For the last few months, I have been using Magpul AK polymer furniture on my Kalashnikov rifle. The Magpul polymers transformed my Krebs special edition Early Afgan War pattern AK74 to something a bit more modern looking.

My AK74 originally came with orange color bakelite pistol grip, custom made wooden handguard and fixed buttstock. Like many, I found the stock AK pistol grip to be too small in my hand, the size was designed for someone that’s wearing a heavy glove during a Russian winter.

Magpul’s AK handguards come in three versions: MOE AKM ($36.95), MOE AK ($36.95) and Zhukov ($99.95). I have the MOE AKM installed on the Krebs. The MOE AK and Zhukov extended handguard require the removal of the stock front handguard keeper and attaching the metal chassis under the barrel, which the polymer lower handguard attached to it. All three versions features the new Magpul M-Lok slots on the sides and the bottom for mounting accessories.

The upper handguard is a direct replacement for the wooden one on my Krebs AK74. The Magpul lower handguards are compatible with a number of gas-tube optic rail systems including the ones from Troy Industries and Rifle Dynamics.

The Magpul Zhukov-S side-folding stock and the MOE AK grip. The MOE AK grip ($20.95) is available in six different colors and rubber overmolded version, the MOE AK+ ($24.95), is available in four colors. Both feel just like the Magul’s MOE grips for the AR platform. The larger MOE AK grip fits my hand much better than the original small AK grip.

The side folding mechanism of the Zhukov-S stock in action. At the price of just $99.95 the Magpul folder is a bargain. The original Russian side-folder stocks are much more expensive and requires a lot of custom gunsmith work to fit it. I installed the Magpul Zhukov-S in 5 mins. The Magpul AK stock only works with stamped AK receiver. There’s another version that fits the Yugo pattern AK.

The Magpul side-folder is also collapsible, although I found the length adjustment is less than the collapsible AR stocks. The Magul stock is actually cheaper than both using the AR stock on AK, which requires a buffer tube adapter ($60+), and also the Fab Defense’s AK side-folders, which is $150 for the polymer version or $320 for the modified side-folding Galil steel stock version. When folded, the Magpal Zhukov-S stock doesn’t block the ejection port nor the trigger.

Overall, I like the new Magpul AK furniture offerings, although it does alter the classic look of my Krebs AK74. So far, all the components are holding up fine after a couple of months of moderate use. The MOE AK grip really feels great and I would say the Magpul Zhukov-S stock is easily the best bolt-on aftermarket stock for AK rifles.

FYI, the optic is the Aimpoint Micro H-1 with custom duracoat FDE color. The optic mount is the RS Regulate AK-302 rear-biased mount base with the AKML upper mount. I prefer mounting the red-dot sight toward the rear for the biggest field-of-view.