Jim Fuller, founder of Rifle Dynamics and current owner of Fuller Phoenix gives a lesson on what he thinks was the best AK-47 type built and why.
In the below video, Jim shows off an East German MPI-KM-72 build he has been working on in his shop and says it bluntly.
“People have asked me over the years what I think is probably the best made Kalashnikov rifle and I’m probably gonna aggravate some people when I say East German but there is a reason for that,” said Fuller. “The Germans really like machining. They’re really good at it and they’re really good at high spec stuff.”
The kit he assembled, using a German-made surplus frontend, grouped impressively, according to Fuller, saying it put five rounds in a tight group.
For those unaware, the MPI-KM-72 was made in the DDR during the Cold War and was prized within the Warsaw Pact.
For a second take, check out this video of a rare intact model by Larry Vickers, complete with the interesting pebble-style Bakelite furniture.
Fuller and Vickers are not the only ones to hold it in high regard, defense writer Jay Wankhade notes that the MPI KM 72 is, “One of the best AKM clones ever made in terms of performance, reliability, metallurgy and of course its royal look,” pointing out that the Indian CRPF still runs as many of the rifles as it can get.
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