AK Help needed, lets hear from AK owners and experts.

[RGBydand]

OK, I know this thread has probably been started a million times, but I can't seem to find any answers that satisfy. I'm in the market for an AK, and I've got a few questions. I'm probably not going to spend the money on a forged reciever gun. I'd probably jump to an AR for those prices. Also, I'm fully aware of the limitations on accuracy the AK has. When I use the term accurate, I'm not referring to AR or bolt-action accuracy, just acceptable or better AK accuracy. I'm leaning towards the 7.62 (penetration power & cheaper ammo) rather than the 5.45, but would like to hear opinions on both as far as which is more accurate. Let me also say I've been looking around, I've been to Atlantic's, Classic Arms', and other website's out there. I won't be in the market for a .223 AK, or a new Saiga 'AK type' rifle. I probably won't be going with the bottom of the barrel 300 buck jobs out there, and want to keep it around or under $600 (since bottom end ARs start there, and yes I know they're apples and oranges). So my questions are below. Anyone with a return salvo?

1.) Are the 1.6mm recievers really more accurate than 1mm guns due to less reciever flex during fire?

2.)Are the Yugo (1mm?) M70s with the RPK style reinforced trunion equal in strength and accuracy to a 1.6mm non reinforced reciever?

3.)Are all the chromed barreled guns out there the 'shot out' or corroded commie junk, or is anyone making (here in the U.S.?)or installing new or newer clean chromed barrels?

4.)Is the accuracy on the non-chromed barrels really that bad comparitively?

5.)I read somewhere BATFE stopped the importation of barrels and kits, is this true?

6.)I read some folks that dump on Romanian, I read some dump on Yugo. Are all of these just put together with bad parts kits, and shoddy workmanship?

7.)Is anyone making good affordable AKs from Romanian or Yugoslavian kits.

8.)If you go with 'name brand' recievers, who is good? Nodak/Spuds? Armory USA? DCI/NDS?

9.)If the ad doesnt say 'heat treated' for the reciever should we assume not?

10.)What effect DOES the heat treating have on the accuracy, flex and durability?

11.)What finishes are out there and who is making/applying a finish that wont scratch off with the first mishap, or range day?

12.)What personal experience have you had with Lancaster, Century, or other builders as far as accuracy, finish quality, etc. etc. ?

 

[nalioth]

1.) Are the 1.6mm recievers really more accurate than 1mm guns due to less reciever flex during fire?
No, it's perceived to be more accurate because the receiver weighs more. More weight = less felt recoil. On all AKs, the bolt is locked to the barrel at the moment of firing, so receiver thickness isn't an issue.

2.)Are the Yugo (1mm?) M70s with the RPK style reinforced trunion equal in strength and accuracy to a 1.6mm non reinforced reciever?
See above.

3.)Are all the chromed barreled guns out there the 'shot out' or corroded commie junk, or is anyone making (here in the U.S.?)or installing new or newer clean chromed barrels?
Century has contracted with Green Mountain to provide barrels for their kit builds. Depending on the country of origin for the kit you buy, you may get an excellent to unused barrel. For example, most of the Romanian G kits that are here came from unissued rifles. Most Polish AKMS kits were carried little and shot even less by the Polish troops.
The Yugo AKs were issued to untrained conscripts and their barrels were not chrome lined. The combination speaks for itself.

4.)Is the accuracy on the non-chromed barrels really that bad comparitively?
For a battle rifle, the accuracy will be about the same between two new/good condition barrels of each type.

5.)I read somewhere BATFE stopped the importation of barrels and kits, is this true?
They stopped the importation of barrels last year. Kits are still being imported w/o them.

6.)I read some folks that dump on Romanian, I read some dump on Yugo. Are all of these just put together with bad parts kits, and shoddy workmanship?
The Romanians are in need of hard currency and are dumping all that they can to get it. The romanian kits are the most imported, and when you have a lot of something, it's "cheap" in more ways than one. There is nothing functionally wrong with the Romanian kits (see above), just that they exist here in mass numbers. The Yugos have shown up here with beautiful barrels, but quite a few made it here with corroded / shot-out ones (see above)

7.)Is anyone making good affordable AKs from Romanian or Yugoslavian kits.
Century Arms makes affordable kit guns available. Other folks offer kit guns at a higher cost.

8.)If you go with 'name brand' recievers, who is good? Nodak/Spuds? Armory USA? DCI/NDS?
DCI/NDS is the same as Nodak Spud. Those are the best receivers, imho. Armory USA is no longer in business, and nobody has seen the quality of the receivers put out by the new owner(s)

9.)If the ad doesnt say 'heat treated' for the reciever should we assume not?
I don't assume anything. All Nodak Spud / DCI receivers are heat treated during manufacture. Other manufacturers of 100% receivers do this, also (but not all do).

10.)What effect DOES the heat treating have on the accuracy, flex and durability?
It has no effect on accuracy or flex, but if it's not heat treated properly, your pivot holes can start to egg out over time.

11.)What finishes are out there and who is making/applying a finish that wont scratch off with the first mishap, or range day?
Parkerizing is an old favorite. "Paint over park" is a 100% solution for a durable long-lasting finish. By "paint", I mean Duracoat, GunKote, or any other 'durable gun finish' (or hey, just regular spray-on BBQ paint). The parkerizing will soak it up and you'll nave a durable finish.

12.)What personal experience have you had with Lancaster, Century, or other builders as far as accuracy, finish quality, etc. etc. ?

I build my own. I've seen some Century models and they appear functional. I'm not a "looks" guy, rather I prefer function. I also don't see paying extra money for an AK because it came from "country X" or "builder Y". None of 'em were made in "country X", all were rebuilt here. If you start off with a military AK kit, you'll have a good rifle after it's built.

Accuracy is up to the shooter, not the manufacturer, in most cases.

 

[RGBydand]

EXCELLENT answers!! This is EXACTLY the kind of response I was looking for. Thank you very much nalioth. Anyone else have 2 pennies (or 12)?

 

[nalioth]

I was gonna add that you don't need a builder to build your AK. Just find yourself a parts kit, gather your 922r parts and find a build party in your area.

They are easy to put together.

 

[stubbicatt]

I think if I were to buy a rifle today, I would buy one of Lancaster's Polish AKMs or underfolders. Either is a great kit built by guys supervised by a Polish armorer. They are truly beautiful rifles to see, and shoot exceedingly well.

But that's what I would do.

YMMV.