This looks like a perfect gun for some near-future FPS looking to fill out its roster. "an AK that's actually designed to have all of our attachments slapped on it? Great!"
It's called the Arex too. Tell me that isn't a name you could complain about? Arex this, Arex that, nerf Arex, stupid camper with the Arex, the Arex is never good when I Arex the Rex. Arex
I'm surprised it didn't take off given that it's the only 'modern' AK to actually solve the AK platforms biggest flaw, the dust cover and lack of a decent scope mount.
@@jackvernian7779 Nope, the AK12 still has a dust cover they just tried to make it more solid. Same goes for the galil ace. They don't solve the problem. This monolithic upper actually does solve it making it as solid as an AR etc.
@@jackvernian7779 it doesn’t really do a great job the top cover isn’t the best at holding zero and the hand guard is really only good for a grip since it’s so flimsy you could never get a laser to have any chance of ever holding zero
When that dude pops up from behind the pillar at 20:00 I thought - good job this isn't a hicock 45 video. He'd have gone the way of the cinder blocks, soda bottles and iron targets
That fellow behind the pillar should start a company and call it Pillarnar Tactical or something like that, pillar-nar, or maybe column-nar or pole-a-nar...yeah something in that line, I dunno why but I think it would do quite well. Just a gut feeling.
@@dropkickedmurphy6463 There were variants of the AKB that had a slightly different upper that did use a SCAR style stock. Like this one modernfirearms.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/akb151.jpg
Arex: We'll never make any money selling this on the civilian market. Ian: I'll review it as a "modern" Forgotten Weapon. Every AK Boi in the US: I want one! 🤔
I think you underestimate the amount of sales they were looking for, they probably hoped once they had manufacturing wet up they may get a military contract, that’s never going to happen just selling diy kits. I do think it’s a good idea, maybe for a smaller company though.
@Jaka Celhar Makes sense. Almost all of the "European suspects" with AKs in inventory and use have their own national arms industries and military complexes. Thusly any such "he do us a custom AK development" would first and foremost go to the national players. So if it wasn't for slovenia, the work is most likely to out of Europe. Since giving that kind of contract to domestic player is how they keep the "state rifle factory" (thought which by now is most likely privatized entity) in employ. Plus if they contracted out of country there would be a whole storm around about "unpatriotic defense contracting decisions".
I would bet the Country was Bosnia, because just a couple of years after AREX proposed the AKB15, a Bosnian company called "AC Unity" teased the "AC Alfa SMG-1" and "AC Alfa SMG-2" rifles, which were essentially the AKB15 with different stocks and barrel lengths.
This whole system is amazing. The idea is pretty simple, but still a lot of effort is put into getting the AK modernized. I just wonder how much cheaper this whole rebuilding process would have been in the end compared to buying new rifles
That's really a great way to bring the AK into the modern era. Still an AK but with the features that one would expect out of a modern sporting or military rifle. Sad it didn't get more traction. Well done Arex
Sureshot makes basically the same product, but only requiring the removal of the rear sight block. That system also free-floats the barrel, improving accuracy.
Holy crap!!! They even staked the castle nut correctly!!! Bravo!!!! And yes, like others have said, they'd sell very well over here in the US either as a whole rifle or a conversion kit!
@@Bacteriophagebs The release version, yes. The concept seemed a lot better but as we all know, most concept designs never come out fully the way it was intended
@@Bacteriophagebs For me, the AK-12 feels more cheap and plasticky compared to the old AK-74 with wood furniture, which i own. The AK-74 also seems to be more reliable for me, especially in extreme cold conditions, where the AK-12 got me a few jams here and there.
Probably better than the AK12 since Russia made so much corrosive 5.45 ammo that they just issue it still with the new AK12 at the detriment of hamstringing the rifle and probably not as good as a Galil ACE. If Russia would've put the effort of making a new Non-Corrosive 5.45 ammo for the AK12 the reviews would've likely been more favorable.
The CASV was rereleased in MLOK for AR pattern rifles (carbine and mid), and the CMRD handguard for AKs was also re-released with MLOK. As I'm writing this, the carbine length of the CASV is out of stock, but it'll be re-stocked soon. Midlength CASV and CMRD are in stock.
i cant help but giggle at the guy behind the pillar in the tripod shot of ian and the table, that aside this is a fairly handsome ak its a shame it never went anywhere
I wonder if a outfit like Palmetto State Armory, Rifle Dynamics, Fuller Phoenix, Riley Defense, Meridian Defense or even the "cheap" outfits like Century Arms would consider importing these "kits" to build out a AK that I might consider buying..which is saying something because I prefer the AR platform over anything else.
I mean if a decent American AK manufacturer can get the design documents or even make it as a collaboration with Arex I could see this working on the U.S. Market.
As if was designed from an M70 and uses 7.62mm, it was probably designed for ex-Yu countries as a replacement for the M70s which are in every reserves' inventory. I suspect it was either for Slovenia itself, which figured it was too expensive and unlikely to go into armed conflict - or for Serbia, which decided that 6.5mm is the future, and since the domestic M19 uses both 6.5 and 7.62, it was the more economic choice.
@Nigma No, not for Serbia, as we have our own technology and production line at our Zastava factory, where we developed Zastava M21 (AKM in 5,56 for the military in early 2000's) and the new Zastava M19 (modular assault rifle with sawppable firing barrel in 7,62x39 and 6,5x39), as well as Zastava M05 derivatives. All three designs have been fielded by Serbian Army and all three callibers are in circulation both for military and law enforcement. Plus, our brothers from Republic of Srpska designed their own variant of AKM. So no, we Serbs definitely don't need this redundant measure from a young nation such as Slovenia. Feel free to check Serbia - Zastava Arms production history, as well as "Morana Assault Rifle" from Republic of Srpska - Bratunac factory. Heck we even have our 5,56 Zastava M90 taking over the U.S. AK market as we speak, so, no, not for Serbia, we have our own stuff we're very proud of and the market recognizes this fact.
What would have been really cool would be if they had designed a new front trunnion with an extension to mount a free float lower handguard. While they were at it they could have updated the safety to something like the galil ace
Very cool to see that your trip yielded ripe fruit. Polenar Tactical seems like a great guide and showed us Americans many AK product and prototypes we would never get to see Stateside. Interesting information and really just shows how widespread and varied AK modernization has been and with results better than its home country has had.
Yeah, that's Ziga from the Polenar Tactical channel, which is Slovenia's #1 RU-vid gun channel 😁👍 Please check their videos out because it's always good to see another country's take on things in a world dominated by US channels, and there's a lot of humour and irreverance in their content: for example, running a practical pistol course (using an airsoft pistol for safety reasons 😉) stone-cold sober, then repeating it after several drinks, then again after several more drinks, and several more until he's totally hammered 🥴🍻🥃🍻🥃, before comparing times and scores. That was really interesting and a proper eye-opener, and all their content has nice touches of comedy mixed-in with the serious stuff, a little bit like Top Gear for gun-geeks but without being as OTT or "forced" as Top Gear's content, or having their crazy budget to work with, hence Ziga casually standing behind a pillar in the background for 10 minutes and occasionally poking his head out and disappearing again -subtle, but still very funny indeed IMHO... 😜
Shame they didn't carry over the folding stock option. I'm not sure how I feel about seeing AR style buffer tube stocks on firearms that don't have a buffer tube. Just feels like you're wasting potential.
@@bradweinberger6907 They were already redesigning how the stock attaches and maybe could have retained the stocks they already had by using the same attachment. Vs using new stocks which is a cost. Then the cost of dealing with the old stocks since these are conversions.
Bit weird, isnt it? With an AK you could just have a folding and telescoping stock at the same time. Maybe that was too expensive tho. This wouldve likely been a rifle for reserves, I think most eastern countries that used M70s switched to differen guns for their primary armed forces. Slovenia even uses F2000s I think?
So nobody is acknowledging how funny the dude peeking around the pillar is in the beginning ?
2 года назад
This reminds me of Reborn Arms with its Morana upgrade for the m70. In the end, Serbia decided not to upgrade its stockpile of m70s but start production of a brand new assault rifle called the m19. You can check out the Morana AK modernisation here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zO17UPMjqok.html
I like that the Morana can use the SCAR butt stock, has QD sling locations, and has a monolithic lower. Not sure how secure that upper is being held in by a button. The AREX method seems more secure. I also like the AREX safety lever, if they could make it easier to operate. Bolt locks back, flip up safety while grabbing new mag with other hand, swap mags, when ready switch to safe simultaneously releasing the bolt. Could use some dust cover solution, however.
This paired with some of Dublin AK's upgrades,( like the thumb mag release, safety, front charging handle,) and there is your 21st century AK. Both ergonomics and optic stabilization fixed.
Of all the "modernizaton" projects out there, thumb mag release is the one that's been incredibly useful yet under-implemented. Who needs a full top rail for mounting 18 red dots in series? Give me that fast mag drop. The one modification I have on my competition AKs is a thumb mag release and it's the best thing ever.
I think you should go through the entire Forgotten Weapons history checking for Ziga hiding behind columns in every factory Ian has ever filmed from 😉👍
An educated guess would indicate Vietnam as the mystery country. As it's around the same time the US lifted it's arms embargo and I feel the upgrades were rejected in favour of manufacturing the domestic STV rifles.
I wonder what percentage of total machining time such a conversion would actually save vs a totally new weapon, also is there any saving in actual man hours after you include the time to break down and clean up the donors?
I'm guessing the country/countries that were looking into it didn't want to take the leap to new platform mostly because of associated costs and necessary training. If you already have a bunch of AKs laying around, might as well modernize at least some of them but still have a familiar manual of arms, same old mags and ammo etc. Could be entirely wrong though
You're not including the R&D time in making a new platform. As Ian said, all the internal parts here are standard AK. Same receiver, front trunnion, fire control, same bolt, carrier, piston, recoil spring, all that. Some minor changes to external dimensions of the gas tube and barrel, but nothing that has any bearing about how it operates. It's essentially a body kit. Modifying an existing design isn't too hard, but it can still require considerable R&D. Even simple changes can impact spring tension, surface contact and friction, necessary gas system pressure and volume to operate, and more. Engineering a new platform from scratch means you don't have any existing info or measurements to start from and takes a lot more time.
Interesting detail about the 3-hole buttstock for storing non-captive pins so they don't get lost. Curious, any manufactures use magnetized pins so they don't get lost and just stick to the gun (yes, won't work with aluminum & composites) Kinda reminds me of the old auto-mechanic trick of holding engine bolts against the alternator to magnetize them so they don't fall (or if they do fall and you have a gravel driveway, you can find them easily by dragging a steel crescent wrench around).
Okay, but what's stopping Arex from selling this as a "parts kit"? It seems the only stipulation would be starting with a receiver that has different rear trunnion holes drilled, as opposed to what's already on the market. Considering there are multiple US sources that will sell you a receiver without those holes drilled, I think these could genuinely find a market.
I would be really interested if you could get a hold of and talk about the sort of design-work that goes into making a gun, early concept drawing through to full production plans.
I'd love to own 1 of these. What a shame that it didnt get the military contract so that the rest of us could get semi auto versions. I've owned and do own many AK's but this one is something special
I would have loved to seen Ian's reaction when he started reviewing this video for the first time only to see Ziga poking his head out from behind the pillar.
@@therogers4432 lol I had it on in the background mostly. I knew Ziga had made an appearance, so it wouldn't surprise me, but it's still funny of course.
It's funny, I remember seeing a variant of this in Airsoft form, went by the name Arcturus Centaur. Never knew it was based off of a real concept! Certainly an interesting one.
Very similar concept to what Kalashnikov Group is doing with the AKV-521, main difference being the AKV-521 switches the charging handle to the left and uses a FNC-like dust cover.
The guy stocked behind the pillar is amazing. He looked on Ian just break into factory with armed goons and now taking all hostage just to film few video and leave.
I would love for something like this to come to market. I think the ak is gaining more popularity in the US than ever before and the one piece rail seams a better solution to the dust cover zero retention than what zenitco or anyone else offers.
I recall seeing that on a Bosnian panel from pics posted 3-4 years ago, So I assume the AKB15 name is used as an interchangeable name like the AC Alfa SMG 2, but I also recall a similar upgrade kit from serbia, M+M and a few other small companies at that time
My shot at guessing what the country was: Malta. The Maltese army's small arms are a mix of old Type 56s and a hodgepodge of surplus from East Germany and Romania. For such a small country the military is brigade sized and so it has a good need for rifles, and aside from the Finns (who have native production capability) are the only European countries still using 7.62x39. Makes sense for their arms, makes sense that they'd go to the Slovenes, and makes sense timing wise because the Maltese defence strategy was being revamped circa 2014-2015 before their decennial review and the Maltese opted for limited small arms modernization around the same time.
