AK-47

In a Jam? Pick an AK!

By Robert Pitts

When you talk about the tools you need to defend against a zombie attack - or in any other personal defense situation,

for that matter - you should mention the AK-47 as one of the best implements available. But you probably won’t, because Mikhail Kalashnikov’s masterpiece is also one of the most misunderstood and under-appreciated of modern firearms.

That’s not surprising. Most Americans who know anything at all about firearms are vastly more familiar with our

homegrown AR-15/M-16 system. But once they take the time to learn a little something about the AK, they come away with a new respect for this weapon’s availability, reliability and lethality.

Availability

As of this writing (July 2007), the AK-47 is still readily available in the United States through gun shops, gun shows and gun nuts - I mean, “firearms enthusiasts.” Prices run from $350 to over $1,000, depending on the level of quality.

Yes, quality is still important even when choosing an AK, although Kalashnikov purposely designed the weapon so it could be built on simple equipment by armorers of relatively low skill. The order of quality generally starts with Russian arms at the top and then goes to Bulgarian, Chinese, Polish, Hungarian, Egyptian and Romanian.

That, of course, doesn’t account for the AKs made right here in the USA. Companies like Arsenal, AK USA, Vector Arms, Robinson Arms and others build high-quality AKs that can be pretty expensive but are worth every penny.

Then there’s Saiga, a Russian company that builds excellent and affordable rifles based on the AK design but without the typical assault rifle appearance. Saigas are available in the usual defensive calibers - .223, 7.62 x 39, .308 - as well as in various shotgun calibers.

A word about Romanian AKs: They can be a bargain, but they tend to be rough in fit and finish. They usually shoot straight, but they may need some tender loving care by you or a good gunsmith to function 100 percent. Get the lowdown on Romanian AKs here: http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm.

The classic AK round - 7.62 x 39 - is also still widely available here. Most AK enthusiasts buy imported ammo online because domestic production of the round is fairly expensive. Right now, imported ammo is running around 75 percent or less of the price of .223. With imported ammo, however, there’s always the political risk of an import ban. Something to be aware of.

Reliability

The AK is famous for its reliability. The rifle has a well-deserved reputation for taking unbelievable abuse and continuing to go “bang” every time the trigger is pulled.

The secret of this success lies in a principle that firearms makers are well aware of: There is an inverse relationship between fit and function. You can make a rifle tight and accurate, with very close mechanical tolerances, but it will be subject to jamming if any debris gets into the action. You can also make a rifle loose so that it won’t stop when exposed carbon, dirt and other crud, but it won’t be as accurate.

The AK is built with loose tolerances, making it able to function with a lot of junk in the system. In addition, it operates on a long-stroke gas piston system that provides additional momentum for the moving parts. The chrome-lined chamber and bore resist carbon fouling, and the design of the 7.63 x 39 round - which has the profile of a cone - contributes to reliable feeding. Once the nose of the bullet enters the chamber, it has nowhere to go but in the chamber.

The result is a weapon that operates under almost any conditions and is nearly indestructible. Some estimates place the number of AKs worldwide at 80 million to 100 million. That’s because they are so durable, they simply get recycled from war to war around the globe.

Lethality

The lethality of the AK is certainly enhanced by its reliability. The least deadly gun you can own is the one that doesn’t work. But there are other aspects of the weapon that make it very dangerous for someone on the business end of the muzzle.

AKs tend to be small in stature, especially with standard, non-NATO length stocks. Add a 16-inch barrel, and you have a fast-handling package that is fine for 100-yard shots and sufficient out to 200 yards.

Then there’s the 7.63 x 39 round. Pushing a bullet of around 124 grains at 2,300 feet per second, the AK can generate close to 1,500 foot-pounds of muzzle energy with cheap imported ammo. Those figures go higher with custom, U.S.-made defense rounds like those produced by Corbon. Bullets are available in hollowpoint, soft point and full metal jacket, probably the best choice for zombies and other COMWEC (Complete Meltdown of Western Civilization) scenarios.

That muzzle energy and bullet weight gives the 7.62 x 39 round something not found in the typical .223 loading - momentum. The larger AK round is much better at penetrating barriers than the smaller, 55-grain AR-15/M-16 round. Modern bullet designs for the 7.62 x 39 round also tend to yaw early, which means the bullet is stable in flight but changes direction instantly upon hitting a person (or zombie), causing better “terminal effects.”

Along with reliability, AKs also have an undeserved reputation for inaccuracy - born mostly from its use by untrained troops who never heard the words “aimed fire.” Most AKs, when actually aimed, will group their shots around four inches at 100 yards. That’s terrible by AR-15/M-16 standards but perfectly fine if you’re looking for “combat accuracy” - the ability to hit an enemy somewhere in the torso and put him down. In designing the AK, Kalashnikov sacrificed pinpoint accuracy in favor of flawless functioning. At realistic modern combat distances, up to about 200 yards and often much less, the AK and its round work admirably.

With more Americans taking an interest in the AK, the market for tactical accessories is expanding. Lights, red dot scopes, collapsible stocks, custom triggers and other items are more available to make the weapon even more formidable. Good sources include Tapco, Red Star Arms, K-Var and One Source Tactical.

Summary

The AK-47 does exactly what it was designed to do - provide the user with a weapon that’s incredibly reliable and absolutely lethal when used within its operating parameters. The fact that one can be had for a reasonable price only enhances its appeal. As a combat system, the AK would be an excellent choice for anyone concerned about protection from lawlessness - or marauding hordes of zombies.

For more information:
www.ak-47.us
www.ak-47.net/index.htm
http://ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=4
www.ak47review.com/

Back