Tapco AK stocks
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MTMilitiaman
Member
I had a TAPCO Galil style folder once. Took it to the range once. It made a goofy "SPOING" sound and broke. So I cussed, a little more than once. Threw it in the trash once. Put an ACE folder on the rifle, and looked back a little less than once.
So if you want to learn from someone else's mistake and get it right the first time, stay the hell away from TAPCO folding stocks.
So if you want to learn from someone else's mistake and get it right the first time, stay the hell away from TAPCO folding stocks.
hankdatank1362
Member
Ahhhh!! TAPCO!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Seriously... avoid crapCO like the plague.
Seriously... avoid crapCO like the plague.
Fu-man Shoe
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Why all the negativity towards TAPCO? I like them. They make some pretty good stuff, and they're out there trying new things. I dont think that without companies like tapco, a lot of the newer AK stuff would not have been designed and marketed. Tapco really opened up the way on that. If nothing else, give them credit for that.
I've never had a serious problem with anything I've bought from tapco, although to be fair I have only ever tried their AK flavor offerings.
Seriously, why all the hate? Tapco makes a good product, and they stand behind it with a good warranty and excellent customer service.
I've never had a serious problem with anything I've bought from tapco, although to be fair I have only ever tried their AK flavor offerings.
Seriously, why all the hate? Tapco makes a good product, and they stand behind it with a good warranty and excellent customer service.
Dgreno
Member
I have Tapco furniture on 3 different guns, including an AK varient and think their quality is top notch. Ive never had a problem with their products or their CS. I have Tapco SKS mags, Trigger groups, gas piston/operating rods, and a few tools.
Hankdatank, Please explain your post...
Hankdatank, Please explain your post...
MTMilitiaman
Member
TAPCO can be hit or miss, in my experience.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their G2 trigger group. It was money well spent and I highly recommend it. I have their M249 style pistol grip on my WASR and it works well too. But their Galil style folder was crap. The hinge mechanism was plastic. I had the rifle cleared, buttstock in my hip, and IIRC, was adjusting the sling when the rifle slipped. It fell about 2 feet, landed buttstock first on the ground, and the locking mechanism exploded with a cartoony SPOING. I heared they redesigned the stock and maybe it's better. But in my opinion, there are better options out there. I would look for the real deal from Kvar Corp or Tantal, or do with the ACE as I did, before spending money on the TAPCO folding stock. I was also advised against their Galil style handguards, so I went with the TDI (now CAA, if I am not mistaken) and haven't regretted it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their G2 trigger group. It was money well spent and I highly recommend it. I have their M249 style pistol grip on my WASR and it works well too. But their Galil style folder was crap. The hinge mechanism was plastic. I had the rifle cleared, buttstock in my hip, and IIRC, was adjusting the sling when the rifle slipped. It fell about 2 feet, landed buttstock first on the ground, and the locking mechanism exploded with a cartoony SPOING. I heared they redesigned the stock and maybe it's better. But in my opinion, there are better options out there. I would look for the real deal from Kvar Corp or Tantal, or do with the ACE as I did, before spending money on the TAPCO folding stock. I was also advised against their Galil style handguards, so I went with the TDI (now CAA, if I am not mistaken) and haven't regretted it.
I've got an Ace and a Tapco folder. The Ace is far nicer. It is also far more expensive. The Tapco stock works just fine. It doesn't look as nice as the Ace. You don't have all the different options that you do with the Ace, (length, collapsible, right or left side folding, etc...). It's got a little bit of wiggle to it, but when you consider that you can buy them new for $45, (got mine for $25), they're not half bad. They're lightweight, comfortable, cheap and easy to use.
The first batch they made had a plastic hinge pin. This turned out to be a bad idea. They've been using metal hinge pins for a couple of years now though and those are supposed to be OK.
The reason I got mine for $25 is because the place I got it from was trying to dump their Tapco folders with the plastic pin. I knew this when I bought it and if the pin ever breaks I intend on turning a new one on my lathe.
The first batch they made had a plastic hinge pin. This turned out to be a bad idea. They've been using metal hinge pins for a couple of years now though and those are supposed to be OK.
The reason I got mine for $25 is because the place I got it from was trying to dump their Tapco folders with the plastic pin. I knew this when I bought it and if the pin ever breaks I intend on turning a new one on my lathe.
chupacabrah
Member
Here is mine (in black):
The stock and PG both feel well constructed. the stock actually feels MUCH more substantial than the stock that came on my Saiga.
The stock and PG both feel well constructed. the stock actually feels MUCH more substantial than the stock that came on my Saiga.
hankdatank1362
Member
Ok... let's begin with my critique of the TAPCO set that came on my AK.
The fron handguards are so ill fitting that the plastic top grill that covers the gas assembly will pop out after a couple dozen rounds.
The rear folding stock has no possibility of any kind of cheek weld. The seams from when the plastic was molded are so sharp and jagged that they will actually cut your face (I know.. I had to sand mine smooth), and the rifle cannot be fired with the stock folded, as it interferes with the bolt handle upon recoil. Is it too much that the bolt handle be allowed clearance, or make a stock that folds to the left of the rifle (I know they exist)
I'm just glad I didn't spend any money on the crap. It all came with my AK.
Fu-man Shoe
Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2005
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Sounds like your folding stock is out of whack...I have put tapco folders on several AK builds that I've done, and they have all been able to fire with the stock folded. I wonder what the deal is with yours?? That's not normal. Have you tried calling them up and seeking some sort of resolution... Tapco is very customer service oriented, and will go to lengths to avoid leaving an unhappy customer.
I will concede you a point on the stock, in that where you would get a cheekweld, that area is a little rough.
I have also cut my cheek on a tapco folder, and did the same sandpaper fix you mention.
On the galil handguard, have you tried bending the sides in while you clamp down the handguard ferrule? Some AK's differ a little, and will have varying fits, and ocassionally you will need to do a
custom fit, and either shim up, or remove material.
I suppose I am rather forgiving of tapco products, but I really like a company that's not afraid to try new things, and actually put them at a price point where they're accessable. Not to mention they have real live people who will answer the phone and help you with any issues. Lots of people gripe about the lack of customer service these days, but tapco is one of the few places that actually support the stuff they sell.
Now I just wish they would make a bullpup kit for the AK!
I will concede you a point on the stock, in that where you would get a cheekweld, that area is a little rough.
I have also cut my cheek on a tapco folder, and did the same sandpaper fix you mention. On the galil handguard, have you tried bending the sides in while you clamp down the handguard ferrule? Some AK's differ a little, and will have varying fits, and ocassionally you will need to do a
custom fit, and either shim up, or remove material.
I suppose I am rather forgiving of tapco products, but I really like a company that's not afraid to try new things, and actually put them at a price point where they're accessable. Not to mention they have real live people who will answer the phone and help you with any issues. Lots of people gripe about the lack of customer service these days, but tapco is one of the few places that actually support the stuff they sell.
Now I just wish they would make a bullpup kit for the AK!
I've done two Saiga conversions with Tapco folders now. I didn't notice any problem with a cheek weld on either of them. I did notice a couple of issues with a Saiga 12 that I did for a buddy though. He's about 6" shorter than me, so it wasn't a problem for him, but when we shot magnum loads through that thing, there was a sharp angle near the receiver on the stock and the recoil was enough to make it hit my cheek bone. If it were my gun I would file that angle down. It wasn't an issue with my Saiga .223 though since the recoil is much lighter.
Also, we did have problems with the Saiga 12 jamming when the stock was folded. The bolt handle would normally clear the stock if operated manually, but the recoil of the 12 gauge would cause the stock to move just enough during firing that it would interfere with the movement of the bolt handle.
Also, we did have problems with the Saiga 12 jamming when the stock was folded. The bolt handle would normally clear the stock if operated manually, but the recoil of the 12 gauge would cause the stock to move just enough during firing that it would interfere with the movement of the bolt handle.
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