Looking to buy an AK rifle...

You've got your facts a bit twisted up.

First, Romanian WASR's are generally bottom-of-the-barrel AK's.
I'm not aware of any AK made in the US, but maybe Arsenal (pricey!) Century and a few others assemble them from parts kits. I'de avoid the hit and miss chances with those.

SAIGA is the original, and the best bang for the buck. You can get a brand new SAIGA (as opposed to one assembled from parts kits which may be used or decaying or abused and butchered) and convert it yourself. The SAIGA IZ-132 is 7.62x39. They also have a 5.45.

Put a little work into it, as you can afford it, and you will be happy, and you will learn a lot about the gun too.

Oh, and I don't want one of those ugly Saiga rifles

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They are kinda ugly, but thats just the stocks. Those go away during the conversion. They have the same AK receiver style as anything else.

Again, you CONVERT your SAIGA. It then gets a AK pistol grip, butt-stock, and you can keep the fore-grip or put something else on it. I don't see a non-exposed gas block as a disadvantage. I see it as an advantage.

Conversion puts everything in the standard AK place. The trigger group etc.
Do you research.. plenty of discussions and info on it here, and all over the internet.

http://forum.novarata.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=183&hilit=idle+hands

http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

http://gunpoints.org/blog/archives/168

A little bit of work gets you one of the best AK's out there.. the original Kalashnikov, and its brand-new, and teaches you about the gun.

I think you may need to do some more research before you jump into buying an AK...don't just get one because you think its cool. Save some more money and buy a good one. Because if you buy a lower end one, you will never be able to sell it for what you bought it for. WASR's may be going up in value somewhat, but they won't be in nearly as much demand as a Saiga or an Arsenal.

Don't be lazy. There are people on the forum and there are custom shops who can convert your Saiga for you. It is a very easy process, and then you will have the best AK on the market. Alternatively, you can save some money and get an Arsenal SGL-21 or 31, which is the god of converted Saigas. It is essentially a true Russian AK-103 or AK-74M

ok, but i dont want to have to convert one... i want one that's already got the pistol grip and all that, i dont have the tools, know how or money to do all that, or know anybody who does...

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You don't have the few tools that it requires? (really just a drill and a screwdriver can be made due with)

You do have the "know-how", as its simple, and if you can read, you can do it. Its not expensive.

Otherwise, be prepared to pay for someone else's work, or possibly a real dud.

BUT.. someone here has sworn by this deal...
http://centerfiresystems.com/akagun74.aspx

Its a Century..

Can't comment on the Tantal. I'm sure someone else can.

and how much would one of those cost?

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More than 2-3 times what you're looking to spend.

Is this your first gun?

Dorkfish88 said:

and how much would one of those cost? and what about GP 1975s?

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Dorkfish-do some research on the prices of other AKs and compare them. Find out about the accuracy of it and the entire system and what the saigas actually are and what can be made of them. There is plenty of info out there already.

GWARGHOUL said:

More than 2-3 times what you're looking to spend.

Is this your first gun?

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SGLs cost about 850-900 with tax. Thats not even twice his max budget, let alone three times.

If this is your first AK, don't get a cheap one. Get a nice one.

^wait, in one of those how to links you posted, it said i needed like a drill press and stuff like that...

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The only step one might need a drill press for is the bullet guide. You can use a hand drill, if you are good and/pr make some sort of jig to hold the drill centered and straight.

You can do just fine without the bullet guide, you just have to buy mags made for SAIGA.. there are 10, 30 and 75 and 100 roudn drums out there for SAIGA. They just cost a bit more.

Again, we are all telling you this info is here, and everywhere else. Do some reading, and come back to this topic with some serious questions.

I have 2 wasr 10's and they are great. Its an AK47. To me its suppose to be rugged and spray led. thats what they are for. No point in spending a ton of money because a few parts are "better" on the "better built" brands. If I want accuracy I shoot the M4. If I want to blow stuff to pieces....I get the ak. One of my wasr 10's has had many thousands of rounds through it and its just as good as the day i bought it. Plus they look the way an AK originally looked. Get what you want. If you want to go expensive then go ahead. Basic fact is its still an AK with the same basic operation.

I thought he said 400. . The point is, its outside of his budget, and almost 2x so. Especially with shipping and a FFl transfer.

Ya can't go cheap on a AK, as Cal pointed out. You will take a loss, and have a regret.

WASR is a hit or miss operation. There are some good ones, and there are a lot of junk.

Yeah. You will eventually think "Boy, if I had just saved a little bit more, I could have gotten X!"

Dorkfish88 said:

Oh, and I don't want one of those ugly Saiga rifles...

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You're loss. They're ugly, but awesome guns. Spend a few bucks on nice furniture and you have yourself a looker.

Like I said, I have 2 wasr's and they perform great. If anyone is worried about old defective parts on one, just inspect the thing before you buy it.

this is what your looking for: http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featured_rifles/RS_comparingkalashnikovs_200904/index1.html