Bcwitt
Member
I would strongly suggest the Yugo m70. Yugos used the RPK receiver, much heavier duty then the AKM. Also, RPKs always have forged trunnions.
So I am going to buy an AK....
- Thread starter WrongHanded
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BreechFace
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All the AK’s I referred @WrongHanded to have forged trunnions as well. Just to clarify, but I agree don’t consider any AK without forged trunnions.
OP
OP
WrongHanded
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Which brings up a question...
The Zastava ZPAP M70 is made in Serbia, which is a chunk of land that was once part of Yugoslavia. The company dates back to the 1800s. I'm guessing the old Yugos were also Zastavas in one form or another.
NIGHTLORD40K
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I believe Zastava was the primary state arsenal for Yugoslav small arms.
BreechFace
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WrongHanded:
WBP Fox. But they can sell out quickly, depending on so many ever-changing market, inflation, and perceived political factors.
I've never seen, other than with recent ZPAPs (mine has been perfect), so many nice reviews of a civilian AKM. Being retired, I've spent a couple of hours reading such compliments on both AKforums and AKfiles.
The skeptical/(often) cynical guys on the 'Files only approve of the Best Guns, Period, ie the WBPs, recent ZPAPs. Arsenals began to have canted sights at one time.
Gun Digest: "...Fox...nice rivets, No canted sights, no pre-scratched parts (as with some Romanian AKMs)...".
For me reliability/durability are the objectives, but when a gun has very high quality control And a very attractive finish, that can't be surpassed.
No WBPs were available for a few months --- due to Atlantic Firearms quickly selling out their Polish AKMs--- When I had avail. cash in 2021 for another imported AKM.
That's Exactly why I bought a ZPAP, but had wanted a Fox instead.
Quite frankly, recently my desire for my first "battle rifles" in .308 (PTR-91, my FAL + the nib M1A) has further delayed buying a WBP "AKM", and luckily 7,62x39 ammo will always cost Far less than .308 ammo.
Yeah.
WBP stuff would sell quick!
I cannot remember the dealer, but I had placed my name on the list for one of them WBP Mini-Jack pistols, and by the time I went to their site, they were gone! Then the price went up by $400 bucks, and I said "forget it". All of a sudden, they had more in stock, and they were going for $800 bucks. Luck of the draw.
FAL is fun to shoot.
Ignition Override
Member
.A friend has a US-built quality receiver in his AKM parts gun.
His barrel might be over-gassed (but totally reliable), but my ZPAP , especially While factoring in the extra weight, is Not over-gassed.
His barrel might be over-gassed (but totally reliable), but my ZPAP , especially While factoring in the extra weight, is Not over-gassed.
Ignition Override
Member
The WBPs on Atlantic Firearm's’ website — literally— can Sell Out— within just a few hours.
It happened at least once. And I seldom check email.
Luckily some nib Polish are offered at random times on GB by smaller retail or private sellers.
The steady climb in prices for 7,62x39 ammo has helped to dampen gun price increases in this “chambering”.
It happened at least once. And I seldom check email.
Luckily some nib Polish are offered at random times on GB by smaller retail or private sellers.
The steady climb in prices for 7,62x39 ammo has helped to dampen gun price increases in this “chambering”.
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A good muzzle brake is a must only for AK pistols, plus a good adjustable sling!
Buy cheap metal magazines. They take the abuse well, and will last a little longer than the plastic ones. I have several steel 5, 10, 20, and 30 round magazines. If anything else fails, they make a very good blunt object. Some stores would sell them for $10 bucks, new.
trackskippy
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Cant see it here, as its under the gun, but I always preferred the Russian web slings on mine.
Ive only had brakes on a couple. In this case, it was needed to make the gun legal. Pinned and welded on a 14" barrel.
Ive only had brakes on a couple. In this case, it was needed to make the gun legal. Pinned and welded on a 14" barrel.
Nice rifle!
I had almost the same setup as you do for the sight, but then I purchased the side-mounted claw from MI, and it was much better for my application. On a pistol, I had an adjustable sling for quick deployment.
On my AK that I sold, I had a 3 prong muzzle device, and since there is not much of a recoil, I did not care.
Styx
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Wasr 10... If you watch AKOU, heard about Battlefield Las Vegas real world usage (tens of thousands of rounds mostly full auto, and YouTube videos of old, beat up, rusted Wasr still running like a well oiled machine.
I have 2 NPAP DF's, 2 NPAP krink, 5 Veprs, and 2 Wasr 10's. The Wasrs are like no frills, best value and performance for the money work horses. If I just wanted a shooter that I planned on running hard, I'd go with a Wasr. If I was just a collector, wanted a light use range toy, and something to take pretty pictures, I'd go with something else.
I'm not sure in what way the Mini-30 considered better? While the AK47 design originated from a commie country, the current iterations of AK47s being imported into or manufactured in the U.S. aren't coming from "commie countries."
I have 2 NPAP DF's, 2 NPAP krink, 5 Veprs, and 2 Wasr 10's. The Wasrs are like no frills, best value and performance for the money work horses. If I just wanted a shooter that I planned on running hard, I'd go with a Wasr. If I was just a collector, wanted a light use range toy, and something to take pretty pictures, I'd go with something else.
There are a wide variety of AK offerings, and I disagree that the Mini-30 is generally better and it's definitely isn't battled tested in dozens of wars and conflicts over that last several decades till this very day like the AK47 is. Last, the Mini 30 is grossly overpriced with a MSRP of $1359 or more depending on the model. Not only can you get an imported AK for less, but they tend to hold their value and often greatly increase in value.
I'm not sure in what way the Mini-30 considered better? While the AK47 design originated from a commie country, the current iterations of AK47s being imported into or manufactured in the U.S. aren't coming from "commie countries."
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Bcwitt
Member
Yep. Same producion line.
Bcwitt
Member
Also same for the former Yugoslavian Army. Serbia had control of the plant after Tito.
Bcwitt
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Which receiver is that? No dimple ?
Jeff olson
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Hard to go wrong with an Arsenal. Not an AK fan, but this thing runs like a sewing machine. Not a single hiccup ever.
trackskippy
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That's an early Krebs Russian Saiga conversion.
NIGHTLORD40K
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jonnyc
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Haven't read the previous, but you can't go wrong with Yugo or Polish.
Bcwitt
Member
Ive read a 15% extra power recoil spring can correct that. I havent tried it yet.
JB111
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A kns adjustable gas piston would work as well, and it is adjustable for fine tuning to get the gas just right. It takes a little more work to install, but isn't very difficult.
Ignition Override
Member
Bcwitt:
Roger that. He already bought the extra-power AKM recoil spring from Wolff, and now the recoil is a bit more pleasant.
It's not bad - just more than what you are used to after thousands of rounds with AKMs.
His barrel's gas port is probably a bit over-sized.
JB111: I'll mention the KNS piston to him. Maybe they aren't expensive.
He maintains certain components on Fedex MD-11 (widebody) systems, and can handle pretty much anything technical.
Roger that. He already bought the extra-power AKM recoil spring from Wolff, and now the recoil is a bit more pleasant.
It's not bad - just more than what you are used to after thousands of rounds with AKMs.
His barrel's gas port is probably a bit over-sized.
JB111: I'll mention the KNS piston to him. Maybe they aren't expensive.
He maintains certain components on Fedex MD-11 (widebody) systems, and can handle pretty much anything technical.
Too bad you bought all those mags! A CSA Vz.58 would be an awesome upgrade from the AKM. You should be fine with any of the mentioned AKMs though. I have 4, a SAM7R, Draco-C SBR, SAR-1, Milled MAK-90, and the Vz.58 is the highest quality, lightest, most accurate of the bunch. Have fun picking!
Buzznrose
Member
When I went “AK shopping”, my dilemma was I’d been given several thousands of rounds of 7.62*39 in early 2021 and didn’t have a gun to shoot them. So I went on an AK quest.
I decided against the AK variants mainly because I really didn’t want to put in the time to hunt down something decent and my knowledge base on AK’s was thin (still is). I’d seen a LOT of confiscated AK’s in Iraq back in 2005 and a lot of them were simply junk. I processed purchase orders for AK’s for Iraqi police force and we bought many thousands from the Czech Republic (don’t remember the brand, do remember they were considered ‘expensive’ at $90 each (using Sadam $). I don’t know how they ran. I also have no purist interest in the platform beyond finally deciding I was wanting a rifle that used AK mags.
I looked at the Mini-30 and decided, much like the mini-14, it’s a cool design, and I’m a Ruger fan, but considering mostly crappy accuracy and proprietary mags, I passed. I looked at several versions of AR style rifles and ended up with a PSA KS-47. With a 1-4 Vortex Viper, I’m shooting under 1” at 50 yards with any of the ammo variants I was given (all steel case FMJ) except Tula which is a bit over 1”. Only thing I don’t like about the gun is no empty mag slide lock but that’s just how it is.
Mine has been 100% reliable through around 500 rounds and minimal cleaning…just oil and shoot.
Disclaimer: I am not trying to sway the OP from an AK, just posting based on my experience and knowledge.
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