ATI AK Strikeforce Folding and Collapsible Stock

[A_Matthew]

Do any of you have experience with this stock?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/55822-6.html

It has good reviews, but thought I'd check with you guys on THR before ordering.
Also, how does this stock compare with the Tapco folding stock?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AKS025-6.html

I've heard both good and bad about the Tapco, but I've heard that they've gotten a lot better after they put a steel pivot pin in there.

I'll probably only be using the AK for a truck gun, plinker, and maybe hunting. Will these stocks get the job done, or would it be better to save my money for something better? Thanks in advance.

 

[wally]

I thought the ATI collapsible and folding stock would be perfect. I liked it until I shot it. The hinge doesn't let it get short enough and the operating button is really large and poked me in the nose.

The Tapco AK side folder is a flimsy piece of junk needing a lot more help than a better pivot pin!

I also didn't like the Tapco AR-style collapsible stock for the AK.

What I do like is the UTG AK to AR stock adapter (~$12) and a Tapco AR M4 style stock (~$50)

If you must have a side folder, the Romanian/Polish fits a standard rear tang and while not much to look at, works well. The best is the AK-74 folder which folds to the left side, but I don't think these work with a standard rear tang.

 

[A_Matthew]

So your saying that the stock made the LOP too short, which caused the button to hit you in the nose. So a tall enough person with long arms should be able to use the stock comfortably. Is this correct?

I really like the idea of the ar-15 stock adapter, but there aren't a lot of folding ar stocks out there, and I really have my heart set on a folding stock. I have looked at the Romanian folders, but decided that I wanted to maintain my dignity.

After shooting a couple of folding stock AKs that didn't have a good cheek weld, I decided that my folding stock had to have a good cheek weld, eliminating a lot of the folding stocks out there. So being that I'm a fairly tall guy with long arms, this ATI stock might work for me.

 

[Breakmyfootoff]

I tried the Tapco on my AK first, and really didnt like it, it stung my cheek with every shot, plus it seemed really cheap and flimsy. I got rid of it and went with the ATI strike force kit. The ATI seems rugged enough, with the only durability problem being the tiny screw that holds the release knob on would vibrate loose while shooting. A little thread locker would probably solve the issue, but I didnt try it before I took it off. The ATI looked just OK to me, I like the hand guards and pistol grip, but I didnt really care for the large hinge where the stock folds. Maybe it was just in my head, but the gun also seemed a lot heavier with the ATI stuff on it. The main reason I took it back off in favor of the wood though was the lack of compatibility with the tool kit and cleaning rod. I could not ( no matter how hard I tried) get the cleaning rod to go back into place with the handguard on, the handguard had to be removed to put it back in. I also like the little trap door in the original stock for the tool kit. My ATI stuff is sitting on the shelf now while I try to decide if I want to sell it or not.

 

[wally]

So your saying that the stock made the LOP too short, which caused the button to hit you in the nose

I could have been clearer. Because the hinge is so large, fully collapsed the LOP is too long for a good "squared up" stance. When shooting off sandbags if I had the stock adjusted so I could make good use of the cheek rest, the button would poke me in the nose. Its possible you wouldn't have this problem.

I really liked the front hand guard and pistol grip, they remain in use -- enough rail for a vertical grip or a bipod but not so much you need rail covers. I had to drill a bigger hole for the cleaning rod on mine.

I used the railed gas tube cover to add a red dot to my GP1974 bullpup AK which has worked well so far.

I put the stock portion on my 7.62x39 AR where it works well, so the only thing I've "wasted" is the hinge section.

I really have my heart set on a folding stock. I have looked at the Romanian folders, but decided that I wanted to maintain my dignity.

Looks aside, they really do work well, and you can usually find them for ~$60.

 

[A_Matthew]

I tried the Tapco on my AK first, and really didnt like it, it stung my cheek with every shot, plus it seemed really cheap and flimsy. I got rid of it and went with the ATI strike force kit. The ATI seems rugged enough, with the only durability problem being the tiny screw that holds the release knob on would vibrate loose while shooting. A little thread locker would probably solve the issue, but I didnt try it before I took it off. The ATI looked just OK to me, I like the hand guards and pistol grip, but I didnt really care for the large hinge where the stock folds. Maybe it was just in my head, but the gun also seemed a lot heavier with the ATI stuff on it. The main reason I took it back off in favor of the wood though was the lack of compatibility with the tool kit and cleaning rod. I could not ( no matter how hard I tried) get the cleaning rod to go back into place with the handguard on, the handguard had to be removed to put it back in. I also like the little trap door in the original stock for the tool kit. My ATI stuff is sitting on the shelf now while I try to decide if I want to sell it or not.

My gun didn't come with a cleaning rod, so I'm not too worried about it not fitting. I also don't have a tool kit, so it doesn't bother me that I'd be loosing the wood stock with the compartment in it.

 

[A_Matthew]

I could have been clearer. Because the hinge is so large, fully collapsed the LOP is too long for a good "squared up" stance. When shooting off sandbags if I had the stock adjusted so I could make good use of the cheek rest, the button would poke me in the nose. Its possible you wouldn't have this problem.

Okay, that makes more sense.

When your talking about the Romanian folders, your talking about this one, right?

http://dpharms.com/romanian-ak-47-folding-stock-p-87.html

Because my brother has that stock on his Polish Tantal, and I decided that it just wasn't working for me.

 

[wally]

When your talking about the Romanian folders, you talking about this one, right?

http://dpharms.com/romanian-ak-47-fo...tock-p-87.html

Yes that is the one. I don't know of any other options that don't require changing the rear Trunnion, although I'm not sure how the ACE side folder mounts. It is also a good bit more expensive.

 

[Redlg155]

I have the newer Tapco folding skeleton type stock. I haven't found any problems and it fits me fine. The release mechanism can be a bear, but it locks solid.

 

[A_Matthew]

When your talking about the Romanian folders, your talking about this one, right?

http://dpharms.com/romanian-ak-47-fo...tock-p-87.html

Yes that is the one. I don't know of any other options that don't require changing the rear Trunnion, although I'm not sure how the ACE side folder mounts. It is also a good bit more expensive.

I guess that some people like that stock, but after shooting with it, I decided that I had to have one with a good cheek weld. Well, actually, one of the biggest reasons I don't like it is the hinge is always hitting me in the face when I fire it.

 

[A_Matthew]

I have the newer Tapco folding skeleton type stock. I haven't found any problems and it fits me fine. The release mechanism can be a bear, but it locks solid.

Is it this one?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AKS025-6.html

If so, then I have a few questions. Does it fold to the left or right side of the gun? If it folds to the right side, then can the gun still be fired when it is folded?

 

[wally]

I guess that some people like that stock, but after shooting with it, I decided that I had to have one with a good cheek weld. Well, actually, one of the biggest reasons I don't like it is the hinge is always hitting me in the face when I fire it

If the hinge on the Romanian hits you when shooting, forget about the ATI folding stock!

 

[A_Matthew]

It was actually my fault for trying to use the receiver cover as a cheek weld. And it's also too short for me, which is another reason why it hit me.

 

[wally]

You should try using the Romanian side folder with your check where the dog-leg bend is with a more squared up stance. Its a combat rifle, not a target/hunting rifle.

The ACE side folder might be what you want, but you have to cut the rear tang off the trunnion to install it

Here is a thread with some photos and a link to a PDF file showing how to install it:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=601545

 

[A_Matthew]

You should try using the Romanian side folder with your check where the dog-leg bend is with a more squared up stance. Its a combat rifle, not a target/hunting rifle.

The ACE side folder might be what you want, but you have to cut the rear tang off the trunnion to install it

Here is a thread with some photos and a link to a PDF file showing how to install it:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=601545

Yeah, I might revisit using the stock, except for the fact my brother is having problems getting his firing pin retainer pin to stay in place, so it'll be a while before I'd be able to shoot it. And he's the only guy I know around here with that stock.

I was checking out the ACE stocks, but they're a little out of my price range, and I also don't want to cut off my rear tang. Otherwise, they look really good.

The more and more I think about it, the more I lean towards the ATI stock. It just seems to fit my needs better than anything else I've found.

 

[wally]

The best feature of the Romanian/Polish side folder is they work with a "standard" rear tang trunnion. You could borrow your brother's and try it on your rifle while he is getting things right with his.

If the ATI hinge doesn't bother you and its most collapsed position is short enough for your needs it is a good stock, As I said, I'm making use of everything from mine except the hinge on other guns.