The safety selector is one of the most important and frequently used parts of your AK rifle. However, the standard safety lever that comes with most AKs can be hard to manipulate, especially with gloves or under stress. That’s why many AK owners opt for an enhanced safety selector that offers better ergonomics, functionality, and reliability. In this blog post, we will show you how to install and use an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle, such as the Krebs Custom AK-47 Mk VI Enhanced Safety Selector Lever. We will also explain the benefits and features of this upgrade, and how it can improve your shooting experience with your AK rifle.

What is an Enhanced Safety Selector for AK Rifles?

An enhanced safety selector is a replacement part for the standard safety lever that controls the fire mode of your AK rifle. The standard safety lever is a long and thin piece of metal that rotates up and down on the right side of the receiver. It has two positions: safe and fire. When the lever is up, the rifle is on safe and the trigger is blocked. When the lever is down, the rifle is on fire and the trigger is ready to shoot.

The problem with the standard safety lever is that it can be difficult to operate with one hand, especially if you have a scope or a red dot sight mounted on your rifle. The lever can also be too tight or too loose, making it hard to switch between safe and fire quickly and smoothly. Additionally, the standard safety lever does not have any markings or indicators to show you the fire mode of your rifle, which can be confusing and dangerous.

An enhanced safety selector is designed to solve these problems and provide you with a better and safer way to control your AK rifle. An enhanced safety selector is usually shorter and thicker than the standard lever, making it easier to reach and grip with your thumb. It also has a detent mechanism that clicks into place when you switch between safe and fire, giving you a positive and tactile feedback. Moreover, an enhanced safety selector has a notch or a hole on the lever that aligns with a mark on the receiver, showing you the fire mode of your rifle at a glance.

One of the most popular and well-made enhanced safety selectors for AK rifles is the AKM Enhanced Safety Selector with Bolt Hold Open Notch. This product is made of high-quality steel and has a black oxide finish. It has a smooth and crisp action, and it fits most AK variants, including AK-47, AK-74, AKM, and RPK. It also has a bolt hold-open feature that allows you to lock the bolt to the rear by lifting the lever up to the highest position. This feature is useful for inspecting the chamber or clearing a malfunction.

How to Install an Enhanced Safety Selector for Your AK Rifle

Installing an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle is a relatively simple and straightforward process that does not require any special tools or skills. However, you should always follow the safety rules and precautions when handling firearms, and make sure your rifle is unloaded and clear before you start. Here are the steps to install an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle:

1. Remove the dust cover and the recoil spring assembly from your rifle by pushing the button at the rear of the receiver and lifting the cover up and back. Set them aside.
2. Remove the standard safety lever from your rifle by rotating it up to the highest position and pulling it out of the receiver. You may need to wiggle it a bit to get it out. Set it aside.
3. Insert the enhanced safety selector into the receiver by aligning the hole on the lever with the hole on the receiver. Push it in until it snaps into place. You may need to apply some pressure to get it in. Make sure the lever can rotate freely and smoothly between safe and fire positions.
4. Reinstall the recoil spring assembly and the dust cover by reversing the steps 1 and 2. Make sure the dust cover is securely in place and the recoil spring is properly seated.
5. Test the function and fit of the enhanced safety selector by switching between safe and fire positions several times. Check the alignment of the notch or the hole on the lever with the mark on the receiver. Check the bolt hold-open feature by lifting the lever up to the highest position and pulling the charging handle back. The bolt should stay locked to the rear. Release the bolt by pushing the lever down and letting the charging handle go forward. The bolt should go back into battery.

How to Use an Enhanced Safety Selector for Your AK Rifle

Using an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle is similar to using the standard safety lever, but with some advantages and differences. Here are some tips and tricks on how to use an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle:

• To switch from safe to fire, use your thumb to push the lever down to the lowest position. You should hear and feel a click when the lever is in the fire position. You can also use your index finger to pull the lever down from the other side of the receiver, if you prefer.
• To switch from fire to safe, use your thumb to lift the lever up to the highest position. You should hear and feel a click when the lever is in the safe position. You can also use your index finger to push the lever up from the other side of the receiver, if you prefer.
• To use the bolt hold-open feature, lift the lever up to the highest position and pull the charging handle back. The bolt should stay locked to the rear. To release the bolt, push the lever down and let the charging handle go forward. The bolt should go back into battery.
• To check the fire mode of your rifle, look at the notch or the hole on the lever and the mark on the receiver. If they are aligned, the rifle is on fire. If they are not aligned, the rifle is on safe.

Benefits and Features of an Enhanced Safety Selector for Your AK Rifle

An enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle can provide you with many benefits and features that can improve your shooting experience with your AK rifle. Here are some of the benefits and features of an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle:

• Better ergonomics: An enhanced safety selector is easier to reach and grip with your thumb, allowing you to operate it faster and more comfortably. You don’t have to stretch your hand or change your grip to manipulate the lever. You can also operate it with your index finger from the other side of the receiver, if you prefer.
• Better functionality: An enhanced safety selector has a detent mechanism that clicks into place when you switch between safe and fire, giving you a positive and tactile feedback. You don’t have to worry about the lever being too tight or too loose, or getting stuck in between positions. You can also use the bolt hold-open feature to lock the bolt to the rear, which is useful for inspecting the chamber or clearing a malfunction.
• Better reliability: An enhanced safety selector is made of high-quality steel and has a black oxide finish, making it durable and corrosion-resistant. It also has a smooth and crisp action, and it fits most AK variants, including AK-47, AK-74, AKM, and RPK. You don’t have to worry about the lever breaking or malfunctioning, or not fitting your rifle properly.
• Better safety: An enhanced safety selector has a notch or a hole on the lever that aligns with a mark on the receiver, showing you the fire mode of your rifle at a glance. You don’t have to guess or check the trigger to see if your rifle is on safe or fire. You can also avoid accidental discharges by keeping your rifle on safe until you are ready to shoot.

Is it worth it?

An enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle is a worthwhile upgrade that can enhance your shooting experience with your AK rifle. It can be a difference maker in precious time in a crunch if ever really needed. It 100% makes it easier and more enjoyable to use. If you are looking for an enhanced safety selector for your AK rifle, we recommend the a few variations here, which is one of the best products on the market. You can order it from our website,akoptionsllc.com, where you can also find other AK rifle parts and accessories that you may need. Thank you for reading this blog post, and happy shooting!