I'm Not Sure, But Maybe I Want An AK

Status
Not open for further replies.
It's probably my favorite rifle. I own two slightly different models - both from CzechPoint. At the time I bought them they weren't severely overpriced like today. I wanted something that shot 7.62x39, but the AK didn't really appeal to me. AK's aren't known for accuracy and they're heavy. The Vz.58 solves both of that.

Yeah, its great gun no doubt and it kinda set high bar for my next rifle. I mean i had invest some effort and time into that gun because its surplus, but it was cheap and even that its old design, it still kicking
 
These are civilian gun owners in Slovenia (in Europe, where "guns aren't legal" :D).

-- None of their AKMs have displayed any issue in the multiple videos I've watched.--
I'm pretty sure that they use a ZPAP and maybe a Bulgy Arsenal.

Also, I've never seen any issue with their Czech VZ-58 or HK-91.


 
Last edited:
I don't know if it's AKs or AK people but a guy at the range had a krink today and had trouble hitting the B-27 target at 7 yards.
That’s an “average American shooter” thing.

Seriously. The average ability of the normal guy who owns a gun is pretty sad. I would routinely watch people with hunting rifles fail to hit a 12” gong at 100 yards using sandbags, from a bench, with a scope. And these were all members of a range who would say that they were at least average shooters, not the general public who just bought a gun and have no experience.

That guy having no idea how to shoot isn’t an AK thing.
 
my main issue with the AK was the same thing others saw as a plus…. that big old “banana magazine”. When I went to the prone it seemed the AK had my head waving around in the air to me. As an old three position rim-fire match shooter it felt like too much of me was off the ground with that AK mag. I found myself “monopoding” frequently.
I was a big fan of the 20-round Hungarian? magazines for mine for that exact reason, at least in 7.62x39mm. Much less unwieldy.

F6A003EF-A570-4D54-94D3-F6A543CC6819.jpeg
 
I don't know if it's AKs or AK people but a guy at the range had a krink today and had trouble hitting the B-27 target at 7 yards.

I've seen a lot of that too. But with ARs. Tacticool as it can get, with triple sighting systems and all the other jazz. I haven't seen it with an AK yet.....but that's probably because ARs are far more popular.
 
I was a big fan of the 20-round Hungarian? magazines for mine for that exact reason, at least in 7.62x39mm. Much less unwieldy.

View attachment 1066590

I'm a big fan of 20 rounds magazines in general. I preferred them with my AR, and I prefer them with my Mini 14. Sadly, my state has a 15 round capacity limit for those not grandfathered in. And those don't seem to be available for AKs, so I'll be running 10 rounders if (but really when) I get one.
 
The thing with AKs is they are not all by the "specs" or they was, but got little but more wanky while they were remade for civilian market - this specialy, in europe it must be such a adjustment that prevents automatic fire and prevent remading by common resources to allow automatic fire.
If we look at vz. 58, which is not AK, but that process of making civilian version from surplus gun is same in concept, looks like this:
275784553_249803503938327_4179429711534176824_n.jpg

That block of metal was added just for that reasson and in early days it caused some problems, over here known as "hermex effect" named after one of first companies who started with civilian vz. 58 - after some time, due reshaping or moving slightly, it turned gun in essentialy bolt action.
Sure over the time, know how was developed and new remades doesnt have that problem.
Point is its quite an impact into gun mechanism itself

Also suplus civilian vz. 58 was build from parts and ussually got new finish - in my case there was little bit more/less material on touch plate of wire stock, making it move under recoil, lower handguar also moves a little bit
Add cheap surplus chinese ammo from 70s, unskilled shooter and terrible (by mi opinion) iron sights and you got what you got.

And thats just guns from one manufacturer, one factory. AK sometimes had diffrent specs even inside one brand, countries

Also doesnt need AK to be imported in US as parts kits? If so, its another remade

AK is platform (again, vz. 58 isnt AK, just use it as example of similiar proces) thats used in +/- same extense as AR15 is. That would not happen if it would be bad design (but it also doesnt mean its best)

So to conclude it - surplus AK are few times remaded guns and ussually need some tunning. Store AR15 logic doesnt apply here (also AK is diffrent even by concept of use)
If you get newly made AK, its a diffrent story and you should get gun in quallity according to its price range

Yet, i think AK are overrated and more "pushed" to current status, but i think same about AR15
 
I have several AKs but never paid over $800 for any of them, that’s over the past 10 years.
Fun, and an interesting piece of history. My WASR is not by any means accurate, my AK63DS is much better, and my Saiga .223 is the best but I think that’s got more to do with the caliber.

7.62x39 steel case is a great inexpensive cartridge but if you’re talking sub MOA accuracy, there’s better calibers and platforms.

Although they’re all AKs, each brand and country is slightly different. WASRs are considered AKMs in that most aftermarket accessories will fit. Zastava isn’t a true AKM pattern, there’s some minor differences when it comes to aftermarket. Then there’s stamped vs milled receivers. And each countries surplus mags are slightly different. So don’t be surprised if your filing a surplus or aftermarket mag to fit your rifle.

It’s a pretty simple design, easy to operate, clean & repair. Tons of spare parts. If an import isn’t your think, Palmetto State Armory is already up to their gen 5 AK with an FN barrel. PSA is even getting in to making steel case 7.62x39 ammo.
 
It’s a pretty simple design, easy to operate, clean & repair. Tons of spare parts. If an import isn’t your think, Palmetto State Armory is already up to their gen 5 AK with an FN barrel. PSA is even getting in to making steel case 7.62x39 ammo.
Yet US manufacturers continue to fudge it up producing subpar examples. Even though PSA is on their 5th generation, they still produce plenty of turds because they are more focused on quantity, not quality, and have virtually no QC, but there is that sweet warranty!
 
Yet US manufacturers continue to fudge it up producing subpar examples. Even though PSA is on their 5th generation, they still produce plenty of turds because they are more focused on quantity, not quality, and have virtually no QC, but there is that sweet warranty!

Actually PSA is on their 3rd generation of their basic design upgrades, namely trunnion, carrier and bolt metallurgy upgrades. The 4th and 5th generations are just the basic design with upgrades such as in house CHF barrel (4th gen) and FN CHF barrel and upgraded trigger (5th gen).

PSA's AK's after the 3rd generation have been solid, from all accounts that I've heard. Robski at AKOU is no stranger to hanging the bad raps on AK's gave the PSA 3rd generations and above great reviews.

If I know anything about the AK culture it's that there are those purist's who think that any US made AK is an abomination without even setting eyes in person on one (and based on previous attempts by IO, Century, etc, I can see why the cynicism).
 
Last edited:
If one desires to have a combloc AK, I think the current serbian AK's are probably the best value, Arsenal has great AK's but one still might get a canted front sight even with the premium paid. WASR's are a great bare bones, tough as nails AK's.

Stay away, and I mean far away from any IO Ak's, Centuries, Pioneer Arms, and James River Armory AK's.

In my opinion anyone looking at buying any AK would do best to spend sometime on Robski's Youtube channel checking out his reviews of different brands of AK's. https://www.youtube.com/c/AkOperatorsUnion
 
Well everyone, thanks for all the input, but I think I'm gonna get an AR instead.

Just kidding! :rofl:

I'm very interested in getting an AK. Probably either a Zastava, or a PSA gen3 (or above). But probably not for a while. My priorities are currently more ammo for existing rifles, and more time shooting them from field positions. But an AK is on the wishlist for sure.

This has been a very informative thread, and I greatly appreciate all the knowledge and opinions. :)
 
@WrongHanded are you close to a PSA or have you handled their AK?
From my understanding and what I have seen on the range they are not to bad. I had a new Century Arms and never had a problem with it.

Enjoy your new AK!!!:D
 
One other bit of advise: Inspect before you buy, even new.
WASR, Zastava, Arsenal, etc all have so-so quality control. I’ve seen problems from the cheapest to the most expensive. Either know what to look for, like canted sights, or be sure you’ve got some kind of support. No one’s gonna ship your defective rifle back across the ocean for warranty work.
 
@WrongHanded are you close to a PSA or have you handled their AK?
From my understanding and what I have seen on the range they are not to bad. I had a new Century Arms and never had a problem with it.

Enjoy your new AK!!!:D

No, I haven't. Only a Zastava so far. This is part of the reason I'm cooling my jets on it. I just haven't seen either stocked locally.
 
No, I haven't. Only a Zastava so far. This is part of the reason I'm cooling my jets on it. I just haven't seen either stocked locally.

I'm late to this debate but I would have no issues buying a Zpap M70 sight unseen, all of the ones I've ordered have been 100%. It is also the best buy in the current market. I'm a long time collector of AKM's, but they are in fact "collector" rifles for the most part, only a few select ones are shooters that get run hard. When I first got my hands on the M70 I knew they would quickly become a "go to" and I have since added several more, they are true working guns in the classic AK sense. If I was only going to get one AKM and wanted a shooter instead of a collector... Zpap M70 without hesitation.
 
Another vote for getting an import. If you can't afford to get and convert a Mak90 go with the Serbian (Zastava). PSA have a great reputation but imports are just cooler. Nothing wrong with that.
 
If the 5'4" vietnamese can hump a steel 30 rounder , I will be fine.
For me, it was more about the length, not the weight. A 20-round Hungarian tank-crew AK mag is about the same length as a 30-round AR mag. Shooting an AK from prone or a bench with a 30-rounder, the rifle sits a lot higher due to the mag length, and the longer ones snag easily. I also found the rifle handled quicker/better with 20s when shooting local “CQB” matches.

I owned plenty of 30’s (and one 40 as a range toy), but the 20’s were the ones I shot matches with, and the the mag I kept in the rifle (when it was my primary HD carbine) was a 20.
 
For me, it was more about the length, not the weight. A 20-round Hungarian tank-crew AK mag is about the same length as a 30-round AR mag. Shooting an AK from prone or a bench with a 30-rounder, the rifle sits a lot higher due to the mag length, and the longer ones snag easily. I also found the rifle handled quicker/better with 20s when shooting local “CQB” matches.

I owned plenty of 30’s (and one 40 as a range toy), but the 20’s were the ones I shot matches with, and the the mag I kept in the rifle (when it was my primary HD carbine) was a 20.
I just go with the circle 10s. About perfect I think.
 
If you decide to go with US made AK take a look at Atlantic - they have
KALASHNIKOV KR-103 AMBER WOOD RIFLE- KR-103AW-RUSSIAN RED & AMBER STOCK SET PROMO
Buy a blond and get a redhead furniture set as well. Authentic Russian style AKM that comes with a wig. I love a Russian Red AK.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top