Main Military Weapon of Your Country: Mk. VI

[Paddy O Fernature]

Meh, Not a clue really. Might be having problems with passing customs for whatever reason? Kinda like that shipment of M1's from Korea.

They're imported as standard SAIGA rifles and converted in the United States like all other SGLs.

Ah, no clue then.

[Chernobyl-Pripyat]

glorious AK-74M. It's commonly seen with more manly "bakelite" magazines or plum ones - black polymer magazines are very uncommon and usually are only with factory-new rifles. Aside from its bayonet, common accessories include a canvas sling,an optic(1P78 or PK01-VS depending on branch and availability) or a GP-25 grenade launcher. A flashlight that attaches to the accessory lug is also issued to some units.

[Bafuria]

I think I found the only video online of 5.45mm 7n6 in ballistic gelatin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oq3ZEZ7YFw

[Spreewerke]

I think I found the only video online of 5.45mm 7n6 in ballistic gelatin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oq3ZEZ7YFw

Yep. 7.62x39mm that's based off of the M67 cartridge (most) is capable of very similar results, as well.

[Wallops Island]

The Wallops Island main weapon is the Mk.18, which is simply a modified M4 so it has a shorter barrel, at about 10 inches. This allows it to be used in tight spots, but it still packs the same punch as an M4

[Chernoslavia]

Meh, Not a clue really. Might be having problems with passing customs for whatever reason? Kinda like that shipment of M1's from Korea.

They're imported as standard SAIGA rifles and converted in the United States like all other SGLs.

Just like my AK-74M (SGL 31-61)

[Vareiln]

They're imported as standard SAIGA rifles and converted in the United States like all other SGLs.

Just like my AK-74M (SGL 31-61)

Last I checked(I could be wrong on this), all SGLs were converted Saigas. Which means they couldn't be an AK-74M.

[Spreewerke]

They're imported as standard SAIGA rifles and converted in the United States like all other SGLs.

Just like my AK-74M (SGL 31-61)

SGL 31-94 is the AK-74M model as it has the correct full-size folding stock, I believe.

[Spreewerke]

Just like my AK-74M (SGL 31-61)

Last I checked(I could be wrong on this), all SGLs were converted Saigas. Which means they couldn't be an AK-74M.

Sort of yes, sort of no.

SAIGAs are made as sporting rifles. However, they're made on the same machines as the legit Russian-made-and-used AKs (Izhmash factory). They're (re)built to the same specifications by Izhmash/Arsenal, Inc. as their fully-automatic counterparts. An Arsenal-made SGL-series rifle is pretty much an exact copy of what Izhmash shoots out on a daily basis, just semi-automatic and with other to-be-legal-in-the-US modifications (SAIGA receiver lacks the 'third hole' for the full-auto sear, 922r parts are swapped in).

[Nua Corda]

The Wallops Island main weapon is the Mk.18, which is simply a modified M4 so it has a shorter barrel, at about 10 inches. This allows it to be used in tight spots, but it still packs the same punch as an M4

5.56 NATO needs a longish barrel in order to perform properly. The M4 has already come under a lot of fire for being too short, with a (IIRC) 14.5 inch barrel. With a 10 inch, you would have even more problems, unless you used 6.8 SPC rather than 5.56. Alternately, a bullpup is nice.

[Indeos]

Last I checked(I could be wrong on this), all SGLs were converted Saigas. Which means they couldn't be an AK-74M.

Sort of yes, sort of no.

SAIGAs are made as sporting rifles. However, they're made on the same machines as the legit Russian-made-and-used AKs (Izhmash factory). They're (re)built to the same specifications by Izhmash/Arsenal, Inc. as their fully-automatic counterparts. An Arsenal-made SGL-series rifle is pretty much an exact copy of what Izhmash shoots out on a daily basis, just semi-automatic and with other to-be-legal-in-the-US modifications (SAIGA receiver lacks the 'third hole' for the full-auto sear, 922r parts are swapped in).

Hypothetically, how difficult would it be to convert one to full-auto?

[The Republic of Lanos]

The Wallops Island main weapon is the Mk.18, which is simply a modified M4 so it has a shorter barrel, at about 10 inches. This allows it to be used in tight spots, but it still packs the same punch as an M4

5.56 NATO needs a longish barrel in order to perform properly. The M4 has already come under a lot of fire for being too short, with a (IIRC) 14.5 inch barrel. With a 10 inch, you would have even more problems, unless you used 6.8 SPC rather than 5.56. Alternately, a bullpup is nice.

Didn't they say M855A1 does the M4 better with its new design?

Either way, the M855A1 is a "WELL SHIT!" solution to the eventual switch to a new caliber.

[Indeos]

5.56 NATO needs a longish barrel in order to perform properly. The M4 has already come under a lot of fire for being too short, with a (IIRC) 14.5 inch barrel. With a 10 inch, you would have even more problems, unless you used 6.8 SPC rather than 5.56. Alternately, a bullpup is nice.

Didn't they say M855A1 does the M4 better with its new design?

Either way, the M855A1 is a "WELL SHIT!" solution to the eventual switch to a new caliber.

It's better, but like you said it's an interim solution at best.

[Vareiln]

The Wallops Island main weapon is the Mk.18, which is simply a modified M4 so it has a shorter barrel, at about 10 inches. This allows it to be used in tight spots, but it still packs the same punch as an M4

5.56 NATO needs a longish barrel in order to perform properly. The M4 has already come under a lot of fire for being too short, with a (IIRC) 14.5 inch barrel. With a 10 inch, you would have even more problems, unless you used 6.8 SPC rather than 5.56. Alternately, a bullpup is nice.

Or he could make it a PDW and have it fire 5.7x28mm, or a similar-performance round.

[Vareiln]

5.56 NATO needs a longish barrel in order to perform properly. The M4 has already come under a lot of fire for being too short, with a (IIRC) 14.5 inch barrel. With a 10 inch, you would have even more problems, unless you used 6.8 SPC rather than 5.56. Alternately, a bullpup is nice.

Didn't they say M855A1 does the M4 better with its new design?

Either way, the M855A1 is a "WELL SHIT!" solution to the eventual switch to a new caliber.

If I remember correctly, M855A1 has quite a few shortcomings. Mk. 318 is, in my opinion, the best variant of 5.56.

[Vareiln]

Last I checked(I could be wrong on this), all SGLs were converted Saigas. Which means they couldn't be an AK-74M.

Sort of yes, sort of no.

SAIGAs are made as sporting rifles. However, they're made on the same machines as the legit Russian-made-and-used AKs (Izhmash factory). They're (re)built to the same specifications by Izhmash/Arsenal, Inc. as their fully-automatic counterparts. An Arsenal-made SGL-series rifle is pretty much an exact copy of what Izhmash shoots out on a daily basis, just semi-automatic and with other to-be-legal-in-the-US modifications (SAIGA receiver lacks the 'third hole' for the full-auto sear, 922r parts are swapped in).

Ah. I see.
But wouldn't that make it an AK-10X of some kind, not an AK-74M?

[Indeos]

5.56 NATO needs a longish barrel in order to perform properly. The M4 has already come under a lot of fire for being too short, with a (IIRC) 14.5 inch barrel. With a 10 inch, you would have even more problems, unless you used 6.8 SPC rather than 5.56. Alternately, a bullpup is nice.

Or he could make it a PDW and have it fire 5.7x28mm, or a similar-performance round.

That causes some other problems, because PDW rounds aren't known for great lethality. The best solution would be a bullpup rifle, and probably something like 6.8 SPC.

[Spreewerke]

Converting an AK to a legal-fully-automatic weapon would require a new bolt carrier made for FA fire (unless you're okay with non-patterned fire rates) and a full-auto sear which can be found for $20.00. They're a Class II conversion item, though, so I think they are taxed with the $200 stamp. Not sure. If not, then you'd just have to register your AK as a post-dealer sample and destroy the full-auto receiver later or something. I really don't know.

As for an illegal conversion, I'm sure one could find a way to do it relatively easily. Just make sure you have the bolt-carrier with the sear retarder to prevent out-of-battery fire. I've looked at my sear plenty of times when disassembling, and I think it'd be possible to remove part of the semi-automatic sear's rear hook to where it didn't catch with the trigger pulled, but did upon release. I don't want to talk about it anymore, though, and I won't be providing photographs. I don't want any dogs to get shot, and I honestly don't feel too horribly comfortable discussing a modification like this on the intertubes.

Sort of yes, sort of no.

SAIGAs are made as sporting rifles. However, they're made on the same machines as the legit Russian-made-and-used AKs (Izhmash factory). They're (re)built to the same specifications by Izhmash/Arsenal, Inc. as their fully-automatic counterparts. An Arsenal-made SGL-series rifle is pretty much an exact copy of what Izhmash shoots out on a daily basis, just semi-automatic and with other to-be-legal-in-the-US modifications (SAIGA receiver lacks the 'third hole' for the full-auto sear, 922r parts are swapped in).

Ah. I see.
But wouldn't that make it an AK-100 of some kind, not an AK-74M?

There is no AK-10# series in 5.45x39mm aside from the AK-105 which is a carbine version of the AK-74. The AK-100 series basically consists of rechambered AK-74Ms. The AK-101 and AK-103 are more or less AK-74Ms in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm. The AK-102 and AK-104 are the carbine variants of those two rifles respectively. AK-105 is the carbine version of the AK-74M.

[Vareiln]

Or he could make it a PDW and have it fire 5.7x28mm, or a similar-performance round.

That causes some other problems, because PDW rounds aren't known for great lethality. The best solution would be a bullpup rifle, and probably something like 6.8 SPC.

Ah. I thought with the short barrel he was going with something for tank crews and whatnot. In which case PDWs probably would have worked better.
But yeah. If he's going for a service rifle with compactness, bullpup is the way to go.

[Vareiln]

Converting an AK to a legal-fully-automatic weapon would require a new bolt carrier made for FA fire (unless you're okay with non-patterned fire rates) and a full-auto sear which can be found for $20.00. They're a Class II conversion item, though, so I think they are taxed with the $200 stamp. Not sure. If not, then you'd just have to register your AK as a post-dealer sample and destroy the full-auto receiver later or something. I really don't know.

As for an illegal conversion, I'm sure one could find a way to do it relatively easily. Just make sure you have the bolt-carrier with the sear retarder to prevent out-of-battery fire. I've looked at my sear plenty of times when disassembling, and I think it'd be possible to remove part of the semi-automatic sear's rear hook to where it didn't catch with the trigger pulled, but did upon release. I don't want to talk about it anymore, though, and I won't be providing photographs. I don't want any dogs to get shot, and I honestly don't feel too horribly comfortable discussing a modification like this on the intertubes.

Ah. I see.
But wouldn't that make it an AK-100 of some kind, not an AK-74M?

There is no AK-10# series in 5.45x39mm aside from the AK-105 which is a carbine version of the AK-74. The AK-100 series basically consists of rechambered AK-74Ms. The AK-101 and AK-103 are more or less AK-74Ms in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm. The AK-102 and AK-104 are the carbine variants of those two rifles respectively. AK-105 is the carbine version of the AK-74M.

Ah. Thank you.
My knowledge on AKs, both military and civilian, is a little rusty.

[Spreewerke]

There is no AK-10# series in 5.45x39mm aside from the AK-105 which is a carbine version of the AK-74. The AK-100 series basically consists of rechambered AK-74Ms. The AK-101 and AK-103 are more or less AK-74Ms in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm. The AK-102 and AK-104 are the carbine variants of those two rifles respectively. AK-105 is the carbine version of the AK-74M.

Ah. Thank you.
My knowledge on AKs, both military and civilian, is a little rusty.

It'll still work if rusty.

[Indeos]

Converting an AK to a legal-fully-automatic weapon would require a new bolt carrier made for FA fire (unless you're okay with non-patterned fire rates) and a full-auto sear which can be found for $20.00. They're a Class II conversion item, though, so I think they are taxed with the $200 stamp. Not sure. If not, then you'd just have to register your AK as a post-dealer sample and destroy the full-auto receiver later or something. I really don't know.

As for an illegal conversion, I'm sure one could find a way to do it relatively easily. Just make sure you have the bolt-carrier with the sear retarder to prevent out-of-battery fire. I've looked at my sear plenty of times when disassembling, and I think it'd be possible to remove part of the semi-automatic sear's rear hook to where it didn't catch with the trigger pulled, but did upon release. I don't want to talk about it anymore, though, and I won't be providing photographs. I don't want any dogs to get shot, and I honestly don't feel too horribly comfortable discussing a modification like this on the intertubes.

Don't worry; I don't own any firearms anyway. I was just curious, since it sounded like you could basically drill a hole and replace a part then have a full-auto AK. I doubt I'll ever illegally convert a firearm to fire full-auto because I'm not particularly interested in that function; outside combat it'd just be for fun on a range, and I think I'd have more fun trying to nail targets from 400+m.

[Vareiln]

Ah. Thank you.
My knowledge on AKs, both military and civilian, is a little rusty.

It'll still work if rusty.

My friend knows more about AKs than I do, and he's never fired a rifle.

[Yes Im Biop]

Odd question. Could you use a .32 pistol round give it a bit more powder and a necked casein. Could you use it as a lightweight AR Round?

[Indeos]

That causes some other problems, because PDW rounds aren't known for great lethality. The best solution would be a bullpup rifle, and probably something like 6.8 SPC.

Ah. I thought with the short barrel he was going with something for tank crews and whatnot. In which case PDWs probably would have worked better.
But yeah. If he's going for a service rifle with compactness, bullpup is the way to go.

If I read his post right, it's a general-purpose weapon.

Odd question. Could you use a .32 pistol round give it a bit more powder and a necked casein. Could you use it as a lightweight AR Round?

There's no reason to, because the bullet won't be as aerodynamic as a rifle round and there are already a lot of .30 caliber rifle rounds.