Another AK thread: education and opinions on brands.

[jlbraun]

I have an Armory USA SSR-85C. No muzzle break problems, but the front sight was canted, the magazine release lever retaining pin walked out, and it refused to feed hollowpoints. I got it for $500 so I'm not complaining too much. Fixed these problems and now it's a 100% gun with 3000 rounds through it with no failures.

Jim Fuller at Rifle Dynamics does a heck of a rifle build, I hear. And a converted Saiga can be done with a 1/4 cobalt steel drill bit and a hammer.

 

[Deus Machina]

I have a dremel and an only moderately shakey hand. A Saiga conversion is still at the top of my list.

Really, I have a small lathe and mill. So drilling accurate holes and opening up a mag well are only a matter of actually fitting the thing onto my benchtop's little table.

I'm curious, though--what's the accepted way of applying rivets in these? Brace the head and beat the other side with a hammer?

 

[jdc1244]

No luck involved.

Century learned from it's past and has contracted professional builders to assemble their Yugo AKs.

Agreed, I bought an m70 a while back for $425 and its been solid and reliable. The fit and finish are very good and the weight is a plus imo. I can recommend one.

 

[H2O MAN]

ChiCom

Deus Machina


Alright, after more searching...

What about Polytech? Norinco?

Both are excellent rifles. Stamped receivers are thicker than
most and the chrome lined barrels are heavier than most.
The Chinese triggers are about the best you can find.

 

[nalioth]

I have an Armory USA SSR-85C

Does it say "Houston, Texas" on it?

If not, it's a Bulgarian WASR.

 

[jlbraun]

Yup, "Houston, TX".

 

[hessy]

SSR-85c from Atlantic is a very good AK, despite of what some here say. I've got a rifle that was sold as "100% new", and it is a tight rifle with reliable feeding, smooth trigger and a good fit. It does not say "Houston, TX", only "ISD Bulgaria". The barrel has traditional left-hand threads and a nice muzzle brake. Receiver is 1.6-mm thick and the rifle is much nicer than WASR from Century I've seen in our neck of the woods. Trigger is double-hook, made in US parts. It is about $150 more expensive than WASR-Atlantic sells for $599. Pre-ban Polytech I've seen locally was $1500 asking price. I shot the SSR-85c at 50 yards only and achieved consistent 2" groups with any kind of ammo. When I install the scope, I'll start testing the rifle at 100 yards.
I may think of installing nice wood on the rifle as well. I'd buy an SSR-85 again.

 

[nalioth]

The above few posts illustrates how the Bulgarian marketers are banking on the confusion over Arsenal USAs naming scheme to sell their 'made-from Arsenals-2nds[like a WASR]' rifles.

Yes, they are all new parts, just not accepted for use in military rifles.