More AK-related questions... (somewhat long)

[Dionysusigma]

Well, I've had a SAR-1 for over a year now and am pretty pleased with it. Simple design, rugged, all that stuff.

It's time to get another AK, though; and this time around, it's going to get mall-ninja'd now that things are being made for just that purpose. And like always, I have a few questions...

1) QC on Vector Arms AKs, Hesse (I know Hesse's poor reputation, but it's still an AK fer cryin' out loud!), and other obscure manufacturers. I've heard an earful on Century, Arsenal, the VEPR, and Krebs; tell me about anyone and everyone else.

2) In what caliber should this new one be? The SAR is obviously in 7.62x39, but I cannot recall the last time I've seen a case of Wolf 7.62 in Oklahoma City. Is the supply drying up? Should I switch to 5.56x45 or 5.45x39? Are the mags and spare parts going to be hard to find?

3) Should I go with another carbine-length gun, or a longer VEPR II/ Arsenal RPK?

4) Directly related to #3, what non-optic stuff should I slap on it? Things like bipods (for the longer guns) or short fore-grips (for the carbines), muzzle brakes/flash suppressors, RSA goodies (adj. trigger, mag release, etc.), bayonet, all of the above...

5) What sort of optics would go well on it? Should I put a LER scope on the gas tube/rear sight leaf, or go with a PSO-1 on the side rail? What about this: http://www.gunsnstuffonline.com/ind...-254f-4cb0-8063-da78c790c6d6&uniqueid=3512198 ? Any info on that? Should I go with a Kobra? What about a 3-9x30? Laser, Surefire?

More to follow as I think of them...

Oh another... what about a ROMAK-3 (Dragunov "copy")?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

We could give you better answers if we knew what the intended purpose will be. That said, I'll answer some of your questions.

1. I have a Saiga that was reworked by Hesse (now called Vulcan) into an AK-103 clone. At first everything was ok. After about 200 rounds, the sear and hammer started to peen, which rendered the rifle inoperable. I replaced the FCG with the Tapco G2 single-hook set and now all is well. I would not buy another Hesse/Vulcan firearm. I can't speak to the other brands you mentioned.

2. Around here (SE PA), 7.62x39 is easily available at gun shops. Any of the rounds you mentioned are readily bought online, although 5.45x39 is by the least common round in the US.

3. If you are going to be shooting at longer ranges, the longer barrel may help a bit.

4. Whatever floats your boat. All I've added to my Saiga are a PK-01V red dot and a Tapco Galil-style folder.

5. The PK-01V which I bought from Freedom Optics rocks. Built like a tank and bright enough for use in bright sunlight. I had a Kobra but the adjustment system is really funky.

 

[mondocomputerman]

I have both a pso-1 and cobra sight for mine. Both are fine pieces of work. They hold their zero well after being removed and put back on. I like the shorter barrel on mine, since I got it for close quarters work.

 

[Dionysusigma]

After a bit of thinking, I may want to go with a longer range gun since the medium-range carbine role is filled by the SAR. It'd generally be used for longer range plinking, varmint use (if I ever need it to be), and basic run-of-the-mill range target use. I've never been hunting, so that would probably be out... plus the calibers most AKs come in wouldn't be much good for that anyway.

I am now seriously considering a ROMAK-3...

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model2.htm

... but am worried about replacement parts and other options. The standard Romanian thumbhole stock is too short for me, and it doesn't look like the receiver would willingly take a pistol grip and an AR stock (with the BlackJack adapter, of course). The larger cartridge would be better for long-range use too.

Any opinions on this? I've been meaning for a while now to get an autoloading MBR-power rifle. Since FALs don't seem to float my boat, M1As are too expensive (at the moment), and the PTR-91 is a thought for another day...

The ROMAK-3 sounds good.

 

[Tomac]

5.45 AK-74 built by Ohio Rapid Fire on a new Bulgarian '74 kit. I then added the Romanian folding stock, AK-74 tactical light, extended mag release, Tapco G2 fcg, Tapco SAW pistol grip, RSA fcg retainer plate, PK-AS combat sight, restored the bayonet lug and (not shown in this photo) replaced the AK-74 muzzle brake w/a Bulgarian flash suppressor (which also takes the bayonet like the '74 brake):

Tomac
PS- Using this setup I recently downed 10 bowling pins from 10m to 40m out in 14 seconds.