AK-47

Arik said:
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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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.
 
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
 
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CAJUNLAWYER said:
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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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 crappy 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
 
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).
 
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.

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

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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.

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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! :mad:
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.
 
samnev said:
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.
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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
 
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.


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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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