We've all seen this mock up poster of the Chi-com soldier with his hand up. "Keep that crap off my AK", is the caption. Usually this is in reference to the myriad of crap ... literally ... that has infested the AK accessory market for so long. We see substandard AK parts and accessories injection molded by someone who has sexual fantasies about leggos and shooting an M4 instead of an AK. Look at the excuses for AK magazines foisted on the market by several US companies until US Palm snatched that market from them with a magazine that actually works.Then, of course, we have the Airsofters that realized those who shoot real guns have more disposable money than the teenagers they have been marketing to. Sp they repurpose their stuff and "PRESTO", instant AK tactical accessories...for cheap!I think, to a degree, the AK market has become jaded. We've seen too much. You know. The M4-nikov with a vodka chaser, or the flimsy plastic AK-47 side folder that, was 922(r) compliant, and cheap, but broke in half during drills. The cool colored or clear US made magazines that look great in the rifle but won't feed more than five rounds at a time, or break when they fall to the ground. All total disappointments that spawn posters like the one above. The Chicom soldier is not only saying he wants no such thing on his rifle, but also taunting american manufacturing isn't he.
How dare I expect modern american labor to equal Cold War era slave labor behind the Iron Curtain, whose failure to produce meant death, and not six months of unemployment checks followed by a hostile work environment lawsuit pay-off.
But the AK, like the AR, the FAL, the UZI, the Saiga, and all other mass produced military weapons can be improved. So what do we do? Leave "good enough" alone and make do, or try to improve things. After all, few of us fly around in hot air balloons for transportation, or use the telegraph to communicate. Had someone not thouight to improve things, we would all still be fighting with rocks.

Initially, and still, my focus in training has been that your AK....your personal training and GO-TO rifle, should operate the same as the rifle that will be used by the AQ terrorist you meet in Botswana, or Colombia, or Johanesburg.

Look at the rifle above by Krebs. It has been improved, but it is still an AK and has nothing that does not serve a tangible purpose. If the Chicom soldiers wants to keep his Norinco over the Krebs, he is a freaking idiot.

The safety should operate the same so you don't lose those few prescious tenths of seconds remembering its not your excalibur, but Hassan's Mahdi rifle. The bolt handle, the magazine release, and the general handling system of the weapon should not change from the normal kalashnikov...lest you create confusion for yourself at the moment of truth.

The few that have actually left the shooting range and ventured into the realm where if you make a mistake you die, will know what I mean. Make a mistake and you are f*****g dead....period, end of f*****g story, not a loss of points, or a snarky comment from the overfed gun guru, or a DQ from the match. Pretty high stakes don't you think?Still, the Kalashnikov can in fact be improved. The issue is just how much. So what are we talking about???Some of the items we see include railed handguards to add length for those who need it and for the ability to mount lights. As well, to aid in heat dissipation and even in some cases to free float the rifle barrel. Not a bad thing at all for those who need it. Notice this does not change the safety, bolt handle, magazine release, or general handling. On rails, please don't go out and buy the Airsoft application rail from the Chinese soldier in the photo. If you are going to do that, just don't add anything then. The only rails worth bothering with are from Krebs, Ultimak, Samson, or Midwest.
I also see the need for after market stocks. There has always been a concern with the addition of M4 accessories to the AK, but for those with sasquatch-length arms and some for those with pygmy arms, that may be the only option. The ability to put the right one on your rifle is a good thing. Stay away from the bargain basement crap. If it looks like an AK accessory for cheap, it is probably crap. The only ones I would recommend are from Vltor. These are a quality made item.

Optics for those with old eyes...or those with the desire to shoot an old eye...right in the eye. The best way, as far as CQB (Close Quarters Battle) goes, to mount optics on the AK platform are the Ultimak gas rails. I have been running these on my rifles since 2006 and they are as strong as the rifle and give me no problems no matter how much I neglect my working rifles. Optics should be considered by everyone as they will make you a better shooter...specially if your eyes are not what they used to be. On the AK, the best options are the Aimpoints - either the Micro, or the standard Comp. Again, this is not the palce for bargain basement gear. Pistol grips are another area. For me, the standard AK pistol grip works fine, but Tango Down will be coming out with a bigger grip to fill a meat eating western infidel's hand. They showed this at SHOT and I really like it. I will likely be adding seveeral to my work rifles.
I spoke with industry insiders at SHOT. I cannot say too much, but let's just say that we have put the Avtomat Kalashnikova right in the faces orf the US Accessory makers. They are interested in making things...good things, for this weapon. Things that do not look like an M4 accessory with crazy glue, or some Salvation Army kid's toy modified for a kalashnikov. Things that actually help you to shoot and operate the AK better, faster, and more "infidelish" than ever. They asked me....and then they listened...and they let me in to what they want to do...and what they want to offer. I am impressed. The future looks good for the devotees of the AK-47. And of course, you will see it all here for sale at One Source, and operationally in the hands of our staff.