Revisiting the RAK47. In this article, this Riley Defense AK47 Review is a return to the archives from back in 2021. This article originally ran on 9-24-21.
I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot a lot of firearms over the years, and I understand how the consumer market can be incredibly quick to denounce a manufacturer. It subsequently takes years for them to rebuild their reputation, if they can at all.
For example, I remember when WASR-10s were considered trash, but with refinement, they eventually became the most commonly recommended entry-level AK. These days, WASR-10s retail for about $1,000, leaving what I consider a void in the entry-level AK market.
RAK47: Why the Hate?
For Riley Defense, the criticism started in 2018 when the AK Operators Union began a series of Riley AK reviews (q.v. below) where it failed spectacularly at the 300-500 round count. The Riley AK saw notable wear after AKOU’s legendary torture tests, and the headspace shifted, making it no longer safe to fire.
In defense (ha! see what I did there?) of Riley Defense, they took this feedback to heart and made some changes to the design, which were seemingly well received. However, despite the support of some notable members of the AK community for the new and improved Riley AK, the stigma remained.
This support is what led me to give the RAK-47 C-L a chance. Like a lot of people, I’ve been shooting a lot of 7.62×39 since 2020 simply because it’s accessible and still relatively affordable. I purchased the RAK-47 for around $780 shortly after the Covid-induced shortage started.
As of this writing, it’s more common to see these in the $850-$950 range; this is an incredibly competitive cost tier, currently dominated by the Zastava m70 ZPAP and PSA’s GF5.
RAK-47 CL Features
Out of the box, the RAK-47 CL doesn’t really bolster any mind-blowing specs. It’s an entry-level AK pattern rifle with a stamped receiver, 16.25″ 4150 nitride barrel, black oxide finish and now boasts a forged trunnion after Riley Defense was put on blast for the weak cast trunnions in earlier models.
It does however have a notched safety selector that enables you to hold the bolt and charging handle back. This is more commonly an upgrade from Krebs Customs.
Out of the box the RAK-47 C-L includes a single 30-round polymer magazine. The C-L stands for “Classic Laminate” as it’s a barebones classic AK with laminate wood furniture which, admittedly, is a very attractive bright-red. More on that later.
Specs
- Laminate wood buttstock, upper and lower hand guards and plastic polymer grip.
- Black oxide finish
- Fully Heat-Treated, Mil-spec stamped Receiver
- 4150 Nitride Barrel (16.25” length), 14×1 LH thread
- FORGED Trunion, bolt and carrier
- Machined scope mount side rail
- Front and rear sight (both adjustable)
- Bolt hold-open Safety Lever
- Bayonet Lug
- Cleaning Rod
- Extended magazine release
- Magazine Capacity: 30
- Semi-automatic closed-bolt action
- Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm
- Range: 350 yds (effective), 1000 yds (Max)
Riley Defense AK47 Review
How Did the RAK-47 Perform?
A few brave souls in the AK community have come to defend the RAK-47. The forged trunnion seems to fix the headspace issue and the general consensus is that reliability has improved by leaps and bounds. I can attest to this as I’ve put 2,000 rounds through it using magazines from MagPul, XTS, and even surplus Korean and Croatian mags with zero failures.
I’m not huge on accuracy tests in my reviews unless you’re diving deep into the precision shooting world. In reality, most modern firearms will be way more accurate than you are. This wasn’t my experience with the RAK-47. A few months ago I reviewed the Zastava M70 ZPAP and included footage slapping steel silhouettes at 277 yards with no problem using irons. I struggled to consistently make contact with targets at 200 yards with the RAK-47.
Okay, that’s weird. Maybe I was off that day. Well, I was lucky enough to be filming with Josh Greenough, co-owner of Apostles Firearms Academy, and he gave it a try. Josh is admittedly a much better shooter than I am, and he even had problems hitting 200 yards with the RAK-47. This is disappointing, considering this is something I can do all day with my decades-old Yugo SKS. 200 yards is just at the cusp of the intermediate range in my book.
Knowing the historical baggage around headspacing, I was diligent in checking this every 400 rounds. It’s still not uncommon for folks to report a no-go signal at the 700-1,000 round mark. It appears my RAK-47 is an exception and never signaled a no-go so I’m relieved that Riley Defense seems to have this sorted out, at least in my sample size of one.
Riley Defense AK47 Problems: the RAK47 bolt face and trunnion seem to have been improved.
Ergonomically…it’s an AK. If you’ve ever shot one, you’ll know how this feels against your shoulder. It’s tons of fun. The safety lever is surprisingly easy to engage and I was able to manipulate it from ‘safe’ to ‘fire’ using my index finger without any trouble.
The rifle’s laminate wood furniture is incredibly eye-catching. It contrasts nicely against the rifle’s black oxide finish but unfortunately, it’s prone to marring. I usually shoot two times per week and I don’t own any safe queens. As a precaution to prevent myself from indulging in any hoarding tendencies, I have a simple rule: If I don’t shoot one of my firearms within a one-year period I have to sell or trade it. I don’t baby my guns.
The RAK-47’s black oxide finish does not hold up well. Marring is very evident in the footage I’ve captured as well as in the included images. The laminate wood furniture looks great but it feels incredibly cheap. The finish on my rifle looks like it’s been thru a lot more than I’ve put it through in my 2,000+ round review.
What You Should Buy Instead
Look I’m a sucker for the underdog. I wanted the RAK-47 to blow me away and I wanted to sing its praises as the best entry-level AK pattern rifle on the market. But after a year and a half of use and over 2,000 rounds thru it… the truth is, the RAK-47 is punching well under its weight once you consider the price relative to its features.
I’m happy to contribute my experience to the evolution of the RAK-47’s design and I do believe that Riley has made some good improvements over the Gen 1 model of this rifle but I can’t recommend this rifle in good faith knowing there are far superior AK pattern rifles on the market at a better price point, or for just a little bit more money.
The Palmetto State Armory GF3 AK can commonly be had for $799 which is about what I paid for the RAK-47 and about $100 less than what the RAK-47 currently retails for. The GF3 can regularly be found for closer to $650-$700 on sale even in the current climate. Interestingly, the PSA GF3 was also once a hated American-made AK pattern rifle but PSA has made substantial improvements over the years and it’s now held to be an adequate entry-level AK.
Moving up in price, If you’re willing to pay a little more, the Zastava m70 ZPAP is an objectively better rifle that I also own. It’s made by an established manufacturer that offers a chrome-lined barrel for just a few hundred dollars more coming in at around $1,000.
All in all, it seems the critical failure points that have plagued the RAK-47 have been addressed but accuracy and cosmetic finish remain an issue. If this were a $500 rifle, I’d be more inclined to give it a green light but if you’re pricing a rifle at one of the most competitive price tiers ($800-$900) you’ve got to come with more than this.
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That’s a great review. The truth being told is refreshing. I’ve owned over 25 AH-type rifles over 40 years. They all worked well. I currently have three Zastava rifles in three calibers, 5.56mm, 7.62×39 mm and 7.62x51mm. The only AK better were Valmets and Galils. Polytech Legend Type 56 were excellent
I’ve had mine for several years, RAK47C. I am unsure what others are getting or buying but mine functions in the Arsenal and Izshmash rifle I have levels of performance and fit and finish. I had the red furniture which I’m not a huge fan of but I purchased some plum AKM furniture and the fit and finish was absolutely precise. The welds, rivets, machining are perfect. I have no issue with brass cased ammo, quality ammo I can play well beyond 200 yards. Is it my Arsenals, no, but it’s priced way less. Maybe I got lucky, but mines a keeper. Versus every century product regardless the rarity or value of the build foundation nothing touches the Riley, unless you want to put out a larger chunk of change.
hi my name is terry i just got a riley defense r a k sorry to bust some bubbles but these people riley defense make trash and are rude service is the pits do not buy this gun u will regret it worst buy in my life
Thank you for your review. In the day of skyrocketed arms costs, this helps in the decision making for those who seek “bank account” wise decisions. Thank you again.
I purchased a RAK-47C and it preformed flawlessly. Decent corrosion protection with the nitride finish but great Teak Furniture. It recently had a range accident of some one handling a Hand Gun that discharged and shot the gas tube. After talking with Riley they received the bolt carrier put a new piston on it and sent me a new gas tube with in 2 days. Received it on the 3rd. Tech support is excellent. Couldn’t believe a company responded so good to their customers. Give them 10 STARS.
Riley Defense firearms are American-made, well-built, accurate out to at least 200 yards for me, with rock solid durable handling, and they have awesome customer service. Literally there have been 7,000 plus rounds run through my first RAK and not one issue has occurred, ever! Any previous concerns with RAKs are history, live in the present and anyone with an RAK will tell you they don’t have mechanical/operational issues. BTW, Riley’s customer service is top-notch, bar none. As a former Marine with a wide variety of firearm experience, I highly recommend to anyone purchasing their first AK to make it a Riley Defense.
We are happy to read this awesome content and we finds it very interesting and useful. Thanks for sharing and please keep posting.
I purchased a Riley AK47 a few weeks ago…….drive it hard ….no complaints!!
It’s as accurate as I am, using irons for now will put a scope on soon. I have “old eyes” 74 yrs.
Don’t plan on any other gun.
I’ve Had mine over 3 years, over 4000 rds no issues, still shoots great. the blue finish has some wear marks at the dust cover which is normal, my Wasr does too. Mine is a poly stock with no wear on it.
Nothing but trouble with the Riley AK 47. First time I tried to chamber a round it hung up 1/3 open. Clled Riley and technician said hit it with a block of wood. Three blocks of wood didn’t fix ANYTHING. ALSO, when trying to activate the charging of the round into the chamber there were three SEVERELY razor sharp out cropings that ripped my finger nearly to the bone. I bought the rifle at Rural KING WHO does not GIVE REFUNDS EVEN AFTER GUN WAS RETURNED TO THEM WITHIN THE THREE DAY Fed limit. R. King sent it back to Riley for repairs. Riley’s gun smith documented “MY” AK was defective from the factory. NO REFUND. They shipped it back to R. King who initiated ANOTHER back ground check. I purchased the gun in April and STILL am refused possession after I ALREADY was sold the gun and passed a background check. . TRASHING my second amendment rights. Where is a good lawyer when one is needed?
I own a Riley Defense RAK74. It is hands down the biggest piece of sh@#s I’ve ever shot. Blind firehose accuracy, the bolt carrier is already peening. I can’t even hold a decent group at 50yds. The worst part is, I sent it back to get fixed and they sent me a rifle with the same exact problems. Do yourself a favor, steer clear of Riley Defense, too many other great options, might have to spend more, but you’ll actually get a functional rifle.
I purchased the Riley Defense AK 47 with TEAK wood furniture after they changed to the forged trunion. The purchase price was $590 from Bud’s online. Granted, this was a sale price and they cost more today. I am pleased with with the Riley AK and glad I choose the real wood over the laminated wood furniture. I also prefer to drive a $60k BMW over a $15k KIA. But, I am not going to bash the KIA. It is a workable automobile and will transport you from place to place.
I have a Riley Defense MFT and it’s motherfreaking SOLID son…. has been absolutely nothing but great. Do I purposefully try to break it? No, I think that’s basically mental illness unless you’re just independently wealthy. But would I use it to defend my family and myself in event of a emergency… absolutely. It’s great.
@ the man – Norinco AKMs are top notch rifles, arguably among the best of the type.
Putting Norinco AKs down says that you know NOTHING about AKMs
The most hated is anything made by Century Arms and IO.
Thank you for your comment! I wrote the article and at the time of the writing a few weeks ago, the GF3 was around $700 still. I just checked again and they have GF3’s in stock starting at $699 right now still.
PSA GK3 or what ever it goes by a see almost daily in their email blast I signed up for at a GRAND for BLEMISHED versions because they THINK forged trunnions and barrels on beat up AK is a reality. Fact is a grand which is the cost and well over that for the non blemished model so this guy should of checked prices before making recommendations. Good review though and glad he chose to do this particular AK since Classic Firearms has it every week over and over for sale and seems to be the only AK they can reliably get. If a rifle is no good after a few thousand rounds and has become known for this it should be cut from manufacturing since how would you know it’s a garbage rifle unless you buy it? GOOD RELEVANT post!
Thank you for your comment! I wrote the article and at the time of the writing a few weeks ago, the GF3 was around $700 still. I just checked again and they have GF3’s in stock starting at $699 right now still.
Only good cheaper AK is a parts kit gun built using a former Warsaw Pact or red china carrier, bolt and front trunnion. A original barrel is a premium.
Even at 500.00 that is way to much….sadly the Chinese Norincos are better than this junk Riley is putting out…..I would stay far away.
Wrong. The new, improved Zastava, Riley, and PSA AK-47’s are good, reliable guns for the price.
Whoa whoa, let’s pump the brakes. We can’t forget about I.O. Inc if we are talking about AK’s with issues. Mine went 50 rds then the bolt sheared in half lengthwise and ejected itself. Now they did make good on the lifetime warranty but I had to pay shipping and it took about 14mths just for them to send me a whole new rifle. Possibly to their credit this one has run fine so far.
oh good call out haha- i wasnt brave enough to test an IO
My memory fails me, but I believe that one of the Great legends of Rifle Shooting (Jack O’Conner perhaps?)
Once stated that “Only accurate rifles were interesting”.
Gun Maker’s please make note.
As I get older my eyes are now limited to 100 yards of accuracy with iron sights. Almost all of my long guns use a red dot or a scope.
I came here for some produce pics & I leave learning something new! Fantastic info, if I went Cold War maybe I’d pick one up. As a child of apple pie I just can’t let these haggard ugly troll hands touch an AK
When a company produces a firearm and it fails miserably, we the consumers expect them to fix the problems, not run from them. When they don’t they get a bad rap.
Then when they put out a second firearm with accuracy issues, they retain the title.
I am not sure if the market for AK’s is similar to that of AR’s, but every Tom Dick and Harry is now trying to produce them and all the gimmicks and accessories you can imagine. I’m sure there are going to be some “duds” in that line also.
DUDE! Where did you get that Snorlax onesy? That’s pretty spiff. Seriously.
2 things I retrospectively regret, selling my ’68 Dodge Charger in 1976 for $400, when one with the exact same everything including color, but not in as good of shape, sold about 17 years later for $165,000 at a Barrett Jackson auction, and selling my Eastern European made underfolder for 250, the exact same price I paid for it for from SOG back in the day. Nobody wanted them back then it seems. Should of held on to both for a few more years.
Seriously… How hard do you have to try to screw up an AK???
It’s sad when parts filtering down through barefoot illiterate goat-herders are more dependable than than the product of a state-of-the-art, American production facility.
Will,
I’m sure the goat humpers… I mean farmers, don’t do a lot of testing, reviews, and in-depth investigations into their pew-pews. I’ve seen a lot of combat footage from the last 20 years that shows a lot of goat and camel entrepreneurs working their collective butts off trying to clear a jam in their AKs! So maybe those weapons aren’t as foolproof as we like to portray them as?
Guns of all kinds eventually have problems. The best thing about most AK-47’s is their ability to keep working in all kinds of geography, altitude, climate, weather, and dirty conditions. That’s why more AK’s are sold worldwide than any other gun.
Now don’t having made the silly comment, this was an excellent read. It is good to see that they’re trying to make improvements to their products but it m also not surprised at the conclusions made at the end of the article. Thanks Hush!
Yea, seems that the price just doesn’t match quality.
I have a GF3 that I purchased last year, zero problems strait out of the box.
For the price, I would agree, the PSA GF3 is by far the better purchase.
Make AK touch pepeen 😉
Cheesecake > pie
Will it AK stuffed with craq and feet pics?
I’d say this is a fair amd well thought out review with the potential to help a lot of people, however Why were there no feet pictured in the review absolutely ridiculous how can I decide to buy or not buy a gun if I can’t see it operated by feet as well as hands?
Zastava if you have the bread for it. But im going to stick with my, highpoint 9mm because it is the best thing ever. pew pew