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It seems to me that pumps and straight-pulls should be on the engineering table of every gun maker, and in fact, maybe they already are.

Both suffer from lack of force for primary extraction but in calibers like the .223 and even better, the more expertly designed {for automatic arms}, tapered 5.45x39 and 7.62x39 should be winners.

On that note, I'd love to see a straight-pull with a reversible bolt handle in 7.62x39 that takes AK mags.

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Doesn't help you with the reversible bolt handle I'm afraid, but the Yugo SKS (M59/66), which I mentioned earlier, has a gas valve that can be shut off for grenade launching. This makes it a straight-pull 7.62x39. I'm pretty sure you can get a kit to convert it to take AK mags. Not sure how hard it would be to add a left-side bolt handle.

For a left-hand pull, you could convert a Steyr M95 to 7.62 and adapt it to a box mag, something like Lancaster did with his amazing Carcano carbine project, but using the AK mag instead of the CZ527. I've seen a Carcano converted that way. Switching a straight-pull bolt to LH is simply a cut-and-weld proposition. There was a Ross M-10 sporter with just such a mod up for auction recently. I've got pics of both rifles.


Update: I just checked out some pics of the M59/66 online. The left side of the bolt appears to be completely accessible, and only lacking the charging handle as is mounted on the right side. I can't speak with certainty without having one in my hand, but it looks very much to me from the photos that a left-side charging handle would be an easy addition. Anyone who's able to take advantage of suppressor technology would find the closed-bolt option would lead to better noise suppression. For a Cold War bullet hose, this rifle is getting more interesting by the minute. Not that it's going to replace the Ross or Brno on my favourites list, but in a post-apocalyptic Mad Max world, I think I'd rather pack an M59/66 than a black rifle. Apparently, I'm a traditionalist, even in my "assault rifles".

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