Looking to purchase and AK 47 - a few questions

[aceofspades991]

Hi all,

This is my first post here.

I'm looking purchase an AK 47. I'm looking into the riffle because as I'm sure you've heard a million times, I'm looking to purchase a SHTF riffle and the prices are in my range. The riffle apeals to to because it has a reputation of being a reliable gun that goes bang everytime you shoot, and I'm under the impression that parts are readily available. I want it to be functional, and to be that way for as long as I need it to be. I don't care all that much about appearance/ finish.

I'm looking into two riffles:

The Vector arms bulgarian AK 47 http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct906.aspx

The Arsenal AK47 Rifle SGL 21-61
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct838.aspx

Do any of you have experience with these riffles?

I the the arsenal, and was leaning towards that until I read that alot of the parts such as the bolt and bolt carrier are not exchangeable with other AKM variations- can anyone verify if this is true, and is it a major draw back. I'm leaning towards the vector because of the above reason, but I have yet to find an objective revierw on the Bulgarian AK that they assemble, is this the only one the ever have or is it a new version so to speak? Would you recomend it?.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[docnyt]

No experience with the Bulgarian. I do have an Arsenal (actually 2) and they have been great reliable rifles. By the time you experience any parts failures you probably can replace them cheaply.

 

[dprice3844444]

cdnnsports.com has a hk rifle in 762x39

 

[aceofspades991]

Thanks for the replies,

docnyt, my concern is not so much that the parts would be much more expensive than the next rifle, but rather if they would be as readily available in a SHTF scenario as any other AKM rifle.

 

[The-Reaver]

If your asking if you can drop a bolt/bolt carrier from another AK 47 then yes you can.
& if your looking into a SHTF site. Come check out.

www.straightprep.com/forum

you will get a much better reception there. Tell um Reaver sent ya.
RvR

 

[pikid89]

they would be as readily available

why is it that people seem to think that, in the event of a total break down in society as we know it, all of a sudden there is gonna be military weapons all over or caches of .223, x39, 7.62 Nato, and 9mm just layin around or supposedly "readily available"

that is so wrong its ridiculous

just look at the recent Hurricane Irene...bottled water was hard to find, thus it was being sold for over 40 bucks a case AT BEST BUY?!?!...and to think you'll find ammo anywhere?!?!?!?

in a time of catastrophe or widespread ground war/ or survival, guns and ammo will be amongst the first things to totally dry up

picking a caliber based on the delusion that ammo will be easy to find when the shtf is laughable at best and at worst gonna leave you screwed in the event you actually NEED ammo and can't find

but i digress


the AK rifle is prob a real solid gun to use for practical purposes, but to want an AK b/c the S might HTF is a poor justification for buying a gun

buy the AK cuz its cool and you want it...no need to justify around here

 

[Telekinesis]

I have the underfolder Vector but haven't gotten a chance to take it out yet. It looks well put together though and I believe they have chrome lined barrels (a plus if you expect to shoot corrosive ammo).

The thing with the Arsenal bolts is that the AK-100 serries (which arsenals are based off of) used a bolt design more similar to the AK 74 as opposed to the original AK 47. Any bolt from a Saiga should work in an Arsenal SGL 21 series rifle. There is also the SLR 107 type that uses the true AK 47 bolt.

As a personal preference, I would get the side folder if I went with the Arsenal. They lock up just as tight as a fixed stock but let you fold it if you need the storage space and also let you use a cool looking metal triangle folding stock in place of the plastic one.

 

[Grim Peeper]

IF you want to get an AK and learn about the whole AK system buy a Saiga and convert it. You may save some dough too.

 

[bri]

Buy the Arsenal. It's Russian, and therefore much cooler.

 

[Sky]

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/Centerfire-Systems-Inc/centerfire_august_2011b/2011072801/

$399 front cover of the mag. Mine had all new parts. Shoot it and if you decide you do not like or want an AK you can always sell it. I like mine. Like my Saiga also but they both go boom.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I've got the vector underfolder (mine's built on a polish kit though) and am happy with it, but for the prices they are asking I'd spend a few more bucks and step up to the Arsenal (the gold standard).

 

[aceofspades991]

why is it that people seem to think that, in the event of a total break down in society as we know it, all of a sudden there is gonna be military weapons all over or caches of .223, x39, 7.62 Nato, and 9mm just layin around or supposedly "readily available"

pikid89, Thats a valid point and I appreciate your input, and I'm not going to debate about a hypothetical SHTF scenario, but I don't think its entirely irrational to have your go to gun be one thats comon (such as a .40 S&W vs a .41 AE). If things got "bad" but maybe not what we all think of as SHTF, then to me at least, it seems more likely that you'd find AKM parts as opposed to Saiga.

Thanks again for all the help everyone.

 

[aceofspades991]

I looked into the SLR 107 by arsenal as recomended above, and it sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Do any of you know if you can install a standard wooden buttstock on these since they come stock as folders (thats cool to, and I'd prob keep it that way for practical purposes but I like the look of wooden furniture.

 

[briansmithwins]

No, you can't change to a fixed stock easily as the left side folder uses a different rear trunnion than the fixed stock.

There is a metal only version of the left side folder that's pretty nice...

But no wood that I know of.

BSW

 

[aceofspades991]

Ah, thanks, do the arsenal side folders tend to be durable?