#ArsenalSAM7K

Welcome everyone to the 163rd edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

AKS-74U, colloquially known as Krinkov, is the variation of Soviet AKs that pioneered a hinged captive top cover. This is a really handy feature as it makes the assembly of the top cover just a matter of closing it which is much simpler compared to the little bit tricky process of attaching a standard AK top cover, and locks/unlocks the gas tube making the disassembly/reassembly of the gun an even easier process by eliminating the step of rotating the gas tube locking lever which is oftentimes excessively tight. The original AKS-74U top cover also houses the rear iron sight assembly. Now, if you want to upgrade your Krinkov and have rails on the top cover,  Texas Weapon Systems, a company known for making hinged top covers for various AK rifles, has a solution for you. TWS has introduced an aluminum railed hinged top cover for AKS-74U pattern firearms called Krinkov Dog Leg Rail.