AK shopping! need advice....

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CosmicGrooves

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At the moment, I'm trying to decide between the Romanian WASR and a Bulgarian SSR-85. I might be willing to spend the $150 more for the thicker receiver the Bulgarian has. It's my understanding it's the better rifle of the two.
I've also read that the WASR's, though cheap, are good too.

I know this shouldn't affect my decision, but the WASR has a bayonet and the SSR-85 doesn't. Can a bayonet lug be attached to an SSR-85 easily?

I've also seen digital camo furniture for AK's... but not for sale. Anyone know where any camo AK furniture is sold?

Thanks for any info. I'm a total AK noob at the moment and trying to make the best decision I can when buying. I want something to keep forever and pass down.
 
I would go for the Cz 858 or Vz 58 if you can get them. They are simpler than the Ak's internally and better built.
 
You will hear a lot of the same (good) advice. The WASRs are fine. I own one. Saigas, however, are as good as anything out there and are authentic to boot. You can buy one converted into AK form, or convert it yourself, for the same price as the Bulgarian. I have two Saigas -- great pieces.
 
What makes the Vz or Cz better? Do they not also use the same AK type mags mags?
Classic Arms has a VZ 2008 which they say is based on the VZ 58. Is that what you're referring to?

I've been looking at Classic Arms, Atlantic Firearms and Centerfire Systems.
 
The mag is different and i believe they don't interchange. I have handled one at a gunshop and it's lighter than an AK to my surprise even though the receiver is milled. I have read that they are more accurate than an AK. Never had first hand experience with it though.
 
After looking into it, I don't think I want the Vz. Though it looks similar, it's not an AK type which is what i"m looking for. I'm sure the Saiga's are good, but I don't want to try to 'convert' them.

I like the AK because of all the available parts and accessories and reliability and cheap mags. I'm sure the Vz's are Saiga's are just as reliable too, though.
 
Of your choices, go for the WASR.

You can use the search here to find out more about the current SSR-85 rifles.


45 minutes with a Saiga, and it'll be able to use "all the available parts and accessories and reliability and cheap mags". The Saiga is all brand new construction. It's also cheaper than a WASR (which is made of QC rejected parts and cut-up military rifles).
 
What is converted on a Saiga? From what to what? Can you put a bayonet on a Saiga? A Saiga can't use Ak furniture, though. Are there lots of Saiga furniture choices? I really want some camo stuff.

What is the point in converting a Saiga? Why not leave it Saiga if it's so good?

Just trying to understand all this. I don't want to buy on the fly and then wish I got something else.
 
Saigas are good but I think things have gotten out of hand, there not that good! And everyone and there mother seams to be walking around with one. Get somthing that you don't have to chop up. Waser, SSR 85, Yugo M70, Polish underfolder. Have you cosidered somthing in 5.45x39? Ammo is cheaper and there are a few looking cool guns out there.. . . Just my .02 . . ..
 
Saigas are good but I think things have gotten out of hand, there not that good!
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I beg to differ. Purchasing a restored or unrestored Saiga is your best bet in acquiring an AK that will function properly when put to the test. Don't gamble with a subpar rifle. If I recall correctly, K-Var still has their sale going til December 7, 2009. Make the right choice, get a Saiga.

P.S. Centerfiresystems.com has Saigas around $300.
 
I wanted 7.62x39 in case I ever wanted to go hog hunting.

Converting a Saiga sounds fun, but what about furniture? Is black plastic my only choice? I saw wood on one, though.

Can a converted Saiga use AK furniture?
 
Can a converted Saiga use AK furniture?
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A virgin Saiga is an AK in need of restoration. And yes, it can use AK furniture designated for a stamped receiver.

Keep in mind that in order to use hi-cap magazines you'll most likely have to use U.S manufactured furniture, depending on how many U.S manufactured parts the firearm already has.

If I were you, I would just get this:

http://www.k-var.com/shop/home.php?cat=353

Get one before the sale ends. Which IIRC, is December 7, 2009.
 
IMO, thicker receivers on an AK that isn't full auto don't do much but add weight. Full-auto military AK's hold up fine under hard full-auto use with 1mm or 1.2mm thick receivers, so I think a 1.6mm RPK style receiver or a milled receiver are overkill on a semiauto-only carbine.

I wouldn't worry about a bayonet lug unless you are into history; a bayonet is pretty useless on an AK. Having a threaded muzzle is nice, though, because you can change out the slant brake for a more effective brake or a flash suppressor.

Do be aware that unconverted Saigas can't use standard AK magazines, so if you want parts and magazine interchangeability with AK's, you won't be satisfied unless you follow through with the conversion to standard configuration.

As far as caliber, 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm/.223 AK's are more accurate than 7.62x39mm AK's and kick less, but 7.62x39mm AK's are suitable for .30-30 class hunting.
 
As far as caliber, 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm/.223 AK's are more accurate than 7.62x39mm AK's
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only if you're using surplus ammo, for hunting you should use nice domestically produced commercial, which reports say is quite accurate
 
Agent Smith, I'm not sure what you're referring to in that link. I also don't see anything about a sale. I thought you were linking to a Saiga conversion kit, but instead it's a bunch of different Saiga rifles. But, I thought Saiga's didn't have pistol grips.


Also, I want to thank everyone for the great information and helping out a noob here.

I like the look of the Saiga SGL21. It looks like the AK I'm looking for and doesn't need any conversion. Is that correct? What is the difference between this and a WASR besides about $100 bucks.
Also, what's the difference between NATO length buttsock and a Warsaw Pact lenght buttstock?
 
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classic arms has a niiiiiice deal on Yugoslavian underfolder M70s. I'd jump on that if i were you. They were going for ~$800 over the Summer. Now, they are back to a good price.

An Arsenal Saiga (AK-103 'clone')is also something to consider. If you look around, you can have them for about the cost of an SSR-85, and with that cost comes a much better quality than an SSR, which have a fairly large share of complaints (ranging from rusted out internals to muzzle brakes flying downrange after 20 rounds)
 
Sure, you can get a Saiga. It's probably a real "nice" gun.
However, if you want a "REAL" AK get one made with wood furnature.
IMO if you go the Saiga route you might as well get an AR.
You get an AK because it's an AK not because it's a knock-off or convertable.
But that's just my opinion
 
Most dudes here are wrong; However lemme address his first point. I would get the bulgy over the wasr; just much better. Don't personally care to attach a bayonet to an ak, so if you need one, get the wasr.
Saiga is more accurate than 99% of your ak's out there, they are brand new, new everything- any other ak you get from another country, is FULL OF USED STUFF!!!!! used, used , and reused, WITH A few new parts added in, to make it look better, to satisfy BATFE, etc.
A Saiga is a real ak , made in the plant that first started making AK's ever;
They are all new, with all new parts, and quite accurate. Did i allready say that?
They are CONVERTED, to get here, into America. it is up to you, to convert them back, to their origionally meant config. And you can do this with a variety of furniture and stuff. Check out the saiga12.com site, also check out the KVAR site, and DINZAG arms site. Lots of good stuff; but to say a Saiga is not really an AK- well .... you could not be more wrong, really.
 
I gotta agree with RP88. I just checked out the Classic Arms website and they have some great deals. $389 for the Romanian. Pay the extra $50 and get the grear and extras with it. If I didn't already have my Maadi, I'd jump all over it.
 
I'm leaning towards the Saiga SGL21 now. From what I understand, it's the regular Saiga that is already converted. It's cheaper than the Bulgarian I was originally looking at.

I could always get a bayonet to stick on it for kicks since it has the lug. Maybe this would be a better long term investment for me over the Romanian. I'll just have to hit the gun show for cheap mags and pick up one of those nice Bulldog tactical rifle cases they have on Classic Arms.

Are there any differences in the SGL21 sold on K-VAR and the one sold on Atlantic Firearms? Atlantic Firearms is more expensive for everything, but maybe they will offer a good deal to convince me to buy from them and brag about them to my friends. :)

Any opinions on that?
 
What about the Saiga SLG21?

Is that the same type of AK a WASR is; besides wood?
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The Saiga SGL21 is made in Russia in the factory that produces AKs for the Russian military. It is a civilian version of the current AK-103. It has already had the conversion back to all the military features done to it buy Arsenal Inc. and is sold through K-VAR their distributor. It is as close as you can come to an all new Russian made Kalashnikov rifle as you can get as a civilian in the US.
I recently bought one during their sale and I'm extremely pleased at the quality of my SGL21-62. It is much better than any of the WASRs or Yugos that I've seen. If you are in the market for an AK, I would highly recommend you get one of these as they are an outstanding value for the current price. As mentioned, the price for these is supposed to increase on Dec 7th.

As for Warsay Pact and NATO butt stocks, the Warsaw Pact length is the length that the original military AKs came with. NATO butt stocks are about 1 1/4" longer in length. Personally I like the shorter Warsaw Pact butt stock and I'm 5' 10'' but I don't think a NATO stock is all that horrible.

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17044&cat=353&page=1

The SGL21s that Atlantic is selling are the same as those being sold by K-VAR.
 
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