looking for an Ak-47

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If your looking for a good shooter then go with a Romanian WASR-10. They are very cheap cost wise. Mine was $600 at my local gun shop. Its not as high quality as a Russian one but if your lookin to shoot then it will do you good.
 
If you want a 7.62x39mm (the original and most common AK caliber), then the SGL-21 deal is unbeatable right now. $600 or so for a top quality AK with nothing to modify or fix:
http://www.k-var.com/shop/home.php?cat=353

These were much higher a month ago and were not a deal at the higher price.

If you want a 5.45x39mm AK-74 type, the lowest price deal at the moment (for a nice quality model) is the Lancaster "rough rider", which Atlantic has for $479:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct843.aspx

AIM Surplus often has good deals but they often sell out quickly (probably because the deals are so good). Classic Arms sometimes has good deals but their advertising-speak is way over the top, so you must research and understand what you're really buying, not all the ninja-speak hype they put on their website.
 
I agree, the ClassicArms site is hard to navigate and mostly ridiculous. But if you know what you want, it's functional.
 
Like I said before, tell me why you would pay $450 for a WASR, then another $400 to have it fixed, that's $850 not including various taxes, shipping, FFL, NICS, etc. costs???
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Lot's of people didn't pay $450 for their WASR:p

$850 isn't a bad price to pay for an AK gone over by a craftsman like Jim Fuller.
 
With the prices right now you could go milled for that price
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But if you read the recent thread on "what's so great about milled" you will see that's like saying "and for an extra $500, you can get a carburetor instead of fuel injection!"
 
I've got a Sar-1 I picked up for $400 otd. It shoots straight, even though stuff is canted. It's a beater, and best represents what an AK is. I got a Saiga for $330 otd, then spent $180 on parts to dress it up it up how I want it. It's getting warranty work right now cause it showed up with a canted gas block. Can't comment on it yet.
I also got a SGL-21 in plum trimmin's that looks beautiful, everything true and lined up. I haven't ran it to the range yet, but It's going Sunday. It was $600 otd. It really depends on what you want. Right now, the Sar is my go to. Ugly as hell, and shouldn't hit the side of a barn at 100 yards, but somehow it manages to keep them together. For a functional gun, get a WASR and try it out. For internet pretty pictures, go with an Aresenal. :)
 
The one you can't have?

In all seriousness, the discontinued VEPR that Robinson Arms had been importing is possibly the nicest all-around AK that has been sold here. The Norincos might be the runner up, and Saigas, including the SGL series, would round out the top three. Just my opinion.
 
What all is to be converted on the Saiga?
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Receiver has to be modified; the trigger is moved forward, among other things. I believe the mag well has to be modified for hi cap mags, too. This involves some welding and drilling, so is usually not recommended for the shade tree mechanics.

If you want a more authentic look, the gas block and front sight are changed out too.

ETA: Get a WASR. They're bargain basement, but actually pretty good.
 
While that WASR tune-up certainly would improve the rifle, most don't need that much work. Anyone mechanically inclined and with common sense can improve a WASR themselves. If you're buying one face to face just pick out the best one they've got.
 
"and for an extra $500, you can get a carburetor instead of fuel injection!"
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BS, Milled is more ridged. If your gonna go all the way might as well do it right. And the prices of the AK market right now mine as well.
 
BS, Milled is more ridged. If your gonna go all the way might as well do it right.
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More ridged? Like Ruffles? :) Actually most of the milled receivers I've seen are less ridged, like regular Lay's.

As for rigidity, who cares? The bolt locks into the trunion. If you want more rigidity, get something with the 1.6mm stamped receiver (RPK, VEPR, Yugos). The milled receiver turns a cheap, light and handy gun into an expensive, heavy and clumsy gun. Might as well have a 16" FAL if you're going that way. Or a VZ58, except that those are lighter than even a stamped AK (much lighter than a milled AK).

But I digress...
 
Receiver has to be modified; the trigger is moved forward, among other things. I believe the mag well has to be modified for hi cap mags, too. This involves some welding and drilling, so is usually not recommended for the shade tree mechanics.

If you want a more authentic look, the gas block and front sight are changed out too.

ETA: Get a WASR. They're bargain basement, but actually pretty good.
Click to expand...

Partially correct. To make a Saiga accept standard capacity com-bloc magazines, you must drill and tap the trunion and install a bullet guide. The whole kit for that is $26. Next, you must grind off the "interdiction tab" at the back of the magazine well, and grind off a little bit of the magazine release latch.

For a more traditional look, you can simply get an AK gas tube, and a bolt-on handguard retainer. That can be a little pricey. I modified the front of two of my Saigas for a "traditional" AK look and I wouldn't do it again. The Gas Tube is $40, the bolt on retainer is $85. Not to mention another $30 or so for handguards. So almost $150 for cosmetics alone. No functional improvment. The stock Saiga handguard is actually VERY comfortable.

I must also mention that the $85 bolt on retainer isn't the greatest product. Good idea, but very high price. It's not as sturdy as a standard retainer as it simply bolts on, and does not have the teeth or lever of a standard retainer.

So, if you're gonna convert a Saiga, and you're gonna mess with the front, go big or go home. Either leave it stock, or do the work of pressing off the FSB/GB for a real retainer.

There's also a nice TAPCO handguard, two now actually, both designed for Saiga rifles, one's $40 the other is ±$55. Much better value than bolt on parts from Dinzag on a budget.
 
To jump in on the milled AK conversation , Milled AK rifles are considered to be the best AK to own if you have the extra money. They will be a bit more accurate than the standard stamped units . All of this being said if you are just looking for a gun to shoot and want to save a few bucks the stamped rifles work just fine. If you ever have a chance to watch a slow motion film of AK's you will see they have slot of slop in their action and this decreases accuracy but increases the reliability. The Milled receiver adds a much more rigid platform less slop and a bit more accuracy similar to a bolt action rifle vs semi auto.
 
Here's the recent thread debating milled vs. stamped AKs:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=491357

I disagree with some of Atlantic Firearms' comments above; I do not consider most milled AKs (sold in the US) to be superior to the stamped models. If you want to get a $1200 Arsenal with a milled receiver, or a Norinco/Polytech milled imported here before the Chinese import ban, those would be good. I would not want the variety of milled models that are put together from used parts kits of unknown origin by discount shops here in the US.

(However, I have bought from Atlantic and find him a great person to do business with.)

If you really want a milled gun, I would look at an SKS, VZ58, or Mini-30.
 
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Quote:
Receiver has to be modified; the trigger is moved forward, among other things. I believe the mag well has to be modified for hi cap mags, too. This involves some welding and drilling, so is usually not recommended for the shade tree mechanics.

If you want a more authentic look, the gas block and front sight are changed out too.

ETA: Get a WASR. They're bargain basement, but actually pretty good.

Partially correct. To make a Saiga accept standard capacity com-bloc magazines, you must drill and tap the trunion and install a bullet guide. The whole kit for that is $26. Next, you must grind off the "interdiction tab" at the back of the magazine well, and grind off a little bit of the magazine release latch.

For a more traditional look, you can simply get an AK gas tube, and a bolt-on handguard retainer. That can be a little pricey. I modified the front of two of my Saigas for a "traditional" AK look and I wouldn't do it again. The Gas Tube is $40, the bolt on retainer is $85. Not to mention another $30 or so for handguards. So almost $150 for cosmetics alone. No functional improvment. The stock Saiga handguard is actually VERY comfortable.

I must also mention that the $85 bolt on retainer isn't the greatest product. Good idea, but very high price. It's not as sturdy as a standard retainer as it simply bolts on, and does not have the teeth or lever of a standard retainer.

So, if you're gonna convert a Saiga, and you're gonna mess with the front, go big or go home. Either leave it stock, or do the work of pressing off the FSB/GB for a real retainer.

There's also a nice TAPCO handguard, two now actually, both designed for Saiga rifles, one's $40 the other is ±$55. Much better value than bolt on parts from Dinzag on a budget.
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Hey Dark Knight, PM send with a question. :cool:
 
Atlantic Firearms said:
To jump in on the milled AK conversation , Milled AK rifles are considered to be the best AK to own if you have the extra money. They will be a bit more accurate than the standard stamped units . All of this being said if you are just looking for a gun to shoot and want to save a few bucks the stamped rifles work just fine. If you ever have a chance to watch a slow motion film of AK's you will see they have slot of slop in their action and this decreases accuracy but increases the reliability. The Milled receiver adds a much more rigid platform less slop and a bit more accuracy similar to a bolt action rifle vs semi auto.
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I'm sorry, but this is incorrect.



You guys should be wary of what is written by a salesman.

This is why "milled receivers are considered the best" when they were considered a stopgap measure in 1948 and dropped from production (by everyone but the Bulgarians) in 1959.

Arsenal, Inc has spent truckloads of money convincing the gullible American public that "milled receivers are DA SHIZZLE", when this is simply not the case.
 
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