Opinions on these two AK-47 rifles?

[TestedTwice]

So I was wondering what rifle you guys would think is better between these two. There's the Century Arms C39V2 and an Atlantic Firearms Polish AK-47.

Here's a link to the Polish AK:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...k47-7-62x39mm-rifle-wood-detail.html?Itemid=0

And here's the C39V2:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/cai-c39-v2-detail.html?Itemid=0

One concern I had was "milled vs stamped." The Polish rifle is stamped while the C39V2 is milled. I've never handled a stamped AK, but when I hear that they're made from folded sheet metal, it makes me think that they would be very flimsy and weak; especially with the rails, trunnion, and whatever else just riveted in. I'm certainly not going to be throwing my AK around or anything, and I only get to shoot about 200-300 rounds every month or two. I've also seen slow-motion videos of a stamped AK deforming when fired. It was scary looking.

On the other hand, my C39V2 (with fifteen rounds through it) seems to have a cast bolt carrier and a bolt made of very soft steel. My bolt carrier has a huge crater chipped into it and the bolt itself has pretty noticeable chips in it already, with it flaking more just by hand-cycling the rifle. This is very concerning in a brand new rifle with only fifteen rounds.

Would I be better off trading my C39V2 off for that Polish AK? Basically, I'm wondering what you guys would do.

 

[justin22885]

is get the polish AK, stamped receivers are lighter, just as strong, and easier to repair or replace as well, also the polish AK comes with the side rail, you are definitely going to want a side rail for mounting optics (likely with an RS regulate mount).. also, the milled AKs generally have different barrel sizes, rear sight blocks, and stock shapes that would make it incompatible with most aftermarket

also the polish AK is built on some of the higher quality parts out there.. polish as well as bulgarian and russian make up the top quality AKs

you can also consider yugo AKs which arent 100% compatible with the bulk of AK aftermarket but they still have a lot of support just for them, and you can even get 5.56 yugo AKs with mag adapters to use AR15 mags for like $600

 

[DP03]

Well the first thing I'd do is contact Century and get that fixed or replaced. I have the V1 of the Century, and it has been flawless for years (thousands of rounds). I personally much prefer the milled receiver. It is of better quality than any stamped I've seen. The old Century's had issues (canted front sights) that are long gone, and they now make a quality AK that matches up with the best of them.

If it was me, I'd have the Century replaced under warranty. Yours is not the norm.

 

[TRX]

The AK was designed to be made of folded sheet metal. There's no real advantage to a milled receiver.

 

[justin22885]

The AK was designed to be made of folded sheet metal. There's no real advantage to a milled receiver.

exactly, the short period of milled usage was a workaround to the russians inability to work sheet metal on a high enough scale at the time

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Get the stamped unit and enjoy without worry.

 

[hamp sandwich]

Polish any day. I can't say that there's anything wrong with a milled AK, but a quality stamped receiver will rival it all day long. You'll never wear it out. The sheet metal folds add more strength than given credit, and the real need for a milled part is in the front trunion anyway.
As mentioned before, the Polish parts are excellent, the side rail is handy and the parts availability is great.
Again, nothing wrong with the milled one you referenced, but I'd go with the Polish one. Great question, by the way.

Edit: Oh and yes... If you can't get a warranty fix on your old one, trade it off, but I don't know what kind of trade value it would hold...

 

[USAF_Vet]

The C39V2 has actually gotten some pretty positive reviews, so I agree what you're experiencing is not the norm. Since you already own the C39V2, I'd contact Century about a warranty claim.

If they can't or won't do anything, then I'd trade up for the Polish. The stamped receiver isn't a big deal, at all. Millions of AKs out there are built on stamped receivers and they do just fine.

 

[1911 guy]

First issue is to contact Century and get your current rifle looked at.

Second, everyone is right about the stamped vs. milled. Stamped AK receivers are the norm and function just fine with good durability.

But the real issue is: why does anyone buy from Century anymore?

 

[horsemen61]

I've heard great things about the V2 inculding their proprietary trigger I'd get the v2 fixed if it were me

 

[Jlr2267]

If you didn't already have the c39v2, I'd say get a quality stamped AK. They are lighter and seemingly just as durable. Since you own the Century, have them fix it. I have the same rifle and it appears like new after 800 or so rounds.

 

[TestedTwice]

Unfortunately, I've already contacted Century Arms and they won't even consider fixing my rifle since it "fired just fine and that the problems I'm experiencing won't affect the functionality." They even had the nerve to say that it was probably something that I did. So I don't know. It did fire fine, but this is after FIFTEEN ROUNDS. I checked this rifle thoroughly and those issues were not there when I bought it. There was also an issue with the muzzle brake locking pin being lodged inside the front sight block. It did come unstuck, but still shoddy.

 

[carbine85]

Don't buy a rifle with a US made cast bolt. There are too many reports of chips, breaks and cracks. Some of the manufacturers have stopped using them.
The stamped receiver is just fine.
I would ask them for a return authorization regardless. Chances are they will replace the bolt once they see it.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Unfortunately, I've already contacted Century Arms and they won't even consider fixing my rifle since it "fired just fine and that the problems I'm experiencing won't affect the functionality." They even had the nerve to say that it was probably something that I did. So I don't know. It did fire fine, but this is after FIFTEEN ROUNDS. I checked this rifle thoroughly and those issues were not there when I bought it. There was also an issue with the muzzle brake locking pin being lodged inside the front sight block. It did come unstuck, but still shoddy.

That's one of the reasons why I chose a DDI built gun. Better customer service.

 

[Jlr2267]

Unfortunately, I've already contacted Century Arms and they won't even consider fixing my rifle since it "fired just fine and that the problems I'm experiencing won't affect the functionality." They even had the nerve to say that it was probably something that I did. So I don't know. It did fire fine, but this is after FIFTEEN ROUNDS. I checked this rifle thoroughly and those issues were not there when I bought it. There was also an issue with the muzzle brake locking pin being lodged inside the front sight block. It did come unstuck, but still shoddy.

Can you post a pic of the damage?

 

[Fishbed77]

Atlantic Polish FTW!!!

 

[evtSmtx]

buy both.

 

[Sapper771]

I would call Century again and ask to speak to a manager. If they still fail to fix the rifle, then I would feel it was my duty to let the gun community know that Century was back to their old ways.....with detailed pictures included.

I would take the Polish AK over the V2.

At first glance one would think the stamped receiver was weak. A few years ago, I was asked to look at a Romanian WASR AK that was having feed issues. I couldnt find anything obviously wrong so I went to the range and replicated the jam. Looked like the tip of round was presented lower than normal so I turned the rifle over. It appeared that someone had either forced a magazine into the mag well or they were attempting to fit the rear lug of the magazine by bending the bottom of the receiver (bottom of receiver, rear of mag well). I called the owner and told them what was going on. They told me to attempt to fix it. I thought I was going to beat the rifle to death to get the bend out of the receiver. I was not expecting it to be that difficult, but I was wrong. I finally got the receiver fixed and the feed issues went away.

When I got the back story on it. A friend sold it to a guy with 2 mags. The guy needed money so he sold it back to my friend, but with only one mag. When my friend asked about the second mag, the guy told my friend that it didnt work. LoL.