Telekinesis
Member
If you want an AK, get an AK. If you get a good one they are great weapons.
On ammo price, yes 7.62x39 has gotten more expensive than it was several years ago but it is still less expensive than .223. It’s not going to be dirt cheap to shoot, but that has applied to pretty much everything for the last 2+ years.
Accuracy issues are also overstated. While it’s possible to get a bad barrel, most AKs in my experience shoot between 2-3 MOA which is what my ARs shoot given comparable ammo. It is easier to find match .223 ammo than 7.62x39 of course, so people shoot $2/round ammo in their AR and complain that their $0.40/round AK won’t shoot the same groups. My Arsenal is consistently a 2 MOA gun which is fine for what it is. Most people can’t shoot better than 2 MOA from unsupported field positions anyway.
On length of pull, the stock is short if you use a “traditional” bladed stance to shoot, but if you use a more modern, squared up stance the LOP is much better. It’s all in how you use the gun.
I’m not left handed, but I do shoot my guns on the off side. I’ve never had issues with getting hit by brass. You also have an advantage that the charging handle is already on that side so you don’t have to rotate the gun/reach underneath in order to cycle the bolt.
Another thing to think about is the configuration you want. If you’re not looking for a clone, some of the things to look for are milled or stamped receiver, folding or fixed stock (and if you want a folding stock, what type), gas block/front sight combo or separate gas block and front sight. Do you want to only use irons or do you want the ability to add optics?
If you plan to predominantly use iron sights, I would recommend not going with a combo gas block/front sight. Going with a separate front sight gives you a longer sight radius which helps minimize errors. I’d also recommend getting a side rail for mounting optics. If you don’t want to use it you don’t have to, but if you ever do want to use it in the future it’s much easier if you already have one installed on the gun.
Unlike the AR, an AK is very much a gun where you need to buy it in the configuration that you want. For example, the folding stocks require different receivers and rear trunions. While there are ways to add an aftermarket folding stock to a gun with a fixed stock, if you want a real side folder or underfolder, you really need to buy the gun that way. I’m not saying it can’t be converted, but at that point you might as well be building the AK from scratch because you’ll need a machine shop to change the rear of the receiver.
As a generalist AK, I’m a fan of the AK-100 series (like an Arsenal SLR 107) with a side folding stock. Put an Ultimak railed gas tube on it, a red dot, a weapon light, and a sling and you have a very good fighting rifle.
On ammo price, yes 7.62x39 has gotten more expensive than it was several years ago but it is still less expensive than .223. It’s not going to be dirt cheap to shoot, but that has applied to pretty much everything for the last 2+ years.
Accuracy issues are also overstated. While it’s possible to get a bad barrel, most AKs in my experience shoot between 2-3 MOA which is what my ARs shoot given comparable ammo. It is easier to find match .223 ammo than 7.62x39 of course, so people shoot $2/round ammo in their AR and complain that their $0.40/round AK won’t shoot the same groups. My Arsenal is consistently a 2 MOA gun which is fine for what it is. Most people can’t shoot better than 2 MOA from unsupported field positions anyway.
On length of pull, the stock is short if you use a “traditional” bladed stance to shoot, but if you use a more modern, squared up stance the LOP is much better. It’s all in how you use the gun.
I’m not left handed, but I do shoot my guns on the off side. I’ve never had issues with getting hit by brass. You also have an advantage that the charging handle is already on that side so you don’t have to rotate the gun/reach underneath in order to cycle the bolt.
This may have been answered above, but Arsenal is a brand. It is a Bulgarian AK made to their specs with the exception of what is required for import. In my experience they have better fit/finish than some of the other brands, but they do occasionally have issues like canted gas blocks or front sights so you’ll want to inspect the one you buy. That said, I would definitely take an Arsenal over a Century.
Another thing to think about is the configuration you want. If you’re not looking for a clone, some of the things to look for are milled or stamped receiver, folding or fixed stock (and if you want a folding stock, what type), gas block/front sight combo or separate gas block and front sight. Do you want to only use irons or do you want the ability to add optics?
If you plan to predominantly use iron sights, I would recommend not going with a combo gas block/front sight. Going with a separate front sight gives you a longer sight radius which helps minimize errors. I’d also recommend getting a side rail for mounting optics. If you don’t want to use it you don’t have to, but if you ever do want to use it in the future it’s much easier if you already have one installed on the gun.
Unlike the AR, an AK is very much a gun where you need to buy it in the configuration that you want. For example, the folding stocks require different receivers and rear trunions. While there are ways to add an aftermarket folding stock to a gun with a fixed stock, if you want a real side folder or underfolder, you really need to buy the gun that way. I’m not saying it can’t be converted, but at that point you might as well be building the AK from scratch because you’ll need a machine shop to change the rear of the receiver.
As a generalist AK, I’m a fan of the AK-100 series (like an Arsenal SLR 107) with a side folding stock. Put an Ultimak railed gas tube on it, a red dot, a weapon light, and a sling and you have a very good fighting rifle.
