Old AK

6989 Views 58 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Free radical, Jul 27, 2020

Free radical

Discussion Starter · Jul 20, 2020

A family heirloom from my late dad, can anyone help me identify this piece, what's good and what's bad about it? Thank you

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Free radical

Discussion Starter · #21 · Jul 20, 2020

The forearm iron is covered in that brown paint, that's why I thought someone done it locally, and the wooden scroll flower stuck on the stock, wished it was an under folder really, but even with the fixed butt, the AK is not unwieldy, it's fairly compact.

And to think that I wanted to sand and smooth out the wood to reveal the grain then put a few coats of lacker on her...

Free radical

Discussion Starter · #22 · Jul 20, 2020

By the way, most people sneer at fixed stock AKs here, everyone wants the Polish underfolder; the one with stamped receiver and "11" inside an oval near the trunnion, that's the one that fetches high dollar here, I tend to disagree

scottyb

· #23 · Jul 20, 2020

Polish AKMs are certainly nice, the Bulgarian milled AKs are just as nice.

Everyone has their preference I guess.

Indykid

· #24 · Jul 20, 2020

Welcome to our group!!

Beautiful Bulgarian AK!

Wish we in the land of "shall not be infringed" were able to own something as nice as that rifle!

Almost embarrassed by the number of people who automatically assumed you were going to get a call from our wonderful AT and unconstitutional F agency. We are a World Wide Website and I am thrilled when someone outside the USA logs in!

Reactions: 2

Free radical

Discussion Starter · #25 · Jul 20, 2020

Indykid said:
Welcome to our group!!

Beautiful Bulgarian AK!

Wish we in the land of "shall not be infringed" were able to own something as nice as that rifle!

Almost embarrassed by the number of people who automatically assumed you were going to get a call from our wonderful AT and unconstitutional F agency. We are a World Wide Website and I am thrilled when someone outside the USA logs in!

Thank you for the warm welcome and the information, yes I assumed it had something to do with the full auto function, I really appreciate the concern of some members not to open the eyes of the federal government.

I should shoot it a little bit and get used to it, I mean I've had some military training in the 90's but I didn't use this rifle (it was an M16 actually, which has seen better days) and given the circumstances here and now, I hope I won't have to use it...

Other than the weight (and price) , what are the negatives of this AK? (the lack of a muzzle device?)

I saw Larry Vickers shooting one of these on his YouTube channel, I think he owns it but he didn't say much about it.

scottyb

· #26 · Jul 20, 2020

You can certainly put a better muzzle device on it.

There are many to choose from, just get the correct threads. 14LH

Indykid

· #27 · Jul 20, 2020

There are really no negative with an AK. They are probably among, if not the most reliable firearm ever made. The lack of muzzle devices really isn't a problem. There is a "slant brake" made for them that helps with full auto fire. With out the slant brake, the AK muzzle climbs up and to the right. The slant brake helps counter that.

Just to let you know about price, here in the USA about 15 years ago at a gun show I got to hold a true Soviet made AK that was a legal to own Vietnam bring back. The seller was asking $50,000 for it!!! There are not many legal to own for a USA citizen Soviet made Kalashnikov.

Enjoy your Bulgarian, a great variation of the Soviet Kalashnikov!!!

Haris122

· #28 · Jul 20, 2020 (Edited)

Free radical said:
Hardly free... It's illegal to own rifled firearms here except with a special permit, civilians are only allowed to own smoothbore shotguns and bird shot, but the majority of the population here illegally keeps weapons for protection especially during the 70s to 90s, I never shot that piece, but my dad told me despite the stereotypes that AKs are inaccurate, he could hit the rim of a car tire at more than 300 meters, I'll have to check and confirm but it's very difficult to shoot such pieces here, I just cannot go to the range and shoot, I'll have to find a deserted area or have some protection or some sort of cover, and ammo is very expensive here

Your situation in regard to owning guns in Lebanon sounds a lot like in Bosnia. Probably a common trend in places where wars are sadly a more recent occurrence. Very prohibitive but "illegally" kept weapons hidden away by a decent chunk of the population.

Though I will say, last I inquired with relatives about it at least there is some limited bolt, low capacity semi auto rifle, and even handgun ownership allowed in Bosnia. I was a little surprised about the semi auto rifle bit given the history of gun laws there. Unfortunately even if you do get approved to own any of them (which I think is still not that easy), it's kind of a moot point as the price of legal ammo is so prohibitive considering what people earn, that the vast majority of legal gun owners could barely afford to shoot 3-5 shots yearly, and that's if they have someplace free to shoot.

Btw, sweet fixed stock milled AK, and, sorry for your loss. Seems like you got a very nice looking, long lasting gun.

I think I like the older style wood stocks, the most personally. I actually prefer a little higher comb tham the AKM style ones seem to have. I feel like with those I either have to crank my neck down more or hold the rifle higher up the shoulder for a good sight picture. So I'm not as big a fan of the newer AKM style wood stock or the underfolding stocks.

Btw, what do you have carved on the one side of the stock?

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Free radical

Discussion Starter · #29 · Jul 20, 2020

Haris122 said:
Free radical said:

Hardly free... It's illegal to own rifled firearms here except with a special permit, civilians are only allowed to own smoothbore shotguns and bird shot, but the majority of the population here illegally keeps weapons for protection especially during the 70s to 90s, I never shot that piece, but my dad told me despite the stereotypes that AKs are inaccurate, he could hit the rim of a car tire at more than 300 meters, I'll have to check and confirm but it's very difficult to shoot such pieces here, I just cannot go to the range and shoot, I'll have to find a deserted area or have some protection or some sort of cover, and ammo is very expensive here

Click to expand...

Your situation in regard to owning guns in Lebanon sounds a lot like in Bosnia. Probably a common trend in places where wars are sadly a more recent occurrence. Very prohibitive but "illegally" kept weapons hidden away by a decent chunk of the population.

Though I will say, last I inquired with relatives about it at least there is some limited bolt, low capacity semi auto rifle, and even handgun ownership allowed in Bosnia. I was a little surprised about the semi auto rifle bit given the history of gun laws there. Unfortunately even if you do get approved to own any of them (which I think is still not that easy), it's kind of a moot point as the price of legal ammo is so prohibitive considering what people earn, that the vast majority of legal gun owners could barely afford to shoot 3-5 shots yearly, and that's if they have someplace free to shoot.

Btw, sweet fixed stock milled AK, and, sorry for your loss. Seems like you got a very nice looking, long lasting gun.

I think I like the older style wood stocks, the most personally. I actually prefer a little higher comb tham the AKM style ones seem to have. I feel like with those I either have to crank my neck down more or hold the rifle higher up the shoulder for a good sight picture. So I'm not as big a fan of the newer AKM style wood stock or the underfolding stocks.

Btw, what do you have carved on the one side of the stock?

The cheek weld on the stock is perfect for me, I see a good sight picture, I just wish that rear sight was a bit closer though.

That's not carved on the stock, it's like a wooden floral pattern glued on, I guess my dad had an artistic style on the battlefield 😁, I'm hesitant to remove it, because it will surely leave a mark, I got used to it, I will post a clear picture of it soon.

Oh, I remember, the plastic pistol grip is too slippery if you don't have gloves on, so if you're pointing the muzzle up and you have a loaded clip and want to rack the charging handle, you better have a strong grip or the muzzle has a tendency to drop down, u have to brace it against your elbow or jam it against your hip while doing that.

Sunspot

· #30 · Jul 20, 2020

Beautiful rifle, looks brand new for a 50 year old weapon. I would leave the decal/flower alone. Keep it oiled up, just as it is. The old milled AKs shoot really nice, far better than the newer stamped AKM style. Your father certainly knew a what a great rifle it is.

My condolences to your family on loss of your father.

Reactions: 3

JeepFan

· #31 · Jul 20, 2020

That is one good looking Milled Bulgarian.

You have inherited a very nice AK. Think of it as inheriting a classic car that has not been messed with or abused over it's lifetime. Pending pics of the floral pattern scroll work, I'd probably not want to change a thing. Besides it's how your Dad gave it to you. Nice Soviet slab side magazine too.

How expensive is 7.62x39 for you?

Free radical

Discussion Starter · #32 · Jul 21, 2020

JeepFan said:
That is one good looking Milled Bulgarian.

You have inherited a very nice AK. Think of it as inheriting a classic car that has not been messed with or abused over it's lifetime. Pending pics of the floral pattern scroll work, I'd probably not want to change a thing. Besides it's how your Dad gave it to you. Nice Soviet slab side magazine too.

How expensive is 7.62x39 for you?

Thank you, I only have 4 magazines for her, 2 of these slab sided ones and 2 of the corrugated ones, the 30 rounders typically go for $75 to $80 filled up, I can find Egyptian, Iraqi or Syrian made ammo for $1 a round or $2 for Serbian, Ukrainian or Russian ammo, by any standard that is prohibitive as a price, (parallel market rate is around 9,000 LBP to the dollar and going up at an alarming rate), one has to be affiliated with either some political leader or militia to get his paws on some free ammo which I'm not.

Reactions: 1

JeepFan

· #33 · Jul 21, 2020

Free radical said:
Thank you, I only have 4 magazines for her, 2 of these slab sided ones and 2 of the corrugated ones, the 30 rounders typically go for $75 to $80 filled up, I can find Egyptian, Iraqi or Syrian made ammo for $1 a round or $2 for Serbian, Ukrainian or Russian ammo, by any standard that is prohibitive as a price, (parallel market rate is around 9,000 LBP to the dollar and going up at an alarming rate), one has to be affiliated with either some political leader or militia to get his paws on some free ammo which I'm not.

A belated welcome to the forum and thank you for your answer. That is very pricey ammo.

Free radical

Discussion Starter · #34 · Jul 21, 2020

Tell me about it!!!! And it's mediocre at best.
That target I'm shooting at better be worth it

Reactions: 1

scottyb

· #35 · Jul 21, 2020

Some what ironic that you have a very nice select fire AK but ammo is crazy expensive.

Here we have relatively cheap ammo but a selective fire AK is crazy expensive.

Reactions: 1

Free radical

Discussion Starter · #36 · Jul 21, 2020

scottyb said:
Some what ironic that you have a very nice select fire AK but ammo is crazy expensive.

Here we have relatively cheap ammo but a selective fire AK is crazy expensive.

The world is a very strange place nowadays...

7.62x39 will flood the market and be mostly free if war breaks out 🤔

But I'll gladly switch seats with you! 😆

Reactions: 2

Free radical

Discussion Starter · #37 · Jul 21, 2020

Looks like a good job, don't you think?

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5

Reactions: 5

scottyb

· #38 · Jul 21, 2020

Certainly unique.

Indykid

· #39 · Jul 21, 2020

The stock looks like a very special memory of your father.

AZAK

· #40 · Jul 22, 2020 (Edited)

Wonderful gun, the quality of bluing and plum hammer stood out for me and the stock design is priceless. Sorry for your loss, are you the eldest son?

For the moment, I'd suggest only shooting enough rounds to be familiar with operation and target acquisition with those sights, just a couple short full-auto bursts, then try to get at least another couple hundred rounds. Things are on the brink of a deep chasm, very much hoping some type of fiscal rescue package can be secured. I remember when Beirut was a vacation destination, the "Paris of the Middle East". So incredibly sad.

Hope those mags are full and you're surrounded by family and clan with access to a secure location outside of the city (if you're in one).

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