First AK-47 -- do you think this is a good deal?

Saw this http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=176902275.I love the look of the folding stock. Do you think it is a good deal? This would be my first purchase through an auction site.

Seems fair. Email the guy and ask about the CAI issues, canted gas tube, front sight etc.. just to make sure the rifle is in good working order. Good luck, I've always liked the look of underfolders.

I don't know, but Classic Arms (http://www.classicarms.us/) is a good place to check AK prices.

Centerfire has the Romanian underfolder Ak's Cheaper:

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/ak_firearms.aspx

I personally would go with the Yugo underfolder if I were going that direction, but to each their own.

I would also be a little hesitant to buy a second hand century AK without inspecting it. Especially when the pictures are of another similar gun. If 10% of the AK's coming out of century are garbage, I'd rather not take the risk that I'm overpaying for someone else's problem.

I personally would go with the Yugo underfolder if I were going that direction, but to each their own. .
Is ths the one you had in mind http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AKAGUNUF.aspx? (http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AKAGUNUF.aspx)
If so, that is a good looking gun!

Seems fair. Email the guy and ask about the CAI issues, canted gas tube, front sight etc.. just to make sure the rifle is in good working order. Good luck, I've always liked the look of underfolders.
I've heard of the front sight issue.but sorry to be ignorant but what are the issues of "CAI" and "canted gas tube"?

IMO, the price is too high and the underfolder isn't a good first AK. I find fixed stocks much more comfortable to shoot. There's a very similar Romanian underfolder on the BackPage classifieds in my area right now for $375. You should be able to find a fixed stock Romy AK for under $400.

What everyone else said. Also you don't have the purchase protection that comes with using a credit card with this seller. Keep looking, there is plenty of supply.

Lousy deal/I paid $465 for mine at a gunshow last month.I had to have one for my collection.This is not the rifle to buy if you intend to shoot it a lot.The stock will develop wobble from opening and closing and the stock smacks you in the face each time you pull the trigger.

Thanks for all the great tips. Every post so far has been illuminating. Keep them coming and I will hopefully make a decision soon.

To the last poster, I certainly do intend to shoot it a lot. Please could you elaborate on what you mean by being "smacked in the mouth" and what I can do about it?

I would buy from a more reputable business than an auction site. Nothing against Gunbroker but when you can buy the same thing for cheaper with customer service somewhere else it would be silly not to.

Check Classic Arms, Centerfire, Atlantic Arms, J&G sales, Aim Surplus, and your local Pawn Shops and flea markets before you buy.

I've heard of the front sight issue.but sorry to be ignorant but what are the issues of "CAI" and "canted gas tube"?

The canted gas tube is similar to the crooked rear sights. Its just not put on in perfect line with the barrel and gas block. I had one with crooked sights and a canted gas tube. It still shot straight. Other CAI issues tend be just poor workmanship like poor fit and finish and oversize magazine wells.

I loved my Romanian AK and I'm looking for another. The CAI issues aren't that major as long as you get pics of the actual gun you are buying or you can visually inspect it before you buy it.

Fireman, thanks for great advice and for clarification of potential issues. I will check out all the other vendors you mention.

Duns,
I am in the College Station area of Tx and can possibly tell you of some local spots to go to find a reasonably priced AK from a storefront kind of place from here to Austin.

PM me or post.
thanks

Duns,
I am in the College Station area of Tx and can possibly tell you of some local spots to go to find a reasonably priced AK from a storefront kind of place from here to Austin.

PM me or post.
thanksThanks! I'm in Houston. This is a great website. Suggestions are just flooding in!

go to Champions. They have Rom AKs starting at $399, plus an indoor range.

I bought mine off a former coworker and would recommend that route if possible, or at least someone you know or someone that knows someone you know. Getting it off someone that already has worked out any issues is a good idea.
As far as the underfolder developing a wobble, never heard of that and mine is still as tight as I could imagine one being while still being able to fold. I have also never had it smack me in the face or anything that even resembles that. Maybe that is something someone read on the Internet or something, but it doesn't seem possible if you're holding it correct. I find mine very comfortable, very accurate, and very solid. It along with my G19 are the two weapons sitting next to my side of the bed because I trust them most.

OP, sorry for the late response. CAI = Century Arms International. They are the company full of "ham fisted monkey's" as others on here have put it, that assemble the parts kit that is that rifle you posted in the first post. This is not a personal opinion but there have been people that have had issues of poorly assembled WASR rifles from them. How many there are no one really knows as far as I cna tell, but they have built a pretty bad rep online. BUT.... there are people on this forum that have WASR rifles that have had zero problems, as well has people that I personally know that have them. So it boils down to it being a crap shoot, you won't know what you are getting till you get it in your hands. Many people will advise you that is you want to buy a WASR to have it in your hands before money is paid for it. That way you can see first hand that it is in proper working order.

Hope that helps!

Or, let me ask what your budget is? Have you looked into Saiga rifles? They are new built, sporterized rifles straight from the mother Russia-land. I own one and love it. Zero issue's, fit and finish is the best that I can expect from an AK. And the best part is you can re-stock them pretty muuch anyway you choose to. If you are interested in going this route there are many threads on this forum discussing them and pretty much any firearm site that sells AK parts will also sell Saiga parts.


Mike

Bought my Saiga from www.classicarms.us. They have plenty of AK's at reasonable prices and are easy to deal with. They don't charge 3% for credit card purchases either.

I was just looking at Classic Arms. That Polish Tantal 5.45 rifle looks amazing if you want the folding stock. 1080 rounds for $150? Stack it deep.

I would pass on that one. A local shop sells them here for 420-430, and no shipping and transfer fee. Plus you can check it out to make sure it doesn't have the typical CAI problems. As tkopp suggested, I would take a look at the AK74s, you can get surplus ammo CHEAP.

The price seems way too high. Find the same gun at jgsales, they're selling them for 430$ before shipping, taxes, and transfer fees, and they're current production WASRs so you can be pretty sure that they're good quality.

Duns, What do you intend to do with this rifle?

As others have said, underfolders can be a PITA. If this will be your first AK, I would recommend a fixed stock, they are much more comfortable. If you want a folding stock I would go with a side folder. Something like this (http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16851&cat=251&page=4) or an Ak -74 sidefolder.

If you want something small to conceal, consider a draco pistol also available at centerfire. They do not have a stock, but as a pistol they are not subject to 922(r) so they are factory new. Not cut to pieces and reassembled like every Yugo-Bulgarian-Romanian AK. For an extra $200 you can make it into an SBR and add the stock of your choice.

If you don't mind expending the effort get a Siaga and convert it how you like it. It will be a better rifle than one made from surplus pieces. You can probably find a smith near you that will do the work if you have the dough.

Centerfiresystems has a Romanian underfolder AK-47 for $429.

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/akagun-ruf.aspx

$525 is a bit on the high side. I got my WASR 10/63 for $400 after FFL transfer. It is a decent shooter too.

I'm lucky enough to live about an hour from Centerfire systems. So a couple of weeks ago I ran up there to get exactly what your looking at. Other than the handguards needing a little sanding to smooth them down, the AK I got has been fantastic. It shot great the first time out to the range.

The guys at Centerfire were really helpful.

Just my 2 cents

Never buy a Century Arms gun sight-unseen. They have terrible Quality Control and need a thorough inspection before purchase. Price is a little high. Try AIM Surplus.

Take a look at www.classicarms.us - they have what looks like the same rifle package for $74 less than the that auctions starting price. Doesn't seem like a great deal.

I'll also echo the other cautions voiced about Century builds - I'd be cautious about buying unless either I could see it in person first, or unless the seller has a good return policy...

Crappy deal.
I'd pass for sure.
If you decide you want an underfolder instead of a fixed stock (I would get the fixed stock for my 1st AK, but it's your money) the Yugo rifle will be better made than the Romys or WASR.
For a quality fixed stock AK, I would consider buying a Saiga from Classic Arms, shoot it a bit in its sporter configuration and decide if I wanted to do a conversion to classic AK style ( about $100). Much higher quality AK. The conversion is fairly simple to perform.
The Saiga S/H, transfer fees, and cost of conversion may still be in the same ball park (or less) than the rifle shown on GB after the bidding is done.
Good choice for a 1st rifle. The AK is rugged, simple, absolutley reliable, and spare parts are easy to get. Cheap ammo doesn't hurt either.

Take a look at the Polish Tantal that tkopp was mentioning. That gun has an interesting feature that most other folding stock AK's don't have. You can remove the folding stock and install a standard stock with no modifications or adaptors.

Check out Henderson Defense, I believe they have a sale on these, and they claim to hand inspect for mag fit, canted sights etc.

Offthepaper has a good point
Think about the underfolder vs.fixed stock. I had my AK with wire stock out yesterday. ... and it beats you up compared to the fixedwood or polymer stocks. Undrfolders and wire stocks look cool, but now I,m questioning their utility. I guess the Russians did too, with the folding full stock.

you can definitely find CAI AKs for 100-130 bucks cheaper not only elsewhere but also on gunbroker.

I think everyone wants their first AK to be a folder, its human nature. A good option for the OP is the fixed stock version of this WASR and buy a $50 Romonaina wire folder from classic arms, that way he can switch between the two.

Get a Saiga if you want... Then convert. Best AK money can buy.