AK Operations Instructions

[el_kab0ng]

Since this goes around on occasion, I decided to take some "how-to" pictures of the appropriate way to engage the selector switch as well as chambering the first round of a new mag.

Step 1 - Starting Position



Step 2 - If you're right handed, use your left hand to reach under the trigger guard and place your fingers on the selector switch. (If you're left handed, none of these instructions apply.)



Step 3 - Using your fingers, pull down on the selector switch to engage. On select fire rifles, this could be to either position 1 or position 2 depending on the volume of fire needed.



Step 4 - Once the selector switch is engaged, tilt the rifle slightly to the right with your right hand and use the index finger of your left hand to hook the bolt carrier handle.



Step 5 - With a quick jerk, slide the bolt carrier towards your body and release once the carrier stops.



The moral of this story is that at no time did my grip hand leave the trigger, nor did the point of aim leave the target.

Hopefully this will assist all you AR freaks into transitioning to a REAL rifle.

[joedirt]

excellent post and sweet krinkov

[mi35d]

Meanwhile, with an AR series rifle you can select fire without EITHER hand moving from their proper place. Flick of the thumb and that's it...

As for charging the weapon, you can do the same - hold the weapon with your shooting hand and charge the weapon with your supporting hand. Weapon can remain pointed at the target without it being canted to the right as in your pictures.

[el_kab0ng]

Ergonomics of an AR will always be better than that of an AK... but that's not the point of this thread. This thread is to inform AK owners (or possible owners) of the correct method in engaging the selector switch and chambering a round. Nothing more, nothing less.

[flanker7]

Thank you very much for the post. I remembering you answering my relative question a while back

[mi35d]

El,

That's fine but your last line in the post seemed like a challenge to the AR community as if there was some inherent advantage.

Hopefully this will assist all you AR freaks into transitioning to a REAL rifle

You know, the usual, AK vs AR crapfests.

No biggie either way.

[koozya]

great post

[el_kab0ng]

El,

That's fine but your last line in the post seemed like a challenge to the AR community as if there was some inherent advantage.

Hopefully this will assist all you AR freaks into transitioning to a REAL rifle

You know, the usual, AK vs AR crapfests.

No biggie either way.

Yeah.. had to get a jab in there somewhere.

[Wall]

Meanwhile, with an AR series rifle you can select fire without EITHER hand moving from their proper place. Flick of the thumb and that's it...

Well, i can do same with AK.

[Jippo]

Best way to charge the weapon is with the palm of the left hand. I've seen that fancy finger charging method demonstrated and it simply isn't very convincing. Impossible to apply force e.g. in malfunction drills.

What comes to operation of selector lever here is vid which presents "slightly" faster and easier to master way to operate the lever.




-jippo

[el_kab0ng]

This appears to be a modified selector switch with the shelf further back, allowing for index finger engagement.

This is NOT stock on 99% of the world's AK population.

If you have a FTF and a jammed cartridge, there's a chance that no amount of force short of kicking the bolt open will clear it (I have experienced this with faulty ammo before)

[Jippo]

It is the very standard AK selector lever.

I have done quite a few malfunction drills both actual and training, and I always have managed to pull the bolt back with one movement. No problems.


-jippo

[el_kab0ng]

The ladies must really love you then.. because us normal folks with regular sized fingers can't reach the forward shelf of the selector switch.

The only other way is to loosen your grip hand to slide your finger farther forward.

[Jippo]

Yes, that is the easier/faster way to do it.

That way, when "posting" or working with people you control the weapon with your right hand, simultaneously keeping the safety and trigger behind your palm. Left is free to work with people. Right thumb remains always in the same spot.

When raising the weapon fingers simply flick the weapon to single shots.


-jippo

[Pook2]

Being left handed makes this so much easier. I just put my right hand in front of the mag well, and I can engage or disengage the safety with my thumb.