ALG Defense AK Trigger: AK triggers are straightforward, single-stage designs. A poor AK trigger can have “slap,” where the trigger bounces forward suddenly after firing because of the hammer’s interaction with the disconnector. This slap does not affect the rifle, but it can be uncomfortable for your trigger finger. ALG Defense already makes some great accessories for ARs and AKs, and now it offers a custom single-stage trigger for the AK. The AK Trigger (AKT) has a shorter, smoother pull with a better trigger face. It is made from triple alloy steel and has a manganese-phosphate finish for corrosion resistance. It also counts as three U.S.-made parts for 922r compliance.
American Gunsmithing Institute: The American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) produces very thorough DVDs for all manner of firearms. For the AK, AGI offers two new DVDs describing the correct takedown process for this rifle. Disassembly/Reassembly of the AK Type Semi-Auto Rifles provides more than an hour of detailed instructions on how to completely disassemble the AK and its many variants. Building the AKS Rifle from a Parts Kit is three hours of solid knowledge delivered by master armorer John Bush. He starts off with receiver selection and the differences between them and walks the viewer through drilling the proper receiver holes. He also discusses bending the receiver to the correct shape, fitting the front and rear trunnions, installing the interior rails, and drilling the fire control and safety lever holes. He concludes with installing the barrel.
Century Arms Armorer’s Repair Kit: As part of its expanding line of Red Army Standard ammunition and accessories, Century Arms is now offering the Armorer’s Repair Kit. AKs are known for being durable, but everything breaks down sooner or later, and you will be glad to have spare parts around for when the big one hits. This kit includes all the small but essential parts that are most likely to need replacing at some point, including a recoil spring and retainer, an extractor and spring, firing pin, a pistol grip screw and nut, a disconnector, a hammer and trigger pins, a magazine catch and pin, a tang screw and a front sight post.
Crimson Trace LiNQ: Last year Crimson Trace unveiled its LiNQ wireless laser-aiming system for ARs, and now the company has unveiled a version for AK-platform rifles. This system consists of a rail-mounted module that pairs a green laser and a 300-lumen white LED light with a dedicated control grip. This polymer replacement grip allows you to operate the light and laser in four different settings—light/laser, light only, laser only and light/laser strobe—completely wirelessly. The LiNQ system is truly innovative, and it comes with free batteries for life.
Command Arms AKMR: Command Arms Accessories (CAA) makes many products for the AK, but one small and simple item, the AKMR extended magazine release, adds to the rifle’s ergonomics and ease of use. The standard magazine release is utilitarian and effective, but this small polymer release allows the user to drop the magazine with the trigger finger of either hand. It is lightweight and attaches very easily to your existing magazine release, so no permanent modifications are necessary. Of course, faster magazine releases mean faster reloads.
Guntec USA AK Cone Flash Can: There are a lot of choices for AK muzzle devices, but none match the ingenuity of the AK Cone Flash Can from Guntec USA, which is made in American from durable, lightweight 6061-T6 aluminum. Despite its 3.35-inch length, it weighs only 4.6 ounces and will fit any standard AKM chambered in 5.56mm NATO, 7.26x39mm and 5.45x39mm with 14×1 left-hand threading. The muzzle device locks in place with four grooved notches and the standard front sight post pin. The open-front design drives flash and escaping gases forward, providing greater backward thrust on the gas piston—a significant advantage for AK pistols and SBRs with shorter dwell times.
IO Inc. Enhanced Safety Selector: IO Inc. offers U.S.-made AKs and a variety of AK accessories. One such very welcome upgrade is IO Inc.’s Enhanced Safety Selector. This easy-to-install, stamped-steel part resolves several issues with the standard AK safety selector lever. Standard AKs do not have a bolt hold-open device—a nice feature to have, especially for range safety. The IO Inc. safety features a cutout at the top that can be used to hold the bolt open by the bolt handle. The smallish tabs at the front of the standard selector can be hard to manipulate and impossible to reach with the trigger finger; the enhanced selector features a much larger tab located at the rear that is easily operated with the trigger finger.
Midwest Industries AK Flash Hider/Impact Device: Midwest Industries’ compact AK Flash Hider/Impact Device is made in the U.S. from 4140 steel with a black phosphate finish. Since it is an American-made part, it also counts towards 922r compliance. It has horizontal slots along the side and angles at the front and rear to help reduce perceived recoil and muzzle flash. The front has subtle strike points useful for a standoff device or impact weapon.
Mounting Solutions Plus MDA: The threading on AK barrels is typically different than those found on the AR or other U.S.-made rifles. If you have a muzzle device that you prefer on your AR, such as the one that accepts a sound suppressor, you can’t use it on your AK—until now. Mounting Solutions Plus’ Muzzle Device Adapter (MDA) for the AK accepts any standard U.S.-made muzzle device. For safety, the adapter has caliber-specific threads so that users cannot unintentionally install smaller-caliber devices on their AKs.
Real Avid Gun Boss AK-47 Cleaning Kit: The design of the AK makes for easy disassembly and maintenance, but the long-stroke gas piston design also produces heavy carbon fouling on the pistol rod and gas block. Thankfully, Real Avid has a comprehensive four-part AK cleaning system that works very well. The Gun Boss AK-47 Cleaning Kit is a complete system that comes in a compact carry case. This kit is made exclusively for 7.62x39mm AK variants and includes a six-piece, threaded steel bore rod with a T-handle, a bore brush and a combination chamber/gas tube brush. Also included is an invaluable multi-function tool that is a good carbon scraper for every part of the gas piston as well as a disassembly tool for the gas tube.
TAPCO AK-74-Style Flash Suppressor: At some point, the Soviets recognized that the old AKM was in desperate need of an upgrade, and thus the AK-74 was developed with some significant differences. One of these was a much improved and more useful muzzle device. Thanks to TAPCO, you can now install that style of muzzle device on your standard AK-47/AKM. This flash suppressor is designed to redirect escaping gases to reduce recoil and muzzle signature. Made from steel with a manganese-phosphate finish in the U.S., it also adds to the parts count for 922r compliance.
Troy AK-47 Claymore: Most AKs conveniently have threaded barrels for muzzle attachments. The classic AK slant muzzle brake is designed to direct gases up and left during full-auto fire to counter the tendency of the rifle to travel during this type of shooting. Troy, however, has developed a much more effective muzzle brake for semi-auto fire: the Claymore. This brake has a solid ridged design and forward-facing ports that direct the muzzle blast forward, reducing perceived recoil and muzzle rise. The design almost eliminates any dust signatures from shooting prone. Made from heat-treated, ordnance-grade steel and finished in black, the front of the Claymore features an aggressive jagged edge that functions as a standoff device.
Viridian X5L-RS: Weapon-mounted lights and lasers can help you identify threats and improve your accuracy. As for lasers, green ones are far more powerful and visible than red beams, especially in daylight conditions. The human eye is simply more attuned to green. The Viridian X5L-RS combines a green laser with a 178-lumen light in one tough unit with an aluminum housing. Ambidextrous pressure activation pads allow you to switch between modes—light only, laser only, light/laser and strobe functions. The unit quickly installs on any accessory rail with a universal mounting system.
The booming popularity of the AK has accessory and parts manufacturers very busy. There are few things gun owners like more than personalizing and accessorizing their firearms. Today, there is an incredible number of extras that can be added to the AK to make it more ergonomic, more comfortable to shoot, more accurate and just more fun all around. Now shooters can get custom muzzle devices, improved triggers, extended magazine releases, laser-aiming devices, new safeties and more. Here’s a snapshot of some of the upgrades available for AK-platform pistols and rifles.
