If the day ever comes when I need more than a handgun--which AK-47?

[MAKOwner]

I've had several MAK90s over the years (my first AK was a MAK90), and while they were very nice fit and finish, and are certainly a good buy at sub $400, I don't think they're the best. Number one, back to back shooting w/ my last MAK and my current SAR1 yielded similar accuracy when both had cold barrels, but the MAK's groups really opened up as it got hot. I continue to blame the poorer quality chinese steel that many claim necessitated the thicker barrel and receiver of the Chinese AKs. MAKs aren't immune to canted sights either, my second MAK was one of the worst AKs I've seen in that department, got rid of it pretty quickly (my last one was real nice though). I also prefer the full AKM look of the SARs, the MAK is a little bastardized. I have since gotten rid of my last MAK90 to fund other AKs. I did hand pick a very nice example of a SAR1 though (literally perfectly straight sights, etc). I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another MAK, but I don't think they're all that outstanding...

I don't know about a WASR10, as they seem to be a little more hit or miss since the mag well is milled out, but if I were buying one I'd hand pick one with straight sights, and be sure to so some quick testing with various mags and perhaps do any necessary filing to ensure good mag insertion/removal before I called it done... The only WASR10 I've shot was a pretty nice rifle IMO. Any that group worse than any other standard stamped AK have something wrong IMO.

With $400ish to spend I'd shop my local gunshow and see what was plentiful at the time. Should be some MAKs, SARs, and WASRs to choose from within that pricerange. If you lucked out you could maybe snag a Bulgy SLR95 or hungarian FEG from a motivated seller too. I think I'm personally going to try a Saiga myself and play the conversion game if the next gunshow has some littered around again like the last one... As long as you stay clear of anything Vulcan/Hesse made or maybe some bubba's homebuild (could be nice too though...), I don't think you can go toooo wrong...

 

[gunny1022]

The best mags we have found are the steel East German. For much fun bought a 75 round Romanian drum. All are flawless, and the drum you load on Sunday and shoot all week. As for AKs, all shoot all the time. No worries, mate. Cosmetics differ with the price. Best we have found for value is the Maadi.

 

[>SHOCK<^>WAVE<]

Get one with a double hook trigger

the Military Defense Council of Finland, both selected Norinco of China to supply Chinese type 56 AK-47 rifles, which are virtually identical (except for select-fire components) to the Norinco MAK-90, & without the MAK-90's thumbhole stock).
the Norinco came out on top as the most rugged, and best value DUE TO THE USE OF THICKER 1.5MM STAMPED CHINESE RECEIVERS, DOUBLE-HOOK TRIGGERS FOR SMOOTHER TRIGGER-PULL, and thicker Chinese barrels <LINK>

 

[Glockfan.45]

or maybe some bubba's homebuild (could be nice too though...), I don't think you can go toooo wrong...

If by Bubbas homebuild you mean a parts kit built on a 80% reciever I would stay away even if it were the finest AK in the world and was selling for $5.00. If you as a private builder assemble a rifle on a non numbered reciever (ie 80%) it is illegal to sell or transfer.

 

[MAKOwner]

I was referring more to buying a gun built on a finished, traditionally purchased receiver, but you are incorrect about guns built on 80% receivers as well. Bit of a gray area though, as long as it was not built for commercial sale and is marked with a manufacturer/builder name and serial number prior to sale you can sell a gun built on a 80% receiver as per the ATF in letters available online. I wouldn't feel particularly good about buying or selling a gun built on a 80% receiver myself though, hence should I decide to sell mine I will remove the receiver and sell off the parts kit alone...

 

[MP-44]

I bought this M70AB2 a month ago at the local gun show for $399. NIB ( as close to NIB as you can get with a parts gun ) with bayonet, cleaning kit and two 30rd mags....