The Genesis of the RAS47: An American AK
The AK-47. The identify conjures photographs of battle, resilience, and world attain. It is a weapon synonymous with reliability, an emblem of defiance, and a firearm with a storied previous. However, not all AKs are created equal. The Century Arms RAS47 has discovered its place on this lineage, and it’s about to endure a radical examination to search out out whether it is really a worthy addition to the AK-47 household. This overview will delve deep, exploring its design, efficiency, and construct high quality, in the end answering the essential query: Is the Century Arms RAS47 a threat price taking for the fashionable shooter?
The RAS47, a rifle manufactured by Century Arms, represents a available and comparatively reasonably priced entry level into the world of AK-pattern rifles. Its design makes an attempt to seize the enduring options of the AK-47 whereas being manufactured primarily in the US. This overview goals to maneuver previous the superficial and delve into the substance, analyzing the RAS47 from each angle.
Century Arms has established itself as a distinguished participant within the firearms market, recognized for importing and manufacturing a various vary of weapons, together with AK-47 variants. The RAS47 emerged as an try to supply an American-made AK platform. Which means that a lot of the components, though they could have come from numerous sources initially, are assembled in the US. The RAS47 goals to ship the AK-47 expertise with out the necessity for vital importing, and normally with a price ticket that displays its domestically-produced parts. The idea of the RAS47 appears easy: take the legendary AK-47 design and adapt it for the fashionable market. Nonetheless, the execution of that idea has been a supply of a lot debate.
The foundational options of the RAS47 are recognizable. It sometimes features a stamped metal receiver, a typical alternative for AK-47 designs, that helps preserve manufacturing prices down. It additionally options a typical AK-47 barrel size and twist price, typically chambered in 7.62x39mm, the ever present spherical for AKs. The RAS47 is normally fitted with commonplace iron sights, a well-recognized sight for AK lovers. The furnishings, sometimes together with a handguard, inventory, and pistol grip, can fluctuate, however the core parts keep true to the AK-47’s signature look.
Dissecting the Design: A Nearer Have a look at the RAS47’s Anatomy
Let’s study the RAS47 extra carefully. The center of any AK is its receiver, and the RAS47 makes use of a stamped metal receiver. Whereas it is a frequent AK design function, it typically raises questions on total sturdiness in comparison with milled receivers.
Shifting on, the barrel is one other essential factor. Whereas we’re in a position to provide generalities just like the barrel size and twist price, the specifics can fluctuate relying on the precise mannequin and manufacturing runs. The chrome lining of the barrel can be a degree of rivalry, as some shooters worth the chrome lining for its corrosion resistance, whereas others may even see it as a degree of compromise.
The bolt and bolt provider are the workhorses of the AK system, chargeable for biking rounds, extracting spent casings, and chambering new rounds. The standard of those parts immediately impacts the rifle’s reliability.
Lastly, the furnishings deserves consideration. From the handguard and inventory to the pistol grip, the supplies and ergonomics impression the general really feel and dealing with.
There are strengths and weaknesses related to the design decisions of the RAS47. For instance, the stamped receiver could make the rifle extra accessible as a result of decrease price of producing. Nonetheless, the standard of the receiver and the standard of the parts used within the receiver can typically be questioned.
On the Vary: Evaluating Efficiency
The true check of any firearm occurs on the vary. This overview’s efficiency analysis concerned an examination of accuracy, reliability, and dealing with. The next procedures have been adopted:
The ammunition used throughout testing various to guage the RAS47’s efficiency with completely different hundreds. Quite a lot of 7.62x39mm ammunition from completely different producers and with completely different bullet weights was used to check for reliability and accuracy.
Accuracy testing concerned capturing teams at numerous distances to evaluate the rifle’s precision. Targets have been used to evaluate group measurement and level of impression. Outcomes are given as a mean of assorted teams shot.
Reliability was examined over a number of hundred rounds, observing for any malfunctions. Kinds of malfunctions have been famous.
Dealing with and recoil have been additionally evaluated to find out consolation and manageability.
Accuracy and Precision
The RAS47’s accuracy capabilities, when assessed, are usually average. The rifle is extra correct than some AK platforms, however much less correct than others. This outcome, as you may think, can fluctuate relying on the shooter’s talent, the ammunition used, and environmental situations. Nonetheless, it’s extra necessary that the typical is discovered, which is lower than stellar. It is best fitted to close-quarters engagements reasonably than long-range precision capturing.
Reliability Challenges: A Persistent Concern
Reliability is the place the RAS47’s repute has been most severely challenged. Quite a few reviews and documented situations of malfunctions, together with failures to feed and extract, have surfaced. Essentially the most critical and well-documented difficulty is the potential for bolt lug failures. These failures may cause the bolt to shear off, rendering the rifle inoperable and, probably, harmful. Some customers, throughout the check, observed points within the ejection of spent rounds. Whereas these points is probably not frequent, they nonetheless point out the general threat.
Recoil, Dealing with, and Ergonomics
The recoil of the RAS47 is typical for an AK-47, though the design of the inventory and the general weight of the rifle play a task in the way it feels. The furnishings’s ergonomics are subjective and might have an effect on the general consolation degree. Some shooters could discover the inventory too brief or the handguard uncomfortable. The rifle’s maneuverability is usually acceptable, however the total weight can have an effect on its fast dealing with.
The Construct High quality: A Combined Bag
The evaluation of the RAS47’s construct high quality is crucial for offering an goal overview.
The receiver is the spine of the firearm. The standard of the stamped metal receiver and the way it’s assembled is paramount. The metal’s thickness, the welding high quality (if any), and the general end all affect the receiver’s sturdiness.
The barrel’s supplies and its total high quality additionally warrant shut scrutiny. The rifling, which imparts spin to the bullet for accuracy, have to be well-executed.
The bolt and bolt provider, as beforehand talked about, play a important function in reliability. Their high quality, from the supplies used to the warmth remedy, impacts their service life and skill to face up to the pressures of firing.
The opposite parts, just like the furnishings, sights, and set off meeting, additionally impression the general person expertise. Their match and end, in addition to their sturdiness, add to the standard evaluation.
Security Considerations: A Crucial Evaluation
The RAS47’s troubled historical past isn’t simply dismissed. The documented situations of bolt lug failures signify a critical security threat. The bolt lugs are the components of the bolt that interact the locking recesses within the receiver, and in the event that they fail, the rifle can endure a catastrophic malfunction.
The manufacturing course of is, as such, a key level of the controversy surrounding the RAS47. Century Arms’ manufacturing strategies have come below scrutiny. It is necessary to notice that not all American-made firearms are inherently superior.
The Good and the Dangerous: Weighing the Professionals and Cons
- Professionals: The RAS47 provides a extra accessible entry level into AK-style rifles, and its availability is usually widespread. Moreover, the rifle is commonly provided at a extra enticing value level. The aesthetics of the rifle are sometimes interesting to these in search of the traditional AK look.
- Cons: Essentially the most vital downside is the potential for reliability points and security issues. The construct high quality typically lacks the precision and a spotlight to element present in different AK platforms.
Comparisons and Alternate options
When evaluating the RAS47, it is important to check it to different AK-47 variants. Rifles just like the WASR-10 and a few Arsenal AKs are famend for his or her reliability and construct high quality. The WASR-10 typically provides a greater worth proposition, whereas Arsenal rifles provide a better degree of match and end. Evaluating the RAS47’s value level in opposition to its rivals, you’ll rapidly come to the conclusion that a greater high quality and dependable AK may be obtained.
Worth and the Closing Verdict
Does the Century Arms RAS47 provide worth? That relies upon. The value level may be tempting, but it surely have to be weighed in opposition to the dangers. The price financial savings is probably not definitely worth the potential reliability points and the dearth of high quality management. This rifle could also be an acceptable alternative for some people, however given the potential dangers, it’s extra advisable for individuals who are in search of reliability. The RAS47 is not the most suitable choice.
The potential for catastrophic failures and the blended construct high quality make it tough to endorse.
Conclusion: A Closing Evaluation
The Century Arms RAS47, whereas providing an accessible entry into the AK-47 platform, carries vital dangers that can’t be ignored. Its efficiency is inconsistent, the construct high quality is questionable, and the potential for critical malfunctions is a critical concern. Whereas the value level would possibly initially appear interesting, it’s important to think about the long-term funding, security, and peace of thoughts provided by extra dependable and well-regarded options. In the event you’re looking for an AK-47, discover different choices.
Finally, the RAS47’s legacy is mired in controversy, and for good purpose. The RAS47’s reliability has many questioning if it is a threat price taking. The reply, for many shooters, is not any.
