Tactical AK, gun modifications

[Jackal]

I was watching the Magpul "Art of the Tactical Carbine" videos. Most of the people there had Stoner designs, a guy had an XCR, and then 1 guy with some old school looking AK. Now I feel this AK guy was at a serious disadvantage with speed reloads as they pertain to rocking the gun over some 90 degress to charge the handle with your left hand.

Well, I think we can all agree the Stoner design has way more ergonomic design considerations than the Kalash. So here is my dilemma, I have a quality AK, mtk-83 high side mount, and the standard charging handle on right with safety controls on the right side of receiver as well.

Would it be advisable to weld on a left side charging handle and delete (or leave) the right side charging handle. The top cover would be modified to accept the the charging handle and the shells could still eject right, so the bolt carrier would be left alone.

If I did this, I may have to remove the side mount.

Any input or experience?

EDIT: just found the lightning bolt product. Looks like I would need to switch to some kind of gas tube based rail for a sight, anyone notice if the crosshairs on a scope mounted in this location move enough to limit its usefulness?

[HBGMarine]

Do none of the above and buy yourself an EBR

I'm personally not a fan of tricking out AK's, I like them rugged and original. Converting the charging handle to the left side would still leave the safety control on the right so you would probably have to change that over too. To me it seems like a lot of work for something that doesn't make a very practical tactical carbine. Just my opinion of course........

[Shawn.L]

why cant you just retain your weak hand grip and work the charging handle with your strong hand?

I never took an AK course so Im just speculating.

[Mtbkski]

Just as there are tricks to shooting the AR. There are tricks for the AK's. Find a course that is AK specific and learn from it.

Here is a sampling of reloads. I need to start practicing some of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz5LPaMhlOc&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nZwxDUCD0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aloe...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtKBR34_nxo&NR=1

[Jackal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CShqx...eature=related

Zoom ahead to 2 minutes for the shooting sequence. Its the left hand kit, which I wouldn't buy because I could just make it, but its the only evidence I can find.



I think the safety could be controlled fine with the right hand still, especially with a tac mod like Dinzag Arms has produced allowing for free manipulation with right hand only.

Mtbkski, I've seen some of those vids, just compared them to the lightning link vids. Can't say one is faster than the other, but the left only charging looks much more natural, the under charging looks unorthodox. Does anyone know of a video title dealing only with AK's? BTW, Chris Costa of Magpul used a guys AK in his video for about 15 seconds and he cocked it just how they did in the vids you posted up. So this is probably thee way to do it unless some customizing is done.

My Saiga is black and definitely evil Gonna be a dirty AK fan till the end, I beat it to death and all it does is keep working.

[Mtbkski]

My Saiga is black and definitely evil Gonna be a dirty AK fan till the end, I beat it to death and all it does is keep working.

AK's RULE in my book too.

[Mtbkski]

Must say, that bolt handle is pretty slick on that side. I can't believe I haven't seen it before. Hmmmmmmm Lightening Bolt......

[Jackal]

Must say, that bolt handle is pretty slick on that side. I can't believe I haven't seen it before. Hmmmmmmm Lightening Bolt......

Let it sit in your mind for a day, you'll be stringing together car batteries in series to make your own welder and do it yourself, too.

[Mtbkski]

Does the price they are asking, include the new top cover? Going to start a new thread about this thing. Want to see if anyone else has seen or dealt with one of these. You got me wondering now.

[HBGMarine]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CShqx...eature=related

Zoom ahead to 2 minutes for the shooting sequence. Its the left hand kit, which I wouldn't buy because I could just make it, but its the only evidence I can find.

Ok, after seeing that I may want to eat my words. That little AK-74 seems like a sweet unit and I definitely wouldn't mind owning one!