ASD: THE AK SPECIALISTS

By Dan Shea

There is a tremendous interest in the Kalashnikov series of rifles, and there are many modern variations of these rifles that did not make it into the United States before the so called “Semi Automatic Assault Weapons Ban” in 1994. Fortunately, rifles that had the dreaded “Assault Rifle” characteristics; bayonet lug, threaded barrel, flash hider, side folding stock, etc, before September 13, 1994, can be rebuilt to these new configurations. SAR has covered this in previous issues. Also, there are new “Politically correct” versions of the guns that do not have the dreaded “Assault Rifle” characteristics. There are many companies out there right now that are supplying various new items for the shooting enthusiast, or professional user, so that these new developments can be enjoyed here in the US. In this issue of SAR, we are covering a few of these variations. I wanted to personally step in with something of interest.

Specifically, Steve Hill from ASD Firearms was doing some work for me on some Kalashnikov variants, for various reasons. I sent him a few different items, and this short review covers the fact that Ohio Ordnance Works is a good source for sheet metal receivers, KVAR has an amazing variety of parts sets available, and ASD Firearms can put these together very professionally.

Our Senior Editor, Peter G. Kokalis, has contracted with ASD to make one of his fully transferable registered receiver AK variants into an AKS 74K that is fully transferable. Peter will be writing up an in depth article on this gun in an upcoming issue of SAR, so I decided to just cover the bases on what I had ASD do for me. Some of these are for my collection, some are for Law Enforcement research we have been working on. All are appropriately registered with the NFRTR, of course.- Dan

Krinkov on B-West receiver, registered Short Barreled Rifle, with TL Guns PBS-5 suppressor. My other Pre ban B-West gun was converted over to a Short Barreled Rifle, so it could have a side folding stock and be ìTransferableî. Again, this is a semi automatic. ASD had to overcome all of the same problems on the other B-West receiver, and they used a set of parts supplied by K-VAR to make this fine weapon in 5.45x39mm. This one was finished with a semi-flat Gunkote that is made specially for ASD by Gunkote Corp to duplicate the “Russian” military finish.

Ohio Ordnance Workís offering of the sheet metal stamped steel AKM universal receiver. These are Semi automatic, are made in the US, heat treated and have the rails installed. A good base for projects at $59.95. Class 2 manufacturers can start with these as a good base for LE projects.

AKS74K 5.45x39mm with ECS-8-02 red dot collimator sight. Ohio Ordnance Works sheet metal receiver. This ìKî is ASDís newest offering. First they brought the receiver to standard for parts installation, which was not difficult, due to the well thought out receiver layout from Ohio Ordnance. A standard AK74 was the base for the design, and ASD brought the barrel to 12î and began the modifications. The barrel was faced at 90 degrees, then crowned at 11 degrees, the spec that ASD has found is their most accurate. A large amount of custom work went into this gun, which will be covered later in SAR. Once again, this machine gun offers a very interesting glimpse into the potential of the Kalashnikov system. Further ballistic and field testing will be reported here.

AKS74U on an Ohio Ordnance Works sheet metal receiver. Due to a resurging interest in both the ìKrinkovî configuration, and the interest in the 5.45×39 caliber, I had ASD rebuild this machine gun to the newest configuration ìKrinkî that K-VAR was offering. We plan extended testing with this firearm for Law Enforcement, and are arranging ballistic testing of the cartridge in this platform. This model is fitted with Russian upper and lower handguards, a Russian tan sling, and a 4 piece flash suppressor. Watch SAR for more on this one as well. We think we may have a solid entry gun, depending on the cartridge ballistics.

TL Guns PBS-5 suppressor. Ty did a nice job on this suppressor. We are presently having some testing done on it, and one of our other writers will be covering this interesting design. The design builds on the Eastern Block originals, and offers adjustable mounting.

Original Russian AKM suppressor in 7.62x39mm- note different shape deemed necessary by the cartridge.

ECS-8-01 red dot collimator sight that is being supplied by ASD. It has a solid mount. Izhevsk has indicated that these newer versions of the ECS have had the mount strengthened and the reticle controls mounted on the right, due to the Russian Special Operations Forces experiences in Chechnya.

Contact points:

ASD Firearms
5915 E. Morning Vista Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Tel 602-538-2769
Fax 480-585-7668
Website www.asdfirearms.com

Ohio Ordnance Works
310 Park Drive
Chardon, OH 44024
Tel 440-285-3481
Fax 440-286-8571

K-VAR
815 S. Central Ave Suite 26
Glendale, CA 91204
Tel (702) 364-8880
Fax (818) 954-0595

T.L. Guns & Manufacturing
1298 N. Douglass Ave.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Tel (541)942-8703
Email: tlguns@tlguns.com
Website: www.tlguns.com

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