Shot an AK for the first time in over a year and...

[milsurprifleman]

In its stock form it is very uncomfortable to fire. I don't remember the five I've owned before it being so awkward but I think it was the "lust" of the AK that took over back then but now that I've had them under my belt, the comfort zone faded away and if it wasn't for the fact that they can keep up if not out last any weapon in their class I'd dump it something fast.

I've been visiting shops locally and trying out all of the modded AKs in stock and haven't yet found anything that gives me that nessessary comfortable feeling but there are so many options left out there that may or may not suit me but unless I win the lottery and buy everything and keep what works, I'll never know.

Some of you may think I am insane for typing this but, I like the SKS better and am seriously thinking of trading in for one and some ammo. can anyone bring some point to light that I may not clearly see?

[kunsunoke]

Yes, the discomfort and weight was one of the significant disadvantages of the AK platform. Comrade Commissar explains -

"Of course Kalashnikova uncomfortable. Is gun. Meant to kill enemy of Rodina. Good patriotic soldier does not need ergonomics or safety, like soft, decadent capitalist soldiers, only bullets and bayonet. Is why we sell SKS to China."

Advantages of the AK over the SKS include a more compact design, lower overall weight (for AKMs) and a slight increase in modularity over the SKS.

Making the AK comfortable has everything to do with improving the horrendously crappy ergonomics and open sights.

As for the ergonomics, those can be improved through purchase of a collapsing/telescoping AR-style stock, Hogue pistol grip and a comfortable forward grip. Krebs and a few other companies have improved versions of the safety lever available, and Rifle Dynamics builds a left-handed charging system, the Lightening bolt. It's worth noting that the key here is to reduce weight overall and not add any to the front end (where it really hurts).

The open sights problem can be solved easily enough, using the offerings by Mojo, or Tech Sights. Adding an Ultimak mount with a good micro-sized reflex/dot sight (such as an Aimpoint, Ultradot, MIJ-Tasco, Hakko, Primary Arms, etc.) takes it a step further.

The above assumes you don't have some collection piece AK, like a pre-ban Polytech.

[Hawk]

In its stock form it is very uncomfortable to fire. I don't remember the five I've owned before it being so awkward but I think it was the "lust" of the AK that took over back then but now that I've had them under my belt, the comfort zone faded away and if it wasn't for the fact that they can keep up if not out last any weapon in their class I'd dump it something fast.

I've been visiting shops locally and trying out all of the modded AKs in stock and haven't yet found anything that gives me that nessessary comfortable feeling but there are so many options left out there that may or may not suit me but unless I win the lottery and buy everything and keep what works, I'll never know.

Some of you may think I am insane for typing this but, I like the SKS better and am seriously thinking of trading in for one and some ammo. can anyone bring some point to light that I may not clearly see?

I'm with you. I prefer the SKS over the AK for "comfort" and "shootability".

[The_War_Wagon]

Try one of those beautiful, plum-colored Arsenal SLR-107's, with the synthetic sidefolder. Your wife will love you for it, and the savings you'll get by dumping the Viagra prescription, will keep it fed with good Combloc steelcase ammo for YEARS to come.

[MirandasPits]

I have an SKS and I love it. It's a very economical rifle that gives the same dependability of an AK but with better accuracy. Of course if you get into the SKS then there are other variables you have to take into account. Country of origin being the main one probably, besides an obviously well functioning rifle. I say go for it you won't regret it. But beware, they tend to multiply

[GreenBlood10]

I've owned and shot extensivley both the AK and SKS and I personally am a bigger fan of the AK. I am more accurate with the AK, for one reason or another, and enjoy it's more compact size.

I guess everyone is going to have their own personal favorite but that is mine. With that said, I didn't dislike one or the other and thought they were both fine combat rifles with their own specific purpose in mind.

GB

[Noah_Zark]

I'm with you. I prefer the SKS over the AK for "comfort" and "shootability".

Me three.

In my experience the SKS is more accurate and less "harsh" to shoot than the AK. Still the AK is something to be experienced, and I would not sell any of the six I currently own.

IMO, no mods are necessary to reduce the "harshness" of shooting an AK; you don't need rubber butt pads, fancy stocks, etc. -- it simply helps to position the buttstock properly against the shoulder and hold it back firmly in place. If you hold an AK loosely, it will beat the excrement out of you.

As for sights, IMO "peep" or ghost ring sights do improve one's performance over the stock post-and-groove AK sights, but post-and-groove sights have been used on all manner of rifles for almost a couple centuries. I have post-and-groove factory sights on my Marlin 336CB Cowboy in 30-30 and shooting it off bags at 100 yds will give me one ragged hole accuracy. A ghost ring won't improve on that much, other than my being able to acquire the sight picture faster.

You can't blame the violin for not being able to play a violin. If you practice with post-and-groove sights, you will become proficient with them.

Noah

[IronButt]

What exactly makes it uncomfortable for you? Is the length of pull on stock too short? I've seen "western length" stocks, but can't remember where.

[EvoRich]

i think the only uncomfortable thing about my AK is the stock, and not the length. I like short LOP, even though I'm 6'1" and lanky. I think what's uncomfortable about the stock is the buttpad. It's very small and narrow and kind of digs into my shoulder. I just bought a Romanian side folder for it, and I don't expect it be any better, but I love the look. I may also later buy an ACE skeleton stock, which looks very comfortable.

I can put up with the AK's slight discomfort because it's just really fun. I usually shoot my AK and AR together, and the AR wins hands down as far as comfort goes, among other things, but the AK is just a cool rifle and for some reason, at times, I find myself having more fun with he AK. But not always.

[IronButt]

I usually shoot my AK and AR together, and the AR wins hands down as far as comfort goes, among other things, but the AK is just a cool rifle and for some reason, at times, I find myself having more fun with he AK. But not always.

I'll take my AR's any day, but the reason I like my AK's is the fact that I got them for beater guns & while I keep them lubed, I'm not nearly as particular about how clean I keep them, or how I treat them, compared to my AR's. That, and I don't reload for the AK's, so I don't have to find all the brass when I'm finished at the range.