As near as I can tell recently CAI has roughly 3 levels of quality available in an AK.The basic wood stocked "WASR" which I've seen stamped only with "CAI" once again running $400 - $500 seems to be better quality than they were two or three years ago but they're still a bit 'rattley' and with relatively ill fitting parts and no muzzle brake nor threads for one. I have one that will hold five to six inch groups at 100 yards scoped. Typical AK accuracy. There seems to be a mid level wood or plastic stock version stamped "WASR 10" with better fitting parts, fewer canted sights, slant brake, etc. for around $550 - $600. Seems noticeably tighter. And then there is the WASR 10/63 that appears to be CAI's high end Romanian. Mine will actually shoot three inch groups with some ammo till it gets hot. These have threaded and non tack welded muzzles with the slant brake - and can be replaced - and usually come with plastic furniture and either side folding Tapco or nicer wooden stocks and Tapco G2 trigger group - decent two stage trigger. At least this is what I've seen locally. Your mileage may vary.
InterOrdinance Arms in Monroe, NC now makes decent stuff from Romanian parts but they are a little pricey right now with CAI quality getting better. IOs run around $650 - $800 in my area. They are generally a bit better quality than CAI's WASRs and WASR 10s - also made from Romanian kits. Better mag well cuts, tighter fitting parts, etc.
Then there is Arsenal and a couple other companies - such as Krebs - importing Russian Saigas and refitting them with various components. These are a little better quality imho (imho only) than CAI or IO, but at around $1000 a pop to start I'm not sure it's that much better - more accurate, more rleiable, etc. - than a WASR 10/63. I have seen Arsenal STG2000s that appeared to be very, very good weapons and shot close to MOA from a bench. Like everyone e4lse, their quality varies from year to year as near as I can tell. Some say that they've seen STGs that were crap. I don't know. I liked them. But I couldn't justify spending $1000 plus for something that will never be as accurate as a less expensive DPMS M4.
Speaking of Krebs, he makes excellent weapons but I can't see me paying those prices. At $1200 to start, going to over $2000 I can't see it. But that's just me. I guess if you wanted to most accurate, reliable, and doo-dad loaded AK available he would be the guy to see. I have personally seen a Saiga 7.62x39 shoot MOA so Krebs is using the right platform to start with.
Also check out Lancaster AKs. They seemed to be decent pieces too at around $700 - $800. They will be coming down like everyone else and may be a good buy soon. Anyone know what parts kits they use? Bulgarian? Hungarian? I think they stamp their own receivers and maybe make their own barrels.
The last AK I am familiar with personally is the Chinese Norinco. I had a MAK 90 back in the day that was decent and would hold 3 to 4 inch groups till hot. Lately the Norinco MAK 91s I see still seem to be pretty good weapons in the $500 to $600 range. If you run across a milled receivered, bull barreled "Match Grade" MAK 90 with the 20 inch heavy barrel jump on it. They are excellent guns for hunting or sniping at the range. I heard MAK 91s would no longer be imported but my local smithy gets them all the time.
Run a search here and I'll bet there is a wealth of info from guys far more knowledgable than me. Over the next year as AKs and ARs return to sane pricing there will be a lot more high quality AKs available than in the old days and at reasonable prices.
An AK and 1000 rounds of Wolf FMJ is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
And a low capacity mag full of pointed soft point ammo is a perfect brush gun for smallish eastern white tails. Ballistics similar to the venerable 30-30. I'm having a hard time justifying a new AR weapon in 5.56 when my better AK (the 10/63) does everything I need from a rifle: home defense, loads of fun, and deer hunting in the Fall.
