[Avenger29]

I decided I want to get an AK sometime soon. I was at the flea market yesterday, and there was a Romak-2 with a scope, but it was too expensive at $500 and was in 5.45mm. I want an AK varient in 7.62x39 instead, and I don't want to spend a bundle on it. I also want it to take hicap magazines and have either a muzzlebrake or flashhider and take a bayonet. Any reccomendations?

[beerslurpy]

Aim surplus still has them for high 200s low 300s I think.

[Fingolfin]

If you want the cheapest and most widely available the WASR is what's out there right now. They run $300-325 usually. There are some negatives, but it's a AK with all the evil features.

[eastwood44mag]

SAR-1. Romanian, poor fit and finish, to say the least. Reliable, and can be had for less than $300. If you plan on changing out the wood or refinishing it, it's a perfect project.

[MatthewVanitas]

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/akgpwasr.gif

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/NEW_AK_WASR_RIFLE_w__Bayonet_Lug___Muzzle_Break.html

Currently $319 at Aim Surplus

If you want to spend more cash, there are two different American companies both named "Arsenal" who make highly-regarded AKs starting around $499. You can find info on those guys by running a Search on the THR forums.

Good luck in your search, -MV

[beerslurpy]

Arsenals are up in price lately, plus the latest ones are stamped rather than milled.

Mine is milled.

[MatthewVanitas]

Personally, I'd rather have stamped for the weight-saving. Aren't WASRs stamped too?

Arsenal of Houston (soon to be renamed "Armory" I believe) was selling their basic synth-stock model at the Austin gunshow for $499, your local price may vary.

-MV

[TIMC]

I agree the SAR-1 is a good gun to play with, it's what I have and they are very reliable but you are looking at $400-500. You might find a WSAR for $300.

[Woody_in_MN]

Avenger -

I've been looking for an AK for awhile myself. Unless I can get a friend to build me one, I would do the AIM deal. Best price I've seen. I'm not an expert, but I believe that w/ the pistol grip, you may need to swap 6 parts of the gun to US made to be legal. I would refer to ar15.com for more info on this.

- w

[Mosher Gun Shop]

The WSAR's sold by AIM are compliant already. The US parts on the ones that we have sold are; pistol grip, gas piston, hammer, trigger, and the disconnector.
They have all had the slant break permanently atttached.

HTH

Brandon
MGS

[grimjaw]

How much is a bundle?

I got a used SAR-1 for $350. Now that I've had some experience with them, I'd be willing to spend the extra money or a VEPR.

jmm

[MechAg94]

Robinson Armament imports the Vepr K. It is an AK style gun that is pretty good starting at $550. It does not quite have the traditional look, but it works well and is fairly accurate.

However, If I was buying my first AK again, I would likely go for Romanian WASR since it is much cheaper and you can see if it is something you want to keep. It may not be the best, but it should work well.

[Avenger29]

To me, a bundle is $400 or more. I don't have the cash for a VEPR or an expensive AK varient. I think I will look at an SAR-1 or a WASR. I am probably going to the gun store tomorrow and pick up a shotgun for my dad...will look at AK's. I was going to get a Garand, but then I got into aviation, so an AK or SKS is about all I can afford to buy and feed right now...

[clange]

SAR-1. Romanian, poor fit and finish, to say the least. Reliable, and can be had for less than $300. If you plan on changing out the wood or refinishing it, it's a perfect project.
I think less than $300 is pretty optimistic. Most are $350-400.

[eastwood44mag]

I think less than $300 is pretty optimistic. Most are $350-400.


Mine was $330 and change. They were at the gun show the following Saturday for $299.

[clange]

Mine was $330 and change. They were at the gun show the following Saturday for $299.
WASRs or SARs?

There are deals out there, I've bought mine for about $325, but generally SARs are more, especially online.

[Crosshair]

Bought my Saiga for $259 and spent $125 converting it to pistol grip

[Silent-Snail]

What kind of AK does S.O.G. sell?

[Jrm5204]

SAR 1's do not have a threaded muzzle or bayonet lug, but is probally a better choice than a WASR 10. SAR 1's seem to be pretty accurate but get a bad name because of there poor finish and trigger slap. You can have a SAR barrel threaded, replace or refinish the furniture and replace the FCG and have a decent AK. WASR 10's are 7.62 x 39, have a bayonet lug, and some have threaded muzzles and go for about 300 - 350. Alot of WASR 10 owners complain there mags wobble due to Century Arms poor conversion.

[Shane333]

Bought my Saiga for $259 and spent $125 converting it to pistol grip

Bought my .223 Saiga for $225 and spent about $120 converting it. For an AK variant, I'm absolutely amazed at its accuracy.



For those who are mechanically capable, there's another option for the next few weeks: buy a kit and build your own. You can find Romanian parts kits for about $100 w/shipping included. Another $150 in parts, and several hours of elbow grease, and you've got your own homemade AK!

However, the BATFE has determined that no more kits (with threaded barrel) will be imported after January 1, so time is limited on this option.

[benEzra]

Mine was $330 and change. They were at the gun show the following Saturday for $299.
When? Prices on SAR's have gone up considerably since importation ceased in 2003-ish.

[eastwood44mag]

When? Prices on SAR's have gone up considerably since importation ceased in 2003-ish.


Bought it in 2004, I think. And yes, it is a SAR-1, not a WASR.

[Dr_Pain]

Make your own from drift wood and sheet metal from the scrap yard :neener:

[benEzra]

Bought it in 2004, I think. And yes, it is a SAR-1, not a WASR.
That was a steal. I was seeing $350-$380 around that time frame.

[thisisdenny]

the wasr i bought from aim about a month ago or so did not have it's slant brake permanently attached, but it was a made in the US part (nice little c stamped on it)

oh, and one mag functioned fine out of the box and the other i had to bend around on the follower and feed lips to get workin right, but as far as i could tell it was just a mag issue and not a problem w/ the gun itself.

pretty happy w/ my "cheapie" AK

-denny

[MechAg94]

Last I looked, SOG was selling Romanian WASR's for the near the same price as AIM Surplus. They have that Yugoslavian surplus ammo on strippers as well.

[MAUSER88]

SAR 1's are very fine AK's with a mil-spec military receiver.

http://www.huntingpictures.net/photo/003418 (http://www.huntingpictures.net/photoview/003418)

[gunsmith]

there are lots of century arms AK's here in Reno. Are they any good?

[eastwood44mag]

I don't know if anyone knows what WASR stands for.

They were imported by Century as ban-compliant, so they couldn't take a double stack. Century then added the required American parts, drilled out the well, and made them to take a double stack.

Not a fan, personally.

[benEzra]

The Century Arms rifles are all Romanian. The Romanians are good rifles; fit and finish is much rougher than, say, Hungarian rifles, but if you make sure to get one that has all the parts on straight, they're great.