When I pitched this article idea, I had planned on calling it “5 Common AK Issues,” but the more I thought about what I was experiencing, the less sure I was that these issues were in any way common. The AK platform can have its hiccups. Yet, much like the common double-action .38 revolver, the classic AKM has a reputation for being almost foolproof.
That said, I hit the range recently with a new adjustable piston in my AK—a KNS Precision Adjustable Gas Piston that I’d intended to help regulate gas while shooting suppressed. When the adjustments aren’t set just right on this, failures are a regular occurrence. Far from being an indictment of the new piston or a knock on the gun itself, it is proof that the KNS Precision Adjustable Gas Piston System does exactly what it is supposed to do by limiting or opening up the gas pushing the piston.
Let’s start with an example of a REALLY bad gun (not an AK)
Take a look at the image below. How many problems can you spot? I’m looking at four, at least. All of these were induced by a 6.5 Creedmoor AR platform rifle that was supposed to be a shining example of peak American manufacturing. Spoiler: it is not.
