The symbiosis of AK-47 and AR-15

What happens when you cross the best parts of an AK with those of an AR-15? You get an AK-21. This visual fusion of AK and M4 was conceived by two veterans of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, Joe Stenzel and Jared Potter. Their company is called Stenzel Industries.

The AK-21 currently exists only as a CAD sketch and a prototype, but this weapon is intended to be available to civilians, at least in the USA. What are the features? Here they are:

• Aluminum housing: The world's first AK housing made of aluminum provides a lighter design and cost-effective manufacturing.
• Short stroke piston system: This keeps the locking area and internals of the platform much cleaner than the traditional AK and AR-15.
• Last-round bolt hold open feature: Similar to the AR-15, the bolt locks back after ejecting the last cartridge in the magazine and remains open until the bolt is released.
• Ambidextrous bolt release lever: Similar to some AR-15s, the AK-21 has an ambidextrous bolt release lever, making the weapon ready to use faster.
• Left-sided, non-reciprocating charging handle: The charging handle is located on the correct side of the platform.
• Ambidextrous fire selector switch: The AK-21 uses a SAW M249-like safety switch
• Ambidextrous magazine release.
• Multi-caliber interchangeability: The design allows for the use of multiple calibers by swapping out the bolt and barrel.

All of this sounds very promising, but unfortunately there is no delivery date yet. The price is already known, the AK-21 is set to cost a proud $3,999. We hope that the AK-21 will also make its way across the big pond to us.

Stenzel Industries on the web: stenzelindustries.com