Like many here, I am tempted by the siren song of the AK. I’m trying to educate myself on the AK and have read much lately. But I have a question I hope one of you AK gurus can help me with.
First, a little about my projected use: this won’t be my main rifle or go-to rifle or anything like that. At most it will ride around in the rack bag on my ATV. It’s mostly a toy and an investment against future legislative nonsense. That being said, sexiness and CDI factor counts. I’d like it to be 7.62. So, I’ve decided that I really want a folding stock. But which one?
Underfolder: Everyone knows an AK is twice as evil with an underfolder
Solid polymer side folder: plain jane, but probably the most practical
Khyber pass triangular style: the new hawtness, most of the evil of the underfolder and most of the practicality of the solid polymer stock.
I can hardly find decent AKs in the shops around here, so I can’t compare them myself. How does the cheek weld of each compare? I assume the under folder is the worst, but is it all that bad? Is the Khyber pass style a good compromise?
I’m thinking of going whole hog and getting an Arsenal. They have a very nice looking milled underfolder coming out soon (M-7 A1). Or I could get a stamped SLR-107 A1 and put side folder on it.
The underfolders are the least comfortable and there really isn’t a great cheekweld, the 100 series polymer side folders are the most comfortable, they feel just like a standard stock, and the triangular steel sidefolders split the difference.
The Khyber Pass AKMS rifles that people are building have some of the highest CDI factor going.
Is there a particular Khyber Pass stock version that is better than others? I notice K-Var has the Russion and Bulgarian versions. Are they interchangeable (i.e. can I put the Russion model on a Arsenal)?
If you go with a stock set that uses the older Russian/Bulgarian 4.5mm pin, then you can actually switch out the triangular stock for one of the US made 100 series polymer side folders that K-Var makes, so you have the best of both worlds depending on your mood.
Call K-Var and make sure that this one takes the 4.5mm pin, not the newer 5mm.
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Prone with an UltiMAK and an EoTech isn’t the most comfortable either, apparently…
GlockWRX, I don’t know how cold it gets where you are but the skeleton stock can be tough to take on your face. The folding poly is your best bet if you are dead-set on a folder.
They are probably the best folding stock design, right up there with the Daewoo and the SiG. No wobble, all the benefits of a solid and will fit in a smaller space on your ATV!
That’s what I’m looking for. Folds up nice, but doesn’t compromise performance. I’ve got to keep skulking around the local shops and find a couple of examples I can fiddle with.
Of course, if I catch Red Dawn on the TV one more time, I’ll probably buy the first AK I can find.
Thanks for the info gents. You’ve embiggened my knowledge considerably.
The Arsenal, Inc. SLR-107CR would probably fill the bill nicely:
It may be more than you were looking to spend, especilly if you go the SBR route - however custom adding a folding stock to a non-folding receiver can get costly as well.
Russian/Bulgarian Polymer sidefolders are the best folding stock available for the AK (IMHO). It isn’t the best design IMHO (if you use side rail optics), and the only way to get one on an AK is to either buy a modified receiver, or have someone modify your receiver.
However like most good Russian designs, it works, it is rugged, it is comfortable, it is Russian-proof.
Robinson was planning on making the original XCR folders for AK’s, but that never materialized. Those would have kicked some major ass and he would have all but cornered the market.
One good stock that isn’t made/imported anymore is the bakelite/steel chinese side folder. Nice piece of hardware.
I would love to see Arsenal come out with an AK103 style clone - I think it would be called the SLR107FR if you follow their naming trends. That would get you exactly what you want. Templar (aka the MAN when it comes to AKs) can probably confirm or deny that Arsenal is not planning on bringing that model to the market anytime soon. The rumor on various boards is that Arsenal is delaying/canceling that model. I would buy one in a heartbeat if it did come out.
But back to your original question:
As far as stock options - I like the folding polymer the best. It is the absolute best of both worlds. It is as solid and comfortable as a fixed stock but as compact as a folding stock. They lock up tight in the open and folded position. The one underfolder I have shot was much less comfortable but underfolders are awesome looking guns.
PROS:
Solid
Comfortable
Interchangeable with metal triangle stocks
CONS:
Side mounting optics is more difficult
Only available in Warsaw length (shorter stock length)
If not originally designed for the gun it is an expensive proposition to get it modified to mount.
I have seen the SLR107CRs advertised for $750ish (or $899 with the barrel hiding flash hider) - expensive for an AK but worth it in my books to get a non-kit built gun from a “real” AK factory. With what’s available right now that would be MY choice for your requirements…
I like the SLR-107CR with the special edition brake. Is that brake actually functional or it only cosmetic? I see AK-USA has something similar with a permanently attached brake (AK-105). How does the AK-USA product compare to the Arsenals? Anyone know an approximate price?
Spooky, I’m with you. The SLR-107F would be the dream gun for me I think. Comes with a folder that could be easliy switched over to a triangular stock (I assume). In fact, one of the main reasons I even started to think about the AK was all the buzz around the SLR-106F. That’s a nice rifle, but I’d prefer something in 7.62, mainly because it’s cheaper (at least for now).
Unfortunately, I don’t live in an SBR state so I’m stuck with the 16" guns. Budget wise, I would like the whole project, including about 5 or so good mags to come in under a grand.
