Russian AK47 question on price?

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umadcuzimstylin

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I read in July Obama made an executive order infringing on our right to bear arms through making it illegal to buy Russian AK47's from Russia but the ones already here you can buy. I saw a price for one which was $1300 were the other brands seem to cost $600. Was this always the case or is this price difference because of his executive decision? What were the price of Russian AK47's before? Also could getting a Russian AK47 be a good investment since price will keep going up? Is the ban gonna stick or temporary?
 
Most authentic to what?

Authentic to what the Russian military uses? Authentic to the the AK47? Authentic to the AKM?

There is a lot more to AK's than just "AK47", so you need to narrow down what you want to replicate. A $400 AK will work just as well as a $1900 AK, the difference is adherence to specs, fit, finish, etc.
 
Current or historic? Current -- no wood, and an AK74, not 47. Historic . . . depends on the era, etc., for what would be sort of most representative.
 
Modern military use AK74? I didn't know that. I definitely want an AK47 cause I have an M4 and AK74 would be too similar of a round. Im thinking of getting a Saiga or Arsenal Saiga or just standard base model with the classic look. All I know is I absolutely hate the plastic magazines!
 
Are double stack magazines for the AK47 code for plastic magazines? Single stack always seem to look like your classic metal AK mag and there at least seems to be a lot of plastic mags in double stack.
 
Yeah, fielding of the AK74 pattern/caliber rifles started in 1974, was the normal standard in their Afghan war and since. If you want a pre-AK74 representative example of the AK47, basically a wood fixed stock or underfolder will get you more or less on paper.

The website Avtomats in Action has assorted examples of real or repro AK47s, AKMs, AK74s and AKSUs people have either built, acquired, or done pretty heavy write ups and photo documentation on if you want to go really hardcore into getting a retro AK set up just right.
 
No, all standard AK mags are "doublestack"...its a refrence to the way the rounds sit in the magazine body, and has nothing to do with what they are made of, as doublestacks come in both poly and steel variations, and many variations of each material. The only "single stack" AK mags are for the limited-capacity models that will only accecpt the ten round "single-stack" magazines made espeically for them. The telltale curved mag that is somewhat iconic to the AK is the standard 30 round doublestack magazine FWIW, how can you state you "hate" the plastic magazines, when it seems you have very little experience with this particular platform??
 
No offense, but...honestly it sounds more like you're looking to buy an AK47 because it's "cool" or something like that...and there's nothing wrong with that! I've bought several guns just because I thought they were cool!

But...if that IS the case, why does it matter if it's close to Military configuration? Just find a good shop with a nice selection and pick the one you like the look of the most?
 
Before you think of dropping $1300 on an AK, you should first learn what you want out of an AK. A wiki article or two should atleast point you into the right direction and get you asking the right questions. The AK forum on AR15.com and their various stickies are also a great place to start.

So far it seems that you want a 7.62 and classic wood styling.
A Polish AKM, either fixed stock, or underfolder, your choice, is very good quality, pretty much true to the Russian design (unlike the Hungarian or Yugo variants, which are very high quality in their own right) and available at a reasonable price. That's what I'd go with.

I'm afraid there's no way you gonna get a "classic" AKM or AK47 that's actually Russian. VERY few of those around, even before the import ban.
 
Actually, most people consider "converted" Saigas to be the closest thing to an actual Russian AK you can get....made in Russia, has the "dimples" on the magwell, etc. There are number of these in the country. Too, Arsenal does "professional" conversions of Saigas, and these mimic the original Russian AKMS as well as anything does, and is truly the best chance at getting a quality Russian AK. Me, I didn't need "authentic" nor did I need to pay "authentic" prices...my $400 WASR does anything I'd want or neeed an AK to do
 
#12 Its just cause the plastic magazines makes it look like a toy and not the iconic gun I picture.
#13 Yeah pretty much, its either this or a Desert Eagle and I figure this is more practical for hunting and home defense.
#15 Thats what Im debating about myself too. Do I want to pay double for some Russian stamps and higher quality cause what do I really want out of it?
 
The closest you will find to a "real" Soviet AK is indeed going to be a converted Saiga. Since Dear Leader banned imports of Russian guns, the prices of both converted and unconverted Saigas have risen considerably. They are not IMO, worth $1300.

I guess if you just have to have a Russian AK and the money is no object, that would be the way to go. But from your post I would say that you should do a lot more research before you run out and by one.

7.62X39 AK magazines are a field of study all by themselves. There are three basic types. All look proper in a AK, all work just fine.

Polymer AK mags have been used by various counties for years. ALL military magazines for a AK47/AKM rifle use double stack mags. Some of the best 7.62X39 magazines are Bulgarian 'circle10' mags. They are not being imported anymore and the prices on those that are here have been climbing steadily.

Circle 10 in a M70 Yugo:
IMG_0718-XL.jpg

Standard steel magazines are available everywhere and are durable and cheap. Most are from Eastern Europe.

Steel mag in a M70AB2:
IMG_3017-XL.jpg

Bakelite mags are highly sought after and can command a premium.

Russian bakes in a Romanian RPK:
IMG_3266%20-%20Copy-XL.jpg
 
#17 Yeah thats what Im trying to do is do a ton of research but theres a High Caliber Gun Show Saturday and Im trying to figure out what exactly I should get.
 
High end AK-47s are usually higher in cost due to availability (Or lack of availability) not necessarily due to the performance, type, or military "Correctness".

Many former soviet countries produced the AK47 (And Later AK74). These ranged from exact copies to versions that parts will not interchange.

Currently there are even some US manufacturers. I dont have one, but I've "you-tubed" and handled a Century Arms Version "The C39" THey are now making a version 2 and stamped version (AKM).

I've owned several makes of AK, I like them, but the AK is a scaled up "Sub-machine gun / assault rifle" in its military form (Select Fire). In its civilian form, semi-auto, it is a reasonably accurate medium range rifle, some will be better, some will be worse.

As far as a "Military AK", the Yugoslavian, Romanian WASR, Bulgarian, Polish and Russian examples are "Correct" for the Cold war. The Warsaw Pact included all of these countries behind the "Iron Curtain".

Personally, I would not spend 1,000 + for an AK, unless I was a collector, knew what I was doing, etc. Otherwise if you want a "Military" AK you can get a good copy for 500-750 current prices.
 
#19 I guess I should go for Cold War style since it wouldn't feel accurate to a have an all black one in AK47 when they are suppose to be AK74. Use to want one bad cause they look sleek but I already have an M4 which looks sleek so now I should go for rugged AK47 look to have best of both worlds. I figure I should go with a standard accurate looking AK47 and if I want it to look better just go all out with a Saiga; seen those cost double I think.

Im a little bit of a collector; seems like I get something new every couple years. Think I already know the next two Im going to get. A 50 caliber Desert Eagle then one of those WWII german hand guns refurbished since my first gun was a WWII Colt 45 refurbished.

Dont want to get the standard AK47 then decade later decide I want a Russian made one and theres still a ban and they cost thousands more which wouldn't be worth it. I guess what its coming down to for me is get a Saiga bad ass Cold War style AK47 unless the price difference is just too much. Seeing how much I paid for the refurbished 1948 Colt 45 I could see myself getting the Saiga for my collection.
 
why do people assume the AK47 is the icon of the soviet/russian military?.. it was in service for what? 27 years?.. the AK74 entered service in 1974 and has been in one form or another their standard issue rifle ever since.. thats 41 years now the russians have been packing the 5.45x39mm AK-74 and NOT the 7.62x39 AK47 and AKM rifles

i have an AK-74 as well, built it myself from bulgarian parts as they are pretty up there in the quality of their fit and finish, many would say above that of the quality of the russians.. my AK-74 however was built as a 5.56mm rifle.. i built it in 2013, before the 7N6 ban and didnt feel comfortable having my only source of cheap ammo as something that could be banned with a simple arbitrary ATF ruling.. my foresight proved useful in pushing me to the 5.56 conversion
 
The most authentic Russian AK today is the Arsenal SGL31-61 AK74 clone. This is a semi auto Russian manufacture AK74 with the appropriate number of US parts to make it 922r compliant.
I bought two of these new in the last few years. I think they will be harder to find now. The bulgarian SLR 104 and 107 are every bit as nice.
 
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