Makarov, Timkel or.....?

[tire iron]

What is the reason why the AK was never improved with regards to 'ergonomics'? For example:

1. Why didn't the designers copy the saftey/selector of the Galil so that the firing hand could remain on the pistol grip?

2. With more and more soldiers using optics of some type on AK rifles, the 'charging handle' is difficult to manipulate, with the left hand (assuming a right handed shooter).

I noticed that both of these features were 'fixed' on the prototype AK46. Why were they abandonded on the AK47?

The only real 'deficiencies' (or flaws) of the AK is the 'user friendliness' or ergonomics (or human engineering). If these were fixed, it would definitely make it a more appealing weapon system.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

cheers

tire iron

[timkel]

I really do not have any good answers to your questions.
But in Mikhail Kalashnikov's autobiography he talked about the intensive testing of the early AK prototypes. Many changes were made which evolved into the AK-46 then 47. Once the AK-47 was accepted those changes were here to stay basically.