Looking for feedback on the best AK for the buck

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Lennyjoe

Lennyjoe

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Am kicking myself in the rear now for selling my Mak-90 Sporter a couple of years ago and have been on an Ar building binge as of late, but I'm now wanting to get an AK for the collection. I have an AR in 7.62x39 but want a AK variant next.

So, other than a Romanian, what seems to be the best bang for the buck in regards to AK manufactures? I'm looking to stay under $800 for one.

Thanks.
 
Saiga, the real deal. I think they are still around $500 or less, +130 or so in parts to un-neuter it. Really fun to convert too.
 
Saiga or another MAK90.

BTW, Saigas are now going to be imported under the "Kalishnakov" brand name starting this year, if the PR is to believed. They haven't been imported in a year or two so a flood of cheap Russian AK's is on the horizon. I wouldn't pay top dollar for an AK right now, I'd wait it out.
 
I second the Saiga vote. Buying the sporter version and converting it yourself is very likely the most cost effective route to a good quality AK.
 
A Saiga is a great deal for a "real" Russian AK, but will come neutered and the fit and finish is nothing to brag about. The PAP Yugo AK's currently on the market are probably the best finished AK's since the Valmet and Norinco rifles stopped being imported. The only perceived downside is that the Yugo rifles aren't chrome lined. It really doesn't matter unless you don't clean it after shooting corrosive surplus ammo, which has all but disappeared from the market anyway.
 
Zhyla, could you explain a bit more on what you're talking about? And when this influx is supposed to happen? Thanks.

To the OP, I shot a Saiga AK74 and it was easily the best bang for the buck. I'd have to agree with the other posters.
 
How would you rate these in order?

Here is a good list of the lower priced Ak's I could find...
How would everyone rate these? I will stick with 7.62x39.

Yugoslav m70 Lo cap synthetic stock for $450
http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/paprifleblackpolygen210rdlocap

Saiga ak iz132 for $455. Would need to be converted.
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...saiga-ak-47-rifle-iz-132-detail.html?Itemid=0

Yugoslav m70 ab2-t under folder for $520
http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/yugom70ab2tunderfoldwmags

Yugoslav n-pap df under folder for $579
http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/zastavanpapdownfoldriflew-2mags762x39sa

Yugoslav m70 b1 fixed synthetic stock for $499
http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/m90b1akrifleblackpoly76239
 
Ive been buying and shooting AK's for about 16 years now. If I were going to lay down cash for a new one today, it would be one of these:
Arsenal Sam7r
Arsenal SLR107f
Zastava PAP (the one with the reinforced receiver at the front and wood stock)
Zastava m77 308 AK 20"
 
Zhyla, could you explain a bit more on what you're talking about? And when this influx is supposed to happen?
Click to expand...

Saigas always came in all at once every year, usually in about April IIRC. Every online shop - buds, centerfire, classicarms, etc. would all of a sudden have every model in stock. And the price of ones on GB would drop by $100. Last year the boat never came, or they were all swept up in the panic and nobody ever noticed.

I can't wait until the next shipment arrives.
 
Vepr Hi-cap conversion over at Atlantic Firearms. One is on my "to buy" list for this year. Have a Super Vepr in 308 and love it. Had a 7.62 X 54r Vepr but sold it last year to finance a Winchester Stainless Alaskan in 300 Win Mag.
 
I'd look into the Arsenal lineup of AK types. If getting stock Saiga it's not bad to leave it in factory configuration. You can convert them but why? They function just fine as is.
 
If getting stock Saiga it's not bad to leave it in factory configuration. You can convert them but why? They function just fine as is
Click to expand...

I disagree 100%.

Converting a Saiga back to the proper configuration improves ergonomics and trigger feel dramatically.

It will allow you to use most standard AK furniture and accessories. It will improve safety by allowing you to activate the manual safety without having to entirely remove your strong hand from the rifle. Also, installing a bullet guide and filing the mag catch will allow you to use less-expensive and more reliable AK mags.

Frankly, unless you live in a state that imposes unconstitutional restrictions on modern sporting rifles, I don't see why anyone would want to leave a Saiga in stock configuration. The conversion is inexpensive, easy, and fun to do. It only benefits the rifle, and there are no downsides.
 
for me, Id look for a Molot Vepr. heavy barrel, double reinforcement and 50% thicker receiver that combined with the V2 version might have the least amount of barrel whip of any AK that im aware of.

the only problem is most of the recent Vepr imports Iv seen are coming in have unfinished raw stocks....I miss the looks if their older slant cut receivers, the wood on some of those was beautiful
 
Fish bed, for hunting I prefer the stock Saiga. Pistol grips can cause wrist pain and limit how you can maneuver the weapon. Conversion is only for guys that really want an AK Instead of of a hunting gun. You can choose what you want for what you want, but there are several valid reasons for leaving a Saiga stock.
 
Not for a hunting gun. Have plenty of other rifles for that. Range use and another rifle available for survival in hazardous situations. Have several AR's, one in 7.62x39 and an SKS so another rifle in 762x39 would be nice. Have several thousand rounds of brown bear ammo in storage.
 
Lennyjoe said:
Am kicking myself in the rear now for selling my Mak-90 Sporter a couple of years ago and have been on an Ar building binge as of late, but I'm now wanting to get an AK for the collection. I have an AR in 7.62x39 but want a AK variant next.

So, other than a Romanian, what seems to be the best bang for the buck in regards to AK manufactures? I'm looking to stay under $800 for one.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
It depends what one finds out there. Typical sample is $600 AKMS-74 with original box plus according to salesman 1000 rounds of ammo. That appears to be good deal to me.
 
Fish bed, for hunting I prefer the stock Saiga. Pistol grips can cause wrist pain and limit how you can maneuver the weapon. Conversion is only for guys that really want an AK Instead of of a hunting gun. You can choose what you want for what you want, but there are several valid reasons for leaving a Saiga stock.
Click to expand...

The OP is asking about an AK for his collection, not a hunting gun.

Frankly, even for hunting a conversion is typically better due to the vast improvement in trigger feel and the ability to use more reliable AK mags.

"Wrist pain" is subjective at best. I've never encountered that with a pistol-gripped rifle, and find such rifles much easier to manipulate. YMMV of course.
 
You can convert them but why? They function just fine as is.
Click to expand...

Vastly better balance.

Vastly better ergonomics.

Vastly better trigger.

Those would be my primary reasons.
 
Had a guy set up to sell me a pre-ban Norinco AK47S and even sent him a payment only to get a call this morning that the rifle was stolen out of his truck along with a shotgun and his stereo equipment. This on the morning he was going to ship it to me. Good thing is he sent me back the payment so now I'm on the market for another one.

Anyone have any intel on this? M10 AK47 Hogue 7.62x39mm Rifle
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...m10-ak47-7-62x39mm-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0
 
Anyone have any intel on this? M10 AK47 Hogue 7.62x39mm Rifle
Click to expand...

I have one. Its a Romanian, but its built pretty well. Cold hammer forged, chrome lined barrel/chamber. Unlike the Century WASR rifles, these are imported from Romania as a complete rifle, not built here. Its a step above Century made rifles, but surely a step below Arsenal or Waffen Werks. First thing I did was ditch the crappy UTG rail for a real handguard and slapped a wood stock on it.
 
I had a very good experience with a Romanian SAR-1 in 7.62x39mm, which is one of the most authentic civilian AKM variants out there. I have heard good things about Saigas as well, but be sure to factor in the cost of the 922(r) compliance parts (and conversion labor, if applicable) if you want to end up with a rifle configured like an AKM.

SAR-1 with Russian Kobra optic and 20-round Hungarian magazine:

attachment.php
 
Well... there are lots to choose from at least.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/ak-47-74-rifles/ak-47-rifles.html

Right now I'm kind of put off on AK's by the high prices. Of what I've owned, I've found the Arsenal and VEPR's to be great rifles, others perhaps less so. For the prices AK's are bringing these days, if I were going buy one, I'd just get the $1K up and buy a good one from Arsenal. They may be $100 more than they used to be, but the Romanians are priced at twice what they used to be. For the quality versus price, I'd take the Arsenal or a Vepr.
 
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