AK Sponsor
Posted: 9/12/2012 11:06:49 AM EDT
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I’m 6-even, weigh 165, and I’m pushing 60, so please do not tell me to go to the gym, lift weights, put on a few pounds, get an AR, yadda, yadda, yadda. Also, I shoot with just a t-shirt on, and I don’t care for recoil pads you wear on your body.
After being bruised from firing 60 rounds through my stock WASR (not the bruise photo), a couple of weeks ago I bought a recoil pad from some unheard of/cannot-remember place on the internet. This thing was pretty hard; I would consider it a stock extender rather than a recoil pad. Nevertheless, I fired 80 rounds with this thing attached. The result is the bruise photo. Granted, it is light bruising, but I don’t want any at all. Years ago I put a LimbSaver recoil pad on my Tikka 243. I thought I would put one on my WASR but they don’t make one for an AK. Not a problem. I bought their slip-on pad and duct taped it in place. Tah-dah! Yep, it looks ghetto but it sure works well. I took it to the range and fired 100 rounds through it and I could have fired another 100. I am very pleased: no bruising at all and I can shoot all day - well, until my fingers start burning! Not only is the recoil reduced substantially but the length-of-pull (LOP) is much better for me. LOP: stock, 12.75; with hard recoil pad, 13.75; plus LimbSaver, 14.75. Now I actually enjoy extended firing sessions with my WASR. That’s right, uh-huh, yeah. Hopefully, I will not have to ugly-ize my SGL21-72. Although the NATO stock has a LOP of 14 inches, the butt plate is plastic and very narrow. And I cannot imagine the pounding some of the underfolders must dish out. I just may get one anyway because they are so cool-looking - I just won’t fire 100 rounds at a time. Yes, I've seen worse. 
First recoil pad attached. It doesn’t do much for recoil, and it’s ugly, but it does feels better when shouldered. 
LimbSaver slipped into place. The adhesive residue is from red duct tape applied a week before I thought of taking photos. 
LimbSaver duct-taped. The original red duct tape did stand out a bit. I re-taped with black so it would blend with the LimbSaver. 
Just for looks. 
Fourteen point seven five inches - yeah, baby! 
No, it is not the mating season. 
SGL21 LOP is 14 inches. My “enhanced” WASR is 14.75 inches. 
Tapco plum is way lighter than Russian plum. 
The upper handguard split lengthwise along the spine. I superglued it and will use it until my Hogue replacement shows up. 
The trigger guard rubs my middle finger (photos show it healing after a week). Hopefully, this won’t happen with the Hogue grip. What I would like to see is an AR-style Ergo grip for the AK. 
Yes, I like the extended mag release. 
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed my WASR. Even though it is ugly, it is much more fun to shoot, and isn’t that what this should be all about? 
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I'm the same way. I got this recoil pad & been happy since. It slips on & only adds about 1/2 inch
http://www.tacticalaccessories.com/products/viewproduct.php?id_product=503 |
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An AK really bruised you?
Maybe try a NATO stock set and keep it tight to your shoulder. I've never experienced "unpleasant" recoil from an AK of any caliber and my favorite is an AK47 (not AKM) pattern rifle with a muzzle nut (no recoil reduction) and a Warsaw length stock with metal buttplate. If you're changing furniture, might was well get a full US made set in your color of choice or even get some wood. Might try one of the AK74 type brakes threaded for 14x1LH. I hear they work quite well on both 5.45 and 7.62 Might also try a grenade launcher buttpad like suggested above. If you've ever fired a Romanian wire sidefolder they make the experience....acceptable. |
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I don't mean to be critical but I can't imagine the word "recoil" and 7.62X39mm in the same category. Then again I shoot bruisers of all kinds.
I think Cooper was right, 90% of all recoil is percieved. I shoot hot loaded .45-70s with no ill effect. Personally I dont consider ANY military round having overly excessive recoil. Some may have better shot to shot time re-aquiring the target/sight picture but I cant believe a 7.62X39 in a standard weight AK patter rifle can be a problem from a physical stanpoint. Its not what I'd call punishing if I can dump 40 rds as fast as I can pull the trigger, and have done full auto mag dumps (controlled) during weapon familiarization in the military. |
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Hold it tight against your shoulder. Trust me on this...
Using the same "hold" as with my AR and 5.56 C93, my 7.62x52 and x39 "beat" on me until I held them tight. Hold tight, don't let them "bounce around" against your shoulder, and recoil effectively goes away. Using these same techniques - my Garand is a dream to shoot. |
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Quoted:
Pretty much the same responses I got 2 years ago when I had recoil & bruise issues..... As I said then some of us maybe are not the he men others are. Yes, and some can hold the butt of a 600 Nitro Express against their nose one-handed and feel no recoil. Everybody's perception is different; age and injuries do not seem to have been taken into account here. A recoil pad oughts fix the problem simply enough for the OP. |
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Quoted:
Buy a pad that goes on your shoulder. They are about $25. I got one when I had a Nagant 7.62x54R carbine and with the shoulder pad I could fire it all day with no discomfort. This is the way to go. I shoot an 1886 Winchester (full-house .45-70 loads) and a steel crescent buttpad. The shoulder pad that you wear will work with all your rifles and you can keep them all original. |
| When got my wasr 10 it had this tapco side folder that would bruise me like that. I'm not one to bruise easily at all but this thing would do it to my face and shoulder. It was bad enough that I did't want to shoot the gun without a mouse pad taped to it. I think it was just the stock being pointy an not fitting me well allowing it to get a run and go on me. Now that I have a new comfy stock it's as if the recoil is cut in half. I guess that plays into the perception thing. Interesting! |
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Thanks for the write up. I'm 37 and get bruised like that the first time I go shooting after months of not going. I don't see a problem with what you did except it seems it will probably fall apart when you least want it. you can install a limb saver or anything else you want on the ak. It just takes time and money.
EDIT: I will probably be installing a limb saver or something similar on an ak I purchased for my daughter if it ever gets fixed. |
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Don't worry about looks if it works for you. It makes shooting a pleasent experiance!
I will not that the underfolders might not be that bad, my Polish, the stock (each side) is actually wider than a normal wood buttstock, and it doesn't feel "hollow" in between each side when firing. As for the guard rubbing your finger, have you filed off the sharper "edges" of the trigger guard? Mine would damn near amputate fingers until I filed off a couple edges on it. |
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