Pictures of another AK30 with cracked feedlips

Here at arf.com via m4carbine.net (haven't went over there yet to find this thread)

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=55&t=126305&page=4

Interesting, like to hear the whole story but can't find the original post and it sounds like the guy who put it up at Arf.com didn't know either. I spent part of the week explaining why the AK30 current website copy wasn't false advertising and had a full circumference metal cage in the top of the mag for lugs.

I'm not giving up on the Ak30 yet, but right now I want more info.

EDIT: More info is in that thread now, apparently it was two members with two different mags at a Tactical Response class. Also there is another thread at WarriorTalk. It may just be a squabble to discredit US PALM which is what Gabe Suarez believes. If you care about the drama behind it there is a thread at warriortalk.com that goes lightly into the details. Not being news so to speak, I'm not putting that here. I'm going to continue to keep my AK30s loaded and ready to go.

K-Var has some SA M-7 Classics in stock

If you like milled receivers and have some cash, K-Var has "a very few" SA M-7 Classics in stock. They look beautiful and are just under $2000. These apparently aren't being made anymore. In general, Arsenal has to build what they get parts kits for so they end up with a very spotty model availability.

Quad Stack AK74 magazine Reserve not met on GunBroker

There was a quad stack 60 round AK74 mag that was on Gun Broker last week. It started at $600 and closed at $900 without meeting reserve! I'd agree they are an ultra rare collectors' item and maybe the only one in the United States, but I'm not going to spend $900+ on any one magazine (unless I hit the lottery). I'd also be afraid the the Russians will finally put these into regular production allow more to trickle in from individual collectors, if not even imported by distributors.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=162814104

Overall, the design seems pretty interesting when you look at the patten diagram:

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1228/82529pj4.jpg

Basically a quad stack until it hits the divider and limits the feed down to double. I wonder though how reliable that is. The fact that it isn't in production in Russia would lead me to believe it isn't.

Hornady 5.45x39 V-Max Delayed

After going past the 4/1/10 arrival date, MidwayUSA updated the arrival date of this load to 7/23/10.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=390432

http://www.hornady.com/store/5.45X39-60-gr-V-MAX-Steel-Case/

I've been waiting for the 60 gr. Hornady steel cased with a V-Max bullet to come out for awhile now. Honestly, the promise of that load was the tipping point for me to actually get a 5.45x39 rifle. I figured at with that load it would be a good "urban" load similar to their TAPs ammo and the AK74 would become my home defense carbine. I'm still somewhat hesitant to use the 7.62x39 V-Max load in my 1950s subdivision. I'm just as hesistant to use the MilSurp 5.45x39 since the bullet holds together so well.

Well it looks like I'll be waiting a little longer to transition to that AK74. I might try to do a 7.62x39 vs. 5.45x39 test in late Spring/Early Summer similar to the one over at 230 Grain:

http://230grain.com/showthread.php?t=65428

(I'll edit for links later, I'm on my iPhone with this aweful Blogwriter app, and it slows me down enough to where I won't be able to get them in before my wife is ready to leave for Easter Service!)

US Palm Website Relaunched

After a good April Fools' joke of a Skorpion mag (with one color choice of what seems to be everybody's favorite of Okra), late last night/early this morning US PALM's website was relaunched.

http://warriortalk.com/showpost.php?p=924317&postcount=83

http://warriortalk.com/showpost.php?p=924953&postcount=94

The website is now up, but it is a little thin. At least we have a clear shot of the AK30, Attack Rack chest rig, Defender Plate (with some more info on it with MSRP), and their unannounced stock mag pouch/comb riser which doesn't appear to have an AK mag in it. I can't tell if it is AR or M14, I believe it is M14/M1A since I think I make out a Springfield Armory mark on the butt plate. Good to see that US PALM may be branching out of the AK market, but I hope they do an AK stock mag pouch as well.

http://www.us-palm.com/

I'm a little disappointed that the Defend doesn't seem to come without armor. I have some IIIA level plate backers that I was planning on dropping in, which it sounds like they are already including for $200ish (although PALM points out that plate backer size panels can't be advertised as IIIA since it doesn't met the NIJ coverage amount to be officially that level).

The Attack Rack is available for preorder at One Source Tactical. Whatever you think of the AK30 and it's polymer, I think everyone will agree that the Attack Rack should be a great piece of kit since it has very AK specific mag pouches (including a wear strip on the lug side of the pouches to increase durability, nice touch). But they are continuing their no OD or foliage with at least the first batch. Only Black, coyote brown, desert tan, and Multicam are available. I know these guys are from Arizona and those colors make sense there along with the most military contracts wanting those colors currently. But out here in the Mid-west I prefer a green shade.

http://www.onesourcetactical.com/uspalmakar-akattackrack.aspx

I hope they make some of those AK pouches in MOLLE for those of us that use the system. Emdom is suppose to make some good ones, http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servlet/emdomusa/Detail?no=51 but US PALM would seem to have some nice touches if they go for a MOLLE pouch and you like shingle style pouches.

I most admit, although you may have already noticed, I've crossed into Fanboy territory with the US PALM stuff. Now I know how all those Magpul AR fanboys feel. I'm pretty jealous of Tim's US PALM care package they sent him with the patches and sticker. I hope those are available soon

http://warriortalk.com/showthread.php?t=64835

For something different, I'm going to post up a "family picture" of my AKs and stuff later this weekend.