Any experience with Riley Defense RAK-47s?

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Tortuga

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So I've been tempted to buy an AK, but always keep chickening out last minute. I've recently seen an abundance of Riley Defense AKs on the market for around $800. I see some reviews on them, but I'm unsure if they're really worth it. If I'm forking out for an AK, I want it to be really reliable (obviously since that's a major advantage of the firearm).

I've done a lot of my own homework, but it seems like these were selling for a lot cheaper a few years ago. They seem kind of run of the mill and haven't really heard a lot about them.

Are they worth the money?

Any gripes about them?

Any firsthand experience?

Input is appreciated.
 
AK market is pretty goobered up right now. I dont know much about them but the general rule of thumbs when it comes to AKs is if its american made and not a custom build, keep it at arms length. Most foreign made imports will serve you well. For 800 dollars you can still find unconverted saiga's out there or WASR-10s.
 
I have a Zastava ZPAP M70 (Yugo pattern) bought from Atlantic about a year ago for $800. They're now listed for $900 and are out-of-stock. It's really a great AK rifle, though, if you can find one.
 
Zero experience with Riley Defense stuff but saw my first one at my clubs range recently. The AK version they make that is NY state compliant. Seemed like a nice piece and the owner seemed like he was real happy with it. Also shot pretty good at 100 yards IIRC. He spoke highly of it and another guy there was expressing an interest in them. I realize this is just an example of one but a satisfied owner is always a good sign.
 
So I looked into this and the Riley AK's have had terrible performance from the AK Operator's Union.

I've also looked a few other American made ones for good prices but their accuracy seems pretty terrible. AK's have a bad reputation for accuracy but that's kind of exaggerated in my opinion because they really can reach out and touch someone at decent distances.


teddybear1848 said:
AK market is pretty goobered up right now. I dont know much about them but the general rule of thumbs when it comes to AKs is if its american made and not a custom build, keep it at arms length. Most foreign made imports will serve you well. For 800 dollars you can still find unconverted saiga's out there or WASR-10s.
Click to expand...

This is generally the impression I've gotten.
 
I've no experience with Riley. I know they've had some QC issues somewhat recently but also heard they're trying (or had) to rectify those. Maybe look in Robski's youtube channel AK4774 Operators Union. Stay away from Century's USA made AKs but PSA makes good USA made AKs. New made AKs from overseas consists of Romanian, Serbian and Polish. QC is decent on those but some Polish uses cast trunnions. Always go for forged trunnions. Used AKs? You'll need to do your research to see if they're any good.
 
HPJeep said:
I've no experience with Riley. I know they've had some QC issues somewhat recently but also heard they're trying (or had) to rectify those. Maybe look in Robski's youtube channel AK4774 Operators Union. Stay away from Century's USA made AKs but PSA makes good USA made AKs. New made AKs from overseas consists of Romanian, Serbian and Polish. QC is decent on those but some Polish uses cast trunnions. Always go for forged trunnions. Used AKs? You'll need to do your research to see if they're any good.
Click to expand...


I know we're getting into argument territory, but AK Operator's union had several really bad experiences with Riley AK's (As I mentioned).

I have also seen PSA's AKs and am very unimpressed. I love PSA and I really wanted to believe they'd get it right (especially since I've had great experiences with their customer service). However, after a few days of research it seem these rifles' shot groups pretty pathetic at a mere 100 yards (which is pretty bad for even for AKs). Even switching up the ammo, I think the best I've seen is still >2 inches. Moreover, a lot of people have a lot of problem with the rear sight leaf moving around when they shoot it / being quite flimsy. I've read multiple accounts of people adjusting the tension and the spring just falling out or the rear site hopping around while they fire it straight from the factory.

After doing my homework I'm going to pass on the Riley / PSA's AK.I think I'll just go without an AK for a while at these prices unless I see something sweet before November. .
 
problem is, with a lot of imported AKs the barrel is cold hammer forged (Yugos were the exception, not sure if they still are) while USA ones are not (that im aware of anyways). In my personal experience the cold hammer forged barrels shoot way better than the nitride ones. Its also incredibly hard to produce a domestic made AK on a large scale for a price people still want to buy without cutting corners. Im an AK man myself, but it is not a good time to get into AKs right now. Especially if you are new to them knowledge wise.
 
OP, look for the new Zpap with 1.5mm receiver and cold hammer forged chrome lined barrel. They are under $900, but sell out quick when they come in stock. Your other option is to go with PSA, of which you are totally wrong on in regards to their recent AKs (gf3 and newer). They tend to be very accurate for AKs. Yes, they’re American made, but even Rob Ski says they’re gtg. Many different options from them including a cold hammer forged barrel produced by FN.
 
View attachment 943185 View attachment 943186
Tortuga said:
I know we're getting into argument territory, but AK Operator's union had several really bad experiences with Riley AK's (As I mentioned).

I have also seen PSA's AKs and am very unimpressed. I love PSA and I really wanted to believe they'd get it right (especially since I've had great experiences with their customer service). However, after a few days of research it seem these rifles' shot groups pretty pathetic at a mere 100 yards (which is pretty bad for even for AKs). Even switching up the ammo, I think the best I've seen is still >2 inches. Moreover, a lot of people have a lot of problem with the rear sight leaf moving around when they shoot it / being quite flimsy. I've read multiple accounts of people adjusting the tension and the spring just falling out or the rear site hopping around while they fire it straight from the factory.

After doing my homework I'm going to pass on the Riley / PSA's AK.I think I'll just go without an AK for a while at these prices unless I see something sweet before November. .
Click to expand...
 
teddybear1848 said:
problem is, with a lot of imported AKs the barrel is cold hammer forged (Yugos were the exception, not sure if they still are) while USA ones are not (that im aware of anyways). In my personal experience the cold hammer forged barrels shoot way better than the nitride ones. Its also incredibly hard to produce a domestic made AK on a large scale for a price people still want to buy without cutting corners. Im an AK man myself, but it is not a good time to get into AKs right now. Especially if you are new to them knowledge wise.
Click to expand...

Good info, thank you.

brunowbe said:
OP, look for the new Zpap with 1.5mm receiver and cold hammer forged chrome lined barrel. They are under $900, but sell out quick when they come in stock. Your other option is to go with PSA, of which you are totally wrong on in regards to their recent AKs (gf3 and newer). They tend to be very accurate for AKs. Yes, they’re American made, but even Rob Ski says they’re gtg. Many different options from them including a cold hammer forged barrel produced by FN.
Click to expand...


Casefull said:
View attachment 943185 View attachment 943186
Click to expand...

I must have been looking at the older PSAs. Did not know this! Older PSA's would not get that kind of performance but it looks like I overlooked the new PSAs. Do you know anything about the rear sight leaf?
 
Tortuga said:
I know we're getting into argument territory, but AK Operator's union had several really bad experiences with Riley AK's (As I mentioned).

I have also seen PSA's AKs and am very unimpressed. I love PSA and I really wanted to believe they'd get it right (especially since I've had great experiences with their customer service). However, after a few days of research it seem these rifles' shot groups pretty pathetic at a mere 100 yards (which is pretty bad for even for AKs). Even switching up the ammo, I think the best I've seen is still >2 inches. Moreover, a lot of people have a lot of problem with the rear sight leaf moving around when they shoot it / being quite flimsy. I've read multiple accounts of people adjusting the tension and the spring just falling out or the rear site hopping around while they fire it straight from the factory.

After doing my homework I'm going to pass on the Riley / PSA's AK.I think I'll just go without an AK for a while at these prices unless I see something sweet before November. .
Click to expand...
Nice SAR-1 on GB right now, I have one got it in early 2000's when they first came over they have a reputation of being one of the better Century AK though trigger has some slap, I also got a new WASR couple months ago, sights were canted and shooting 8 or 9 inches to the right, sent it back to Century it is spot on now and it's trigger is nice.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878264736
 
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