I'm going to order and AK today, please help with one final decision.

[Torghn]

How much of a difference does the heavier 1.6mm receiver make? The 2 main contenders are:

Bulgarian import with 1.6mm reciver:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=493

Lancaster equivalently with standard receiver (except in red wood as I like it better):
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=462

Those two aren't set in stone, but that's the way I'm leaning.

 

[crebralfix]

The standard receivers are just fine. You can still bash people with it and do push-ups off the gun. You will break before it does.

 

[Trempel]

Not really enough to make much of a difference. I've shot the Bulgy SSR85 a bit and it was accurate enough for an AK. And it's actually a Bulgarian built gun, not one from a parts kit. I've only played with the Lancaster builds and they seemed nice enough. When you get your rifle, just make sure that the front sight is not canted. Aside from that, an AK is an AK. Just pick the finish that you like and go from there.

 

[Torghn]

Yeah, I like the idea of an actual build rifle as apposed to a parts kit, but I haven't heard much about these specific Bulgarian AKs. The Lancaster's seem to have a good reputation.

 

[benEzra]

Weight, mostly. A 1.6mm receiver is theoretically more durable (which is why the RPK has a 1.6mm receiver, IIRC), but if a 1mm receiver is durable enough for a military AKM subjected to years of full-auto use, it's certainly durable enough for a non-automatic civilian AK. No one has ever accused 1mm-receiver AKM's of being flimsy or fragile.

 

[nalioth]

Unless it's Arsenal, a WASR, an IO StG, or those newer non-Arsenal Bulgarian imports, they're built from kits.

Park and paint covers up a lot of problems ( just ask a used car salesman ).

 

[buck00]

Personally I think the Lancaster with the stained wood looks nicer. JMO


Make sure you inquire with Atlantic about a THR discount.

 

[MIL-DOT]

(QUOTE) "How much of a difference does the heavier 1.6mm receiver make?"

Makes it heavier. I have a Yugo with the 1.6 receiver, and i don't like it as much as my others simply for the weight. There's an alleged accuracy and stregnth advantage, but that's either debatble,or un-necessary. I won't likely get any more thicker ( or milled) receiver AK's, i've been happy with the stamped 1.0's.

 

[femoralis]

I've heard a few reports of the slant break flying off these bulgarian guns... no threads, they are welded on. Something to think about.

 

[briansmithwins]

I suspect barrel quality will be a better predictor of accuracy than the gage of the receiver metal. The Bulgarian has a hammer forged barrel, which are (in general) better. I personally would avoid any rifle that is absent muzzle threads as that's a pain to correct.

However neither rifle has a optics mounting plate, so accuracy is going to be limited to your Mk I eyeball and AK iron sights.

BSW

 

[rangerruck]

if I planned on every getting serious with it, or just wanted to know, for a fact, that it could really last forever, I'd go with the 1.6