Help me select an AK / $1200 budget

[P7rancher]

I know nothing about AK's other than their reputation for reliability.

I live in Missouri so we have no restrictions as exist in some of the ban states. In fact, given the chance of another ban I guess it might be smart to buy a gun with as many potential ban features as possible.

Give me some specific suggestions on what kind of AK to look for including caliber suggestions. I am not interested in something that has some unique feature that makes it collectible but I do want a top shelf, quality and obviously reliable weapon that has combat accuracy. The gun will be shot.

Any specific manufacturer or builder recommendations.

Probably did not ask all that I should. Thanks for your help!

P7rancher

 

[gripper]

Arsenal SGL20....Arsenal SF107 with the rail....Arsenal RPK(milled)....
lowering th eprice a bit??Lots of good deals on th eAtlantic Firearms website...as well as AIM, J&G sales, Classicarms.us....I am also kind of interested in the AMD65 built on the FEG receiver,and I usually do NOT go for the folding stocks but I HAVE heard good things about them;for $500.00 to $650.00 you could get a good deal on the rifle and mags,while still having enough scratch to get a case or three of ammo....

 

[BADUNAME37]

How about a Bushmaster?

 

[grilledcheese]

I guess I'm just old, but the idea of spending $1200 on a new kalashnikov-type semi-auto rifle seems like an anachronism.

I'll go take a nap now.

And stay off my lawn!



Jeffrey

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

I'd go with a Hungarian or Yugoslavian AK. Yugo AKs are a little more conventional looking, whereas the Hungarian looking AKs generally have very interesting foregrips and folding stocks. Both are in the $600-$700 range locally. (in the Western part of the state and Eastern Kansas).

Buy it, 3,000+ rounds, atleast ten 30-round mags. And have some fun.

 

[Javelin]

My suggestion would be to look at a converted Saiga. They are probably the best AKs available.

 

[Gun Slinger]

A little more than 12 months ago, I would have told you that for $1200 you could get almost any AK that you wanted.

Now, with pricing what it is, not so much.

Javelin has you set straight; your best bet might be a Saiga AK 103 "conversion" like this one:

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/beta/storeproduct444.aspx

After purchase (~$900) you'd have enough to pickup a case of ammo and a couple extra magazines.

As for a caliber recommendation, I'd stick with the 7.62x39. It is what the AK platform was initially designed for and will typically cause you the least problem. Sometimes when a platform is fitted in another caliber for which it was not initially designed, functioning problems crop up and reliability becomes an issue. Magazines in that caliber are plentiful and somewhat less expensive than those for the "alternative AK calibers".

Blaine Bunting (the owner of atlanticfirearms) is real good guy. I've done a ton of business with him and will do so again when I need to.

 

[Phydeaux642]

By two Saigas and the parts to convert them. You might even have enough left over to get some ammo. Of course, this is assuming that you can find a Saiga anywhere.

 

[RP88]

even with crap inflated prices, walking away with two non-arsenal AKs should be very easy

 

[Nautilus]

I would find an nice SAR-1 or a square cut mak90 and spend the rest on mags and ammo.

 

[chihuahuatn]

The only AK I spent over 1.2K for my was NIB Steyr Maadi (it sits on my wall), get a nice SAR, Arsenal, Saiga, or nice custom build. Heaven-for-bid , a WASR and beat the hell out of they work!

 

[Seattle206]

How about a Norinco type 56 with the folding spike bayonet? It looks damn menacing and cool. plus the fit, fitness and quality craps on all the other aks. or you can get one of those modern looking arsenals that everybody is praising over. i'm not a fan of converted saigas, most of them look like chop-shop junk.

my pick:

 

[Kino74]

I like the above AK 103 and Type 56-1 but also consider going custom. You will pay close to what is currently asking for a high end AK. Of those custom Aks don't forget the AK102 and 105s. Also you may be able to find Krinkovs or at least Krinkovs with fake supressor.

 

[Quentin]

I've had a WASR-10/63 for a couple years and it's been a fine rifle. Of course that's the lowest common denominator of AKMs and yet it does the job as well as higher priced AKs.

Anyway, my point is that if the LCD gun pretty much fits your requirements then you can feel pretty good with any well made AK. Look at lots of them and I'm sure you'll find a great one.

 

[mr.trooper]

Thats an insane budget. Even at current inflated prices you could walk away with a Vector or an Arsenal and still have $400 in your pocket.

Spend that extra $400 on mags, ammo, and mag pouches.

 

[FSJeeper]

I own a Saiga in 7.62 x 39 and bought 2 Yugo M70 AK47's a couple of months ago. Hands down, with no contest, the Yugo's are superior to the Saiga in my opinion. A few reasons:

1. Excellent trigger, already has the Tapco G2 set installed.
2. US made match grade barrel.
3. Flip up tritium night sights.
4. Adjustable gas valve.
5.Stainless steel bolt and carrier.
6. High Quality US made DC receiver.
7. Fit and finish is excellent.
8. Thicker receiver beefed up for the stresses of grenade launching. Much sturdier than the normal AK47.
9. NO CONVERSION NEEDED. THIS GUN IS GOOD TO GO OUT OF THE BOX.

Yes, you can but an Arsenal or other top shelf AK's, but you do not get much more value for your money and you can have 2 yugo's for the price of one of those and you do not have to be on a waiting list forever.

I did my homework before buying the Yugo MOD 70's, I believe they are the best value for money AK47 you can get at this time.

 

[P7rancher]

Thanks for the help

How do I go about finding a Norinco 56 as pictured in the thread?

Also, how about the Yugo's.

Been searching on GB and GA but no luck in my price range.

I am contacting the other gun shops mentioned.

Thanks for the help, but I have not found anything yet.

 

[scarysuperd]

well, i'd go for a 5.45x39/223 ak47 or ak74......

 

[gopguy]

You might try a gun show.

 

[Kino74]

How do I go about finding a Norinco 56 as pictured in the thread?

Also, how about the Yugo's.

Been searching on GB and GA but no luck in my price range.

I am contacting the other gun shops mentioned.

Thanks for the help, but I have not found anything yet.

Remember its been since 1989 that a Type 56-1 like the one pictured in this thread has been imported so if you are settled on getting one, just be patient. You can always put up WTB threads up on multiple gun boards and just keep checking gunbroker.

For Yugos most of the ones you see floating around were built off of wartime issued parts kits, ie cut guns used in a brutal civil war. If you really want a high end Yugo, look for the Mitchell Yugos brought in the 80s. They also have a .308 version. The same applies to the Yugos for the search.

Now you can do like I am doing right now and having a SBR AK102 being made from a Saiga. Its custom but its patterned after the latest AK series. Of course you could do it with 5.45 or 7.62 also. If you're only going to have one high end AK, its hard not to justify that AK being Russian especially if you can't find a good preban Chinese or Yugo. Saigas can be found much easier due to the fact they are still being imported.

If you stick to those I think you will come out really good.

 

[Roadwild17]

I have a Yugo M70AB1 underfolder that I love. It is as accurate as a friend arsenal. They also have the m70ab2 (I think) that is a solid stock option. In my opinion they are possibly the best "bang for the buck" in the AK world right now.