Whats the "Best" 7.62x39 semi auto rifle besides the AK47?

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Hi Guys!

My choice would be czechoslovak vz.58. I am from Slovakia, it is easy to buy it here in semi-auto version. Our military uses it as well (full-auto version). I read some posts saying that it is less accurate than AK-47. That's not true. Vz.58 has totally different inner parts than AK. It was producent also for export - some countries use them in their armies (India for example), but in far less numbers than the AK. The AK is more bulky and heavier. Vz.58 is more accurate. The only disadvantage of vz.58 is that it is harder to controll it in longer bursts because of less weight. It was produced in late 50's and the buttstock and grips are made from realy ugly looking wood-like material. But if you change this parts you can get nice looking rifle from it. To be honest, if I should choose one rifle to take with me in a conflict I would still take the AK because of the spare parts.

Take a look at pics of my beauty...





 
Sweet...im gonna try to get one from the CZ group buy with tactical stock. Failing that probably gonna go Saiga...one in .308 with 22" barrel and one in 7.62 x 39 with 16" Anyone on here have experience with the Saiga...I hear nothing but good things.
 
about the only drawback i have heard about the saiga is a lack of parts. but supposedly a lot of ak-74 parts are suppoed to fit. I know i am looking at getting on in 7.62x39.
 
Bought my Vz-58 cannot wait to try it out. Might as well get it people will think it's an AK-47. That is what everyone I show think it is until I tell them otherwise.
 
Yes, only few people know that the gas system and internal parts are totaly different. In a fact Czechoslovakia was the only state of the former Warsaw pact which didn't adopt a copy of Kalashnikov in the Army. I love my vz.58. I would like to buy an EOTech for it as well. Anybody can give me advice where can I find one for a decent price?
 
Ar47?

AR47Greenlarge.jpg
 
I'd say vz.58 as well. (Galil maybe?)

Hey PP, don't those handguards get awful hot with long strings? Oh, I've seen armorer's kits that have beautiful wood (real wood) replacement stocks and forearms.
 
Vz-58 by far.

I think 7.62x39 galil's fall under being an AK. Saiga definately does. Though not an "AK47" as the OP put it.

I love shooting my mini-30.
Click to expand...

I got a kick out of that one.

PP, thats a nice Vz 58, too bad the furnature like yours costs a million bucks. And here in america, Vz 58 parts are about half the price of AK-47 parts so having replacement parts availible isn't really an issue. If i was in africa or something? maybe. honestly i just don't see anything on my Vz 58 breaking anyime soon.
 
Is it just me, or is an AR-15 in 7.62 x 39 kind of odd? It sort of defeats the point.

An AK in .223 is fine, but a shiny black AR-15 shooting 7.62 x 39 is like mowing a lawn after dark or kissing your cousin, it doesn't feel right. :barf:
 
Yeah, I feel similar - but admit thats just preference. For the folks that like the platform, its sure nice to see the option.

Anyone doing an AR in 5.45? :D
 
VZ-58

It takes 30 round magazines
The bolt locks open on empty
you can reload the mags with stripper clips, without even taking them out of the gun!
the shoot a little bit better than your average AK
the reciever is milled

The only real downside I can think of is the cost.
 
I have a converted saiga but I would love to have a vz58. Everything I read is positive and it is design wise more of a linear descendant of the original stormgewehr 44. For a stupid reason I am a 1958 model too so I like that :)
 
Well, since you said both current and out of production, I'd say the Valmet M76...I know some of you will say it's a Kalashnikov, but the comparison is like putting a Cadilac(Valmet) against a Chevy Cavalier(run of the mill AK).
As far as current production, I'll go with the VZ58.
 
1) Is the Ruger Mini 30 often found with a (replacement?) wooden stock and has normal iron sights? Some of us like the classic wooden looks. The Ruger website states that it can only be fitted with a scope, unlike with the -14

My only gun besides a single-shot .22 is an M-1 carbine (since October).

2) What are the drawbacks of a Ruger Mini 30 compared to the Mini 14 (.223), in terms of reliability, durability (cleaned often) and ammo prices for American-made 7.62X 39? Does overheating cause any real problems, other than accuracy?

3) Are reliable magazines which hold 20-30 rounds for the Mini 30 always very expensive?
If so, what is Ruger's problem?
 
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