Wanting an SHTF assault rifle on limited budget just in case of HR1022.

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cwmcgu2

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I have been building up my firearm collection over the last year. I bought a Romanian M44 which I turned into a scout rifle at a hefty expense (Leupold scout scope, S&K mount, ATI stock), a Tula 91/59, a Benelli Supernova, and a Ruger 10/22. Next on my list was a handgun and then a dedicated hunting rifle, but with the threat of a new assault weapon ban I'm wanting to buy a SHTF assault rifle before the chance to do so passes me by. I estimate being able to save around $500-600 before the end of summer and here are my choices thus far:

-Yugoslavian AK-47 M70AB2 Underfolder from Century
-Vector Arms AK-47 (Stamped, Polish-Kit)

My reasoning is that if I could only have one assault rifle, I would want something that would last a looooong time. I am not interested in any of the Romanian WASRs, I've handled a number and the prevolence of wobly mags and crude finish have turned me off. I know I could afford a Saiga, but I do not want to go through the trouble of converting it and messing around with 922r. Are these two guns the best choice in this case? Any other recomendations?
 
I think that for your price range and your basic logic, you've hit on the best couple options I could think of, barring getting lucky and finding something that sells for more new as a used bargain.

You might look at Lancaster Arms as well, as their stuff is in your price range. I don't have any personal experience with their products, however, and so can't tell you anything on quality, how easy they are to deal with, etc.
 
-Yugoslavian AK-47 M70AB2 Underfolder from Century
-Vector Arms AK-47 (Stamped, Polish-Kit)
Click to expand...

The Vector Polish kit is a good choice (I built a Polish underfolder and for a AK its great). If you didnt like the quality of the WASRs then stay away from Century. For $600-$700 it is possible to build a decent AR if you feel up to hammering in a few pins. No matter which way you go plan on spending at least $100 on high capacity magazines.
 
Underfolders SUCK... They will HURT you.

A guy is finding this out in the Driving course.

He said today that it hurts (Cheek weld) it catches on gear, and it does not give a good site picture.
 
If you are short on funds but want to secure your place and rights to a pre-ban styled AR, buy the lower receiver now, and you are thus able to build "pre-ban rifle" even post-ban. The lower-receiver, with its number, is what counts. Unless the antis close all loopholes.
 
Personally, I'd go the AR route.

ARs are much more modular, and one can equip them with all manner of accessories -- .22LR kits, match uppers, uppers in various calibers (9mm, .50 Beowulf, .50 BMG, etc.). They have better triggers, are usually more accurate, and the ergonomics are better for most people. You can get ARs for about $700-$800, plus tax, which isn't terribly bad. Parts are plentiful, cheap, and made by numerous companies. Market support is excellent, and there are any number of domestic manufacturers with excellent warranties and service plans.

If you were to get an AK, I'd avoid the underfolder. The method of attaching the underfolding stock means you cannot attach a fixed stock. I believe sidefolders can accept fixed stocks if you want to switch them out.
 
look at saiga rifles....or go even cheaper and get an SKS.

i bought an SKS and 1000rds ammo for $450. Built like a tank.

IMO much more robust than AR platform.
 
I'd prefer going with an AK-47 made by a reputable company. Because in a SHTF situation you might not be able to clean your gun as regularly as you should, and such actions will lead to a lot of malfunctions in a precision instrument like the AR.
 
I don't clean my AR, and run crappy Wolf ammo. It still works. Keep it wet and it works. Internet myths spread by those who haven't tested an AR to see what it will really do.
 
I say pick up at least one of the following

SKS
AK
AR

Remember this:

Two is one, and one is none. Dont forget to buy all the mags and ammo you can afford.
 
Having experienced both AK designs, and a limited amount of M16A2/A4 range time, I would much rather have an AK47 style Rifle for a SHTF situation. In my PERSONAL opinion, I think the AK (if of good quality) will be more reliable than an AR. Also I prefer 7.62x39 over 5.56 any day of the week. Again, just my personal opinions.
As somebody has stated earlier in the thread, I would stay away from the Century Arms AKs because they seem to be of lower quality than some of the other AKs out there.
 
Based on similar logic, I ended up buying an AR. Spent a little more, but I think you can build for the price you are looking for. I looked hard at AK options. By the time I added up all I was looking for in an AK, I was close to the price of an AR which I like better as a platform. If you want to keep the price lower, Saiga is the way to go IMO. Plus you have $$$ for ammo.
 
Six hundred dollars will buy a crapshoot of a AR or a Tromix Saiga conversion. Of those two choices, I'd choose the Tromix. Then again, I'd probably buy two new-production WASRs and not sweat the wobbly mags. The latest ones seem to be pretty good (excepting the one that aguyindallas got) and mine simply runs and runs.

I recently bought a Romanian AK74 that I simply ADORE. It's NOT a CAI build; it has an import stamp of some outfit in Knoxsville. It cost me $420 to my door, and on it I put an Ultimak topped with a used Aimpoint along with an Ace fixed stock setup. This setup cost me, say, $800 with optics and it's frankly just DANDY. LNIW mags can be had for less than ten dollars, and a thousand rounds of 5.45x39 is $150 shipped to my door.

If I were starting over from scratch, I'd put together two of these (buy the rifles now and piece together the optics setup as finances allowed) with a dozen mags each and a case of Wolf HP ammo and consider myself well armed for any contingency.
 
To the OP, If you want to buy a rifle before any possible ban remember this. H.R1022 covers parts that may be used to assemble an "assault weapon". That means if you buy a lower today and H.R1022 passes tommorow it would be illegal to buy an upper, stock, magazine, etc for an AR. You would be stuck with a expensive paperweight, they took care of most of the loop holes that were in the Clinton Ban. Buy a total rifle or the parts needed to build one all at once.
 
I have a Century underfolder and it is much nicer than a WASR. You would be well served to handle one before you buy, as I have yet to find a friend of mine that likes the underfolder at all, though I do. So far 4 people who have handled the gun have told me it is awkward and uncomfortable, hitting all the wrong spots. Apparently I am lanky enough to work around it. :D

You also want to handle it in person because the quality varies. It is still a Century build, and I picked a nice one out of about 6 rifles, some of which felt about WASR level...

I have heard good things about Vector, and Polish kits seem to be pretty well turned out, but YMMV.


gp911
 
I've run a brick or two thru a Yugo AK w/o a single problem. It has a new
American barrel on it and accuracy has been just as good as any other AK
I've picked up (except the far more expensive Arsenal). I've seen prices
on the UFs run anywhere from $400-$550. Throw in some mags, a case of
ammo, and you're still < many other ARs.
 
Saiga 7.62x39 for $239 is the answer I came up with for this question.

never fired a pistol grip AK, but it sure seams like a lot of people gripe about poor ergonomics.
 
As nasty as Romanian WASR-10 are finished out, my Century unit shoots fine with just about any ammo its fed. Allow me to hit man size targets to 100yards, offhand. Beyond that I'll need t get new prescription glasses first.

That said, I'm lining up to get a Yugoslavian M70B1. Full wood stock version for me. Fit and finish is so much "prettier".




And just in case HR1022 gets any momentum...I got one of the last JLD PTR-91's from Sarco (with funds I had set aside for a Dillon XL650)
 
At the price range you said, you might try a VEPR AK. I have 3 different AK's, and the VEPR is the one I'm grabbing when I go out the door. Fit and finish are excellent and the action is really smooth. It's built on the RPK receiver, so the frame is stiffer and increases accuracy, which always helps in the AK line.
 
For the money you want to spend, you really hit the spot...get a SAIGA or other AK and case of ammo and 10 magazines.
 
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