Is one any better than the other?
Pros and cons…
Which one should I get and why?
I’ve used the Tapco a good bit; never the Red Star. I had to do some fitting on one tapco install but that’s probably more likely to the non-standard nature of AK builders. That said, you can find a Krebs one for the same price and I think they’re the nicest out there. All will be better than that damn shepards crook though!
Thanks, P-Daddy. I was not aware Kreb’s made one of these
Tapco:
Red Star:
You should get the shepherd’s crook because a) that’s how the rifle was originally designed, b) modified aftermarket parts may cause issues (I’ve heard of the possibility of issues with the rigid plate causing wear that isn’t caused by the flexible wire), c) the plates don’t always work with all receivers, depending on specific configuration of receiver rivets and plate design, and d) due to the requirement for the trigger and disconnector to be placed in the rifle before the safety, the plates preclude the use of a tailed disconnector, eliminating one of the built-in safeties of the Kalshnikov design.
Most “plates” are better no matter who makes 'em and are going to keep the trigger/hammer pins in place even if you drop your AK type weapon off a 2 story roof;)The wire “shepards hooks” do NOT always keep pins in place even if NOT dropped;( I have had to buy a few differant types of plates for some of the differant AK type weapons/receivers that I have for the “right” fit.(they can & will vary as others have mentioned)
If you have & want to use the “wire” type try to find the one that will wrap around the “hammer” pin towards the “front” of the pin instead of it pushing on the back of it, then travel it “under” the "trigger"pin then up to the selector, that will keep more tention on both pins.Just what has worked for me.
Good luck!