Best AK-74 type for the money?

[buck00]

I'm interested in an AK-74 style rifle.

I saw AK USA has some nice ones, however they were quoted at $1000 plus:

http://www.ak-103.com/Gallery_Images/AK-74/index.html

Does anyone know about this company AK USA? They seem decent, the question, is it worth to spend so much? Anyone have an opinion on this?

I saw Atlantic Firearms has Polish Tantals for $649:

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=216

Anyone have an experience with the Polish Tantal? They look pretty nice.

 

[MechAg94]

I would get a line on some ammo before buying one in 5.45.

Krebs Custom and Arsenal Inc. make some good rifles from what I hear. "For the money" is probably something you should evaluate.

 

[TexAg]

I agree with the ammo question...its not exactly easy to find these days.
You could go .223 though and get a converted Saiga for pretty good money.

 

[rock jock]

Does anyone know about this company AK USA? They seem decent, the question, is it worth to spend so much? Anyone have an opinion on this?

I have an AK-103 and it is an excellent variation of Mikhail's ubiquitous rifle. I paid $750 and it is worth it IMO, but $1000 seems a little high.

 

[buck00]

5.45 isn't a problem. Let's just say I have plenty of access to it without asking how.

Rock Jock, did you get your AK-103 at a gun show/store or through a manufacturer? How is the recoil and trigger action on it?

Krebs seems like high quality, but a higher price too.

 

[grimjaw]

I wish you'd share that secret source of readily available 5.45x39, because I'd scoop up the Arsenal SLR-105 on the Impact Guns website for less than $500.

I'd pick up a converted Saiga in .223 before I'd go 5.45 though. I have an Arsenal SA M5 in .223 that I'm very pleased with, but it's heavy as a boat anchor and bulky compared to the stamped rifles and their readily available folding stocks.

jmm

 

[MAKOwner]

Ammoman.com has Russian steel core 7n6 5.45 for $180ish delivered for 1080rnds in a spam can... I think alot of that came in not too long ago and several places probably sell it, maybe for cheaper. I just noticed it the other day...

And ohiorapidfire.com has black bulgarian mags 4 for something like $20 or $30, I forget.

 

[MAUSER88]

AK-USA is the "Cadilliac" of AK Smiths. His work is second to none. I have a few of his builds. I have a SAR 2 in 5.45 by 39mm I am planning to sell. It has a total makeover and looks great. Email if you interested.

 

[nucstl1]

I have a Poly Legend and it is a great gun. I figure if your going to spend upwards of $1K on an AK, you might want to look at a Poly or a Norinco.

 

[MechAg94]

I guess I am heading to ammoman's site this evening.

 

[lamazza]

I think the beauty of owning an AK is thats its rude, crude,evil and can take a healthy beating with no consequence. I can't see,under any circumstances, where an AK is worth anywhere close to $1000.
I love the 7.62 x 39 ammo-little more recoil than my snobby AR can provide.
By all means buy a Romy and dress her up if you must...IMHO

 

[MudPuppy]

Man, I love the Tantals. I've built a couple in the last couple of weeks and they're very nice. I have a pistol receiver and plan to get one kit cut down to about a 9in barrel.

My favorite of my two rifles is one with a T6 (CAR-15 style) stock and AMD-65 plastic grips, front and rear.

 

[MechAg94]

http://www.dansammo.com/ammo.asp

Dan's Ammo has some 5.45 ammo also. They are the cheapest I have seen at $300 for 2160 rounds. I just ordered some. Not sure if I will cancel my other pending order or not. It appears to be good ammo and might be worth storing a couple extra cans.

 

[buck00]

I can't see,under any circumstances, where an AK is worth anywhere close to $1000.

lamazza, that is what I was thinking but I needed to hear it from someone else. An AK isn't a Kimber pistol or a fancy customized AR-15. I don't think I would feel good about spending $1200 on an AK-74 which I just want to shoot pumpkins and intruders with.

There are plenty of decent looking AKs in the $500-ish range that will fit my needs. Thanks!

 

[MechAg94]

I have asked the question before about why someone would spend over $1000 for a 1911, but everyone has their preferences.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

There's a "post ban" 5.45 Arsenal model that I've seen everywhere locally for $450, and the local dealers around here usually rape you on prices. Found that price online too.

It won't have a muzzle device, bayolug, or scope mount rail, but it's $450 and has the high quality Arsenal receiver, barrel and parts. Definately a tier 1 AK for a low price.


As others have said, best to find some ammo first. A rifle without ammo is just a metal stick.


That 5.45 is priced so well, and is such high quality. It is the ultimate speculation investment. If you think that in one year from now, 5.45 will be back again and plentiful like it once was - good choice. If 5.45 stays scarce for years and years, just trickling in here and there...bad choice.

 

[clange]

If you think that in one year from now, 5.45 will be back again and plentiful like it once was - good choice. If 5.45 stays scarce for years and years, just trickling in here and there...bad choice.

Sounds like 7.62x39..

Theres never been a shortage, or stoppage rather, of 5.45 or 7.62. You might have to plan ahead and back order it, but you'll get it eventually. If you cant handle buying ammo with a mouse click you might want to go with another caliber.

As far as rifle, if all you want is an AK-74 get an arsenal SLR-105. I like the A1, its got the threaded front sight block and muzzle brake. If you dont care about the brake, its $450 like someone else said, or you could even get a SAR-2 for under 400.

 

[MechAg94]

I ordered some 5.45 from Dan's Ammo the day before yesterday. I got the UPS tracking email today. This is that Russian surplus ammo.

I was told by someone else that Sportsman's Guide and others can get you Wolf ammo, they just have to back order it. He said he had just gotten some 5.45 Wolf. I think this fits what I have seen of 7.62.