GSG Kalashnikov in 22lr

[1Admin]

Anyone own one of these? Thinking about getting one for the boy so as to keep the manipulations learned the same later on when he moves up to a full size.

It LOOKS like the manipulations should be the same. Pic in catalog shows mag release looking same as standard AK, charging handle on right side, same looking safety, etc.

Any input? TIA

Lowdown3

[protus]

i saw some at a local fun shop. It got me thinking $$$$$ when compared to 39. looked g2g from what i saw. how they hold up is hard to say.

[Hawkeye]

I've been looking hard into these myself for the same reason. Having a tough time finding any reliable hard info on them, espeically as to durability, accuracy, mag availability, etc...

[Hawkeye]

Got to handle one today. Buying two, one for each of my boys. Controls are all identical to a standard AK. The plastic stock and handguards feel a little cheap, but, they seem serviceable.

[Spock]

by the reviews i watched on youtube just like the ciener kits for ars these things look like they work best with the federal bulk pack

[1Admin]

Got one in and just got a chance to shoot it today.

Only shot about 150 rounds through it. Perception?

HELL TO THE YEAH!! :)

Very nice little piece. Feels identical to my other AK's.

The bolt does hold open on this. Not a huge deal but that's the only manipulation type difference between this and the "real thang."

CCI Stingers functioned flawlessly for 72 rounds (3 mags). Brought some old school $8.88 per 550 Walmart Federal and had one feed jam with it but the other 70 odd rounds went fine.

Accuracy-

Shot paper at 50 yards first. Trigger is sloppy IMO, slightly worse than a WASR. After I could tell it was hitting where it should I shot a mag as quick as I could pull the trigger. All rounds landed in the chest area.

Shot at the steels at 50 and 100 yards and they rang every time without a hitch.

Cons-

The mags while not poorly made are definitely not on grade with standard AK mags. Don't plan on opening beer bottles and beating zombie heads in with them. At $25. per 24 round mag you probably don't want to get a dozen of them, but 5-6 out to cover it.

The magazine hold open- some will like this that are used to that function, some will not. The "stroke" of the bolt is so short you really can't tell a difference if your used to a longer stroke of a real AK.

I've heard that it's "finicky" about ammunition. Not enough rounds through it yet to be sure however. Technically it's the boy's rifle so I didn't want to run a whole bunch through it right off the bat. Should know some more on this issue by end of summer.

Pros-

At $270'ish it's about as expensive as x39 ammo was a few years ago for a case. Should you buy one just to save money on ammo? Not necessarily. I bought this principally for my son so he would only have to learn one set of manipulations and that later when he went to a "real" AK he would be very familiar with the manipulations. I can see that goal will be easily achieved with this rifle.

For the cost conscious, this COULD offer a platform wherein you could save some bucks on ammo. However the "start up" costs of the gun, magazines, etc. have to be weighed also. Figure a break even point of 2,000 rounds of X39 ammo to justify it. If you have a spouse or a child that could use this as a trainer, that's further justification in my book. And no I'm not a "gun guy" that buys the first shiny black metallic object that had a good writeup in a gun rag.

The mags are close enough in design that pouches, chest rigs, etc. that take standard AK mags will work with these mags. Again another plus. Who wants to buy excess gear that will only be feasible for a couple years?

Also, most of us have oodles of .22lr that honestly, what the hell are we gonna do with it???? Talking with SGL a few weeks ago I said "I have XX K rounds of .22 and I haven't used more than a handful since I got the wife trained up a decade ago..." So here is further justification to use up some of the .22 most of us have been stockpiling that honestly, will likely see little use in the PAW. We use less than 20 rounds a year of .22 most years (butchering chickens, I don't like wringing the necks)

[Hawkeye]

Good to hear your results. Your plans pretty much mirror mine. Still planning on getting a couple for my boys, just waiting on a certain something to sell first so I'll have the $$.

[Lowdown3]

Is the "certain something" black, originally made by Mattel and prone to jamming ;) Just kidding.

Welcome to the Dark Side. Part II.

We need to get together and shoot sometimes, I think we could both learn a lot from each other.

[Hawkeye]

Is the "certain something" black, originally made by Mattel and prone to jamming ;) Just kidding.

Welcome to the Dark Side. Part II.

We need to get together and shoot sometimes, I think we could both learn a lot from each other.

Nope, not black, not made by Mattel, and definitely not prone to jamming. ;)

You are very correct though....we do, and we could. A lot.