Strakele,
Prices went down for a number of reasons, mostly related to fear. Prices had been driven sky high by fear of future lack of availability. Once the ban was passed and everyone realized that you could still legally buy a rifle that accepted 30 round magazines, and that there was not going to be a shortage, either of rifles that accepted Hi cap mags or of the mags themselves, then prices came down. Sure, there were limitations on what features you could have, no flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, etc, but you could still buy a rifle in a military style configuration that accepted hi cap mags and you could get the mags. The '94 ban was largely cosmetic. The basic platform had not been outlawed. I was 37 in '94. That ban did not worry me too much. I'm a lot more worried about the coming ban than I was in '94.
If you bought an AK at todays prices because you wanted to make a killing down the road, then you took a gamble. When you gamble sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. If you bought an AK at todays prices because you absolutely, possitively wanted to own an AK, then you did the smart thing. Is it POSSIBLE that your AK will be worth less a year from now than you paid? ABSOLUTELY. Is it possible it will be worth twice what you paid? SURE. But if you bought an AK because you were sure you wanted one, then what are you worried about? That you paid $200 or $300 too much? So what? You've got the gun. A year from now you may not be able to legally buy one...AT ANY PRICE.
If you bought the gun because you really wanted it then what difference does the price make? If you bought the gun purely as an investment, then its like you played the stock market. Maybe you'll win, maybe you'll lose.
Forget about the money. Buy LOTS of ammo (or reloading supplies) and HAVE FUN AT THE RANGE.
P.S. I'm in the process of paying more for a used Bushmaster than it cost brand new 1 year ago. Why would I do such a foolish thing? Because I want to have one and can't be sure I'll ever be able to legally buy one again.