What AK do I want??

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MarineTech

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Alright. Just got a promotion at work and I'm planning on fleshing out the gun collection a bit.

I'm looking to pick up an AK as a cheap blaster and adjunct to my AR-180B and M1A, to haul to the range on days I feel like making noise but don't want to burn up my supplies of surplus .223 and .308. Problem is, while I have experience with the real thing from the Marines, I'm not up on the commercial variants available.

Basically, I want a sub $600 AK that I don't have to screw around with to get it working right. I've been cruising the net, and the WASR 10s from Century seem to fit the bill, but there's generally problems reported with the magazine wells and jiggly magazines. I don't want an AK that I have to take a Dremel tool to, in order to get the magazine to seat firmly. I've been eyeing the Yugo underfolders with an eye towards putting a normal fixed stock on it, but everything I see seems to say "fits all AK variants EXCEPT, Yugo." So I'm wondering if they're not compatible with other AK parts.

So folks, clue me in. What am I looking for?
 
The Yugo underfolders, the M70AB2, is a hell of a rifle. The fixed stock I believe is the M70AB. Each would run about $500.00.

Some of the WASR's have mag wobble. Some have canted sights. Neither will effect the function.
 
MarineTech, the Yugo AK furniture is indeed proprietary to that variant. I checked out some of the Century Yugos at a gunshow a few weeks back. Fit and finish on those rifles were much better than the WASRs I compared them to. Don't take this as a slam on the WASR series. I think they're great for someone that wants to see what AKs are all about for a little over 300 bucks.

However,for the difference in price, I would buy the Yugo hands down. The pricing at this show was 439.00 for a fixed and 499.00 for a folder. You can get alot of info on the AK side of ar15.com as well. Hope this helps and thank you for your service to our country.

-jagdpanzer
 
I'd go with an SSR-85C2 from Global Trades/Armory USA out of Houston...Bulgarian gun, excellent fit and finish. Heavier 1.6mm thick receiver, chrome lined barrel, parkerized finish, overall a great gun. Mine cost only $550. Only two guns I can think of that are better are the Arsenal AK's made in Nevada or Krebs Customs AK's.
 
Romanian stamped receivers are available for <$300.

If I had the choice, I'd push for a Bulgarian milled, but that's just me (and $575-625 that I don't have to spend).
 
Kymasabe, good point. I had forgotten about the SSR-series. I haven't seen one in person, but they seem to get positive reviews. Seems like there is a hundred dollar bill involved in each step of AK-upgrading. The Mak90s can be a good option as well, not to mention building your own!

-jagdpanzer
 
Saiga, Saiga, Saiga

They're imported by the Russian American Arms Co. in Indiana. They come in a spoterized configuration so it doesn't look like the standard AK you've seen. They're Cheap ($250), accurate, newly manufactured (not old stock stored in cosmoline for decades), and they Have hammer forged, crome lined barrels.

It would need to be converted to look like the AK. I know you said you didn't want to mess with it but, you could have the work done for you and still be under budget with one of the most accurate stamped reciver AKs around.

If you do decide to do the conversion yourself its very easy if your mildly handy.

I've got two of them one chambered in .223 and one in .308 of course they also chamber it in 7.62 soviet. I don't have one in the soviet... yet:evil:
 
Classic Arms, www.classicarms.us has the Yugo's on sale for $420 right now. I just got one and am very pleased. Fit and finish is excellent and they are built on Dan Coonan 1.6mm recievers, dang thing is nearly too heavy for an AK! If it's between the Yugo and one of the WASR's, the Yugo is easily worth the extra $100. Wasr's are not bad guns though. While not the best looking except for minor issues they have a great reputation for being reliable and durable lead slingers. BTW just checked one of my flyers, www.jgsales.com has the Yugo M70B1 which is the fixed stock version for $430, and includes the bayonet.
 
Grab a Yugo Underfolder while you can, especially at the price they are selling at Classic. Excellent fiream.
 
I like my WASR. A few guys I know have them too. I think the problems you're referring too (loose mags, canted gas blocks/sights, etc.) are exaggerated, and happened mostly with the earliest ones that came out a few years back. Everyone I know who has bought one has not had those problems, and no dremel or any work was needed. Mine ran right out of the box no problem. Got it for $329 at AIM w/2 mags and accessories. I put 9 coats of tung oil on the stock and it looks great (as good as a WASR can look anyway).


Here's the thing, I think no matter which AK you get, you are not going to be that happy with the accuracy as compared to your AR and M1. You're pretty much going to relegate it to a fun shooter/blaster like I did because if you want something accurate you're going to shoot your AR or M1. So save your money and don't go all out and spend a full $600 just on a rifle that will probably end up sitting in the safe a lot or just being a plinker. Get the WASR, then use the extra for lots of mags, ammo, and a proper sling.

If you do want something better, check out the Arsenals, they are very nice and only about $100 more from what I've seen in my area. US made and milled receivers, very nice. But again, if it's just going to be a plinker/fun gun, I would not spend the extra money over a WASR.
 
Thanks for the input all. I'm currently leaning towards the Vector models. I've had experience with their semi-auto Uzi's in the past, and know they make quality guns.

And yes Lonestar, I'm aware of the accuracy of the AK's compared to that of my other rifles. I'm planning on fleshing out the gun a bit with a few accessories and will probably add a red dot on it and a Mojo rear sight. As long as it'll hold 4 or 5 inches at 100 yards, I'm happy. If I want MOA accuracy, I'll haul out the M1A. I'm more interested in the cheap ammo cost ($179 shipped for 1000 rnds of Wolf) and having it as a general range shooter for ringing steel.

Oh, and Wardog. Love the sig line. That's Robin Williams in The Survivors, correct?
 
MarineTech, I'm sure whichever AK variant you get you'll enjoy it. How is the Vector Uzi, anyway? I've thought about buying one, but they seem to be out of production at the moment. What is the fit and finish like? Had any problems with it? The Survivors, what an excellent film!

-jagdpanzer
 
I'm a Vector dealer. I think as far as traditional style AKs go, there are awesome rifles.

If I wanted the absolutely best performing AK, I would get a Tromix converted Saiga. (note, I am a dealer of them, so I am biased). The Saiga is a 2 MOA or better rifle, and outshoots pretty much everything else out there except for the Vepr.
 
Not to skip of the topic, jagd, but they're excellent. I don't own one, but a friend of mine owns 4 of them, all various models including 1 SBR model that he paid the tax stamp on. All them have stood up to EXTENSIVE use and abuse and are still running like champs.

They're quality guns and well worth the price. Once I pick up a few other guns, I'm probably going to look at getting one myself.

And yes Cor, the Tromix Saiga conversions are very nice, but they're WELL out of the $600 range I set on a "blaster."
 
I went with a Polish underfolder AKM47 kit. Its at the builder now. My friend has one and its really nice.

Beertracker :)
 
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