Educate me on AKs

[Blackbeard]

I'm thinking about getting my first (semi-auto) AK wannabe. I've read a lot of the forums and I need some help with the terminology. I hear people mention the countries where they are made (Romanians, Russians, Chinese, Yugos, etc.) and others mention US companies (Armory USA, Century, etc.)

I assume that some US companies sell AKs that were imported legally at some point, and that these are what are referred to by nationality. Are these complete rifles with original parts? Is the receiver imported, or is it imported parts on a US-made receiver? Which companies sell these?

I also assume that other companies make new rifles based on AK specifications. Which companies make these, and are they any good? What is the cost compared to imports?

Thanks for your help.

P.S. What is a WASR-10?

 

[sarduy]

P.S. What is a WASR-10

Hey bro the WASR-10 is the name of a Romanian AK, here's a pic of my WASR-10.



AK-47

 

[jpwilly]

Lancaster arms in Goodyear AZ makes AKM's using kits from various countries of origin on US made recievers, Tapco G2 trigger group, etc etc. Atlantic Arms sells lots of brands of AKM's too. If you used the search function you'll dig up lots of AK threads. Here's video of me blasting away with mine.

 

[diesel83]

Izmash makes a brand called Saiga in Russia. They are a good value and come in 3 calibers (.223, 7.62 x 39, .308). There is also a 9 x 53R caliber, but this hard to find outside of Russia. You can find prices at GunBroker.com and GunsAmerica.com for shopping comparison. Being in Illinois, the variants without pistol grip stocks may be a consideration.

http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/saiga.shtml

Yugos AKs are quite common, though I hear mixed reviews on finish.

Though I don't own AKs, they are very reliable mechanisms and reasonably accurate. Parts and ammo are readily available.

 

[aka108]

For the A look Vectors and Arsenal's are top of the line. For good quality at a low price the Saiga's are hard to beat however they have been modified for a more "sporter" appearance and to not terrify the neighbors.

 

[Cannonball888]

+1 Lancaster

 

[nalioth]

For good quality at a low price the Saiga's are hard to beat however they have been modified for a more "sporter" appearance and to not terrify the neighbors.

Nice thing about the Saigas is that for about $100 more, you can have an "EBR" for the same or less cost than a crappy WASR and MUCH less than the cost of an Arsenal or Vector.

 

[RP88]

Lancaster, Vector, etc. are the upper-ends of quality, and of course that means upper price (700-1100 bucks)

for a good intermediate cost, Yugoslavian models are great. The m70ab1 (original wood furnish model) and the m70ab2 (all-synth grips/underfolder stock) go for about 475 bucks (including tax, shipping, transfer, etc.) from online sites. The next step up would be converting a Saiga or a Bulgarian model (converting will total out to make the rifle cost about 500 or so, and a Bulgarian goes for about ~550 or so)

WASRs have the ugliest finish, but generally shoot great out of the box unless you get canted sights or wobble in the magwell and piston. WASRs are the only models that have any real potential technical problems. Saigas have better accuracy than the Yugos and Bulgarians, but all of those are accurate (for an AK) and very reliable. The main drawback comes from accessorizing; some of the models can have a bit of trouble being accessorized or railed in so that they may accept accessories, but some may actually come with side-rails and such for scopes and optics. I cant really tell you which ones are what for that, since I dont even know. Usually, it is the upper-end ones