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1) What is the difference between a milled and a stamped receiver?
A: A milled receiver is machined from a solid block of steel. This type is considered by many to be stronger and more desirable. A stamped receiver is sheet metal bent into shape and riveted together to form the receiver. This type is the most commonly found because it is the cheapest to produce.
2) Will all AKs accept standard 30 round magazines?
A: Not all. There are some models that are California legal and will only accept single stack 10 round magazines. These guns have been converted to accept standard AK magazines but it isn’t recommended that you try this at home. For the rest of the AK variants, they should accept all standard AK-47 magazines. There will be tolerance variations that may cause issues in some guns.
3) I have a Saiga. Can I replace the furniture on it with standard AK-47 furniture?
A: No. The Saiga will not accept standard AK-47 furniture. The Saiga was designed to incorporate the design reliability of the AK-47 into a more “sporting” firearm that would be less military looking. There are companies like Tapco that manufacture replacement furniture for the Saiga.
4) What are the thread dimensions for a standard AK-47 flash suppressor?
A: Standard thread dimensions are 14mm x 1mm left hand thread.
5) I have a MAK-90. Can I replace the thumbhole stock with standard replacement AK-47 furniture?
A: Yes, the MAK-90 will accept standard AK-47 furniture.
6) Will replacement furniture for a stamped receiver fit my milled receiver?
A: No. The milled receiver is thicker and furniture designed for stamped receivers will not fit.
7) What are my options for scope mounting on my AK-47?
A: There are really two options. The first is to replace the top receiver cover with one that has a built in rail system or rings on it. The second is the receiver side mount. Some AKs come with the side mount plate already installed. If yours doesn’t have the plate, a qualified gunsmith can install one. The side mount is probably the better of the two systems but can cost more when gunsmith fees are factored in. The top cover systems usually don’t require any gunsmithing.
8) What calibers are commonly found in the AK-47?
A: The most common caliber is 7.62×39. There are some AKs chambered in 5.56 NATO and 5.45×39. There are also some .22LR training rifles available.
9) Is it true that I never need to clean my AK-47?
A: While the AK-47 does have a reputation for reliability in the harshest environments and conditions, it should still be cleaned on a regular basis. This will not only insure proper function and accuracy, but will also lengthen the service life of the rifle.
10) What does 922 compliant mean?
A: There are certain firearms that are banned from importation into the U.S. These are typically military semi-auto rifles such as the AK-47, FN FAL etc. Parts kits can, however, be imported into the U.S. as long as the receivers are missing or de-milled (cut to be made inoperable). These parts kits can then be assembled in the U.S. using U.S. made receivers. The 922R compliance law requires that a certain number of other U.S. made parts also be used. The number of parts will vary from model to model. This law also regulates modification of certain existing rifles such as the SKS. If parts are to be replaced on these rifles, a certain number of them must be U.S. made.
11) How many variations of the AK-47 are there?
A: There are literally hundreds of variations from countries around the world. The AK-47 is the most massed produced “assault rifle” in the world.
12) Where did the AK-47 get its name?
A: A = Automatic – the type of action. K = Kalashnikov – the name of the designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov. 47 = 1947 – The year the rifle was introduced into service in the Red Army.
13) What is the difference between an AK-47 and an AK-74?
A: The only difference between the AK-47 and the AK-74 is the caliber. The AK-47 fires the original 7.62×39 round and the AK-74 fires the 5.45×39 round, the current caliber used by the states of the former Soviet Union. Because of the caliber difference, the magazines for the two rifles are different and not interchangeable.
What is the best manufacture of the ak-47?
Comment by dick — March 10, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
As an owner of an AK. ’47 , and loving shooting it , I was seduced by an offer for a ” Dragonov ” sniper rifle with scope . You only ( sometimes ) get what you paid for , right ? It was listed for $ 749.00 in the add but you can only imagine my pleasant surprise when the price upon calling in my order was $ 600.00 ! !
It looks as cool as expected and the AK. configuration works great with the enlarged 7.62 x 54 round but the optics are crap ! Due to the side mount scope lay-out , I was able to look below the scope and I shot better with the iron sight that the optics ! I now understand that this weapon is not the semi-auto sniper rifle of my dreams , but I still like the 10 round semi auto , high caliber design for laying out cover fire but is there a reasonably priced scope that will bring this thing into at least 500 yd. accuracy ? Thanks for any input you may have . . . . Casey
Comment by casey — March 31, 2010 @ 10:23 pm
where can i get single stack ak mags 10 to 30 rnds. does anyone have any for sale, email me.
Comment by Robert M — June 10, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
The “best” manufactured AK question is tough to answer. Ak’s that are brought into the country as kits and assembled by American companies such as Arsenel Inc. and Rifle Dynamics are probably the best quality AK’s that can be bought. You will, however, pay a good bit more for these rifles. As far as the countries that built the best AK’s: Yugoslavia, Russia and Finland rate as some of the best.
Comment by Joe — July 14, 2010 @ 8:03 am
Casey,
Reasonably priced scopes of good quality have been sought after forever. There seems to be a big disparity in price between cheap optics and quality glass that can actually produce good clarity at longer ranges. Check out the Millet and Nikon scopes. They are not over the top but seem to be good quality. I have also heard good things about Konus scopes.
Comment by Joe — July 14, 2010 @ 8:12 am
I have a 75 round drum magazine made in Korea.How do I properly load it? I have shot it a few times but it doesn,t empty the magazine everytime..
Comment by Ray — July 19, 2010 @ 10:55 am
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Pingback by The AK 47 FAQ | TheBigSkyState.com — February 17, 2011 @ 9:19 pm
[...] Nuts Media, an article on CTD’s blog about buying an AK47 or AK74 rifle for the first time, a FAQ about the AK-47, a collection of AK47 user manuals, and The Kalashnikov Magazine Primer from MilCopp [...]
Pingback by AK Information | savethegun — May 29, 2011 @ 12:04 pm
Where Can I purchase a “AK47 Standard Military Top Receiver Cover” for Ak47? My AK47 came with a top receiver cover (iron sights). I want to attach a low-profile scope mount and scope to a second top receiver cover permanently. The purpose is to be able to inter change my iron sight receiver cover with my low-profile scope mounted top receiver at will.
Comment by Frank — June 29, 2011 @ 3:27 am
Where Can I purchase a “AK47 Standard Military Top Receiver Cover” for Ak47? My AK47 came with a top receiver cover (iron sights). I want to attach a “special” low-profile scope mount and scope to a second AK47 top receiver cover permanently. The purpose is to be able to interchange my iron sight receiver cover with my low-profile scope mounted top receiver at will.
Comment by Frank — June 29, 2011 @ 3:32 am
magnificent issues altogether, you just won emblem reader. What could you suggest about your put up that you just made a few days in the past? Any certain?
Comment by Fay Vinet — October 28, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
Is it possible to convert an AK with a standard stock to one with an underfolding stock. If so, is this expensive? Arsenal makes an underfolding stock that it sell separately, will that fit on other makes of AKs?
Thanks.
David
Comment by David — November 1, 2011 @ 8:58 pm
Anywhere to find a sale on a aftermarket AK47? Possibly a WASR. I currently own a WASR 10 (Romanian version) but I’d like another.
Comment by WASR10 AK47 — November 28, 2011 @ 3:01 am
Have you noticed how much the prices of upgrades vary on the AK 47? I own many and it’s difficult to tell the difference in what makes some of the accessories worth so much more than the “so called” cheapos or knock offs. What’s your view on it?
Comment by AK47 AmmoGuy — November 28, 2011 @ 5:27 am
Does anyone know what rail system works best on the Century Arms AMD 65? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Comment by Tim — February 10, 2012 @ 7:51 pm
will a bumpski fit on a misr90? if it does not, can the receiver be changed out to fit the bumpski? what is the approx cost?
Comment by James — March 2, 2013 @ 11:44 pm
Will a bumpski fit on a misr90? or can a new receiver be installed to fit? what is the cost associated?
Comment by James — March 2, 2013 @ 11:45 pm