in particular are neccessary?

There are several websites and youtube videos devoted to building AKs. Just google away.'

Also, if you don't mind minor smithing, fixing canted sights on the WASRs is not supposed to be a big deal...
USAF 1982-2005
____________
PracticalTactical
Member
Posts: 129
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 11:07 pm

Re: Considering an AK

Post by PracticalTactical »

While a WASR is a good gun if it was put together right (especially with the front sight issue), another gun you might consider is a SAR-1.

The SAR-1 is basically the WASR before they required that the guns be imported with the lame single stack magazine. On the WASR, CAI cuts the mag well back out to accomodate the normal capacity magazines. You'll notice that there aren't dimples on the left and right of the magwell on the WASR.

The SAR-1 didn't have to go through that process; it has the dimples and doesn't have the mag wiggle.

The downside to the SAR is that it has the bayonet lug removed and no barrel thread because of the AWB.
B3XD
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Considering an AK

Post by B3XD »

If you want to build your own, look at SMARTFLIX's ( http://www.smartflix.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ). They have 2 video's on building the AK that you can rent. If you find you can tolerate the presenter, you might then buy the DVDs for the printed materials.

not affiliated just a satisfied customer.

B3xd
Sputz
Member
Posts: 174
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:19 pm

Re: Considering an AK

Post by Sputz »

Well just a little update, I did buy an ak but I got an ak74 instead but still plan on getting a 7.62 within the next couple of months if the right one comes along. Once I get it I'll let you know how I like it.

Sputz
User avatar
74novaman
Senior Member
Posts: 3798
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:36 am
Location: CenTex

Re: Considering an AK

Post by 74novaman »

Sputz wrote:Well just a little update, I did buy an ak but I got an ak74 instead but still plan on getting a 7.62 within the next couple of months if the right one comes along. Once I get it I'll let you know how I like it.

Sputz
The '74s are nice too! Details man, and pictures! We need both!! :cool:
TANSTAAFL
cajunautoxer
Senior Member
Posts: 583
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:22 am

Re: Considering an AK

Post by cajunautoxer »

Sputz wrote:Well just a little update, I did buy an ak but I got an ak74 instead but still plan on getting a 7.62 within the next couple of months if the right one comes along. Once I get it I'll let you know how I like it.

Sputz
Congrats on the 74. I'm about to order me one of these http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =236331462" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; :coolgleamA:
Post Reply

Return to “Rifles & Shotguns”