[Gabe]

I've heard various issues with the noise of the Kalashnikov's selector bar. Why don't someone just make them out of plastic? Problem solved?

For that matter why do the Galil rifles keep this selector when they already have a thumb operated one? Is this for the sake of redundancy or is the selector bar design somehow integral to the operation?

[SDC]

I think a couple of reasons for this one; one, the rifle was designed for the military, so you could ideally train someone with NO education how to properly operate it, but it would still likely get banged up. A plastic part probably wouldn't last too long in the field, because a plastic part that thin would probably snag on something and break off in no time at all. Two, since the majority of the rifle is already made out of stamped steel, why not that one part? Most of the selectors I've seen have a little tab on them, so if it's an issue, you can pull the selector away from the receiver, then rotate it.
On the Galil, it's probably just redundancy; the right side selector doesn't block the bolt handle anymore, so they probably just left it as a back-up.

[Destructo6]

I guess they could have put a plastic slider under the tip of the selector lever.

When you set up for an ambush, the first thing you do after taking your position is switch the safety off. You'd be a boob to wait until the enemy is approaching the kill zone to take the weapon off safe. Even the "quiet" selector of the AR series is going to stick out like a sore thumb in the jungle.

[goon]

The safety on an AK is noisy, but it is tough and it works.
AKs are kind of crude when compared to their contemporaries, but they are very well proven.
Why mess with something that has worked on over 50 million rifles?
BTW- the selector can be sprung out away from the receiver a little if needed.

[Gewehr98]

Was to wrap fishing line around the selector, to silence the selector as it moved between the detents. Dunno how long it would hold up under constant use, I will have to try it with my SLR-95.

[boing]

Paracord works.

[Correia]

You don't have to have it locked into the safety detent. Stage it out a little bit, the safety is still functional, then when you push it down it makes half the noise.

[hksw]

Why is the noise created by actuating the selector of an AK or AK-type weapon a big issue for non-military?

[Sleeping Dog]

Any extra noise might get the attention of that white-tail deer. Quieter is better.

Regards.

[hksw]

IMO, if I were after deer, I think I would choose something a bit more accurate than an AK.

[Joe Demko]

Unless you handload, the 7.62x39 isn't a great deer round. FMJ's are a poor choice and illegal for hunting in many states, too. The inexpensive imported "hollow points" don't have a good reputation for expanding well. Is there actually any good commercial hunting ammo for the ak?
At short range, under 100 yards, I'd expect an ak to be accurate enough to bag a deer. Most of the problem lies in the crummy triggers, sights, and ammo that are typical in ak-world rather than in simple mechanical innaccuracy.

[Gewehr98]

1. I know it will reliably group inside 2" at 100 yards from a bench rest. Trigger's smooth, ultra-reliable feed, and there's always fishing line or paracord for that loud safety if you really want it to quiet down.

2. Off hand I can easily keep the rounds inside a 5" round steel clanger target, so I'm not too worried about hitting the vital parts of a deer out to 150-200 yards. That puts me in the same category as a .30-30 levergun.

2. I handload ALL the ammo for my SLR-95, so decent soft-point hunting ammo is just an investment of a few strokes of the reloading press. Sierra 125gr Pro-Hunters come to mind, as do the the Speer 123gr Spitzer soft-points, or the Hornady 123gr soft points.

3. 5-round AK mags are cheap, and the whole rig is easy to carry in the Wisconsin woods.

4. Since the gun meets the caliber requirement, is legal to possess, has 5 rounds capacity, and adequate, minute-of-whitetail accuracy, why not? Let me guess, it isn't a proper and traditional venison gun. :scrutiny:

[TacticalSquirrel]

There are decent 123 gr and 150 gr softpoints imported from Russia, and the Winchester 123 gr soft point round is one of the best in the industry and is very highly rated for self defense. If it's good for self defense I would expect it to also be good for deer hunting. I also hunt the WI woods, and in the swamps I commonly see SKS rifles. I see the AK as being no different and I am considering using mine with the Kobra sight this year, replacing the Win 94 I have hunted with for years, just to see what it's like. 5round magazines are not required though legally, ad I would suggest just using the 10rounders that came with the rifle.
Gewehr98, where in Wisconsin are you? I'm in the northwest along MN.

[goon]

I would use my AK if it was legal to hunt with in this state.
I have thought about getting another bolt carrier and a Krink gas piston for it. I don't think that enough gas would get to the sawed-off piston to even budge the action with such a setup.
Then, you have a readily convertible straight pull AK to hunt with. Swap out the original carrier and piston and you are set. The best part is that eventhough it would be legal to use, it would still look entirely like an AK.
I would love to see the Game Warden when he tries to get two shots without working the action on that one.
It might be worth the effort just to see if it can be done.

[AK103K]

The AK's safety doesnt necessarily have to be noisey, it all depends on how you work it. Its also not as slow or clumsy as a lot will tell you. The quick(noisey)way is to place the tip of your middle finger on the shelf of the safety, palm flat against the reciever, now, hook your thumb behind the grip. Just flick your finger down and the saftey is of, no louder than an M1/M14 saftey flicked off quick. The slow(quiet)way is to place the fingers of your right hand flat on and wrapped around the mag with the index finger agaisnt the underside of the reciver. The side of your thumb is on the safteys shelf. Now, depending on your gun, you slowly slide the lever down with your thumb. Some guns will "click" at the bottom, some wont. If it does, just catch the lever with your index finger as it gets close to the bottom and ease it off, it wont make any noise. Another way is to fold the index finger and catch it under the reciever and slide your thumb to it, it wont click at all this way. You can do both methods as you shoulder the gun. If all you do is "flick" the safety off, it will be noisey, just like a M1/M14 is when flicked off quick.
I think most of the complaints about AK's come from people who have never really used or worked one or taken the time to learn their manual of arms. They are light, handy, and great "snap shooters" up close, especially if you leave them stocked as they come, and are more than capable as a 100-150 yard hunting rifle accuuracy wise, if your up to it. Their sights are no worse than a Winchester or Marlin lever gun or any other rifle that uses this type sight.

[hksw]

Eh, for me, accuracy (particularly dealing with hunting) accuracy is paramount. From the AK and AK-type actions (and SKSs) I own and have seen, they don't cut it for my criteria. If they were as accurate as say a bolt gun, I would have a trouble using any.

[AK103K]

The AK's are not that bad. What are you comparing and how are you shooting them? If both are open sighted rifles from field positions at say 100 yards, I think the AK will hold its own against your bolt gun. It will still easily be within the kill zone of a whitetail deer at that range.

[Gewehr98]

with a benchrest target rifle. :D

You're not trying for 1/4 MOA groups when you're putting venison on the table.
And you won't get 1/4 MOA groups from a standing or sitting position, anyway, unless you've got a benchrest sitting out there in your deer blind. :rolleyes:

[Gabe]

AKs are the most popular weapon of elephant poachers. Aparently there's nothing on Earth 30 rounds of 7.62 can't kill. That takes all the fun out of hunting, but it goes to show the practicality of professional hunters versus sport hunters.

[goon]

I am on my third AK right now.
With a good SAR-1 you will probably match a Winchester for accuracy at 100 yds. Maybe a little wider.
With a slightly higher grade of AK, you will probably always match a Winchester and possibly beat it. Think along the lines of a Bulgarian milled or one of the Hungarian FEG rilfes.
With something like a VEPR in 223 or 308, I would bet that you would almost always beat a Winchester. The 223 VEPR I had would do 1.5 inches at 100 yds. That was prone with a sandbag from a hot barrel.
I use the venerable '94 Winchester as an example because it is a well known classic that has probably killed more whitetails than any other gun.
If something can hold its own against a Winchester for hunting deer, that says something about it.
I am sure I could get a deer with an AK.
I don't snipe deer, I hunt them.
I creep through the woods as best I can and look for deer. When I see one, I get as close as I can. I determine whether or not it is a legal deer, which in PA with a doe license is anything with no points or more than three on one side, at least in my area.
If it is legal, I then decide whether or not to let the deer go.
Since stalking a deer is pretty hard to do in the first place, I don't often get as close as I would like, so I don't take many shots.
I also often have trouble with not alerting deer that I am there. One whiff, and they run like hell. Snap a twig and you had better stand still until they aren't looking your way. Then you wait and move again. Hopefully the wind doesn't shift before you get to where you are going.
Anyone who has ever hunted deer understands that they are smart. They will go through a split rail fence if they can't get over it or under it. They can climb a straight up bank with three jumps. They will stand still and let you walk right past them, then bolt out behind you. A whitetail deer can take a round from a 30-30 through the chest, then run 200 yards before it dies. I doubt I could do that.
PETA people know nothing about how much respect a wild animal really deserves.
I use a bolt action Savage 308 that will shoot one hole groups at 100yds. When I hunt, that doesn't matter. Try holding a rifle that steady while you are out of breath, cold, numb, wet and adrenaline is pumping through your veins. The crosshairs literally dance all over the woods. It is so disconcerting that I used open sights for many years to avoid that feeling. It kills your confidence.
The rifle that the hunter uses is the smallest part of the equation. Anything that will get one shot off without jamming and hit a dinner plate at 100yds will do.
The only question is, will you be able to do it?