Howdy, y’all. I’m putting a question out there to see if I’m the only one: would anyone else be interested in an AK-556 model with a 20" barrel?
I know light and compact are the modern ‘in’ things, and there’s obviously tons of utility and benefits to be had there, but I’ve always been a fanboy of the full-length 20" AR rifle shooting 55-grainers. 3200 FPS will always be accurate and effective, there’s tons of M193 stock readily available, and of course PSA already makes barrels with the right twist rates. Long-barreled AK variants aren’t unheard of, (just look at the 23" RPK or the 21" M76) but I haven’t ever seen one in the 5.56x45’s native length.
On the negative side of things, I don’t think the long-stroke gas system would see exactly the same operating benefits as rifle-length ARs, and another four inches of barrel would add some weight to the already-hefty front end. As ever, cons with the pros.
So, anyone else find the idea attractive? Or, am I just a little too old-fashioned for my own good?
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hey there! so you’re thinking kinda like a RPK setup almost but in 5.56? I think it would be interesting, and maybe something that die hard AK fanboys are into… that said, unfortunately the AK world has bene pretty dead since they banned cheap russian made ammo from importing… I dont know if you’d drum up enough folks whod want one to justify actually producing one. now you could possibly make one yourself o ut of an AK kit, thats if you can find an AK barrel in 20" long chambered in 5.56… that would be the hardest thing there with the kit build. I think its an interesting idea.. but im more of a fan of shooting 7.62x39 out of a ar platform than the other way around.