What Ak/Ak Variant currently is best bang for your buck?

I just grabbed an AK pistol: the Zastava O PAP M92 for $415 shipped. Threw on the Echo-93 single point mount bracket and a MantiCore NightBrake. Just over 500 into an awesome & portable package.

 

If you want to spend a bit, look into the AK's made by Arsenal in Las Vegas. If you are into something economical but very much a AK a Saiga is the way to go. You can do a conversion to make the stock Saiga look like a AK or just enjoy it as it comes.

 

In 1995 I bought a Norinco MAK 90 for $189.00. I overpaid by about $160.00 because it was a POS that barely shot a 6" group at 50 yards.

 

PAP is higher quality but you should be able to find an used/pre-owned WASR for less since they've being in the market longer.

In fact, used WASR should cost less than building your own. Vz have better ergonomics but is not an AK and mags/accessories are cheaper for AK than Vz.

 

Agent, I was just the opposite. I got a brand new one at an auction for $200 that shot great. Like a knucklehead I sold it for far less than they are worth now and regret selling it.

 

Right now jg sales has $499 cugir built Romanian ak w/perm muzzle nut. comes with your choice 75 round roomy drum mag or 6 steel 30round Korean mags or 7 tapco mags..if I had not ordered rifles yesterday I would be all over this deal. check it out. I have mostly Romanian ak variants and very happy with all of them

 

I have owned 2 mak-90's and consider them the best ak for around the $500 they still run.
Much better fit and finish than the Romanian ak's. I have not had the opportunity to compare them against the zastevas though.
MAKs have a thicker barrel and receiver stamping than standard, are chrome lined, and are likely to be assembled correctly.
They are commonly found at gunshows and online auction still, Even after the money ($150 or so) I spent on converting the one I have now it's been 100% reliable and is easily soda can accurate at 50 yards.

Although converting a Saiga would be my next AK, just for the sake of having a "Russian" AK.

 

FEG AMD65 under folder. We're selling for $400. I think they're $550 range now.

 

I vote $600ish for a Vepr.

 

Never really considered one before, but it sure is a nice size package.

 

+1
Zastava PAP M85 (.223) pistol with arm brace.



Which you can make fold for easy storage with a hinge for ACE Ltd and it will clear the charge handle.

 

I've heard a lot of rethoric about wasr's . I own a wasr 10 it's preformed awesome. But the greater surprise was a wasr3 IN 5.56. Straight sights little mag wobble, eats 223. Over 600 rounds and 0 FTE OR FTF.

 

This is what I went for and just received a 16inch integrated sights model in 7.62x39. It's my second AK and it is night and day over my converted Saiga in the fit, finish, and looks department. I'm not doing any sort of conversion on this and leaving it stock; only adding optics to it through the use of it's side mount. Hopefully it shoots as well as the Saiga, I'll find out in the upcoming week as I take it out to sight it in and put it through it's paces.

I really do not find the weight of the rifle to be that big of a deal; if it's too heavy....grow stronger.