The TWS IK103 - The All American Made Alpha AK
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
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The folks at Texas Weapons Systems have released an American made AK with all the bells and whistles.
#AK47 #Texas #762x39 - Zábava
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FINALLY someone built something with modularity/parts compatibility in mind. I’ve been designing one of these in my head for years, but don’t have access to a machine shop.
Why can't you find one?
They completely missed the opportunity to simply mill a section of 1913 at the back to use the new standard of folding stocks...
the 1913 rail folder is in the works
Try the CMMG dissent. It uses AK mags too.
@@e.l.robbins5614but it’s not an AK.
It's a Sharps Bros receiver. And yes, Sharps Bros has a 1913 version that has been out for a long time now.
Folders are trash though.
$2,300 is wild
I’m not saying this isn’t a fine rifle, it likely is very nice. I think I’m just stunned by the cost of AKs in the 2020s. I drastically miss the days of cheap AKs and SKS’s with pallets of surplus 7.62 for eating being dirt cheap! At least the Chinese Saiga 12 clones aren’t too expensive still! Yet.
It's wild
Without a communist government to amass the resources for a mass production facility, we just can't produce quality AKs at a rate large enough to keep costs low
AKs are simple but require a war machine to "pay for itself" over time
The only reason why they were cheap was the end of the Cold War. Hundreds of thousands of AK’s and millions of tons of ammunition from practically every Warsaw Pact country flooded the marketplace for over a decade. That’s how you get $100 Romanian parts kits, $350 AK’s, $125 SKS’s and dirt cheap ammunition. The downside was that consumers convinced themselves that all of this dirt cheap eastern bloc kit was “normal” and not a anomaly caused by the collapse of an empire. Throw in changing governmental regulations on importation, the depletion of inventories overseas, now a Russian ammunition ban we get to where we are now.
America has valued manual labor much more than communist slave labor. Ak's on a production line require a lot more people (more money in usa) and much more specialized tooling than just a simple cnc machine compared to ar15.
Tldr, aks require more time and more people than AR15's and the west values manual labor much more than back in the day of communist east.
@@bones1x285your tl:dr is too long, so I didn't read it. 😅
@@Coodreaux_Kong lol I know
2300 bucks? I'm good I'll stick with PSA lol
$2300 😂, $1600 Galil ACE is better for less
But it's covered in plastic
Never thought the ACE would be the "value" option
@@christopherdolan7330that plastic comes off and the receiver and everything else is metal
@@johnk4541 but you have to spend money for the plastic to come off
Plus the charging handle is on the wrong side
@@christopherdolan7330 Guns have been covered in "plastic" for a long time. Many even see active combat...like the Galil.
Always an outstanding video and presentation
thats all i need 2300.00 im out of here
😅 same
That's KAC, LMT, and HK money lol
@@railfanningpoints2.045 for a fucking AK. Yeesh
Thanks for this video, Mac. Hope to hear more about this rifle.
Great video brother!👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
Super cool and very clear exposure
Price KILLED it for me ! Nice setup though
Yeah you can buy the iwi ace for 1500
@@timothyfreed6959rather buy from Texas than Israel so
I just love when they get a simple and reliable gas system going out the gate. Awesome.
$2300? Oof.
It looks nice and I really like what they did with this AK. But with cheap 7.62x39 ammo becoming less available and more expensive, it just seems like this came out a little too late, especially for the price tag.
Just picked up one of the PA 3x micro prism's. Very impressed. Didn't even know it was shake awake.that was a big bonus I didn't expect.very nice. Got rid of my red ot magnifier combo. so much lighter now
Another Great Video 💯 Thanks 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Yooooooo love the intro!!!!
seems like a very nice rifle, but it would be hard for me to justify spending $2,300 on this when an IWI Galil Ace gen 2 would be substantially less.
Or PSA AKE for around $1000
Thanks, guys. Great video. Tim, you mentioned it was a bit heavy but didn't tell us the weight. Went to the website, and they didn't post it there either.
it weighs an even 8lb, only a quarter pound more than a standard AK-47
I think this rifle is badass, and the price is totally fair for a custom-built and fully-modernized AK.
I'm just worried that TWS stole some of the design notes from Marc Krebs, who worked with TWS to design his M23 rifle. For that reason, I would probably buy the Krebs M23 over this, even for a few hundred dollars more. I really hope that TWS is paying Marc Krebs his dues and that nothing unsavory happened in that relationship. The fact that they're still using his safety selector is probably a good sign.
Even a beater PSA AR15 is better than any AK.
@@railfanningpoints2.045 cool, but you are wrong. There are certainly advantages to the AK platform and potential applications where it exceeds the AR.
@christopherdolan7330 You're just wrong. Most countries that used the AK are ditching them for either modern ARs like LMT's MARS-L and MARS-H or other modern rifles like the Bren, B&T 556, and SIG MCX Spear LT.
We maintain a very good working relationship and friendship with Marc and his team. Also both rifles were developed in parallel.
@@texasweaponsystems thank you for clarifying! Glad to hear it was developed in conjunction with Marc and his M23 project. It looks like an awesome system.
TWS makes some good products imo, I have a Dogleg on my converted .223 Saiga and it has worked well for me, but this is pretty dang pricey.
@@rapidrhinos2254 When we were originally developing the Gen-3 Dog leg rail, we tested it on a variety of rifles including a VEPR in 7.62x54R. We took that VEPR out as far as 750m with no point of impact shift after opening and closing the cover. A common oversight is improperly adjusting the tension on the cover. When the cover is tensioned properly, it's rock solid.
Sharp's milled receiver is a GREAT foundation (probably bought the rights). I wish I could still get copies of the Sharps front bushing block ... they were the best but did not sell.
Didn't Jim Fuller work with them for the first prototype. Think Jim had input on that.
They missed the opportunity to use picatinny at the back of the receiver and keep side folding abilities
Exactly my thought, commented about it also...
a pic rail folder is in the works
@@texasweaponsystems nice!
if it holds up like a custom AK then the price is good for what you get.I'm not sure I'd buy this over a Rifle Dynamics AK but it's worth looking at.
Put a top cover from them on my C39 century. I can say, darn good quality for a reasonable price. I hope this rifle is the same!!!!!!
Awesome
I can't say enough good about TWS customer service and the dog leg rail. If you call with a question they will walk you through literally everything and anything regarding fitment and use of their product. I called around 8yrs ago with a question about the dogleg rail I had bought from them. They explained the fitment and afterward asked that I call back any time with any questions I may have. I never did as the rail works perfectly. I've never had a problem with the zero changing and the gun has had thousands of round through it.
Cool rifle
Sights need to be on rear of receiver. Options in barrel lengths. 6.5 grendel option.price around 900$.
$2,300.00 to make an AK do what a $400 PSA AR can do... unfathomable in my honest opinion.
Honestly just buy a WASR-10 and slap an RS Regulate kit on it and you'd probably still have $750 left over compared to that thing.
Just buy a DD, LMT, or BCM AR, bro.
I run a LaRue personally@@railfanningpoints2.045
@@majorcamo4645Either way, AR > AK.
I know you have done a review of the Galli Ace Gen 2, I'm curious if you have any commentary regarding the comparison between these two firearms. Thank you.
My budget allows for PSA blem sales. Nice modern and modular AK.
Want to try the adj gas block over the KNS piston eventually....... How often do these blocks cease up? Is there preventitive maintenance you can do to the adj gas blocks to keep themm functional?
That's a hot lookin rifle
Hopefully the $2300 is MSRP and not the street price. $1999 would be ok with me. Looks like a fine rifle.
Love new US made AK.
Lol
I love Aks but, except for some collector items, I'm never gonna buy one for over 1500, much less 2300.
Which variant of the Primary Arms prismatic scope are you using?
I’m considering a 3X version for my
AR-15. It’s intended to be a good general purpose rifle; range toy to SHTF and anything in between.
Astigmatism makes shooting with irons
increasingly difficult.
Any thoughts and suggestions would be
welcomed.
A new AK. Looks fantastic! But, DBHK? Does Brandon Herrera Know?
I'm really impressed with the accuracy of this AK. I don't have too much faith in the hinge cover, but still, I'm impressed.
They’re an “okay” design. I’ve ran one before. There is slop/play at the front takedown pin, and the zero of the dust cover relies solely on that leaf spring cut on the side of the dust cover, and their replacement recoil guide rod that fits in the rear of the dust cover. Ultimately it’s made out of aluminum, and those two points of contact will wear/shift zero over time. It also replaces the iron sights which are a robust back up feature to have. Factor in any serious drop or apply pressure to your rifle and you’ll see why this should be considered a “3 gun” style cover and not one to trust for serious use. I used to have one on my AK with an eotech. It seemed to lightly shift zero even when properly “fitted” and I wouldn’t trust it. I have owned ultimaks and a zenitco b33 dust cover. Both of those I would 100% trust
There is a technical white paper on the TWS website that explains the system in great detail.
@@yellowbuell8679 Thanks for the info.
I have their top cover on my 84 Romanian AKM it works great I have 10000 rounds with this cover.
The bloated price derailed my interests completely. Why not spend 1/3 less on an IWI X95, or PSA equivalent at even less. I suppose they are just trying to get in late in a US market that is under threat of being abolished by Brandy
Nevertheless I will say your excellent videos are at the very top and have no doubt steered many in the right direction. Only time will tell if this new product will prove worthwhile or part of our loosing 2A history.
You need to check out a Bravo 18 AK.
For $2300, it better be for a 3-pack.
Maybe it comes with a few thousand rounds of ammo?
@@bazookawarren LOL
At this price I might as well save a couple hundred more dollars and get a Spear LT.
I digress. The Sig Spear LT 7.62x39 uses AR magazines, and its handguard does not retain zero. I rather have a Galil ACE or this rifle.
Or save a grand+ and get standard AR15. If it's all about the 30cal round for you, get it chambered in 300blk. Ammo costs about the same, is more accurate but ballistically identical in the gel, and 300blk has been getting cheaper, while 7.62AK is going up. And, if you get tired of 30 cal, switching to 5.56 is as easy as an upper swap. 2 pins and your done. same mags, same BCG and CH, no stress.
@@Brian-ry2ijI personally would like a CMMG Mutant for less money or their current offering for the same money that takes AK mags. Or even better which is what I will end up doing is build my own using a PSA KS47 lower, Gibz G47 upper that has the charging handle on the left where it should be. It won't be a go to rifle anyway so just keep a spare bolt with it.
I'm glad to see another US made AK come to market. For that price, I'd like to see just a bit more in features or options. A version with a CHF 20-23" heavy profile barrel, for a super modern take on an RPK, would be amazing.
Nobody is going to buy this overpriced boutique AK lol. People with such FU money would just buy a SCAR17, SR25, or LMT MARS-H.
an RPK variant is under development.
I look forward to it! @@texasweaponsystems
@texasweaponsystems
That's the model I'll get my AMEX card out for 😁😁😁
@@texasweaponsystemsbetter make it CHF chrome lined barrel at MINIMUM. You didn't even put as good of a barrel as a PSA GF5-E for half as much in this videos rifle but people might spend $2300 for a RPK with correct spec barrel that companies like PSA don't offer.
2300?
Just get a Galil ACE Gen 2 at that point. Better controls, more calibers and barrel lengths, the same 2000 MSRP, but it's otherwise the same rifle.
Very exciting. Would be more exciting if it was $1500. Maybe PSA can work with TWS and collaborate?
Nice.. 😊
"Bad boy"? LOL!😂
The '90s are calling this childish saying back, son.
@MilitaryArmsChannel How does this Ak compare to the Galil Ace gen 2? It seems that the Galil has more features for about $400 less.
*~ Long Live The Great AK Rifles ~*
How rugged is that optic Tim?
That is very spendy... you can get a Galil SAR Gen2 for about $600 less, which also has the front and rear top pic rail (though not as easy to just pop up like the TWS). I'd argue the Galil is better as it also comes with a folding and adjustable LoP stock, along with a RH thumb selector, and leftside charging handle. The Galil is also very smooth shooting and has a good trigger. While this TWS gun looks like a very high quality gun, so is the Galil. Both are heavy guns with the milled receiver and is the only negative mark I give the Galil which you give to the TWS as well.
The only extra cool feature I see in the TWS over the Galil and other modernized AKs is the QD mounting holes, adjustable gas, and suppressor friendliness, and perhaps the modular FCG if you are into that sort of thing. If you only want to suppress your Kalash then maybe this is the way to go but now-a-days there are a couple good AK suppressors out there already so you don't have to go with the NATO type cans.
I also feel the no cleaning rod is kind of silly, it should have one. Not only for itself but I can't tell you how many times I've used an AK cleaning rod to get stuck casings out of AR15s - yes you read that right. Oddly enough never had to use it to do that on an AK, not that it can't happen though but it is much less likely.
Anyway looks like a nice gun, but I feel this is too expensive compared to all the other AKs that are out there. If someone is going to go with a custom AK they are usually more of the purist type and are going to want soviet parts and design. Not always, but mostly... In the end I feel the Galil is the best modernized "AK".
I think TWS maybe should also invest in the PSA methodology and also make some good entry-price AKs. More US manufacturers is a good thing for everyone.
Over priced AK's are rediculus, but this AK is different..The TWS IK103 is well thought out and impressive..For all the well designed features, the price point looks right..Great review..
It's still an AK, brah.
Yup, nothing wrong with that, brah.@@railfanningpoints2.045
@@railfanningpoints2.045 And there are ar that cost a shitton of money too
@@marcomenabue7717 Yeah, but a $500 AR will do everything this AK does, but better, while being lighter, more modular, more reliable, as or more accurate and with better caliber options. 7.62x39 is about as much as 300blk and going up, while 300blk seems to be coming down some.
@marcomenabue7717 You can buy a budget-beat AR15 that will hold up better than both boutique and import AK. When it comes to AKs, you are forced to purchase the most expensive ones if you don't want something that has horrible QC. The AK is still outdated by modern combat standards using force multipliers (LPVOs, weapon lights, setting up for NV, etc. You end up having a rifle that weighs nearly on par with a 7.62 NATO battle rifle. You notice how nations that ran AKs in their militaries are now replacing them with modern rifles. That's called a clue.
It reminds me of the AK 20
WOW, Great..!!
People who say "rifle is fine comrade" drive me absolutely nuts, they function much better with modern chassis systems, and modernization looks soooooooo much cooler than old wood, unless it's cherry colored wood on an AK74 in which case that gets a pass
like everything but the m4 stock myself
For first time AK people. Would this be a strong recommendation or go with PSA for example?
At that price, nobody cares about an ak
A boutique rifle where the money would be better spent on a high-end AR
At half that price nobody should care, still
@@railfanningpoints2.045 Or even a lower end AR, an optic, sling, and light, case of ammo, and a grand to spend on another gun...
@@Mitsurugi2424 Yup.
That chambered in 556 with Stanag mag well from definitive arms would be fantastic
A 556 version is under development (as well as other calibers)
l like it well......Thanks Mac.....
Old F-4 2 Shoe🇺🇸
Does the Primary Arms optic have a name?
Nice looking gun. I personally would like to see someone do a SIG 550 series clone that's not m+m industries. I want one more than any other gun right now, but the only options are sacrificing your first born son or a weak version SIG USA made for a short time. Someone would make a lot of money if they just made a proper ak12 or an akb521.
I got a sig556 I bought years ago, I love that rifle. Gas at least 4k rounds and no issues at all besides being a little heavy
High price, however the more AK competition coming out in the U.S, the better.
This is good but that price is really steep and at that point I would start looking at other rifle families. I might be a little more convinced if it came in a more RPK pattern since I can't think of anyone else making one currently but for an AK I start to lose interest at about $1500. As it is I am seriously looking at getting a KUSA AK-103 because there seems to be a price drop on them.
🇺🇸
idk how “modern” a buffer tube on an ak is but alright I guess it’s better than the uncomfortable under folder…
fred durst youre handsome man . great channel !
Wasn't TWS the same manufacturer that made the railed dust covers?
They are
Wow they put a chrome lined bore on it. I’m surprised. So many gun manufacturers go cheap and charge more.
nice, so... what is the weight difference between the IK103 and say a akm103 from kalashusa or psa or a radom akm?
it weighs an even 8lb, only a quarter pound more than a standard AK-47
How does it do with heat on the handguard
Just curious have you shot cheap steel case ammunition through it?
This rifle was built around being able to fire cheap steel cased ammo. It runs it like a champ. obv it likes brass too
Fueling Al Gore's Rhythm.
Mam pytanko czy zrobi Pan test: Extar EP9 Gen.2 ( Gauntlet ).
Witam pozdrawiam 🙂😉🙂
Zdrowych Spokojnych Swiat i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku 2024 🎄🎄🎉🎉⛄⛄
No thanks......I very much like my Zastava ZPAP. It scratches my itch marvelously.
It looks like PSAK GF5-E. PSA got FN barrel. But this one is too expensive.
CMMG Dissent makes a great AK option. Uses AK mags and is familiar for AR 15 users. Soft shooting and accurate. The Dissent line has become my favorite. I have several.
No old school Texas Trigger AK trigger with the serrated trigger shoe......
Look someone needs to make an AK with a last round bolt hold open.
Ill stick with a PSA.
Are the trunnions forged or billet? And are the receivers dimpled into the trunnions? If so, that ought to be a win.
It's a milled receiver so the trunnions as well as the receiver structure are all made of a single piece of steel. Because of this, dimpling, and even rivets for that matter are not needed. The entire receiver is a single piece part.
@@texasweaponsystems Ah hell yeah! Show the rest of the American made AK's how its done!
Didn't catch it was a milled receiver, that's fantastic!
🤷♂️???
So you are asking about trunions and whether they are forged components or not but failed to notice that the receiver is milled? I mean he's showing you a up close look of the rifle and it's very obvious that the receiver is milled. Seems like you don't much about AK rifles.
@@jeepinintexas6215 Video was background noise while I was doing other things, wasn't actively looking at video. The trunnion and receiver thing is still such a common issue among American AK's, that's the first question my brain defaults to when they come up.
If mac talked about the milled receiver in the video, I didn't catch it.
Talk to me after twenty thousand rounds.
If I were to buy this, I imagine the 1st thing I'd do is grind down and file down that mag release. The fact that it's longer and wider screams accidental mag drop. The "standard" mag release is already ambidextrous and I have never had it snag on clothing or kit, nor have I heard of it happening with anyone else in the 75 years the gun has been in use. With nearly every gun, making the mag release larger is usually a surefire way to create more problems than are solved
2,300?! 😄 I have a bridge for sale too, if you spend this much on an AK.
Robust picrail on top ? No. Free-floating barrel ? No. Oeiginal/Lightweight/modern design ? No. Superior cartridge used ? No. Heavy AF and pricey? YES! Let that thing die, finally...
I feel like it’s a really expensive galil ace with worse ergos
I love AKs but the obsession with the round needs to be explained.
For those of us serious about AK patterned rifles as our primary fighting platform this is fantastic news. A well made all American Kalashnikov that can stand up to hard use and high round counts out side of high end custom boutique builders is necessary for the AK community in the United States. The price is absolutely reasonable for what you get. Despite the naysayers on this thread. They aren’t AK people clearly. It’s 2024 not 2004. 400 dollar WASR’s arent coming back and that’s not even in the same ball park as this rifle. Different demographic. I’m looking forward to alternative stock options and Calibers. Particularly 5.56/.223. Well done @texasweaponsystems
This gun needs to replace steel milled receiver to aluminium milled receiver for dropping price and weight
Me: "damn that AK is sweet I want one!"
MAC: "it's gonna come in right around 2300 dollars"
My wallet: "lmao you thought
No bolt hold open ???
This looks the same as the Krebs custom rifle.
I've never understood why the AK platform seems to be so difficult for Manufacturers to replicate (Maintaining or IMPROVING the 'Quality/Reliability' of the original, of course). If it's such a simple/easy system, why does it confound so many who try?
This is a problem with multiple facetts.
An AR can be build rather easy. You need 2 milling mashines and they can do the upper, lower and bolt assembly.
Milling AK parts is harder or rather more complex. The receiver has to be made out of a longer piece of metal (if you mill it) which means its less cost efficent since you waste 80% of it. General speaking you have more bolts and other stuff incorporated that makes it more expensive to produce. (Same apply for the bolt carrier)
Using a stemping process is even more complex because the mashinery is more expensive. As soon as an production line is made however its super cheap and fast to mass produce.
You can fix precision by using a better barrel and reworking the connection between barrel and receiver. As well as working on the gasports. All of that is possible but we live in an enviroment where people think ak's are not precise and should not cost a thing. So you have to invest a lot for a very specific group of customers. And because of the heavy competition you will have trouble reducing the price by increasing the volume of rifles. So you need to increase the price per rifle to cover development and mashinery and end up with a expensive rifle like this.
And at last: tuning compatibility. The more parts you change to increase the performance the fewer aftermarket parts will work. And the current market does not like guns that they cannot tune to their needs.
@@uwesca6263
That was a very well written/worded reply!
Thank you!
:-)
@@uwesca6263 AR > AK
Is the barrel cold Hammer forged or what?
No. Cheap 4140 button cut chrome lined barrel. Not even quality 4150 CMV steel. What a rip-off.
Nice to see a modernized AK variant. I prefer the any rifle over the AR, after 20 years of seeing the tactards take an 5 pound rifle and bolt on 20 pounds of extra “improvement” I can’t take one seriously and this rifle nicely ties in some of the Galil Ace with the advantages of modularity and using standard AK parts with something that unequivocally works. I’d buy one.
The AK is a brick lol. And after you add force multipliers it's a boat anchor to make it half-ass as capable as an AR lol.
I always find it laughable when someone complains how heavy a rifle is or uses the tired phrase boat anchor and then has 18lbs of crap bolted on their firearm. Offset red dot, scope, offset iron sights, laser and IR illuminator, fore grip with spring loaded bipod, spiked barricade brace and a muzzle device 3” in diameter to tame the stunning recoil of a 5.56, while making anyone in 200 yards deaf. I would have an M1 Garand, FAL, M14/M1A, HK91, Tavor, Galil, AK, Robinson XCR, FN SCAR or even a mini14 over the AR. No one allows any innovation any longer, if it’s not a ridiculous AR can’t buy it, if it’s not a Glock, can’t buy it. I’ll pass on that ridiculousness.
@sambellows2923 You can buy whatever you want. Your argument is comically dumb lol.
And in typical idiotic fashion that response is why ARs appeal even less to me. The typical tactical teddy response YOU MUST BUY AN AR OR ELSE, THERES NO OTHER GUNS THAN AN AR”!
@@sambellows2923 Clownboi lol. Where did I tell you what to buy lol?
All the opportunities to make it the way they want.....why no last round bolt hold open?
Then they would have to design the gun around crappy mags. I would rather it not have one and use proper AK mags for reliability. Thanks for watching.