Okay, so if most people are right handed, why did Mr. Kalashnikov decide to put the charging handle on the right side of the gun?
I've watched speed reloads and it seems like rightys are at so much of a disadvantage when it comes to racking the action. They either have to flip the gun halfway over, or reach all the way under the gun.
I'm a lefty, and it seems like AKs were made especially for us. Anyone else feel that way? It just seems odd.

Acer

The AK wasn't designed to be an easily handled gun.

It was designed to be used at the same time as a few hundred of your fellows.

In that situation, mag changes aren't really something that has to be quick.

I'm left-handed, and I like the position of the AK's safety. However, I don't think I'd have any trouble operating it right-handed. I use a snatch grip when removing the magazine, using my index finger to pull the release as I pull it forward with the rest of my hand. Doesn't matter which hand you use there. For right handers, the idea is that, like bolt action rifles, they will take their trigger hand off the trigger while supporting it with their left, rack it, then return to the trigger and fire. This isn't particularly hard to do with practice, although the AK is a bit tougher than some to rack.

The AK is right handed, all Russian weapons were to be used right handed.

i'm a righty and i agree that is is odd for the charging handle to be on the right side, making it almost impossible to easily reload with my weak hand. a galil style handle seems like the best choice for both camps.

i've also been wondering why guitars are designed to have the weak hand do all the intricate work. any ideas?

I'm trying to learn right now and I've wondered the same thing. The I tried it the other way...Yeah, not as natural.

Having the charging handle on the left would neccessitate another slot in the reciever. I believe he put it on the right to take advantage of the ejection port location to keep the action protected better, IMHO.

You guys want a handy Kalashnikov variant, check out the Finnish Rk 95

The Finns started with the AK (using the Great Bears weapons against them has been a long Finnish tradition) back in the '50s, and this is their current 3d generation improvement.

It kicks ass!

I don't know what to tell you, I think putting the bolt handle or charging handle on the right side of a gun makes it a lefty as well. I have no idea why they do what they do. Go watch Saving Private Ryan and watch the sniper not remove his grip with his right hand when firing rapidly. That's what retarded gun designers give us.

Tactically speaking, its a lot better to have the rounds eject to the right when you are left handed as well. You can see immediately when you have a stoppage. When a right handed guy has a stoppage on an AR, AK, whatever, they never know it until they try and pull the trigger for the next shot.

I am a lefty and built a few left handed AR's.....they suck. I like to know immediately that the gun has cycled and is ready to go. That's why I prefer right handed ejection. One of these days the "Tactical" guys will figure it out.........but that's a paradigm that will take DECADES to change.

I mentioned this on ARFCOM about 5 years ago and got nose-up disgust from the group. That's fine....I will eventually get the last laugh.....probably from the grave on this one though.

Tony

Everything on the AK is made to be usable with frozen hands and heavy gloves. You hold the foregrip with the left hand, push the butt into your thigh and do the loading, racking, or operating the safety with the right. This makes it doable for fatigued troops, the verry young or old, and small women. It is not a weapon made only for big, strong, young troups. It is one nearly anyone can use effectively, in almost any adverse condition. Putting all the controlls on one side is pure genious born of being shot at while trying to get as close the the bottom of a ditch as a waterbug while fumbling to laod and charge your weapon.