I was sitting at the airport after visiting
the Smith & Wesson factory back in June of this
year, talking with Leroy Thompson while we were each
waiting for different airplanes to carry us back to our
respective homes. After discussing various topics for a while,
Leroy asked if I had seen the Krinker Plinker, and
I told him that I had never heard of it. He got on his telephone
immediately, and asked that one be sent to me for review.
My first thoughts after about hearing what a "Krinker
Plinker" was, was that it must be just some junk play thing
for commando wannabes, but having been recommended by Leroy
Thompson that I try it out, I decided that a review might be in
order. Leroy is a highly respected writer and weapons expert,
and I knew that if he recommended it, that it must be worth a
look.
After a couple of days, the Krinker Plinker
arrived at the palatial Gunblast Headquarters. The Krinker
Plinker is a kit that includes everything but the receiver,
trigger group, and their internal parts to convert a Ruger
10/22 rifle into a replica AK-74U Krinkov assault rifle.
The kit includes a new sixteen inch heavy barrel, AK-style
pistol grip and handguard, an extended magazine release, a fake
sound suppressor (silencer), a good set of adjustable peep
sights, a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, hardware, and a
Krinkov style side-folding stock. The metal parts are either
black anodized aluminum, or black oxide coated steel. The kit
also comes with a good set of illustrated instructions for
installing the kit on your Ruger 10/22 receiver.
Having no extra receiver lying around, I
stripped the stock and barrel from a 10/22 rifle, and proceeded
to install the Krinker Plinker kit. Following the detailed
instructions, installation was simple, and required the use of
on a couple of Allen wrenches and a slot-tip screwdriver. I
mounted a Trijicon ACOG
scope atop the Picatinny rail, and was ready to go shooting.
Fully assembled on a Ruger receiver, the Krinker Plinker weighs
just slightly over five and three-quarters pounds, and about ten
ounces less with the fake suppressor removed. Overall length of
the Krinker Plinker is just 23 ¾ inches with the stock folded,
and 32 ½ inches with the stock deployed. The stock locks
rigidly into position, and folds with just the push of a button.
Folded, it makes for a really compact weapon, and the gun can be
fired with the stock in either position. Length of pull measures
11-5/8 inches.
The Krinker Plinker can be fired with or without
the fake suppressor, and I fired it both ways. The fake can
changes the weight and balance of the Krinker Plinker, making it
easier to hold on target with the device attached, but lighter
to carry with it detached. I also attached my Tactical
Solutions titanium suppressor, which threaded perfectly onto
the Krinker Plinker’s barrel, and the gun functioned perfectly
with the can attached. The threads are 1/2x28, and will work
with most .22 caliber cans and muzzle brakes. The suppressor was
very effective in reducing the sound signature of the rifle. I
will have a full review on the Tac-Sol can as soon as my testing
is complete.
The Krinker Plinker worked very well, depending
upon the magazine used in the weapon. The Krinker Plinker can
use any magazine made for the .22 Long Rifle 10/22, and magazine
quality varies quite a bit. Factory Ruger magazines functioned
perfectly, but were harder to remove than aftermarket extended
magazines, due to their fitting flush with the receiver, and
allowing nothing to grab hold of. Some brands of magazines
were a snug fit in the mag well of the Krinker Plinker, while
others were easy to insert and remove. Ram-Line fifty-round mags
seemed to work best in mine. I fired the Krinker Plinker with a
large variety of .22 Long Rifle ammunition, and accuracy was
very good. This is not a carbine that I would carry squirrel
hunting, but it isn’t intended to be a hunting arm. It is a
fine little .22 plinker. It is a "fun gun", and there
is nothing at all wrong with that concept.
I was impressed by the quality of the parts in
the Krinker Plinker kit. This is no cheap gun-show type of toy,
but is a high quality product for those who want something a bit
different in a 10/22. The Krinker Plinker definitely has that
Soviet AK assault rifle flavor to it. Most of us will never get
to see a real AK-74 Krinkov, but can get a Krinker Plinker
conversion (in most parts of our nation). It is well-crafted
from quality products, and very inexpensive to shoot all day. It
is a fun little .22 plinker, with all the reliability of the
legendary Ruger 10/22.
For more information on details and pricing, or
to order the Krinker Plinker online, go to www.krinkerplinker.com.
Jeff Quinn
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