I'm putting my AR build on a hold for awhile and am in the market for an AK-47. Back in the mid to late 90's, I could buy a Russian AK-47 all day long from the SHOTGUN NEWS for $125-$175. Now you have to pay a MINIMUM of $600 for something halfway decent.
Anyway, I have been doing a lot of research on the Century Arms RAS-47 AK. I have found one at SPORTSMAN'S GUIDE for $569! My research states that it's a darn good AK, and it's made in the USA with all parts from the USA!. I like the traditional look so I want to stay with the wood stock. Opinions? Any other suggestions in the $600-$650 range?

Century Arms RAS-47 AK, Semi-Automatic, 7.62x39mm, 16.5" Barrel, 30+1 Rounds - 696834, Semi-Automatic at Sportsman's Guide

Would you consider moving to a milled receiver? This would be slightly above your stated price range.

You might want to redo that research again. Just Google "Century Arms" trouble and you get something like 500K hits including a class action lawsuit.

In your price range a Bulgarian, Serbian, Russian AK, VEPR. Saiga etc. If you can find a stamped Bulgarian Arsenal grab it.

I used to buy milled receiver AK's back in the day for $175. With a big ole Russian star on the stock along with Russian markings on it everywhere. Those were the good old days!
BTW, I was also buying Russian SKS's for $75-$100 as well.

As mentioned above, there are many problems with the in house Century builds including the RAS 47, C39 V2, and the RH-10s. Problems with the bolt carrier shearing in half, rivets not pressed correctly and trunnions failing. Unfortunately, many of the USA made AKs fail to compete against many of the AKs manufactured in war factories.

I would spend the extra twenty or so dollars and get a WASR 10 as it seems it is the bees knees over the last few years.

I have two AK's, one from Arsenal and the other is a Century Arms underfolder with a milled receiver. It cost about half what the Arsenal rifle did and I've only had it for about six months, but it seems fine. The receiver is American made but it's built on a Yugo kit. Accuracy is about what you would expect and function has been 100%. I'm no expert but I would think you would be OK with a rifle built on a Bulgarian, Romanian or Polish kit.

I'm a fan of the AK platform and when I first got started I had lots of questions too. Whatever you do please do not dump you're hard earned $ into a RAS-47 of any kind. Same goes for any of the Century milled receiver builds. Just stay away.

While there are some good american made builds starting to hit the market, the rule of thumb in he AK world that still stands is buy a former combloc production AK. At the same price point you can have an overbuilt Yugo (Zastava). The main drawback to the Yugo AK's is that they are not standard AKM pattern AK's like the Russian Saiga's, Romanian WASR's, and Polish Radoms, Bulgarians, and others meaning mostly that the furniture is specific to the Yugos and will not interchange with the others. All my AK's are former combloc production, and my Yugo Zastavas are my favorites. For what it's worth I'd even take a Romainian WASR over a RAS-47. Don't let the Magpul Goodies fool you on the RAS-47, the build quality is nowhere near what a traditional AK build is meant to be. The only Century products you should consider are the ones they import, period. Lastly, also stay away from anything IO. The best AK's overall IMHO right now are any of the DDI AK's. They cost a bit more than the Zastavas but they are top shelf AK's without the Arsenal price tag.

My milled Polish 1960 put together by Century with subbed out receivers, barrels and Polish bolts about five years ago has had well over 4K down the barrel with nary a hickup. It's just lacks a chrome lined barrel which to me is no big deal. Century's problems were years ago and weren't handled very well, their products are considerably better now.

I too like old school.

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STAY AWAY FROM RAS47! You will regret it! Many problems with the cast carrier. The c39v2 isn't much better.

The wasr isn't as aesthetically appealing but it is built to outlast you and will handle tens of thousands of rounds. The Ras47 will kick the bucket after a couple thousand or less.

Wasr 10 is what you want or Vepr or hit the used market for a Mak 90

DDI AKs are known for numerous problems

Wasr is the most recommended ak in the under $800 range on ak files. Over $800 and it is the vepr or Arsenal.

Zastava is above DDI in terms of quality and longevity but still no where near Wasr

I bought my Chinese Mak 90 AK-47 (7.62 x 39) in 1994 - Cost $279.95
It is a great investment. It is as I bought it with the thumb-hole stock, I like how it feels. A few modifications and it is you-beaut!

I really like my WASR 10. I've had it for years and put hundreds of rounds thru it. I usually reload for my firearms, but, not this one as military surplus 7.62x39 is cheaper.

Something like this?

AK 47 Rifle WASR 10

Watch this before you buy an AK47 WASR 10/63 - YouTube

Cross reference on AKs
Ak Operators Union, Local 47-74
- YouTube

Ski is a neutral Pole and serial rifle abuser.

Century AKs have been getting a better press lately.

Geoff
Who notes ARs are cheaper than AKs right now, see S&W, Ruger and Palmetto State.

Welcome to the AK world! Please do further research, the all American AK's are really not very good. The parts that they are using to build their AK's are failing at an unacceptable rate. If you want an AK that looks nice and will sit in your safe, maybe to see the range every other month just to fire a magazine of 7.62x39 then these US AK's may fit your bill, but they kind of are a waste of money.

In your price range, the latest WASR's would be a good choice. If I was just getting into AK's I would get an Arsenal 107R, these are a good deal when you can find them in stock.

ARSENAL SLR 107R AK47 Rifle

First choice would be foreign AK's built in factories by nations that use them, then there are kit builds that use foreign parts kits except for the receiver , barrel and fire control group. these can be very good if built by someone that knows what they are doing. Do your research, the days of cheap AK's are long over. Until laws and import bans are changed that is not going to change. If you want a cheap rifle, then stick with AR's.

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Save up and buy chinese

Posts #7 and #15. I'm with you.

Russians never imported AKs unless you're talking about the Vepr or Saiga but those aren't milled.

Russians imported only WW2 surplus, SKS and SVD/Tigr

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Those were problematic too. They slapped together milled and stamped parts.

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I stay away from anything Century puts their hands on. It's not worth hundreds of dollars to find out if you got a good one. It's not worth the hassle

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Short Answer: Buy one of the following to stay close to your budget (in my order of preference):
1. MAK-90. Chinese AK from the early 1990's. Although I find the thumb-hole stock ugly I prefer the LOP (length of pull). You can change the butt stock and change to a pistol grip but you'll need to study up on 922 compliance and use some U.S. parts to make it a compliant change.
2. Arsenal (located in Las Vegas). Should be able to find new and used and should be relatively easy to find.
3. WASR (find a dimpled receiver version that accepts standard magazines).

Longer answer: I echo the basic opinion of a few others with the caveat that I have not closely followed the AK-47 world for about 5 years.

In general I would recommend what is sometimes referred to as an "arsenal built" (built at a arsenal that builds military firearms) complete (not a parts gun on an non-original receiver) numbers matching AK-47. My preference are the Chinese variants built on the heavier receiver (1.5 mm versus 1.0 mm). A lot of first-hand experience with these gives me confidence in recommending them.

Arsenal Company out of Las Vegas essentially builds an "arsenal built" AK-47. From a lot of first hand experience I can recommend these rifles.

I have a lesser degree of experience with Egyptian (Maadi), and Hungarian (FEG/Kassnar), and Romanian (WASR) and they seem reasonably well made too (especially the FEG/Kassnar).

I agree with Arik regarding no importation of older milled Russian AK-47's but I cannot prove it except for common sense. Original, complete, older, milled Russian AK-47's are rare as hen's teeth and very expensive leading me to believe that if they ever were imported it was in minuscule numbers.

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I agree that you need to do your homework, just like you would with purchasing any new gun platform you're not familiar with.

I bought a Romanian SAR-1 some years back for $190.00 and really enjoyed it. When I would take it to the range folks always wanted to know if they could shoot the "AK47". I even took a feral hog with it.

I ended up selling it not long ago when some guy wanted it more than I did and offered me $600 for it.

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- Change it back -

Damn, I bought a Century C39v2 last year and have put around 4k rounds through it. I'd a never bought it if I had known what a piece of garbage it was!

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Forum consigliere

I agree to step up to the WASR10, and even to the SAR-1 if you can find one. Having smiled a lot from the rear of both these rifles, I was both impressed and amazed.

As for the sights canted: how many a S&W has come like that we don't like? It happens. I have handled hundreds of AKs, and never found one I did not like. The Vepr is made to handle a lot more rounds than most cheaper AKs, and is still coming in thanks to another country's agreements. I like Russian and Romanian AKs. Never played with an American made AK before. Never bought an expensive AK, either.

I hope you find a great first choice. Stepping back into the past can be a lot of fun. Molot-Oruzhie

Take a look at the FEG amd 65
Can't hurt.

Get a Hungarian 85. They have the best fit and finish of any real AK you can buy.

4,000 is not a lot for an AK. A full auto converted Wasr went 80,000 at a rental in Las Vegas.

Take a look at your carrier. Cast material with poor heat treatment. Anyone can have a ****** firearm last once in a while, but the many grenaded Ras and c39s will keep me away

There is a reason every gun shop has Ras47, c39, and IO on the shelf but WASRs, veprs, arsenals, etc all fly off the shelves as soon as they get them in

The ones from Atlantic are a good deal for what you are looking for. Atlantic does check them over, so you aren't going to get blindsided with any problems, and they have a good customer service reputation. So if there is something wrong with it, they'll address it.

IMO this is one of the best ways to buy a first AK.

Does anyone see anything on this link/page that is any good?

AK's - Longguns - Southern Ohio Gun

Depends why you want it. I bought mine as a SHTF weapon. No scrimping. If you want a plinker, OK. If you want the best, Krebs Custom in Waucanda Illinois (of all places).

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Krebs is good stuff but he doesn't actually make his own. He modifies.

Anything foreign made.

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Nothing there that is in stock is worth the money

This is worth it

Century Arms N-PAP AK47 RIFLE RI2087-N

So is this

AK 47 Rifle WASR 10

You could wait about 6 months or so and see where AK clones are at in this soft firearms market.

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Many years ago when the WASRs were just showing up my son got me this one for Christmas. I shoot lefty so he replaced the skeleton stock with plastic and sprayed it with Krylon. I didn't know they were so liked so well now. This one has never had a hiccup and I called it my first "black" rifle.



Here is a AK that my son saw in Iraq equipped with a suppressor. He didn't get to shoot it.



Here is a picture of my son squatting in the middle of a pile of AKs after the Iraqi war. He said AKs for everyone. At the time he was working for the DOD.

You know, I wish I had paid more attention to the AK's that I bought and sold back in the mid to late 90's. Most of them, from what I remember, were Russian and Chinese. And believe me, they WERE NOT junk either! $175 for a Russian AK. $125-$150 for a Norinco. Whatever happened to those days? I think the yuppies caught onto the craze and drove the prices up!
Also, you could buy Mosin Nagants for as cheap as $49! A good, hex, hand picked Tula was about $79. SKS's were about $75-$100. I had A LOT of Russian and Norinco paratrooper models.
Those were the days.

I have 2 Century AK's. A model 70 under folder and 72 RPK. I was able to hand select both of these a J&G Sales in Prescott, AZ about 10 years ago. Both are well made and have never had a single problem that Century Arms weapons are known for. Both are much better made than the WASR 10 I had and sold.

While I will never argue both are most likely more visually appealing than the wasr, I can almost guarantee the wasr would outlast both of those century guns combined

The fit and finish on WASRs leave something to be desired, but they just keep on going and going

There is a reason the top three rated, currently manufactured AKs by AKOU are vepr, Arsenal, and Wasr

Doesn't mean they aren't the best.

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That's not what I said

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Back when the Romanian "G" parts kits were available and cheap I bought a couple and dropped by ArmoryUSA which was a local business that built AK's. I had them take one of their 1.5mm receivers and put together a rifle for me. They did good work there before they went out of business.






I still have one of the Romy "G" kits back in the closet, along with a receiver. Someday, probably after I retire, it will get put together in my garage.

I have a Romanian underfolder. I put the Krebs peep on it and a PWS brake and a SAW pistol grip on it. 922 tapco internals that happen to be very crisp. Magpul sling and it's good to go. I've shot maybe 1k through it. I like it just fine and it hits well out to 300 yards. It's never failed me so I carry it a lot. I have 20's, 30's, 40's and a magpul 30 for comfort when slung tight across my back.

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