Best AK-47 that isn't a Saiga...

[Gasitman]

well, that's my belief... now if was filthy stinkin rich, i wouldn't give a rat's ass what a gun cost...

but when yur like me and struggle to make a little money here and there whilst submiting several job applications weekly and for some reason still can't get hired, you'd understand where i was coming from...

Dork, I'm with you, how does a Wilson combat made of about 38oz of steel cost more than a m1a made with pounds of metal and wood? A glock cost $600? Is there what, like $30 worth of metal and another $12 of plastic? Not to many firearms are cutting age technology. If we could, anyone of us could build a gun in machine shop in High school for around $100.

As for the OP's question, I have a waffen works ak-74, ammo is cheaper than 47 and I paid $600 for a beautiful AK.

 

[Telekinesis]

Dork, I'm with you, how does a Wilson combat made of about 38oz of steel cost more than a m1a made with pounds of metal and wood? A glock cost $600? Is there what, like $30 worth of metal and another $12 of plastic? Not to many firearms are cutting age technology. If we could, anyone of us could build a gun in machine shop in High school for around $100.

Yes, individual unit price is low, but in buying a gun you are also helping to cover the business expenses too. Things like wages, materials, R&D, the shop, insurance, FFL fees, importation, etc. then you have the market working on the price too. It takes a lot more to bring a gun to market than just building it. I do wish that the prices would be lower though.

 

[Inebriated]

Just build the Saiga.
Saiga - $300 @ JG
US-Made Stock/Grip/Handguards - $100
Lower Handguard Retainer and Gas Tube, to mount the handguards - $90
US-Made Trigger group - $25
Trigger Guard - $5

Total - $520. You get everything but the threaded muzzle and brake, which would be only a few bucks more to do. Honestly, ordering all the parts will take longer than doing the conversion, as long as you have a drill, some decent bits, and a dremel, if you want to make standard AK magazines fit. If you go that route, you may also need a bullet guide.

 

[Cecil Sharps]

Interarms makes an ak47 clone. I wish i knew what nationality the parts kit came from. If it had a side scope mount it would be a great rifle.

 

[Davek1977]

If we could, anyone of us could build a gun in machine shop in High school for around $100.

Then, by all means.....DO IT. There is no (federal) law prohibiting manufacturing one's own guns for personal use. If you really believe you can turn out a quality weapon for "around $100" do it, and afterwards, be sure to post pics. I'm curious if you can put your money where your mouth is.....maybe after an attempt or two, you'll see where those prices REALLY come from.....

 

[Averageman]

As with any rifle you purchase, essentially you get what you pay for.
If you want quality you are going to have to look at converting a Saiga or paying someone to do the conversion for you.
As AK's have become more popular, more folks producing a quality conversion have gotten in to the market.
Most folks I have spoken to about the 5.56 version AK74 find it more accurate than the 7.62 AK47.
You'll never pay KIA prices and get a Ferrari though, thats just the way it is.

 

[highpower]

To find the best deal on an AK, you really need to be willing do more than just pose questions on the internet.

From your description of your job situation, you have far more time than money. Use that to your advantage and visit local gun stores, go to gun shows and learn what the market is for them in your area.

You seem to have made up your mind that there should be cheap AK's falling out of the woodwork and unfortunately that just ain't so. The days of really inexpensive AK variants (except for Saiga's and WASR's) are over and have been for a year or more.

Speaking of Saiga, that is by far the best deal going out there and yet you seem to have dismissed them out of hand because they would take a little work to convert into a version that you like. If you are really serious, about getting one, stop telling yourself that you can't do the conversion and start asking how you can do it.

You are right about one thing though, The price of AR15's has come way down and it is possible to build one right now for about $600. Of course, you would have to actually install the hammer, trigger and a few other small parts in the lower but that takes all of about 20 minuets.

Sorry for the rant, but the internet seems to have given people the idea that they don't have to do anything to get what they want, just keep complaining that they can't get it.

BTW, I have built both an AK and an AR this year and it really wasn't all that big a deal

Zastava PAP (Yugo M70 variant). Converted to double stack magazine well and new wood.


PSA AR15. PSA complete rifle kit and PSA lower. Time to assemble: about 30 min.

 

[spyderdude]

I paid 699 for this Polish Milled 1960 AK.

 

[JHenry]

Well anything that isnt a saiga is probably going to be a parts kit built with a US manufactured bbl and receiver, so you want to look make sure the bbl is green mountain and the reciever is nodak spud(the best domestic parts from what i understand).

Although the Yugo m70 is one of the better rifles you can get, although im not sure what they do to it for compliance purposes

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

I thought green mountain sucked?

 

[JHenry]

Zastava PAP (Yugo M70 variant). Converted to double stack magazine well and new wood.

Speaking of the PAP how hard is it to grind down the front trunion for the standard 30 rounders? and when you replace the two pins does it take standard pins or would one need to get special pins?

 

[JHenry]

Green Mountain may or may not, but US manufactered ak barrels arnt known for being top quality. However i think Green Mountain is one the best US manufacters. You could always swap it out from a surplus bbl but then youd have to use another US part for compliance in addition to all the work needed to fit a new bbl in an ak.

 

[TXSWFAN]

Best AK-47 that isn't a Saiga

IMO, it would be the Polytech Legend.

 

[ghitch75]

ya but Polytech's are 2k and up.....find a SLR-95 and you'll pas it down to your kids at half the price or less....

 

[highpower]

Speaking of the PAP how hard is it to grind down the front trunion for the standard 30 rounders? and when you replace the two pins does it take standard pins or would one need to get special pins?

Not hard, I just TIG welded the ends of the rivet to the trunnion.

Like this:

 

[Carolina Kalash]

if i were to get a AMD-65, would i need to do any modifications to the gun to put a regular AK handguard on it? that odd handguard is really the only thing i have against it, that and it's really flimsy looking side folder...

 

[Bohemus]

T
Zastava PAP (Yugo M70 variant). Converted to double stack magazine well and new wood.

Never liked AKs, but this one is beautiful.

 

[JustinJ]

I don't know the intricacies of the situation in Russia, but Izmash is a GIGANTIC factory with laborers who are most likely underpaid, and I'm not sure, but the Russian government may/may not own, subsidize, or have a stake in Izmash. If not, then they, and other countries, certainly have big, fat contracts with them.

The guns received as is from Izhmash can be had for as little as $300. That even after importation and mark up by distributors and end sellers, not to mention shipping costs.

If anybody thinks that is too much i pity their wife.

but when yur like me and struggle to make a little money here and there whilst submiting several job applications weekly and for some reason still can't get hired, you'd understand where i was coming from...

Dork, I'm with you, how does a Wilson combat made of about 38oz of steel cost more than a m1a made with pounds of metal and wood? A glock cost $600? Is there what, like $30 worth of metal and another $12 of plastic? Not to many firearms are cutting age technology. If we could, anyone of us could build a gun in machine shop in High school for around $100.

Wow. I would love to see this $100 shop class gun built without the knowledge of a machinist and mechanical engineer. See, not shoot, because i value my face.

The lack of basic economics principle comprehension is kind of scary. The costs of any product, gun or other, reflect a huge number of factors. You apparently have no understanding of what it costs to develop a mere improvement to an existing product, much less a completely new one.

 

[imsobored]

You can get a new zastava ak from buds for under 400.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy using tapatalk

 

[JohnnyK]

+1 for TGI AMD-65... mine ROCKS! Saigas rock! look on Atlantic Firearms or Gun broker for deals.. I found my Golani with 8 mags including a 50 rounder for $600 it's a perfect Centry build and my 3-gun rifle...

 

[69Rebel]

So....did the OP buy a rifle yet?

 

[badsugarterrors]

WASR VS Arsenal Saiga SGL-21

My brother and I visited a gunshow in Pasendena. He bought a WASR that was 438.00 and I bought an Arsenal SGL-21 (Saiga) for 750.00. When he was buying his, he noticed that some of the rivets in the wood stocks were different amonst the WASRs. He didn't care... he doesn't care about his getting torn up or quality of finish. He just wants it to shoot everytime. That's the difference between he and I. Of course, that's his only gun, and I have a gun safe the size of a fridge.

My Arsenal Saiga was exactly the same as the one next to it. No blemishes or differences. The finish was parkerized, like the M590A1 shotty or kinda like Rhinoliner of a truck bed. Very tough.

Comparisons I noticed, trigger pull was different. Mine was longer then snapped. Good for precision shots. WASR was short and spongy. Good for rapid firing but kinda went off quicker than wanted. The accuracy at 25 yards was about 5" outside of my (Arsenal) shot group. When charging the bolt, mine was little smoother, while the WASR sounded like it was grinding more.

Basically, for 300 more, I got a name brand gun with better resale. Possibly better accuracy. Will have to actually test that at a further range to be sure. Better finish with quality to details, and already converted. Mind you the WASR was already converted too.
hope this helps a little.

 

[Davek1977]

Mind you the WASR was already converted too.

No, it wasn't. WASR's don't come in an "unconverted" form, unless you are talking about the ones that only accept single stack mags.

 

[Sky]

Find a TGI built AMD-65. They are the best of the cheap AK variants.

Paid less than $400 for mine from Centerfire systems and it is a keeper

 

[AethelstanAegen]

+1 on the TGI AMD-65. It's hard to beat the bang for your buck when they're only about $400 (cheaper than a WASR).

I'd also recommend Interarms. My Interarms built Tantal is great, except for the 922r compliance parts all the numbers match. It works great, is accurate and is pretty much anything you'd want in an AK.