A few questions about getting an AK

[GrandMoffBrandon]

I’m seriously considering buying an AK. I’ve always wanted one and I’m tired of waiting. I have a few questions. I tried the search but with hundreds of pages of results, I didn’t really find what I was looking for. I’m sure it is there, so forgive me if these questions have been asked a million times.

1. Do I have to have a special permit or anything? Someone told me that I need some kind of special permit/license to buy/own one.

2. What kind of cost I am looking at in terms of ammo?

3. What kind of prices I am looking at? At my nearest gun shop, there was an AK for $249.99 and the rest were from $300 - $600.

4. I know there are different “kinds” of AKs out there, so which should I consider?

 

[Bartkowski]

$250 for an AK is a great price, even for a wasr-10. You don't need any permits unless you mean a real AK.

Ammo is about $.18 a round for wolf.

 

[nalioth]

1) Depends on what kind of AK. For a full auto specimen, you'll need a few fair bits of paperwork. For a regular ol' WASR-10 or Arsenal, it's up to your state laws ( I don't think Indiana restricts you ).

2) Depends on how much you shoot.

3) $249!?!? WHOA. Have a close look at it and see if it only takes skinny-necked 10 round magazines. If it does, it'll need about $100 more in parts and some labor to get it up with the rest of the playing field.

4) The "kind" you like best, of course.

 

[357fan]

For your run of the mill gunshop AK you shouldn't need any special paperwork. Unless you're into home gunsmithing, make sure it already takes regular 30 round ak mags.

Make sure to check for canted front sights. Just google the term.

Finally, enjoy it.

 

[GrandMoffBrandon]

You don't need any permits unless you mean a real AK.

For a full auto specimen, you'll need a few fair bits of paperwork.

Right now, I'm just looking to get a run of the mill AK that many gun shops carry. But just out of curiosity, should I ever want to get a real, full auto AK, what kind of paperwork and other requirements am I looking at?

 

[nalioth]

But just out of curiosity, should I ever want to get a real, full auto AK, what kind of paperwork and other requirements am I looking at?

Well, you're gonna need at least $10,000 for the gun itself.

Then you're gonna need $200 for the tax to own it.

Then the hard part is filling out all the paperwork and dealing with the Sheriff or lawyers to get it filled out properly. After that, you'll send it off to Washington for the revenuers to play with and a few months later, maybe you'll have it back.

 

[GrandMoffBrandon]

Well, you're gonna need at least $10,000 for the gun itself.

You know, on second thought, I'm happy with an AK clone.

 

[rob_s]

That $250 price also seems fishy to me. But, it could be that it's a used gun, I guess.

I think even the WASR-10s are selling in the $450 range these days. If you find one, check that the magazine doesn't wobble excessively in the magwell and check to make sure the sights are on straight (yes, really).

If you have a dealer willing to do transfers, you may want to order one of these as they have already been checked for the above.

 

[El Tejon]

1. Do I have to have a special permit or anything? Someone told me that I need some kind of special permit/license to buy/own one.

2. What kind of cost I am looking at in terms of ammo?

3. What kind of prices I am looking at? At my nearest gun shop, there was an AK for $249.99 and the rest were from $300 - $600.

4. I know there are different “kinds” of AKs out there, so which should I consider?

1. If you are referencing a Title I weapon, then no. Maybe the "someone" was talking about a Title II (fully automatic) weapon? The "special permit" is a Form 4 for your $200 NFA tax stamp.

2. Under $.20 a round, although you can do much better if you look around.

3. Last AK I purchased was an AK-74 for $200. Keep your eyes open and put in work.

4. It's your first AK, a learner AK, go cheap and buy lots of mags and ammo.

 

[dglockster]

GrandMoffBrandon,

Because you have had so little experience with the AK-style rifle, I recommend that you visit the two URLs below. They will take you to posts that discuss what to look for when buying an AK style rifle. Both posts are by the same author and are a part 1/part 2 format.

Part 1: http://www.gunchat.net/chat/viewtopic.php?t=3086

Part 2: http://www.gunchat.net/chat/viewtopic.php?t=6382

Then go to http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml for some excellent tutorials on the AK rifle that are listed on the left of the page. The site is primarily for Romanian AK rifles but the principals discussed and illustrated apply to nearly all AK makes.

After reading the information in these three sites, you will know what to look for when you examine the AK of your choice.

 

[RP88]

1. Do I have to have a special permit or anything? Someone told me that I need some kind of special permit/license to buy/own one.

two forms of ID with a matching name/address, a form that verifies your citizenship to the US, and passing the NCIS check if you buy from a dealer. Since you're in Indiana, that is all you have to worry about. Unless, of course, it's full-auto...in which case you'll need to go through ATF

2. What kind of cost I am looking at in terms of ammo?

~.20 for Wolf and other steel case surplus. That comes out to about 200 bucks for thousand-round bulk packs. Commercial brass stuff is ridiculously expensive.

3. What kind of prices I am looking at? At my nearest gun shop, there was an AK for $249.99 and the rest were from $300 - $600.

that may have been an old post-ban WASR or something. Those can only take ten-round mags unless you widen the magwell.

price break-down:
WASR - $350-450 for hi-cap ones
Yugoslavian M70s - $530-580
Crappy Bulgarians (SSRs that are known to fall apart or be internally rusted) - $600
vector and Lancaster builds - $580-620
converted Saiga - $500-800, depending on how you wish to build it. Easily the best for the money in terms of AKs
good Bulgarians (Arsenal SLR, etc.) - $950-1400

4. I know there are different “kinds” of AKs out there, so which should I consider?

A WASR is a good basic/entry AK. Your best bet for budgeting is gonna be to buy a Saiga rifle and convert it into an AK yourself. WASRs are your true old commie-style AKs, and work well, but a converted Saiga is like getting a $1000-quality AK for only $500.

 

[rob_s]

I'm curious, how do you categorize "crappy" Bulgarians vs. " good"?

 

[nalioth]

I'm curious, how do you categorize "crappy" Bulgarians vs. " good"?

There is a Bulgarian rifle sold here under the name of "SSR-85". This name is used to fool you into thinking it's from Armory USA ( no longer in business ).

These are made from Arsenal of Bulgarias leftovers and 2nds (think WASR - Bulgarian style), and some have been found to be very lacking in quality.

 

[GrandMoffBrandon]

A few more questions. Are there any full auto AK clones available? What would their price range be and would the same steps apply getting one that applies to a real AK?

 

[Deus Machina]

If it's select-fire, it's technically a proper AK, unless you count the fact that it's not Russian.

It might go for less than a Russian AK, but you're still looking at $10k+, plus taxes, plus paperwork and background checks for the license. Same steps apply.

Most of the cost isn't because it's an AK, it's because it's notoriously difficult to find for sale, legally acquire, use, and sell anything with a happy switch.

 

[blkbrd666]

The $250 gun may be an AKM .22LR.

 

[nalioth]

Edit: It is possible to get a kit of the parts from imported and de-militarized pieces that made them run full auto. It would be a lot cheaper to buy the kit and pay for the smithing to convert a WASR to select-fire than buy an authentic military piece. But you do still have to pay the taxes and do the paperwork.

It is impossible to do this.

The machine gun registry closed in 1986 and no new machine guns can be made for civilian purchase.

 

[crushbup]

Keep in mind that very few AKs at all made it in country before 1986, as the Cold War was still going on. Also keep in mind that any MG imported after 1968 can only be a dealer sample because of the GCA. As a result there are very few transferable full auto AKs. There are some war bring backs, and likely some converted Norincos or something, bt very few in general.

You are unlikely to find someone willing to sell one, and if you do you will be looking at well over 10 grand. Probably 15-20k.

To reiterate what was said by nalioth:
The machine gun registry is closed. In all likelihood, barring a miraculous Heller-based lawsuit, it will never be open again. You cannot build your own.

NFA items are very much pay to play, and some find that the initial novelty wears off quickly and it seems more as a waste of ammo. You may be best off renting a F/A AK at a range, going through a few mags, then going back to your semi AK.

 

[Deus Machina]

It is impossible to do this.

The machine gun registry closed in 1986 and no new machine guns can be made for civilian purchase.

Then I stand corrected.

Don't do that, then. Bad juju.

 

[marktx]

That $250 price also seems fishy to me. But, it could be that it's a used gun, I guess.

I bought a nice used Egyptian Maadi AK about six months ago for $250. It's not quite as nice as my new Yugo AK but it's a lot better than the WASRs. Same thing goes with SKS', bought a couple lightly used Russians for a lot less than the Yugo I bought. I think there are a lot of bargains out there if you look around.