Comments on: Interesting

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:53:40 +0000

I just happened to come across a left-handed bolt system that I think is the same system:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/11/17/ak-lightning-bolt-left-hand-side-charging-handle/

By: Tomcatshanger

Tomcatshanger — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:32:12 +0000

I was mainly thinking of the locked bolt with relation to a left side charging handle and the safety.

Any use as a dust cover is gone now that there is a slot on the left.

By: Moriarty

Moriarty — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:34:08 +0000

I recall reading somewhere that Kalashnikov’s original design called for a left-sided charging handle, but some Russian general found it to be “visually distracting.”

Interesting to see it carried out.

By: Tam

Tam — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:03:28 +0000

Heartless Libertarian,

Yes, it works better when standing and sometimes kneeling. But ever try it that way prone?

Yes, a fair bit. I’m sold. (…it’s why I put PRI Big Latches on all my AR’s.)

By: Lyle

Lyle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:17:20 +0000

Those have a fairly common AKSU-74 feature. They’re bastard guns, but one of them could in fact be an AKSU-74– we cant see the gas tube, but the rear sight is on the dust cover, “Krink” style. Yes, there is a latch on the front of the receiver to hold the stock in the folded position. The same latch is used on some full-sized AKs with this “solid polymer folder” stock:
http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16851&cat=251&page=3
though like the “Krink” folder it requires its own rear receiver block.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:16:07 +0000

Those are AK clones from Down Under, where everything is backward!

By: Gun Blobber

Gun Blobber — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:01:34 +0000

Tomcatshanger: The safety’s blocking of the charging handle has little to do with the main function of the safety, which is to internally block the trigger from moving sufficiently to release the hammer. The getting-in-the-way-of-the-charging-handle thing is pretty much just a way of ensuring that a round can’t be chambered with the safety on, and is one of the secondary effects of the safety lever (it also acts as a dust cover).

By: Heartless Libertarian

Heartless Libertarian — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:45:01 +0000

The other advantage for lefties is you wouldn’t have the charging handle digging into your back if you sling it, both back and front.

And I’m still not sold on the whole “non-firing hand side charging handle is better” argument.

Yes, it works better when standing and sometimes kneeling. But ever try it that way prone?

By: Gun Blobber

Gun Blobber — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:30:51 +0000

The receiver stamping is for ITM Arms Co. I have one of their receivers.

Looks like an interesting mod. It would be pretty easy to cut the slot in the left side of the receiver cover and weld a new charging handle on to the left side of the bolt carrier. I have heard of people doing the same thing with SKS bolt carriers.

I don’t think it would hit your cheek or nose. I always keep my face 100% behind the receiver cover.

By: ZerCool

ZerCool — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:22:51 +0000

Looks like a real good way to get a bashed-up cheek/nose…

By: Gregory Markle

Gregory Markle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:04:24 +0000

The small lever in front of the charging handle appears to be the catch for the folding stock, which means to stock is likely derived from the Krinkov. Does anybody recognize the stamping on the rear of the receiver? Doesn’t look familiar at all to me.

By: guy

guy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:58:54 +0000

oh, clip for folding stock?

By: guy

guy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:58:07 +0000

What’s the small lever forward of the magazine?

By: Murdoc

Murdoc — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:42:25 +0000

Interesting. What about the side scope mount, though?

By: Tomcatshanger

Tomcatshanger — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:15:37 +0000

That’s a step in the right direction.

I wonder how the safety works without a charging handle to stop? Or is there a charging handle on both sides?

By: Tam

Tam — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:35:11 +0000

(Sorry, “Reduce Malfunctions” = Tactispeak for “Clear Jams”, ie “Operate the charging handle with the ejection port rolled towards the bottom.”)

By: Tam

Tam — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:33:24 +0000

Not “left handed”, but a left-side charging handle. (Note that there’s no ejection port on the port side.)

This is a right handed gun, and how the AK’s charging handle should be in the first place. It allows you to keep a master grip on the weapon while reducing malfunctions with the weak hand without having to reach over or under the receiver, an action that can be made difficult by optics or drum mags…

By: Ahab

Ahab — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:03:00 +0000

That was the first thing I thought. Maybe it’s a mirror image?

By: drstrangegun

drstrangegun — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:02:53 +0000

Interesting. Must be a conversion… you’d need a new bolt carrier and cover, but really that’s about it.

Bolt carrier a US made part? If it is I’m REAL interested.

It’s not a true lefty conversion though, not as much as it looks like it’s intended for lefty shooters. The cartridge still flies out past your face.