Kalashnikov Chassis?

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CmdrSlander

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I've seen a great many M14 (M1A) rifles in "chassis" they retain the action, barrel, and fire control group while completely altering the ergonomics and offering a wide variety of new accessory options. For those unfamiliar with the concept they turn a highly dated but excellent rifle like this:

SA9102Large.gif


Into a modernized and attractive* rifle like this:

middlegun-detail.gif


Its an interesting concept that has also been applied to bolt actions like the Remington 700.

Before:

url


After:

img02.jpg


Why has this concept not been applied to the Kalashnikov (AK47, AK74 etc.) platform? It is in the same condition as the M14 in that they are both dated but superb and popular (incredibly popular in the case of the AK) designs that have ergonomic and optic mounting problems. Problems that could be resolved by dropping the Barreled Action and FCG into a chassis. With the popularity of the AK, and so-called "Tacticool" accessories I think tactical Kalashnikov chassis would sell like hotcakes.

The reason this hasn't been applied to arguably the most popular self-loader of our times, the AR15, is because that rifle already has a rock-solid optics platform, superb ergonomics, and customizability. However, the AR is not for everyone, with a Kalashnikov chassis, one could retain the excellence of the AK, with all the options of the AR platform.

*In the eye of the beholder.
 
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There are a number of options available for customizing the AK, ranging from custom stocks and optics mounts to full-on bullpup kits. The AK is actually fairly modular, in its own way. The trick is finding the good accessories among all the crap. There's plenty of garbage or redneck alterations that make it impossible to field strip or don't hold optics securely, instead of doing the smart thing and using the AK's built-in quick-release hardpoint.

If you're going to do a sheathe like that on an AK, the logical way of mounting it would be to use both the stock mount and the optics hardpoint to secure it. This will provide 2 solid mounting points that won't move, unlike the gas tube.

My converted Saiga was set up with a PSL-style rear stock that I sanded and stained myself. It creates an excellent cheek weld for shooting with a scope, and is very intuitive to flip up to the shoulder. I can also swap out the handguard for one that lets me mount a bipod.

th_SaigaWood.gif
 
If you've ever hefted an M1A that's been encased in a chassis, you'll know why not many people want them. Might as well get an M249, it hardly weighs more.
 
Isn't a Troy'ed M14 around 16lb loaded? A chassis works for a bolt gun because there's no messing around with bedding the stock, and you get a niiiiice long rail to mount big scopes or night vision on.

Granted however, it would look wicked cool on an AK.
 
What are the GOOD things about most stock AK rifles?
1.Affordable
2.Reasonable weight
3.Adequate accuracy for most likely civilian social purposes
5.Pretty reliable

What are the BAD things about an AK?

1.TERRRRRIBLE manual of arms
2.Coarse sights make the rifle hard to use to its maximum capability.
3.Accuracy is average at best vis-à-vis other weapons in class.

Now, how would a chassis system improve the latter without having negative impact on the former?
 
Sam Cade said:
That consists of a forearm and stock....and a triggerbar. :D


If I wasn't a lefty, I'd have one though. Just for sheer weirdness.
Click to expand...

Shooting this one as a lefty is right out!!!! Unless a person wants their face ripped off.

The rifle has some quirkyness like an almost completely inaccessible safety (like all ak's) but as an entry level bullpup under 7lbs and 27" long overall its sheer handiness really shines.

Believe it or not accuracy with the sights pictured is vastly improved over normal AK sights. The rear being an A2 aperture and the front a .050" ball n post. I can pull 2 to 2.5" groups consistently at 100 with 154g wolf ammo.

Yes the trigger sucks. If your the type who can't shoot through a bad trigger these aren't for you. But for me a better brush gun I've not handled.

posted via mobile device.
 
The chassis in both those cases surrounds the realitivley slim receiver, to do it, you would need to either A.) replace the receiver, making the chassis the new receiver. B.) make it real damn big.

Both cases are kinda prohibitive. Interesting idea though and don't blame you for trying to create a more ergonomic, modern Kalisnikov. The easy way would be to just build up a 7.62 AR. Lots of options going that route surprisingly. Use either AK or proprietary drop free magazines and all the rails you could ever want.
 
It's because it isn't necessary.

On the AK, the pistol grip, the stock, the forearm, and a side rail (if present) are all separate components that are already there.

If you want to put a foldy black bit on your AK, you just buy it and install it. You don't need to construct a shell around the rifle to attach it to.

Why don't they build a shell like that for the AR-15?
 
one of the least ergonomic things about an ak is the safety, and with a chassis set up, that won't change, so ergos wouldn't really improve. adding any weight to the ak platform kind-of defeats it's purpose and the round isn't nearly as versatile as the x51 to make it worthwhile.
 
AKs have a terrible manual of arms?

Except for the safety, it works the same way as the lauded M14.

The sights are fast and capable of precision, without blocking as much of your view as peep sights do.

BSW
 
Quite a few military rifles* lack a BHO. A open bolt is a huge hole for debris to get right into the action.

BSW

*FALs and G3s (BHO present but manually activated on most issued models), and most every open bolt subgun.
 
briansmithwins said:
A open bolt is a huge hole for debris to get right into the action.
Click to expand...

That is why you shouldn't go walking around with your bolt locked back.

It would be hard to spin lack of a BHO as a positive feature.
Ive never been shooting a weapon so equipped and said to myself,
"Self, I wish the bolt on this rifle DIDN'T lock back when the magazine was empty. I'd much rather hear a "click". And while I'm at it I'm gonna grind down the followers on all of my pistol magazines to keep the slide locking back too.";)
 
The reason such stocks don't exist for the AK is because the AK doesn't have a full-length stock that the action sits inside of, like an M-14 or a bolt action. The AK has a barreled receiver that a stock, a grip, and a forearm bolt to. If you want to change the ergonomics of an AK, you just change out the stock, the grip, and the forearm.

If you were to make a chasis that completely encases the AK receiver, you would make the rifle too heavy... kind of like that Troy M-14 stock that makes the rifle so heavy that nobody uses them for any kind of serious purpose. If you just want it because it looks cool, that's fine. But don't have any misgivings about it being a "tactical" stock, unless your "tactics" consist of sitting behind a bench or bipod at the shooting range.
 
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