Thinking about buying an AK

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Ragnar Danneskjold

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I'm considering buying an AK clone. It will probably be one of the $300 range rifles as it's really just a fun gun, and not for training or SD. Mostly just to have one. Isn't there one AK variant where the magazine is not detachable or can't take aftermarket mags? Or am I just confused? I would like to get one that is as close to the real deal AK-47 as I can. 7.62, not 5.45, detachable mags, etc. Anything I need to know about what to get or not get?
 
You're just a little mixed up. Non-detachable mags would be the SKS, which is slightly older than the AK in design. The one that can't take milsurp mags would be a Saiga, made in the motherland, in the same factory that makes the mil spec weapons for the Russian Army.

I love my Saiga, it's my first semi-auto rifle and I could have asked for more. It's not a tack driver, but they aren't meant to be. YOu'll find Saiga's in whats known as a "Sporterized" setup, meaning it's got a more traditional stock, no pistol grip, and it's can't take hi-cap mags (except for a single SureFire mag that has had mixed reviews IIRC). I've run about 500 rounds thoruh mine in the 4ish months that I've owned it and haven't had a single problem.

http://www.mississippiautoarms.com/saiga-762x39-rifle-with-163-barrel-iz132-p-1272.html


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_900


The two listed above are places that you can pick up Saiga's at a fair market price, ~$300-350

http://www.classicarms.us/

Classic Arms has a great selection of AK's in all shapes and sizes.
 
There's going to be a wide variety of opinions here but from my experience, Arsenal makes some decent AK's. A converted Saiga would be a fun project if you're so inclined.
 
You seem to be confused about a good many things. My advice is to do more research before you buy.

* There is no fixed magazine AK47 - the only thing even remotely close to that is the SKS, and its resemblance is purely cosmetic.

* There are some ban-style Romanian AKs that take proprietary magazines (10rnd single stack) but there are aftermarket mags available for those as well. [these are unconverted WASR-10s]

* 5.45 is as 'real deal' as it gets - its still in use by the Russians as well as former Warsaw Pact nations. Its also cheaper than 7.62 as surplus.

* Your going to have a hard time finding even a cheap WARS-10 for $300 these days. Even those 'entry level' AKs are up over $400 now.

Read up a bit more on AK's and you will make a more informed decision. :)
 
Ragnar - you do need to do some more research as noted.

However, I think you can find a decent WASR under $400 at any of the Dunham's chain sporting goods stores here in Michigan. Their regular price is around $400 and they go on sale every couple of weeks. Buy at a store and you can also inspect for canted sights and other potential WASR defects.
 
Yup. Best bang for buck is the WASR. You'll read horror stories about it on the internet but those come from a few people that have had things wrong. Look for canted front sights, shoddy work on the receiver. The Wood will be rough 9/10 but that takes a littel time, sand paper and stain to fix.
 
centerfire systems has good deals (sometimes) and a large selection most of the time. They even answer the phone!
 
However, I think you can find a decent WASR under $400 at any of the Dunham's chain sporting goods stores here in Michigan. Their regular price is around $400 and they go on sale every couple of weeks. Buy at a store and you can also inspect for canted sights and other potential WASR defects.
Click to expand...

That's actually exactly what I was thinking about doing. Like I said, I'm not getting it for anything serious. Just to head to an open range to shoot some pumpkins or something. For any real rifle work/training courses/military practice, I use my AR which I have spent a lot of time on. The AR will always be my go-to rifle. I'm in the Army, so I really just want an AK so I can learn how they work, what they sound like, how they shoot, etc and for a little fun. It's not something I'm willing to spend a ton of money on since it's not really a serious purchase.

How do if as WASR is one that accepts 30rd mags or if it's handicapped for only 10rd mags?
 
The WASRs are clearly marketed as either single stack or double-stack. You shouldn't spend over $350 (tops) for a single stack model. A single-stack WASR can be converted to AK mags if you change out parts for 922(r) compliance and open up the magwell, but it's hardly worth your time since the double stack (AK) mag WASRs don't cost much more.

Single-stack WASRs have a narrower magwell.
 
Ragnar Danneskjold said:
Ah, I'm actually looking to avoid the ones that can't take hi-cap mags or don't have pistol grips. Those are Saigas?
Click to expand...
dirtymike1 said:
Best bang for buck is the WASR.
Click to expand...

Actually, ol' doc got it right on this one:

docnyt said:
A converted Saiga would be a fun project if you're so inclined.
Click to expand...

A WASR is made of used parts. How used? You'll never know until you get it in your hands.
Saigas are made at "the home office" (where the AK was invented) and are made of all new parts, many of which are found in their military brethren.

The "fun project" only takes an afternoon, and at that point, the Saiga will be capable of accepting any military magazine or pistol grip you like:

This is a fully converted Saiga:
20nch-saiga_1207.jpg

This Saiga has had a "basic" pistol grip conversion:
saiga556_1246.jpg
 
So I went to Dunham's and saw a hi-cap capable WASR for $400 even. The sights seemed straight enough to my eyes, the bolt was easy to work, none of the controls stuck, etc. The whole thing had a cheap feel to it, but I have a feeling that's just an AK thing. Seem like a good deal?
 
That is just about as cheap as you can hope to find... UNFORTUNATELY...

I bought a VEPR II for my AK variant earlier this year... wasnt cheap.
 
Yeah, $400 for a hi-cap WASR sounds about right, and yes they are cheap in most/all ways.

Nalioth is quite right that a converted Saiga would be nicer, but it would also be a bit more money and a couple hours of time... might be worth considering.
 
If I was serious about really getting into shooting AKs, I would consider getting something more quality, but this rifle is going to serve nearly no serious purpose. I'm not using it for home defense, not using it for training, not using it for any work related jobs, not really relying on it as a true weapon in any way. It really is just a "I want an AK" buy. I'll read up some more, but I'll probably end up going for the WASR for cheapness. I have some money for fun purchases like this, but not a ton to get the best of the best for everything. Any serious money I try to save to improve my AR. That's my real work and defense rifle. The AK is essentially a toy. Yes a dangerous and respect-worthy toy, but a toy nonetheless.
 
A WASR-10 is a good fighting rifle. Mine will put rounds on steel with irons and factory russian ammo out to 200 yards consistently. Not a tight group but hitting the steel which is good enough for me. Pretty small steel target too. Trained with it a lot and never had a hiccup. Want the best get a kit and send it to Rifle Dynamics aka Jim Fuller for a build. He can also fix up your WASR if you get one with a canted sight and crappy trigger pretty cheap. Good luck and don't worry about the cheap feel. AK's run and run and run some more....
 
While those with WASR's sometimes get upset at those who warn against getting one, you might consider that WASR's seem to be hit or miss compared to other AK's...probably more hit than miss, but not as much hit as say an Arsenal (which have some misses to be sure). My opinion as worthless as it truly is is that you should get something that is considered to be more likely to be fine out of the box...because you will eventually probably get a higher end model in the future anyway if you don't at first. You might as well take the safer bet towards being happy right off the bat. And as you get into AK's you will probably get a WASR for kicks anyway. But by then, you will know exactly what to look for and how to fix any problems should you encounter any with your WASR.

That said, you can often find Arsenals on sale for very good prices. I think it was less than a year ago that KVAR had SGL-20's and 21's for around $400, if I am not mistaken. That is a rare event, but finding them for around $600 isn't all that rare.
 
Feeling cheap is not "an AK thing." Avoid the Romanian clones, they are made cheap and have crappy triggers. Look for a Bulgarian model, preferably with a milled receiver, but be prepared to spend a little more. It is an investment and you will recoup most of your outlay when you decide to sell if you purchase a quality AK.
 
Picked up a WASR in trade worth about $300. She's rough, looks to be a rebuilt G parts into a "new" WASR, so I did a battle field pick up look with it. I've also beat the dog snot out of her. Sat under the seat of the truck for months on end. Ran bone dry and then muddy and then put away wet and she just keeps going like the whore she is. You got to love her even with a little rust.

For ~$400 there are some used SAR-1s floating around that I think would be "nicer." Maybe a MAK-90. The Arsenal SGL-21 are really nice but priced at $600. "New" WASRs usally run $400 too.

ETA: before anyone says anything, my WASR is a test in-progress just to see what these things can take before going tits up. It was traded for for that purpose. I have much nicer Arsenal AKs, a MAK-90 and a SAR-2 that I maintain in my collection.
 
It really is just a "I want an AK" buy. I'll read up some more, but I'll probably end up going for the WASR for cheapness.
Click to expand...

Given your stated purpose, the WASR should work fine for you.

Would also be worth watching the classifieds on MGO Forums for used AK's at same or less money.
 
my first AK

I just got a AT-47 American Tactical btu got some bad ammo so I'll sight it in and run some rounds through it next week. Does anybody know anything about AT-47 American Tactical?

I owned a Saiga when they first came out and it was okay but not real accurate, I may have expected to much. The other thing is their mags are proprietary so that may be a problem in case of WWIII. I did see one web site that sold an attachment that allowed the Saiga to run standard AK mags but, why not just buy a regular AK and not have all those prblems.

Any feed back will be appreciated.
 
It wouldnt be THR if someone didnt say, "get both." so allow me......ahem.....
"GET BOTH" :)

I have a WASR 10/63 and it works great. Not one failure to fire, is as accurate as any AK I have owned (A polytech previously). And with a little fun in the shop, they can be made to look very nice. See the thread here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=558718&highlight=Wasr+AK) if interested.

SKS's in my experience are very good guns. Sight picture is very similar to AK. Mine are more accurate than the AKs by an 1" or 2" at 100 yds. So kind of significant if you were to be shooting at 200 or 300 yards.

The AKs are more fun and offer a solid "minute of Paper Plate" at 100yds, off hand, with any kind of surplus ammo.

Dont be afraid of the newer "WASR 10/63s" I would not risk saving a few dollars to buy an earlier used "WASR 10" it seems to me that the earlier quality concearns with these was primarily with the 10's.
 
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