“All Business with No Wasted Effort”

Rifle Dynamics’ Interest in the AK

Las Vegas-based Rifle Dynamics (RD) is one of the premier AK gunsmiths in the U.S. Jim Fuller’s Rifle Dynamics is one of the few truly qualified companies that can improve the AK platform beyond its out-of-the-box potential without impacting its “hell and back” reliability, simplicity and ruggedness. Jim has always been impressed and attracted to most Soviet-Block weapons; even though many in the U.S. discounted Soviet arms as inferior tools of the enemy. This led him to intensifying his study of the AK system of operation beginning in the early 1990s. Jim believes the AK is the most dependable fighting rifle ever produced. While it may not be as inherently accurate as other rifles, the AK is still plenty accurate for the job it was designed to do as a combat arm. Rifle Dynamics is an 07FFL/SOT manufacturer which allows for work on machine guns, suppressors, SBRs and SBSs combined with being considered a dealer as well.

The true hallmark of the AK-series of rifles gaining acceptance in the U.S. is the rise of gunsmiths, ammunition manufacturers and aftermarket accessories starting to cater to its clientele. Based on this, Fuller decided to introduce a Rifle Dynamics AK signature line that encompasses many upgrades and modifications over “factory” standard AKs. With so many customers inquiring about Jim’s opinion for a solid, no “frills” AK fighting rifle, he decided to invest in making this type of AK available to customers without having to experience the wait associated with custom projects. These production RD AKs will benefit from years of experience gained from doing improvements on customer-provided rifles and custom orders.

Jim Fuller explains, “We (RD) are doing different production rifles that are basically the same except caliber (7.62×39 and 5.45×39) and stock configurations. All RD models will have our custom front end with Bolten Gas block. The muzzle device will be a Battle Comp AKBC on the 7.62 guns and Battle Comp 2.0 on the 5.45 guns. TAPCO G2 triggers will be used as standard fire control. A Fuller designed rear sight is included as well as a U.S. Palm AK Battle grip. The RD AK production AKs will have an UltiMAK upper rail installed.” Jim goes on with, “There won’t be any other options since these are production rifles. The quality will be what you would expect from one of our (RD) custom builds, but we have to limit options in order to produce them in a timely manner.” The current RD production AKs will be labeled RD700 for 7.62×39 rifles and RD500 for 5.45×39—simple enough.

The RD702 AK

The particular Rifle Dynamics rifle tested is the RD702. The RD702 AK is chambered in 7.62×39 and utilizes the RD AK/M-4 stock adapter to affix a Magpul CTR rear stock. The RD702 AK benefits from a custom front end consisting of a Bolten gas block offered through Venom Tactical. Aesthetically, the RD702 gets your attention immediately with its 14.5-inch barrel with pinned PWS FSC flash hider. Rifle Dynamics is proud of its custom front end work featuring the Bolton Gas Block; this sets apart RD AKs from others. The RD modification removes almost 1 pound off the front of the rifle, moving the center of gravity about 4 inches closer to the body making the RD702 feel very light and more importantly the fastest handling non-SBR-length AK on the market. The RD front end work is complimented by adding an UltiMAK gas tube scope rail. The UltiMAK provides a solid mount point for whatever forward mounted optic you prefer.

The Rifle Dynamics’ RD702 AK features a Fuller Modified Rear Sight unit. Jim reports this is one of his most popular AK modifications in terms of customer feedback. Over the years many have complained about the iron sights on the AK; the Fuller Rear Sight improves this tremendously. The Fuller Sight has the notch widened and corners radiused to a spec that was given to Jim by an Optometrist for maximum efficiency in centering the front post in the rear notch. Both windage and elevation adjustments are made on the front sight. Jim ships the rifle with a long front post expecting elevation adjustment to be fine tuned by filing down the sight and windage adjustments made by turning the front post to whichever side is necessary. The finish on the RD702 AK tested is Norrell’s Moly Resin gray applied over fresh Parkerizing. Rifle Dynamics has found this to be the best finish for a rifle that will take a lot of abuse, heat and lack of cleaning. Jim reports the finish has proven itself many times over in the worst conditions.

There is a tremendous amount of fitting that goes into the Rifle Dynamics’ RD702. Even though a “production” rifle, the RD702 benefits from RD quality control via internal reliability checks, fire control group polished and light planing on the bolt/carrier group and guide rails, combined with exterior surfaces being dehorned where users touch them. Jim takes great pride in the amount of fitting that goes into everything Rifle Dynamics produces. Most owners will not even notice the Rifle Dynamic attention to detail but can take comfort that everything possible has been done to make a Rifle Dynamics’ AK the best fighting rifle available. Even without firing a live round the Rifle Dynamics AK superiority over a standard AK can be detected in the smoothness of the action, trigger pull, quality of re-finish and overall weapon feel. Rifle Dynamics is well-versed in the nuances of the AK platform and can educate even the most diehard AK connoisseur. The RD702 7.62×39 reviewed in this article will retail at $2200.

Evaluation

After a quick verification of 25-yard sight zero, range evaluation commenced with a function test involving firing several magazines in rapid succession at various steel man targets and vehicles that dot Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC) where I do my testing. While not unique, this is a good way to establish a baseline for reliability. Let’s face it: if an AK-type weapon does not have pristine reliability, its major attribute is nullified. I made sure different types of AK-47 magazines were used to verify compatibility with the RD702 AK. Metal and polymer 30-round magazines of various manufacturers performed fine with no issues inserting, removing or feeding the rifle. The U.S. Palm AK-30 polymer-style magazines were the primary magazine used after initial magazine trials. The U.S.-made AK-30 magazine is molded so that disassembly is not possible or warranted. The AK-30 magazines were complimented by the AK Attack Rack. The AK Attack Rack is a low-profile, secure platform for 4-AK magazines and 4-pistol magazines. The AK Attack Rack chest rig can be worn over hard or soft body armor and is built to military specifications out of 500d Cordura nylon for durability and minimal weight.

A more comprehensive 100-yard sight zero confirmation took place after functionality was established. After first using the Fuller modified rear sight found on the RD702, I decided to mount a Trijicon MRO. Many will be more than satisfied with the Fuller rear sight and eschew mounting anything on the rifle choosing a more traditionalist route. I found the UltiMAK rail too tempting and favor the advantages associated with red dot sights. Red dot sights offer the capability to engage multiple targets in rapid sequence compared to open sights. Age may be catching up to me as the single focus plane with the red dot is easier to shoot accurately than coordinating front and rear sights.

The Trijicon MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic) is a sealed miniature reflex sight intended for use on rifles, carbines and shotguns to provide fast target acquisition. The large aperture and tapered light path maximize the viewing area and allow for better situational awareness and fast target engagement—especially from non-standard shooting positions. Combine all this with the ambidextrous brightness controls, sub-flush adjusters, advanced lens coatings and the fully sealed, waterproof, hard-anodized forged 7075-T6 housing, and you have the ultimate mini reflex sight on the market. The MRO’s 2MOA red dot offers the capability to engage multiple targets in rapid sequence compared to open sights, while at same time providing adequate accuracy out to a couple hundred yards on man-sized targets; yards due to the red dot not obscuring the target due to the dot not being that large.

Multiple 7.62×39 loads were tested with the Rifle Dynamics’ RD702 AK such as Hornady, Wolf and Red Army Standard. All of the loads produced approximate 3-inch groups at 100 yards. In all fairness, a magnified optic would have probably produced better accuracy results in lieu of the open sights, especially with the Hornady SST loads. Gilt edge accuracy is not the goal with any Rifle Dynamics’ AK; it is a fighting rifle measured by a different set of parameters.

Other range tests consisted of completing several runs on EVTC’s “Jungle Walk” range. Several ISPC-style man targets and steel silhouettes were engaged from different firing positions. Multiple shots were fired at each target, and a magazine change was mandated before leaving cover. I find testing any rifle in this format helps highlight any strengths or weaknesses in handling or weapon manipulation. The Rifle Dynamics’ RD702 AK handled as well as any rifle I have tested. There is a fundamental reason why AK versions proliferate around the world and now are spreading across the land of its Cold War nemesis. This is due to the AK’s well-earned reputation for ruggedness and reliability.

Rifle Dynamics’ understanding and appreciation of the AK as a fighting rifle translates into the RD702 accentuating these characteristics with no urge to make it into anything else. The UltiMAK rail is a nod to the advantages offered by a red dot optic or by possibly mounting a tactical light without succumbing to the urge to hang items that are not necessary on the forend, ruining handling. The Fuller rear sight is another subtle refinement intended to upgrade the AK platform without hindering its design intent. The honing, polishing and fitting of internals such as trigger mechanism and bolt carrier are done to compliment smoothness of operation, not reduce tolerances to a point that compromises reliability out in the real world. All business with no wasted effort—that sums up the Rifle Dynamics RD702 AK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Echo Valley Training Center
echovalleytraining.com
Hornady Mfg. Inc.
hornady.com
Rifle Dynamics
rifledynamics.com
Wolf Ammunition
wolfammo.com

By Frank Iannamico

AK Photographs Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps National Museum

Shortly after World War II began, the belligerents involved soon discovered that they needed to increase production of weapons to arm their expanding armies and replace those arms damaged or lost in the field. The problem they all faced were the lack of machine tools and men to operate them. There was also a shortage of the raw materials needed to fabricate weapons, with the aircraft and ship building factories having priority. The solution to the problem was first solved by the Germans who pioneered an entirely new method of manufacturing small arms using inexpensive carbon steel stampings, assembled with rivets and welding.

The most successful German weapons fabricated from sheet metal were the MP40 submachine gun and the MG42 machine gun. The ordnance establishments of the world took notice and soon introduced their own sheet-metal weapons. The British had their Sten, the United States M3 and M3A1 “grease guns” and the Soviets fielded their PPSh and PPS43 submachine guns. Despite having a rather crude appearance, the sheet metal weapons were proven to be every bit as rugged and reliable as their labor-intensive counterparts.

Every gun designer studies previous designs to learn what works and what doesn’t. Mikhail Kalashnikov was particularly impressed with the simple, all-metal stamped steel construction of the 7.62x25mm Pistolet Pulemet Sudayeva, PPS43. Kalashnikov realized the pressed steel construction was the way future small arms would be made. Three basic principles would be followed in all of Kalashnikov’s designs: simple, reliable, and easily manufactured. Accuracy requirements in the Warsaw Pact, though important, were not as critical as the requirements of the NATO member countries.

The very first production AK rifles were manufactured with stamped sheet metal receivers before the more commonly known milled receiver model appeared. There was no designation change regardless of the receiver type; they were simply called Avtomat Kalashnikova rifles. The designations Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 have been widely accepted by historians and enthusiasts as a means in which to identify particular AK models. However, these are not official nomenclatures. Despite numerous detail differences, there was no designation change to any AK rifles until the AKM model was introduced in 1959.

The First Generation Russian AK

Although there were a substantial number of prototypes and experimental versions of the AK rifle, the very first production models emerged during 1948 from the Izhevsk Motor Plant, factory 524. Other armament plants supplied some of the parts and components for assembly of the weapon. During 1949, production was transferred to the Izhmash factory 74. (Dan’s note: General Kalashnikov was in Serbia at the Zastava factory at Kragujevac, and he was out to dinner with three of us Americans- weapons designer Charlie Rostocil, Dr. Philip H. Dater of Gemtech, and myself. Charlie kept on the subject of “The first AK,” because the General had always held that his first model worked, and was the “First AK.” Finally, the General admitted there were 5 or 6 prototypes, but “The first AK was the one that worked perfectly, the others were just attempts.”

The first production AK rifles, chambered for the intermediate-range 7.62x39mm cartridge, were produced with receivers fabricated from a 1.3mm thick U shaped sheet metal stamping. Located at the front of the receiver was a machined block of steel that served as the barrel trunnion. The trunnion was secured in place by eight rivets; four on each side of the receiver. The inside of the trunnion block was threaded for attaching the barrel to the receiver assembly. This also included locking shoulders for the breech bolt, short sections of the bolt guide rails and the ejector. A second steel block was positioned just forward of the barrel’s breech. This component housed the rear sight assembly, had a flange for the gas tube, and the components for locking the gas tube in place. The lower part of the block encircled the barrel and had a lateral solid steel cross pin installed to prevent the rear sight base and barrel from loosening.

At the back end of the receiver was another steel trunnion that had two tangs extending from it to secure the buttstock, and a groove at the top to contain the guide rod of the recoil spring assembly. This piece was secured with three long rivets, which extended completely through both sides of the receiver.

A similar assembly, without the extended buttstock tangs, was used for the underfolding stock model. All of these components served as “bulkheads” providing the sheet metal receiver with strength and rigidity. The upper edges of the sheet metal receiver were bent inward at a 90-degree angle, providing rails for the bolt carrier to ride on. Two additional bolt guide rails were riveted to the inside of the receiver, just forward of the trigger guard. A horizontal rib pressed into each side of the receiver at the top that served as a ledge to support the receiver top cover and add strength to the receiver. The top cover was smooth and made of heavy gauge stamped steel that was 1.6mm thick (.063-inches).

On the underside of the receiver was a stamped steel trigger guard assembly. At the front of the trigger guard was a channel to house the magazine catch and spring; at the rear of the trigger guard was a long sheet metal tab that extended down from the receiver for attaching the pistol grip. The pistol grip of the first production model was unique in that it had two wooden or plastic side panels secured by a lateral screw and threaded insert. The trigger guard frame assembly was attached to the receiver floor by five rivets.

The fire control components were held in place and rotated on steel axis pins placed laterally through the sides of the receiver. The pins were secured in place by the long trip sear spring, which rested in grooves located on the left end of the axis pin-heads. The double-hook trigger, hammer, and disconnector were a design that was similar to those used on the later milled receiver AK rifles. The rod of the gas piston had flutes machined into its shaft to reduce its weight and the gas piston assembly was chromium-plated to resist the effects of corrosive ammunition. The bolt carrier and bolt were left in the white. The sheet metal steel gas tube ribs had four round gas relief holes placed horizontally along the length of the tube on each side at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. The recoil spring assembly had two telescoping hollow metal tubes. The spring was installed over the tubes and was secured by a steel circular retainer cap that was slotted. With the spring compressed, the cap was slid onto a groove cut into the front guide rod holding the assembly together. The mode of fire-safety lever had only one tang located at the lower edge. The tang was bent at a 90-degree angle and served as grip surface for the operator’s fingers to move the lever. On the inside surface of the lever was a small dimple designed to position the lever in one of two small, shallow circular depressions drilled into the receiver. The depressions were used to retain the lever in the semiautomatic or full-automatic position. On some early guns, the semiautomatic and automatic fire positions were not marked. Provisions for a cleaning rod were located under the barrel. The hardwood stock was secured to the receiver with two wood screws – one placed through each of the steel tangs of the rear receiver trunnion. A flat steel buttplate was positioned at the rear of the stock and secured by two wood screws. A trap door was provided to access a hole drilled into the rear of the stock for storage of a cleaning kit. A sling swivel was located on the bottom of the stock a few inches forward of the buttplate. The loaded weight of the Type 1 rifle with early “slabside” magazine was 10.13-pounds (4.60kg). The overall length was 34.375-inches.

AKS Rifle

To fulfill the requirement of a compact weapon for issue to paratroopers and vehicle crews, a variant was conceived with a folding stock to reduce the overall length for storage or transport. The weapon was designated as the AKS rifle. The letter S for Sklodnoy (a Cyrillic letter C) was added to the designation to indicate that the rifle had a folding stock. The AKS models were fitted with a steel folding stock, which required a special rear trunnion to accommodate its locking mechanism. The trunnion was riveted into place at the rear of the receiver. There were two large 16mm holes provided on each side of the receiver walls to accommodate the pivot pin for the stock to rotate on. The design of the steel underfolding stock was similar to that used on the World War II German MP38 and MP40 submachine guns. The stock’s two strut arms were made from round steel bar stock with lightening cuts milled out of the inside surfaces of each of the arms. The stamped metal skeleton buttplate was attached to the end of the strut arms with two rivets that allowed it to swivel for extending the stock or folding it for storage under the receiver. Early prototype buttplates were an enclosed oval shape, but on production rifles, the buttplate was redesigned with an open top so the stock could be folded with a magazine in the rifle. To release the lock mechanism to fold or extend the stock, there was a checkered push-button on the left side of the pivot pin. With its folding stock extended, the length of the AKS rifle was slightly longer at 34.5-inches than a fixed stock model when measured to the center point of the curved buttplate. The loaded weight was also slightly more than the fixed stock version at 10.26-pounds (4.65kg). Other features were the same as the full stock model.

While the stamped sheet metal AK receiver had proven to be suitably durable during the extensive trials and testing of the weapon prior to adoption, the technology necessary for mass-producing such a receiver proved to be lacking. There have been many conflicting accounts of exactly why the Russians went from the original stamped Type 1 receiver to the milled Type 2. Typically, the Soviets did not divulge a lot of information, especially regarding a design failure. Two of the reported problems experienced early on with Kalashnikov’s Type 1 AK rifle were receiver strength and accuracy. One could surmise that the problem was that the trunnion was not adequately supported in the receiver. Years later, the stamped receiver AKM suffered from similar accuracy problems, which were eventually solved through the addition of the hammer delay system. Other accounts report that it was difficult to hold manufacturing tolerances due to warping of the receiver after riveting and heat-treating.

There have been a number of Type 1 AK and AKS rifles studied by the author, all were fully serviceable, with no signs of any structural failures observed.

During the 1950s, the only viable solution to the Type 1 receiver problem was to switch to a receiver manufactured by the previous, and well-known, method of machining the component from a steel forging. Using this old but proven procedure resulted in slower, more expensive production. While the new milled receiver was being designed, and subsequently manufactured, production of the AK rifles with the stamped steel receivers continued at Izhmash until being phased out around 1951, at which time rifle production was switched completely over to the Type 2 forged/milled receiver. The Soviets have sometimes noted that the Type 2 milled receiver weapon was the “new lightweight model,” but in reality its weight was 6.34 ounces (.18kg) heavier than a Type 1.

(Article excerpted in part from the book AK-47 The Grim Reaper Available from Chipotle Publishing LLC. Telephone: 702-565-0746. www.smallarmsreview.com)