AK-47

Building an AK is a very fun and satisfying experience. It is often the only way to obtain an example of a particular model. I encountered a lot of interesting variants of Kalashnikov in my time overseas. I have really enjoyed cloning different models that I encountered.

We introduced Century Arms’ new, American-made AK at SHOT Show 2019. It’s the 7.62x39mm-shooting VSKA (pronounced vis-kuh, and, even though it’s made in the USA, it sounds better with an Eastern European accent). I’ve had some time with this gun and I’ve put a few rounds through it, and I’ve carried it around a lot. I like it. Let me show you why.

Anwar Sadat served as the third President of Egypt. His story is a cautionary tale about the risks associated bringing peace to the Middle East.

Lightweight, rugged, and maneuverable, the Czech vz. 58 represents a tiny glimmer of individuality in the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War.

Aklys Defense is happily teasing their upcoming new gun, the Velociraptor. The Velociraptor is a short-barreled integrally suppressed AK-pattern rifle.

I am not generally a fan of the AK-47 family of weapons; I have spent too much time on the receiving end of them. But I am a fan of all things American made, so I was more than happy to review a couple of offerings from Century Arms.  Anything Commies can do, we can do better. And the boys from Vermont have set out to do just that. 

You have probably seen those advertisements for AK parts kits in your favorite gun magazine and wondered, “What are those all about?” Or you have put together an AR-15 or three and now seek a new challenge. Building an AK is a very interesting and rewarding experience. You come to truly appreciate the genius in the simplicity of the design.

Following World War II, a group of nations were consolidated into what we referred to as Yugoslavia, ruled by a man named Tito. Not owing his ascension to power to the Soviet Union, but still being a communist, he proclaimed that Yugoslavia would go a third way, part of neither the East nor the West. The Yugoslavian military adopted the basic pattern of the Soviet AKM rifle and made some alterations to adapt it to their doctrine. Rifle grenades were thought of as a huge force multiplier by the Yugoslavians, which resulted in several of those modifications.

The Red Army C39V2 has changed all that; this is a modern gun that offers options for lights, optics, and a pain-free shooting experience for the human holding it. Accuracy has been improved, and reliability has been maintained. To top it all off, this package can be purchased without funding a system that does not have our best interests at heart. This is truly an American gun, for Americans.