I had a mini in the early 90s when I was a young man. I couldn't afford much more then that at the time. It was a fun gun. I loved shooting it but it was minute of paper plates at 100 yards. I often thought of getting another and putting it in Sage folding stock but I just can't bring myself to pay $800 for one. Maybe one day I'll find a deal on one....
Well... After all these years, I finally got my first AK... A buddy of mine bough it new late last year, put a few hundred rounds through it, and decided he wasn't an AK guy. He buys and trades stuff all the time just to try it out, so nothing wrong with the gun, he just wanted the stuff I had to upgrade his other rifles. Worked out good for me. He knew I had a bunch of extra scopes I'd pulled off of stuff that were collecting dusk, so I traded him a couple of scopes and some other random parts I had laying around. Not a bad trade. I wasn't using any of that stuff, and probably would never use any of it again, so I figured might as well declutter somewhat and get something useful and different to add to the collection.
While some might snark because of the brand, let me tell you, i'm extremely impressed with the build-quality and quality of the parts in this thing. It's the top-of-the-line AK that PSA offers, the model is the GF5. It has an FN Herstal CHF 16.1" barrel with bore-centric threads (14x1LH), ALG Defense trigger group (best AK trigger I've ever felt). He also added (aftermarket) a Midwest Industries Alpha 10" MLOK rail and optic mount, a Magpul Zhukov folding stock, and Hogue overmold grip. I pulled the whole gun apart (complete strip) cleaned everything & inspected it, greased the bolt & rails and contact points with Aeroshell 33, and reassembled it. Then, I added the new Vortex SPARC 1x red dot that I had sitting new in the box from a combo deal I got with my BRN-180 upper. And yesterday I ordered my JMac Customs 14x1LH KeyMicro 360 for it, so I can run my Sandman-S on it. It should arrive this week. I might end up ordering the Midwest hinged railed top cover for it, but not sure if I want to drop that $250 into it yet. We'll see how good the threads are, and how well it shoots first. Then I'll decide. If it shoots well, I'll probably pull off the Magpul stock, add a 1913 rear trunnion, and put a JMac Customs AB-8R folder like I have on my BRN-180 build.
While some might snark because of the brand, let me tell you, i'm extremely impressed with the build-quality and quality of the parts in this thing. It's the top-of-the-line AK that PSA offers, the model is the GF5. It has an FN Herstal CHF 16.1" barrel with bore-centric threads (14x1LH), ALG Defense trigger group (best AK trigger I've ever felt). He also added (aftermarket) a Midwest Industries Alpha 10" MLOK rail and optic mount, a Magpul Zhukov folding stock, and Hogue overmold grip. I pulled the whole gun apart (complete strip) cleaned everything & inspected it, greased the bolt & rails and contact points with Aeroshell 33, and reassembled it. Then, I added the new Vortex SPARC 1x red dot that I had sitting new in the box from a combo deal I got with my BRN-180 upper. And yesterday I ordered my JMac Customs 14x1LH KeyMicro 360 for it, so I can run my Sandman-S on it. It should arrive this week. I might end up ordering the Midwest hinged railed top cover for it, but not sure if I want to drop that $250 into it yet. We'll see how good the threads are, and how well it shoots first. Then I'll decide. If it shoots well, I'll probably pull off the Magpul stock, add a 1913 rear trunnion, and put a JMac Customs AB-8R folder like I have on my BRN-180 build.
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Just realized that I never posted up any pics of my BRN-180 .300 BLK build in here.
Brownells BRN-180 Gen2 10.5" .300 BLK upper, JMac Customs forged M4 lower, Rise Armament LPK, TriggerTech Diamond, KNS Anti-Walk pins, JMac Customs AB-8R with StrongArm brace setup, JMac 1913 folder, KNS Precision 1913 AR adapter, Ergo Ambi Suregrip, Vortex Spitfire HD Gen2 5x Prism optic, JMac Customs 360 KeyMicro, Sandman-S MIL-Contract FDE, Rifles Only Gear/Dead Air HAD cover.
Brownells BRN-180 Gen2 10.5" .300 BLK upper, JMac Customs forged M4 lower, Rise Armament LPK, TriggerTech Diamond, KNS Anti-Walk pins, JMac Customs AB-8R with StrongArm brace setup, JMac 1913 folder, KNS Precision 1913 AR adapter, Ergo Ambi Suregrip, Vortex Spitfire HD Gen2 5x Prism optic, JMac Customs 360 KeyMicro, Sandman-S MIL-Contract FDE, Rifles Only Gear/Dead Air HAD cover.
They are making damn decent AR receivers, too. The PSA lower I bought a couple years ago has ZERO slop in it when mated to a high-quality upper (Aero Precision). It was like they were hand-fitted to each other. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of PSA branded stuff (complete AR uppers, their barrels, LPK's, etc...) based on their past quality issues, and because people still think of them as a "Poors brand". But it seems like since they started making damn near everything in-house now, they have really stepped up their game in quality and QA/QC. And you're right, I'm impressed with the quality of this AK-D. Everything is really tight, and fitment and finish is top-notch. It's also an extremely low S/N (made within the first 200 built), so I don't know if that makes any difference.
I don't believe most GunTubers, but I trust Rob Ski (AK Operators Union guy). He knows his shit, and if he says something is high-quality, and it handles his torture tests and abuse with ease, then I trust him. Just posting this video in case anyone else is curious about them. The title of the video is "tongue-in-cheek" to be funny, and he explains why in the intro. Rob knows AK's like nobody else. I've watched him for years. Guy seems 100% legit and always shoots it straight. If something is trash, he'll call it trash. If it tears up, he'll show it tearing up. Can't get more transparent than that.
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Grubber, what kind of scope is that?
PTR91 GIR
Timney trigger
PA 1x6 w/fishing reel throw lever
Magpul UBR stock
AimSports extended mloc forearm
Magpul mloc panels
Streamlight with pressure switch
FAB Defense bipod
Muzzle brake (don't remember the brand)
The wood furniture it previously wore islooking for a new owner gone.
Timney trigger
PA 1x6 w/fishing reel throw lever
Magpul UBR stock
AimSports extended mloc forearm
Magpul mloc panels
Streamlight with pressure switch
FAB Defense bipod
Muzzle brake (don't remember the brand)
The wood furniture it previously wore is
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Put it together in the shop.
Shoots MOBB
Thank you,
MrSmith
Shoots MOBB
Thank you,
MrSmith
Finally got my JMac RRD 360 KeyMicro 14x1LH for the PSAK GF5. After doing some testing I was initially very disappointed with the barrel threads based on my alignment rod. But then I got the bright idea to check concentricity WITHOUT the end-caps on my Sandman-S cans... It was night & day difference. They barrel threads ARE bore-centric, and are pretty damn straight, too. Apparently my 2 Sandman-S end-caps were not drilled & milled dead-center. As you can see in the pics, the threads aren't 100%, they're about 90%, and do favor one side over the other, but not enough to cause any baffle strikes. But if you aren't paying attention, you might could get an end-cap strike in your Sandman-S can, if a bullet decides to zig when it's supposed to zag. But it appears that there's plenty of clearance on mine to not get any baffle or end-cap strikes, so that's a good thing.
I do plan to go this weeknd to zero the SPARC 1x red dot and see how she shoots with the can. I'll get some groups using the Romanian surplus 123gr stuff that the previous owner had bought from PSA for it, and some of my new Wolf 122 Russian made steel case surplus (Tula made). I'll get a video or 2 of shooting it, and report back about how the groups turn out. I know it's not a precision weapon, so I'm not anticipating anything great, but we'll see.
I do plan to go this weeknd to zero the SPARC 1x red dot and see how she shoots with the can. I'll get some groups using the Romanian surplus 123gr stuff that the previous owner had bought from PSA for it, and some of my new Wolf 122 Russian made steel case surplus (Tula made). I'll get a video or 2 of shooting it, and report back about how the groups turn out. I know it's not a precision weapon, so I'm not anticipating anything great, but we'll see.
I like it so far. Front heavy as expected so I'll be getting an 11.5 pistol and SBR'ing it. Couldn't use the included wire stock with my ridiculous riser mounted optics so I used a Virtus AR folding adapter. My first MCX platform and won't be my last.
My Suppressed, (HX-QD 762 Ti), M240 SA & Pre-Ban Mitchell Arms Yugo RPK:
Updated… Pulled the Zhukov stock off, and put a JMac Customs SS-9RP 9” stock with 1/2” cheek riser, a JMac 1913 folding mech, and a PSA 1913 stock adapter. Luckily the GF5 has a modular tailpiece that is removable (pops right out), so no cutting required to install the 1913 adapter…Just bolts right in. 
Also shown is one of my rare real vintage Russian surplus IZhMASh (the original AK factory) slab-side mags.
It looks so much better now!
Also shown is one of my rare real vintage Russian surplus IZhMASh (the original AK factory) slab-side mags.It looks so much better now!
I was critical of PSA for a while, but I think they have done a really good job improving their brand. I think they still fall victim to poor qc from time to time, but so does LMT, who i primarly shoot. PSA has always proven to stand behind their stuff and if there's an issues, they will take care of it.
I've been looking at their 100 series AK's and they look damn good compared to anything else being currently produced. Are they on par with the stuff coming out of Russian State armories, no, but I don't think they have to be. I will probably grab an AK101/102 as soon as they are availible in the GF5 option. Until then, I think I may grab a Bren 2 for something different.
Hows it shoot?
Been considering picking one up but didn't know if I should wait until the do a GF5 version.
This is simply badass
New video is up with my highly-modded PSA GF5 AK47 with the Dead Air Sandman-S MIL Contract suppressor.
Very, Very Nice!
I have a Belgium FAL that I would like to put wood on. Wood looks so much better than plastic.
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Getting back into what I was supremely interested in 40 years ago - the FAL. This is a post-ban DSA SA58 about thirty years old I picked up in apparently unfired condition, built from an all
matching numbers Austrian StG58 parts kit. The barrel looks nearly new inside. Accuracy potential is hindered by the pretty horrible stock military grade trigger, but the Hensoldt ZF24 4X scope certainly does help. Here's a typical five shot group at 100 meters using Swiss Saltech ammo.
These pics just deserve to be brought back up to the top..
Aside from the lucky few with Sig/Swiss Arms SG-55x rifles like @MSTN ... you basically balled out on everyone in this thread.
But @SmithM21 deserves a honorable mention. Badass rigs yall both got gentlemen
Not to mention the KAC SR30(?) off to the left.. what is that mounted in front of the Elcan? Thermal clip on??
Cha-ching! $$$
Yup. SR-30, Elcan, Voodoo-S thermal.These pics just deserve to be brought back up to the top..
Aside from the lucky few with Sig/Swiss Arms SG-55x rifles like @MSTN ... you basically balled out on everyone in this thread.
But @SmithM21 deserves a honorable mention. Badass rigs yall both got gentlemen
Not to mention the KAC SR30(?) off to the left.. what is that mounted in front of the Elcan? Thermal clip on??
Cha-ching! $$$
Here is my 9mm Belt Fed sitting on top of my Colt M16. It is hanging out with my 240 and my USMC BAR,These pics just deserve to be brought back up to the top..
Aside from the lucky few with Sig/Swiss Arms SG-55x rifles like @MSTN ... you basically balled out on everyone in this thread.
But @SmithM21 deserves a honorable mention. Badass rigs yall both got gentlemen
Not to mention the KAC SR30(?) off to the left.. what is that mounted in front of the Elcan? Thermal clip on??
Cha-ching! $$$
Attachments
Not a popular opinion, but I like the MPX better. Familiar AR controls, cheaper mags, an actual last round BHO, actual barrel swapping. And lastly--lets face it: a gas piston rotating bolt AR18 operating system in a 9mm is just cool AF
My old school PTR91 that compliments the modern version I posted earlier in this thread.
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Portuguese PARS G3 semi clone with superb set of Namibian furniture:
Here's a couple. H&K SP5 with some upgrades, Surefire Forend, Full Top Rail, new Flat Trigger Pack, I still have the Brace on it probably going to form 1 it and one other project I'm working on. UTC 45acp 16"Bbl. converted to a UMP. Got just about done with everything just got to dye the Gray Upper to Black and put a few things on it.
Love this thing. Now that I have the suppressor the desire to chop it down is intensifying.
Yep. This should be a learning experiencePTR91 GIR
Timney trigger
PA 1x6 w/fishing reel throw lever
Magpul UBR stock
AimSports extended mloc forearm
Magpul mloc panels
Streamlight with pressure switch
FAB Defense bipod
Muzzle brake (don't remember the brand)
The wood furniture it previously wore islooking for a new ownergone.
Got a 40⁰ HK21 locking piece on the way, assorted ammos.... yay
Load development to follow. I'd like this to be a 1.5-2 MOA general purpose rifle.
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8. The EBR-8 reticle lines up almost perfectly with M80 ball ammo in Strelok.
we'll check at the range. First ammo used will be the Swiss Saltech M80 150gr
my DNA makes good shit. Ruger 10/22 #1151
@ 175 yards
Ruger Mini-14 #5855
@ 300yds
@ 175 yards
Ruger Mini-14 #5855
@ 300yds
A couple German BGS Trials Rifles(Model B) precursor to the G1 in 7.62 NATO.
TM6
TM6
And a German G1, the final accepted variant by the German Bundeswehr(Army) in 1957.
TM6
And the G1(This is BGS Model C, same as the G1) firing full auto without topcover and slowed to show inner workings of action:
Vs. the rotating bolt of the M14:
TM6
And the G1(This is BGS Model C, same as the G1) firing full auto without topcover and slowed to show inner workings of action:
Vs. the rotating bolt of the M14:
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I wouldn't call the SIG an AK - although it also has a gas piston.
I'm watching Randy Marsh fight at little league games right now
Watch the new specials on paramount+. Totally worth it.I'm watching Randy Marsh fight at little league games right now
My favourite long-range .308 gas gun.
A bit off-topic though, as it's not a semi-auto.
