What country makes the best AK variant

[Southside830]

Just want to get everyone's opinion <removed>. My vote would be Bulgarian followed by Russia (saiga). I have shot both btw. My slr arsenal is top notch in every way. I've shot Polish and Romanian variants and compared to my picks were so so. Different levels entirely IMHO. Never tried a Chinese ak.

 

[csa77]

russian veprs are the besting thing out there from what I hear on many different forums.

 

[Inebriated]

Russians get my vote.

 

[Ian]

My favorites are the Yugoslav fixed-stock guns. Better ergonomics (IMO) than the standard AK.

 

[Hokkmike]

Norinco. Add the words Polytech and Legend and everyone in the room gets jealous. Add to that the word under folder bayonet and you need additional security.

Answer: China.

BUT!!!! Even my lowly (sorry guys) WASR 10 had the looks and shot decently.

AK's are all good.

 

[Rob G]

Currently I think Russian in the form of the VEPR rifles. If you're thinking of the more traditional style AKs, and assuming you could get a fully "foreign made" one, then I'd go with the Bulgarians. I've never seen the exact quote but supposedly Kalashnikov himself praised the quality of the Bulgarian rifles.

 

[henschman]

I guess it depends on how liberally you want to consider different rifles as being AK variants. The Swiss-made SIG 550 is the best I know of that is based on the AK action... though there are some major differences between it and a Kalash. Its ergonomics are certainly improved. The Zionist Galil and South African R4 are pretty good too... they are a little closer to the AK, but the way the barrel interfaces with the receiver is different (improved). Going to aperture sights was an improvement. Even closer to the original is the Finnish Valmet. It is basically a standard AK fitted with improved aperture sights and trigger. They keep the standard Russian calibers and magazine designs as well, unlike the other 3 I mentioned.

 

[JustinJ]

For true AKM type rifles Russian and Bulgarian are considered the best. Kreb's has said that he believes the Bulgarian rifles are on par with the Russian.

 

[dvdcrr]

Russia makes the vepr and it is the best. Bulgarian milled rifles are second best followed by Russia again in third place with the Izmash stamped rifles. I have owned all the above and A few more

 

[jaysouth]

Hands down, the best is Arsenal, made in Nevada, USA.

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

Valmet, Finland

 

[56hawk]

I'd go with Israeli even though I don't have that much experience with them. Does seem like they fixed a lot of the major problems with the AK design.

 

[Ironhorse522]

Serbia

 

[rikman]

Russians

 

[Aaron1100us]

After doing research and checking out different ones, I went with the Arsenal Bulgarian. I'd say its up there. I hear the Polytech Legend is best of the best but probably twice the $$ of the Arsenal.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

 

[OARNGESI]

Russian/bulgarian

 

[lefteyedom]

The best AK is the one that cost $35.00 per rifle and comes with ether a comrade instructor or a "CIA technical advisory" That $35 is payable with Cocoa, poppies,Hash, blood diamonds, oil rights, navel basing rights, air space fly over rights, natural elements, embassy support prostitutes....

Just saying

 

[nathan]

Chinese , Bulgarian ang Russian. You can ;t go wrong with any of the three.

 

[Bwana John]

Valmet, Finland

 

[Bohemus]

Valmet, Finland

This + Izrael and Poland

 

[Flogger]

Several nations have come to the peak of excellence and then declined due to cost contraints of a dwindling demand.

Factors such as heat treatment, finish, novel design improvements, accuracy and manufaturing methods for various parts and subassemblies during different time periods would need to be taken into consideration. A handful of modern AKs have cold hammer forged barrels, forged trunnions and gas blocks, specially hardened and tempered bolts,trigger parts while others have beautiful finishes and better wood.

Best Barrels: Bulgraria
Best Bolts: China(Polytech)
Best Receivers: Russia
Best Design: Finland/Israel
Best Finish : Poland


Thes best of the best would be a matter of conjecture but a rifle that had a forged rather than cast trunnions,gas blocks, front sights and a through hardened milled receiver would be at the top of my list.

As a production rifle I like Arsenal Bulgraian rifles produced in the late 1990s but I won't buy another Arsenal USA produced in the 2000s.Sadly there is no source for Radom Poland milled AKs in the USA. I have seen their high end models on display when overseas and some of them are downright gorgeous with beautiful wood and fine finishes and a very high level of QC.

I suppose the best AK would be one that you had built from the finest parts by a highly reputable smith like Ted Marshall using carefully selected parts and essentially this AK would best AK and technically it would be MADE IN THE USA.

I think all of this taken into consideration would make the United States of America the country that produces the best AK