Folding AK stock. Are they stable enough?

[epijunkie67]

I only have 1 rifle with a folding stock. It's an SKS that I bought an after market folding polymer stock for along with all the other parts needed to make it 922r compliant. It's a nice looking stock but it has a little bit of wobble at the pivet point. Not a lot, but enough to give just a hair of up and down motion. This causes it to string up and down on the target to a completely unacceptable degree. I mean strings of 6-8 inches at just 30-40 yards.

As a result I'm really leary of trusting any kind of folding or collapsing stock. Problem is I really want a decent quality AK with a folding stock because it would make a perfect truck gun.

So what are my options? I want something that folds out of the way but has rock solid lock up when opened. I'm not concerend with HOW it folds, top, bottom, or side, just as long as it is solid when opened. Given the option It'd be nice if it could take a scope although I realize that limits the folding options.

Do I need to look for certain style of AK? Can I just add an aftermarket one? What are the decent ones? Remember, this is going to be bouncing around under a truck seat for several years. I don't want to buy an Arsenal AK just to beat the crap out of it.

Suggestions?

 

[nalioth]

The Soviet military design folding stock is rock solid, and the poly version (the one they currently use) is indistinguishable from it's fixed brethren.

AKS-74 clone (original military side folding design)


AK-74N clone (the current polymer side folder)


Both types use a locking mechanism that never loosens up over it's lifespan (until it literally wears out [and nobody's worn one out yet])


ACE stocks are good, too, but as commercial stocks, they can be a bit more finicky than the milspec design.

Both of these options are gonna cost a bit more than the commonly available plastic "wonder stocks". Both of these options will last longer and perform better than the plastic "wonder stocks", too.

It all goes back to the old saying: "Buy cheap - get cheap".

 

[HorseSoldier]

+1 -- there are definitely good and bad options out there in terms of folding stocks, and the bad ones won't last.

 

[Sam1911]

I'll second (third?) nailoth's comments. The AKS-74 version and it's descendants are bank-vault solid. Night and day difference from the Tapco (and such) plastic junk. And worlds better than the underfolders, too.

 

[stubbicatt]

IME, the underfolding stocks are not as solid, nor are they as conducive to a good cheek weld behind the sights, as are the side folding stocks such as are posted in the photos above.

 

[smince]

The underfolders can be good or bad. Check for lock-up before you buy one.

The cheek problem can be fixed with a little paracord wrapping.

 

[atblis]

Another option is the the Tantal wire folding stock. It will bolt onto any regular AK with no modifications. The lockup is solid. Cheek weld is where it aint so great. You could go back to your regular stock supposing it didn't work for you.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=209702206

 

[ultradoc]

I have shot an ak with an underfold stock and it had para cord wraped around it which made it a little more comfortable. I have also shot the ak with a side fold wire stock. I was supprised at how acurate they both were.

 

[nalioth]

Another option is the the Tantal wire folding stock. It will bolt onto any regular AK with no modifications. The lockup is solid.

The lockup is solid when the stock is new.

As it ages, it can get looser and looser, and guess what? It ain't easy to tighten back up.

Also, the Tantal side folder uses the same design as the Romanian, East German and Egyptian wire side folders.

 

[Birddog1911]

I had the same as Nalioth, and never had a problem with it.