My first AK - decision

[Hammer059]

Several questions here. As mentioned in the title this will be my first AK style rifle.

I've heard great things about DDI, and I really like some of their models. Is this worth the extra ~$200 or so over other types of AK's such as the RAS47, etc?

I'm a big believer in paying a little bit more for good quality or something I really like. So basically I'm just wondering what makes a rifle such as the DDI an improvement over the RAS47, which was another rifle I considered.

Please feel free to share your thoughts. Thanks! Especially if anyone has a DDI, I'd love to hear from you!

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I would jump on one of the converted Saigas that are floating around for $600ish, best deal on AKs as far as I am concerned. I've got one and it is the smoothest shooting/ most accurate AK I have ever handled. AKs are usually imported as parts kits and assembled here. Saigas come off Russia's military assembly line, and are imported w crappy furniture that is easily replaced. Basically the question is, would you prefer factory furniture and an after marker receiver, barrel and assembly or factory receiver, barrel and assembly and aftermarket furniture.

If you want a milled receiver, it's your choice, but they don't add anything but weight.

 

[Hammer059]

Milled isnMt a big deal to me either way. However both the DDI and RAS47 are available to me locally for a good price so I'd like to keep it between those two

 

[Jackal]

I always suggest looking for a nice used Norinco, such as a Mak or NHM.

 

[MechAg94]

Technically, the Saigas have to have a bunch of parts replaced also when they are converted to remain legal. A lot of private conversions may not do this. I realy doubt anyone is going to do SWAT raids to find them.

IMO, Saiga conversions can be excellent rifles depending on who does the work. Vepr makes some pretty good rifles also, but it also might depend on the concersion. For that matter, I have a Zastava N-Pap that is fairly well built.

I'll have to look up those specific models in the OP later.

 

[MechAg94]

Looking at the rifles mentioned in the OP, the RAS47 is a Century build. The WASR2 I got years ago was really bad. I guess they do better these days, but I still avoid them if I have a choice.

If you can swing the money, the DDI rifles look like they have some upgrades over the base rifle and the handguards will accept rails for mounting stuff later. IMO, unless you are trying to keep it in traditional form, you will spend more later trying to upgrade the stock and handguards.

http://ddiarms.myshopify.com/pages/ddiak47sfmm

I guess if you are trying to go full collectible, you would look for the Kalashnikov brand rifles.

 

[entropy]

Whichever AK you go with, put an axis pin plate in it, if it doesn't come with one. Eliminates a potential headache.

 

[HGM22]

I'd actually like to know what the difference is between the $500-600 (usually Century) guns, the $700-800 guns (i.e. DDI), and the $1000+ guns (Arsenal, etc.) myself.

That being said, I have a Century Yugo M70AB2 that has feeding issues I'm trying to fix. I've heard they have stepped up their game but I'd want to look one over (including mag fit) or pay for QC inspection.

I'd also concur with the guy who said get the Saiga build. It may not be local but I'd rather have a new manufactured gun from the original factory than a parts kit re-build. Might as well get a new gun, no?

 

[TreeDoc]

I went with a WASR. Had a Saiga and redone it almost all the way back, just got to expensive for me. But shooting it, a wasr and a N-pap together with bulk ammo, not any measurable difference 3-6 inch groups. Better ammo better groupings. As with most things, the more money you spend, the better the product you get. But how much better? I got the wasr for about $550 OTD an Arsenal, last I checked was North of $1000. Is the Arsenal better than my rifle? Maybe, but for what purpose it was bought, my rifle does just fine.

 

[Jackal]

A lot of times you can snag Chinese AK's at good prices. I got this NHM-90 for $500 a few weeks ago and slapped some Magpul gear on it. One of the nicest AK's I've ever seen.

 

[MechAg94]

From what I have seen, there are two upgrades or improvements I would look for. The first is Better fit and finish. The second is better stocks, handguards, triggers, and accessories.

Fit and finish improvements can probably be had with simply a better manufacturer. You shouldn't have to pay a great deal more for this. Even some of the cheaper rifles will be decent here. Overall, a nicer looking rifle is more satisfying to the collector in me. Fit and and finish can affect reliability if really bad. Screw ups like canted sights oversized mag wells that cause the mags to wobble. I had a WASR2 years ago; the mags wobbled so much the bolt wouldn't strip the next round off the magazine unless you held the magazine still while firing. IMO, every AK should have decent fit and finish, but not all do.

Better stocks (maybe folding). Better hand guards, maybe ones that are able to mount optics/lights. Maybe other upgrades such as a railed dust cover, better flash supressor, etc. I think this is where the premium brands do better. If you bought a base AK and did all this yourself, you would like end up spending the same or more. It really just depends on what it is worth to you.

 

[MechAg94]

I would add that some rifles have thicker metal on the receivers or milled receivers. These things can affect cost and accuracy also. I think the Vepr rifles still come with a thicker receiver that is supposed to have the potential for better accuracy and likely durability. My older Vepr shoots about 2 to 4" groups with the iron sights with just about any of the steel cased ammo. It will keep doing that all day. The milled receivers are just more collectible to some as I understand it. I don't think it is worth the cost myself.

I am no expert though. Just a small amount of experience. There are forums out there dedicated to AK talk.

 

[justin22885]

best quality for the price is probably yugos, best quality is probably the arsenals.. you could get a 5.56 cal yugo with built in AR magazine well and LRBHO.. if not, id consider a yugo or an arsenal

 

[Hammer059]

I've heard good things about the RAS47, and I think that's what I'm gonna go with. However I would like to get a DDI by christmas.

To answer a few questions:

I will be keeping any and all AK's in "traditional form" meaning wood furniture and iron sights.

To the goober who said "get an AR"… Been there, done that. I've owned 3 of them and have thousands of rounds behind AR rifles. After shooting 300+ rounds from a relatives AK, it didn't take long to realize I much prefer an AK.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm excited to try get it. I'll post an update once I get it to the range

 

[js8588]

DDI

 

[Hammer059]

"DDI"

Great. That explains a lot. Thanks for the detailed response.

Seriously, what makes the DDI better than the RAS47? I've heard good things about both and I'm genuinely curious

 

[Hammer059]

Just picked up the RAS47. So far I love it!

Still, I'd love to hear some different takes on what makes "higher end" AK's like DDI, Arsenal, etc better. Is it better quality parts? More detailed finishing touches?

 

[Jackal]

Still, I'd love to hear some different takes on what makes "higher end" AK's like DDI, Arsenal, etc better. Is it better quality parts? More detailed finishing touches?

Usually better/more traditional materials, workmanship and attention to detail. The same things that make ANYTHING more expensive than anything else. Whether or not those details actually matter to you is the question. A $500 AK is going to sling lead much the same as a $1000 AK. The same can be said for AR's.

 

[Hammer059]

Understandable. The DDI is only $200 more than the RAS47 so I think I'll get that next. That way I'll be able to find out for myself!

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Arsenals can come with a nice AK-100 style folding stock and (I think) hammer forged barrels - which is why I might get one some day. Those are the biggest differences to me.

I lump every AK with a Green Mountain barrel at the same level. Its just a matter of paying for the features you want - folding stock, sights, furniture, etc.

The $30 Tapco triggers are quite nice, and you can install it yourself if under an hour with minimal tools - not worth paying much for.

Whatever you do, it is hard to make a bad decision. The beauty of an AK is that it was designed by a Genius to be manufactured by idiots, maintained by monkeys and used by children. They are fairly idiot proof.