AK decision, please help

[Will Learn]

I've been doing some research on AK's and came up with this; Saiga-$230(classic arms)+ AKUSA conversion( http://www.ak-103.com/services.html )$400-$600=$630-$830+shipping(quoted this morning).I have heard great things about Saiga's accuracy and quality. Vector arms(Hungarian/polish made) has stamped AK's for around $500 http://www.vectorarms.com/indexframe.html . The last place I looked at is http://www.classicarms.us/ and they have Yugo m70 under folders for $440, don't know much else about them except that they're from Century. I'm leaning to the Saiga conversion but it is over budget and will take longer to put together. I don't know to much about vector arms or the Yugo's and was wondering what you all thought.

 

[Correia]

We do Saiga conversions also, by Tromix.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

The Saiga conversions and the Arsenal Incs are top of the line. If you want a quality rifle, that would be the way to go. If you just want something to get you in the Kalashnikov game, and don't really care as much about fit and finish, just about any of those you mentioned will do.

The Vectors are supposed to be a good middle of the road rifle, but I have no experience with them. If the Yugos build their AKs like they build their SKSs, then it is a solid rifle--but you must remember that the Yugos lack chrome lining in the bores. You can also get a Romanian WASR for a little over $300. For about $150 you can fix anything that could possibly be wrong with it, but you may have to get your hands dirty. Some of them are coming with TAPCO G2 trigger groups. If not, you can add one for about $70 complete with the detent plate. And I think the Mojo ghost ring rear should be standard. That is another $40 or so. Those are the two main things, IMO. The WASRs are usually decent rifles--a little rough, but nothing a little elbow grease can't fix.

But if I were you I would go with the Saiga conversion, or if you didn't want to wait as long for a good rifle, the Arsenal.

 

[Will Learn]

I think I've narrowed it down to the Saiga conversion, Arsenal, or the Vector. The Saiga conversion from AKUSA seems top notch but with all the options the price is starting to get a little out of control: Saiga rifle-$250, AKUSA conversion(pistol grip, ak mag conv, trigger,new furniture)- $400-500, refinish-$300. This leaves me with a $950-$1050 price tag. I was looking at Arsenal but their website says that a lot of their models are out of stock are they Russian or US made? Another company is Krebs Custom but I'm not sure how they compare. I already have a WASR-10 and am looking for something a little fancier but would like to keep under $800. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Roadkill]

I've got a Mod70. Excellent gun. I was also skeptical about the century receiver and never would have bought one without seeing and handling it. I got it on impulse, figured if I didn't like it I could always send it on down the line. Am very impressed with it. Great shooter.

rk

 

[MechAg94]

http://www.fbmginc.com/index.php?pa...ufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

As Correia said, FBMG sells Saigas conversions by Tromix. Listed at $615 total. I can't remember if there have been any testimonials on this site or not.

If you can find a Vepr aftermarket, they are very good rifles as well. Personally, the Vector is likely as low as I would go if I did it again.

 

[Eightball]

Saiga's are nifty, but I've heard Arsenal is among the best. Better than my Saiga .308 or WASR, I'd bet (but man, I love my Saiga ).

For your price comparison--Saiga .308 ran me about $400, the surplus PSOP 8x42 on top ran me $200 (i need pictures of this thing), my WASR ran me $380--with four mags, all accessories, and it's a screw-in threading with a birdcage flash hider--pretty nifty. Dunno about availability in your area, or commonality of x39--around here,it's hard to get.

But I've heard that Saiga conversions rock.

 

[Will Learn]

Just had a friend recommend another rifle ( http://www.globaltrades.com/ssr-85c1.html ) from Global Trade. Anyone heard of these things?

 

[GigaBuist]

I was looking at Arsenal but their website says that a lot of their models are out of stock are they Russian or US made?

They're a US rifle, but I believe the receivers are made in Bulgaria. They're milled, not stamped, so they'll be a bit heavier and IIRC not entirely compatible with parts intended for a stamped receiver.

I could be wrong, though. I haven't brushed up on this stuff in about a year I think.

 

[American By Blood]

I own a Global Trades/Armory USA SSR-85 C2. I wouldn't trade it for any other 7.62x39 AK. 1.6mm thick receiver, milspec barrel, beautiful fit and finish, a few bucks less than an Arsenal USA equivalent, etc. Global Trades sells top-notch rifles. They're light years beyond the Rumanian weapons, more durable than the Vectors, and (from what I've seen) even better built than the more expensive Arsenal USA guns. Get one and you'll never regret it.

However, if I were looking for an AK in 7.62 NATO I'd send Correia a PM about a Tromix Saiga conversion. You know he's selling 20 round mags for those babies, right?

 

[KaceCoyote]

Arsenal makes both milled and stamped rifles.




Snag a Tromix, high quality low price. Not that you should support your fellow THR member or anything.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

After my personal experience and research, I would definitely say a Tromix represents the best value in that price range, if not completely. That's a lot of rifle for $615.

 

[Kymasabe]

Go with Armory USA at Global Trades

I too own an SSR-85C2 from Armory USA in Houston...the company who's website is www.globaltrades.com and they are great guns. My local dealer had Saiga's, and Romanian AK, some Yugo underfolders and a few other used ones but the Armory USA/Global Trades AK was so much better than the others. Excellent fit and finish, parkerized, chrome lined barrel, 1.6mm receiver, heat treated and then CNC machined (instead of drilled, bent, then heat treated like others...which results in sloppy production and things that don't line up right). I paid just over $500 and it's a great gun.

 

[chrisslamar]

my 2 cents

Will Learn mentioned Krebs Customs, and I just have to say they are one of the best AKs that I've fired. I'm partly bias because my friend works as a gunsmith for them.

 

[Will Learn]

I looked at Krebs website( http://www.krebscustom.com/ ) and was pretty impressed. Can you get any deals Chris(hehe)? IF I could find a go deal on a KREB I would probably snag it up. If I go with the Saiga conversion it will be either through Tromix or AKUSA. I don't know much about either companies or what is involved with the process. My friend had a AK-105 built from a Saiga by AKUSA and highly recommends them. I know the Tromix conversion is cheaper priced at a base of $350 while the AKUSA runs around $400-$500. I'm pretty sure that AKUSA rifles are made after the AK-100-5 series. I'm wondering what is done differently by these two companies to make the difference in price? Thanks for the help yall.

 

[Will Learn]

Well I went with the Saiga and shipped out today to Chris Butler (AK-USA) for a conversion. I'm going to get it converted to an AK-103 and will post range report and pics (if I can figure out how) when I get it back. Now all I have to do is find a good deal on 7.62x39 before it gets back .

 

[Gary G23]

http://www.arsenalinc.com/

 

[1 old 0311]

www.dpharms.com still has a few Yugo folders, the M70AB2, for less that $480.00. THAT is a deal.

 

[AVP]

Global Trades

Yesterday I picked up a new Global trades SSE-85C2 more or less on impulse. I'm very well impressed by it, the trigger is excellent and general quality seems good. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, maybe tomorrow. I paid $530 but I'm sure they can be bought for less, probably under about $480.

 

[AK103K]

Krebs AK103K.