At what point are "cheap" AK's no longer cheap to you?

[rugerman07]

Actually, the quality of the Romanian Wasr has improved quite a bit. The 2007 GP WASR-10/63 has an updated front trunnion with added contact support for the bolt carrier.

As of 2008, there are GP WASR-10/63 rifles which are being made from demilled military rifles. Look for a triangle with arrow (some only have a triangle) on the front trunnion. Quality is much better with these.

 

[Casefull]

The last one I bought was a new sks in cosmo for 99.00. That is all I would pay for an AK. You guys that think they are a great rifle are very ignorant in my opinion. I know it makes me a 'birther' or something worse. ha.

 

[Sam1911]

The last one I bought was a new sks in cosmo for 99.00. That is all I would pay for an AK. You guys that think they are a great rifle are very ignorant in my opinion. I know it makes me a 'birther' or something worse. ha.

Ok...so different strokes for different folks. No need to be judgmental about it.

It would be pretty easy to point out a few attributes that some may prefer about an AK over an SKS, or over some rifle that's "worth" many times more. But that's been done so many times it seems redundant to go over them again.

 

[Inebriated]

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Originally Posted by Inebriated View Post
Quote: better optics mounting,

A quality side mount will work just as well.
No problem with the mount itself. Show me one that puts the optics at the same plane as the iron sights though. Every one I have seen puts the optic way up in the sky where I'll have no cheek weld. Being as I have a long neck good head placement on the stock generally puts side mount optics where they'd smack me in the forehead.

RS products makes super low mounts, that works great. Midwest Industries also has a very low mount. If they don't work, you can always do a home brew cheek riser quite easily.

Quote:
Quote:
last shot hold open

AK's can have that.
At what additional cost?

http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=665
Not the same as an AR, but works. And if you're like me, the LSHO isn't for reload speed, but telling you WHEN to reload. I do just fine with the old method of thumbing the old one out with the new one in-hand, and coming over the top to charge.

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Quote:
Yes, I've been holding off on adding an AK to my collection because of current prices. I was considering $420 that Dunhams was offering this past weekend for a Century build, but I guess somewhere around $400 is my tipping point for an AK.

Get a Saiga.

I know Saigas are the place to go to get a new AK with good quality. But, I've not seen Saigas below $500, and that's with the "sporter" stock that I'd have to convert to pistol grip.

My biggest gripe is that I really wish someone would market a free float hand guard for the AK. I'm thinking some sort of steel lower hand guard that would share the front trunion rivets (replace them with longer rivets). I really hate the idea of paying that much for a rifle, then having to deal with my sling pulling my POI off in different positions.

Really? Locally I can get Saigas for about $400 + tax. $500 is too much, though. I'd rather they go back down to $300.

And what kind of ranges are you shooting for sacrificed barrel harmonics to play much of a role? AK's in general are just combat accurate. My rifle (an Arsenal built Saiga) is capable of 1 MOA with a scope and decent ammo (Federal Power Shok, and also Yugo surplus) at 100 yards. But more often than not, it's a 2-2.5 MOA group. And with Wolf/Tula/Bear ammo, the groups open to a consistent 3 MOA. These are 5-shot averages, and of course your mileage may vary.

If you're going for groups, an AK isn't the way to go, but if you want to bring down game, or be effective against 2-legged critters within 300 yards, it's a perfectly capable rifle.

 

[nathan]

SAR 1, I payed $350 otd NIB with four mags in 2002
Mak 90, i payed $400 otd new in box in 2004.
Preban GSAD CHicom type 56 excellent condition complete with spike bayonet , payed $330otd , a lucky find and pawn guy was desperate to sell it in 2005.
Bulgarian AK 74, i payed $ 600 otd new in box with pouch and two orig mags in 2010

Yes, i wouldnt want to pay $800 plus for an Arsenal xxxx. IM done with AK collections, i would rather find an AR someday to fill my collection. But I dont feel the need right now.

In case of a SHTF, the ones i have is more than what i need. And i have no doubts it would protect my life and limb and my family's.

 

[M1ke10191]

They have WASRs in my LGS for $750. I grabbed a WW AR-15 instead for $1050 plus tax with some decent accessories on it, including a RDS. Used but in good shape. But yeah as far as an AK goes, anything over $400 in this market is too much for a WASR. The gun is really worth half that.

 

[Adam123]

Any rifle is worth whatever someone is willing to pay, Obviously, that will differ on an individual basis. It's very subjective and transcendental... to each his (or her) own (TEHOHO).

 

[Okiegunner]

Seems to me it is supply side economics. Supply and demand. Nothing is as cheap as it used to be.

Im 2004 I purchased an Arsenal SAM 7 A1-R. Paid around $900. At the time, probably a little pricey, but that is what I wanted and at the time, I had the money.

The same rifle (IF avaliable) would run around $2000 now.

Depending upon what future administrations decide...the prices we see today might look pretty good.

(For sure, buy ammunition)

 

[coalman]

The AK is a sub-$500 gun to me. More like $400, but inflation adds up over time. Regardless, I'm not paying more than 1/2 an entry AR price for any AK, and never have.

 

[sandy4570]

This thread make me very sad ,I found Century arms Saiga converted(with pistol grips stock ) for $750 at gun store , that bullet button device must have cost $350

 

[Okiegunner]

We are all now civilians (sorry, I should just speak for myself and us old guys anyway) However it was forbidden (officiall channels anyway, for us to pick up an AK) No matter a bunch of guys did anyway. In the field, it is hard to be told on.

AR is a great platform, with many improvements made over the years. I have always found it to be a somewhat finicky, in need of maintenance, flat shooting, good grouping rifle of lesssor choice for myself.

I am too old to have ever carried a M4 for Uncle Sam. I have carried the M-16A1. A very decent, fairly high naintenance, rifle in the field.

The simplicity of design and maintenance (many times, a lack thereof) of the AK wins hands down with myself.

The AR has evolved into a highly sought after and proven battle rifle that will reach out and touch you.

The AK has evolved into a BATTLE rifle that will meet your needs.

So "cheap" is fairly subjective. The AK, in it's many derivatives is a simple, battle proven design.

Of course: This is just an old man's opinion

 

[Caliper_Mi]

RS products makes super low mounts, that works great. Midwest Industries also has a very low mount. If they don't work, you can always do a home brew cheek riser quite easily.

Hmm, MI really keeps making one noce product after another. I really like the looks of that side mount. Could even make a nice place to put a rear mounted peep

Really? Locally I can get Saigas for about $400 + tax. $500 is too much, though. I'd rather they go back down to $300.

Hmm, maybe I need to take a vacation, except I know the humidity in NC has got to be a killer this time of year! Dunhams recently had WASR's on sale for $420 and that's the lowest any AK usually goes around here. They were the doublestack ones, but may have had the bayo lug ground off and a thread protector welded on. Saigas start in the mid 5's and anything with a fancy name like Arsenal they are asking stupid money, close to or over $1K.

And what kind of ranges are you shooting for sacrificed barrel harmonics to play much of a role? AK's in general are just combat accurate. My rifle (an Arsenal built Saiga) is capable of 1 MOA with a scope and decent ammo (Federal Power Shok, and also Yugo surplus) at 100 yards. But more often than not, it's a 2-2.5 MOA group. And with Wolf/Tula/Bear ammo, the groups open to a consistent 3 MOA. These are 5-shot averages, and of course your mileage may vary.

If you're going for groups, an AK isn't the way to go, but if you want to bring down game, or be effective against 2-legged critters within 300 yards, it's a perfectly capable rifle.

My problem isn't group size, but the sling being mounted to the barrel and to a slightly lesser extent at the 9:00 position. All I'd expect from an AK is to be able to shoot 4moa or less out to 400yd from a prone, slung position. The side mount sling adds an annoying tendency for the rifle to cant, and adding sling tension to the barrel makes my POI wander if my sling tension varies or I change positions. I can deal with that from a $300 or less rifle, but when the price for an AK gets higher, it starts to make the (increasingly small) premium for an AR more worthwhile when a free float handguard for an AR can be had for as little as $50 if it's not already included in the price of admission.

 

[Inebriated]

Hmm, MI really keeps making one noce product after another. I really like the looks of that side mount. Could even make a nice place to put a rear mounted peep

I really like MI's products. Not the same old junk out there for AK's, and a lot of affordable AR parts as well. And if you're looking for a peep sight, Texas Weapons Systems makes a dogleg rail that connects where your rear sight mounts, and has a rail on the dustcover. It supposedly holds zero perfectly, and they make a peep sight for it that sits very low. Also, Tech Sights makes an AWESOME sight. It replaces the whole dustcover as well, but I'm not positive as to how sturdy it is compared to the TWS system.

Hmm, maybe I need to take a vacation, except I know the humidity in NC has got to be a killer this time of year! Dunhams recently had WASR's on sale for $420 and that's the lowest any AK usually goes around here. They were the doublestack ones, but may have had the bayo lug ground off and a thread protector welded on. Saigas start in the mid 5's and anything with a fancy name like Arsenal they are asking stupid money, close to or over $1K.

The humidity isn't as bad as those prices! If you actually are interested, Atlantic Arms is generally the best way to go. I want to say shipping is about $25. And you can always convert it to a traditional setup later down the road if you want, but there's nothing wrong with the stock Saigas IMO.

My problem isn't group size, but the sling being mounted to the barrel and to a slightly lesser extent at the 9:00 position. All I'd expect from an AK is to be able to shoot 4moa or less out to 400yd from a prone, slung position. The side mount sling adds an annoying tendency for the rifle to cant, and adding sling tension to the barrel makes my POI wander if my sling tension varies or I change positions. I can deal with that from a $300 or less rifle, but when the price for an AK gets higher, it starts to make the (increasingly small) premium for an AR more worthwhile when a free float handguard for an AR can be had for as little as $50 if it's not already included in the price of admission.

Well that stock Saiga is as free floated as AK's get. The handguard screws into the receiver, and the sling swivel is on the bottom, so it should help a lot in getting a more stable platform. If you convert, you can always leave the forend alone (which brings the conversion price down a good bit). Business in the front, party in the back.