New to the AK-47 world, bought a M&M M10 AK-47 and took it out with my three Ar's and after shoulder surgery was worried the 7.62 would beat my arm up, but it actually was the same kick if not softer than all three of my AR's, why is that ?????
Depending on muzzle brake it makes a good difference. Also, the extra weight and depending on furniture will absorb some of the recoil.
I have a few AKs that are a pleasure to shoot with very soft recoil. The fun part was before I replaced the shroud and added a muzzle brake / removed the cheap polymer that came on the saiga it kicked significantly harder.
Shooting it next to an SGL was night and day difference that had an ak74 muzzle brake.