An AK in .50 BMG: Introducing The AK-50 (Project AKG)

Tom R
by Tom R

Is it a unicorn? Some thought so. Brandon Herrera, TheAKGuy, may have cracked the code on a really cool innovation–a .50BMG AK. When you think of innovation, there are things like the Cobalt Kinetics BAMF (note that I am not including the idea of a new color or pattern as “innovative”, which is apparently what some manufacturers seem to think). But I can tell you I sure don’t think of the AK platform as something that can be innovative. In fact, building an AK out of a shovel from Home Depot is one of the sexier concepts.

Check out this brief video:

Technical Specs (so far):

  • Caliber: .50BMG
  • Barrel Length: 20″ and 28″
  • Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
  • MSRP: $6999

It still utilizes the basic long piston design of the a standard AK, and it will accept standard AK furniture, including the stock and pistol grip. It was even mentioned that it could use the standard fire control group. A couple of other changes are the addition of quick release pins to the gas tube and a hinged dust cover. The components will mainly be a mix of 4140 steel and milled aluminum (and Brandon stressed that “there will be no cast parts”).

He is planning on taking orders the first quarter of 2016. So readers, what do you think? I would definitely love to get hands on with one (because, really who doesn’t want to shoot .50 BMG in any configuration?). I think the idea is great and I am always happy to see people getting away from the “ho-hum” color changes and other “more of the same” that happens more often than not…

You can find out more information at TheAKGuy on Facebook (his website is currently being updated so it doesn’t have the latest content): https://www.facebook.com/TheAKGuy

Thanks to Mike for the heads up about this!

Tom R
Tom R

Tom is a former Navy Corpsman that spent some time bumbling around the deserts of Iraq with a Marine Recon unit, kicking in tent flaps and harassing sheep. Prior to that he was a paramedic somewhere in DFW, also doing some Executive Protection work between shifts. Now that those exciting days are behind him, he teaches wilderness medicine and runs an on-demand medical staffing business. He hopes that his posts will help you find solid gear that will survive whatever you can throw at it--he is known (in certain circles) for his curse...ahem, ability...to find the breaking point of anything.You can reach him at tom.r AT thefirearmblog.com or at https://thomasrader.com

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  • Jesse#1 Jesse#1 on Dec 15, 2015

    Wonder why anything in the 'big 50' has to cost so many thousands of dollars. It doesn't seem likely that a little more metal cost so much more. Of course anything new always has design and testing costs added but, Really? $7000

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    • Jesse#1 Jesse#1 on Dec 16, 2015

      @Tothe Really? So you're saying that a 25-06 can be built with some old metal roofing and treadle powered lathe? Or is it more likely that it's all just BS and the price is based on bullet diameter and case length, and the same materials and machines are used to produce any similar rifle, and the pricing is just a gouge. For instance a big car costs a lot more than a small one.
      I'd almost be willing to bet that there would be very little difference in costs between the design and build of a custom rifle in either caliber. Therefore someone with intellect and skill could make a bunch of money building the same thing to sell for half the $7000.

  • Really Big Gun Guy Really Big Gun Guy on Dec 27, 2015

    I am currently developing a AK chambered in 105mm, same as the Abrams Tank. I am using a cut down Abrams tank barrel aprox. length will be 16", Magazines will be able to hold 5 rounds with the option of 10 rounds later down the road. It will also come with a optional Cherry picker to support the overall weight. I have fired 1 round so far, and I must say the recoil is not as bad as expected.....only pushed me back 25 feet.

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