Which AK to get?

[boomstik45]

Let me start off by saying that I prefer not to get a WASR. A lot of them have wobbly magwells and others have canted sights. Other than that....

The ones I've been looking at that are available locally are the Yugo underfolder, the AMD-65, and the Century "bullpup." The AMD looks really nice, but I have to wonder just how comfortable it will be to shoot with that tiny little pad at the end of the wire stock. I'm not recoil sensitive, but when I practice with an AK, it will be for several hundred to a thousand rounds. As for the bullpup, I figure the trigger won't be so great, but hopefully not too bad. As long as the weapon is durable, acceptably accurate, and reliable, I'm cool with it. I actually like the feel of it, and because my hands are large, the foregrip doesn't bother me.

Any experiences, opinions, or advice is appreciated. You can send me a private message too, if you choose. I tried asking this question on GlockTalk, in the Kalashnikov Klub forum, but all I heard was crickets...

 

[possum]

i have a mak 90 and it is a great ak varient. but of the ak's out there i prefer the yugo underfolders they are good shooters and a bit nicer than alot of the other varients.

 

[boomstik45]

They are nice, I just don't like the idea of not being able to change the handguard. I'd like to get one that ventilates better. No fun trying to fire with a hot hanguard after you've put a few mags through 'er.....

 

[femoralis]

I've heard a few negative comments about the bullpup kit, primarily the bad trigger.

 

[boomstik45]

The ones I've seen are already put together. I figured the trigger would be rough, but I'm not looking for a competition weapon. It just needs to be reliable and durable. Of course, I say that now...

 

[amprecon]

If you want a good quality AK that you will be very happy with, you really need to look at Arsenal AK's, there are no other alternatives in my book. I'd not spend money at all if I had to buy any other make of AK, they are just not worth the elevated prices they're getting. The Arsenal ones aren't either, but if you HAVE to have an AK these are the ones to sacrifice for.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/index.htm

 

[cheygriz]

Arsenal or Robinson AK-74, in 5.54x39.

 

[cheygriz]

Arsenal or Robinson AK-74, in 5.54x39.

 

[Tin Gizel]

They are nice, I just don't like the idea of not being able to change the handguard. I'd like to get one that ventilates better. No fun trying to fire with a hot hanguard after you've put a few mags through 'er.....

Why can't you change out the handgaurds?

I swapped my top for an UltimAK rail. Heat hasn't been a problem on the bottom one, and you could always hit it with a dremel if you wanted to open it up.

I have a yugo underfolder and fixed stock, love them both.

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Of the three AKs that I have the most fun one I own is my WASR.

I believed that the WASR would be the worst of all AKs made. The truth is its a blast to own and shoot. I just made sure to inspect it prior to buying it. The mag well was opened up too much but it was an easy fix. I used a small metal plate as a shim and JB welded it to the inside of the magwell. Magwell wobble solved.
They are the cheapest of AKs sold that I have found. As long as it is put together well it will be a good shooter for you.


I have a milled VEPR and a Lancaster Arms AK. The VEPR is as solid as a brick ****house. The only knock I have against it is that its heavy. The VEPRs are extremely expensive now a days. They are between the $600-900 price range. I think thats a bit much for an AK.

The Lancaster Arms is built off the Romanian G kit. It is nicely put together and finished. They are going for $500-600 around here. They polish the wood nicely to a show style stock. They look really good.

I have shot a friends Arsenal AK. It is the thumbhole variant. It was a nice shooter even with the crappy stock.

 

[retgarr]

Sorry, double

 

[retgarr]

Everybody and their brother has an AK, if you want an interesting commie rifle that you can have some semiauto fun with, get a VZ-58

 

[boomstik45]

Thanks for the replys guys. Ended up buying an AMD-65! Next go round will probably be a Yugo underfolder (when I can get the money...and after I decide on my latest pistol acquisition).

Tin Gizel, I should've specified. I knew of the Ultimak that's Yugo-compatible, but so much else isn't. For instance, are any of the hanguards from Tapco (like the Galil or the Fusion handguards) compatible for Yugoslavian AKs? Not to my knowledge. The fact is, the top cover over the receiver, the gas tube, and the handguards are all different lengths than they are on Norincos, WASRs, or others. Everything I've come across keeps saying that if it ain't YUGO SPECIFIC, then it ain't happenin'. I'd LOVE somebody to be able to prove me wrong, 'cause I'd go right out and buy it!

 

[Tin Gizel]

Tin Gizel, I should've specified. I knew of the Ultimak that's Yugo-compatible, but so much else isn't. For instance, are any of the hanguards from Tapco (like the Galil or the Fusion handguards) compatible for Yugoslavian AKs? Not to my knowledge. The fact is, the top cover over the receiver, the gas tube, and the handguards are all different lengths than they are on Norincos, WASRs, or others. Everything I've come across keeps saying that if it ain't YUGO SPECIFIC, then it ain't happenin'. I'd LOVE somebody to be able to prove me wrong, 'cause I'd go right out and buy it!

You are correct here. I haven't found much furniture that will swap out. But I was only looking for the top rail.....

 

[boomstik45]

And for once, I am not happy with being right, either. Ultimak says they're working on something, though....