After re-reading your post, there were a couple things I thought about:
I've owned a couple Saigas, and while I was impressed with the price and the accuracy, they seemed a bit cheap (very thin metal, proprietary mags, and a horrible stock trigger).
I don't know what to say about the thin metal. All non-milled AK's have 1mm receivers -- except a few built on 1.6mm RPK receivers. Aresenal produces a 1.6mm receiver if you wanted to have a rifle built (or build one). To use a standard AK parts kit in a 1.6mm receiver, it requires both the front and rear trunnion to be shaved.
As for proprietary magazines, the only time you are STUCK with proprietary magazines is if you have a S-12 (12 gauge), S-20 (20 gauge), S-410 (.410 shotgun), or a S-308 (.308 winchester)
Even in the proprietary, I know that the S-12 has 10 round magazine available and now even a 20 round drum. FBMG makes an excellent 20 round magazine for the S-308.
As for the 7.62x39 and .223, you are not stuck with proprietary magazines. With the installation of a bullet guide and a slight amount of shaving to the magazine release, you can use standard magazines.
Dinzag on the Saiga forums makes 7.62x39 bullet guides that allow use of standard AK magazines. He also makes bullet guides for the .223 that allow the use of Galil magazines in the .223.
In addition to using galil magazines in the .223, you can install an AR-15 magwell adapter from ORF that will allow you to use M-16 magazines in the Saiga .223. You still need a bullet guide. I'll probably go this route if I get a .223
Bear in mind that the conventional wisdom with using high-cap magazines in Saigas require you to go through the 922(r) game of making sure you have the proper amount of non-imported parts. However, ALL AKs go through this. It's just a bit more tricky with Saigas since they use a Russian-made receiver (1 part on the count) where others are using US-made receivers for the most part (some exceptions apply).
If you are going to go the 922(r) route, then you may as well convert the rifle to the traditional look.
That deals with your dislike of the crappy stock trigger. In the conversion, you'll be using a new trigger group. I have a Tapco G2 trigger in my Saiga 308. Its the exact one that Vector used in my Vector Polish underfolder. I'm exploring the idea of using Red Star Arms adjustable trigger in my Saiga 308 in the future. So, as you can see, you are not stuck with the crappy trigger.
I'm looking to buy an AK with 100 round drums, regular AK magazines, compensator, etc.
You would be able to use drums in a converted Saiga 7.62x39. Although, I have to say that I am no fan of drums. I'd rather just carry 3 or 4 stick magazines. They take up less space, and are easier to carry. Plus, they are not a PITA to load.
You can put a compensator on a saiga. The 7.62x39 and .223 are very easy to thread for muzzle attachments. The 308 is a bit trickier due to a difference of barrel diameter and the fact that you really need to move the Front Sight Base rearward if you want to do it right. Then you have to turn the barrel down a bit. I had this done by a local machinist to mine. Mine has a Dragunov 3" Flash Hider threaded on. However, there are smiths on the Saiga forums that now have easier solutions than turning down barrels and moving FSB's.
Saigas are now capable of being brought back to the original configuration rather easily. With a bolt-on handguard retainer, it is possible to get it onto the original wood stocksets, if that is your thing.
What brand or variant is on the low-price, but good quality medium?
Here's the basic run-down as I see it:
Low price:
-Century WASR
-Saiga (spend a small amount converting it and you aren't much more than a WASR)
-IO's STG "clone" -- its a WASR in new furniture
Of these, I personally think the Saiga wins hands down. You get the quality and accuracy of a high-end or premium AK for a LOW cost. A quality conversion commands the price of any high-end or premium AK (see Tromix or Red Jacket to see what I mean...)
Middle Price:
-Century Yugo
-Vector Arms
-Lancaster
I have no experience with the Century Yugo. I have a Vector Polish underfolder that I LOVE. However, I DO recognize that Vectors no longer have chrome-lined barrels-- that can be nice considering some of the crap we shoot through AKs. Vector has a 5-year warranty (which mine JUST ran out) Vectors are built from either Polish or Bulgarian Parts.
I don't know if Lancaster has chrome-lined bores or not. I DO know that Lancaster gives a LIFETIME warranty on thier rifles. To me, that beats out the Vector. The Lancasters I've seen are built with Romanian Parts. You can get a Romanian "G" from Lancaster a bit cheaper than you can get a similar from Vector.
High-End:
Arsenal
Red Jacket converted Saigas
Tromix converted Saigas
AKUSA converted Sagas
Krebbs Custom builds (including converted Saigas)
VEPR
Vector Arms Milled AK
With the converted Saigas, you are paying for the quality of the workmanship of the converted. I haven't heard a single thing bad about any of the converted Saigas listed above. But you will pay a premium for those.
The same can be said of a Krebbs build. It's all about the workmanship.
Arsenal is a straight shot Bulgarian rifle. They are solid as they come and I have NEVER heard a bad thing about one. I don't know if they still make the milled receiver one, but its a favorite. You can expect to pay a good bit for an Arsenal--and a good bit more for a Milled Arsenal.
Vector has a milled AK listed that is cheaper than the Arsenal one-- but I have never heard anything about it from an owner.
---- The milled AKs will give you the weight that you may be looking for-- but they're probably out of the price range you have mentioned.
VEPRs are great AKs... but you will run into things that you have already indicated that you don't like-- mainly proprietary magazines and lack of muzzle brakes, etc. They are built on a 1.6mm receiver. These rifles are great, but on the expensive side.
Really...based upon your price indications, you'd be looking at:
Century WASR (basic rifle)
Saiga (requires some work on your part to get the rifle you want)
Lancaster (may be stretching your budget to the tune of $100 or so more dollars)
Vector (probably stretching your budget to the tune of $200 or so dollars)
I hope this helps!
-- John
P.S.: And I can't help showing off my Saiga 308 DMR.
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