Historically correct AKM side folder?

[penguin0123]

I've always been an AR/M1 guy, but I want a historically correct AK (in 7.62x39) just to round out my collection. I want stamped receiver because of cost and weight. I also want a folding stock just because. This gun will mostly be in a safe and shot occasionally for a run-n-gun match.

AKMS is a historically important piece in the cold war, and it'll fit well next to an XM177 clone; but I know my cheeks won't appreciate the punishment. A side folder solves that problem nicely, but what is historically correct in 7.62x39 and side folding?

I know nothing about AKs except to buy Soviet/Bulgarian made and stay away from Century. If necessary, I'm not above picking up a receiver and sending it out to Rifle dynamics / ARS to get it done right.

The SLR107 fits it nicely, but is it historically correct? Any options with laminated wood / bakelite furniture? AK is just so iconic with that laminated wood.


Note, I'm not in CA and the gun won't be coming into CA.

[kalieracer]

No it's not... Side folding 7.62 guns are the modern AK100 series guns. If you are looking for a correct 103 clone then the SGL21-95 is the correct through and through. The 107 is sorta of a mix of newer poly stock and AKM/milled gun with early 80's AK74 parts slapped on a commercial bulgarian receiver. If you are looking for a nice Soviet AKM with fixed wood stock or under folder. You would need to have it built, kits are around 1200 for parts with CFH barrel + 74Ullc receiver. Then you can have Mario at POFA build it for you that will be another 400-800. There are nice polish builds out there at the 1000 range but they are not correct through and through.

I've always been an AR/M1 guy, but I want a historically correct AK (in 7.62x39) just to round out my collection. I want stamped receiver because of cost and weight. I also want a folding stock just because. This gun will mostly be in a safe and shot occasionally for a run-n-gun match.

AKMS is a historically important piece in the cold war, and it'll fit well next to an XM177 clone; but I know my cheeks won't appreciate the punishment. A side folder solves that problem nicely, but what is historically correct in 7.62x39 and side folding?

I know nothing about AKs except to buy Soviet/Bulgarian made and stay away from Century. If necessary, I'm not above picking up a receiver and sending it out to Rifle dynamics / ARS to get it done right.

The SLR107 fits it nicely, but is it historically correct? Any options with laminated wood / bakelite furniture? AK is just so iconic with that laminated wood.


Note, I'm not in CA and the gun won't be coming into CA.

[Bansh88]

I had a very cool side folder Khyber built off a matching Izzy kit (7.62). Not a military issue but very historically correct.
It was so cool the buddy I got it from, begged for it back.

[quadmx301]

Russian pattern AKMs will have stamped receivers, with magwell dimples, no side-mounted rail. Gas tube will be stamped without vent holes. 45 degree gas block, not a 90 degree '74 type/ 100 series modern AK. slant compensator with AKM front sight base. Your best bet is DDI. I don't think they use a side rail and I've heard good things about their build quality.

FYI, the folder was hardly used compared to the fixed stock models. For a "period correct" issue, you may consider a fixed stock AKM vs the AKMS.

Also, for a shooter, Century is good to go. The RAS47s are still questionable, but WASRs and C39s are awesome.

[penguin0123]

Ok, maybe I'm not *that* concerned about 100% correct parts, etc. I mean, the A1 carbine I'm working on has a C7 upper and ambi safety because I'm a lefty and it is turning out to be more 723 than I intended. And I'm not using 100% Colt parts in it either.

Is the khyber pass stock basically just a AK74 side folder slapped on a 7.62x39 gun? There are enough of them in the -stans that I consider it "correct" especially given the recent war. I'm liking that idea.

Saw this, is this Romainian issued? How did the Polish Tantal end up on there, and how is that Tantal stock?

[kalieracer]

WASR is a good decent import gun. RAS/C39 are crap.

Russian pattern AKMs will have stamped receivers, with magwell dimples, no side-mounted rail. Gas tube will be stamped without vent holes. 45 degree gas block, not a 90 degree '74 type/ 100 series modern AK. slant compensator with AKM front sight base. Your best bet is DDI. I don't think they use a side rail and I've heard good things about their build quality.

FYI, the folder was hardly used compared to the fixed stock models. For a "period correct" issue, you may consider a fixed stock AKM vs the AKMS.

Also, for a shooter, Century is good to go. The RAS47s are still questionable, but WASRs and C39s are awesome.

[kalieracer]

If you don't care about correct and just want something good / fun. Get the 107 and put a metal triangle folder on. Its a great rifle. Otherwise look at the DDI Polish and do folder conversion on it. The romy below has romy folding stock. Romania, EG and Poland made stocks like that. I can tell you one thing they suck and are uncomfortable. I find the newer russian folders with the revised geometry the best out of the side folders.

Ok, maybe I'm not *that* concerned about 100% correct parts, etc. I mean, the A1 carbine I'm working on has a C7 upper and ambi safety because I'm a lefty and it is turning out to be more 723 than I intended. And I'm not using 100% Colt parts in it either.

Is the khyber pass stock basically just a AK74 side folder slapped on a 7.62x39 gun? There are enough of them in the -stans that I consider it "correct" especially given the recent war. I'm liking that idea.

Saw this, is this Romainian issued? How did the Polish Tantal end up on there, and how is that Tantal stock?

[hellayella]

Underfolders feel wierd when shooting them...

[Ak74dude]

I actually find underfolders really comfortable

Historicay speaking, a russian underfolder is about as cool as it gets. You can do a khyber and easily make the point that its historically accurate, although not from a factory. Chicom and hungarian preban uf are pretty freakin cool, but pricey.

My opinion is you should look at getting some kind of euro or chinese underfolder and get comfortable w it. Its really not that bad. Wrap a rubber tourniquet or paracord around the stock if need be and call it a day.

[SVT-40]

You can make your own...Keep the wood hand guards...

I built the below rifle using a Romanian 7.62x39 "G" kit, and a Bulgarian side folding stock. A so called "Kyber Pass" rifle.





Probably the easiest way to put a very usable folding stock on a rifle with a fixed stock rear trunnion is to use a Polish Beryl side folder. No real modifications needed.

Plus the stock folds to the right, so you can fold the stock, and leave optical sights mounted.

[quadmx301]

Agreeing with SVT-40 here. Building your own is the best option for you because it seems like you know what you want. There are plenty of AK builders out there to perform the service for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

[kalieracer]

I think that OP should just get the 107 and call it a day. Since the gun is in a free state, its a good value and a good shooter.

Agreeing with SVT-40 here. Building your own is the best option for you because it seems like you know what you want. There are plenty of AK builders out there to perform the service for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

[beanz2]

[SVT-40]

If you can't find an original Chinese side folder 56S (above) you can make a clone (below)

[dvs762]

Egyptian AKM,East German AKM and Ak74, Romanian AKM and their 5.45 version and Polish Tantals all used variations of the same right side folding stocks. Later polish use a riveted in stock but the others are all slide in and bolt on stocks. They will fit any AKM and many 74 pattern rifles where the straight stock is inserted.