Vepr isn't an AK (it is built on a RPK MG chassis). As far as function...they are all pretty alike, the form may be a bit different, but none are all that great. They are just good enough.
Not sure, never done one...I would get a Saiga and convert it myself...or better yet just get a CZ VZ-58, an all around better gun IMO.
Just trying to point out that there is variation to the pattern. You are correct, if you want to split hairs, the Vepr is based on the RPK however the RPK is a 20 in barrel rifle(LMG) and some of the Veprs used 16 in barrels more akin to an AKM. Point being same operating principal in a weapon of different specifications.
I have three right now, and not a one rattles without a mag in the gun. You'll get a little with the mag in the gun, just like any other rifle with a mag in it.
I'm curious what your basing this on.
Something like this?
They all pretty much shoot the same, regardless of receiver or price. The only preference I would take, would be a gun assembled originally in the county of origin over one assembled here, or at least for now.
I am not saying that they don't do exactly what they were made for (they work and are cheap/easy to build). Just that they aren't really a good gun (by my standards anyway), they rattle (more the mag than elsewhere), are not accurate, the bbl flexes terribly with each shot, have a horrible fit and finish, don't handle particularly well (at least for me), are fairly expensive in the current civilian market, and are typically made of poor quality materials.
No downsides to stamped that I am aware of, unless you consider lighter weight a downside; for me, that's a plus, as the AK is not particularly lightweight to start with. Durability is not an issue, nor is receiver flex. Some shooters may see a teeny bit more accuracy with a milled receiver, but that is probably more a function of the higher quality barrels that may go with the more expensive milled guns, not the receiver itself. Reliability is the same. Milled looks a little nicer to some.
Most WASR's will, but a few imported in the 1990's won't (they were set up for proprietary single-stack mags instead but can be converted to double stack). Most WASR's take regular AK mags.
They are good guns. Think of it as an autoloading .30-30 with a 20- or 30-round detachable magazine.
Good analogy...reliable, cheap, not great looking (for the most part) or terribly accurate (at least at long range); I just wouldn't spend the money on a fancy dolled up AK, that's all I'm saying.
