AK help please!

[bigdipper]

I know i am getting an ak. I had another thread that helped me figure a bunch out now im looking at 4 that i like but i would like some input on these 4. Any input is apreciated

1: http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...M70AB2T+Underfolding+7.62x39+Rifle&groupid=11

2: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct1250.aspx

3: http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/yugo-m70-ab2-rifle

4: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct765.aspx

I really like the yougo underfolders but the others have good features and the sigas are suppose to be great so im torn.
P.s. id like to keep it around 600 and large priority is the interchangability of mags and parts

 

[TurtlePhish]

Unless you have a serious need for compactness, underfolders are useless for everything except aesthetics. Uncomfortable, wobbly, no cheekweld. Get the Саига (Saiga sorry, couldn't resist). You won't regret it.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Unless you have a serious need for compactness, underfolders are useless for everything except aesthetics. Uncomfortable, wobbly, no cheekweld. Get the Саига (Saiga sorry, couldn't resist). You won't regret it.

I concur. Of those you've showed interest in, better to get an AKM from THE source.

 

[bigdipper]

ok that makes allot of sense about the underfolder didnt even think of that so ill go for a normal stock then and take the other 2 off my wishlist. thats good im down to two allready

 

[gatorjames85]

large priority is the interchangability of mags and parts

Not all parts are going to be interchangeable on that Saiga conversion unless you do a little home gunsmithing.

 

[Okiegunner]

The M70 states, "a new chrome-moly (non chrome lined barrell). OK, non chrome lined, so what is a chrome moly barrell?

 

[gatorjames85]

so what is a chrome moly barrell?

It is a barrel with steel that has some amount of chrome and molybdenum in it. It is not chrome lined or stainless. It seems that manufacturers/vendors sometimes mention it in an effort to confuse buyers looking for chrome lining.

 

[Okiegunner]

Thanks

Yes, I can see how that would do a very good job of confusing people.

 

[Deus Machina]

I doubt it's just to confuse people. It's just to differentiate from the other available steels.
Carbon steels tend to be harder but not as resilient. Chrome-moly steel is tough stuff, and not quite as prone to rust as many others. It's not chrome-lined and it's far from stainless, but take care of it and it will do just fine.

If I had a choice, I'd stick with chrome-lined or stainless, though, just as a maintenance thing.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I doubt it's just to confuse people. It's just to differentiate from the other available steels.
Carbon steels tend to be harder but not as resilient. Chrome-moly steel is tough stuff, and not quite as prone to rust as many others. It's not chrome-lined and it's far from stainless, but take care of it and it will do just fine.

If I had a choice, I'd stick with chrome-lined or stainless, though, just as a maintenance thing.

Yup. Chrome for when I'm lazy, stainless for when I want a decent group.

 

[Okiegunner]

So you are stating that the next best thing to chrome-lined is stainless? With Chrome-moly being third best?

I am asking these questions because I really do not know. I had never heard of chrome-moly before. (maybe I just did not pay attention to it)

So cold-forged and hamered stainless is a pretty decent barrell, just not as good as CL.

OP, sorry, not trying to hijack the thread. However I am guessing that you too find this barrell thing interesting, especially as to how it relates to your purchase.

 

[bigdipper]

will standard ak mags fit in the saiga

 

[meanmrmustard]

So you are stating that the next best thing to chrome-lined is stainless? With Chrome-moly being third best?

I am asking these questions because I really do not know. I had never heard of chrome-moly before. (maybe I just did not pay attention to it)

So cold-forged and hamered stainless is a pretty decent barrell, just not as good as CL.

OP, sorry, not trying to hijack the thread. However I am guessing that you too find this barrell thing interesting, especially as to how it relates to your purchase.

I state nothing. I opine that I prefer certain heat treating and hardening processes to others. I find chrome lined barrels easy to clean. I observe stainless barrels accuracy potential to be greater than that of CL. I prefer, overall, melonite. But, as far as I know, no melonite treated AKM barrels. In this regard, CL.

 

[bigdipper]

dont mind the thread jacking at all... its about guns especially one i want so theres not a thing wrong with it

 

[meanmrmustard]

will standard ak mags fit in the saiga

Not without modification, unless it has already been done.

 

[gatorjames85]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigdipper View Post
will standard ak mags fit in the saiga
Not without modification, unless it has already been done.

I think the one he is looking at has been converted to take standard AK mags.

 

[spazzymcgee]

My romanian AK was really nice. You won't hear that much, but it was solid, and was a good range gun. Unfortunately, it made me realize that I wasn't an AK guy. The saigas are great, but you mentioned parts availability, and that Romanian WASR is the. Best in that area.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I think the one he is looking at has been converted to take standard AK mags.

Then I'd be on that like a duck on a junebug!

 

[Scott Farkus]

I may be mistaken, but I think your item #4 from Atlantic is a WASR-10. If so, Classic Firearms has these now for $499 (dang, that's $50 more than I paid for mine 3-4 months ago). http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/romanian-ak-7-62-x-39

Unless you really want the bayonet for some reason, Classic has a package that includes a soft case and three polymer mags for an extra $50. http://www.classicfirearms.com/accessories/shooters-package-ak-40-length-case-and-two-30rd-mags

The bayonet used to be included with that package, but apparently it's not anymore. Now it's an $18 separate item. http://www.classicfirearms.com/accessories/romanian-bayonet

$599 seems a bit high to me for that Atlantic set up.

 

[Scott Farkus]

With regards to the chrome-moly discussion, most, if not all of the Rock River AR-15's I've seen have chrome-moly barrels.

 

[Deus Machina]

My observation and opinion, all things being equal:
Durability, assuming non-corrosive ammo would be chrome-lined, chrome-moly, then stainless. A good stainless may be just as good as chrome-moly in that regard.
Accuracy would have chrome-moly and stainless on equal grounds, both better than chrome-lined.
Again, assuming all things being equal.
The issue there is that stainless barrels are usually from better manufacturers than bare steel AK barrels. So if it comes down to the barrel on its own, pick chrome-lined or stainless and then whichever rifle looks nicer. You probably won't notice much difference in accuracy on an AK.

Also, AK mags don't fit Saigs unless you buy a part and spend ten minutes on it, or if that was done already.

 

[Rob G]

I'd buy the Saiga unless you're really in love with the looks of the WASR. They're both reliable but the Saiga's are a more modern design as far as the internal stuff goes.

As for barrels, my personal preference is for chrome lined barrels since they generally will last longer and are more resistant to the deprivations of corrosive ammo. Stainless steel and chrome moly are more accurate but have shorter lifespans. Both of the rifles you're looking at have cold hammer forged chrome lined barrels though so either way you're in good shape.

There was also a question about magazine compatibility. The advertisement specifically states that the Saiga has a bullet guide installed. That means it's fully compatible with all AK 47 magazine types.

 

[ifit]

id pick the romy out of all of them, i have 4 different type akm platforms built at the cugir factory and no regret owning them. all im missing is the romy 1063. dont own a saiga and probably never will as theres so many other options outhere, another one to consider is the TGI amd65...this i think is the best deal right now as far as aks go, and yes i picked this over the saiga

 

[meanmrmustard]

id pick the romy out of all of them, i have 4 different type akm platforms built at the cugir factory and no regret owning them. all im missing is the romy 1063. dont own a saiga and probably never will as theres so many other options outhere, another one to consider is the TGI amd65...this i think is the best deal right now as far as aks go, and yes i picked this over the saiga

My LGS has a 10/63. $529, thinking of picking it up.

 

[Bhi curamach]

A few things I saw that I thought I'd comment on. Im no expert and may be off base but I do own a modified (original romy foregrip w/curved grip and EG style wire folder) WASR10 and a Saiga 12.
Near as I can tell with the exception of the bolt hold open device the internal parts of the two are identical. I did my own conversion on the saiga for the record.. Axis pins, FCG (US so moot to be sure) some annoying axis pin retaining springs, not seeing alot of modern advances in the Saiga over the Romy.
The folding stocks are indeed not as useful as the solid stock however I have discovered that the leather sling when adjusted just so will create an excellent support for the head while shooting.
It takes a wee bit of trial and error but I actually prefer using this method over the wood stock. It supports the cheek weld and allows some cushion if you will...
The sling does need to be adjusted just so and it may not work for every one but I like it!
In case there is any confusion, as this is my first post here, the initial comments regarding internal AK parts is not meant to be offensive in any manner. Just sharing my thoughts having converted the 12 guage and stripping the Romy down to swap foregrip/hand guard and butt stock.
Cheers all!