AK-46 pics

[timkel]

Some interesting pics of the early AK-46 prototypes #1 and #2.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/1248AK-46pic1.jpg
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/1248AK-46pic2.jpg

[Triangle 66]

Interesting,I've seen pictures of it before,but never disassembled.It seems FN-FAL-ish.

[timkel]

The evolution of the AK-46 is very interesting.
This is the AK-46 paratrooper model.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/1248AK-46parapic3-med.jpg

[confederate]

It's really interesting how much lower the gas assembly is compared to the 47 model, wonder if it was raised to dissapate heat quicker.

On the #1 it looks to have "gas ports" drilled into the barrel and a large single hole on the gas tube. Then the 2 and 3 didn't have the barrel "ported". They look heavy.

I'm really curious about the lower gas system.

[madhater1]

can i have one:D

[hollowpoint]

it looks like the missing link between an sks and an ak-47...odd love child...:smokesex:

[Chamberlin]

Very nice scans Timkel, thanks. You can see that it operates by the gas/tappet system instead of the long recoil of a complete
bolt carrier. Yes, indeed 'ala' SKS or more likely Tokarev in this case.
-C

[D.B.Cooper]

I guess the Sturmgewehr left many of these bastard children all across Western Russia in the '40's!!:cool:

[hollowpoint]

true true but what the nazis create the moddern world has a tendancy to perfect like the V2 and the StG 44

[tire iron]

What I find interesting is that this AK46 appears to be MUCH more 'ergonomically correct' or user friendly than the AK47/AKM/AK74 et al.

Notice the 'selector' is on the LEFT side, and appears that is could be operated with the firing thumb - ala the FN, AR and HK.

The 'charging handle' or actuator is also set up so one could use the off-hand to charge the rifle without having to 'roll' the rifle over, or even worse, take one's right hand off of the pistol grip to charge the rifle.

I wonder why these features were dropped on the AK47, and never (even today) addressed.

IMHO 'IF' the AK had better 'ergonomics' - it would be a SERIOUS contender for the best rifle - hands down.

Thanks for the pictures!

cheers

tire iron

[Vorkutinetz]

Very interesting timkel, thank you for the info.
I wonder how many of these were ever produced.

[FiveFourFive]

Actually, if you cover up the pistol grip and mag with your fingers, it looks a little like a MAS 49-56!