Dressing Up The AK47-C

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When I first received my IO AK47-C rifle, I was a little disappointed. The Thermold polymer magazine that came with the rifle was crap. It wouldn't even stay in the magazine well. That being said, it turned out to be a good thing!

You never know what kind of customer service a firearms manufacturer is until you have a problem. IO Inc. came through with flying colors. I called them and explained about the crappy magazine and they rushed me out a brand new METAL magazine. It fit like a glove and really looks great. I guess I am a metal-head when it comes to magazines.

Now that I have decent magazines it's time to turn to the rifle itself. The handguard that came on the AK47-C was functional and nice looking, but it was a bit bulky. I also wanted options for accessories like optics, flashlights, lasers, and vertical handgrips. This means I need rails.

I found a fantastic handguard/rail system for the AK-47. The UTG 478 AK Quad Rail System by Leapers is a very reasonable priced and functional addition to my AK. The installation is simple and can be performed with minimal tools. After installing the UTG 478, I added a vertical handgrip. The UTG vertical handgrip was a good choice. I have some pictures of the rifle after the installation. Here is Warren displaying the rifle:

We took the rifle for a test drive. We loaded up four 30-round magazines and headed to our favorite shooting spot. We used the metal and the Tapco polymer magazine. The Tapco functioned perfectly, but I am still gravitating towards metal magazines. I love the vertical handgrip. It helps me put the sights on target quicker and helps stabilize the muzzle end for more accurate shots. I don't have optics yet, but when I do, I will just mount it on the rail above the gas tube. The new UTG handguard seems very stable.

Paper Or Plastic?

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I'm sure you heard the question when you were buying groceries. "Paper or plastic?" I have had to make a similar decision after getting my new rifle. Instead of "paper or plastic", it was "plastic or steel". My new IO AK-47C came with a Thermold polymer magazine. Yes, it held 30-rounds, but plastic?

I made a similar decision with a recent handgun purchase. I needed a small pistol that fired a 9mm round. All that I was considering had a polymer frame. Glock long ago dismissed the taboo about "plastic" guns when they introduced the Glock 17. I settled on the Kel-Tec PF-9 and have not regretted the decision. The PF-9 has a polymer frame. Like most polymer frame pistols, the PF-9's slide rides on metal rails.

After receiving the IO AK-47C, I experienced problems with the Thermold magazine. It wouldn't stay in the rifle! That is a problem that just can't be ignored. I liked the idea of a lighter weight magazine. I started doing an internet search for a replacement. I found a good deal on a Tapco 30-round AK-47 magazine so I gave it a try.

The Tapco magazine was leaps-and-bounds better than the Thermold. The plastic seemed denser and stronger. The fit was very good. But, still, I noticed some plastic shavings off of the areas where the magazine enters the magazine well. This just made me feel skiddish about "plastic". What to do now?

I thought I would "kick it old school" and try the reliable Eastern block manufacture steel AK-47 magazine. I found a great deal on surplus Romanian magazines. I ordered a couple from AIM for about $11 each. These magazines were stored in heavy grease. The first task was to disassemble them and give them a good cleaning. I degreased them and gave them a good coating of Break Free CLP.

(From left to right: Thermold, Tapco, and Romanian)

I guess you just can't mess with near perfection. The Romanian steel magazines just fit and function perfectly. Now why would anyone want polymer? One word...Weight. The polymer magazines are lighter than steel. Here are the weights of the three magazines I have:

• Thermold 4.7-oz.
• Tapco 7.3-oz.
• Romanian 11.5-oz.

All weights are of the unloaded magazine. The weight of the Tapco over the Thermold confirms my first impressions. The polymer is denser and firmer. I guess if I had to hump 10 magazines around all the time, the weight might be important, but for my sport shooting, it just doesn't matter.

So the question of "polymer or steel?" For magazines, I will choose steel. Sometimes going the old way is the best way!

IO AK-47C: Mixed Results

UPDATE: A complete UPDATED review of the IO AK47-C can be found here. (Click on any image to enlarge)

I went out today to fire my new IO AK-47C. Before going, I cleaned the rifle thoroughly. I don't like firing a weapon with the factory lubricant on it. I pulled out my cleaning kit and Break-Free CLP. Now I can give the rifle a good test.

I loaded-up the 30-round polymer magazine. I have never used polymer magazines before and wondered how well it would perform. I soon found out. After two rounds the magazine dropped from the magazine well. If you are familiar with an AK-47 you know that accidentally actuating the magazine release is almost impossible! I brushed the dirt off and rocked it back into place. The next shot it fell out again! I hope this is not indicative of all polymer magazines. The Thermold AK-47 magazine just doesn't cut it!


Since I only had the magazine that came with the rifle, I had to resort to using an AK-47 in single shot mode. I would hold the bolt open and shove a round into the chamber. The rifle functioned very well. The accuracy was decent and just fun to fire. The rifle worked great. I wish I could say the same for the magazine.

I did two things when I got home. I sent an email to IO Inc. and ordered two 30-round metal magazines. One good thing about AK magazines. They are plentiful and cheap!

After venting to IO inc. about the magazine, I cleaned the rifle. The first thing I noticed was how clean the receiver was. I have fired many semi-automatic rifles including the SKS and have never seen a receiver this clean after a shooting session. This must be because of the locking bolt and gas piston system. Both keeps a great deal of the gases out of the receiver. Take down and cleaning an AK-47 is very simple. To my surprise it was nothing like the SKS that I own. At first glance, you would think that the AK-47 and the SKS are of similar design. No, they are not. The SKS is not a locking bolt system and gets much more dirty in the receiver than the AK-47. I can see why the AK-47 has its reputation for reliability...If they are using metal magazines!

When I get my metal magazines I will go out and try again. I just found a source of inexpensive 7.62 x 39mm ammo. That's great because I was getting real tired of paying $0.75 a round!

I Have A New Rifle Coming.

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I have been waiting to purchase a tactical rifle for a while. The availability has been very low. My first preference was the Kel-Tec SU-16C rifle. It is a good alternative to the $1200 AR-15 rifles on the market, but at a price of around $650 or so. The problem is trying to find one! I did see one at a gun store, but they were asking way too much for it.

I usually buy my guns from Davidson's Inc. They have an online store. When you purchase a firearm, you put a down payment and they ship it to your local gun dealer. There, you pay the rest and fill out the paperwork for the transfer. I put myself on an email notification list to let me know when the SU-16C comes in. I received an email, but when I got to the site, they were all gone.

The AK-47 rifles weren't much cheaper! They usually go for around $1000. Both the AR and AK seemed to be out of my price range...Well that's what I thought! While searching Davidson's one day I noticed something. An AK-47 in the low $600 range including tax and shipping!

The AK-47 was from a company I've never heard of before. IO Inc. is making AK-47's in Monroe, North Carolina. Yes, an AK-47 that is 100% made in America. I had to do a little research before plopping down over $600! I searched the web and found out that they have been making them for under a year. At first they had a few minor fit problems, but according to what I read, these problem were quickly resolved. I found out that IO Inc. has been making firearms for a while now and I actually spoke to someone who used to work there. He said they do good work and produce a fine product.

I really wanted to see one before ordering it blind. I called IO Inc. and they told me that there was a dealer about 45-miles away. ROAD TRIP! Hyatt Guns in Charlotte has a very good selection of firearms, but their prices are way too high. For example, the IO Inc. AK-47-C I was looking at on Davidson's for $626 was selling for $799. I talked to a very nice person on the staff and explained my problem. I showed the printout of the price from Davidson's and asked if he could get close to the price. He talked to the owner and said with tax, they could do $701. This was a difficult decision, but $75 was too much of a difference. If it had been $50, I may have taken it.

One good thing that did come out of the visit to Hyatt's. I got to see the IO Inc. AK-47-C up close and personal. I was very surprised at the quality of the rifle. I have seen many AK's and they are usualy a mixed bag of quality. Granted, all I saw before were the eastern block made rifles and although very functional, they are cosmetically lacking. The IO Inc. model really looked good!

I wasn't really in the market for an AK, but two factors made me make the leap. First, the likelyhood that I would get a Kel-Tec SU-16C for a good price in a timely manner was very slim. Second, since I have an SKS rifle, I have a lot of ammo sitting around that just screams to be fired! If I had purchased the Kel-Tec, I would have to buy a lot of new ammo.

I should have my new rifle in a week. I will post some pictures and a first impression of it after breaking it in.