AK Safeties are horrible!

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SniperStraz

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Hello all! I'm a huge fan of the AK platform my only complaint with it is the safety catch. It isn't very good for patrol type applications etc. If I walk around with a round chambered and need to fire quickly I have to remove my trigger hand from the ready position to disengage the safety. So heres the question:
Does anyone make an AK safety catch that is similar to the AR safety catch? It would only require a flip switch on the left side of the safety catch bolt.
Anyone know of anything like this?
Thanks.
 
Blackjack AK Swift safety lever.

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/swift.htm (not sure why I can't find it on Blackjack's site)

swift.jpg



Krebs also makes what they call an Enhanced AK Selector lever that does the same thing (plus adds a bolt hold open function).
http://www.krebscustom.com/PartsPages/KalashnikovParts.shtml#akselectorlever

MarkIVSafety.jpg
 
Yeah, and that's only one reason why AKs suck and ARs rule. :neener: (JK btw!!)

I've heard great things about the safety that someone above linked to... its got to be an improvement.
 
the rifle was made in 1946 (beta models) to win wars not to worry about "safety" when patroling,

i'm sure when a russian guy were patroling, he had the safety off ;)
 
Does anyone make an AK safety catch that is similar to the AR safety catch? It would only require a flip switch on the left side of the safety catch bolt.
Anyone know of anything like this?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes

Galil
SA Vz.58
Beryl


Wondering where our brave posters are patrolling with their AKs?
Click to expand...

There is a forum member on the Saiga-12 forum who is a armorer for a police force, and they carry Saiga rifles in stock (hunting rifle) form.
 
it's just a different manual of arms.

you move with you thumb on the safety. when you want to use your weapon, you sweep the safety off on the way to the pistol grip...

of get the Galil or VZ 58
 
MD Willington said:
SniperStraz said:
Does anyone make an AK safety catch that is similar to the AR safety catch? It would only require a flip switch on the left side of the safety catch bolt.
Anyone know of anything like this?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes

Galil
SA Vz.58
Beryl
Click to expand...

Sorry, MD, you only one out of three. Two of these use the standard AK safety lever.

1. the Galil 'safety' requires you to PULL the left side thumb switch backwards with your right thumb or your support hand. It is attached to the standard AK type selector lever on the right side. You'd need the thumb of the Incredible Hulk to do this.

2. The VZ58 does have a nice ergonomic and well thought out safety. I like that it 'gets in the way' when on safe.

3. The Polish Beryl still utilizes the right side standard safety lever for, well, the safety. The left side switch only selects the rate of fire (single shot, 3 round burst or full auto).
 
My AKM is currently patrolling the inside of my safe... ;)

I have the KREBS lever, but I'm in no rush to install it.
 
The mag release sucks too, the AK does not compare to the ergonomics of the AR. They are different weapons.

BTW where are you going on patrol with an AK anyway? Does it really matter that you have to move your hand at the range?
 
I have to remove my trigger hand from the ready position
Click to expand...

Why not just make a new ready position for yourself where your thumb is ready to disengage the safety first instead of having to move it first.
 
What sarduy said - I know that when I'm patrolling my perimeter with my AK, I don't want to waste that extra half second fiddling with a safety. I use the old-fashioned safety method - don't touch the trigger until I've identified a hostile.

Oh, BTW, :neener:
 
The South African R4 series or the semi auto LM series have safeties similar to the Galil (no duh) but it doesn't require the Hulk to turn it off. It works perfectly well.

Personally I find it works better and more ergonomically than an AR's safety. This is mainly because I've shot a total of a couple hundred rounds through AR's and a couple hundred thousand through the R/LM series. I still have to think to get an AR to work. I just use the R5.

Those extended safety leavers look nice, and I'd like to get one, but with practice you can get just as adept at sweeping off the safety with your strong hand and engaging in well under a second. It'll take you longer to react in total than to do the movement right even with a stock lever.
 
I've wanted that SWIFT safety for a while, but Blackjack has been out for months. Anyhoo, I've just adapted after watching a russian how-to video on youtube, so I'm pretty happy with it as is. The only real complaint I can see about the AK safety now is that it's noisy, which could be bad if you were hiding from foes and avoiding a firefight. Also, I find nothing wrong whatsoever about the mag release; it's perfectly functional, sized right, and feels natural enough.
 
I’ve read on the internet (so it must be true) some use the AK charging handle as the safety; carry with the chamber empty and selector set to fire, pull and release the handle when required. Works best for lefties, they can use the support hand to work the charging handle. Downside is you can’t tell by looking at the rifle if it is set to go or not.
 
Russian, giving AK demo

Russian soldier is saying "first, second,third" or three in his repeated saying. And yes he made a big mistake in loading a live round.
 
All in what you are used to working with

IMOHO = It's all in what you are used to working with. I have 3 AK's. The AK will be my choice in the day of the 'SHTF'. My side arm will be a G21. These are choices that I have made on what I am used to and what I have collected up to this point in life.

If the world goes to all out war; The AK will be there in numbers along w/ ammo, as goes w/ the .45 acp round. I feel as if I would be able to pick stuff up a lot easier that some sort of specialized round.
 
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