# TFB Behind the Gun #199: Raiders Arms & the Temple of the AK

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/tfb-behind-the-gun-podcast-695359/tfb-behind-the-gun-199-raiders-arms-the-temple-of-the-ak
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/tfb-behind-the-gun-podcast-695359/tfb-behind-the-gun-199-raiders-arms-the-temple-of-the-ak.md
Podcast: [TFB Behind the Gun Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/tfb-behind-the-gun-podcast-695359)
Published: 2026-01-01T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thefirearmblog.libsyn.com/tfb-behind-the-gun-199-raiders-arms-the-temple-of-the-ak
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thefirearmblog/TFB_Behind_the_Gun_199_-_Raiders_Arms__the_Temple_of_the_AK.mp3?dest-id=1849091
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/tfb-behind-the-gun-podcast-695359/episodes/tfb-behind-the-gun-199-raiders-arms-the-temple-of-the-ak
Duration seconds: 4836

## Resource

The AK might be one of the most recognizable rifles on the planet, but that does not mean it has to stay stuck in the past. On this New Year's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we are talking about what a modern, lightweight, competition-ready AK can look like when you throw tradition out the window and start thinking in carbon fiber. My guest is "Penny," the lone designer and driving force behind Raiders Arms. Drawing on years of hands-on experience with AKs in the United States and Eastern Europe, Penny has built a product line that reimagines the platform from the ground up. Raiders Arms offers ultra-light carbon fiber handguards, rigid yet featherweight dust covers, minimalist fixed and folding stocks, and slimline grip panels designed to cut ounces without sacrificing durability. The catalog also includes tuned gas tube assemblies and accessories that help manage heat, keep optics stable, and improve overall balance. In this episode, Penny breaks down how he approaches the AK's biggest pain points—weight, heat, and ergonomics—and explains how strategic use of carbon fiber can make a 70-year-old design feel like a truly modern rifle. Whether you are running an AK in competition or just want a lighter, more responsive rifle for training, this conversation should give you some new ideas about what is possible with the platform. Raiders Arms Website Raiders Arms on Instagram Raiders Arms YouTube Channel

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