So, the guys at Devil Dog Concepts have modified the rear fitted Hard Charger side charging adapter to now be out of the box compatible with the KS-47. I run a Tactical Hard Charger (fits in the 3rd Pic slot), but it required me to remove some material from the Hard Charger to stop the binding wear I was getting on the side of the op side of the charging handle. Now you can buy one and with no fitting slap it on. Be aware the rear fitting Hard Charger will take up your first Pic slot so if you are running iron sights it will have to be moved forward a bit. Here’s the video from the guys at DDC.
Yeah, I remember when they came out with the little “gas pedals” and people said much the same thing about them. Now, you see them on a lot of race guns. That thing works great on my KS-47 and I didn’t have to spend $275 on a side charging lower (though, I eventually did buy a side charger…twice). I and many others think they are great and work well, the only difference between our opinions and yours is that we used one before we formed our opinion. But, to each their own.
Ive seen them literally break. They add weight and a moving part. Side chargers can get stuck on gear (which is why ak’s have a right side charging handle) and if something happens to your left hand, you are out of luck should your rifle jam.
Could you give some particulars to them breaking? Was it a DDC Hard Charger you saw break? There are many platforms that can be setup for left side charging, including the JAKL, and when possible, I always set up mine for it. I have never had any issue with it snagging on belt or kit. In fact, isn’t the ability to switch charging sides often a selling point on new platforms? GG, I think you have stated you have yet to build a KS-47, so while I’m sure you understand the specs of the platform, I’m not sure you are familiar with the reality of it (and please understand that I don’t say this disparagingly). It is well known that the KS-47 doesn’t have a last round hold open or a bolt release. What many may not get is the reality of this, meaning you will have to manually charge the firearm after every mag change. This means grabbing the small ears of the Mil Spec charging handle and pulling back against an AR-10 buffer spring every time. Sure, you can add an aftermarket charging handle, with much larger ears (which one would assume adds the same chance of “snagging” as a side charger handle), but these don’t seem to give the same leverage advantage that a DDC does.
Im very familar with the KS47. Yes, it was a DDC side charger i saw break. It was mounted in the 13th spot and worked loose. The guy using the gun pulled it back and it torqued to the side.
It rendered his rifle useless.
Anytime you add an additonal moving part to a rifle you add a potential failure point. Furthermore, whether you mount in in the 1st slot, the 3rd, or the 13th, you take up unnecessary rail space and potentially have to change your optic set up. There are some great charging handles on the market that already do what this does without adding weight and a potential point of failure.
Gun manufacturers like to come up with all kinds of add ones. Some work great, some break. I have seen Larue mounts gouge receivers, Geissele Maritime Bolt catches break, and Magpul BAD levers cause NDs. Some work great for some folks, and some are solutions looking for problems.
Fair points, just not ones I have run into using a DDC Hard Charger. Mine has worked well and except for some wear on the right side of the charging handle neck, which was remedied when I fitted it to the upper, I have had no issues with it. I don’t mind the loss of rail space since I am running a red dot far enough forward as to not be an issue and besides the leverage advantage, I like that I don’t have to take the firearm from my shoulder to charge a new mag. Though, I must move my cheek a small amount due to the length of the charging handle neck, which I would have to do with any charging handle. For me, these advantages outweigh the chances of any cons. I have been lucky enough that my DDC Hard Charger is mounted as solidly as the day I installed it and I am happy I found a solution to make my KS-47 even more enjoyable to shoot.
I’ve seen an aimpoint break too. Am i allowed to say Aimpoints are garbage as well? Pointing to one personal annecdotal experience means absolutely nothing. Unless you have evidence of this being widespread. If I sell 1,000,000 products and you happen to be the one to witness a product failing is that a failed product with a 0.0001% failure rate?
Valid criticism but likely doesn’t matter for 97% of people and can be worked around with slighlt altering how gear is set up. No the AK does not have the charging handle on the right side to prevent snagging on gear. I have never read anything in history that implies this. The charging handle is on the right due to manual of arms at the time especially since the previous service rifle the Mosin Nagant also used a right side bolt handle.
If something happens to one of your hands you will almost certaintly out of the fight as a whole. This is one of the most bizarre explanations I’ve heard as to not use something I’ve ever seen. Also wouldn’t this apply to litterally any other firearm?
Not everything has to be “tactical” or serve some self defense, post apocalyptic scenario. Op appears to just one to facilitate easier realoding since the KS-47 doesn’t have the bolt release of the traditional AR-15’s and we all know the AR-15 charging handle isn’t the best for reloading especially constantly hence the bolt release.
Devil Dog Concepts dropped a new video. Still says the Rear Hard Charger is the only one that fits out of the box, but states they have changed coming on the Front and Tactical styles as well.
Is this to address malfunctions? Both my KS47s have extraction issues and coming to get casings stuck in the chamber. I’ve cleaned the chamber along with everything and still happens where I have to mortar the thing to eject the spent casing. Hard to do at the range without throwing red flags.
Not really, though I suppose it could help with it.
How common is to get cases stuck in your rifles? I have two KS-47s and I don’t think I have had that problem. The Hard Charger is mostly designed to facilitate side charging.
Oops, I just reread my response and I hope it didn’t come off as snarky. What I was trying to ask is are stuck cases a common issue with your rifles? If so you might want look at your extractor or extractor spring. You shouldn’t be having a consistent problem requiring you to mortar you gun. Sorry if I came off as glib.
I didn’t take anything you said to be offensive. I can only speak to what I’ve experienced. Honestly I had zero issues with both initially. The pistol just happened a couple of times (casing stovepipes) which is how the problem presented initially on the rifle and rapidly went to stuck casings. I shoot the rifle more so the extractor makes sense. I stripped it down again and did a complete clean and lube. Happened again - case stuck in the chamber and charging handle stuck solid. The extractor is pretty chewed up despite not having a lot of rounds.
Given PSA has a new and improved extractor - I’m going to read between the lines that Gen 1 at least has some need for improvement. My extractor has some pretty good burrs going on. I seem to recall PSA was upgrading Gen 1 to Gen 2 but hadn’t had any problems so I didn’t do the upgrade and can’t even remember the upgrade details. In any event, I’ve contacted PSA support so hopefully it will get resolved. Steel case doesn’t seem to play well with some American parts - I had a Franklin Armory extractor completely snap off before. At first they told me I could only use brass but eventually admitted they did a new extractor because of the problem. At least 95% of my 7.62x39 is steel and whatever Silver Bear is.
