Is a ~$1000.00 AK worth the money in your eyes?

Can an AK be worth about a grand?

  • Yes

    Votes: 18 17.6%

  • No

    Votes: 74 72.5%

  • It depends on the following. . . .

    Votes: 10 9.8%
  • Total voters
    102
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I have been thinking about buying a Krebs Custom AK. I can't get the idea out of my head that $1000.00 or so is an awful lot to pay for an AK even if Mr. Kalashnikov himself machined and assembled it when Third World peasants can make one that can be servicably modified into at least a 2MOA weapon.

Then again many of the higher quality ARs are in that ballpark and I don't like them as much, primarily because I don't like all of the ballistics issues that surround 5.56 like twist ratios and bullet weights, let alone terminal effectiveness debates out of various length barrels.

Then again, a DSA FAL or a M1A is only a few more months of saving to acquire.

What is your perspective?
 
Those hi-price AK's are very nice, but I just can't justify it. Not when you can buy a decent AK for less than $400 and customize it to your preferences over time.
 
I'd pay one large for one. I'm waiting for the AWB to expire so I can get one in .223 with cheap mags.
 
I said no

I own an Arsenal SAM-7 that I picked up for around $500, and I can't imagine getting twice the gun. The allure for me was buying a gun that cost half as much as an M1A. The quality of the Arsenal is excellent, I'm not sure you could polish the design enough to warrant 1K pricetags.
 
If you like the AR platform, and just don't care for 5.56, may I make a suggestion?

How about an AR-10?
There are several good choices, my top two suggestions being the AR-10 from Armalite, and the new .308s from Bushmaster....

Generally - I wouldn't buy any AK for $1000 unless it had significant historical value of some sort. I just can't see spending the money on such a "crude" firearm that is only combat accurate. I like my firearms to be capable of outshooting me, not vice versa.

Nomex suit on:D
 
(Voted third choice.)

IMO, it is questions or situtations like this that define the difference between casual gun owners/collectors and serious gun collectors.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine, who recently started seriously getting into gun collecting, bought one of those Bulgerian or Romanian AKs, the one with the tack-welded-open folding stock, less than $300. Of all my years collecting, I had actually never fired an AK action in 7.62X39. A few in AK-types in 7.62X51 and few SKSs, but not an AK in 7.62 Russian. Wasn't really a front burner thing to do for me.

At the range, my friend allowed me to fire a few rounds through his AK. Like my first time with the AR, I found it incredibly easy to shoot. Much less recoil than the 7.62X51 guns and a bit more ergomonic thn the SKS. I had then decided to put it on the top of the list get one. Instead of an AK, though, I wanted and RPK as I always like the lines of it over the AK. Stamped or milled wasn't a big issue for me as I feel both work fine as long as it was made by a company known for their work and/or history (like a former communist state factory). My friend's sample, although very reliable, did seem bit crude, particularly the faux-folding stock. Liked to original look of the Russin RPK (including stock profile, slim bi-pod etc.) so it was my starting point. Very few options for me and finally decided upon Arsenal Inc.'s SA RPK-7. It ran over 3 times the cost of my friend's AK but it does look and feel better built. Generally, build quality is a distant second compared to function for me but for the added cost, I guess that is what I was buying and so point it out.

So in the end, IMO, it'll be a question of how serious collector are you? Unfortunately for me, I'm a little too serious judging by my bills.
 
For not too much more money than the Krebs, you can get a Valmet. I used to snicker about them "high priced Finnish AKs" until I had the chance to pick one up. Fit, finish and overall quality is very impressive. The trigger pull is amazing. The best part about the Valmet is that it will hold its value. I doubt you can resell an American $1,000 AK for anywhere close to what you paid for it.
 
I voted "no." Krebs has a great reputation, but quite frankly, I think most people would be better off buying a cheaper AK and a crapload of ammo to go through it. Think about it like this...

Krebs AK - $1000
SAR-1 - $350 + $600 worth of ammo (7500 rounds)

Which do you think will make you a better shooter? :)
 
For a standard format AK? No. For an improved version like a Valmet? Yes. As the 7.62X39 Valmets are about $2500 I built a Valmet clone for about $1000 and am very happy with it. Bulgarian milled receiver (Bulgarian are much higher quality than romanian), Valmet/Galil front sight/gas block, tube, piston, original Valmet M-62 top cover/rear sight. Fresh tritium night sights(Valmet started night sights in the 60's). It shoots 2 1/2" at 100 yards with cheap wolf ammo. Good enough for a light auto rifle, and much lighter than a 308 of any kind in an autoloader.

The Arsenal milled guns are about half that amount and would be as good as any standard format AK functional and finish wise.
 
My Mitchell pre ban Yugo's are pushing that (the .308 is MORE) and the Hungarian pre bans are close. I put an Aimpoint on a MAK front mount on a Hunky with a shorter East German stock , it is the Schizznit for CQB and I am in it for the grand figure. 7.62X39 is a much better CQB cartridge than .556 IMHO. I have used Colt AR's in all my training classes since the 90s BUT I plan on using the modified AK in the future classes.;)
 
Krebs AK - $1000
SAR-1 - $350 + $600 worth of ammo (7500 rounds)

Which do you think will make you a better shooter?
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I have both a SAR1 and a Krebs AK103K. While I agree. in the long run, if you practice right, the SAR and the 600 rounds will probably make you a better shooter overall, but the SAR wont shoot as well as the Krebs gun. But thats mostly just splitting hairs and only really matters at the range. The Krebs will shoot into 2" or so at 100 yards while the SAR will do 4-6" or so. The difference between the two guns is, the Krebs gun doesnt need any fiddling with or customizing once you get it, not that the SAR really needs it, but they are quite a bit rougher in fit and finish and there's a good possibility they may require some trigger work. Of all my AK's, the Krebs is the sweetest shooter and that brake really does make a difference. Its well worth the money.
 
Nope. If I were to spend a grand on an assult rifle, the AR is a much better gun. AKs are cool because they are tough and reliable but if I had a $1000 AK, I would expect AR-15 type preformance and I don't think that is reasonable from an AK. I don't ever see any AKs in the high power matches but AR-15s seem to dominate.
 
No, and this is coming from someone who has paid close to $1k for an AK before.

I bought mine because it was semi-rare (a pre-ban underfolder) and came with a buttload of accessories (three different muzzle brakes, bayonet, mags, soft case, case of ammo...)

In no way is it worth that much in practical terms; it's value stems solely from the fact that I wanted it, and possibly as a collector's item.

Even if it were capable of MOA accuracy, it's still saddled with lousy iron sights and miserable ergonomics. Yeah, it's pretty reliable, but it has experienced a few stoppages (No! Not an AK!), showing about the same level of reliability (at least under firing range conditions) as any other quality self-loader I've owned, AR's included. Maybe it is more reliable in sandstorms, but we don't get too many of those here in E. TN.

Bear in mind that the AK was designed for cheap manufacture to be issued to zillions of conscript troops and to fill in the roles of both rifle, and SMG. A $1,000 one-MOA AK is like a Toyota Tercel that can do 150 in a straight line, but is otherwise stock; it is completely at variance with the design brief. At that price you are almost in the range of good FALs and AR-10's and the like, rifles that are accurate, powerful, and ergonomic.

Would you buy a replica of the Liberator pistol if it had a match barrel, was nicely polished, and cost a mint? :)
 
For a KTR I would since it's a step up from the standard AK yet cheaper than a Galil but $1000 is the limit. If we're talking about a 103 conversion then my answer is no I would pick up a SAM7 and some ammo instead.
 
.....but if I had a $1000 AK, I would expect AR-15 type preformance
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Actually, my AK103K routinely outshoots my Bushmaster Dissapator at 100 yards using Wolf ammo. The AK isnt a target rifle and isnt trying to be. Put both the AK and even a fancy tuned AR on the same practical course and I'll bet they are pretty even in the results, even using a lowly SAR.
 
The AK was desined to be cheap, simple, basic and crude. I love the little carbine, but if you dress up a pig...

Then again many of the higher quality ARs are in that ballpark and I don't like them as much, primarily because I don't like all of the ballistics issues that surround 5.56 like twist ratios and bullet weights, let alone terminal effectiveness debates out of various length barrels.
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Granted, you do have less options on twist rates and barrel lengths with the AK, but the AK also has terminal effectiveness issues. Personally, I'd feel much more comfortable with 5.56x39, 5.56x45(with the proper ammo) than I would with 7.62x39 which has a dismal record for stopping attackers.
 
My VEPR K was $609 out the door, and thats the most I would pay for an AK.

I don't think the ~$1000 KTR 03V type guns are worth it either. Far as I can tell, the main difference is a peep sight on the dust cover. No way I'm gonna pay an extra $400 for that.
 
Then again, a DSA FAL or a M1A is only a few more months of saving to acquire.
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exactly...

my buddy just bought a LNIB DSA SA58 and its a SWEET rifle. I have a SAR1 which I've dumped about 300 into on various upgrades, and his rifle is just simply amazing comparied to my rifle. For 1k and some change you can look into getting a much better firearm IMO.


Also, the SA 58 had about the same felt recoil as my SAR1 which I was pretty surprised about.
 
Sure would....and already have....about $1200. No one out there made what I wanted, so I had it built to my specs. I don't regret it one bit. Every bit as nice as my custom AR in the fit/finish dept.

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Custom guns 'aint cheap, and the AK is no exception. Compare an AK from one of the premiere smiths out there to a factory SAR and you'll see a huge difference. Don't get me wrong, SAR's are great rifles for the money. I happen to own one. Can't compare it to a custom built, quality AK though.

I would also seriously recommend looking into AK-USA. Better quality than Krebs Custom in my opinion, and alot easier to deal with.

http://www.ak-103.com
 
Custom guns 'aint cheap, and the AK is no exception. Compare an AK from one of the premiere smiths out there to a factory SAR and you'll see a huge difference
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Totally, I have a thing for quality and even though an AK was not designed to be an expensive weapon.....I'm always willing to pay to get something nice.

With than AK as well as many types of firearms, you don't have to spend a ton of money in order to get something that safely and reliably discharges a round. That's not the only reason why someone buys an expensive custom gun.
 
No. For that money, I'd go with something else.

I think there are plenty of AK's out there for FAR less money that are excellent specimens. Arsenal SA M-7, Arsenal USA SSR-56-2, and VEPRs come to mind. They are great guns and won't run you a grand.
 
762x51:No one out there made what I wanted, so I had it built to my specs. I don't regret it one bit. Every bit as nice as my custom AR in the fit/finish dept. Custom guns 'aint cheap, and the AK is no exception. Compare an AK from one of the premiere smiths out there to a factory SAR and you'll see a huge difference. Don't get me wrong, SAR's are great rifles for the money. I happen to own one. Can't compare it to a custom built, quality AK though.
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I agree. I would pay a full grand (maybe even $1500) for a semi-auto AKM, but of course I'd expect a heck of a lot more out of it than I would out of the SAR-1 for which I paid $320.00. For instance:

All parts (except mags and springs, of course) are milled
Extremely tight tolerances
Heavy barrel, 24-26" length
Custom stock set, adjustable
Capable of <1 MOA using Wolf ammo
Perfectly matched/calibrated optics included
Custom iron sights

Basically... if SAR-1 = Century G3, then My Dream AKM = H & K PSG1.

But only if it really compared that well. ;) Till then, I'll just aim for a 7.62x39 VEPR II. :)
 
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