Ak47 a good idea?

AKs are always a good idea!

Now that’s out of the way, AKs are great guns. They’re a little different from ARs with regards to manual of arms, but it’s not necessarily worse, it’s just different. If you learn the manual of arms, a lot of the “shortcomings” of the rifle are negated. If you get a good AK, they can also be quite accurate.

The elephant in the room is of course ammo. For the last 2 years or so, bulk 7.62x39 has been half the cost of bulk 5.56x45 which was very attractive, especially if you wanted to train with the AK. Now with the import ban from Russia, 7.62x39 is of course more expensive, but it’s still cheaper than 5.56. While nobody knows what is going to happen long term, I’d say that it’s a safe bet that 7.62x39 will be available, and I expect it to still be less expensive than 5.56.

If you’re looking for a gun in 7.62x39, I’d say go ahead and get it. With all the concern over Russian ammo, you might even be able to find a good deal.

Megawatt maker said:

I'm sure some clever and shady types will move Russian stuff around and repackage it, then import it under another nations tag

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Sebastian the Ibis said:

distributors are going to be worried that somehow the Russians will flood the market again with cheap ammo, once they buy more expensive ammo from elsewhere

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I suspect that will not happen. There was (still is) plenty of opportunity to get very inexpensive Chinese ammunition passed around other countries and repacked for US which has not happened (except some overseas military contracts that blew up enough to make a movie about it). China has grown all its other exports to the US to the point that its now challenging to source manufactured goods without Chinese components, all the while leaving the old firearms restrictions in place.

I do agree other countries will step up to the opening once higher prices seem permanent. There are plenty of places who could easily have produced just as much or more than the Russian companies but did not simply because there wasn't enough money in it. Prices go up and stick there will be someone to fill the void -- and that may well be right here in the US.

illinoisburt said:

I suspect that will not happen. There was (still is) plenty of opportunity to get very inexpensive Chinese ammunition passed around other countries and repacked for US which has not happened (except some overseas military contracts that blew up enough to make a movie about it). China has grown all its other exports to the US to the point that its now challenging to source manufactured goods without Chinese components, all the while leaving the old firearms restrictions in place.

I do agree other countries will step up to the opening once higher prices seem permanent. There are plenty of places who could easily have produced just as much or more than the Russian companies but did not simply because there wasn't enough money in it. Prices go up and stick there will be someone to fill the void -- and that may well be right here in the US.

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China increased its other exports...true. The difference...China isnt a nation run by what amounts to the mafia...very unlike Russia. Russia is a hugh thugcracy! Plus..the only three things they export....Vodka...Cavier....and weapons. Ammo may be their biggest profit export. So...I dont think they are just going to walk away...they will find ways around this silly ban.

Just my opinion.

Megawatt maker said:

Russia is a hugh thugcracy! Plus..the only three things they export....Vodka...Cavier....and weapons. Ammo may be their biggest profit export.

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Oil. You’re thinking of oil.

In 2019 Russia exported more than $220 billion of oil/derivatives and only $100 million of arms/ammunition (and that’s to all countries, not just the US). Believe it or not, in 2019 Russia exported more edible fruits and nuts than arms/ammunition.

https://tradingeconomics.com/russia/exports-by-category

This sanction isn’t going to hurt Russia, so they don’t have an incentive to try to find a work around. And on the US side, committing fraud to avoid state department sanctions is a major felony. Nobody is going to risk their licenses or livelihood to try to import small arms ammo. Not when there’s a bunch of other countries they can legally import from.

Telekenesis:

With such basic info, you're going to damage the rumor mill,

which might cost some Youtube Gun People lots of revenue.

oops

Telekinesis said:

For the last 2 years or so, bulk 7.62x39 has been half the cost of bulk 5.56x45 which was very attractive, especially if you wanted to train with the AK. Now with the import ban from Russia, 7.62x39 is of course more expensive, but it’s still cheaper than 5.56. While nobody knows what is going to happen long term, I’d say that it’s a safe bet that 7.62x39 will be available, and I expect it to still be less expensive than 5.56.

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I don't think that's going to be the case going forward. My take, having owned an SKS for a couple decades, is that STEEL 7.62x39 has been cheaper than brass 223/556, and available in huge amounts, as the preferred food for those guns. The European brands I've seen are all brass, and I've shot a lot of their 9mm. I can't think of any in steel.
You take that away, and I think the price for x39 goes above 223. They're both bulk, more of our trading partners rely on the smaller caliber for their own militaries, it requires less material to make.

Love AKs! I only have 5, really should get one in 5.56 now, just in case...

The ammo ban only applies to Russia. Wolf has production lines in other countries as well. It's just a matter of time till the market void fills up. It wont disappear. If you want an AK, get it.

Have one .... It's not my favorite.
Would probably grab my SKS or one of the AR's instead

There’s plenty of other countries that make 7.62x39 for their own military and sell excess to the US. Russia definitely dominated the steel case market and the days of 25 cents a pop are probably gone for good. But I’m betting imported steel 7.62x39 will always be the cheapest intermediate rifle round on the market.
Geco 7.62x39 from Hungary and PPU from Serbia are also cheap brass rounds that won’t stop coming.

As for AKs, good platform, very simple & robust when made properly. My advice:

‘bad’ AKs tend to have weak/soft trunnions that wear quickly opening up headspace. A properly made trunnion is one key to long life.
All surplus mags are slightly different. Romanian mags are sized a bit differently from Hungarian mags, etc so each one fits differently in different AKs. So either do some homework before buying mags or be ready to file em down to fit, which is normal.
If you plan to run optics, be aware of your options. Side mounts are the most common if you have a side rail, lots of choices. A railed gas tube is another if you want a red dot. Irons are useable but windage & elevation are done on the front post and require special tools.

ARs and VZ58s are other good reliable and popular options for running 7.62x39. Anyone who says 7.62x39 ARs aren’t reliable don’t know what they’re doing. VZ58s aren’t as simple as AKs but just as robust, softer shooting and much lighter. My VZ2008 is significantly lighter than my stamped steel WASR.