Talk me (Out of/In To) an AK type rifle

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Kamicosmos

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So, lately I've been wanting an AK type rifle to 'compliment' my AR. :D
I also have one of those fuzzy Russian hats, complete with a Big Red Commie Star pin on it...

I don't have a 'cheap' plinking iron sights only rifle yet, unless you count my .22. I most likely will not be reloading for one, and I won't be putting optics on it.

I'm not a fan of the SKS, so that type's out.

The local gun store has a folding stock way-preban Norinco AK47S for a good price, but the price is still high, especially for that type of gun. They also have a Romanian SAR1 for a bit under $400, and that is more what I'm thinking about.

What about the WASR types? The single stack variant can be had for under $200...

So, all you AK guys, sell me on 'em.
 
I've had a Yugo AK for a lot of years. Probably one of the better ones made. (night sights, etc)

I bought it just because and have never been sorry.

A lot of fun to shoot.

Last time out I was shooting at 300 yards.

I told my friend (Airborne in Viet Nam) you were up against one hell of a rifle.


Get one, they are fun.

YugoAK.gif
 
Grab the SAR 1 if you can. You can always send it to Chris at AK-USA www.ak-103.com for a complete makeover if your so inclined. I've do it a few times already.
 
Everyone with a serious interest in firearms should have at least one variation of an AK/AKM type rifle in their reference collection.
Pick one, they are all pretty decent, some much better than others but all are great pleasure rifles.
Forget 'Match accurizing' one of these thing it isn't worth the money or effort, just load it and fire away.
Good rifles to use to bounce an old coffee can all over the range, just for fun.
Cheap to shoot, reliable to a fault and as accurate as a slingshot, what more could you want in a fun gun.
All come packed with some neat accessories.
When was the last time you got a cool cleaning kit with a new American made firearm?
(This annoys me more than anything else, they can do it, why can't we!?)

I have an Egyption Maadi and a Saiga sporter. Both are just plain fun.
 
I have a SAR-1 (actually, a friend slated to go to the sandbox has it now for familiarization purposes).. decent rifle. Once they're cleaned up a little they're just dandy examples of the type. Crude, but then it's an AK.

I'd concur with Onmilo that it's a good idea to own at least for a while an AK, just to get some first hand exposure to how they work. There's some interesting history in that action. Besides, if you're ever going to participate in one of the regularly scheduled AR vs AK debates, you owe it to yourself to buy one of each so you can talk with more authority than the Counterstrike kiddies. :)

I think the SAR would be fine, but I'd stay away from the single-stack versions.
 
Every AR fan should have at least one. :)

Mine is a VEPR K. Its not an AKM in the truest sense, but it is definitely among the best AK offerings on the market today.

There is certainly nothing wrong with a SAR-1 though, and of your choices that is the one I would be going for. You won't be sorry. Check it carefully for canted sights before buying though.
 
great info so far guys! Keep it coming!

I've been leaning towards the SAR for awhile now. Even though AK's are 'cheaper' I still want a decent gun. THe prepan Norinco got my wallet scared, but I think that was mainly just a 'Ohhh a PreBan' moment. I fired one with the folding stock way back, and my boney shoulder didn't agree with it.
 
I have a SAR-1. It's not "pretty", it's not very satisfying from the bench, and I dislike the sights too. Even so, it is one of my "serious rifles".

But here's what it's got going for it:
1. SAR-1 has stamped receivers, so they're a bit lighter than milled receiver AK's, with no trade off in performance.
2. SAR-1's were designed for double stack magazines, so they're superior to WASR make-overs.
3. AK reliability is amazing. I clean my well after every range trip, but if I couldn't do that, I wouldn't worry about jams or mis-feeds. If I didn't know when I'd be able to get my hands on a cleaning kit, I'd want my SAR-1 (or a FAL) over an AR-15.
4. Ammunition is VERY cheap, so you can practice a lot and store a lot of it too. As such, it makes an outstanding plinker, which is your objective.
5. 7.62x39 penetration is superior to 5.56. No, not at close range through steel plate, but through most mediums it is superior (IMO). I value the flesh wounding potential of 5.56x54, but it's not as good at wounding after it goes through cover, doors, etc.
6. Magazines for double stack AK's (7.62x39) are CHEAP AND DURABLE.
7. It's short & handy.
8. They give the anti's fits.

The rifle is great for plinking or serious use for close up and out to 100-200 yard shooting (IMO). I have an SKS which use to be my "Mr Reliability Plinker" rifle, but now it plays second fiddle to my SAR-1.

If you can afford it, get it. If you really don't like it you can sell it, probably at a profit if you wait for a while.

Richardson
 
Good info' from Richardson

Even more here, especially on the SAR-1.

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml

Mine has had some issues with Wolf, but likes Barnaul just fine.

Trigger was very unpleasant (trigger slap is common). I followed the Linx310 instructions and swapped out with a Gordon Tech' trigger from www.tapco.com (wasn't too hard, trigger is much better...as is my finger).

The SAR-1 is a terrific entry level AK.

For value, I'd suggest spending a little more at Arsenal USA:

http://www.arsenalusa.com/

Or check out the Arsenal Inc' offerings at Guns-N-Stuff (the SLR101S High Cap is a terrific Milled AK):

http://www.gunsnstuff.net/

Good luck!

CZ52'
 
Talk you out of it? Heck, I'm picking up another Vepr either after work or tomorrow at lunch. :)

AKs are a blast. They are fun, ammo is cheap. If you spring for one of the quality ones, you can be very surprised by the potential accuracy as well.

If you are just looking for a fun plinker, I would probably pass on the folder, if it is an underfolder at least. You get the cool factor, but the underfolder is uncomfortable and almost impossible to get a cheek weld on. Just my opinion.
 
I have two of them, a WASR and a Norinco. Can't imagine life without them. I highly reccomend you buy two or three as soon as possible.
 
I've got a WASR-10 normal capacity and Maadi. They're cheap, kinda ugly, and the Maadi was beat up -- but they were $300 each.

I'm sure there's nothing wrong with a WASR-10, and you probably don't need more than 10 rounds "on tap" at any given time -- but turning down the ability to buy 30 round mags just about anywhere you go is not logical. The 30 rounders are going to be easier to find than the single stack 10 rounders. Dianne Feinstein, I'm sure, hates this -- but it's the truth.

Buy one, any one. Scour the internet to find somebody that said their piece of crap AK variant rifle that they bought for $300 is totally unreliablty. You probably won't find many, if any!

Cripes, $300 for the rifle, $80 for the ammo (1,000 rounds), and $16 for two 30 round mags at my local gun show. I'm out the door for about $400 bucks I've got one HECK of a fun gun package!

God Bless America :D
 
Cheap, fun and reliable.

Classic military arm, widely available, mags, parts, ammo, furniture everywhere.

Everyone has one and you need one too.

I have my two. :p
 
You can get a SAR-1, an Ultimak forward rail, a decent red-dot sight, and a case of ammo for the price of an entry-level AR.:)
 
Update

Decided to pick one up, so I dug this thread up rather than start a new one.

WASR.jpg


Been keeping my eye open. Haven't run across many actual SAR's, and when I have the price has been a bit too high. Even the WASRs have been going up in price. Yesterday I decided to go pick up something. I found a Rommy WASR with a side folding stock. $595?!!

Left that store, who's prices have been going up, and service (which was always weak) has gone way down. Went to my normal shop, where they know my name.

There I picked up a Rommy WASR 10. This one is imported/modded by Century, so it is a 'Hi-Cap' model. It is also a 'no-ban', I guess. It has the slant muzzle brake and the bayo lug. It came with The Kit, which included the Bayonet, sling, cleaning kit, two 20 round mags, mag pouch, frog. $375. Not a bad price right now. Ticks me off that $375 would have bought a SAR a year or so ago though. :rolleyes:

Oh well, it's a nice example of the gun though: wood is nice laminated, and buttstock actually matches the foregrips! Finish is tolerable, which is more than I can say for most of the AK Clones (romanians included) that I've looked at recently.

All in All, I'm happy with it. Picked up 500 rounds of Wolf, of course. Got the 154 grain version instead of the typical 124. I am also going to order one of the 75 round drums for it. I mean, it's an AK, right? Might as well go all out!
 
I have a Norinco post ban and a Bushy AR.

The AK is like a basic fundamental tool. The AR is more like a scalpel. If I had to take one to a fight I'd take the AK in a heartbeat.

I used to shoot mine at a 200 yard and a 300 yard berm years ago, from the hip for fun, and the firepower you can deliver is really impressive.

When you combine cheap ammo that is still available and a gun that is pretty much utterly reliable: Whats not to like??

They have a very nice balance.

I'd say shop around and find a Norinco, its not like they are rare.
 
Congrats on the new rifle! I have a postban high-cap WASR-10, and it's never given me any trouble (doesn't have any trigger slap, either).

I made a couple mods to mine. I replaced the rear sight with a Mojo sight, which made a big difference in how it shoots. I also replaced the pistol grip with a Yugo one that fits my hand well (the Romanian grips feel way to small to me). I tried out a Romanian vertical front grip as well, but decided it was too ungainly.

When you get a drum, try to find a Chinese one. They have a big hinge at the bottom and their backs open up for very easy loading (no spring tension to work against until you wind it up). The Romanian drums out there have to be loaded one at a time throught the feeding tower, which is a pain (they also can't be stored loaded and untensioned).
 
I just bought 500 rounds of Wolf ammo at the gun show this past weekend for $37. That's a pretty hard deal to beat, enough ammo to keep you entertained for an afternoon or two. That's the selling point for me......
 
I'm curious guys. Just this past monday I sat down with my AK and loosed a thousand rounds. 10 minutes with some Barnes and I put her away. Not a single malfunction, no failure to anything and this is with the disgustingly filthy Wolf.

Edit:eek:ops. Anyway I know the AR's reputation but, can an AR sit down and work through 1000 rounds of wolf without a malfunction?
 
1000 rounds? Sure.

1000 rounds of Wolf? Maybe, maybe not.

ARs like clean-burning, in-spec ammo. That's not an issue if you're using NATO milspec ammo (...anymore...), but it can be an issue of you get el cheapo ammo like Wolf.

Personally? I'm not an AK fan, in general, but I own one. It works. The sights suck and its ugly, but it goes bang, every time. It works.

Mike

PS You ARE asking about ARs and Wolf, right? Not AKs?
 
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