best AK-47

[josh1022]

I would like to know what manufacturers/countrys make the most quality AK-47s and which ones are no good.

 

[kingpin008]

You should probably do a search in the Rifle forum. This subject has come up many times here in the past.

 

[XxWINxX94]

I own a Romanian WASR-10 AK47. If your looking for a basic, inexpensive, easy-to-find rifle. A Romanian is a great choice. Before I purchased it, I looked at a Russian AK47 with a composite stock & grips that was DOUBLE the price at $1100. If your looking for a shooter or self defence gun, the Romanian is the best for the price.

 

[Barker45]

Unless you know what to look for in an good/serviceable AK, don't get a WASR-10! The "best" AKs?:
(in no particular order)
Bulgarian
Chinese
Russian

The best (least expensive yet still quality) way to go is to de-ban a Mak-90 or convert a Siaga. My favorite AK is still my older Arsenal SA93 de-banned with a tapco G2 fire control group and an Ironwood stock set. I usually associate Tapco with crap but their G2 double-hook trigger is sweet!

 

[wojownik]

As kingpin sez, a search of the forum should turn up a lot of info. However, do you mean which AK variants worldwide are "best" or what variants available in the US are "best"?

 

[nalioth]

There is no best.

They all go bang.

 

[rangerruck]

tough call, I think the first Polish ak copies were the best; it is stated they are the most like the origional russian ak's. I likey the bulgarian ones as well; and any other polish version to boot. Then you got the chinese with the milled receivers, and you have the Israeli Galil types, I like those a lot as well.
A lot of peeps like the yugo underfolders; i like everything about them, except for the actual under folder, if you can find one version with the side folder, that is better, in my mind.

if you want one that is closest to origional russian style and parts, and want it with ALL NEW PARTS, get a Saiga, and convert away, with the trigger and furniture parts; all the rest will be origional russian, and in my mind, just as good as the origional, if not better.

 

[mshootnit]

The best AK's include the Valmet, Arsenal milled variations (SA M7 A1R, SLR95 etc.), Polytech legend, and the Vepr. Krebs rifles and Tromix conversions are also top notch. The next tier would include all stamped Arsenals, quality Saiga conversions, and any other milled AK you can find except the new Century unit. I am very impressed with the SGL31 rifle as well. Also in the middle are the AMD-65, Yugo M70 underfolder, and good examples of the Romanian rifles. Bottom of the barrel are the rifles built on American stamped receivers with non chromed barrels. Some of these builds are sub-par.
Don't worry about conducting a search, post away. We need conversation here anyway.

 

[W.E.G.]

The AK market is changing rapidly.

The current Romanian imports are probably the best value, and they work just fine (for an AK).

You can spend a LOT of money on "nicer" AK's that really do have nicer fit and finish, and fancy wood.

 

[cbrgator]

Saiga & Arsenal.

 

[rogertc1]

Best is a Valmet
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=151732275

 

[elmerfudd]

As a couple others have already stated, the best is a Valmet or Sako, (though they're about the same thing). Not too many of those around though and they demand a premium price. Years ago I had the chance to buy one in 5.56 for $800. Sure wish I'd done so now.

 

[Justin]

Ak's suffer from a number issues both in the design of the gun and the cartridge that keep them from being truly accurate rifles. You can mitigate this somewhat by handloading the cartridge, but if you really want accuracy from a semi-auto rifle, you're much better off with an AR.

I've seen little evidence that the AK design has the ability to make reliable or consistent hits at distances to 300 yards or beyond.

 

[elmerfudd]

I've seen little evidence that the AK design has the ability to make reliable or consistent hits at distances to 300 yards or beyond.

I did reasonably well with a PSL on an Appleseed shoot. I didn't shoot rifleman with it, but if I remember right, (it was a couple years ago), I did shoot a 198 and that was using the iron sights and I did shoot it out to 300 yards.

I haven't done a lot of shooting since then with AK's at 300 yards, but I've got a few Saigas that have no problem keeping them in a 6" circle at 200 yards.

 

[ChronoCube]

A coworker who served in an Eastern European army told me how using his 1966 AK, he could hit the man-sized target at 300m consistently. Of course, he was shooting semi-auto.

 

[lencac]

If you can find one Bulgarian Ak's have milled steel billet receivers. I had one and as Ak's go it was as good as it gets but still by no means would I consider it accurate but the bullet did come out the barrel every time I yanked the bang switch. Back when Ak's were $150 for cheaply made stamped models you could justify getting one. But now that they are $450 or more for same crappy stamped POS I just laugh at folks who what one because of course ..... it's an AK! If I was to get a cheap disposable like that I would prefer an SKS. But even those are way over priced now.
No thanks I'll pass on the over priced communist trash guns.

 

[wojownik]

I guess we're talking about variants available in the US, then. In that case, Arsenal and Saiga (conversion) are quite good. There are some builds off of parts kits that are solid as well, including Lancaster Arms, etc... You might want to perus Atlantic Firearms for an example of what could be considered "upper tier" AKs.

 

[josh1022]

Thanks for answering my question guys. I have been too busy to respond to the posts but I was talking about the Aks available in the US. I think you have answered any questions that I might have had.