In the market for an AK74. Advice?

[leadcounsel]

Polish Tantal with side folding stock and 1 mag for $400?

Romanian AK-WASR2 with wood hardware and chrome lined barrel and 1 mag for $380?

Bulgarian Century Arms AK-74 with Nodak Spud receiver and seemingly cheap plastic hardware and 3 mags for $360?

Aresenal Saiga for $800?

Other? Experiences? Landmines?

 

[nathan]

WASR 2 is my choice amongst those mention. Just add more mags and ammo.

 

[GunTech]

Depends how important the chrome barrel is to you. I recently bought a CAI for well under $400 and it runs fine. Now I am thinking about an Arsenal, mostly to have the chrome bore and scope rail, with decent furniture. My Century has cheap plastic furniture, and I'm in the process of replacing it.

The inexpensive AKs seem to work just fine. If 'does it work?' is your primary criteria, any of the guns mentioned will fulfill that requirement. If you like a nice finish, nice furniture and all the right touches, I'd go for the Arsenal.

 

[leadcounsel]

I'll add that if the furniture is solid as is, I would be content. But I had cheap furniture and would need to replace it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

siaga, you can find them, if you look for 250 ish
the original 74 in PC stocks
little work and they go back to original.

OH, DIY is maybe 100-150 for parts, not really worth the upcharge for a 'big' name arsenal.

 

[GunTech]

I've seen a few 'bubba'd Saigas, and while anyone can do the conversion having the right tools really helps. Frankly, it's really hard to mess up an AK conversion so things don't work, but not everyone is into DIY with their guns.

Watch one of the conversion videos before you decide to take on a conversion.

 

[sturmgewehr]

The Arsenal is by far the best quality rifle of those listed. If you can afford it, it's the way to go.

Beware of the Century Tantals, they've had a lot of problems with them having out of spec barrels. They used 5.56mm barrel blanks as there wasn't a domestic source for 5.45 barrels which caused serious keyholing problems. None of them have chrome lined bores, and most of the cheap Russian surplus you get right now is corrosive.

 

[deadduck357]

Look at the NEW SGL31's, one with solid sidefolder and one with skeleton sidefolder.
http://arsenalinc.com/

 

[leadcounsel]

Who sells the Saigas?

 

[nalioth]

The inexpensive AKs seem to work just fine.

The "inexpensive AKs" are the way AKs are. Charging $2500 for a rifle that costs $50 to manufacture is just ridiculous.

The Arsenal is by far the best quality rifle of those listed. If you can afford it, it's the way to go.

"Best" is highly subjective.

Arsenal rifles are "the best" because of Arsenal's marketing tactics (you know, "repeat the lie often enough . . ")

 

[CrazyWella]

Who sells the Saigas?

Caroline Shooters Supply(This is where I'd get mine, the owner Greg is an amazing person. Fast Shipping, unbelievable customer support, great prices)
Centerfire systems
Mississippi Auto Arms

 

[Shadow 7D]

Classic arms
Buds gun

 

[hadmanysons]

WASRs may be cheap, but mine has NEVER failed on me. Might not hit the broad side of a barn at 500 yards, but it will fire off