Reloads with AK style release

[natedog]

On rifles with an AK-47 type magazine release (M-14, Mini-14, AK-47), how do you reload? Usually, with my Mini, I tend to go for the magazine first (left hand), and then hit the release with the magazine as I bring the magazine to be locked in. I'm practicing working the charging handle with the left hand too, but usually I switch to my right to do this.

 

[Chris Rhines]

You're on the right track.

My method -
1 - Take your support hand (the one holding the forestock) and grab the spare magazine. Get it oriented so the bullets are pointing forward.
2 - Smack the magazine release with the spare magazine. Hopefully the empty magazine will fall out.
3 - Stick the magazine into the mag well. Give it a good tug to make sure it's locked into place.
4 - Hit the bolt release with your left hand.

With an AK, you have to work the action to get the gun back into play. I usually turn the rifle 90 degrees counterclockwise so's the charging handle points up. You can also work the action from underneath with your thumb.

- Chris

 

[Chipperman]

"Smack the magazine release with the spare magazine."

You might scratch your magazine!!!!
(kidding)

That's an interesting method. I've never seen anyone do that before. How are you orienting the full mag when you hit the mag release? I assume you're not using the feed lips to do this, are you?

 

[Tomac]

I had the mag release on my AKs slightly lengthened so my technique is a little different:
1) Grab front of empty mag w/fingers of left hand and let thumb swipe the mag release as it moves the grasp the rear of the empty mag (this is very fast & smooth).
2) Deposit/drop empty mag.
3) Grab/insert loaded mag, left hand grasps forend.
4) Work the charging handle w/right hand (for me it's faster & more stable than trying to work the charging handle w/my left hand... besides, if the rifle's empty there's no real reason for keeping my right hand on the trigger).

Perhaps this isn't the absolute fastest technique possible w/an AK but every movement & action is simple, positive and less prone to error.
You can see the extended mag release in this photo:

Tomac

 

[TacticalSquirrel]

http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?t=95

 

[Chris Rhines]

That's an interesting method. I've never seen anyone do that before. How are you orienting the full mag when you hit the mag release? I assume you're not using the feed lips to do this, are you?

Good question - I hit the mag catch with the forward edge of the magazine.

You might scratch your magazine!!!! (kidding)

These are AK mags, bro. You can beat a cow to death with an AK mag and it'll still feed.

- Chris

 

[natedog]

I can do reloads much faster if I do everything with my right hand...sure, I can't keep the gun ready on target by taking my firing hand away from the trigger, but reloads are much faster and easier.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Check this out. Clicky.



Red Star Arms might just have what you're looking for.

 

[AK103K]

I do it one of two ways. If I want to dump the mag, I just hit the mag release with the middle finger of my right hand while its on the grip while slightly depressing the muzzle and the empty mag falls out. Then insert the fresh mag and reach under and with the palm of my left hand flat on the reciver, hook the charging handle with my thumb and charge it.

If you want to swap mags, I take the new mag and slip it behind the mag in the gun towards the bottom of the mag with the new mag facing down and curving opposite the one in the gun. (looks like a shallow "S" when together.) While holding both in your left hand, hit the mag release with your middle finger of your right hand and rock them forward and then down while continuing to rotate the bottom mag to the top and rock the new one in. Once I take care of the empty or partial mag, I still work the charging handle anyway so I know for sure the gun is loaded. This works a lot easier and faster than it sounds once you've pracrticed it a little bit.

 

[Correia]

I use a Vepr in 3gun so I get lots of practice changing magazines fast. Since I shoot with my support hand grasping the magazine as if it was a forward grip, I just trip the release with my thumb, and then go for the spare. I don't like the hit the release with the fresh magazine trick because it is too fine of a motor skill for me to do really quickly.

 

[DMK]

I can do reloads much faster if I do everything with my right hand...sure, I can't keep the gun ready on target by taking my firing hand away from the trigger, but reloads are much faster and easier.

I agree with you Natedog. I hold the rifle with my support hand, grab a fresh mag, drop the spent one by smacking the release with my thumb, insert the fresh mag and charge a round all with my right hand. I don't like swapping the rifle from one hand to another.

I basically do a mirror image of reloading a FAL.