Retrieved: 12/08/2013

The South African firm Truvelo has started shipping the commercial version of their "Raptor."

It's a variant of the South African R4, which is a copy of the Galil, which is a copy of the Valmet, which is a licensed variant of the AK-47.

It uses a milled receiver, slanted at the magwell like a Galil, but extended a couple of inches forward of the normal end of an AK receiver. I'm guessing it was done to provide a place to anchor the carry handle; I can't think of anything that could be in there. In a few pictures the extended nose is integral, in others, it looks like it might be an add-on.

Modern CNC milling lets them engrave LARGE ADVERTISING right into the side of the receiver... well, it's the 21st century, after all.

Despite the extended nose, the folding buttstock uses an extension piece, which is also covered by the lengthened top cover.

Not much technical detail out there, but one poster claimed the gas tube to barrel centerline had been reduced. This lets the top cover sit lower.

I can't tell how the top cover is attached, but I suspect it takes a tool to remove. I *like* the carry handle and smooth top cover.

There are several variants; apparently Truvelo fiddled with the styling while trying to attract military contracts. There are differences between the carry handles, selectors, stocks, the rear of the receiver varies, as does the back of the top cover, and some models have flip-up sights.

Note the shrunken selector doesn't even try to close the clearance slot for the charging handle.

I emailed Truvelo to see if they had any pictures of the internals, and perhaps .PDFs of the operator's or armorer's manuals.

hcpookie
06-02-2010

Looks nice! Why the extended receiver, not sure what they are gaining there except less cutting. One receiver design for different calibers perhaps? Would make it easy if you were going to make a .308 version, etc. and just installed a new barrel. You could insert a shim on the front of the receiver to let the different magazines properly lock up and presto a new caliber with very little machining between the different models.

You know that top carry handle thingy is exactly what I was considering a while back but could never figure how to make it feasible for a standard AK without modifying the rear sight block. Of course on a Galil you don't have that problem

chipmechanic
06-02-2010

I thought the Valmet was an unlicensed copy of the AK-47 done off a Polish variant.

o.d. ak
06-02-2010

Pretty cool, but i would like to see a fixed stock version. Warsaw length of course.

TRX
06-02-2010

Originally Posted by hcpookie
that top carry handle thingy

I suspect there's a screw through the rail/handle at each end. There's nothing else obvious holding the top cover in place.

I'm so used to the AK design that I keep forgetting most autoloading rifles don't have a quick-detach top cover for ease of cleaning...

1biggun
06-02-2010 Not much technical detail out there, but one poster claimed the gas tube to barrel centerline had been reduced. This lets the top cover sit lower.

Hard to tell in the pictures. I was considering ways to lower the gas tube as well. On Idea I had was to put put the spring in the stock and run a rod back to it. I was thinking of that in my Light weigth build. Younmight be able to get it down a 1/8 to 3/16 of a inch if the spring was not in the top of the carrier. being able to lower the sights /optics would help the AK IMOO.

that thing looks heavy if thats all milled reciver. The iron sights are still stupid high in the one picture. the carry handel would interfer with most traditional optics as well.

Looks like a bipod in the bottom picture is installed. I have been toying with a recessed flush fitting Bipod on my sons light weight build and some thing like that might work as well.

1biggun
06-02-2010

I'm doing away with the traditional cover on one of my target build. it wont kill me to use a allen wrench to remove a cover. if done right a cover could add some stiffnes to the reciver if it were bolted down tight.

Rahatlakhoom
06-02-2010

I instantly groked to the solidity of this variation.

A nice improvement in sight hard points.

Less flex of barrel on firing.

I see a market for this.

Viper Dude
06-03-2010

Perhaps the gas system is more like the SKS tappet. Early AK prototypes did use some surplus SKS pieces. That provided a lower gas system profile.

TRX
06-03-2010

Originally Posted by 1biggun
put the spring in the stock and run a rod back to it.

No reason you couldn't do that. For that matter, you could probably adapt an AR buffer tube, or whole AR fixed stock...

I was looking at some of my AK parts this morning. You could get an easy 3/8" centerline reduction with a tappet and moving the spring. Maybe another 1/8" if you put the barrel pin on the bottom.

hcpookie
06-03-2010

Assault Rifles | truvelo.co.za

South African 'Raptor' Assault Rifle

1biggun
06-03-2010

For that matter, you could probably adapt an AR buffer tube, or whole AR fixed stock...

I was looking at some of my AK parts this morning. You could get an easy 3/8" centerline reduction with a tappet and moving the spring. Maybe another 1/8" if you put the barrel pin on the bottom.

I was thinking of doing away with the original rear trunion and make a mount for a AR buffer tube or some thing simular in its place then putting the spring in the tube. this would raise the stock some but that might be a good thing. it would also balance out the gun better and i could loose some weight on the carrier as well.

I really need to get some quality shop time to get some of this stuff done.