This, Norinco's are very good and reliable Ak's to buy, and am always on the lookout for one at my local gunshops.....
Best AK-47 that isn't a Saiga...
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JHenry
Member
Only problem with Norincos is they are a chore to find and theyre starting to really climb in price.
The VEPRs are good as well but the back of the receiver has an odd slant cut out of it that looks really ugly if you dont fill it somehow(assuming you take the thumbhole stock off
The VEPRs are good as well but the back of the receiver has an odd slant cut out of it that looks really ugly if you dont fill it somehow(assuming you take the thumbhole stock off
MenaceMan47
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My very first firearm was a Chinese MAK-90 in 7.62x39, circa 1993. Bought from the original owner (a WW2 weapons collector who happened to HATE AK's...?) for $400. I have about 3K rounds through it and it's still a bulletproof rifle after 10 years of owning it. Nowadays, I see the same rifles selling for upwards of $600 on GunBroker.
Ar180shooter
Member
Why does a BMW cost more than a Honda Civic then?
The answer has to do with quality of components, complexity of the mechanism (remember that a 1911 has many parts that require high precision machining and fitting). Pistols are generally more complex than rifles too. The big part of the cost isn't materials, but machining time and labor.
Would you be willing to go to College for 2-3 years, learning how to machine high precision parts, and then work for $5/hour making 1911 slides, just so people can have "cheap" American made pistols? I doubt it. Quality comes at a cost. People that can make quality things don't work for peanuts.
As for setting up shop in a high school, go ahead, but after 40 hours of machining, grinding, fitting and bluing all of the parts required to assemble a quality 1911, you won't be selling it for $400. Also that is having all of the machines provided to you at no cost. Look in to how much an industrial grade CNC machine costs.
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badsugarterrors
Member
What I meant to say is, it was already a rifle that didn't need to be converted. It already had the pistol grip and not sporterized. I wasn't referring to specifically the WASR but didn't know that WASR didn't have a sporterized variant.
Strykervet
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I just helped a lady get an AK for her boyfriend last Christmas. I asked specifically if there was one better and didn't really get a positive answer. That milled SLR95 is, as far as I know, the best AK out there, especially for the price. I don't own an AK, but I'd love to get my hands on another of those. It is just a VERY well built AK, tough as nails, solid receiver, and get this, it has a Steyr chrome lined barrel. If there is a better AK for the price I haven't seen it.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....
1fromtheparapet
Member
Buying an AK
Hey, second post on THR (or anywhere else) and hope I'm in the right place and post the right way and don't get out of line. MY THR question #1 was a revolver thread question on my K38, well answered by Radagast. Been an off&on shooter for long time (as a kid in the early 70's) but have never been a precision shooter or a connoisseur—both of which I find myself gravitating towards there in middle age. Along with a growing touch of survivalist and have recently set up a gun maint and reloading shed. Anyway, I'm planning to buy an AK platform rifle (maybe at a NC gun show this weekend). THR question #2: If my plan is to keep it around $500 or less, that I want a good gun that'll always be easy to find parts for, and prefer not to have to Tapco everything (unless I find a good gun for $400 or less), what on earth do I look for? The more I try to establish some solid guidelines the more fuzzy it all seems to get. I found one at Classic Arms—Romanian M10-762 made with all new parts with the Tapco upgrades—and they're pretty local to me but have no show room. And I don't know if it'll take "regular" AK stuff. I like the look of the original WASRs as well as the more modernized stuff but, well, gone too long already and time to hit the road. Any help will be much appreciated.
Hey, second post on THR (or anywhere else) and hope I'm in the right place and post the right way and don't get out of line. MY THR question #1 was a revolver thread question on my K38, well answered by Radagast. Been an off&on shooter for long time (as a kid in the early 70's) but have never been a precision shooter or a connoisseur—both of which I find myself gravitating towards there in middle age. Along with a growing touch of survivalist and have recently set up a gun maint and reloading shed. Anyway, I'm planning to buy an AK platform rifle (maybe at a NC gun show this weekend). THR question #2: If my plan is to keep it around $500 or less, that I want a good gun that'll always be easy to find parts for, and prefer not to have to Tapco everything (unless I find a good gun for $400 or less), what on earth do I look for? The more I try to establish some solid guidelines the more fuzzy it all seems to get. I found one at Classic Arms—Romanian M10-762 made with all new parts with the Tapco upgrades—and they're pretty local to me but have no show room. And I don't know if it'll take "regular" AK stuff. I like the look of the original WASRs as well as the more modernized stuff but, well, gone too long already and time to hit the road. Any help will be much appreciated.
Telekinesis
Member
1fromtheparpet
Welcome to THR!
First, paragraphs help when people are reading quickly, and probably more importantly, new topics (or questions) should be put in new threads. Keeps everything nice and clean as opposed to having 20 people in one thread all asking different questions with no one being able to get in an answer
I'll do my best to give you a quick answer to your question though.
Looking for an AK (I assume you want a 7.62x39?) for around $500 will mainly put you into looking at WASRs. They're not the best accuracy, fit or finish wise, but they'll usually work decently if you make sure it is correct from the factory (the warranty is nearly nonexistent). Things to look for are canted gas block/sight, and mag fit. I don't have any experience with the Romanian M10-762 you mentioned. If you go with a used gun, you may be able to get a bit higher quality gun, but don't expect to get an Arsenal AK.
Gun shows usually aren't the best place to find a deal, especially if you aren't well versed on the specifics of the gun you want, but if you manage to find one, more power to ya.
Welcome to THR!
First, paragraphs help when people are reading quickly, and probably more importantly, new topics (or questions) should be put in new threads. Keeps everything nice and clean as opposed to having 20 people in one thread all asking different questions with no one being able to get in an answer
I'll do my best to give you a quick answer to your question though.Looking for an AK (I assume you want a 7.62x39?) for around $500 will mainly put you into looking at WASRs. They're not the best accuracy, fit or finish wise, but they'll usually work decently if you make sure it is correct from the factory (the warranty is nearly nonexistent). Things to look for are canted gas block/sight, and mag fit. I don't have any experience with the Romanian M10-762 you mentioned. If you go with a used gun, you may be able to get a bit higher quality gun, but don't expect to get an Arsenal AK.
Gun shows usually aren't the best place to find a deal, especially if you aren't well versed on the specifics of the gun you want, but if you manage to find one, more power to ya.
mortablunt
Member
VEPR is nice.
Arsenal is nice.
Tantal is nice.
Arsenal is nice.
Tantal is nice.
nwilliams
Member
My vote would go to the Cugir M10-762 that is currently being imported by M&M Inc. They are built on all new Romanian parts and I have been extremely impressed with mine so far. I would say they are easily on par with a Saiga when it comes to build quality and certainly better than any Century Arms AK.
briansmithwins
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Mine!
BSW
BSW
1fromtheparapet
Member
Like a rock
Thank you Telekinesis, gentlemen all! I think the curve will be a tad steeper than I expected to determine which particular one to get (though the post by nwilliams did show the one I've been eyeing the last few days). But, I do know WHY I want one.
(Like I said, new to forums. Hope this works...)
This is a 2008 post by “Hollis” from the Professional Soldier forum:
“I build my own ARs and AKs. When asked by a friend the difference? I said it is simple look at the armorers kit…
AR kit:
AK kit:
All I will add to Hollis is that's pretty much why I like Glocks, as well as why I want an AK.
Thank you Telekinesis, gentlemen all! I think the curve will be a tad steeper than I expected to determine which particular one to get (though the post by nwilliams did show the one I've been eyeing the last few days). But, I do know WHY I want one.
(Like I said, new to forums. Hope this works...)
This is a 2008 post by “Hollis” from the Professional Soldier forum:
“I build my own ARs and AKs. When asked by a friend the difference? I said it is simple look at the armorers kit…
AR kit:
AK kit:
All I will add to Hollis is that's pretty much why I like Glocks, as well as why I want an AK.
1fromtheparapet
Member
I've been thinking of making my purchace here:My vote would go to the Cugir M10-762 that is currently being imported by M&M Inc. They are built on all new Romanian parts and I have been extremely impressed with mine so far. I would say they are easily on par with a Saiga when it comes to build quality and certainly better than any Century Arms AK.
http://classicarms.us/semi-auto rifles.htm
(if you want a look scroll waaay down to the ITEM # ROM-AK-M10......$499.99)
Can you tell me more about it? Is the barrel threaded? Does it take all the regular AK stuff? Funiture, etc?
briansmithwins
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The funny thing is ARs are like putting LEGOs together, you pick out the blocks you want to play with, snap them together, and you're done.
AKs actually require some skill to fit all the parts together so they work right.
The commies didn't stamp numbers on all those AKs to keep guys employed.
BSW
AKs actually require some skill to fit all the parts together so they work right.
The commies didn't stamp numbers on all those AKs to keep guys employed.
BSW
1fromtheparapet
Member
leggo my lego
I like legos. They're just too pricey. My girls are at university. One of them getting married in July (to a cop. Good guy, good job, but they'll never be rich), so mommy and daddy have to watch the pennies. Someday I'd like to add an AR platform to the safe. Maybe when the house is empty, the back account is full, and if I'm not too old...
I like legos. They're just too pricey. My girls are at university. One of them getting married in July (to a cop. Good guy, good job, but they'll never be rich), so mommy and daddy have to watch the pennies. Someday I'd like to add an AR platform to the safe. Maybe when the house is empty, the back account is full, and if I'm not too old...
Ranger30-06
Member
Just so your aware, there are AR's being made right now for around the same price as these AK's ($600). That's another discussion though and there are literally dozens of threads already on here on that subject.
Anyway, my vote goes for the Saiga. ~$330 at most places and for another $150 and a little (if any) mechanical skill and you can convert the rifle and have a brand new, Russian AK100 series rifle. (The AK100 series is the updated AK47). And for the guys promoting other country's versions, just remember: Their AK's never won them any wars against the country that originally made the rifle.
1fromtheparapet
Member
Good points. Thanks. (More to think about, too!)Just so your aware, there are AR's being made right now for around the same price as these AK's ($600). That's another discussion though and there are literally dozens of threads already on here on that subject.
Anyway, my vote goes for the Saiga. ~$330 at most places and for another $150 and a little (if any) mechanical skill and you can convert the rifle and have a brand new, Russian AK100 series rifle. (The AK100 series is the updated AK47). And for the guys promoting other country's versions, just remember: Their AK's never won them any wars against the country that originally made the rifle.
1fromtheparapet
Member
PS- Americans won those wars! It was the moral high ground that gave us the greatest advantage! Fine weaponry certainly didn't hurt, though ;-]
1fromtheparapet
Member
(I didn't botch any community etiquette there, did I?)
briansmithwins
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I think America has won its wars despite our small arms instead of because of them.
The M1 Garand is the rare exception. Of course, the BAR and M1919 were WWI relics during WWII and Korea.
BSW
The M1 Garand is the rare exception. Of course, the BAR and M1919 were WWI relics during WWII and Korea.
BSW
1fromtheparapet
Member
You may be right about that.
1fromtheparapet
Member
Thanks much. I think I will probably go with the Cugir M10-762 for 500 bucks. For a start, anyway.My vote would go to the Cugir M10-762 that is currently being imported by M&M Inc. They are built on all new Romanian parts and I have been extremely impressed with mine so far. I would say they are easily on par with a Saiga when it comes to build quality and certainly better than any Century Arms AK.
Upon looking around the gun forum galaxy I haven’t found much in the way of negativity—excepting those who don’t own one, or think spending more is always better. This may be true more often than not but I’m not in that tax bracket. And then those taking a sit-back-wait-and-see posture (probably wisest). And, of course, those who don't like anything foreign or particularly Eastern Bloc. I consider the latter spoils of the Cold War ;-]
Is there anything to look for? Look out for? Is it compatible with most standard AK parts, furniture, and accessories? I’ll most probably order one Saturday afternoon if I can’t find a private gun show sale Saturday morning. Again, please all keep me schooled in forum etiquette. I'm a slow learner and not very well-socialized.
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