The Best "Bang for Buck" AK

[Dynasty]

What is the best AK based on an all around evaluation of accuracy, finish, feel, part availability, and reliability for around $500?

I was thinking Saiga and do a conversion, but I would hate to attempt anything and not do it correctly.

Any thoughts?

 

[ma96782]

IMHO.....Romanian SAR-1 (w/in your budget)....oh but, you should be looking here......

http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/index.php

Aloha, Mark

 

[SLCscottie]

Vector Arms for Service

Vector Arms for reliable service if needed. I think about $539. They are respected on the AK sights.

Atlantic Arms has some nice selections to make you drool.

I bought Vector partly for their reputation and partly because they are in the Salt lake City area where I live.

Saiga is popular but you will end up spending well over $500 when you are done.

Have fun with the decision. I always do. Sometimes the hunt is more fun than the ownership.

 

[Frightener 88]

Lancaster ak. I have around 4000 rounds thru mine. great rifle, excellent finish. they are around $500 new. I got mine last year for $450, after tax and NICS it was around $505.

 

[H2O MAN]

Look at the V-47C from Atlantic.

 

[ma96782]

All Vector AKs are built on U.S. made, NoDakSpud receivers or Global Receivers using the required U.S. parts to comply with 922r rules. Shipping for one gun is $20, UPS ground, unless otherwise noted or arranged. Due to confusion, we want to clarify that slant breaks on AKs are suppose to be at the 2 o'clock position, not straight up. This is the normal orientation. Standard thread on AK barrels is M14x1.0 left-hand thread. We parkerize our AKs unless otherwise stated. Due to diminishing supply of parts kits, we get them from where ever we can find them which might be from Poland, Hungry, Bulgaria, and even some East German kits. The country origin changes from time to time and we do not guarantee that your gun is from a particular country. We do not use Romanian parts kits. Our barrels are U.S. made, due to 922r and are normally not chrome-lined. There is an upcharge for chrome-lined barrels which at present is $20. It is true that chrome-lined barrels will last longer but it is our opinion that normally, a person would not wear out a barrel with normal shooting activity and the chrome-lining was used to protect against corrosive ammo which isn't around much any more.

I wanted a commie rifle (AK) and due to import regulations and silly "Made in Amerika" laws........well, let's just say that.........I wanted to KNOW what I was getting. Any AK from a "commie" block country was fine with me........but, it's ALSO nice to KNOW WHICH counrty.

Aloha, Mark

PS..........checkout........

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=234

A Vector is nice, don't get me wrong. I don't KNOW so I'll ask: Does the Vector have a scope rail? But you did mention a $ amount and "bang for the buck." In the end........it's your $.

 

[Kenpo]

Some good suggestions and info here too... Seems this topic has come up a lot the last little while. I am trying to make the same decision.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=325939

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=327015

 

[SLCscottie]

This is a fun tactical one.

I hear that Lancaster is a good one also. I might have bought from them. Here is one that I have been lusting for:

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/admin/images/content/akmtactical.jpg

 

[aka108]

Vector for the AK look or a Saiga for about half the price with a little more PC look about it. Saiga is still a wolf but simply dressed in sheep's clothing.

 

[nalioth]

I was thinking Saiga and do a conversion, but I would hate to attempt anything and not do it correctly.

There really isn't anything to screw up on a Saiga conversion.

 

[jpwilly]

Probably a decent WASR is the best bang for the buck...J&G Sales has them for $299 right now.

I traded up and gat a Lancaster AKM built with new Romanian "G" parts and a 1.6mm reciever however...Here it is:

 

[Deer Hunter]

Easily the saiga. Even unconverted, it's the best deal around.

 

[SLCscottie]

JPWilly,

It looks good. How does it handle?

 

[outofbattery]

Take a look at a SAR-2.I've been pleasantly surprised at how well mine shoots and 5.45 is about the most reasonably priced round these days.

 

[Greg Bell]

WASRs are fine if you know what to look out for. Just make sure the sights and gas system are basically straight. I have one that has a canted front sight, and it looks goofy through the Aimpoint. Still, the gun shoots like a champ. 2-4 inch groups with Wolf are pretty standard--more than enough for most practical applications.

 

[jpwilly]

SLC, Handles much like my M4gery...the best! I had to put a foam pad on the collapsable stock because the damn stock jabs me in the cheek bone under recoil. You can tell it's putting some heavier lead downrange than with the poodle shooter! Getting a different brake probably an AK 74 or J-TAC. But otherwise this is one wicked AKM!

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I don't KNOW so I'll ask: Does the Vector have a scope rail?

AFAIK no, and it doesn't have the provisions to accept those side mounts either, at least my vector doesn't. When it's time for an optic I'll be getting the ultimak foreend setup.
Vector should tell you what parts kits they used when you buy it. Mine was a polish kit. They may have that catch-all disclaimer up there so they don't have to change the country of origin every time they get a new batch in.
I'm contemplating a lancaster or saiga conversion for my next AK (very happy with my vector but I like variety )

 

[ma96782]

Checkout the prices here.........

http://www.classicarms.us/

Aloha, Mark

 

[possum]

you could get a wasr and have money left over, but i am not a fan. war's are ak's and they work but i prefer the maks and the yugo ak's and both can be had for under the price you stated.

 

[rangerruck]

Saiga, it is too easy, if not them then get a Inter ordinance, which is basically a converted Saiga, with nice goodies on it, for 500 or less.

 

[nalioth]

Saiga, it is too easy, if not them then get a Inter ordinance, which is basically a converted Saiga, with nice goodies on it, for 500 or less.

InterOrdnance Stg-2000 and Stg-2003 rifles are made in Romania for InterOrdnance. Think "WASR" only these are produced for InterOrdnance instead of Century. They are not anywhere in the same league as a Saiga.

 

[lamazza]

Saiga

 

[Hoppy590]

iv got a WASR, and dont regret it. but dream of a converted saiga

 

[dstorm1911]

+1 Nalioth

Yugo M70AB1 or AB2 if ya want an underfolder

 

[ma96782]

If you're thinking of a Romanian.........read before you buy.........

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm#sar1

Aloha, Mark