FWIW, Czechoslovakia built their own 7.62x39 rifle, the VZ58 (which is different from the AK47/AKM). I’ve never touched one although they have a very good reputation for quality.

I am no fan of Russia but Russian-made AK’s are of good quality, as are the Bulgarian’s. The main reason I never bought a VZ58 is due to its incompatibility with AK magazines.