.223 AK other than Saiga?

I owned an AKM 84S-1 underfolder imported by Norinco. So there's a Chinese version as well & it was a good little shooter before it was stolen. They imported them only in 1989 as far as I know. I still had a 200 yard target I chewed the bull out of as proof to the disbelievers that it was a solid performer, even with iron sights.

Now I'm stuck with five original, steel .223 AKM mags I can't use because I'll never get that weapon back.

What is your suggestion for someone wanting to stay around the $600 range?

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Get some more money?

The 5.56 AK rifles are more expensive than the 7.62x39 ones. Add in the cost of the more expensive 5.56 mags and the fact that 5.56 is roughly 2X the cost of 5.56.

For $600 you can score a Romy 7.62x39 AK, mags, and a ½ case of ammo. BSW

for $600 you'd be best off doing a Saiga conversion. You will probably go over your budget once you look at how much a .223 30-round mag costs, though - along with the general price of .223.

Orion8472 said:

Again, thanks for the inputs on this thread. So, for someone "on a budget", is the Romanian WASR-3 going to be the best option?

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No, absolutely not.

Your best choice (budget or not) is gonna be a Saiga.

The Saiga is a brand new rifle from stem to stern.

The WASR - well, you can read up on what they're made of . .

922epiphany said:

i realize the principles used in the design of the 556, but if they (the factory designers) started from an AK and improved it...it's still based on the AK

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They did not start with an AK and "improved it". They started with a blank drawing board and integrated known good design elements from several weapons systems.
Sig 556:


The Finns took the AK and "improved it". Today this is the Valmet Rk95, out-Kalashnikoving Kalashnikov. Not germane to this thread (wrong caliber), though.
Finnish Rk 95:

Second on the Yugo M95.

Even Kitteh approves:

There's also the SA R4 and R5 for entry into the 'improved' AK.

GunTech said:

There's also the SA R4 and R5 for entry into the 'improved' AK.

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We're veering off the thread topic.

Said topic being ".223 Ak other than the Saiga", ostensibly available for current purchase.

There are well over half a dozen "improved AK" threads here already. . .

Is there a reason you don't want the saiga. A modded out saiga is a very fine 5.56 AK.

If you wanted to stay around the $600 - $650 range, would it be better to get an upper for my AR (such as from Rock River), or would I still be better served to get a .223 AK?

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this probably depends on exactly what it is you want the gun to do

I once got to fire a very nice Polytech in .223.

VEPR .223 sold by Robinson Arms. The reliability of a rock solid AK spitting Wolf, Remington or any brand of .223! Chromed barrel is very accurate. I picked mine up 3 years ago for $600. It sits and waits for the day...

I believe they go for $1200 now. It was a quality AK.

If you don't mind a used rifle, a couple options are the Norinco 84S:



and the Arsenal SA M5:

You know, Atlantic firearms were selling the w. german stg's, and I believe they came in 223 as well. they are quite nice, all converted, plus rail hider, and bbls made on Steyr machines, I think.

rangerruck said:

You know, Atlantic firearms were selling the w. german stg's, and I believe they came in 223 as well. they are quite nice, all converted, plus rail hider, and bbls made on Steyr machines, I think.

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Those "w. german stg's" are (were) actually Romanian WASRs with different furniture. These were commissioned by InterOrdnance and when I last looked, they'd completely dropped the line (and sold off the remaining parts as kits).

ALL Kalashnikovs have barrels made with the steyr process - there are no Kalashnikovs that I've heard of that have actual barrels made by Steyr of Austria.

Find a MAK 90 in 223, very nice shooters