The generic term “AK-47” refers to a
group of the most popular rifles ever designed and produced on
Earth, and while referring to the whole lot as AK-47 rifles is
not technically correct, this group includes the AK, AKM, AKS,
as well as the later AK-74 and AK-100 series rifles. Officially
adopted in one form or another by at least seventy-five
different nations around the globe, the AK is the most prolific
shoulder-fired weapon ever produced. Designed and developed in
the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov at the end of World War
II, the AK was inspired by the German Sturmgewehr. At the end of
that war, the Soviets recognized the usefulness of a close to
moderate range rifle that offered a lot of firepower using a
cartridge that was less powerful than the cartridges chambered
in the battle rifles of the time, and having the option of
automatic fire like a submachine gun. The AK, like its German
inspiration, was somewhat of a cross between a battle rifle and
a submachine gun, and has proven itself very successful at
filling both roles admirably.
The AK has been manufactured in many
countries, both licensed and unlicensed, and for decades, the
Soviets and Chinese would freely give the weapons to any nation
with Communist-leaning governments. Today, most 7.62x39mm
variants of the AK are called AK-47, even though they are closer
to the AKM, as most use a stamped receiver and have the angled
muzzle brake of that modernized version of the AK.
For many years, several varieties of the AK
in semi-automatic form have been sold in the United States for
civilian ownership, and they have proven to be quite popular.
Most are not nearly as refined as our AR rifles, and are crudely
finished and wear stocks made wood that has all of the quality
and charm of a shipping crate. However, the AK continues to be
very popular, but quality varies greatly, depending upon both
the manufacturer and the importer of the weapons. The traits
that best describe an AK are simplicity, reliability,
ruggedness, and durability. When put together correctly, the
weapon will work under adverse conditions, with little
maintenance, and with a minimal amount of training for the
operator.
Now, I.O., Inc. of Monroe, North Carolina is
manufacturing AK style semi-automatic rifles in the United
States. Offered in several variants with either polymer or wood
furniture, the I.O. rifles are built using AKM-style (stamped)
receivers, and are offered in a Sporter version which is very
close to military style design, and also the new Hellhound
Tactical with modernized Phantom flash suppressor and a railed
hand guard for the attachment of optical sights and accessories.
The I.O. rifles, with the exception of the Sporter Econ, also
have the AK-style scope mount rail base on the left side of the
receiver, and I.O. sells a very good Picatinny rail mount to fit
that base.
The I.O. rifles have a manganese phosphate (Parkerized)
steel finish, and the internal gas system is chromed. The
barrels measure 16.25 inches in length, and have a one-in-ten
inch right-hand twist. The furniture on the Sporter rifle is
available in laminated wood for the classic military AK look, or
various colors of polymer. Weight varies depending upon the
particular model chosen, between seven and eight and one-half
pounds. The two rifles shown here; the Sporter and Hellhound
Tactical, weigh in at six pounds, fourteen ounces for the
Sporter, with the Hellhound weighing one ounce more. Both were
weighed without magazines. All I.O. rifles come with a
waffle-design thirty-round magazine, except where
normal-capacity magazines are banned, in which case they ship
with a low-capacity ten-round magazine. All I.O. rifles can also
be purchased with a “bullet button” magazine release, making
them legal for sale in California.
The I.O. rifles are built to Polish
blueprints, and the rear sight is graduated in meters out to
1000. Disassembly is pure AK, is quick and easy to do, and
exposes no small parts to loss. The safety is also typical AK,
doing double duty as a dust cover for the charging handle
raceway between the upper and lower receiver halves, effectively
sealing the internals from dust, sand, and other stuff which
does not belong in there. A downward movement of the
right-handed shooter’s trigger finger easily disengages the
safety, with the familiar audible “click” as the safety
lever is lowered. For a left-handed shooter, disengaging the
safety is a bit more awkward, but with either hand, the lever is
large and easy to operate, even while wearing thick gloves. The
charging handle is attached to the bolt carrier, and cycles with
the firing of the weapon.
I fired the Sporter and the Hellhound
Tactical rifles for function and accuracy. For function testing,
I loaded the magazines with several types of 7.62x39mm
ammunition, both foreign and domestic, brass-cased and lacquered
steel case types. I fired three types of ammunition over the
chronograph for velocity testing, at an elevation of 541 feet
above sea level, a temperature of fifty-four degrees Fahrenheit,
and fifty-one percent humidity. The chronograph was set ten feet
from the muzzles of the two rifles. I had zero malfunctions with
the two I.O. rifles. Every type of ammo presented fed, fired,
and ejected perfectly. The magazines are durable polymer, and
load easily. The USA 123 grain full-metal-jacket ammo clocked an
average of 2265 feet-per-second (fps), with the Winchester 123
grain soft point ammo right behind it at 2254 fps, and the
Cor-Bon DPX ammo averaged 2238 fps. The Russian Brown Bear
steel-cased 123 grain FMJ averaged 2224.
For accuracy testing, I fired from a Target
Shooting, Inc. Model 500 rifle rest. I wanted to try a scope
on the Hellhound Tactical, as I do much better work using a
scope. Having no mount for the side rail, I mounted my 2.5
power Leupold Scout Scope to the top Picatinny rail on the
hand guard using Warne quick-detach rings. Starting with a
couple of quick shots to get on paper at twenty-five yards, I
proceeded to fire upon the 50 yard target. I.O. states on their
website that their rifles have match-grade barrels, and will
shoot two-inch groups at 100 yards, but I had my doubts. After
all, these are AK rifles, which are not known for accuracy.
Shooting the first group using the Leupold scope and Cor-Bon
hunting ammo, I fired three quick shots, then looked through the
spotting scope to make adjustments of the scope settings.
Expecting at least a three-inch group, I stated something like
“I don’t believe this _ _ _ _!” All three bullet holes
were touching, fired from an AK at fifty yards! I then turned to
the 100 yard target, and settled down and fired another group,
then another. I was sitting there at the shooting bench, laid
the rifle down, and sat back thinking “I can’t write this.
No one will believe it.” I didn’t believe it myself. From
the Hellhound, every 100 yard group was well under one inch. I
opened a box of Winchester USA ammo, the cheap stuff, and fired
another group. Still excellent accuracy. Same with the
Winchester soft points. Then I tried the cheap Russian Brown
Bear ammo. Finally, the groups opened up to between one and
one-quarter and one and three-quarters inches.
Knowing that my eyes would never let me see
the target dot using the open sights at 100 yards, for testing
the Sporter I set the target at fifty. The open sight picture is
very good, and I took a six-o’clock hold just under the
two-inch target dot, and squeezed the Sporter’s trigger. By
the way, the trigger pulls on these rifles are butter-smooth.
Typically AK style with a long pull, but very smooth and light,
breaking between three, and three and three-quarters pounds on
both rifles, with the Sporter’s being the lighter of the two.
The groups with the open sights were also very rewarding, and
amazed me, as again, I don’t do very well shooting open
sights, and this was an AK, which are not known for exceptional
accuracy. However, once again, the I.O. Sporter performed much
better than expected, turning in very respectable groups at
fifty yards, especially with me pulling the trigger. I could
pretty much do at fifty yards with open sights as well as I did
at 100 using the scope. As you can see from the groups pictured,
these are both very accurate rifles, and they both greatly
exceeded my accuracy expectations.
These AK rifles from I.O., Inc. have changed
the way that I think about AK rifles. My experience up to now
had been that the Kalashnikov design was reliable and rugged,
but inaccurate when compared to other rifles, such as an AR.
After firing these American-made I.O. rifles, I now know that
AKs can also be very accurate, as well.
Check out the line of rifles, pistols, and
accessories online at www.ioinc.us.
To buy quality 7.62x39mm ammunition, go to www.luckygunner.com.
Jeff Quinn