Which AK?

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I know this has been asked a thousand times, but recently I started framing houses, I'm expecting a big paycheck pretty soon, which AK should I buy?

I would like to stick with 7.62x39, but I'm not opposed to .223 (as long as it can safely chamber and fire 5.56 as well). I DO NOT want a 5.45x39, as the prices are climbing and the only ammo i can find locally is corrosive surplus. (I know that cleaning after shooting corrosive ammo isnt that bad, I shoot corrosive through my mosins, I would just rather not deal with it in a semi-auto.)

I'd also like to get one with a milled reciever, the weight isnt an issue.

It can't have a folding stock, I live in michigan and I would have to register it as a pistol if its under 30 inches with the stock folded, and I am opposed to registering ANY of my firearms.

I'm really looking into an SA M-7R from arsenal, but I've been hearing a lot of rumors about arsenal slipping up on quality.

what do you guys think?
 
You can get a very nice AK for that kind of money. I'd look into a Vepr or something from a custom maker like Krebs. You might even be able to pick up a Valmet if you look around.
 
As far as NEW milled receiver models, I think Arsenal is the only one making them right now. Someone slap me with some correction if I'm wrong.
 
You could get a Saiga and pay to have it converted for less than $1400. In fact you could have one in 7.62X39 and one in .223 done for less than $1400. A new Saiga goes from $250-340 a shop like FBMG does conversions for around $350 I believe. That would yield you two very nice AKs, they would be on par with or better than just about anything out there.

If you did the conversion your self (something lots of people do visit the saiga 12 forums for boat loads of info) it would run you around $150 depending on what parts you want to use. So for $1400 you would have plenty of money left to buy magazines and stock up on ammo or spend it on your next Saiga after the Saiga bug bites.

As far as .223 vs 7.62X39. It will be easier to find cheap mags for the 7.62 and ammo is cheaper. The .223 versions seem to have the edge in accuracy. I couldn't decide and just bought both since the combined cost was $560. I'll likely add a S12 when the are available again and would like a .308 (I'm thinking I'll build a Dragnov clone). If i were to chose one I would get the 7.62 for mags and ammo.

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Girodin said:
In fact you could have one in 7.62X39 and one in .223 done for less than $1400.
Click to expand...
If he did the conversion himself, he could buy a Saiga in .223, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 and convert them all for under $1400.
 
If he did the conversion himself, he could buy a Saiga in .223, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 and convert them all for under $1400.
Click to expand...

Throw in a 12 gauge Saiga, too.

You know what I'd do? For $1400, I'd buy a couple of basic Saigas converted by Tromix. Not a milled reciever, but way cool.

Arsenal's issues seem to be canted sight bases and a finish that is not very durable. Both issues that can be corrected, but shouldn't be an issue at all on that expensive of a gun. Spend the rest of your money on ammo and mags.

I'd stick with 7.62x39. The AK isn't very accurate beyond it's range, anyway, and mags are readily available (compared to .223 mags). Ammo is $5 a box, too, compared to more $$$ for .223.
 
Milled reciever will be hard to find. You'll have to run across a pre-owned Arsenal. Arsenal's were all milled but the converted production to stamped recievers several years ago and supposedly will make a few limited runs of milled in the future, sometime, maybe.
 
Don't forget accessories, especially mags and ammunition. Don't buy the highest price ak just because you have the money to spend and then not have any things to go with it.

I'd say find a Yugo while you still can. BTW if you really want .223, Henderson Defense has a really good deal right now on .223 ak's, something like <400. dollars and they hand pick them so you get a good one. Keep in mind that magazines are more expensive for them.
 
A Saiga is your best bet. You'll have plenty of money left over, and it's a really good gun.

With the money you save, you can afford to convert it. I would pick a .223, but I'm partial to .223 saigas.
 
Wow!

If I was really going to sink that kind of money into a Kalashnikov variant, I'd look at a having a Galil built.
 
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