Do all AK variants murder brass?

I don't know about ALL AK variants, but everyone I've shot or seen shot has damaged brass pretty bad. But I normally see it on the case mouths and the shoulders on x39. Those are obviously 5.56 NATO rounds so they were loaded fairly "hot." Probably makes the rifle extract pretty violently and looks like they were impacting on the charging handle upon ejection. They're Russian designed rifles, might as well used Russian designed ammo....steel cased that is.

Your pictures are pretty clear. I just have tired eyes and didn't pay much attention, just somehow managed to see the NATO symbol.

But if they're 7.62x51, it probably wasn't technically an AK variant that fired them. It would technically be an RPK variant. But the design is very similar.

Those .30-06 rounds, are you saying they were that corroded and someone fired them at the range while you were there? I can't imagine how someone would think that's a good idea.

Those look pretty standard of the "chopper" : the top receiver cover on the AK and its variants.

It can be prevented.

Face it, the AK was not designed for reloaders.

A guy I know has an AK & his brass doesn't look like that.
Sorry, but I don't know what variant he has.
I don't know if it matters, but he doesn't reload so all his ammo is surplus and/or Wolf/Tula.

Kind of looks like an over gassed FAL. Especially the ripped rims.

I've had some brass 7.62x39 and picked it up with the thoughs of saving it....... until I looked at it.

I think the AK was meant for steel and is very rough on brass. Chews up the rims and dings the necks.

My AMD-65 doesn't molest as it ejects. I have shot plenty of steel cased ammo with no damage when ejected. Also, no damage on brass cased Berdan primed South African ammo. My M70 is pretty rough on brass. Mostly, on the mouth and rim. Incidentally, the AMD65 is the most accurate AK variant I have shot.

I own a cheap WASR10 variant of the AK47 and it does not do anything bad to the "brass". But then again my rifle isn't shooting .308 brass cases.

If it was a homebuilt AK, the builder might have gotten the gas port oversize while drilling the barrel.

I'd say that my Saiga, in .223, "injures" brass, but it sure doesn't "murder" it like in those pictures. I use a bit of fender trim to minimize the damage from where the brass strikes the receiver.

Mine does not damage brass - Saiga/Arsenal in 7.62x39

My Saiga in 5.56 puts a NASTY dent about halfway between the shoulder and the rim on every single round I've ever fired.

It also chucks brass into the next state. But hey, it's never stovepiped

My Norinco (nhm-91) seems to be pretty tough on brass. I get the 'dings' mostly, and it launches brass into the county I am firing towards. Still, I enjoy reloading for it.

That dinged up brass gets saved and reloaded.

I only partly agree with the comment that the AK is not a good rifle to reload for. Agree because if I am not careful, my brass can be difficult to find.

However, as my AK fires all matter of damaged brass without tearing case mouths, separating the head, or requiring constant trimming so it will properly chamber, I'd say, for me, it's a reloader'd dream...and I've been reloading over 20 years. That short case, big hole and low velocity make for an enjoyable experience. Plus, I have used magnum pistol primers (deep seated) to fire many of my loads.

It's a great reloading cartridge, that 7.62x39

One day at the range a guy had a CETME that was new. I was packing up at the rear, about 20 ft behind and to his left. The cases were ricocheting twice and still left welts where they hit me. Needless to say, the brass was destroyed by the ejector and the concrete ceiling. Didn't say anything, just got out as fast as I could.

From my saiga they come out pretty good but as someone said, ak's were not made with reloading in mind. Cheep Ammo, fairly accessible... Or use to be.

My MAK 90 slightly dings the brass but I'm averaging 25 reloads with my brass, somewhat reduced pressure and annealing after 5. I only shoot cast through mine - reloaders dream IMO.