AK-47

[irishpunk]

Greetings all;
I realize that by asking this question, I may be opening up a huge can of worms...so here goes. In the very near future I'm going to being buying an AK-47. The problem is...I don't know much about them, at least those that are on the market for civilian use. I have handled and fired full auto AK's when I served in the military 30 years ago, so I'm aware of the fact that they are great rifles. It seems that there are a lot of options out there, and I just want a good, reliable AK. My budget is 800.00 to 1000.00 dollars. Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Take care all, and God Bless.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Moved from General Discussion to Rifle Country

 

[Ro1911]

I'd look at the Serbian pap rifles, they are cheap and available, if you want to spend $1000 arsenal and rifle dynamics are top of the line, I would tell you to try and get an arsenal I had one and loved it. They can be pricy though anywhere from $800-$1500 depending on what it is.

 

[gunnutery]

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/

There are some varied prices from Atlantic Firearms. I see they've got some from $500-$1000 on the front page.

 

[jehu]

Chinese preban are the best IMO, or Arsenal of LV assembles a good one.

 

[ifit]

good reliable AK, i would highly consider the current cugir built romanian AKs. check out jg sales price range form $499-549, different options. example the $499 gets you the rifle and your choice of a 75round drum mag, or 6 korean steel 30 round mags, and last..7 tapco 30 round mags. built at the cugir factory chrome lined barrel(easy cleaning). $800-1000 your budget, you can spend the rest on some ammo and other accessories if you please to do so. may not be the prettiest compared to other ak variants but i guarantee it wil run side by side any other ak47 out there on the market costing twice as much

 

[Fishbed77]

For a $1000 budget, it would be almost impossible to beat an Arsenal SLR-107.

At lower price points, the converted Saigas and OPAPs and NPAPs are great rifles. It just depends on what features you want.

 

[wally]

It just depends on what features you want.

Its an AK, the only real feature it has is TEOTWAWKI ruggedness and reliability. Add much "quality" to it and it'll be just another pretty rifle.

When I think $1000+ AK I think sow's ear --> silk purse.

If you want one, buy one for what it really is supposed to be, not for what might look good in a gun magazine photo.

 

[js8588]

Hi-cap converted Vepr fot $800 at Atlantic Firearms if you prefer stamped.

Century Centurion for $600 if you want milled and are ok with non-chromed barrel.

$1k for a milled Arsenal with chromed barrel

 

[Fishbed77]

Its an AK, the only real feature it has is TEOTWAWKI ruggedness and reliability. Add much "quality" to it and it'll be just another pretty rifle.

Not really.

There are plenty of other features that define the numerous AK variants - chrome-lined versus non-lined barrels, barrel profiles, stock types and sizes, stamped versus milled receivers, muzzle devices, etc., etc. They all have their pros & cons.

I recommend the SLR-107 at the $1000 price point because of the chrome-lined barrel, very desirable polymer side-folding stock (with other options available), lightweight stamped receiver, and 74-style front sight assembly and brake.

The Saigas are true Russian Izhmash-made AKs with high-quality hammer-forged chrome-lined military barrels and lightweight stamped receivers that are nearly identical to the Russian military recievers. They come into this country in "sporting" configuration, but you can make them as close to semi-auto military-style AK-100-series rifles as you like - it's all a matter of your tastes and how much money you wish to spend.

The Zastava-made OPAPs and NPAPs are well-finished rifles from a factory renowned for making quality AKs. They lack a chrome-lined barrel, and do not share complete parts compatibility with most AKs, but they are still highly regarded and come in at a very attractive price point.

It's also quite possible to get any number of US-built AKs made from parts kits with US receivers and barrels that are neither reliable nor rugged. And many that are. I made those recommendations above based on the fact that with those rifles are made on assembly lines that make military AKs, so you have a better chance of knowing what you are getting.

 

[yzguy87]

If I was in your shoes I would be looking for a an Egyptian Maadi built on a NoDak Spud receiver by a reputable smith.

 

[theshephard]

Don't forget the stamp

Don't forget to budget for that ATF stamp if it's going to be a full auto.

 

[plouffedaddy]

For a $1000 budget, it would be almost impossible to beat an Arsenal SLR-107.

At lower price points, the converted Saigas and OPAPs and NPAPs are great rifles. It just depends on what features you want.

Add properly inspected WASR 10 and 10/63 to this and the thread's over


OP---with any AK variant out there you want to inspect it prior to purchasing (or signing for it at the gun shop if ordered online). Here's a quick guide I made about inspecting WASRs but it applies to all AK variants:

 

[zoom6zoom]

His budget would have to be in the 16-25K range for full auto., so I think we can rule that out.

Of the currently commercially available models,. the VEPR rifles stand out IMO. I own two of them. They're built in the same Russian factory that builds the real deal, and the fit and finish are tops.

 

[Comrade Mike]

I'd go with a Saiga conversion if I were you. There's nothing arsenal does that you can't do at a lower price point.

The Arsenal doesn't make the rifle, the Saiga name does.

 

[HexHead]

AKs made sense when they were $250-500 rifles. They stop making sense when you're spending AR money for one. I've had two AKs, a 47 and a 74, and no way I'd spend "AR money" on one when you can get an S&W M&P 15 in the $600 range. There's plenty of good ARs in the <$1000 range.

 

[ifit]

Hex head, keep it on topic......the op is asking about ak47s

 

[wally]

AKs made sense when they were $250-500 rifles. They stop making sense when you're spending AR money for one. I've had two AKs, a 47 and a 74, and no way I'd spend "AR money" on one when you can get an S&W M&P 15 in the $600 range.

Wsar, N-Pap and O-Pap still fill the bill. Just read and head the link posted above to reject the Century hack jobs. As also said above if you can find Cugir made WSAR you are good to go.

AKs more priced than ARs just ain't right -- I love my AKs for what they are -- as close to idiot proof as a gun can be!

 

[Fishbed77]

I'd go with a Saiga conversion if I were you. There's nothing arsenal does that you can't do at a lower price point.

The Arsenal doesn't make the rifle, the Saiga name does.

This was true until recently.

I'm not sure if Arsenal or Fime group is even selling new Russian Saiga-based rifles anymore (please correct me if I am wrong, but I no longer see them in stock anywhere).

That combined with the higher prices of unconverted Saigas means it would be very difficult to fully convert a Saiga to the standard of an SGL 21-94 or a (Bulgarian) SLR-107 for less money. Especially if you want to have the folding polymer stocks and full front-end conversion of those rifles.

 

[shootr]

I was exactly where you are a month ago or so ago. I did my homework and bought an 0-PAP. Totally pleased. Well-made, solid, and a real good shooter.

 

[dvdcrr]

Arsenal built their name and deservedly so, with the milled bulgarians. I bought my first one well over a decade ago, having never fired an ar-15. At the range a fellow had bushmaster dcm competition rifle. We swapped for a few minutes. I couldnt have been happier to get my rifle back and he his. To each their own.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Are you handy in the shop (like you can hold a file or hammer without hurting yourself)? An Izmash Saiga will be as true to the design as you can get. Plus they are fun to convert back to true AK form.

 

[Jackal]

Thats the funny thing about AK's. The difference between a $600 AK and a $1200 AK is a slight difference in fit/finish and little perceivable performance boost. I currently have a Cugir made M&M M10 AK and it has been completely 100% reliable so far (about 600rds in) without any cleaning whatsoever. Not 1 single malfunction yet. It has a few sharp edges here and there, but I'll take 10 minutes and a stone to break them instead of shelling out another $400-$600 over what I paid for a "high end" AK.

Bottom line: Whether you spend $600 or $1000-$1200, your getting the same rifle (provided you pay attention to parts specs).

 

[wally]

Are you handy in the shop (like you can hold a file or hammer without hurting yourself)? An Izmash Saiga will be as true to the design as you can get. Plus they are fun to convert back to true AK form.

You do need to be able to run a drill without hurting yourself

With the current prices on unconverted Saiga and the current political situation making further imports questionable, I think that ship has sailed. But if you can find a "deal" on one, I'd agree its a very good option.

 

[wojownik]

As was mentioned before, the Arsenal 107 is a fine rifle, and within the budgetary range. Also take a look at the Russian BAK and BAX models from Atlantic Firearms - these are converted Izhmash rifles.

Atlantic also has a few Polish builds that are pretty interesting, but I'm not sure who did the build.

The Czech VZ.58 is also a reasonable deal (40% less than the above), though it is not a "pure" AK platform.