BEST AK-47 FOR THE MONEY?

[grizz]

Which brand (or country of origin?) of AK-47 is the best VALUE for the price? Is there anything wrong with the ~$350 Romanian AK-47s?? I'm not too concerned about the best overall quality possible because I already own a nice AR-15 carbine and long range AR-10, but I'd pay a bit more (maybe up to $500) for a nice AK if there is a considerable difference in quality than the Romanian AKs. THANKS!

--Grizz

 

[ARperson]

I do believe there is a "considerable" difference in quality between some AKs and the Romanians. However, given the price that some Romanians are going for these days, you might have to go higher than $500 to get one.

I've got a Hungarian model SA-85 that puts the WASR to shame. A quick check the gun websites shows it's going for up to $650.

I just read a post where a fellow poster picked up a Bulgarian I think it was. I don't remember the price if is was mentioned.

There's nothing wrong with the Romanian AKs, but there are definitely "better" AKs out there. The one possible exception might be the CUR2. One might argue that it still has the roughness of fit and finish like all the Romanians compared to some other variants, but it is without a doubt the best quality Romanian version I have come across.

 

[grizz]

JUST NOTICED SOMEONE POSTED A SIMILAR THREAD ABOUT ROMANIAN AK-47s. SORRY GUYS.

Yeah, I'll just be using the AK for riding around southern Utah on my ATV and blasting crap. Just want something that I wont feel too upset about if I drop and scratch it up, or dont get a chance to clean for a few weeks. Maybe the Romanian is the way to go?

Anyone ever heard of any mechanical flaws with the Romanian, or is it true to form AK durability just in cheaper clothes?

 

[ARperson]

Mechanically you'll be fine.

I do have a SAR1 that kept trying to be a single shot, but some dremeling and a new cover fixed its little red wagon. You can check for this problem when you handle the AK. Simply pull back the bolt and very slowly let it ride home, holding it in check a bit. A lot of AKs will hang up about half way closed (just a function of the quality...or lack thereof), but if you have to really help the bolt to close, move on to another one.

Otherwise, you're good to go.

 

[fvf]

Where does the Norinco made AK47 fall in this category of best ak47 for the money?

 

[rangerruck]

saiga, saiga, and of course, saiga.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I have three AKs.

WASR - Romanian AK was $329.



This gun has had no failures shooting Wolf FMJ ammo. Its never given me a moments trouble. The finish is scratched up, the wood is subpar but it goes bang every time. Some rifles are know for trigger slap, mag wobble and canted sights. Mine had a Tapco G2 trigger in it from the supplier, the sights were straight and the mag wobble isnt enough to worry about. I wouldnt hesitate in buying another one.

Norinco MAK-90 - paid $250 used, usually run around $400ish.



No failures here either. The fit and finish on this gun is MILES above the WASR. No problems at all with this gun - overall its a nicer AK than the WASR in all respects. In the end they both go bang though.....

Vector AK Underfolder - paid $559 new with 5 year warranty.



The only reason I bought this was I wanted an underfolder and to own a nicer AK. Im not disappointed. This gun is flawless, I love the fit and finish. Shes purdy and also goes bang just as good as she looks. 5 year warranty is nice as well.



What I would recommend for a first AK - Vector Classic....$499 from Atlantic Firearms with a 5 year warranty.

 

[rangerruck]

fvf, well as far as i know, alot of spec ops guys like the norinco's they are thick , they are milled receivers, and they are double tough and reliable, while still being surprisingly accurate.

 

[fvf]

rangerruck

I might have a change to acquire a Norinco AK47. They offer 2 models, a fixed wooden stock and the under folder version. Am leaning toward the fixed stock because it will come out cheaper and has the pivoting bayonet attached. The under folder does not have the pivoting stock.

I had thought that Chinese Norinco AK47's had a stamped receiver and not milled. Finish is fine for the price and significantly cheaper than the M16 variants while lighter don't seem to be as durable as the AK47.

 

[mndfusion]

Romanian!

 

[aaronrkelly]

rangerruck

I might have a change to acquire a Norinco AK47. They offer 2 models, a fixed wooden stock and the under folder version. Am leaning toward the fixed stock because it will come out cheaper and has the pivoting bayonet attached. The under folder does not have the pivoting stock.

I had thought that Chinese Norinco AK47's had a stamped receiver and not milled. Finish is fine for the price and significantly cheaper than the M16 variants while lighter don't seem to be as durable as the AK47.
fvf is online now Report Bad Post

Norincos can either be stamped or milled - as well as straight cut or angle cut when refering to the stamped receivers. My Norinco is a straight cut, stamped receiver.

When looking at stamped receivers the straight cut is the most favorable - with only a little work ANY stamped stock AK furniture set will fit on this gun.

If its angle cut then your choices are very limited for replacement furniture - these guys are your best bet......

http://www.ironwooddesigns.com/2aprod/1zAKproduct.html

 

[clange]

Just hand pick a WAR-10 somewhere. You want to make sure the sight blocks and gas block on the barrel arent canted to one side too much, and that mags fit good (tight is better then loose, although loose fitting mags will still work, it just bugs some people). When you pay more for an AK you get 1) better fit and finish, 2) hard to find or expensive options like folding stocks, and maybe, if you're lucky, better accuracy. Reliability isnt really determined by price.

 

[Correia]

If you are in Utah, come by and see me. www.fbmginc.com We specialize in evil black rifles. I've got most of the AKs talked about in this thread on the wall. If you want to go cheap, get the SAR or WASR, but if you want a better overall gun, get the Vector (sell a lot of them). If you want something much nicer get a converted Saiga (have them) or a Vepr (currently hard to get).

The SARs work, but they are very rough in just about every way. Put side to side against a Tromix Saiga, there isn't much comparison. But if you are on a budget and need a beater, get a SAR, or if you want to go really cheap, get a base Saiga, and do the conversion yourself.