In the end we all want something to be made just for us different from the rest.
This is the story of one such carbine.
It was a nice gun at its birth, but that was not the end of the story.
Life in the beginning.
I love the gun in it’s first configuration, but it was just a well done carbine.
The rifle could be so much more – I have the advantage of years and I know what an AK can be.
After I got the go-ahead to do as I please, this is what we came up with.
Work that was done:
Cut the barrel to 14.5 and permanently attach a flash hider
Replace the old front sight tower with one that is lighter.
Action work
Install a enhanced safety
Install a mount and aimpoint
Cut down a cleaning rod
Fit and install wood stocks
Cera-Kote to a custom color.
It takes time to make a gun this nice, and I think it deserves my full attention.
I thought you guys would like to see how it came out.
Always glad to see innovation and guys willing to experiment with existing designs.
That said, from a philosophical standpoint I think Warsaw Pact guns should conform to their standard configuration. My favorite AK will always be the iconic AKM.
What was the purpose of cutting to a 14.5" barrel? Just saving weight?
The overall size and wait reduction is what I was after.
It makes a big of difference in the over all handling of the carbine.
This guns dry wait is 7.11lbs that is hard to hate.
I can’t thank you enough for making my dream a reality. From the walnut from Iron Wood Designs, to the custom Cerakote from Big Steve at Para Bellum, to your custom work on the barrel, action, and everything in between.
I can’t wait to see it up next to some of your beautiful lever guns.
It’s the kind of look that will continue getting better over time…especially the walnut.
I look forward to working with you again on the next build, soon.
That is what I assumed you were going after. But wouldn’t the synthetic stocks bring you in with less weight? Or were you keeping them on purpose to absorb some recoil?
The walnut was chosen over plastic for cosmetic reasons…same for the custom paint job. Shortening the barrel and reducing the weight of the rifle was just a bonus.
I think the rifle blends an old world, classy look with a modern, practical fit and function.
Sure, it doesn’t conform exactly to the traditional textbook look of an AK…but I’m more than happy with how it turned out.
