Some thoughts on the KS-47
Let me say first this is not a replacement for the AK47 nor is this a logical choice for someone totally dedicated to the AR platform, who does not already have the AK mags and ammo to support it. However, for someone, like me, who was a big AK fan from the mid 80’s to the early 2000’s but has become almost totally AR oriented since then, this is a great option. Although I still have several AK’s, I rarely use them (basically an age thing) but I still have a huge volume of both mags and ammo.
I recently ordered and picked up a new Gen 2, KS-47, 10.5” pistol with the M-Lock rail and SBA3 brace. Upon initial inspection, I was very surprised at just how well made this gun is. Upper and lower fit, magazine lock, everything was bank vault tight. Mags rock & lock into place easily and remove smoothly with no problems. Overall finish proves, once again, that black is beautiful.
Ok, on to the range. I loaded 14 mags, of various origin, with a variety of ammo. This included mags from China, Bulgaria (Circle10’s), Poland (polymer slab sides) several different Eastern European steel mags and a USA Magpul (came with the gun). Ammo included, Czech & Winchester brass case, S&B steel case, Wolf steel case, Chinese copper wash steel case, and my (very old) reloads in both 123 grain ball and SP loadings
The initial mag of wolf was fired at 15 yards just to get my Romeo 4 RD on paper and to verify function. It, surprisingly, produced a single ragged hole about 4” below the point of aim with no function issues. Moving to 50 yards I finished sighting in with two, 4 shot groups while making the necessary adjustments to zero the sight. I finished the mag of Wolf on this target.
The second target is two mags of S&B steel case with no further sight adjustment. The gun could do better but was limited by my 67 YO eyes and what is basically, a mil spec trigger (EPT, my butt). All the other ammo was fired with similar results. No major POI changes occurred with any ammo. Function was 100% with all ammo and all ammo showed strong, solid firing pin strikes.
Overall, I’m impressed with the gun. The only thing I plan on changing is the charging handle. I’ve never found the need on an AR since I normally only use it to lock the bolt open for the initial mag and use the bolt release from that point. The KS-47 does not lock open nor can it be locked open, so you need to use the charging handle a lot more often. Plus the .308 buffer spring makes bolt racking a little harder. At some point, I’ll might add a flash can, even though the10.5”, 7.62X39 is not as obnoxious as the 10.5” 5.56’s are, it can’t hurt.
JAC
Let me say first this is not a replacement for the AK47 nor is this a logical choice for someone totally dedicated to the AR platform, who does not already have the AK mags and ammo to support it. However, for someone, like me, who was a big AK fan from the mid 80’s to the early 2000’s but has become almost totally AR oriented since then, this is a great option. Although I still have several AK’s, I rarely use them (basically an age thing) but I still have a huge volume of both mags and ammo.
I recently ordered and picked up a new Gen 2, KS-47, 10.5” pistol with the M-Lock rail and SBA3 brace. Upon initial inspection, I was very surprised at just how well made this gun is. Upper and lower fit, magazine lock, everything was bank vault tight. Mags rock & lock into place easily and remove smoothly with no problems. Overall finish proves, once again, that black is beautiful.
Ok, on to the range. I loaded 14 mags, of various origin, with a variety of ammo. This included mags from China, Bulgaria (Circle10’s), Poland (polymer slab sides) several different Eastern European steel mags and a USA Magpul (came with the gun). Ammo included, Czech & Winchester brass case, S&B steel case, Wolf steel case, Chinese copper wash steel case, and my (very old) reloads in both 123 grain ball and SP loadings
The initial mag of wolf was fired at 15 yards just to get my Romeo 4 RD on paper and to verify function. It, surprisingly, produced a single ragged hole about 4” below the point of aim with no function issues. Moving to 50 yards I finished sighting in with two, 4 shot groups while making the necessary adjustments to zero the sight. I finished the mag of Wolf on this target.
The second target is two mags of S&B steel case with no further sight adjustment. The gun could do better but was limited by my 67 YO eyes and what is basically, a mil spec trigger (EPT, my butt). All the other ammo was fired with similar results. No major POI changes occurred with any ammo. Function was 100% with all ammo and all ammo showed strong, solid firing pin strikes.
Overall, I’m impressed with the gun. The only thing I plan on changing is the charging handle. I’ve never found the need on an AR since I normally only use it to lock the bolt open for the initial mag and use the bolt release from that point. The KS-47 does not lock open nor can it be locked open, so you need to use the charging handle a lot more often. Plus the .308 buffer spring makes bolt racking a little harder. At some point, I’ll might add a flash can, even though the10.5”, 7.62X39 is not as obnoxious as the 10.5” 5.56’s are, it can’t hurt.
JAC
