#AKM

With the modularity of the AR-15, home builds are everywhere. Regardless of your skill level, with enough help from online resources ( a blog about firearms, mayhaps?), almost anyone can build an AR-patterned rifle or pistol. But what happens if you want to build an AK? Well, thanks to the Rifle Dynamics Builder AKM receivers, you now have that option.

The outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the 27 September is not completely surprising; both countries have fought several short and brutal campaigns against one another since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Welcome again to TFB’s Photo Of The Day. As the name implies, these daily articles are dedicated to rare and unique pictures. Today we look at the Romanian  Pistol Mitralieră model 1990. Chambered in 7.62x39mm and it is the first side-folding stock version produced in Romania.

Franklin Armory’s Binary Firing System upgrades your rifle and may turn it into your favorite shooter. Skeptical at first, I have become a “true believer” (in the cult-like fashion of other Franklin acolytes). I fired every single 9mm round I had, then searched for more, like a junkie needing a fix. With this upgrade, merely picking up my Binary AK gets me giggly and warm inside. How many rounds did I fire? I have no frickin’ idea…

Welcome to another edition of TFB’s Field Strip series, in which we’ll look at the simplistic field strip AK rifles and pistols adhere to. Mikhail Kalashnikov‘s AK47 has become one of the most recognizable and iconic rifles and fielded by many nations, freedom fighters, terrorists, as well as firearms enthusiasts.  There have been numerous variations on the AK platform since its adoption by the Soviet Union more than 70 years ago, some of which were dependant on which Warsaw Pact country it originated from.  According to Wikipedia, more than 100 million rifles based on Kalashnikov’s design have been produced, and around 90 countries have adopted them in some form or another.

Above, featuring TFB’s Picture Of The Day, we see a Polish PTS-M carrying Romanian Marines – all arms forward! – onto the beach during an amphibious assault exercise at Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019 exercise.

In this article, we’ll discuss the history, development and evolution of muzzle devices seen on Mikhail Kalashnikov’s Avtomat. In particular, we’ll talk about those made in the Soviet Union and Russia. Just like in the case of  one of our previous installments dedicated to the history of Soviet/Russian AK bayonets, this article is also primarily based on Kalashnikov Gun Magazine‘s content which we use with the permission of KGM’s chief editor. Without further ado let’s see how the AK muzzle devices developed over the years.

In this episode, James discusses 6 reasons why the Galil ACE is better than the AK-47/AKM.

Larry Vicker‘s guide of the Kalashnikov (Volume 1) is now ready to be delivered to your coffee table. This book will stand out on any table or shelf, in its Red Alert-red, full of AKs and AKMs.

Currently boosting a force of over 30,000 fighters, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) has always been a force of reckoning on the Burmese border with China. And although arms production among the Wa (northern Shan State) isn’t a new or hot topic ( this Irrawaddy article documenting such production in 2008), there have has been very little written about exactly what is being produced and how to tell it apart. Both the armed factions of the Wa and the Kachin ethnic groups will publicly and proudly claim that their small arms are entirely produced domestically. Although both ethnic armies do have a limited assembly ability and the Kachin appear to manufacture their own mortars, the nexus behind both groups originates from neighbouring China in the form of Type 81 derivatives.

Today at The Firearm Blog we have exclusive AK-related information for you. Brandon Herrera, also known as The AK Guy, informed us about the release of his first production model AK called AKG-47. Brandon has earlier launched a limited edition commemorative rifle that we talked about on TFB. Today, he is introducing a production model that will be made in large quantities and will be available both on the company’s website and via its dealers.

Although located in some of the most remote parts of the Burmese jungle, the Kachin Independence Army has been able to build up an impressive arms assembly capability in the northern regions of the country of Myanmar. It is very difficult to acquire information and proof of Kachin facilities, but current speculation leans more towards the side of assembly of prefabricated components that are being imported rather than an actual indigenous arms production scheme and supply chain. A previous Kachin design was reported on in January of 2013 through TFB, that of a Type 81-based rifle grenade launcher. We’ll be covering this weapon system soon as the design has subsequently been upgraded in addition to numerous variants have been added to it.

Since Jim Fuller founded Rifle Dynamics more than a decade ago, the company has risen to an extremely high standard of craftsmanship within the AK industry in the United States. Jim talks about the story of the company, starting with his very first introduction to the weapon system as an electrician on a job site to making mistakes with Chinese import guns, and ending with what Rifle Dynamics will be coming out within the next year of production when it comes to the Kalashnikov derivatives that it has become famous for manufacturing.

Rifle Dynamics has something cool for the Father’s Day. Their Father’s Day Special limited edition AKM is specifically built to be a perfect Father’s Day gift although I think any of the Rifle Dynamics AKs is a perfect gift. Let’s first watch the promo video featuring Jim Fuller as the ’60s Dad.

Polish WBP Rogow has published a video showing how AKMS rifles are disassembled into parts kits in their factory. They completely disassemble the rifles including the removal of barrel and trunnions. Let’s watch the video first then take a closer look at different processes.