I’m thinking of picking up an AK once my funds recover from all those darned impulsive Mosin Nagant purchases, and I was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are for fixed stock versus folding stock AK’s.
The folders and 'pistol grip only' AK’s sure seem to be plentiful in gun shops around here lately, but I must confess to preferring the looks of the fixed stock. Nevertheless, I want functionality to trump appearance if the differences are significant.
Solid will be sturdier. Folding will be easier to store, looks cooler, and will be slightly lighter. You also might look into the tapco telescoping stock. I don't know how it works on the AK, but I have one on my SKS and I dearly love it! The telescoping is a lot more comfortable to me because I can adjust the length to fit me or whoever else is shooting. But, when it comes down to it, everyone is going to have a personal preference that may or may not agree with others. Do what feels right to you.
OK - so it sounds like I should be open to either the fixed stock or the folders, or any other variation for that matter.
Whichever one I can get the best deal on is the one I should get.
I'm presuming that shooting comfort doesn't necessarily translate to increased inaccuracy at the firing line, right?
Mostly I shoot the 7.62x54R cartridge through my Mosins, so recoil doesn't bother me. The sound of the muzzle blast does begin to bother me after an afternoon of shooting though. (I do like the flash though
LD
That should have said shooting discomfort.
Last edited by conanld; 11-20-2007 at 12:23 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I have both and like the under-folder better. I wrapped the left side of my under-folder with para cord so I don't have the cold, hard metal next to my face. It works well and still folds normally. I like the sight picture using the under-folder - I have problems with fixed AK's fitting me. They are usually way to short for me. The fixed yugo I have has a slightly longer stock which makes it better. Be sure to check out the Yugo M70 AK's. They are great buys. The underfolder does look way cooler!
I have all three stock options. Fixed, under folder & side folder. I don't have a preference for one above the other. They all are solid & I shoot them equally well (or bad).
I too wrap the left strut of my underfolders with para cord. My face gets neither hot nor cold depending on the weather.
Besides, the UF's just look cool!
I've shouldered a side-folder and didn't like it at all, since my head had to hang in the air at a cant to get a good sight picture; it gave no support to my face. I just purchased an AES-10 and the stock is about an inch too short, but it supports my face. I'll be modding-out another stock to replace it that will be longer and able to accept a cheekpad for scope use.
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I have to agree, the underfolder has the "coolness" yet you do give up a good cheek-weld and on cold days it can downright hurt. The fixed stocks are short in the lenght of pull area but that is easily fixed. I like them both and own one underfolder a couple of sidefolders and a few fixed stock carbines. Here are two pics one of my FEG AKMS the other is my Romanian WASR-2...
Billy,
I agree, the LOP on the WASR was too short. I lengthened the LOP with a thick neoprene pad. Please note though that the cheekweld with the WASR is good as the stock is higher to the bore allowing a good weld to see through the POSP.
I like your SAIGA conversion, it looks like the angle of the stock could easily be changed to move the stock line up to accomodate a better cheek weld. A milling machine be needed but I think it would help with sighting, recoil and esthetics.
