Hey AK guys.... gotta question for ya

[Grey Wolf]

Hey guys,

As usual when I need to learn about something I come to y'all!!

I am looking for information on the difference between standard Ak47's (ie full auto type) and US versions (ie semi auto only.)

Pictures would be the best but descriptions on the differences and most importantly how to tell them apart would work.

Do the receivers say semiauto/ auto? Is the selctor different? Are the receivers different? You get the drift.

BTW I am totally ignornat on AK47's so please be nice!


Thanks

Grey Wolf

[OUSooner]

The biggest difference is all Us aks are post ban. They have to have at least 6 US parts in them to make them legal. The are all also semi auto only. On imported rifles there are a lot that are post ban as well and must also meet the 6 US parts requirement to be sold here. However, you can get pre ban imported Ak's from various manufacteres. With a preban you can have foreign parts like pistol grips, bayonets, greneade launchers, muzzle breaks, full auto, etc. Of coarse any pre ban is going to cost much more than a post ban US made AK.

[MrMurphy]

The really obvious difference is the selector switch. On a postban semiauto only AK has only two positions (all the way and blocking the bolt is safe, all the way down is semi) the military AKs have three positions... up is safe, the first click down is AB on a Russian gun (Automatic) and the all the way down click is semi just like on a postban.

[GlockBY]

The rule about foreign parts applies only if you have a postban with a pistol grip and it can accept hi-caps. You can't have more than 10 imported parts in a Rifle. So if your AK has muzzle brake - US part count must be 6, if it does not - 5.

Like MrMurphy said, selector switch is the most distinct difference between the real AK and semi. Although you can legally have AK with FA switch, but with semi fire control group - not a lot of those around.

[paigecm]

The easiest way is the selector switch as above mentioned, but also the tell tale is instead of 2 pins for the trigger and hammer there are 3 visible on both sides of the receiver.

[CarlosC]

The sear of a full auto AK has an extension on it that allows the selector to hold it down and out of the way for full auto fire. The full auto AK also has another sear just behind the magazine that faces the trigger. That L-shaped sear is tripped by the bolt carrier which is slightly different than the semi auto carrier. I believe the hammer is also a bit different and the retaining spring for the trigger assembly is somewhat different as well. It's hard to recall all the details from memory.

[Grey Wolf]

Thanks guys... I appreciate the help.

I kinda figured that the selector would be different but just checking.
Thanks again!

;!

I did not know we had an AK forum now... I give a year until we don;t have any posts in the Non Glock Firearms forum... it will just dissovle and you'll have to search all the separate forums for answers.... but again I am just cranky today. :( Just one mans thoughts nad I step off my ;l


Thanks again guys

Stay safe

Grey Wolf