AK Opinions...

Which is the BEST AK readily available today?

  • Kerbs Custom AK's

    Votes: 4 4.3%

  • Century Arms

    Votes: 3 3.2%

  • Czech

    Votes: 4 4.3%

  • Romanian

    Votes: 5 5.4%

  • Bulgarian

    Votes: 5 5.4%

  • Polish

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • Yugo

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • Russian SIAGA made AK

    Votes: 28 30.1%

  • Hungarian

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Norinco

    Votes: 7 7.5%

  • Polytech

    Votes: 4 4.3%

  • U.S.Made / Inter ordnance

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Arsenal

    Votes: 27 29.0%
  • Total voters
    93
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U

Uncle Mike

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Do the poll...
Tell us why you love so much ( X ) brand AK....

Which brand is 'best' and explain it in laymen's terms for the folks that are less than savvy concerning the venerable AK....

I left some manufacturers out...my bad, feel free to add them in!
 
saiga 308 (the only one I have experience with), because it's a 308 and more accurate than any AK I've heard of.

Does the Romanian PSL count?
 
I voted for Russian Saiga (assuming its converted to pistol grip configuration) but I've examples of all but the Krebs & Inter Ordnance and there is not really a lot to differentiate them other than cosmetics.

I don't know of any Czech AKs available in the US, the VZ-58 is AK like in looks but is totally different internally. Its a good gun though.

--wally.
 
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I love my Saiga because it's what I have.

But in all seriousness, the price vs. quality is right. A strong second option would be for a yugoslavian one. If I ever find one at a good price...
 
I can only compare the US made AK's vs the Saigas. I think the Saigas win hands down in terms of quality and accuracy. Reliability is a non issue for the firearms I have experience with. But for $350 + whatever conversions/upgrades you make to the Saiga, I have a hard time believing there is a better value out there in an AK.
 
Available today... it's the Russian (Izhmash) made Saiga.
The Saiga is made on the same machinery/tooling & people that makes the AK for the (Soviet) Russian military.


In the past, it was the Poly-Tec followed by the Norinco.
The Chinese AKs were made on the same machinery/tooling & people that made the AK for the Chinese military and they were given the machinery/tooling & taught the know how by the Soviets (Russians).
 
Y'know I really don't care as long as it works. Of course get what you want but a good WASR with acceptable cant and wobble will do the job.
 
The Czech vz58 isn't an AK but it does get my vote. Its lighter than the AK, handles better, and feels better, it just fits me more comfortably.
 
Between my Chinese 84s-1, coverted Saiga (7.72x39) and my Bulgarian Arsenal SLR-95 I would have to say the quality award goes to the SLR-95.

Of course it's an older Arsenal rifle that is no longer made and it's 100% Bulgarian, unlike the newer Arsenal AK's.

Here's how I got it....
SLR95-2.jpg

Here's it is with after I added some new furniture to it (and compliant parts)....
ArsenalAK8-1.jpg

Here's the quality certificate that came with it...
SLR95-1-1.jpg
 
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Uncle Mike IIRC you really love a nice AK...is there an ulterior motive here? :scrutiny:

I voted for the Saiga, because it is the best value in AKs in my opinion. I refuse to spend a fortune of a piece of sheet metal, that has ergonomics almost as good as a stovepipe...besides the Saiga will shoot just as good as any Lancaster or Arsenal that costs twice as much. If you feel so inclined to spend $1k on an AK, I would advise buying the Saiga in x39...and get a S-12 to go with it.

:)
 
I voted for the Saiga, too.

I like a project. Converting was about an hour, if you're quick. You can find them pre-converted.

Bought it for $300+shipping+transfer, at the beginning of the Obama scare, when other AK's were already jumping to $600 and $700.

Ergonomics are just dandy, because 1) I built it with the parts I wanted and 2) I'm not a biased fanboy looking for something to complain about. :neener:

I'm going to second this here: If you really want to spend $1000 on an AK, you can buy a 7.62x39 Saiga, and another Saiga.
 
Ergonomics are just dandy, because 1) I built it with the parts I wanted and 2) I'm not a biased fanboy looking for something to complain about.
Click to expand...
How about that safety...smarty. :neener:
 
Saiga for quality of fit and finish, no question. My WASR, however, shoots just as accurately and I don't mind nicking it up because it never looked very good to begin with.
 
I voted Saiga. As others stated it was picked up cheap, slightly used but I knew the owner and it was in no way abused. Conversion took about two hours but I did not go back to a pistol grip and just changed the trigger and other parts for compliance reasons. I use the Draganov stock with adjustable cheek piece. It works fantastic with a quick mount scope.One rifle lets me shoot optics and iron sights.
 
I voted Arsenal for a few reasons, however I agree that converted Saiga's are quality weapons:

1.) High quality AK, which means QC standards. Arsenal doesn't cut corners (no canted sights, no unchromed bore, no $5 FCG, no bad assembly by people who don't care, etc.)

2.) No upgrades are needed (they include quality FCG, pistol grip, folding stock, threaded barrel & muzzle break, polymer furniture, etc.)

3.) The prices have fallen to $550 recently, which makes it somewhat bearable (for what you gettting)

Also, I'd like to add Lancaster Arms to the list, as they too make a quality AK. And if you can find an Egyptian Maadi in good condition, those are good guns as well.
 
I despise these generic "name the best" threads.

"Best" = opinion

Opinions are like navels, everyone's got one and they're all full of lint.

You want to make a poll? Make it "what is the best [whatever] for [a specific condition]"
 
I have several AK variants and they all "work" just fine but the Polytech and the NHM are probably the most accurate of mine, and the Arsenals have the best fit/finish by far...

AKs2009minusSEAK.jpg

That's all of them but the ORF custom SEAK from our Arfcom GB a few years back (and my SGL-410 or Tromix/Saiga 12s, if you even consider those AKs).

FWIW, if I could only keep one it would be the Arsenal side-folder, no question. Not saying it is the "best," just that it would be my choice. YMMV.
 
I voted Arsenal. I have a couple of AKs but my 106fr is the only one that seems to have it all. The safety is slick and easy to manipulate, which is by far to me at least, is the most important feature. You put that together with the heatshield, two stage trigger, side folding stock, scope rail, threaded barrel and my all time favorite muzzle device the AK74 brake, you have a great all around package in a rifle.
 
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the nicest and most accurate ak-47 I have shot and handled is the arsenal sa m7 classic. it is a little heavier than akm's with the milled reciever and the wood. and these days it is getting a little ridiculous as far as price goes.

we just got in 4 of the izhmash saigas that were converted by arsenal. I've seen conversions before from everything from at garage jobs to some of the few better known people, but nothing compares to the quality of these. it is my favorite akm, if only it was 5.56....
 
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