First AK-47 -- do you think this is a good deal?

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Seems fair. Email the guy and ask about the CAI issues, canted gas tube, front sight etc.. just to make sure the rifle is in good working order. Good luck, I've always liked the look of underfolders.
 
Centerfire has the Romanian underfolder Ak's Cheaper:

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/ak_firearms.aspx

I personally would go with the Yugo underfolder if I were going that direction, but to each their own.

I would also be a little hesitant to buy a second hand century AK without inspecting it. Especially when the pictures are of another similar gun. If 10% of the AK's coming out of century are garbage, I'd rather not take the risk that I'm overpaying for someone else's problem.
 
Seems fair. Email the guy and ask about the CAI issues, canted gas tube, front sight etc.. just to make sure the rifle is in good working order. Good luck, I've always liked the look of underfolders.
I've heard of the front sight issue.but sorry to be ignorant but what are the issues of "CAI" and "canted gas tube"?
 
IMO, the price is too high and the underfolder isn't a good first AK. I find fixed stocks much more comfortable to shoot. There's a very similar Romanian underfolder on the BackPage classifieds in my area right now for $375. You should be able to find a fixed stock Romy AK for under $400.
 
What everyone else said. Also you don't have the purchase protection that comes with using a credit card with this seller. Keep looking, there is plenty of supply.
 
Lousy deal/I paid $465 for mine at a gunshow last month.I had to have one for my collection.This is not the rifle to buy if you intend to shoot it a lot.The stock will develop wobble from opening and closing and the stock smacks you in the face each time you pull the trigger.
 
Thanks for all the great tips. Every post so far has been illuminating. Keep them coming and I will hopefully make a decision soon.

To the last poster, I certainly do intend to shoot it a lot. Please could you elaborate on what you mean by being "smacked in the mouth" and what I can do about it?
 
I would buy from a more reputable business than an auction site. Nothing against Gunbroker but when you can buy the same thing for cheaper with customer service somewhere else it would be silly not to.

Check Classic Arms, Centerfire, Atlantic Arms, J&G sales, Aim Surplus, and your local Pawn Shops and flea markets before you buy.

I've heard of the front sight issue.but sorry to be ignorant but what are the issues of "CAI" and "canted gas tube"?

The canted gas tube is similar to the crooked rear sights. Its just not put on in perfect line with the barrel and gas block. I had one with crooked sights and a canted gas tube. It still shot straight. Other CAI issues tend be just poor workmanship like poor fit and finish and oversize magazine wells.

I loved my Romanian AK and I'm looking for another. The CAI issues aren't that major as long as you get pics of the actual gun you are buying or you can visually inspect it before you buy it.
 
Fireman, thanks for great advice and for clarification of potential issues. I will check out all the other vendors you mention.
 
where in Tx?

Duns,
I am in the College Station area of Tx and can possibly tell you of some local spots to go to find a reasonably priced AK from a storefront kind of place from here to Austin.

PM me or post.
thanks
 
Duns,
I am in the College Station area of Tx and can possibly tell you of some local spots to go to find a reasonably priced AK from a storefront kind of place from here to Austin.

PM me or post.
thanks
Thanks! I'm in Houston. This is a great website. Suggestions are just flooding in!
 
I bought mine off a former coworker and would recommend that route if possible, or at least someone you know or someone that knows someone you know. Getting it off someone that already has worked out any issues is a good idea.
As far as the underfolder developing a wobble, never heard of that and mine is still as tight as I could imagine one being while still being able to fold. I have also never had it smack me in the face or anything that even resembles that. Maybe that is something someone read on the Internet or something, but it doesn't seem possible if you're holding it correct. I find mine very comfortable, very accurate, and very solid. It along with my G19 are the two weapons sitting next to my side of the bed because I trust them most.
 
OP, sorry for the late response. CAI = Century Arms International. They are the company full of "ham fisted monkey's" as others on here have put it, that assemble the parts kit that is that rifle you posted in the first post. This is not a personal opinion but there have been people that have had issues of poorly assembled WASR rifles from them. How many there are no one really knows as far as I cna tell, but they have built a pretty bad rep online. BUT.... there are people on this forum that have WASR rifles that have had zero problems, as well has people that I personally know that have them. So it boils down to it being a crap shoot, you won't know what you are getting till you get it in your hands. Many people will advise you that is you want to buy a WASR to have it in your hands before money is paid for it. That way you can see first hand that it is in proper working order.

Hope that helps!

Or, let me ask what your budget is? Have you looked into Saiga rifles? They are new built, sporterized rifles straight from the mother Russia-land. I own one and love it. Zero issue's, fit and finish is the best that I can expect from an AK. And the best part is you can re-stock them pretty muuch anyway you choose to. If you are interested in going this route there are many threads on this forum discussing them and pretty much any firearm site that sells AK parts will also sell Saiga parts.


Mike
 
I was just looking at Classic Arms. That Polish Tantal 5.45 rifle looks amazing if you want the folding stock. 1080 rounds for $150? Stack it deep.
 
I would pass on that one. A local shop sells them here for 420-430, and no shipping and transfer fee. Plus you can check it out to make sure it doesn't have the typical CAI problems. As tkopp suggested, I would take a look at the AK74s, you can get surplus ammo CHEAP.
 
The price seems way too high. Find the same gun at jgsales, they're selling them for 430$ before shipping, taxes, and transfer fees, and they're current production WASRs so you can be pretty sure that they're good quality.
 
Duns, What do you intend to do with this rifle?

As others have said, underfolders can be a PITA. If this will be your first AK, I would recommend a fixed stock, they are much more comfortable. If you want a folding stock I would go with a side folder. Something like this or an Ak -74 sidefolder.

If you want something small to conceal, consider a draco pistol also available at centerfire. They do not have a stock, but as a pistol they are not subject to 922(r) so they are factory new. Not cut to pieces and reassembled like every Yugo-Bulgarian-Romanian AK. For an extra $200 you can make it into an SBR and add the stock of your choice.

If you don't mind expending the effort get a Siaga and convert it how you like it. It will be a better rifle than one made from surplus pieces. You can probably find a smith near you that will do the work if you have the dough.
 
I'm lucky enough to live about an hour from Centerfire systems. So a couple of weeks ago I ran up there to get exactly what your looking at. Other than the handguards needing a little sanding to smooth them down, the AK I got has been fantastic. It shot great the first time out to the range.

The guys at Centerfire were really helpful.

Just my 2 cents
 
Never buy a Century Arms gun sight-unseen. They have terrible Quality Control and need a thorough inspection before purchase. Price is a little high. Try AIM Surplus.
 
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