Croatian .22 LR conversion for 7.62x39mm stamped AKs

To continue more of the .22LR AK theme lately of this semi-defunct blog, today I received my Croatian Grizzly Defense Industries (no website) AK .22LR conversion kit from Centerfire Systems (currently sold out).  This seems to be the same conversion kit that was shown and SHOT Show 2019 as covered by The Firearm Blog. That article also does a great job of explaining why it is only for stamped AKs in 7.62x39. I did contact Armamentos at the listed website and filled out their contact page when I saw the TFB article but never received a reply.  These are definitely different than the Ciener .22 AK conversions that he no longer has in production.  Also note that this conversion kit claims standard, not high velocity, .22LR.

First unfired impressions are that it looks maybe even better than Romanian standards on the AKT98/WASR22/RAK-22. It isn't super hard to install as long as you push down on the hammer.  I was hoping the barrel insert would be past the gas port to possibly prevent fouling, but it is definitely shorter.  However, it may be just short enough not to cause lead "misting" like that I see inside the blast chamber of a .22 suppressor.  Clean up will be one of my questions along with ejected cases getting stuck under the dust cover (common WASR22 platform issue), but right now the bigger issue is with the magazines.  The magazines are robust with a BHO follower.  However, similar to my Chiappa RAK-22 with the Black Dog Machine WASR22 magazines, the magazine doesn't latch all the way in on my recent Romanian build with Nodak Spud NDS-3 receiver.  When I get more time tonight I will update this post with some other AK fitting tests.

UPDATE: Mag latch is only an issue with one rifle, doesn't seem totbe a fault of the conversion kit.  It fits my M92 built off a Morrissey underfolder receiver and Yugo mag latch, another rifle built off an Romanian parts kit, and a MAK-90.  The instructions say that other than Yugo or Romanian AKs may need "minor gunsmithing," but it at least installed in the MAK-90 easily. 

One other observation, the bolt handle is located much further back than even the WASR22.  When uusingit for training and not just plinking I think I will still try to index where the normal bolt handle is and move back to catch it.  Not the best solution but otherwise it is potentially a better training tool than the WASR22 if you have AKs that are setup multiple ways.

Chiappa RAK-22 and Blackdog Machine WASR22 magazine mods update

Saw your comment and email Tony, making a new post to add pictures.  Again, problem is that they won't fully seat enough to let the mag latch to come forward.

When I ordered the RAK-22, I also ordered two Blackdog Machine magazines. I was going to order more but chickened out at the last mibute concerned about them fitting.  BDM is quite clear to call if you aren't sure about a magazine, but they answer my first call and since I'm always paranoid about getting things when in stock I figured I'd take the gamble on just 2.  I've since called and told them that they don't fit out of the box but it looks like they will after some file/Dremel work.  I used the first 2 magazines as the experiment, but now I'm confident enough they can be made to work, so I ordered 5 more (plus another extractor, even though I still have a TurboThis spare too).

I have tried changing the front lug and front top of the magazine, but it had feeding issues.  So the rear lug changes seem to be the best for feeding, but you have to remove a lot of material and you will be sacrificing lug strength, which is why I tried the other way too.  So far I have not been able to get either magazine to seat without pushing the magazine latch forward, but I think I will be able to when I do a little more work.  I'm still in the testing phase and have 5 more magazines to do, so I'll keep you posted.  If anybody out there has a RAK-22 and a factory metal or plastic 10 round magazines, please try them in the RAK-22 too.

Chiappa RAK-22

Since I also have my posts of the AKT-98 and M10-22 parts comparison, I'm making a post with the Chiappa RAK-22.  Overall, glad to see another AKT-98/WASR22/RPK22/M10-22 platform rifle.  It has nice wood.  On the downside, the gas block and the rear sight block are roughly cast metal, but this should be perfectly fine on a .22LR.  It is still better than a Mossberg Blaze 47, GSG AK-47, or Armscor AK-22 in my opinion.  Biggest downside right now is that Black Dog Machine magazines will not fully seat with the rear mag latch not going forward but this doesn't seem to be just due to the rear mag lug.  Exploratory Dremel surgery is happening on the mags! This post is mostly so I can post a link at forums for the pictures, but if please post even a simple comment if you are an old reader and would still read things here.

M10-22 and AKT98 Side by Side Comparison

Again, sorry for my crappy photography. Top: M10-22 Bottom: AKT98

Top: M10-22 Bottom: AKT98, looks like the previous owner of my AKT98 profiled the hammer some.

 For the rest of the pictures the M10-22 parts are left, AKT98 are right.

M10-22 is WASR22 Platform

As I mentioned in Part 2 of the M10-545 review, I have a M10-22.  As far as I can tell comparing it to my AKT98, this is a WASR22/AKT98 platform rifle.  Just wanted to post it here because I let the cat out of the bag over at TheAKForums' excellent WASR22 board.

Colorado Guns M10 links

I noticed a lot of you are digging the M10-762. Here's some links that srice425 sent to me. My attempts to reach Colorado Guns on both info for the M10-762 and the M10-22 along with extra parts for WASR22s have not been replied to. The Tapco Razr flash hider is removable with standard AK 14x1mm LH underneath.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_4_64/137863_Noob_question__School_me_on_this_rifle_M10_762_AK_47.html&page=1&anc=bottom#bottom

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89909

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=91366.0

Basically it is a WASR10 style receiver with a Draco gas block.

Also, IO Inc is importing these rifles and calling them "Hellhounds"

Colorado Guns M10 .22LR

Speaking of .22 LR AKs and Colorado Guns' M10, they have one in .22 LR. Centerfire systems has them in stock. Seems to be a WASR22 with a Draco Gas Block (but the gas block in this case isn't functional since .22 AKs tend to be direct blowback). If it is a new production WASR22 platform it could mean more spare parts for other WASR22 owners. Previously, the imported WASR22 were military surplus trainers and supposedly they had all dried up.

.22 LR AKs

Just saw today on a CDNN email news letter that the ATI/GSG AK47 .22 LR is going for $250 on sale. My biggest complaint about the GSG AK47 has been the cost so this is nice to see. If I had the cash and didn't already have a .22 LR AK, I could see myself spending that on one. Originally they were almost $500. Magazines are still a bit high were I can find them though. The posts that I've seen on boards have one have report good function.

The common options for .22 LR AKs is the GSG AK47, the Romanian WASR22/AKT98, and Armscor AK22. I've owned an Armscor AK22 and currently have an AKT98.

If you decide to go for an Armscor AK22, it is a decent option if you are on a budget. These guns are cosmetically modified Squires Bingham M20 rifles that Armscor has been making for awhile now in the Philippines. It is really a very basic tube receiver semi-auto blowback rifle at its heart. I have seen a lot of reports of good function on these, however mine wasn't the best. Like almost all .22s it was ammo sensitive. Mine was just too unreliable for me.

Magazines can be hard to find but I got some directly from the Armscor USA distributor. You can get some 10, 15, and 25 round magazines. The 10 and 15 rounders are the best magazines and are actually M20 magazines with a cosmetic body. If you are looking for an AK style plinker for cheap, it can be a good option. However, it has a few training issues if you are trying for full 1:1 training features of a centerfire AK. First its magazines aren't rock in and out like a normal AK, also the mag latch is on the magazine body. Unless you own a milled AK, the stock angle if a little off and length of pull are off from a standard AK. I had to modify an airsoft AKM/74 style stock to get the feel of my stamped AKs. The safety is definitely takes less effort to use than a regular AK, but it does do a good job replicating it other than that and comes with a bolt hold open notch.

The Romanian WASR22/AKT98 is has some very good and very bad points. The good thing about it is that it is built on a centerfire AK receiver which means many interchangeable parts, like furniture and safeties But it takes a lot of tweaking to get running reliably. Also it has a tendency to blow out the extractor system parts when it has a out of battery detention. Luckily, a .22 LR Ka-Boom doesn't really hurt a shooter with proper eye protection nor does it hurt the gun, save the extractor system. Finding replacements for the extractor, extractor spring, etc. can be extremely difficult and there are many otherwise perfectly good WASR22 platform guns that just need an extractor. Unfortunately, there is no one that is making new production replacement extractors.

There has been talk of a third party bolt, first by Black Dog Machine and now by an AK machinist that goes by TurboThis. The bolt would use commonly available 10/22 extractor and save many of these rifles from the brink.

The blown extractor problem can be prevented by using round nose ammo that fully feeds into the chamber and by overall tweaks like the extractor tension, plugging the non-functional gas tube, and changing to a standard AK dust cover.

Overall though if you want a true .22 LR AK, this is the way to go. I am pretty happy with my AKT98. It is actually the AK I shoot the most since my local range doesn't allow centerfire rifle cartridges. Since they are so close to regular AKs and are no longer imported into the United States, they tend to be somewhat expensive. Expect to spend $350-$500 for a functional rifle. Magazines can be pretty affordable. The Black Dog Machine 30 rounders are $25-$30, 10 rounder metal shell mags for $10-$25, and short 10 round polymer for $12-$18.

I feel that these three are really the best options for .22 AKs. I 'm not a fan of the Krinker Plinker 10/22 conversion due to cost plus the non-standard AK safety and rear sight. The Saiga .22 LR may finally be imported someday and blow the rest of these out of the water, but it hasn't happened yet.