Which AK Stock Is Best?

Different Types Of AK Stock

Over the years, various manufacturers have refined the AK stock to make the rifle more compact and maneuverable in close quarters. Each type of stock has distinct advantages and disadvantages that impact function and shootability.

Fixed / Collapsible

Traditional wood stocks give your AK that classic look, whereas upgrading to a fixed triangle or polymer stock affords the shooter increased comfort and recoil control. Moreover, some tactical models are even adjustable for CQB applications or use with plate carriers.

This type of stock is the least versatile and offers the least amount of mobility, so it may not be the best choice for a patrol rifle or truck gun - although it is still quite serviceable for home defense and target shooting.

Century Arms VSKA AK-47 Semi Automatic Rifle 16.5" Barrel 762X39 ,30 Round U.S. Palm Magazine, Red Wood, Chevron Brake - RI4335-N
Century Arms VSKA AK-47 Semi Automatic Rifle 16.5" Barrel 762X39 ,30 Round U.S. Palm Magazine, Red Wood, Chevron Brake - RI4335-N
$779 99 $849.99
Zastava Arms ZPAP M70 AK-47 Rifle 7.62x39 30rd - New 16.3" Chrome-Lined Barrel, 1.5mm Receiver and Bulged Trunnion - Black Hogue Furniture - ZR7762BHM
Zastava Arms ZPAP M70 AK-47 Rifle 7.62x39 30rd - New 16.3" Chrome-Lined Barrel, 1.5mm Receiver and Bulged Trunnion - Black Hogue Furniture - ZR7762BHM
$1074 99

Side Folders

When fully extended, a side folding stock grants many of the same benefits as a fixed stock without the drawbacks. The stock can easily return to the folded position to improve maneuverability or save space when the rifle is stored. 

Side-folding stocks have one big disadvantage, though: they can inhibit access to some of the rifle's controls when folded. Learning and properly maintaining the hinge mechanism on a side folder AK is essential to successfully deploying one in a defensive encounter.

M+M M10X-Z-BATTLE-WORN Zhukov Model Rifle - 7.62x39 16.5 Barrel, W / 30 Round Mag - Battleworn Edition
M+M M10X-Z-BATTLE-WORN Zhukov Model Rifle - 7.62x39 16.5 Barrel, W / 30 Round Mag - Battleworn Edition
$1299 99 $1,499.99

Under Folders

Under folder stocks are the most lightweight as they use less material, plus they are more compact because the stock folds under / around the bottom portion of the rifle instead of to the side.

However, this sometimes results in more felt recoil when shooting and some models include multiple moving parts, which creates additional failure points that could loosen or break. Though they are not as stable or adaptable, under folder stocks are by far the most concealable type of AK stock - making them the perfect bug out bag gun.

Pioneer Arms Forged Series Sporter Underfolder Semi-Automatic AK-47 Style 7.62x39mm Rifle, Wood Furniture, and 30 Round Mag - POL-AK-S-UF-FT-W
Pioneer Arms Forged Series Sporter Underfolder Semi-Automatic AK-47 Style 7.62x39mm Rifle, Wood Furniture, and 30 Round Mag - POL-AK-S-UF-FT-W
$756 16

Which AK Stock Is Best?

In our opinion, the side-folding stock offers the greatest degree of flexibility without compromising the rifle's performance. There are lightweight minimalist options if you're working on a CQB build, but there are also more substantial choices that provide all the best of a fixed stock in a convenient folding package. 

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