AK Rifles banner

AK74 Russian Laminate Stock Difference?

560 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Syros
I purchased a stock set from the Russian vendor a few years ago, who is no longer selling. The stock has a very low comb like this one which is supposedly Izhevsk.
Air gun Trigger Wood Shotgun Line


What I was looking for is a higher cheek comb/rise like this.
Brown Wood Artifact Book Rectangle

I rarely have seen the lower comb stock like the top picture. Anyone know why, when or who made the lower comb version?
See less See more
2
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
I believe I found the answer in this thread:
Russian Wood Stocks
I think my low comb/ cheek weld stock was an imported replacement set from Ukraine. The original color was the light honey tan. I will update with an original picture if I find one.
I don't believe that Ukraine ever made any wood parts as they did not make any AK rifles. Ukraine unlike Bulgaria had a large supply of Russian made military weapons having seen many military Makarov being exported from there as well as photos of definitively Russian AKMs.
It has always been my suspicion that these stocks, always referred to as Ukrainian/estonian were truly made in Russia by a contractor, probably not in the business of making weapons, to make parts for replacement. These parts as well as their AKM versions seem to be made to nearly the same specs, as far as materials go. A properly refinished replacement AKM set will be indistinguishable from a Russian take off. The low comb is not a result of being re-arsenaled, nearly every on that i have seen is like that. The only other thing I have noticed is that the workmanship in the machining of the wood suffers as there are a lot of roughly finished surfaces in the stock grooves and other spots as though the material was gouged away at a faster speed or by a different end mill. Would have been solved by better sanding.

Curiously, the finish on that top example image looks military to me, and that is something I've never seen before on such a stock
See less See more
I don't believe that Ukraine ever made any wood parts as they did not make any AK rifles. Ukraine unlike Bulgaria had a large supply of Russian made military weapons having seen many military Makarov being exported from there as well as photos of definitively Russian AKMs.
It has always been my suspicion that these stocks, always referred to as Ukrainian/estonian were truly made in Russia by a contractor, probably not in the business of making weapons, to make parts for replacement. These parts as well as their AKM versions seem to be made to nearly the same specs, as far as materials go. A properly refinished replacement AKM set will be indistinguishable from a Russian take off. The low comb is not a result of being re-arsenaled, nearly every on that i have seen is like that. The only other thing I have noticed is that the workmanship in the machining of the wood suffers as there are a lot of roughly finished surfaces in the stock grooves and other spots as though the material was gouged away at a faster speed or by a different end mill. Would have been solved by better sanding.

Curiously, the finish on that top example image looks military to me, and that is something I've never seen before on such a stock
Lol. That finish on the top stock is what I did for the refinish. I stripped it with Citi-Strip. Tried a Minwax kinda orange finish. Was not happy with it. Stripped it again but, the stain still left an orange tint. Then I used 7-8 Iodine wipes on it after letting each application dry. Then 2-3 coats of Amber Shellac. I was happy with the finish, just not the profile of the stock.
Before Finish
Second Pic is after refinish.

Attachments

See less See more
2
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Oh yeah you did a good job with that.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I don't believe that Ukraine ever made any wood parts as they did not make any AK rifles.
I'm sure that you are right, but there is a little nitcpick.
It could, while being part of the Soviet Union.
Balakleya was a big repair arsenal, stock should have a square mark.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Top