Purchasing Ak's online questions

[PlayMaker]

I recently took a look at an AK at a local dealer, I liked it all and all but it was dinged up quite a bit and I know from threads on here that there are tons of makes and models to choose from and I just didn't know what I was buying so I declined to make that kind of investment yet so I told him I'll take a look online. He then told me he would never trust purchasing a gun online. I didn't bother to ask him why but I'm assuming he just wanted my business or maybe he was really looking out for my interest.

Either way I wanted to get a general consensus on your experiences with purchasing AK's online.

I'll be honest, I'm not quite familiar with AK's and it's verbage so can someone tell me what exactly to look for in a decent AK and how. For example I've heard something of receiver thickness and such. Also, does anybody have any recommendations on an inexpensive, good-for-the-money, decent AK? I would like to stay under $400 but will spend more if I can be convinced.

My primary purpose is for show (of course). But I am a purist at heart so I would like an AK that is as authentic in that it is closest to mil-spec as possible. And also because if the need ever arises (god-willing it won't) it will operate effectively and not just a toy I'd be better off throwing at a perp.

ALL advice, input, recommedations is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Picard]

From my experience and considering the market today, I would say go with a Yugo M70 AK, either folding stock or fixed stock. It's a solid AK, with a thicker receiver and barrel (Yugo firearms are made that way to be more durable). It won't have a chrome-lined barrel but that shouldn't matter if you clean it unless you use corrosive ammo (which is hard to find).

Classicarms has a few Yugo AK's up now so if you want one act fast. It's a little more expensive than your average Romanian build but the quality and feel is worth the price. That's my opinion.

If you don't care as much about how it feels, but still want a dependable and good-working AK, then go with a Romanian build. It'd be better if you could hold it before buying it since many have canted front sights and gas tubes. If you get a good one, it should work well too. You can find those for around $400 or less if you search around. Like the Yugo's, buy them up quick as supplies are going down and prices are likewise going up due to the election scare.

 

[nalioth]

If you don't care as much about how it feels, but still want a dependable and good-working AK, then go with a Romanian build

You should be more specific.

"Romanian builds" come in two flavors.

A 100% manufactured in Romania rifle, which has had US parts added once it gets here for 922r purposes. Currently these are WASR series ( WASR-10 in 7.62x39, WASR-2 in 5.45x39 and WASR-3 in 5.56x45 ). Older Romanians are the Sar series (and they're numbered the same). These are the ones you need to look at for canted sights and such. Odds are you won't find any, but if you do, you can send it back or fix it yourself.

You also have Romanian military rifle parts rebuilt here from parts. These are gonna be your Romanian G rifles sold by Atlantic Arms, Vector, Lancaster and others. Depending on the builder here in the US, and the condition of the parts they started with, these can be really good rifles.

 

[Picard]

When comparing even Romanian G rifles to Yugo M70's, the Yugo's do have a more solid and well-built feel to them.

 

[nalioth]

When comparing even Romanian G rifles to Yugo M70's, the Yugo's do have a more solid and well-built feel to them.

Weight is a psychological factor in perception. "If it weighs more, it must be better."

See this post for more info.

 

[jrfoxx]

inexpensive, good-for-the-money, decent AK? I would like to stay under $400

That pretty well describes my WASR-10 (assuming price hasnt gone up a lot since I bought mine.) It has been totally relaibly with any ammo, and is pretty accurate, based on what the "average" user seems to report for the "average" ak.I have never measured my groups, but I'm confident even with irons, it will get it's job done out to any distance it would be "normal" to be shoting one. I cant give you an exact MOA average for mine, as I have honestly never measured thegroups for any of my guns, ever. just not my thing. I just shoot as well as I can, with everything as sighted in as I can get it, and subjectively decide for myself if just from looking at the target if I'm happy with the sights/scope/ammo/gun/the shooter. Not that theres anything at all wrong with measuring groups/MOA. Everyone has to decide for themselves what floats thier boat when it comes to shooting, IMHO.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I've purchased a few AK's on-line, all from ClassicArms. Never a problem, they ship fast and cheap. You'll need to find a local FFL holder to have it shipped to that doesn't charge and arm and a leg ( my guy gets $25 ).The Romy AK's are fine, no less "solid" than the Yugos, just lighter. I'd recommend calling your local dealers and see if you can find a Saiga for something reasonable.
Other than a Saiga, i think you're unlikely to find anything under $400 ( and maybe not even then ). Keep in mind, a rifle ordered on-line adds shipping and FFL transfer costs, say $40-50 bucks, plus the agony of waiting for your toy to arrive.
Also remember you'll need a handfull of magazines and a case of ammo, which CANNOT be put off till later, considering the impending political situation. So figure another $250. ( That's $200 delivered for a case of golden tiger and $50 for 3 30-rounders from AIM,CDNN, Copes,etc. ).
Hope this was helpful......M.

 

[wally]

I'd vote for buying at a gun show. Too many sloppy AK builds out there to accept a random sample sight unseen.

For example my last AK was a TGI Romanian with handgaurd and gas tube rails, but I had to look at three to find one that had a tight enough gas tube to make mounting an optic on the rail worthwhile.

When I got my Romanian side folder I had to look at a couple to find one without a canted front sight or cockeyed sight block.
If you are thinking MOA, AKs will disappoint. Under 4 MOA would be better than average. Part of it is the ammo, but fundamentally the design has reliability over accuracy as its goal.

--wally.

 

[Picard]

If you're wondering how many magazines to buy, AK's from classicarms already come with 2-3 magazines usually. I'd recommend buying up at least 10 more so that you don't have to worry about buying more in the future.

 

[RP88]

Yugos are very solid and reliable, not to mention coming up scarce. Getting one would be a good choice for a nice basic model.The problem there is that they can be limited (or expensive) to upgrade and whatnot.

Romy's are easily upgraded and swapped around since they are very close to a true AK, unlike the yugos. Yugos also have some key design differences when you open them up, not to mention cosmetic differences as well.

The only thing I can think of that may be convincing to spend more than 400 over is if you get a Saiga. You can either:

-buy one when the next shipment comes in within the next two months and do a conversion on it (300 bucks for gun if price remains steady, plus 120-200 for parts for the legal conversion, plus however long it takes you to convert it).
-buy a Saiga and have someone else convert it if you can find a guy in your area who does them (about a 70-100 dollar smith fee for that, plus your parts)
-buy the saiga and have it converted by Tromix, Dinzag, etc., but having to put up with a HUGE back-order line already in front of you, and most likely climbing conversion fees.
-bite the bullet and buy an already-converted Saiga from AtlArms, and worry about the bullet guide and fixing the fore-end area to your tastes with extra money yourself.

 

[PlayMaker]

ok, if I went in the way of the gun show as Wally said...what exactly should I look for on the piece itself to assure good quality. Give me a few pointers. I've never purchased from a show before and don't want to buy a gun find out it's flawed and not be able to track the dealer down. Also how long is the agonizing wait to receive my new toy?

 

[PlayMaker]

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