| From
the Code 10 website
Romania, like many other eastern countries
exported semi-automatic weapons to the main
civilian markets for firearms: Switzerland and
the USA. The AK variations featured here have
the usual alterations to make them legal on
civilian markets (semi auto only), however the
design pattern copies the apperal of the militiary
AK variants that where marketed worldwide. Where
legal, these patterns may be interesting in
another context: the availability and price
of Romanian AK parts kits, as well as replacement
parts and stock sets may encourage to start
a project to build one of these patterns. Another
possibility would be to change the looks of
a Romanian rifle, while following the original
militairy patterns that where marketed by Romania.
Romanian
Dragunov (7.62x54R)
Actually not a real
Dragunov, but a self loading sniper rifle based
on the RPK reinforced AK receiver. Romania went
into the production of these as a civilian version
(like China) to supply a politically correct
looking (thumbhole stocked) self-loading rifle,
suited mainly for hunting and sniper training/application.
AKM47
underfolder (7.62x39)
beside the pattern in the
picture above, the 47 versions eventually came
also with wooden foregrips (replacing the lower
handguard) like the early fielded rifle for
paratroopers.
In the case of the
underfolder this foregrip was directed backward,
instead of forwards like on the 74 patterns
in the display. This form of foregrip was necessairy
to close the underfolding metal stock. It is
also very unlikely that this version came with
a scope rail riveted to the left side of the
receiver.
AKM
Sidefolder/fixed stock models (7.62x39 &
5.45x39)
These versions came
with standard wooden lower handguards, or wooden
foregrips (normally forward pointing foregrip
pattern), depending on preference of customer.
The 47 models came usually with the slant cut
muzzle break/compensator or with muzzle nut,
while the 74 versions came with a Romanian copy
of the original Russian 74 muzzle break/flash
hider. A factory cope rail is standard. The
Romanian pattern sidefolders are operated by
a button mechanism in contrast to the E-German
lever operated side folding stocks. However
both stock models exchange without problems,
if necessairy or desired (generally Romanian
sidefolding stocks have a rough machined surface,
some have grinding marks. Sometimes they may
be hard to get, or more expensive than the German
surplus.)
AKM
47/74 "Speznas" shorty sidefolders
(7.62x39 & 5.45x39)
These semi auto versions
are built after the Romanian AIM carbine (issued
to militairy special forces, special police
units). AIM carbines feature the standard factory
scope rail,and a Full Auto/Semi/Tri-burts selective
fire mode.
These shorty versions are also referred
to as AKSU47/74 (Ro) or Krinkov(Ro), though
have not too much in common with the Russian/Bulgarian
built Krinkov/AKSU. While the export version
of this rifle features a muzzle nut on the 47
version , the 74 version has a Romanian birdcage
flash-hider (also used on Romanian RPK style
LMGs). Both shorty models have no factory spec.
bayonet mount (in contrast to the E-German carbines).
The handguards are standard AK size, but the
gas tube is shorter than the standard AK gas
tubes. From personal experience the barrel of
these models are shortened standard barrels
which is indicated by a lack of chrome plating
at the muzzle crown of factory new weapons.
The longer barrel of this Romanian Speznas,
when compared to Russian Krinkovs, seems to
be a better compromise when it comes to field/
combat evaluation. It results in better accuracy
and a higher effective distance, so the Russian
AK 100 series shorties (intended to replace
the Krinkov) feature a similar barrel length.
Other
Romanian civilian models
Thumbhole stocked AK47/74
semi models (with or without detachable muzzle
device) where also exported from Romania. While
these "Sporter" or "post-ban"
versions where obviously less sought after in
the US, these versions where marketed in Switzerland
as "Mini-Dragunov" packages (scope
included). From a gun-buyers standpoint the
most remarkable difference was, that this "civilian
sporter" version price was about 100$ higher
than the militairy pattern models above with
an extra scope. While the original models where
still for sale, the "castrated" AKs
standing in the same gunshop where obviously
worth 100 bucks more.....simply because they
where tagged "Dragunov"......IMHO
a mini-intelligent choice.
From
the Code 10 website |
