Revisiting the RAK47. On this article, this Riley Protection AK47 Assessment is a return to the archives from again in 2021. This text initially ran on 9-24-21.
I’ve been lucky sufficient to shoot a whole lot of firearms over time, and I perceive how the patron market may be extremely fast to denounce a producer. It subsequently takes years for them to rebuild their popularity, if they’ll in any respect.
For instance, I keep in mind when WASR-10s have been thought of trash, however with refinement, they finally turned probably the most generally really helpful entry-level AK. As of late, WASR-10s retail for about $1,000, leaving what I take into account a void within the entry-level AK market.
RAK47: Why the Hate?
For Riley Protection, the criticism began in 2018 when the AK Operators Union started a sequence of Riley AK critiques (q.v. beneath) the place it failed spectacularly on the 300-500 spherical depend. The Riley AK noticed notable put on after AKOU’s legendary torture exams, and the headspace shifted, making it now not secure to fireside.
In protection (ha! see what I did there?) of Riley Protection, they took this suggestions to coronary heart and made some modifications to the design, which have been seemingly nicely acquired. Nonetheless, regardless of the help of some notable members of the AK group for the brand new and improved Riley AK, the stigma remained.
This help is what led me to offer the RAK-47 C-L an opportunity. Like lots of people, I’ve been taking pictures a whole lot of 7.62×39 since 2020 just because it’s accessible and nonetheless comparatively inexpensive. I bought the RAK-47 for round $780 shortly after the Covid-induced scarcity began.
As of this writing, it’s extra widespread to see these within the $850-$950 vary; that is an extremely aggressive value tier, at the moment dominated by the Zastava m70 ZPAP and PSA’s GF5.
RAK-47 CL Options
Out of the field, the RAK-47 CL doesn’t actually bolster any mind-blowing specs. It’s an entry-level AK sample rifle with a stamped receiver, 16.25″ 4150 nitride barrel, black oxide end and now boasts a solid trunnion after Riley Protection was placed on blast for the weak solid trunnions in earlier fashions.
It does nevertheless have a notched security selector that allows you to maintain the bolt and charging deal with again. That is extra generally an improve from Krebs Customs.
Out of the field the RAK-47 C-L features a single 30-round polymer journal. The C-L stands for “Traditional Laminate” because it’s a barebones traditional AK with laminate wooden furnishings which, admittedly, is a really enticing bright-red. Extra on that later.
Specs
Laminate wooden buttstock, higher and decrease hand guards and plastic polymer grip. Black oxide end Totally Warmth-Handled, Mil-spec stamped Receiver 4150 Nitride Barrel (16.25” size), 14×1 LH thread FORGED Trunion, bolt and service Machined scope mount aspect rail Entrance and rear sight (each adjustable) Bolt hold-open Security Lever Bayonet Lug Cleansing Rod Prolonged journal launch Journal Capability: 30 Semi-automatic closed-bolt motion Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm Vary: 350 yds (efficient), 1000 yds (Max)
Riley Protection AK47 Assessment
How Did the RAK-47 Carry out?
A couple of courageous souls within the AK group have come to defend the RAK-47. The solid trunnion appears to repair the headspace subject and the final consensus is that reliability has improved by leaps and bounds. I can attest to this as I’ve put 2,000 rounds by it utilizing magazines from MagPul, XTS, and even surplus Korean and Croatian mags with zero failures.
I’m not large on accuracy exams in my critiques except you’re diving deep into the precision taking pictures world. In actuality, most trendy firearms will likely be far more correct than you might be. This wasn’t my expertise with the RAK-47. A couple of months in the past I reviewed the Zastava M70 ZPAP and included footage slapping metal silhouettes at 277 yards with no downside utilizing irons. I struggled to persistently make contact with targets at 200 yards with the RAK-47.
Okay, that’s bizarre. Perhaps I used to be off that day. Effectively, I used to be fortunate sufficient to be filming with Josh Greenough, co-owner of Apostles Firearms Academy, and he gave it a attempt. Josh is admittedly a significantly better shooter than I’m, and he even had issues hitting 200 yards with the RAK-47. That is disappointing, contemplating that is one thing I can do all day with my decades-old Yugo SKS. 200 yards is simply on the cusp of the intermediate vary in my ebook.
Figuring out the historic baggage round headspacing, I used to be diligent in checking this each 400 rounds. It’s nonetheless not unusual for folk to report a no-go sign on the 700-1,000 spherical mark. It seems my RAK-47 is an exception and by no means signaled a no-go so I’m relieved that Riley Protection appears to have this sorted out, a minimum of in my pattern measurement of 1.
Riley Protection AK47 Issues: the RAK47 bolt face and trunnion appear to have been improved.
Ergonomically…it’s an AK. If you happen to’ve ever shot one, you’ll know the way this feels towards your shoulder. It’s tons of enjoyable. The security lever is surprisingly straightforward to interact and I used to be in a position to manipulate it from ‘secure’ to ‘hearth’ utilizing my index finger with none bother.
The rifle’s laminate wooden furnishings is extremely eye-catching. It contrasts properly towards the rifle’s black oxide end however sadly, it’s susceptible to marring. I often shoot two occasions per week and I don’t personal any secure queens. As a precaution to forestall myself from indulging in any hoarding tendencies, I’ve a easy rule: If I don’t shoot one among my firearms inside a one-year interval I’ve to promote or commerce it. I don’t child my weapons.
The RAK-47’s black oxide end doesn’t maintain up nicely. Marring may be very evident within the footage I’ve captured in addition to within the included photos. The laminate wooden furnishings seems to be nice however it feels extremely low-cost. The end on my rifle seems to be prefer it’s been via much more than I’ve put it by in my 2,000+ spherical assessment.
What You Ought to Purchase As a substitute
Look I’m a sucker for the underdog. I wished the RAK-47 to blow me away and I wished to sing its praises as the very best entry-level AK sample rifle in the marketplace. However after a yr and a half of use and over 2,000 rounds via it… the reality is, the RAK-47 is punching nicely below its weight when you take into account the value relative to its options.
I’m completely satisfied to contribute my expertise to the evolution of the RAK-47’s design and I do imagine that Riley has made some good enhancements over the Gen 1 mannequin of this rifle however I can’t advocate this rifle in good religion figuring out there are far superior AK sample rifles in the marketplace at a greater value level, or for just a bit bit more cash.
The Palmetto State Armory GF3 AK can generally be had for $799 which is about what I paid for the RAK-47 and about $100 lower than what the RAK-47 at the moment retails for. The GF3 can usually be discovered for nearer to $650-$700 on sale even within the present local weather. Apparently, the PSA GF3 was additionally as soon as a hated American-made AK sample rifle however PSA has made substantial enhancements over time and it’s now held to be an sufficient entry-level AK.
Shifting up in value, If you happen to’re prepared to pay a bit extra, the Zastava m70 ZPAP is an objectively higher rifle that I additionally personal. It’s made by a longtime producer that provides a chrome-lined barrel for only a few hundred {dollars} extra coming in at round $1,000.
All in all, it appears the crucial failure factors which have plagued the RAK-47 have been addressed however accuracy and beauty end stay a difficulty. If this have been a $500 rifle, I’d be extra inclined to offer it a inexperienced mild however in the event you’re pricing a rifle at probably the most aggressive value tiers ($800-$900) you’ve acquired to return with greater than this.
