Battle Of The Budget AK

[Robk13]

Hello all!

I am currently in the market for a new AK style rifle, I am looking at the century arms BFT47 and the palmetto state armory GF3 AK clones.

If anyone has an input about these weapons I would love to hear both good and bad experiences before I pull the trigger (pun).

I'm also not opposed to other suggestions (as far as aks go).

 

[JDGray]

https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product/cent-arms-rh10-ak47-762x39-30rd-wood

Avoid US AKs like the plague!
Not bad for $700!

 

[Choctaw]

Never a problem with my PSA AKs. I would definitely avoid Century AKs like the plague.

 

[Robk13]

Good to know thanks for letting me know, I noticed right after I posted that the bft47 actually has a recall already....

 

[C-grunt]

The Century built AKs are known to have issues. The PSA AKs GF3 and higher are generally considered to be well made AKs.

 

[JDGray]

Century built= bad
Century imports= good

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I got to handle a G3 PSA at the last show. The fit and finish were impressive. My current AK inventory is all Norinco at the moment, but if I were looking at a recent production model I would seriously consider the PSA. Id imagine RobSki at AKOU has a review of them.

That said, Romaks and Zastavas are pretty much a known quantity and not much more $$.

I wouldn't give a US-production Century the time of day.

 

[Bcwitt]

What Nightlord said.
For not a lot more money, a Zastava is a huge up grade that was made in an actual National Arsenal. Commecial knockoffs are not even close. Zastavas normally uses the RPK receiver.

 

[Ignition Override]

OP: Polish WBP Fox and Polish Radoms are known for truly top-notch quality control and finish. Batches of these offered by Atlantic Firearms can sell Out within hours, but at times can be found on Gunbroker .

The Zastava ZPAP also has excellent QC. I shot one pretty often- very rugged. These are mostly with walnut, but some have attractive Maple.——-

For a few hundred more dollars have you considered the ‘other’, an -externality similar- but very different rifle in 7.62x39?
My Czechpoint VZ-58 (nib 2019) has seen 3,600 rounds- zero issue. Literally not even once.

All VZs are milled, yet Lighter weight than AKMs which normally are thinner, stamped .

Zero components- not even mags- will interchange with an AKM.
…..maybe think about this: should a Glock mag be Able to interchange with a Sig magazine —simply because—both guns have a similar profile and size?…makes no sense.

 

[Robk13]

I would love love love to find a vz58 variant! Actually it's on my bucket list, however, those seem to command a serious premium even over the pap yugoslavian ak variants. Thanks again for everyone's inputs I will certainly be avoiding century arms.

My wasr 10-63 has always been superb, I did not realize that the BFT47 was actually an all new production piece and not built from parts kits as my Romanian ak was.

 

[Bcwitt]

BTW, Century M70ab is actually an authentic Zastava. Century is an importer that delves into manufacturing from time to time. They dont make the best things, for sure. Century dose import good products that have there stamp on them.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Never a problem with my PSA AKs. I would definitely avoid Century AKs like the plague.

View attachment 1154197

Mine has 300ish rounds through it and I've not had a single issue, and it's a blem version.

 

[Deus Machina]

Another PSA owner here. I took a gamble, haven't used it nearly enough to judge on reliability, but +1 on the fit and finish. In that regard, everything's at least as nice as the actual Russian Saiga I had years back.

 

[JB111]

The best budget ak currently imported is the WASR. They can be had for $700 to $900 bucks, depending on batch and place ordered from. The Zastava Zpap M70s can be had for $900 to $1200, depending on specific furniture sets, place ordered from, etc.

Word has been spreading across Reddit that the Polish ak's are about to dry up for a good long while. If I was in the market for a new ak, I would probably be looking at one of those, FB Radom Beryl or one of WBP's models.

 

[Ignition Override]

JB111:

Exactly. Since 2008 WASRs have had much tighter manufacturing consistency than some in previous years (pre-2008).

For example: Much better sight alignment (less cant) and magwell sizing.

And in a YouTube video by AKOU, Rob Ski demonstrated very high steel quality and fit after testing 5,000 rounds in a single WASR;

decent lug & shoulder wear, good headspace with No-Go gauge.

 

[Robk13]

Well well well I ended up going with a psa gf3 ak with the plum stock, still waiting for it unfortunately! The price was right so i could get a bunch of extra mags and a red dot mount to go with it! Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Sistema1927]

I purchased a PSA GB2 PSAK before they bought out the GF3. It seems to be holding up very well, and even if it doesn't I trust their lifetime warranty.

 

[JB111]

Well well well I ended up going with a psa gf3 ak with the plum stock, still waiting for it unfortunately! The price was right so i could get a bunch of extra mags and a red dot mount to go with it! Thanks for the input guys!

It should serve you well for a very long time. The ak buyers guide even lists them as good to go with an estimated 25k rounds of service life. Enjoy your purchase.

 

[Skeptic13]

PSA makes great AKs and don't let anyone scare you away from buying one. They are also constantly improving their product line and great customer service.

 

[Bcwitt]

WASR & PSA both use the AKM style reciever (.039 or 1mm, Against the designers advice). The Zastava is an RPK receiver (.057 or 1.5mm) The RPK was introduced w the AKM, kind of admitting the AKM was not up to task for hard use.

 

[rizbunk77]

20 years ago I bought a NIB SAR-2 for 295. Hows that for a budget AK?
Prices on everything these days are stunning

 

[rizbunk77]

Never a problem with my PSA AKs. I would definitely avoid Century AKs like the plague.

View attachment 1154197

I would probably lose that rifle. nice camo

 

[brunowbe]

20 years ago I bought a NIB SAR-2 for 295. Hows that for a budget AK?
Prices on everything these days are stunning

Our corrupt overlords are laughing at this, almost like it was planned.

I remember paying roughly $300 for a Saiga sporter back around 2010 and $400 for a WASR 2 around 2017. I was hesitant to pay $1050ish for my SLR104 in 2016, but seeing what they sell for now I feel like it was a steal.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

Deleted

 

[wesmonster]

As one who owns a '13 WASR, Zastava, Saiga .223 and a Hungarian AK63DS, I think the WASR is the best imported bang for the buck. Just a basic no frills parkerized finish with some rough machine markings but good internals and a strong trunion. Zastavas have better fit n finish but a WASR is true AKM pattern so the most furniture options. Zastava is Yugo pattern, a bit different but has good options too.
PSA makes good gear and while I've not handled their AKs the G3s get good reviews and seem to be available for less than a WASR. If I was in the market for a cheap AK today I'd take a close look.