I don't if this isn't the version you're talking about, but that pic on the wiki article looks like the usual AK selector, only moved to the left.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galil
While the Finnish Rk95 retains the selector switch on the right, it's been modified so it can be easily pulled slightly outwards to eliminate noise while working the selector. (IIRC, Galil has this same feature)
From the 6 months experience in handling the regular M76, I didn't feel the selector being that troublesome. It's large size is good for quick situations, and with the most often used semi-auto setting in the bottom, it doesn't take any thinking to operate, just slam it down.
Yes, it's quite noisy, but can be switched relatively silently when needed, although not very conveniently. Of course I have no idea how smoothly the selector works in other AK variants.

The selector switch on AK47 is intended to be operated by the firing hand. In order to do that one must let go of the trigger, push the leaver downwards one position for fully automatic and two positions down for single fire. The movement of selector switch is supposed to be "hard" since one can avoid ND's (negligent discharges).

What we did in the outfit we loosened the selector switches by slightly bending them (against all the regs but verry practical and still SAFE), thus enabling the easy movement of the leaver. This enabled us to unlock the weapon with just one finger (trigger finger to be exact) and with a little drill one is able to send lead downrange in a very short amount of time.

I hope this answers your question.

gh

I've used the AKM, the T56 (Chinese AKM), and the T81 (improved T56) in combat, aand no amount of sanding or oiling would make the AK/T56 safety smooth to operate. Or quiet. With the T81, you just flick your thumb and it's rock & roll. You don't even have to take your hand off the pistol grip. We never tried bending the selector though.




Maybe, but I'd rather keep my finger off the trigger to avoid an ND than be struggling to get the safety off while people are shooting at me (and believe me that has happened to me!). Also, under fire (when you most need it), it's almost impossible to select auto at the first try. When you apply brute force the selector goes all the way down to semi-auto, and then you haave to take another second to move it back up.




Etu, I could've sworn there's a version of the Galil with a thumb selector. I'll see if I can find a pic.

The AK/T56 safety worked fine in training and exercises, but was very troublesome in combat when everyone was stressed, hands shaking, etc. Luckily, after a month or two we switched to the T81.

Etu, here are some pix of the Galil, showing both the AK-style selector on the RIGHT and the thumb selector on the LEFT. I think the Wiki pic has been flipped digitally. Apparently according to World Guns the Galil has BOTH the AK selector and the thumb selector!

Spooky

I was talking about slightly bending the selector switch...
Oiling in itself will make no difference...

and as far as using your thumb as a "selector switch finger" or your trigger finger... it is all a matter of drill...
the stress of combat will be a major factor but it is my experience that whatever you do in drill stage is what you do in a real situation... so if one drills using one method or another it makes no difference on the end... led gets sent downrange.

gh

Strange, I can't see those pics.
I tried going to the site and seeing the galil article, but no, they don't work. All other pictures on the site show up correctly.

Refresh the guns site a couple of times, Etu.

There has been a 7.62X39 AR-15 on the civilian market for years. Semi-Auto, and it uses it's own mags, not AK 47 ones. Why not use these? Or was the use of pre-loaded Ak mags (loaded by bad guys who no longer need them ) the reason for the special variant?

Mike, do you mean the SR25?