AK Operations Instructions

el_kab0ng · 03-26-2007, 11:22 AM

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 · 03-26-2007, 11:35 AM

excellent post and sweet krinkov

mi35d · 03-26-2007, 11:53 AM

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 · 03-26-2007, 12:00 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 12:05 PM

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

mi35d · 03-26-2007, 12:10 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 12:12 PM

great post

el_kab0ng · 03-26-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Wall · 03-26-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

Well, i can do same with AK.

Jippo · 03-26-2007, 12:45 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 12:49 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 12:58 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 01:31 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 01:42 PM

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 · 03-26-2007, 01:45 PM

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.

03-26-2007, 11:22 AM	#1
el_kab0ng Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas (and these other lesser 49 states) Posts: 754	AK Operations Instructions 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. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by el_kab0ng; 03-26-2007 at 11:23 AM. Reason: Spelling.. sigh

03-26-2007, 11:35 AM	#2
joedirt Banned user Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 510	excellent post and sweet krinkov

03-26-2007, 11:53 AM	#3
mi35d Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hard Rock Cafe - Kabul Posts: 2,291	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.

03-26-2007, 12:00 PM	#4
el_kab0ng Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas (and these other lesser 49 states) Posts: 754	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.

03-26-2007, 12:05 PM	#5
flanker7 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: cyprus Age: 32 Posts: 4,533	Thank you very much for the post. I remembering you answering my relative question a while back

03-26-2007, 12:10 PM	#6
mi35d Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hard Rock Cafe - Kabul Posts: 2,291	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.

03-26-2007, 12:12 PM	#7
koozya Banned user Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Midland Age: 26 Posts: 774	great post

03-26-2007, 12:45 PM	#10
Jippo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,320	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

03-26-2007, 12:49 PM	#11
el_kab0ng Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas (and these other lesser 49 states) Posts: 754	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)

03-26-2007, 12:58 PM	#12
Jippo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,320	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

03-26-2007, 01:31 PM	#13
el_kab0ng Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas (and these other lesser 49 states) Posts: 754	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.

03-26-2007, 01:42 PM	#14
Jippo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,320	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

03-26-2007, 01:45 PM	#15
Pook2 I like the pain Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Posts: 6,605	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.