Safety actuator for AK-47 firearms

An improved safety actuator for a firearm, wherein the firearm comprises a receiver, a barrel extending from said receiver, a pistol grip depending relative to said receiver, said pistol grip having a leading surface facing said barrel, a trigger mechanism contained in said receiver, a trigger guard depending from said receiver, said trigger guard having a leading edge positioned between said pistol grip and said barrel, and a safety mechanism positioned in said receiver and in operative engagement with said trigger mechanism, said safety mechanism having a safe position in which the trigger mechanism cannot be operated and at least one fire position in which the trigger mechanism can be operated, said safety mechanism further comprising a receiver actuator positioned on the exterior of the receiver and configured to move said safety mechanism between said safe position and said at least one fire position upon the application of force to said actuator, wherein the improved safety actuator comprises:

• a grip arm depending from and in mechanical communication with said receiver actuator, said grip arm having a distal end, said grip arm extending relative to said trigger guard so that the entirety of said trigger guard is between said distal end and said receiver, wherein said grip arm is further positioned across an arc whose ends are defined by said leading edge of said trigger guard and said leading surface of said pistol grip, whereby an application of force to said grip arm toward said leading edge of said pistol grip will apply force to said receiver actuator and cause said safety mechanism to move along said arc from said safe position to said at least one fire position.