I’ll admit Magpul isn’t the first name I think of when I think about the AK-47. I’ve run their plastic AK mags for years, though, and used their furniture on many AR builds—so why not go with the industry’s leading plastics manufacturer to overhaul an AK (while maintaining the requisite number of American-made parts)? The MagPul Zhukov-S immediately came to mind when I looked at my stock options.
The MagPul Zhukov-S
This summer, I got the itch to take an old WASR-10 (imported and rebuilt by Century). To stay within 922-R compliance, the gun has to have multiple American-made parts. So whenever I start replacing things, the country of origin of the replacement parts tends to be important.
The Magpul Zhukov-S AK47 / AK74 Folding Stock is much thinner than the fixed stock it is replacing. While it isn’t as skeletal as an under folder made of steel, it follows the basic motif. The whole stock is shaped somewhat like the letter L.
Most side-folders, though, and all of the under-folders that I’ve ever used, are not adjustable. The Zhukov-S is not. It adjusts, allowing folks with long wingspans like me the benefit of some additional length when needed.
The Zhukov is light and constructed almost entirely of plastic. However, the design provides the rigidity you expect in a stock.
How well does it fold?
As a side-folding stock, the Zhukov works well. The L shape keeps the stock just barely clear of the gun’s charging handle, so it can be fired from the folded position. It folds and holds against the stock well with enough of a detent to stay in the folded position.
There’s no latch to hold it closed. Many AKs with steel side-folding stocks have a spring latch to keep the stock from flopping around, but this one doesn’t. Adding a catch like that would require modifying the receiver and it just isn’t really needed.
The latch that holds the stock locked in the open position clacks shut with a positive sound that lets you know, immediately, the stock is ready to shoulder. The latch is stout. Even though it is made of and engages with plastic, it is strong and substantial.
The springs that keep it secure are also robust. The latch isn’t easy to depress. Wait until it is affixed on the gun before you make any final decisions about how stiff it is. Without the extra leverage the gun provides, it can be a challenge to open and close.
How easy is the Magpul Zhukov-S to adjust?
Slapping open the stock is fast, and the inward bend of the L is the lever allowing for length-of-pull adjustment. I find my hand slides back while opening the stock and lands in that L. I can then slide out the rest of the stock’s length in one easy motion.
If you needed to count clicks of the stock, this might take another nanosecond. I run the stock at its maximum length, so it couldn’t be easier.
Ergonomics
There are two parts to the Zhukov-S that I find appealing. While I’ve always had a soft spot for beat-up wooden AK furniture, the stocks are hardly comfortable. The metal stocks are worse. They feel cold on the skin. I’m not one to exaggerate the way an AK kicks, but the narrow steel of some triangle-shaped stocks is beastly after high round count range days. This is especially true in summer when you have less padding over the shoulder.
The Zhukov has a wide butt pad with a solid rubberized tread that grabs nicely. For those who want to add a cheekpiece to get a more traditional cheek weld, they’re available as add-ons.
The Zhukov Extras
Cheekpieces are one thing. I’m not a big fan of them on an AK but to each their own. I do appreciate QD mounts, and this stock, like most of the MagPul line, has adaptability. There are two built-in — one on top and one on the left side where the stock joins the receiver.
The one on the left side is ingenious. While it looks like a QD mount on the outside, it is actually a washer on the inside. The bolt that takes out the slop passes through this piece of steel inside the folding stock’s anchor mechanism.
Why is this feature on the MagPul Zhukov-S so important?
Taking up that slack is the final step of the installation. After you pull the old stock, there are typically two screw holes on the top side of the stock left to be filled. One is often visible from the outside. The other is inside and you have to pull the bolt to find it.
Because AK tolerances are so loose, there’s not a good way to do the one-size-fits-all thing without building large and then doing some stock removal. Instead, Magpul employed the use of a wedge. As you tighten the bolt, the wedge is drawn toward the rear of the receiver. This slides under the stock extension and takes up the slack between the bottom of the receiver and the extension. This provides a seriously tight friction fit inside that is anchored in place by the two screws above.
As installations of aftermarket AK parts go, this is the easiest I’ve come across. Seriously. When I was doing this overhaul, it took me more than twice as long to get a hand stop installed on an M-LOK rail as it did to install the Zhukov-S — and I’m no stranger to M-LOK.
What does Zhukov mean?
Fun fact. I’m in the dark here. After a bit of internet translating, I’ve come up empty.
There is one figure, though, that crops up. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. Talk about decorated. Zhukov led the First Soviet Mongolian Army Group and fought Japan during the early days of WWII. By the end of the war, he led troops into Berlin. His career spanned more than 50 years of Russian and Soviet conflict and politics. But back to the plastic Zhukov breathing new life into old Russian designs…
The Zhukov sells on GunMagWarehouse for $82.99 and is available in black, FDE, or plum. If you want one for your Yugo, Magpul has you covered with their Magpul YUGO Zhukov-S Stock. Don’t worry, they didn’t forget about the CZ Scorpion with their Magpul Zhukov Stock for CZ Scorpion EVO3
For those who like the aesthetic of the Zhukov-S and want to make sure the carpet matches the drapes, there’s an entire line of handguards. I recommend the Magpul AK47 / AK74 Zhukov-U 2-Piece Handguard if you want to match.
