Arex AKB-15: A Lost AK Modernization Project

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Күн бұрын

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The AKB-15 was a project developed by Arex Defense in Slovenia in 2015. The company received a request from a small country (they decline to reveal exactly who) to modernize a stock of AKM rifles with adjustable stocks, pica tinny optics mounting, and new barrels among other features. Arex developed a monolithic aluminum upper assembly (the production model would have been made from an extrusion) and put together 100 examples for military consideration.
At the same time, they planned to release a semiauto version of the same thing on the civilian market for collectors and sport shooters. The civilian model would have been built on the tooling financed by the military contract. So when the potential client country decided not to adopt the rifle, the civilian version was left in the lurch, and will almost certainly never see production. Only 15 semiauto examples were made, and they have all since been sold off within Slovenia.
Thanks to Arex for giving me access to this example (the former factory owner's personal one!) to show to you.
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740

Пікірлер: 1 200

@TempestWolf1 Жыл бұрын

Ziga spending 10 minutes behind a pillar for a joke like a champ

@misterdeluxia5948 Жыл бұрын

ziga is the ultimate cameo guy

@liliwinnt6 Жыл бұрын

i thought that was a crew member of that factory but no, that's actually Ziga photobombing lol

@dampSocks426 Жыл бұрын

Ziga needs the hex key for the lathe but is afraid to ask

@anteshell Жыл бұрын

Who is he and where does he come from? Many people seems to know him but I got no idea.

@pguth98 Жыл бұрын

@@anteshell Polenar Tactical

@jimjonjimjonjon Жыл бұрын

some love to the guy behind the pillar

@fiore0364 Жыл бұрын

🤫

@Brave_Cutlet Жыл бұрын

Yeah. Some love for Ziga ;-)

@july26rebel Жыл бұрын

hope he has a nice day.

@antiheldd.3081 Жыл бұрын

Pure gold :)

@KM-xe3qc Жыл бұрын

I think you might have a stalker

@templar804 Жыл бұрын

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!"

@pratikpramanik7782 Жыл бұрын

It looks like a hammerburst from gears of war

@Tacti_cat Жыл бұрын

Escape From Tarkov would fit the bill amazingly

@molonlabe5090 Жыл бұрын

This would be the description if it had been in FC5.

@Paronak Жыл бұрын

let's be real, the AK will be the modern era Mosin Nagant fighting wars 300 years from now.

@ihateeverything3972 Жыл бұрын

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

@fobos101 Жыл бұрын

Is he recording yet? *pokes head around the pillar*. Wellllllll shit, guess I’m hiding here now.

@Doyle1611 Жыл бұрын

I think that was the guy from Polenar Tactical :D a Slovenian gun youtuber

@ecarlate Жыл бұрын

@@Doyle1611 yep Ziga, he's very fun :)

@mnharris10 Жыл бұрын

I bet he dropped to his hands and knees and crawled away

@MintyLime703 Жыл бұрын

@@mnharris10 He's there the entire video

@sambadham1404 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

isn't AK-12 just that?

@salamander4668 Жыл бұрын

It's not the only one, kk made an ak with an upper receiver

@sambadham1404 Жыл бұрын

@@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.

@ryanburkett9899 Жыл бұрын

@@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

@vapshock3904 Жыл бұрын

Dove Tail is decent scope mount, not for western part of the world ofc

@eljefeamericano4308 Жыл бұрын

I feel like every AK fan in America is heartbroken knowing this ALMOST made it to the civilian market. What an excellent rifle!

@Ponen77 Жыл бұрын

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.

@mattfleming86 Жыл бұрын

😂

@jojonesjojo8919 Жыл бұрын

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

@ott1887 Жыл бұрын

I like the way Polenar dudes interact with Ian, it's entertaining.

@atomic... Жыл бұрын

Another cool tactical AK variant. 0:22 "shit I'm in shot, I'm gonna hide behind this pillar till the breakdown footage is done".

@zorathex1947 Жыл бұрын

Thats Žiga from Polenar Tactical.

@Sseltraeh89 Жыл бұрын

I think that photobomb was intended judging by the way he slowly leans in

@atomic... Жыл бұрын

Maybe. Just a completely random thing to do.

@atomic... Жыл бұрын

I'm not some idiot that needs a attention break every 10 seconds, I watched because I have a passion for guns. I was just pointing it out.

@SuperiorAutocraft Жыл бұрын

Really cool to see how long it took to develop all the way to AKB-48.

@0zone247 Жыл бұрын

i was looking for a joke like this lol

@ankokunokayoubi Жыл бұрын

Basically a Japanese guy observed it and like many Japanese stuffs, they try to make it kawaii, and so AKB-48 was made.

@SiPakRubah Жыл бұрын

Wait, that's no gun

@NoirGK- Жыл бұрын

@Power Alimin it's a Japanese idol group.

@user-fs1nl4dd5i Жыл бұрын

ちなみにAKB48はもう日本国内では名前を聞かなくなるほど衰退した。同系列のグループは見かけるけども……

@VimmiiPOV Жыл бұрын

A wild Ziga can be seen stalking the Ian in its natural habitat examining it's newly caught prey

@williameliot5582 Жыл бұрын

That guy peeking around the column at 1:28 made my day.

@williameliot5582 Жыл бұрын

He also peeks around the column at 8:36. Only now do I recognize the face, and I am not surprised.

@glockamole8822 Жыл бұрын

I think they grossly underestimated the US market. With a little bit more development I think a conversion kit would have taken off!

@holeeshi9959 Жыл бұрын

Palmetto State Armory should try make a clone of this or buy the schematic of it, then I suspect all American AK makers will follow suit

@jamesdalton2014 Жыл бұрын

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! 🤔

@glockamole8822 Жыл бұрын

Agreed. I think if this conversion's done right could solve a lot of problems when it comes to modernizing the AK platform

@thefrugalgunfighter6772 Жыл бұрын

Fuck yes PSA.

@truffleshuffl Жыл бұрын

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.

@Drrolfski Жыл бұрын

This "secret country" was probably Slovenia as it makes sense to shop around inside your own country first for military upgrade projects.

@ericfleury3147 Жыл бұрын

Was thinking it could be Ukraine...

@asztaqurvapont7350 Жыл бұрын

My first guess was Hungary

@alimanski7941 Жыл бұрын

I was thinking Ukraine - makes sense in 2015, after the invasion of Crimea.

@LUR1FAX Жыл бұрын

Elbonia is my guess.

@aritakalo8011 Жыл бұрын

@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".

@MrKronikDeception Жыл бұрын

It sucks this never really came to market. This is exactly the upgraded variant that I want. The only change would be in 5.45 instead of 7.62.

@Operator8282 Жыл бұрын

I'd take it, As-Is.

@dropkickedmurphy6463 Жыл бұрын

I definitely agree. I'd put a SCAR stock on it if I could, but other than that, I love this thing.

@JD-tn5lz Жыл бұрын

Go look at Galil. Not only in 7.62x39, also 5.45x39, 5.56x45, and 7.62x51. Easily the most accurate out of the box AKs out there.

@Operator8282 Жыл бұрын

@@JD-tn5lz Do Galils use AK mags? I have a bunch of those, and cant get normal capacity magazines anymore. If not, I'd rather have the above.

@killjoy28134 Жыл бұрын

@@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

@shimmyshimmyko-ko-bop594 Жыл бұрын

The guy peeking out from behind the column at 1:28 and 8:37 really made this video.

@generaliserad Жыл бұрын

The good old leaning into picture in the background. Intro gold

@TraTranc Жыл бұрын

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.

@nicolaiby1846 Жыл бұрын

> "AC Unity Assassins Creed: Unity lol? wut?

@TraTranc Жыл бұрын

@@nicolaiby1846 it's the guys who make that quad-stack 60-rds polymer AK mag.

@sterkriger2572 Жыл бұрын

I think the AK Alfa is israeli

@illegalclown Жыл бұрын

Does anyone else get that nice tingly feeling when they hear "trunnion?"

@hans-joachimtenhoope1744 Жыл бұрын

The moment that guy peeked around the corner the pink panther theme song started to play in my head.

@alexglanowski695 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, that's gonna be stuck in my head now 🤣

@brucebaxter6923 Жыл бұрын

Arg, mine too , now.

@a.g.8871 Жыл бұрын

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

@AllAboutSurvival Жыл бұрын

Nice! I agree, the AREX AKB-15 is a forgotten weapon. I think there is potential but heh!

@boredomarisen Жыл бұрын

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

@jamesmayer4129 Жыл бұрын

I would like to imagine that any time there is a piller in his videos piller guy has always been there

@therogers4432 Жыл бұрын

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 😉👍

@DefOni Жыл бұрын

I just find it hilarious while Ian is explaining the rifle, theres a guy in the background just sticking his head out every once in a while.🤣

@therogers4432 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that's Ziga from the Polenar Tactical channel, which is Slovenia's #1 KZfaq 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... 😜

@badopinionsrighthere Жыл бұрын

I'm going to have to watch this twice. Once to see Ian, and once to see the guy hiding behind the column

@tangozulumike4700 Жыл бұрын

This is such a cool take on the AK, I wonder how it measures up to the AK12 and other "modernized" variants.

@Bacteriophagebs Жыл бұрын

The AK-12 has very mixed reviews. This seems hands-down superior.

@hendriktonisson2915 Жыл бұрын

The monolithic upper rail on the AKB-15 is definitely better for mounting all kinds of accessories than the rails on the AK-12.

@DogeickBateman Жыл бұрын

@@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

@hyperturbotechnomike Жыл бұрын

@@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.

@WastelandWanderer1216 Жыл бұрын

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.

@Omnihil777 Жыл бұрын

01:28 the guy behind the pillar...LOL

@W1ckedRcL Жыл бұрын

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

@cristianlotti5328 Жыл бұрын

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.

@scottdpugnificent Жыл бұрын

M+M AND IWI both have flat top "AK" rifles that take modular furniture.

@lemoncandy2707 Жыл бұрын

Some weird fellow kept creepily popping out from behind that pillar.

@therogers4432 Жыл бұрын

Yeah... He looked like a right frikkin wierdo... 🥴 But maybe it takes on to know one? 🤔

@robertharper3754 Жыл бұрын

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!

@akmarksman Жыл бұрын

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.

@R.Sole88109 Жыл бұрын

Prefers ARs yet you called yourself akmarksman😉 But your idea is pretty good 🍺👍🏻

@WastelandWanderer1216 Жыл бұрын

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.

@Spac3Monkey Жыл бұрын

@@R.Sole88109 Calls himself akmarksman but lists psa and riley as not "cheap" outfits lol.

@daveh777 Жыл бұрын

The rail design reminds me of VLTOR stuff aesthetically speaking, like the CASV which for some reason they don't make anymore sadly. Nice looking AK.

@TeletubbiesRcute Жыл бұрын

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.

@daveh777 Жыл бұрын

@@TeletubbiesRcute thanks for the heads up. I've been trying to find a used one with no luck but would love a new one with MLOK points for my ARs.

@deathdealer312 Жыл бұрын

@8:48 Guy peaking around column: "Oh hey, didn't see ya there"

@LeroyJ12 Жыл бұрын

the dude behind the pillar gave me a good chuckle. thanks for not editing it out.

@DJTheMetalheadMercenary Жыл бұрын

Ziga popping up got a good laugh out of me hahaha! Interesting design/ partial reconfiguration, very cool.

@DansDestinations Жыл бұрын

Ha ha... Love the guy peeking from behind the pillar... 😁

@Parabellum-oe3sw Жыл бұрын

Easy yet incredible fix for the top receiver issue. I’m astonished by engineer’s ingenuity

@alexanderhenley7307 Жыл бұрын

This is a rifle with great potential, a true modernized AK. Shame it never got into production.

@tristenwilliams1943 Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful rifle. I own an Arex Delta L pistol and I have to say that they do a fine job in manufacturing.

@DTWCT Жыл бұрын

An actual AK15?! The anti's heads are exploding

@user-es5vz5ry2j Жыл бұрын

You can see Ian's conscience checking in on him from behind the column.

@jonathanwarchild Жыл бұрын

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.

@PHIllip324 Жыл бұрын

Came for the gun, stayed for the Ziga in the background.

@Skenderbeuismyhero Жыл бұрын

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

@stephenchapman4440 Жыл бұрын

I love the "wheres wally" sidebars.

@Nick-zh3ui Жыл бұрын

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.

@Nick-zh3ui Жыл бұрын

If someone feels this is incorrect I am anxious to hear otherwise.

@swedhgemoni8092 Жыл бұрын

@@Nick-zh3ui It's serbia and montenegro, not vietnam.

@agricola Жыл бұрын

@@swedhgemoni8092 Tara aerospace was already making an M4 clone for Montenegrin forces by that point

@swedhgemoni8092 Жыл бұрын

@@agricola Yes but they wanted to modernize Kalashnikovs of which they had a huge stock. It's likely these would have been kept in reserve.

@enigma8131 Жыл бұрын

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.

@doublepiedavid8908 Жыл бұрын

This wasn’t designed from an m70 tho. M70s have bulged trunnions

@alexandruianu8432 Жыл бұрын

It uses an AKM pattern receiver, not M70.

@StefanBlagojevic Жыл бұрын

@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.

@plavalegia Жыл бұрын

@@doublepiedavid8908 It was designed from m70. See Polenar's earlier videos on this rifle...

@doublepiedavid8908 Жыл бұрын

@@plavalegia the polanar rifle was a different gun built off of an M70 receiver. You can see the bulged trunnion in the first two seconds of the video

@aaronthompson192 Жыл бұрын

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.

@rlb3418 Жыл бұрын

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.

@aaronthompson192 Жыл бұрын

@@rlb3418 Who makes it? Dublin AK stop selling his years ago unfortunately, he had some ingenious stuff.

@mike_dodane Жыл бұрын

dude playing peek-a-boo at 8:39 cracks me up

@discodench Жыл бұрын

I like the guy trapped behind the pillar in the background peeking out occasionally 🤣

Жыл бұрын

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: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sLVhariBstDVn58.html

@TheKGBsrbija Жыл бұрын

Pa znas sta ovo B na kraju znaci ko je dizajner

@AverageJoe4063 Жыл бұрын

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.

@jameswillett1607 Жыл бұрын

Polenar Tactical sneaky crossover?

@iandoodle Жыл бұрын

Polenar looking at this a few years back was what introduced them to me, funny to see it all come full circle.

@CowboybubPercussion Жыл бұрын

The whole idea of the rifle is nothing short of brilliance, I would love this just as a kit on the market

@akaJughead Жыл бұрын

The upgrades make this rifle look less like an AK than the rifle recently featured in the Andor trailer.

@juvonen1000 Жыл бұрын

I feel like this is the ultimate modernized ak. If this was available on the market. I would buy it in an instant.

@user-zu3uq5rr8x Жыл бұрын

So nobody is acknowledging how funny the dude peeking around the pillar is in the beginning ?

@Klasseman2 Жыл бұрын

The guy behind the pillar is my new hero.

@sijonda Жыл бұрын

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.

@mattfleming86 Жыл бұрын

Agreed.. but at the time it was probably the best way to provide numerous options.

@bradweinberger6907 Жыл бұрын

Wouldnt a folding stock add weight and cost? Something this already was high on?

@sijonda Жыл бұрын

@@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.

@termitreter6545 Жыл бұрын

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?

@bobthronton8661 Жыл бұрын

He said in the video that the military version would have an ACR stock, I doubt it would have been the fixed version.

@fistofthetiger1591 Жыл бұрын

True last-shot hold open would be the #1 thing that would help modernize the Kalashnikov. I don't think he would have an issue with that.

@danielburgess7785 Жыл бұрын

Ghost over Ian's left shoulder at 08:42 Very smooth. ;-)

@PWNHUB 6 күн бұрын

Seems like a never gotten weapon more than a forgotten weapon!

@Eisenschweif Жыл бұрын

Who is the peaky guy in the back ?

@Brave_Cutlet Жыл бұрын

I believe it's Ziga :-)

@aaronloveday4858 Жыл бұрын

KZfaq polenar tactical

@nicholasmosley2851 Жыл бұрын

Shia LeBeouf

@austinpatkos7563 Жыл бұрын

It's crazy to think about how much a company invests into a project and then an entity goes "eh nevermind". Plus how often that happens, lol.

@Jibriltz Жыл бұрын

That guy awkwardly peeking round the corner is much funnier than it should be.

@WarpGhost92 Жыл бұрын

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.

@spehhhsssmarineer8961 Жыл бұрын

“This sucks right handed, why do any of you use it this way?” Not my fault its an outdated design.

@mulrich Жыл бұрын

Because it was designed so you use your trigger hand to operate it.

@spehhhsssmarineer8961 Жыл бұрын

@@mulrich Again, un-ergonomic, slow, and outdated.

@frankbrowning328 Жыл бұрын

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

@GunFunZS Жыл бұрын

The high stock line helps a lot too.

@joethebourbonman Жыл бұрын

Bro peaking it out at 08:45 scared the crap out of me! Really interesting gun, though.

@MrSuba47 Жыл бұрын

Similar M70 was modernised in in Bosnian company Ac unity (AC alfa smg2) from Gorazde, maybe Arex was collaborating with EMKA or Ac unity.

@imtk7618 Жыл бұрын

Ummmm...I think Ian forgot locking the door and let Polenar Tactical guy broke in xD

@rasmichael Жыл бұрын

LOL, the dude in the background doing the Homer into the hedge thing 🤣

@nobody-ye9rx Жыл бұрын

I just love that polenar tactical is making cameos, it’s such a treat

@tongravity5668 Жыл бұрын

Žiga is professional photobomber! :)

@sectero9450 Жыл бұрын

Reminds me early AK12 prototypes which basically was ak200

@tsorevitch2409 Жыл бұрын

Early ak-12 prototype have very little in common with ak-200. Probably the only thing it have in common with other AKs is magazine

@sectero9450 Жыл бұрын

@@tsorevitch2409 early AK12 prototypes (from 2006-2010)((what will be ak12*) had rear sight block, new furniture as ak200 series, then they made full length rail, that dont hold zero), but they could use zenit dust covers that connects to rear sight block.

@tsorevitch2409 Жыл бұрын

@@sectero9450 Ratnik program was launched in 2011 so there were no earlier Ak-12 variants. izmash hired Zlobin to a role of lead designer and he designed what is know as Zlobin's ak-12 or early ak-12 prototype. It had many fancy features but no compatibility with existing (with exception of magazine) and it wasn't taking into account production capabilities of the factory. It was also in very early stage of development and unreliable and had no chance to win competition agains Kovrov prototype that is known as a-545. It would take atleast 5 more years to work out design of Zlobin's ak-12 so factory made a choice to replace the lead designer and start from scratch. New ak-12 was based on ak-200 series and was just in time for end of competition. Zenith furniture can't be used for Zlobin's AK and it won't solve multiple reliability issues. Zenith top covers was tested in development of ak-12 but was to heavy, to expensive.

@sectero9450 Жыл бұрын

@@tsorevitch2409 Batmitza program was launched in 1999 then after several problems (weight, cost, mostly weight) Then it became Ratnik(btw its cheap version of Barmitza). There were around 5-6 prototypes which Will became AK-12. 2 of them were basically AK-200.(one of them was upgrade kit for AK-74 for Barmitza). Zenit is example of dust cover with rail that hold zero, because its attaches at rear sight block, they could make same Type of attachment without cutting of rear sight block.

@tsorevitch2409 Жыл бұрын

@@sectero9450 ak-12 and ak-mk dust cover and hold zero without need to attach to sight block

@heintmeyer2296 Жыл бұрын

Peaking lurker in the background is hilarious!

@DB.KOOPER Жыл бұрын

I'd love to have one of those with an ACR stock... looks like a great design to update the AK.

@daveh777 Жыл бұрын

Arex should have teamed up with Palmetto State Armory to bring that to American civilian market.

@InvidiousIgnoramus Жыл бұрын

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.

@storytimedavidcollins2897 Жыл бұрын

Thanks again Ian Good to know

@HalSchirmer Жыл бұрын

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).

@Dogeggz Жыл бұрын

I know one thing for sure, that foregrip improves stability by reducing first shot recoil by 33%.

@alexv6324 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure Ian knew he was there -have you watched the Arex factory tour video yet? 😁👍

@alexv6324 Жыл бұрын

@@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.

@Badwurst68 Жыл бұрын

If you pay close attention, you can spot a wild Ziga in his natural environment in the background.

@kaiserwilhelmthesecond4144 Жыл бұрын

Interesting concept, seems almost like a more involved precursor to the sureshot chassis system

@Joe5561000 Жыл бұрын

This looks like a better "AK-12" then the AK-12 turned out to be. Maybe they should have asked Russia if they needed a "new" rifle.

@kirvis250 Жыл бұрын

Maybe they did. And AK-12 came on top for having friends/drinking buddies in high places. You know the regular Russian stuff.

@Joe5561000 Жыл бұрын

@@kirvis250 You mean like SIG, Colt and Knight's Armament? Or pretty much every Company who wins a Government contract. When trying to get a Government contract remember, it doesn't really matter how good your product is , but rather it's about how good your lobbyists are. Bureaucracy; Anything is possible, if you pay the right people.

@clutchboi4038 Жыл бұрын

@@Joe5561000 which Sig rifle has bullshit plastic handguards like the new ak? Their stuff is quality and built to the specs the military asked for, that's how they got contracts.

@Joe5561000 Жыл бұрын

@@clutchboi4038 Government Contracts are not won by building "quality" products. though sometimes the companies do. They are won by greasing the palms of the right politician.

@andrewfidel2220 Жыл бұрын

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?

@nikanor8152 Жыл бұрын

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

@donwyoming1936 Жыл бұрын

It doesn't look cost effective to upgrade existing rifles. Would probably be all new manufacture.

@andrewfidel2220 Жыл бұрын

@@mike-yd4py but this project was for one or more military contracts initially.

@JaronActual Жыл бұрын

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.

@armondosalvaty3407 Жыл бұрын

8:37 The guy behind the pillar had me lmao.

@snafu_vfx8662 Жыл бұрын

Arex is a really neat company, I have one of their Rex Zero 1T and love it

@koruleigh978 Жыл бұрын

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.