I want an AK!

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cnorman18

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I don't have one yet, but I plan to happily jump into the AK addiction with both feet.

I'm sure my question is common, but I'll ask it anyway: What's the best quality AK for the money?

I'm not in a situation where building my own is possible, so that option is off the table. I also definitely want a 7.62x39.

I know that WASRs are super-cheap, but poor quality; I'd like something better than that and that won't need a lot of work.

Atlantic has a Russian-made classic AK for $800+, and if it's really that much better I'll save up for a couple more months; but I'm really looking for something in the $500-$600 range.

Get me in an AK, guys. What are my best options?

(Here's your chance: rants, flames, rumors and prejudices are all welcome.)

Thanks!
 
Wasr-10

I have a WASR-10 and it has performed nicely. I have not had 1 problem with it and is a super shooter. Take it for what it is worth.
 
Depends on what you want to do with it.

If you just want an AK to blast things with a GP WASR 10 will do just fine. Plus its not like they don't clean up well. I refinished the furniture on mine, swapped grips and repainted it and polished the charging handle. It works great.

If you want one that is a good price and built in the same factory as the real Russian AKs get a Saiga in what ever flavor you like (The conversions are a snap and will still get you done for under 500 bucks though it won't look exactly like an AK) My saiga 308 cost 360 bucks 100 bucks for parts etc. Another 200 on mags and you get a 308 rifle that has 20 round mags, takes any AK accessories out there and is under 800 bucks....

If you want one that looks like an AK, isn't as rough around the edges as a WASR then pick up one by Lancaster from Atlantic for 500 to 600.

But if money is a concern look into WASRs and Saigas.
 
I agree with going with a Saiga. Will at RedJacket Firearms of FBMG does some very nice conversions, or if you're feeling self-sufficient enough you can do the conversions yourself. MAK 90's are also very nice for the price.
 
Quite happy with my WASR. Took a few hundred rounds to break in and run smoothly, it's fine now. It came with a Tapco G2 trigger direct from CAI.
 
Isn't there an accuracy difference between different makes? I'm sure cosmetics alone don't warrant double the price.
 
NIB....and about as low a price as you'll find ... URL="http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=422"]http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=422[/URL]
 
cnorman18 said:
I'm not in a situation where building my own is possible, so that option is off the table. I also definitely want a 7.62x39.
Click to expand...
I very much doubt that, sir. DFW sees at least 3 build parties each year (probably some smaller ones we never hear about). You can buy a parts kit, compliance parts and receiver, attend a build party and come away with a functional AK that is the same quality (if not better) than a Lancaster.

RevolvingCylinder said:
Isn't there an accuracy difference between different makes? I'm sure cosmetics alone don't warrant double the price.
Click to expand...
If you put your part into it, they're all accurate. The high price is due to Americans spending time putting cut up european parts kits back together or taking a saiga down to the pins and building it back up again.
 
evolving cyl...... there is a QUALITY of components difference between different makes and amount of workmanship put into assembly and finishing of the higher quality components.....

Go with a Century built Yugo, (they don't actually build them anymore they are farmed out to a AK specialty builder) make sure the sights are installed correctly and for under $500 ya will have the best ya can get for the $$ invested, I actually prefer the Yugo UF over the fixed stock they are in a straight line with bore axis as opposed to dropping away 15 degrees like EVERY other countries UF stock and provide a good cheek weld and better accuracy.........
 
--

Thanks for all the assistance, guys. Still gathering info, but the Yugo is looking good.

As for the build party option; I care for a 98-year-old man, 24-7, an old friend. He can't be left alone at all. I get maybe an hour off in the evening when his daughter comes to visit, and that's about it. The rest of the time I'm here in his apartment. Once a month or so I pay another guy to stay with him so I can go to the range, but even then I can't be gone more than a couple of hours or he gets agitated and fearful.

If you know of a build party where I can get 'er done in less than an hour, I'm there, but I don't think that's possible...
 
For that price range I'd look into Vector or Lancaster. The cool thing about AKs is they are buit so loose even the crappy ones usually work :neener:
 
Try the Lancaster. http://www.lancasterarms.com/

$539
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=446
$499
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=275

I've personally owned four (2 Romanian Gs and 2 Polish UFs) and test fired 5 UFs for the factory when in AZ. They back up their product and their personal service is consistently excellent.

To compare the Lancaster and Vector:
-The Lancaster’s have a lifetime warranty, Tapco G2 trigger, are parkerized and then finished in black Gun-Kote. Also the wood on the guns is top notch.

-The vectors have a 5 year warranty and are a parkerized.

Both Lancaster and Vector have good products that will suit you fine. I just have to offer up some of the Lancaster Kool-aid.:)

If you get a chance compare, the Romanian WASR and Romanian Lancaster side by side. You will see a measurable difference. The WASRs are built as single stacks to be sent to the US commercial market. The Lancaster G's are built from military parts.

:evil:Hell, the Lancaster probably even smells better than the WASR :D.
 
My WASR is made for the standard 30-round magazine, and came with two of them, and had the Tapco trigger already installed.
 
I'd hit gunbroker and find a new or almost new SAR1 or a clean mak90 cheap. The mak90 still got the knod on qullity IMHO but the SAR-1 (other than bayo lug and FH) seemed pretty decent and looked "right" Several buds have them and I've owned a few myself. (and a WASR10 which I quickly sold...junk)

Dunno what else is out there right now...I saw a new model in SGN with sme nteresting looking hardware and century or SOG or somebody had some SKODA built stuff that was interesting the other day. If you can find a clean to new SAR1 for under $400 I'd just get that to start with.

Not as cheap to shoot anymore but they are certainly very fun guns to own. Every home needs one ...just because ;)

"Wolverines!"............LOL
 
even if you got a wasr10 your getting a great rifle.
I believe that an AK is superior to the M4 series.
 
and looked "right"
Click to expand...
Let us keep in mind that "looks" don't feed the bulldog.

You want something that "works".

Somebody said (I paraphrase) they'd have the homeliest, funniest looking gun, so long as it worked every time.
 
If they were still importing the SAR series, I'd say go with that for a starter, but since most of those are getting a little long in the tooth (no longer imported and probably are getting shot to heck), a WASR might be just as good an option for a starter.

jm
 
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