[tire iron]

The biggest downfall with the AK is the 'selector/safety'. It never was designed to be easily manipulated. It was designed so the 'peasant/revolutionary/conscript' had to actually THINK about what he had to do to get the rifle ready to fire. So that stipulated that he actually take his hand off of the pistol grip, move it up and forward to move the selector from safe to full or semi-auto. And contrary to popular belief, the F/A (full auto) position was first, knowing the conscript - in the 'heat of the moment' - would 'push right on through' to the last position - semi-auto. Then he would move his hand back to the pistol grip and begin firing. Savvy operators operate the AK with the firing thumb resting on the 'shelf' of the selector - with the fingers sort of 'cupping' under the trigger guard/receiver. They moved the selector with the thumb, then rotated the hand backward and down onto the pistol grip with the first finger ready to enter the trigger guard. (See photos below of Russian soldiers in Chechnya. Note how is thumb is on the selector and his fingers are 'cupping' the trigger guard in the first 'soldier picture'. In the second one - he has his thumb over the top of the receiver - to manipulate the safety he just brings his thumb down on to the selector 'pad' like the like the first picture. It takes a bit longer, but is a bit easier too as that hand can help hold/carry the rifle better this way.) The third photo is a close up of the 'patrol ready' carry technique.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/p0087ace058132f1912a8a50363fde1b2/fa649450.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/pbed45517fa5fcb9be453e765dcf4e844/fa649432.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/p320e2d34629eb2eb7e811283e66429a9/fa649a0b.jpg

An alternative is to have one's first finger on the shelf, and the rest of the hand sort of just hanging onto the side of the receiver - but this is strictly for those that have unusually long fingers (the only guys I know with fingers long enough are all proctologists!). This technique can only be used for very short time periods, and is not comfortable at all. Here is a picture of the 'proctology method'.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/p14a2c88dd9be074958dfd3d67ea575f5/fa649a75.jpg

However - there is some SERIOUS new 'help' in the selector department. Enter Randy Sloan of 'Blackjack' fame (you can reach at: http://www.blackjackbuffers.com). He is the guy that makes those great buffers for our AK's and other firearms. He has designed a new selector/safety that is SUPERB. There have been other attempts - even by some nationally known gunsmiths that have offered safeties with a 'hump' or 'tab' to help the firer out - but they have all fallen short of the goal - which is - to allow the shooter to keep his hand on the pistol grip - yet also to quickly and easily move the selector from 'Safe' to 'Fire'. Well - Randy did it!! I can leave my hand on the pistol grip - and my first finger is resting on a 'dropped down' shelf that Randy has welded onto the selector.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/pfd8da1e33c6d2f3ded6cea1633145a31/fa649507.jpg

CONTINUED

[tire iron]

The 'drop down shelf' is ESSENTIAL to allow the shooter to manipulate the selector COMFORTABLY and EASILY. Without the 'drop down shelf' - one MUST take one's hand off of the pistol grip - which is BAD. With the drop down shelf - to move it to "Fire" I just exert a small amount of pressure downward with my finger, and the selector moves down to the "Fire" position and my hand STAYS on the pistol grip - READY TO FIRE. Then I just keep my finger moving downward onto the trigger.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/pcb5dd9b3d3bdf02d218cc85d93168be1/fa6498e2.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/pd542a0853d89e4d247be36a6eeb483a1/fa64994b.jpg

When I am done firing, I raise my finger up - it then contacts the bottom of the pad, and while exerting a small amount of effort move the selector up to the "Safe" position.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/p1798c014e5455f6d345c1daf8a478585/fa648cf3.jpg

CONTINUED

[tire iron]

The last two photos show the 'Blackjack' safety in use. One photo is at 'Patrol Ready' (note the firing hand is on the pistol grip) and the next photo is shouldered - finger on safety ready to swipe it down. In the photo's it may look a little awkward to have the firing finger up on the safety like that - but it is not uncomfortable in the least - and it beats the HECK out of the way soldiers deal with the selector without this modification!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/p33b8a33e73778ef7dfc3560df7804a25/fa649aae.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid91/pf814a1089145760f37af17e0929b69b5/fa649b07.jpg

IMHO no AK rifle should be without this new safety/selector. It enhances performance, it enhances safety and GREATLY improves the ergonomics of the AK by addressing the biggest flaw the AK possesses. This is a 'must buy'. And at $30 delivered - it within the reach of even the poorest of AK owners.

Disclaimer: I have no stock/interest/financial gain/business relationship with Blackjack or Randy Sloan. This is a superior piece of kit - at an attractive price - that is why I am so 'sold' on this safety/selector modification. It truly brings the AK's handling characteristics/performance into the 21st century.

Here is the link again: http://www.blackjackbuffers.com

cheers

tire iron

[Lumpy196]

Very nice.

Does he have a website or a contact number?

[MicroBalrog]

Why not just make a Galil-style safety?:confused:

[son of a gun]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49029

[Lumpy196]

MicroBalrog,

As a Galil owner, Im confused by your response. Are you talking about making it ambidexterous with a thumb operated lever on the opposite side?

[Correia]

Tire, good to see you here. I don't think I've seen you since PvtPyle's death march/camping trip by Camp Williams.

You know me, and I'm not a proctologist. I'm an accountant. But I've also got absurdly long fingers and I've been operating an AK safety with my trigger finger from a comfortable firing grip forever. It really is the only way to go.

For most folks with human sized hands, this really does look like a great item.

[tire iron]

Lumpy196,

Thanks for your kind words and thanks for the 'heads up' that the link didn't work.

I have now fixed the link.

Thanks for the post.



MicroBalrog,

It has to do with the design of the AK itself and how it operates.

In order to have a lever on the left side - one has to use a 'linkage' system (like what is on a Galil) or the 'S' and 'F' would be 'backwards. In other words 'S' would be 'forward' and 'Fire' would be backward. That is 'counter-intuitive' - so the linkage is necessary. That adds parts, and necessitates the milling of a slot in the reciever and milling a portion of the pistol grip away to.

It can be done (the Israelis and South Africans did it with the Galil and R4) - but not NEARLY as inexpensive and simple as the new selector by Blackjack.



son of a gun,

Thanks for the 'back-up'!


Lumpy196,

I too own a Galil - and I hope my answer above 'targets' his question. That would be the best of both worlds - to have the selector that I posted above on a Galil!

Thanks for the post,


cheers

tire iron

[tire iron]

Corria,

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the post.

With fingers as long as yours - sounds like you are in the wrong profession!:D

Just kiddin'. I am glad you are not a proctologist - they make me a little 'nervous'. :eek:

cheers

tire iron

[Gewehr98]

Try having a female flight surgeon do your physical every year, including the prostrate exam. :what:


Truthfully, I never really worried about the speed of my AK's safety disengagement. Just not enough UN Blue Helmets in my neck of the woods yet, the free-fire zone must be out there considerably further than my aluminum foil hat can shield. ;)

Now, is that Blackjackbuffer® safety lever available with the low safety tab and the bolt hold-open notch?

[Andrew Wyatt]

This is an improvement, but imho, it's still no m-16 safety.

[TallPine]

If you are in a "hot zone" (whatever your definition of that might be) why not just leave the safety off, and keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you need to fire ????

You know, as in a "Glock" safety .... ;)

[Daedalus]

Thanks, as a new AK owner looking at the "official" way to operate the safety is pretty interesting.

In the second photo, there is some kind of accessory on the front of that AK - is that a grenade launcher?

[tire iron]

Gewehr 98,

Yes it is available with a 'bolt hold open notch'. And this much faster safety is not just for the 'blue hats' - it makes 'jack-rabbit' hunting MUCH more 'safe' as guys will keep their safeties ON instead using the 'Glock' safety (implying that you run it with the selector on 'F'). And for the guys that shoot these in 3 gun matches and the like - it will help them get faster times.

Thanks for the post.



Andrew Wyatt - you are right - but the AK isn't an AR.


Tallpine,

If one were to be in the 'hot zone' one could run with the selector on 'F'. However, when one is on a 5 day patrol - running with the selector on 'F' is not a wise thing to do. This allows one to have the selector on 'S' - yet still get it into action very quickly, easily and comfortably.

Thanks for the post.


Deadalus,

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it is a grenade launcher. That brings a whole new light to 'rabbit hunting' doesn't it?? :D

Thanks for the post.

cheers

tire iron

[mattd]

What about if you drop it tall? Glocks have a trigger safety so you can drop it without going off.

[clubsoda22]

i'm a lefty, the mod is a moot point.

[Andrew Wyatt]

aye. can it be made ambidextrous?

[tire iron]

Actually - the AK doesn't really *NEED* an ambi selector (it would be NICE - but it is not needed) - here is why.

The AK can actually be run better by a 'lefty' than a 'righty'. If a person shoots the AK left handed - the 'issue' selector can be manipulated by the right thumb while the right hand and fingers are gripping the magazine.

The charging handle is easier manipulated by a 'lefty' than a 'righty' too.

A 'lefty' can perform all the needed functions with the right hand while the left hand remains where it should - on the pistol grip.

It makes me wonder if ole Michael Kalashnikov is a 'lefty'.

Thanks for the posts guys.

cheers

tire iron

[Andrew Wyatt]

I was waiting for someone to point that out.

in any event, would it be feaseable to make a selector lever that actuates on the other side? how about an SKS-type trigger blocking safety?

[igor]

A Finnish 'smith has a solution. (http://practical.hypermart.net/peippo.html)

Scroll to about the middle of the page. I'll translate:

"A thumb selector is available to the Sako M92S and all AK-47-type weapons (FEG...) It makes using the selector notable faster since the right hand must no longer be moved from the grip to use the selector. Installing the selector doesn't require any drilling or other structural modifications to the weapon, only two original parts are replaced with new ones. Installment is free with purchase but can also be self-made, though an installation by a gunsmith is recommended. The price is (old info in marks as we now deal in euro). "

You can call the man up at +358 400 675 629 or mail him at ase-putki@saunalahti.fi

[Nightcrawler]

The AK can actually be run better by a 'lefty' than a 'righty'. If a person shoots the AK left handed - the 'issue' selector can be manipulated by the right thumb while the right hand and fingers are gripping the magazine.

Damn straight. One more reason I love the AK. :D

[tire iron]

I have a Galil - and this selector is EASIER and FASTER for me to use right handed than the Galil 'thumb' selector.

Most people can move their index finger up and down better than thier thumb can move forward and back.

And - this solution is one HECK of a lot cheaper than the 'Galil' solution - AND it is a 'drop in part'. With the Galil install it is rifle specific.

cheers

tire iron

[c_yeager]

The biggest downfall with the AK is the 'selector/safety'. It never was designed to be easily manipulated. It was designed so the 'peasant/revolutionary/conscript' had to actually THINK about what he had to do to get the rifle ready to fire.

I thought that the designer just stole an existing safety design from Browning.

[BusMaster007]

Cool.

[tire iron]

c_yeager,

Regardless of whether he came up with it on his own or whether he borrowed if from J.M.B. - the intent was the same - that it not be easy to manipulate.

Thanks for the post.


BusMaster007,

Thanks for the kind word and thanks for the post!

cheers

tire iron

[Jim K]

I think the idea was that the safety would also serve as a dust cover. That was the idea on the Remington Model 8/81.

Jim

[MeekandMild]

And contrary to popular belief, the F/A (full auto) position was first, knowing the conscript - in the 'heat of the moment' - would 'push right on through' to the last position - semi-auto. Thank you for the interesting history lesson. I think this is one of the things I like best about THR, the fact that there are knowledgable people who can explain some of the finer points which would otherwise escape my attention. Now whenever I go to a gun show and look at the MGs I will look to see which ones have this feature and will know why they do! :cool:

[tire iron]

Jim Keenan,

Thanks for the clarification.



MeekandMild,

Only the AK family of firearms was designed so. All others (that I am aware of) were made to go from 'Safe' to 'Fire' to 'Auto', using a 'rotating' selector like on the AR, FN, HK, etc. The motor skills to move the AK selector are 'gross motor skills' - meaning one will just PUSH it down and won't really be able to stop 'half way' (where the F/A position is). The downward motion stops when the lever 'bottoms out' - which with the AK is the 'Semi-Auto' stop.

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the post.

cheers

tire iron

[Blackjack1]

Thanks tire iron for your most generous evaluation of my new product, I would also like to add that I have several modified AK-47 followers available that will lock back the bolt after the last round is fired.

[Correia]

Blackjack, but does the bolt just drop when you pull out the spent mag?

[Blackjack1]

Presently yes, the follower only holds the bolt back while the mag is installed. It's good for knowing when you are empty. I am working on a true hold open function but it's no where near done.