WASR-2 v.s. Arsenal SAM-5 v.s. AK-105?

[ShootAndHunt]

SAR-3 v.s. Arsenal SAM-5 v.s. AK-101?

I want to buy an AK to keep my AR accompanied. Currently I am looking for an AK in 5.56x45 (.223 Rem), and I found the following AKs:

1. SAR-3

2. Arsenal SAM-5

3. AK-101

Could you guys with experience of AK help me to choose from the above three (or other you think good)? I am really not familiar with these AKs. I only know Arsenal SAM-5 is forged, while SAR-3 and AK-101 is stamped, but since it is mainly a plink gun, I don't think this difference is different. However, I do want to buy a reliable quality AK.

Another concern is the price. The Arsenal SAM-5 price I got from the gun store is between $700 ~ $800, I don't know about the other two yet. SAR-3 should be much cheaper, right? How about AK-101? Is it worth to spend ~$800 for an AK? Are they worth the money?

Is ther any good online place where I could find good prices on these AKs?

Thanks,

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Wow, no any replies

 

[ACP]

Hey there ShootAndHunt!

FWIW, a while ago I was looking into purchasing an AK clone. I was awfully impressed with the quality of the Arsenal guns. I like longevity in everything I purchase. I've seen some SAR-3s that I wouldn't use as hammers; others have been okay.

 

[dav]

ShootAndHunt wrote:
Wow, no any replies

Sorry SAH, I thought maybe I shouldn't reply since I know absolutely nothing about the firearms being discussed.

 

[jercamp45]

My experience is limited....

to the 7.62 variety.
I had a Saiga for a few months and it was fantastic! Only sold it because of a move and security issues regarding where I was moving too.
I am now purchasing a Arsenal SLR-95 with milled receiver as a project gun. Have not shot it yet as it is not fully assembled with the 922 parts.
Krebs custom guns does alot of AK work and they mainly used stamped receivers(and the have some cool parts as does redstararms.com). I got the Bulgarian because it was too good a deal to pas up on AND I wanted a lifetime rifle that I could trick out my way.
All that you mentioned are high quality AK's, but given a choice I'd get a Arsenal first, Saiga second. Personally I would not get the smaller caliber, but that is me. Gotta get new mags for it anyway, and accuracy next to your AR will probably be disappointing.
The AR is King of the extra bolt on parts, but the AK is coming along too... some of the add ons? Enhanced safety and M16 rear sight from Krebs. Tactical mag release and milled trigger group from RedStar. Folding stock from Tapco and ACE ltd., top handguard with rail from Unimak, and several lower handgard with tri-rails for verticle grips, lighting systems, etc. There is alot of other things available too.
The AK will never be an AR for accuracy and modular accessorizing, but it is extremely reliable, a military classic, and a fine defensive tool ou to 200 meters. It is my prefered tool for CQB.
That's my take.
Jercamp45

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Thanks a lot for the replies, buddies!

I did plan to get an AK in 7.62x39 cal., but my state (CT) law said that an AK in 7.62x39 is AW and banned, while in other caliber is OK!mad: stupid law, isn't it?

CT has its own AWB, so I still cannot buy any firearm with retractable or foldable stock, flashhider, ..., all these cool features are considered EVIL I will definitely move out for a free state in the near future, but now I just have to bear it.:banghead:

I did found several online store sell Arsenal SAM5, but for AK101, is it only available through their own website?

I am still wondering whether it is worth to spend $700 ~ $800 for an AK

 

[Preacherman]

Shootandhunt, at this time, considering the legal restrictions you face, I would suggest buying a Saiga in 5.56x45mm. It's going to be far cheaper than the other alternatives you face (down here, the street price runs in the $250 range for the base models), and since you can't add any "evil black rifle" features in Connecticut, why spend any more? When you move, you can have it fitted out with anything you like, including hi-cap magazines. Best of all, the Saiga is genuine Russian production, and seems to be a rather higher-quality weapon than many of the Warsaw Pact or Chinese copies.

See here for more details. Picture below.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Hi,

I'm a 7.62x39 guy but I have to vouch for the Arsenal Inc. product line. I'm an EXTREMELY SATISFIED SAM-7S owner. I'd expect nothing but excellent quality out of a SAM-5 (which I've considered...maybe time to check out availability of .223 hi-caps).

Good luck,

CZ52'

 

[Bridger]

If you don't want to spend that much for a quality AK, I know I have seen .223 SAIGA rifles in CT for a great price. You can then get a Red Star Arms trigger group, and have the mag-well modified for standard capacity magazines. I think you may or may not need some other U.S. parts, but from what I have read you can modify a Saiga that way for 500 bucks or under.

 

[pm2790]

The Romanian made SAR-3 rifles are acceptable as-is for a stamped receiver AK. They tend to have mediocre looking wood furniture. You can replace with synthetic from K-VAR (black or green) or purchase better wood from Ironwood Designs (laminate, maple, walnut etc.) If you go nicer on the furniture, then the metal finish might need some TLC. I swapped my SAR-3 to a set of nice Bulgarian Beechwood for $50. It currently has a PK-AS red dot/black dot sight on it. East German Weiger mags (a NIW 5 pack for $60) feed reliably. I also have a few bakelite AK-74's modified that work well too. This AK was purchased used (the kid I bought it from said it jammed some and he wanted something more reliable-he gave me a few Chinese! mags with it) and since using the correct mags has run like a top. It is more accurate than my 7.62 x 39 AK's. Recoil is very light. The supply of SAR-3's has dried up. The WASR-3 will be functionally the same. It will not have the mag well dimples.

The milled receiver Bulgarian rifles are very nice whether they are assembled here in the states or in the factory back in Bulgaria. Fit and finish are better than about any Euro stamped AK. The milled receiver adds weight and that will help with recoil. My SLR-95 and SLR-101s are two of my more accurate 7.62 AK's. Is it worth the extra bucks for a 'nice' example of the AK? Only you can decide. Try to handle both.

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Thanks for all the great information!

I did consider a Saiga, but I found that this is really too far from an AK in a appearance, and I kind of dislike the feeling when handle it. But for about $250, I might take another serious look at it during my next visit to the gun store.

I didn't got a chance to handle an SAR-3 or AK-101, but I test handled the Arsenal SAM-5, the quality is pretty good, and it looks really an AK. It might be a high-end AK, and worth the extra dollars!

Which is a better AK? AK-101 or Arsenal SAM-5? I didn't get a chance to see an AK-101 till now.