Current state of the AK

[Casual Friday]

I’m currently looking at the Century Arms C39V2 blade pistol. Anyone with first hand knowledge on these? I was going to build an AR pistol but 5.56 out of short barrel is not the best, and 300 Blk will get pricey with high volume shooting. This specific model popped up on my radar as I’m trying to keep the cost under a grand.

Run away. They are cast and dangerous to operate. Many examples of them blowing up from loss of headspace in a few hundred rounds. Best advice, avoid any US made AK.

If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive AK pistol, get a Romanian Draco.

[HCM]

I’m currently looking at the Century Arms C39V2 blade pistol. Anyone with first hand knowledge on these? I was going to build an AR pistol but 5.56 out of short barrel is not the best, and 300 Blk will get pricey with high volume shooting. This specific model popped up on my radar as I’m trying to keep the cost under a grand.

I would look at the Polish AK pistols from Atlantic Firearms over anything made by Century. They dont come with the brace but they are in the mid $600s and they do come with a forward 1913 rail so you should be able to stay under a grand.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/pro...p-lynx-classic

If not a Draco.

[Hizzie]

The following are steaming piles of turd that borderline on dangerous:

Century RAS47
Century C39
Century C39 V2
Century “American” Draco - any size

Too many reports of the guns going out of headspace in under 2k. Too many reports of rifles grenading. I would avoid the new VSAK too based on past performance.


The PSA have had many issues with reliability and durability too.

Too many guns with bad heat treat coming out of Zastava the past few years. PAP, NPAP, OPAP and M92 all randomly effected. No “safe” date range.

The Romanian, Cugir built, guns improved around 2012.

Arsenal ((10)) guns declined slightly.

[JRB]

The following are steaming piles of turd that borderline on dangerous:

Century RAS47
Century C39
Century C39 V2
Century “American” Draco - any size

Too many reports of the guns going out of headspace in under 2k. Too many reports of rifles grenading. I would avoid the new VSAK too based on past performance.


The PSA have had many issues with reliability and durability too.

Too many guns with bad heat treat coming out of Zastava the past few years. PAP, NPAP, OPAP and M92 all randomly effected. No “safe” date range.

The Romanian, Cugir built, guns improved around 2012.

Arsenal ((10)) guns declined slightly.

I follow the AK stuff pretty closely because I have several of them - and this is the first I've read anywhere about the OPAP also being affected by the heat treat issue. Everything else I've seen indicated that PAP & NPAP models were the problematic ones, and M92's occasionally but uncommonly affected.

I have around ~4k through my OPAP with zero issues. I do periodically examine my AK's closely for egging FCG holes, barrel pin movement, etc just on principles I learned from dealing with some shoddy home built AK's over the years. I have about 1k through my M92 as well - no issues.

Do you have any guidance on what I can continue to examine to see if they're affected by the bad heat-treat?

[Hizzie]

I follow the AK stuff pretty closely because I have several of them - and this is the first I've read anywhere about the OPAP also being affected by the heat treat issue. Everything else I've seen indicated that PAP & NPAP models were the problematic ones, and M92's occasionally but uncommonly affected.

I have around ~4k through my OPAP with zero issues. I do periodically examine my AK's closely for egging FCG holes, barrel pin movement, etc just on principles I learned from dealing with some shoddy home built AK's over the years. I have about 1k through my M92 as well - no issues.

Do you have any guidance on what I can continue to examine to see if they're affected by the bad heat-treat?

Sounds like you are doing it right. I had heat treatment issues on one of my OPAP’s. FC holes started to egg, bullet guide was coming out. Bolt and BCG looked ok. Under 2k rounds.

[23JAZ]

I would look at the Polish AK pistols from Atlantic Firearms over anything made by Century. They dont come with the brace but they are in the mid $600s and they do come with a forward 1913 rail so you should be able to stay under a grand.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/pro...p-lynx-classic

If not a Draco.

Looks like the Polish AK pistols are out stock. The Romainian Draco, imported by Century is available. Do the Polish AK come back in stock regularly?

[That Guy]

Agreed, but AKs are already so fracking heavy, I can’t quite bring myself to put such a heavy optic on any of mine.

I used to have a Trijicon TR21 on a BP-02 side mount on my milled receiver Arsenal. I did not care for the overall weight, either.

[JRB]

Looks like the Polish AK pistols are out stock. The Romainian Draco, imported by Century is available. Do the Polish AK come back in stock regularly?

Atlantic Arms is the best source for stuff like that but stuff like that tends to come in batches and sell out quickly.

Best bet for an off-the-shelf option is the imported Draco - many vendors do not specify whether it's the US made or imported Draco, but the imported one is Century Arms product number HG1916-N

They're easily found around $600 from a variety of vendors that have them in-stock.

[Casual Friday]

Looks like the Polish AK pistols are out stock. The Romainian Draco, imported by Century is available. Do the Polish AK come back in stock regularly?

They come in in spurts. You'd have to get on the email list, and jump right away, I don't think many get imported at one time.

Draco's can always be found. #dracoseason

[HCM]

Looks like the Polish AK pistols are out stock. The Romainian Draco, imported by Century is available. Do the Polish AK come back in stock regularly?

I’d call Atlantic or try gun broker.