Take this for what it's worth from someone who's been collecting AK's and its derivitives for over 30 years: For a first time buyer, don't worry too much about exactly what, just pick something in one of the categories below, based on your budget and interest in authenticity, and enjoy it. All of 'em will go BANG every time.
To start, the classic stamped receiver AKM with wood stock in 7.62x39 is the most widely distributed AK version of all time. The more conformal to that design your selection is, the more baseline it will be as an example. Everything else is a variation on that. Start your inevitable collection with one and then build from there... unless you have magic superpowers of self control and can stop at just one!
OK, on to how to sort 'em out:
Categories:
1: Preban factory AK's, which are receiver and parts assembled in the original factory and sold as an unmodified unit to a buyer here. Expensive and rare. Got cash? Buy a preban rifle. it'll be a good investment, and will be as authentic an AK as you can buy. Bring $2K to start.
Here's one example:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=386446009
Personally I think that this one is overpriced by about 2X, but at 1/2 the asking it's still pricy.
So where does that leave the rest of the rifles?
Two currently available familes exist here:
1: Parts sets imported from Europe and completed here in the USA using a US receiver. These can range from home-bent flats built up by Bubba to high quality custom rifles. In the high quality custom rifles they can range from very carefully built replicas of original military AK's with duplicated markings and features to fantasy-tacticool AK's that the Russians would laugh at. Look for a quality receiver. Nodak Spud is my supplier of choice, with these being a known quantity at the core of any parts-build. There are other good receivers, but if you stick to these you have a hard time going wrong.
Here's an example of a small-shop "authentic" build of exquisite quality:
http://www.tworiversarms.com/Tabuk.htm
Here's another "unknown builder" parts build with all the hallmarks of a good, authentic rifle:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=389914092
There are others, I just picked these as examples.
2: Factory postban rifles that are originally built up as single stack magazine rifles or "sporting" rifles and then modified here into large magazine capable or military-style rifles. In the former category are WASR-10's, PAP's, etc., and in the latter bunch are modified Saigas, Arsenals, etc.
This is a sample of about what you'll expect in one of the above:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=390937111
Within this price-level of rifle, you can really just wander down to the LGS and buy one. Stay away from plastic and "tacti-cool" nonsense. NONE are collectable, they are just like a toaster. Buy one.
Willie's advice to the thoughtful first time buyer who wants a quality
military issue representative rifle at a reasonable cost:
I would look for a good guality small-shop build of a good military parts set on a Nodak Spud receiver. This gives you a very high quality receiver of known origin, and a completely stock military rifle parts set assembled on one will offer a very authentic AK. You'll need to do some searching, but it'll not be too hard to do. That MAADI parts build that I put the link up above for would be a great choice.
If you do not have the time or knowlage to select one of these small-shop rifles, I would look at the variety of Yugo's that are imported and "fixed" here to make them large mag capable AK's.
With "many" AK's in my collection, including most of the preban versions available (Valmet, Galil, MAADI, Norinco) as well as a bunch of postban "milspec parts and US receiver assemblies" one of my very favorite shooters is a Yugo parts set built on a Nodak Spud receiver. But that's just my choice. Personally I would avoid the run of the mill import rifles, be a bit more selective in your search, and find what I've described above.
Willie
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