Cut and paste Ak question for a freind

[Sniper X]

Since I know little about AKs Ill cut and paste this question over here where the experts are! here it is, and thanks AK experts in advance!

I've read threads posted here before about guns, and it seems a lot of you know quite a bit about them. Anyways I have a question about one particular model the Ak-47. I went to a gun show over the weekend in Orlando, and there are quite a few of them still for pretty cheap. I was wondering if anyone knows which countries make good ones and which countries are crap. I know you're supposed to make sure the gun is milled not stamped, as a sign of quality. But supposedily some countries have worse metals then others, so because of this i didn't buy one. But I'm still interested. It'd be just a fun shooting gun and maybe for hunting hogs on farm land. I know they aren't the most accurate model ever made, but you can put a 75 shot clip in them, and ammunition is still reasonably cheap for them. Plus the "good" ones are supposedly pretty reliable.

The other thing is that I saw amscor's model ak-22, which looks like an ak-47 but is a .22 instead. They looked like fun because the .22 bullets are dirt cheap, but it came with a 10 shot clip and the biggest clip available that I've seen is 35 clip, and the only reason I'd ever consider the 22 model is because I could throw a lot of rounds threw it for cheap fun.

Anybody have an ak, or an opinion on them? Thanks for your help!

 

[kcmarine]

Well, actually, the stamped receivers will work just fine. I would recommend a Vector or Lancaster build. They are built off of stamped receivers and seem to be made well. Another option is the Saiga rifle, which is made by the same people that make the AK for the Russian Army. They are a "sporterized" Kalashnikov. They can be converted back into the proper configuration. It's a good rifle if you like to tinker.

BTW, it's a magazine, not a clip. That can get confusing sometimes, but they'll learn.

 

[Sniper X]

I know, it's a magazine, unless it's in a Garand! But he's a NOOb, so I gave him a brake!

Thaks, any other answers? Im sure he is lookinig at used surplus guns, not buying new.

 

[Mot45acp]

On some of the cheaper models there is "trigger slap." When the action cycles the trigger resets hard and fast hitting the shooter's finger. While not painful in small doses, after a mag or 3 it can cause a bruise that will last for 2 or 3 days. It felt like a stone bruise on the bottom of your foot.

I have never shot a top tier AKs, but Romys are the worst. My Yugo underfolder was better. My Saiga 410 was unnoticeable, but that was with 4 round mags.

My understanding is there are ways to fix it
1. U.S. made after market trigger group.
2. Modifying current fire control group. (detailed instructions at ak47.net)

SniperX tell your buddy to join up, as far as forums go this is one of the good ones

I am not an expert, this is just based on my experiences.

 

[nalioth]

I hate to tell you this, but the cheapest, shi****st AK is gonna run as well as the most expensive, prettiest AK.

The design is foolproof, and the 'problems' you read about are mostly in the cosmetic aspects.

Most problems (such as trigger slap) can be solved here: http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/

 

[ec-10]

The Saiga I bought in 7.62X39 is shaping up to be the most reliable semiautomatic rifle I have ever owned. I have around 2000 rounds through it without a single failure. The Saigas come out of the Izhmash factory in Russia and the quality seems to be very good. For the price I think they are hard to beat. As for accuracy, I can bounce soda cans and break clays at 100 yards on pretty much every shot. One of these days I am going to get a proper scope mount for it and see just how accurate it really is.

 

[AndyC]

Personally I prefer the milled receivers, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with the stamped ones at all.

 

[glimmerman]

There is nothing wrong with romainian ak's if you pick through and find one that does not have a cocked front site.(even if it does it will still run with the best off them) I have a romy and a pre ban norinco and both run like a swiss watch with thousands of rounds through both.

 

[benEzra]

As long as the sights are on straight, the Romanians are great (I own one). They are also the least expensive. Stock finish on some of the newer Romanians is awful, but you can fix that with a can of polyurethane from Lowe's.

Here's my SAR-1, with a Kobra on the siderail mount.

Generally speaking, more money buys you better fit and finish, and perhaps slightly better accuracy, but not necessarily more functionality. My SAR-1 has never had a single failure of any sort.

IMHO, milled receivers aren't necessarily any more functional than stamped (it is noteworthy that the Russian military uses stamped receivers for all their AK derivatives). However, milled ones are quite a bit heavier.

For the money, you can't beat the Romanian AK's. As others have mentioned, make sure everything is on straight, and if you can find a "WASR-GP" or "GP-WASR" with the Tapco trigger group, the trigger pull will be better than a lot of guns costing twice as much.

Or, spend a little more and get something with nicer fit and finish. But IMHO none of the civilian AK's currently on the U.S. market are crap.