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Different Types of AK Pattern Rifles
07-12-2015, 02:34 PM, (This post was last modified: 07-12-2015, 02:36 PM by rwhite135.)
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rwhite135 Offline
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Different Types of AK Pattern Rifles
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07-12-2015, 02:34 PM (This post was last modified: 07-12-2015, 02:36 PM by rwhite135.)
I was looking through different threads here on the forums and noticed I have made posts across the board about different AKs. This thread will gather together those AKs and add a couple more for those that aren't familiar with that style rifle. I'll start with the Russian rifles currently available and work from there.

Russian AKs:

There currently are two styles of Russian AKs available in the United States, the Vepr from Molot and the Saiga (pronounced Sy-ka) from Kalashnikov Concern. Ironically, even though these rifles are both from the country that the rifle type originated in, neither is imported in the classic AK design. They are both sporterized with the Vepr being closer to the original design than the Saiga. The Vepr comes in calibers 5.56x45mm, 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, .308/7.62x51mm, and 7.62x54R. The Saiga comes in 5.56x45mm, 5,45x39mm, and 7.62x39mm. The Saiga comes with a 16" barrel while the Vepr is available with 16", 20", 23" and 28" barrels. With some work both rifles can be converted back to a proper AK appearance.

Unconverted Saiga AK-74M

[Image: iz240.jpg]

Unconverted Vepr in 7.62x54R 20" barrel

[Image: 54vepr20inch.jpg]

Converted Saiga AKM

[Image: newrak47classic%20%283%20of%2019%29.jpg]

Note the beautiful Russian red wood furniture on the rifle and two flat rivets above the pistol grip where the FCG used to be located.

Converted Vepr in 7.62x54R with 16" carbine barrel

[Image: wpa54r16wood%20%281%20of%209%29.jpg]

Notice this rifle uses the same Russian red wood furniture as the converted Saiga above. Also notice the slant adapter needed to mount the standard AK stock on the rifle.

Yugo/Serbian Zastava rifles:

The Zastava factory from Serbia has exported many varients of their style of Ak through the years. Most have been imported by Century Arms. I'm only going to cover the ones that are currently available.

The N-PAP is a purely commercial design that isn't built to the same standards as the rifles produced for the Serbian military. A lot of the parts used aren't rated for being used on the full-auto rifles but that doesn't mean that they are sub-par for use on semi-auto rifles. They're perfectly fine for that application. The N-PAP is recognizable by it's bolt hold open safety and triangle of rivets towards the rear of the receiver. It comes in 7.62x39mm with a 16" barrel and fixed or underfolding stocks.

Fixed stock

[Image: npaprifle.jpg]

Underfolding stock

[Image: papdf%20%289%20of%2015%29.jpg]

The O-PAP M70 is the more traditional military style rifle to come out of the Zastava factory. Almost all of them are unused military surplus that have been converted to semi-auto rifles. They are recognizable by their re-enforced receiver that resembles that of the Vepr above. This is because both rifles use the RPK type receiver. The number of O-PAPs available is declining as they are no longer exported and once those that are currently available are gone they will no longer be on the market. They come in 7.62x39mm with 16" barrels and, while they did have underfolders available, the majority sold now are fixed stock rifles. It does not have the bolt hold open safety of the N-PAP.

[Image: opap%20%281%20of%2012%29.jpg]

(continued below)...

Russian AKs:

There currently are two styles of Russian AKs available in the United States, the Vepr from Molot and the Saiga (pronounced Sy-ka) from Kalashnikov Concern. Ironically, even though these rifles are both from the country that the rifle type originated in, neither is imported in the classic AK design. They are both sporterized with the Vepr being closer to the original design than the Saiga. The Vepr comes in calibers 5.56x45mm, 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, .308/7.62x51mm, and 7.62x54R. The Saiga comes in 5.56x45mm, 5,45x39mm, and 7.62x39mm. The Saiga comes with a 16" barrel while the Vepr is available with 16", 20", 23" and 28" barrels. With some work both rifles can be converted back to a proper AK appearance.

Unconverted Saiga AK-74M

[Image: iz240.jpg]

Unconverted Vepr in 7.62x54R 20" barrel

[Image: 54vepr20inch.jpg]

Converted Saiga AKM

[Image: newrak47classic%20%283%20of%2019%29.jpg]

Note the beautiful Russian red wood furniture on the rifle and two flat rivets above the pistol grip where the FCG used to be located.

Converted Vepr in 7.62x54R with 16" carbine barrel

[Image: wpa54r16wood%20%281%20of%209%29.jpg]

Notice this rifle uses the same Russian red wood furniture as the converted Saiga above. Also notice the slant adapter needed to mount the standard AK stock on the rifle.

Yugo/Serbian Zastava rifles:

The Zastava factory from Serbia has exported many varients of their style of Ak through the years. Most have been imported by Century Arms. I'm only going to cover the ones that are currently available.

The N-PAP is a purely commercial design that isn't built to the same standards as the rifles produced for the Serbian military. A lot of the parts used aren't rated for being used on the full-auto rifles but that doesn't mean that they are sub-par for use on semi-auto rifles. They're perfectly fine for that application. The N-PAP is recognizable by it's bolt hold open safety and triangle of rivets towards the rear of the receiver. It comes in 7.62x39mm with a 16" barrel and fixed or underfolding stocks.

Fixed stock

[Image: npaprifle.jpg]

Underfolding stock

[Image: papdf%20%289%20of%2015%29.jpg]

The O-PAP M70 is the more traditional military style rifle to come out of the Zastava factory. Almost all of them are unused military surplus that have been converted to semi-auto rifles. They are recognizable by their re-enforced receiver that resembles that of the Vepr above. This is because both rifles use the RPK type receiver. The number of O-PAPs available is declining as they are no longer exported and once those that are currently available are gone they will no longer be on the market. They come in 7.62x39mm with 16" barrels and, while they did have underfolders available, the majority sold now are fixed stock rifles. It does not have the bolt hold open safety of the N-PAP.

[Image: opap%20%281%20of%2012%29.jpg]

(continued below)...
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07-12-2015, 02:35 PM,
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rwhite135 Offline
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RE: Different Types of AK Pattern Rifles
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07-12-2015, 02:35 PM
(continued from above)

Zastava also exports two models of pistol/SBR style "Krinkov" AKs, the M92 and the M85. The M92 fires 7.62x39mm and the M85 uses 5.56x45mm rounds. The current model of M85 is the M85NP which uses AR-15 magazines. They both use the same safety as the N-PAP.

M92

[Image: papm92pv-22.jpg]

M92 with brace

[Image: m92pv%20%282%20of%2011%29.jpg]

M85

[Image: 26524-3T.jpg]

Bulgarian Arsenal AKs:

Arsenal imports many different models of AK from their factory in Bulgaria. In fact they make too many for me to cover in this thread. For more information on these rifles go to: http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/. Arsenal rifles are considered in some circles to be the best mass produced AK on the market, if a bit over-priced. They're available in 5.56x45mm, 5.45x39mm, and 7.62x39mm. They come in 16" carbines and Krinkovs with 10.5" or 16" barrels.

Romanian Rifles:

Romania exports two types of AK, the WASR 10 and the Draco, a competitor to the Krinkov. The WASR is currently available in 7.62x39mm, although in the past it was also available in 5.45x39mm. The Draco is likewise available in 7.62x39 and comes in barrel lengths from 7"-12.25". Both are currently imported by Century Arms.

WASR 10

[Image: wasrhome%20%282%20of%201%29.jpg]

Draco with 12.25" barrel

[Image: draco34.jpg]

The above are the various Eastern European AKs that are currently imported as assembled rifles. There are also parts kit rifles that are imported and assembled in the US from Poland and Hungary. They are assembled by companies along the lines of Rifle Dynamics, Krebs Customs, Destructive Devices Inc (DDI), and Definitive Arms. These are all very good rifles but won't be covered in detail as they're not truly mass produced rifles and all have more of a custom built feel to them.

For truly mass produced USA manufactured rifles we need to look at Century Arms. They are the only manufacturer that currently makes a fully USA produced rifle, ie all parts are made here in the USA. They currently have three models that they produce: the C39v2 with a milled receiver, the RAS 47 with a stamped receiver, and the C39 "pistol." All 3 use 7.62x39mm rounds. The C39v2 and the RAS-47 are both 16" carbines, while the "pistol" has an 11.5" barrel and resembles the Romanian Draco. There was a C39v1 but it is no longer manufactured, though some are still for sale as new rifles.

C39v2

[Image: v2caiusak%20%282%20of%2015%29.jpg]

RAS-47

[Image: ras47n%20%282%20of%204%29.jpg]

C39 "Pistol" as available from Atlantic firearms (uses different front sight)

[Image: c39-pistol.jpg]

Century also produces a novelty C39 RPK styled rifle.

[Image: c39rpk%20%289%20of%2017%29.jpg]

It needs to be noted that I have not included anything from Inter-Ordnance (I.O.) above. The reason is that they produce the worst AKs available on the planet. These rifles should be avoided like the plague. They have actually been known to suffer a catastrophic failure when fired that could potentially have caused an injury. Here's just one example:

[Image: failed_IO.jpg]

That receiver wasn't properly heat treated and if someone would have been standing to the right of the shooter they could have been hurt. How they can get away with this is unknown.

When buying any AK remember this advice, if buying online make sure you buy from a dealer that performs a quality check on the merchandise such as Atlantic Firearms. If buying local make sure everything is straight. Even the best manufactures, like Arsenal, have had issues with canted sights making it out of the factory. You want to catch that before you buy, especially with Arsenal as their customer service sucks.

I hope you will find this information useful and if anyone has any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Zastava also exports two models of pistol/SBR style "Krinkov" AKs, the M92 and the M85. The M92 fires 7.62x39mm and the M85 uses 5.56x45mm rounds. The current model of M85 is the M85NP which uses AR-15 magazines. They both use the same safety as the N-PAP.

M92

[Image: papm92pv-22.jpg]

M92 with brace

[Image: m92pv%20%282%20of%2011%29.jpg]

M85

[Image: 26524-3T.jpg]

Bulgarian Arsenal AKs:

Arsenal imports many different models of AK from their factory in Bulgaria. In fact they make too many for me to cover in this thread. For more information on these rifles go to: http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/. Arsenal rifles are considered in some circles to be the best mass produced AK on the market, if a bit over-priced. They're available in 5.56x45mm, 5.45x39mm, and 7.62x39mm. They come in 16" carbines and Krinkovs with 10.5" or 16" barrels.

Romanian Rifles:

Romania exports two types of AK, the WASR 10 and the Draco, a competitor to the Krinkov. The WASR is currently available in 7.62x39mm, although in the past it was also available in 5.45x39mm. The Draco is likewise available in 7.62x39 and comes in barrel lengths from 7"-12.25". Both are currently imported by Century Arms.

WASR 10

[Image: wasrhome%20%282%20of%201%29.jpg]

Draco with 12.25" barrel

[Image: draco34.jpg]

The above are the various Eastern European AKs that are currently imported as assembled rifles. There are also parts kit rifles that are imported and assembled in the US from Poland and Hungary. They are assembled by companies along the lines of Rifle Dynamics, Krebs Customs, Destructive Devices Inc (DDI), and Definitive Arms. These are all very good rifles but won't be covered in detail as they're not truly mass produced rifles and all have more of a custom built feel to them.

For truly mass produced USA manufactured rifles we need to look at Century Arms. They are the only manufacturer that currently makes a fully USA produced rifle, ie all parts are made here in the USA. They currently have three models that they produce: the C39v2 with a milled receiver, the RAS 47 with a stamped receiver, and the C39 "pistol." All 3 use 7.62x39mm rounds. The C39v2 and the RAS-47 are both 16" carbines, while the "pistol" has an 11.5" barrel and resembles the Romanian Draco. There was a C39v1 but it is no longer manufactured, though some are still for sale as new rifles.

C39v2

[Image: v2caiusak%20%282%20of%2015%29.jpg]

RAS-47

[Image: ras47n%20%282%20of%204%29.jpg]

C39 "Pistol" as available from Atlantic firearms (uses different front sight)

[Image: c39-pistol.jpg]

Century also produces a novelty C39 RPK styled rifle.

[Image: c39rpk%20%289%20of%2017%29.jpg]

It needs to be noted that I have not included anything from Inter-Ordnance (I.O.) above. The reason is that they produce the worst AKs available on the planet. These rifles should be avoided like the plague. They have actually been known to suffer a catastrophic failure when fired that could potentially have caused an injury. Here's just one example:

[Image: failed_IO.jpg]

That receiver wasn't properly heat treated and if someone would have been standing to the right of the shooter they could have been hurt. How they can get away with this is unknown.

When buying any AK remember this advice, if buying online make sure you buy from a dealer that performs a quality check on the merchandise such as Atlantic Firearms. If buying local make sure everything is straight. Even the best manufactures, like Arsenal, have had issues with canted sights making it out of the factory. You want to catch that before you buy, especially with Arsenal as their customer service sucks.

I hope you will find this information useful and if anyone has any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
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07-12-2015, 10:17 PM,
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BelieveIn308 Offline
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RE: Different Types of AK Pattern Rifles
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07-12-2015, 10:17 PM
Thanks for the Info, really great primer on AK's.
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
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07-14-2015, 12:29 AM, (This post was last modified: 07-14-2015, 12:37 AM by rwhite135.)
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RE: Different Types of AK Pattern Rifles
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07-14-2015, 12:29 AM (This post was last modified: 07-14-2015, 12:37 AM by rwhite135.)
I just thought of something else that might be of interest about the M85/92. The United States is the only country that imports them as a "pistol." In European countries, that they're legal to own one in, they're actually an underfolder SBR. They can't import into the US in that configuration due to the NFA. The M92 also was originally made with a milled receiver. It was later changed to the M85's stamped receiver due to cost cutting measures. Very few milled receiver M92s made it here. I've seen examples with the milled receiver go for $2500 and complete milled models with the underfolder stock go for $4500-5500 depending on condition. The stamped receiver versions go for between $450-500.
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07-14-2015, 10:37 AM, (This post was last modified: 07-14-2015, 10:40 AM by rwhite135.)
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rwhite135 Offline
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RE: Different Types of AK Pattern Rifles
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07-14-2015, 10:37 AM (This post was last modified: 07-14-2015, 10:40 AM by rwhite135.)
I also forgot to mention that the Yugo/Serb rifles above do not use the tang method of attaching the stock to the rifle. Instead they use a system more along the lines of what a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 would to anchor the stock. This means that they need stocks made specifically for them or an adapter, like the following one, to use an after market stock.

http://shop.akoperatorsunionlocal4774.co...-COMBO.htm

[Image: 1419797301874-1921939980.jpeg]
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