Not your typical AK thread

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ieszu

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Trying to figure that out....
I was curious if anyone thought there was a market for different caliber AK's. I know that there have been a lot of chamberings for the AR (mostly because it is easy to switch uppers)... and this just got the rat wheel in my head spinning. I know Saiga has done something like this, but they have only done standard variants... not things like 6.5 Grendel, .50 Beowulf, etc.


What are your guys thoughts? And if you like the idea, what other calibers besides com-bloc standards catch your interests?
 
Uhh, none. The AK rules supreme in 7.62x39. I can also buy one in 5.56, 5.45. I can have an AK based rifle in 7.62x54mmR, and an AK based shotgun in 12, 20, and .410. And an AK in .308. I don't think there is really a market for more than those calibers. Mags would be problematic, too.
 
I'd say that there is indeed a market for AK's in other calibers--and manufacturers have already met that need. The spectrum of calibers that Avenger29 listed is pretty broad, and you can add .22LR to that list as well. You have everything from rimfire plinker to intermediate-caliber carbine to full-power hunting rifle to shotgun.
 
I disagree. By and large, AK fans seem to be traditionalists,myself included. ( by using the term "by and large",i am acknowledging the existence of exceptions, so resist the urge to point any out). I'm sure that SOME rifles will sell in virtually any chambering offered, but i'd be surprised to see any widespread success of them. I own several AK's, and have several friends with them, ALL of them are x39, and none seem to have a hankering for something new in that platform.
 
Saigas come in .308, .30-06, 12ga., 20ga, .410, 7.62x39, .223, 5.56x39 or you can get a dragunov type in 7.62x54r. Can u imagine busting down a door with a .30-06 AK?:D
 
Don't knock the .223 or 5.45 AKs out there. Purists aside, they are really quite nice pieces.

A Saiga would be your best bet though. They can be had in just about anything. I would love to have a 9x39mm one, if I had the ammo to feed it that is. Or if they even made one for civies.
 
Uhh, none. The AK rules supreme in 7.62x39. I can also buy one in 5.56, 5.45. I can have an AK based rifle in 7.62x54mmR, and an AK based shotgun in 12, 20, and .410. And an AK in .308. I don't think there is really a market for more than those calibers. Mags would be problematic, too.
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You forgot .30-06' .22 LR, and most importantly 8mm Mauser. Plus the occasional gas operated 7.62x25's
 
You probably wouldn't recognize the .30-06 as being an AK. It's a very bastardized version of one. The action is still pure Kalashnikov, but the stock, safety and magazine are completely different and unlike the other Saigas, this sporterized AK is very difficult to convert back to standard format.

The .308's are great however.
 
What are your guys thoughts? And if you like the idea, what other calibers besides com-bloc standards catch your interests?
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Nyet! :cuss:

I like the AK in historic calibers. Suggesting they make AKs in .50 or 30-06, etc, and you are violating a sacred sense of balance in the universe. You do so at your own risk. :uhoh:

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JesseL -

That is similar to what I was looking to do, but doing it on a larger scale, offering quality manufactured firearms to the shooting public...

I have priced components, factored in cost for time manufacturing, machinery, etc... and I think I can offer it at a very competitive price, especially as a new American manufacture.

Do you see a larger market besides a smallish clique?
 
Given the existence of the .308 Saiga, it would be possible to make one in .243 Win. There are at least a few people who see potential in this round as a battle-rifle caliber.
 
buck00 said:
I like the AK in historic calibers. Suggesting they make AKs in .50 or 30-06, etc, and you are violating a sacred sense of balance in the universe. You do so at your own risk.
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Okay, I'll bite. What does a PPSh-41 in 7.62x25mm have to do with traditional AKs?

ppshzo9.png
 
Do you see a larger market besides a smallish clique?
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I don't know.

I guess it depends on how reliable and accurate it turns out, along with what price you can offer them for. If you can beat something like the Mini-14 68.SPC on price and accuracy, there's bound to be some market.
 
tromix makes them special order, i think?

I recall a 6.5 or a 6.8 and I think a 458 socom variant?

I love the 7.62x39, but the 5.45 and 5.56s have really grown on me too (esp the prices of ammo of 5.45 surplus what it is right now--i mean, I have to park the car in the driveway now because the garage is full, but $100ish per 1K, somethings gotta give!).
 
Guys, you forgot the European-market Saigas in 9.3x54R, and yes, there's the Yugo M-76 Zastava sniper rifle in 8mm.

So, off the top of my head we've got:
12, 20, and .410 shotguns.
.22 LR
7.62x39, 7.62x51, 7.62x54R, 7.62x63
5.45x39 and 5.56x45
9.3x54R, 8x57, and possibly Finnish wildcats in 6.5x54R and 8.3x54R

And a buddy of mine was working on converting a .410 to .45/110.

So really, what's left?
 
Pistol calibers - homebuilders have done 9mm, 7.62x25, and 45ACP types.

I have a kit set aside that I'm going to do in 9mm myself.
 
What I would love is an AK chambered in the Tokarev 7.62x25. Sort of like a carbine (maybe also a SBR entry gun sort of thing). I know, I know, what about the PPSH? Ive held one, Ive fired one. Im really not impressed. But an AK with some sort of stick mag with the way that gun handles, paint me pink and put in front of the line!

Some more of the pistol caliber stuff would be great (especially 9x19 or 7.62)
 
if you need something between 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 that isnt a 7.62x25, then i think its getting kind of clique-ish to say you'd be building them (remember they arent AR's) for the "general shooting public" IMO.
 
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