Kalashnikov USA's KR-104 now available

[DispositionMatrix]

True to AK-104 form, it is only available as an SBR. So if you don't want to wait, putting a GBC on KR-103 would be faster for those who want to decide what to do about the barrel later.
https://kalashnikov-usa.com/product/kr-104-sbr-7-62x39mm-short-barrel-rifle/

Edited January 18, 2022 by GlockSpock
Fixed link. Now it works.

[Grayfox54]

Link don't work. 

[Snaveba]

I tried to post  the link as well and it did the same thing, it just links back to the TGO thread

Edited January 14, 2022 by Snaveba

[Chucktshoes]

https://kalashnikov-usa.com/product/kr-104-sbr-7-62x39mm-short-barrel-rifle/

 

 

[bobsguns]

Wouldn't there be significant loss of velocity from the 12" bbl?

[GlockSpock]

Original link works now.

[Chucktshoes]

32 minutes ago, bobsguns said:

Wouldn't there be significant loss of velocity from the 12" bbl?

Not as much as you would think. That round actually does pretty good all the way down to about 8 inches.

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by Chucktshoes

[DispositionMatrix]

For reference, 12.25" is historically correct in that Kalashnikov Concern built the AK-104 as the "carbine" version of the 16.1" AK-103. With regard to the AK-100 series, Kalashnikov USA's mission appears to be to make the most accurate representations of AK-100s since the SGL-21s that were done by Arsenal. The problem for US consumers is that, in being true to the original design, the KR-104 is SBR-only. That will limit sales, but since it's basically the same rifle as the KR-103, most will opt just to buy that instead and perhaps Form 1 it later down to 12.25", swapping out the FSB and GB for the KR-104 GBC.

Unfortunately, I committed to my AK-104-like build a few months before the KR-103 SFS became available. My build uses an AKM receiver (with 100-series cut for the hinged rear trunnion) and front trunnion, which is a downer, but the parts are of good quality (WBP). So in a sense it's like a PSAK-103/4 but, I hope, of better quality in the end.

I have a hankering to buy or build an AK-102 and to build it more like a true AK-100-series--bump rivet and all. If KUSA made either a KR-102 or KR-101, I probably would pounce. As it stands, I'm looking at rescuing one of those poor Saiga .223 sporters for absurd money or just building from scratch. As of this moment, I think the latter would be much cheaper and would allow me to get the receiver to more accurately match that of a true AK-102.

[leroy]

I've been pinin for a 223 pistol myself... SIGH...

leroy...

[hipower]

9 minutes ago, leroy said:

I've been pinin for a 223 pistol myself... SIGH...

leroy...

The Zastava M85 like the one I sold recently, seems to be making a comeback. You might take look at it. Although mine was unfired, I did get some rounds thru one, and was pleased with it.

Just sayin'.

[DispositionMatrix]

3 minutes ago, hipower said:

The Zastava M85 like the one I sold recently, seems to be making a comeback. You might take look at it. Although mine was unfired, I did get some rounds thru one, and was pleased with it.

Just sayin'.

The ZPAP M70, ZPAP M90, and ZPAP M92 all have exhibited excellent quality for AK-pattern firearms. To diversify, though, with Poland under represented in my safe, I'd look at a Mini Jack (WBP) 

https://armsofamerica.com/wbp-5-56-223-polish-mini-jack-ak47-pistol/

or, for more money, a Beryl.

https://armsofamerica.com/fb-radom-mini-beryl-pistol-223-5-56/

Acquaintances have said the WBP is a better value, with quality on part with that of the FB. Nitrided barrel, though. It's also worth noting WBP and FB often share parts. WBP is a commercial manufacturer but appears to be a subcontractor for FB, which is a military contractor.

 

[hipower]

1 hour ago, DispositionMatrix said:

The ZPAP M70, ZPAP M90, and ZPAP M92 all have exhibited excellent quality for AK-pattern firearms. To diversify, though, with Poland under represented in my safe, I'd look at a Mini Jack (WBP) 

https://armsofamerica.com/wbp-5-56-223-polish-mini-jack-ak47-pistol/

or, for more money, a Beryl.

https://armsofamerica.com/fb-radom-mini-beryl-pistol-223-5-56/

Acquaintances have said the WBP is a better value, with quality on part with that of the FB. Nitrided barrel, though. It's also worth noting WBP and FB often share parts. WBP is a commercial manufacturer but appears to be a subcontractor for FB, which is a military contractor.

Nice...but above my pay grade for now.

 

[DispositionMatrix]

Mine, too.

[mike_f]

I really like the 12.5"-ish AKs with the full length gas systems.  I have them in 7.62x39, 5.45x39 and 5.56 NATO.

The "Krink", mini Jack, and mini Beryl sized guns, with the significantly shortened gas systems, recoil more sharply and have significantly higher concussion. The recoil isn't painful or even uncomfortable, but the recoil cycle is significantly more violent to the point of affecting follow up shots IMHO. 

[bobsguns]

7 hours ago, leroy said:

I've been pinin for a 223 pistol myself... SIGH...

Does the 5.7 not scratch that itch? It works for me pretty good in the FN pistol package. But I get the attraction to having an arm brace on the pistol.

[leroy]

3 hours ago, bobsguns said:

Does the 5.7 not scratch that itch? It works for me pretty good in the FN pistol package. But I get the attraction to having an arm brace on the pistol.

Bob... I made the mistake of handling the son's 7.62x39 pistol... I like the workmanship in em... 

leroy....

[DispositionMatrix]

And now I'm wrong, per KUSA at SHOT Show 2022. The KR-104 allegedly also will be available as a pistol starting in February. So SBR at your leisure. They claim to be working with SB Tactical on a brace bundle for it as well.

https://youtu.be/Xww0RvX8goM

KUSA can be pretty nimble here perhaps because nothing is imported.

[Magiccarpetrides]

On 1/17/2022 at 10:01 PM, Chucktshoes said:

Not as much as you would think. That round actually does pretty good all the way down to about 8 inches.

 

I have a 7.5" KS47 and she has no problem ringing steel at 200yds....the 7.62x39 is finally being made in subsonic too...always wondered why they didnt do that to begin with instead of coming out with the 300blk....

[mamcdonald]

On 1/19/2022 at 10:49 AM, hipower said:

The Zastava M85 like the one I sold recently, seems to be making a comeback. You might take look at it. Although mine was unfired, I did get some rounds thru one, and was pleased with it.

Just sayin'.

If you sold it to a local shop in Nashville a couple months ago, I might own it now .  Just sent off a form 1 to SBR it a couple days ago.

[hipower]

14 hours ago, mamcdonald said:

If you sold it to a local shop in Nashville a couple months ago, I might own it now .  Just sent off a form 1 to SBR it a couple days ago.

Congrats on your purchase and plans. But mine was sold to a member here. I Rarely sell to a shop, way too much loss in doing so. I have done some trading with a local shop. In doing so, I think I was even at best.

 

[mamcdonald]

4 hours ago, hipower said:

Congrats on your purchase and plans. But mine was sold to a member here. I Rarely sell to a shop, way too much loss in doing so. I have done some trading with a local shop. In doing so, I think I was even at best.

 

Gotcha, yeah I try to avoid it as well. Came across the m85 marked as used but looked brand new, had a few mags and a couple accessories for 75% the cost of a new one

[hipower]

Then you scored!

[Moped]

Will someone explain to me why AKs are so much more than a decent AR? 

[mamcdonald]

3 hours ago, Moped said:

Will someone explain to me why AKs are so much more than a decent AR? 

Market share and parts availability would be my guess.

[Chucktshoes]

Cheap imports of aks mass produced decades ago by communist governments have been pretty much shut off. Now you are in a place where aks are made mostly by commercial producers. What most people don’t know is that the AK is actually not a cheap gun to produce. It takes quite a bit of tooling and machining to make.