Hey AK Guys

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Blondie

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I would like to get a Kalishkinov in case Barry gets elected and prohibits my right to choose.

I see that I can get an Arsenal SSR-85C for about $600-$700. I read that those firearms are "new" but use some surplus parts from bulgaria. Overall, I've read that owners of these are pretty happy.

On the other hand, I see that I can get an Arsenal SAM-7 for maybe an SLR-95 for about $1300. These have milled receivers (which is suppose to be better, but not that relevant) and the quality of these is suppose to be very good (I saw a video of a guy run a SAM-7 over with a truck and then pick up the gun and fire).

I'd like to just get one represenative of an AK for my collection, to baby but also to shoot from time to time. I may also get a Saiga in the collection to later modify, but for now, I just want a AK that I don't have to do much with.

Could you all help me choose? Is the premium price for the SAM-7 worth it? Why the heck does Arsenal not make SAM-7s anymore; it appears there is a demand for them.

Thanks

Blonde
 
On the other hand, I see that I can get an Arsenal SAM-7 for maybe an SLR-95 for about $1300.
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You can get an SLR-95 for a lot less than that. I just picked one up (used) for $750. Look around and try to score a milled receiver if you want a Bulgarian rifle. Watch the for sale boards on some of the AK sites and they'll pop up from time-to-time.

The reason they don't make them any more is that the profit from a stamped sheet-metal receiver is way higher than having to mill out a steel block.
 
IMO, milled receivers are heavier and (to some) look nicer, but there is little or no functional difference.

The Russians have used 1mm thick stamped receivers on their full-auto AK's for decades, with no problems, and a lot of 1mm stamped AK's have seen REALLY hard use with little maintenance in places like Afghanistan and Iraq without wearing out. And the Russian squad auto RPK has a 1.6mm stamped receiver, and withstands receiver temperatures and stresses that a civilian AK will NEVER see no matter how hard you run it.

As far as being run over by a truck, Sonny Puzikas' AK DVD has footage of some Russian soldiers throwing a loaded (but chamber empty) AK-74 out a third-story window, running it over with a bus, then picking it up and emptying the magazine, as I recall. That rifle has a 1mm stamped receiver, I believe. All AK receiver designs are pretty darn tough.
 
+1 to above.

Functionally little difference between the fancy-pants big names and a GOOD WASR or other budget AK. Just got to get it in your hands to make sure it's ok. And then go to town with new furniture or whatever you please.
 
don't get the SSR. It's a 650-dollar WASR with a nice finish/furniture setup and the ability to throw its muzzle device thirty yards down-range after ten or so shots
 
For $600.00 the best AK out there is one from Arizona Response Systems. Mark builds a super AK from a Romanian G kit. Bought one and I couldn't be happier with it. Has the best trigger of any Ak I've ever shot with a real nice fit and finish of both metal and wood. I'd buy another one in a heart beat.
 
I have handled and fired a wide variety of AK's from WASR's to SAR's to Veprs, MAK-90's, milled and stamped Arsenals and others. Of everything the Veprs have the nicest fit, finish and are the most accurate. The American made milled Arsenals come next with the Bulgarian milled rifles right behind losing only a couple points on finish. Vepr's are heavy, and front heavy. This cuts down on felt recoil but can make it more of a chore to fire for long periods. The milled guns offer most of the benefits but are better balanced and a little lighter. WASR's can work but are bottom of the stack rifles in every respect. SAR's were much better than WASR's are. The Chinese AK's are actually pretty nice but I'm not happy with the blued finish in a practical firearm. Not too big of a deal, they can be refinished. Stamped AK's are perfectly servicable. On average milled AK's have been more accurate for me. The nicest milled AK's groups were half the size of the worst stamped AK with the same ammo from the same 1,000 round pack. If you have the scratch you may want to consider a Vepr or Sam 7 just because they are the nicest factory rifles available and somewhat rare at this point. Stamped AK's are common as rocks and will still be relatively inexpensive after a potential ban if you want to get one later.
 
I was surprised to hear complaints about the SSR-85C2's. I bought one a few years ago from Armory USA in Houston and it was a great gun, very accurate, 1.6mm Bulgarian receiver, excellent build quality and fit/finish with beautiful blond furniture. I guess quality fell apart after Armory USA closed and someone else is building them now. Is a shame, they were nice.

I'd look at Atlantic Firearms as well as they have some already-converted Saiga's (as does Classic Arms) which are a pretty safe bet. The gun starts life as a basic Saiga and has minimal work done to convert it.
I own one converted by the dreaded Hesse and even they couldn't screw up a Saiga (at least not mine). There are some new WASR look-alikes out there on U.S. receivers, I think they're called GP-75's or something like that. I handled one recently, seemed better than the average WASR. Arsenal is always a safe bet, they build good stuff but don't discount the Lancaster products that you'll find at Atlantic.
 
I'd look at Atlantic Firearms as well as they have some already-converted Saiga's (as does Classic Arms) which are a pretty safe bet.
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You might have to install your own bullet guide. But, since the price of base Saigas has jumped up significantly, these are NOW great deals, even if you have to fix it up yourself a bit. The price was not worth it at first until the Saiga jumped up to about 350 bucks. Now, it's no more cheaper or more expensive than doing it yourself.
 
As I said, I want an AK that I don't have to modify. However, I'd probably still get a Saiga just to have both.

If I buy a converted Saiga, is it safe to buy one from Classic Arms or Atlantic? I have read some bad stories about some converted guns being put together poorly, with glue holding parts to together and so forth. If I did the conversion myself, is it possible to put better quality parts than a pre-converted Saiga would have? If it doesn't matter, I might get a pre-converted one.

Blonde
 
Blondie said:
f I did the conversion myself, is it possible to put better quality parts than a pre-converted Saiga would have?
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When you convert your own Saiga, you can use whatever parts you want. Not the parts someone else chose for maximum return on investment.

Another benefit is that you know the quality that went into the conversion.
 
Good mid range AK is a Yugo M70. 1.6 mm receiver with a polished chrome bolt carrier. They come in a full wood stock or an under-folder version. I have not seen the full stock versions for sale recently but I continue to see the folding version. These are very solid firearms. I owned the full stock version it was a great shooter!
 
I would like to get a Kalishkinov in case Barry gets elected and prohibits my right to choose.
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Hey.....Vote for a Republican and enjoy another 8 years of George Bush policies. You probably won't have a job......but you will have an AK.....:D

I have a SSR-85C and it is a very nice rifle. The recoil compensator is threaded onto the barrel. It is 100 times nicer than a Wasr..IMHO.
ssr85ca.gif
ssr85cb.gif
 
Thanks for the replies, I think I will probably get the SAM-7 and a Saiga to convert later (with parts chosen by me).


Hey.....Vote for a Republican and enjoy another 8 years of George Bush policies. You probably won't have a job......but you will have an AK.....
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It appears you are confused. First, Bush has reached his term limit. Second, raising taxes on businesses (small, medium, or large) is horrible for the economy. Businesses lay people off and pass increased costs to the consumer, making everyone suffer. Third, socialism sucks (why punish people for working hard???) For your job's sake, I hope Dear Leader loses.

Blonde
 
If I was considering paying $1300 for an AK, I would pass on the milled receiver and put that money into a stamped receiver gun from one of the AK custom shops like Krebs. The milled receiver doesn't bring anything to the table in my experience (with Bulgarian military issue 5.56mm AKs), but having a rifle that's been hand built by skilled gunsmiths does.
 
If you're going to spend $1300, get a Valmet. I think they're by far the nicest AK's and $1300 is probably enough to get one.
 
Hey.....Vote for a Republican and enjoy another 8 years of George Bush policies. You probably won't have a job......but you will have an AK.....
Click to expand...

Ah, the joys of trading freedom for, (perceived), temporary security.

It's disgusting what America has fallen to.
 
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