Frag Out! Magazine

there is a sizeable group of fans. In my opinion, the negative reputation is exaggerated; it's not as bad as some claim. Of course, it isn't as comfortable as wood or polymer, but it is only slightly less comforta- ble than the steel triangle folder of the AKS-74 and leagues better than the under-folders on the AKMS or Hungarian AMD. To everyone asking „BUT HOW???", I respond that it is much more rigid than the AKMS under-folder, which twists in your hands. The Tantal stock is rigid, has zero play, and the latch holds like crazy. You just have to learn to live with it—with a little training, you'll find it's not as bad as they say. When shooting, you don't need to force yourself against the stock looking for a massive point of support; stabilizing your head around the jaw area is enough. This carbine practically doesn't kick, so it's perfectly sufficient even for ra- pid strings of fire. Really. Of course, tall individuals or tho- se with long arms will complain, because the stock is definitely short—that much is true. The rest of the ergonomics are pure AK—in the civilian version, the safety acts only as a safety and works just like on other civilian AKs, while the fire selector (which is admittedly not very ergonomically placed) is pure- ly decorative. One more note: you MUST have he- aring protection. Firing 5.45 from this weapon is very unpleasant. Not only is it loud like any intermedia- te cartridge, but it also has a very high-pitched tone. You must also remember that the muzzle brake generates a pressure wave to the sides, so anyone standing next to you will feel every shot in a rather unpleasant way. The accuracy of the weapon is good enough that placing all shots within the 10-ring of an Nt-23P tar- get won't be a special feat—groups should fall within 2–3 MOA. IS IT WORTH IT? It's complicated. Back when Tan- tals were available and cheap, and ammo was plentiful and cost pen- nies, many people bought them to use as „beaters." And they ran them hard. Others bought them to modi- fy, so they no longer resemble the original, and due to the 5.45mm ammo shortage of the last 2–3 years, they mostly sit in safes... Specimens in the condition shown in the photos practically don't exist anymore, and when they do, they reach absurd prices of $2500 or more. Used ones cost a bit less, but still far too much—around $1500 —and the inclusion of magazines, a bayonet, or even a bipod doesn't justify that price. Unfortunately, everything suggests that more Tantals won't be hitting the market, certainly not in signifi- cant quantities. Therefore, the price will not drop; it is expected to rise because the wz. 88 can already be treated as a „youngtimer" and a col- lector's item (albeit a very functio- nal one). As I mentioned, 5.45 is a great ca- liber, very pleasant to shoot, and a „potential caliber for a future con- flict." So for preppers or those who want a rifle in this caliber because it shoots well, I suggest buying so- mething modern. The Tantal is now for the collector or someone who simply wants this specific carbine. Lately, 5.45 ammo has appeared at prices similar to cheap .223— sometimes even under $0.6 per ro- und—so you can actually shoot it. I have a Tantal and I like it—it's a very cool carbine that shoots gre- at, despite its flaws. In a way, it's a good reflection of our state during the transition period: no longer communist, but not yet capitalist for a long time. Despite everything, I recommend it. It's worth having in your safe. This was written by me, a declared anti- -fan of almost everything Kalashni- kov-related. FIREARMS

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