What improvements would you like to see to the AK and SKS Platform(s)?

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A left side charging handle and safety would be cool. I'd leave the lever the way it is, but just flip it to the left side.
 
make an AK better....hmmm.
if it can be done, it's called a Gallil!!!

I've never shot a Galil, but you're probably right.

I'd vote for bolt hold open after the last round.
 
I'm surprised to read so many posts about a charging handle of the left side, I think I'd rather have that sticking out away from my body as the weapon cycles.

FWIW, I saw a few references to using the right hand (assuming you're right handed) to operate the safety or charging handle. One should never move their hand from the pistol grip to manipulate the charging handle. It is proper to tilt the rifle and use your left hand to cycle the bolt.
 
One should never move their hand from the pistol grip to manipulate the charging handle. It is proper to tilt the rifle and use your left hand to cycle the bolt.

On an AR I agree. The AK, like the Garand or M14 isn't a AR and isn't manipulated like one.

I'd argue that the AK is more ergonomic than an AR because the controls are all within 4” of each other and easy to access with the right hand. Trigger, bolt handle, safety, mag release are all just right there close to each other.

An AR is like playing the piano: Trigger, safety, and mag release, right hand. Charging handle and bolt release, left hand.

If you fight the design the AK has crap ergos. If you work with the firearm it's pretty darn good. BSW
 
Funny thing is, no one ever asks for a left-hand bolt on the M1/M1A/Mini-14/M1 Carbine. For all intents, it operates the same as the AK bolt.
 
Better Stock/Sight alignment
Left side charging handle
Easier/Faster Magazine operation for loading and changing mags
Bolt hold open
Sight Radius/Sights

With all that said though, dont get me wrong, I love my WASR-10
 
"On an AR I agree. The AK, like the Garand or M14 isn't a AR and isn't manipulated like one."

I guess you've just got to do what works well for you. I was taught to do it that way as it is the fastest, most aggressive way to manually cycle the rifle and bring it back to ready. To each his own...
 
Valmet already did it years ago. What a shame the Valmets aren't available anymore, except as absurdly priced used specimens with even more ridiculously priced magazines. The Galil got all the glamor articles in the gun magazines, but the Valmet was really a better weapon. They are lighter, point better, and are decidedly less clunky than the Galil.

My old Valmet made all my other AK clones, Saigas, Chinese, and Yugos look like garbage by comparison. I've bought and sold lots of guns, but the Valmet is the only one I kick myself for ever letting go.
 
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An AR is like playing the piano: Trigger, safety, and mag release, right hand. Charging handle and bolt release, left hand.

If you fight the design the AK has crap ergos. If you work with the firearm it's pretty darn good. BSW
I find running the AK bolt with the left hand works best for me. But there's not One Right Way to do it; if you find you run it better with the right hand, then by all means run it that way.
 
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