Son wants to shoot 7.62x39

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Son wants a 7.62x39 and wants to know the best AK to buy. Since I have heard so many bad things bout the C39V2 that I bought, first I thought to sell it to him and cut my losses . But not being able to do that to the boy, plus he'll probably get around to reading the internet.....well that isn't an option. SO what is a good sturdy AK or should I tell him to save his money and just buy a good Yugo SKS as those are fairly cheap and pretty bulletproof. The Ruger Mini 30 kinda scares me regarding their ability to chomp down the cheap steel cased stuff plus the mags are outrageous

 

[LVSteve]

How does your C39V2 run?

 

[Glashaus]

It is hard to beat a WASR for a first AK, all Com block, the newer ones are considerable better then those from a few years ago, you can replace the wood that is on them for a set of laminate for a more authentic look

AK 47 Rifle WASR 10

 

[Faulkner]

I recently sold my Romanian SAR1 that was a good gun. Accurate enough, 100% reliable, and a fun gun to shoot. I've taken a couple of deer with it, but I'd had it 10 years or so and gotten over the attraction of a AK, so I sold it to a co-worker.

 

[bulletslap]

Arsenal sells good ones.

Remember the Good Ol Days when AKs were cheap and ARs were expensive ?

 

[Inusuit]

I have a WASR. I believe it is a good gun for the money. I spend some time on AK forums. All the experts advise to avoid rifles make in the US. Arsenal does have great guns. Many of the really nice ones are out of stock.

 

[Inusuit]

I have a WASR just like the one in link posted by Glashaus. That's a decent price and significantly less than I paid two years ago. Atlantic has an excellent selection of AKs. The top end ones are often out of stock.

 

[Triathloncoach]

I have 5 AKs, Arsenal, Saigas and Norincos. I like my MAK90 the most. And the prices on MAKs have come down recently.

 

[Peak53]

Nothing wrong with the AMERICAN made Mini-30. Reliable, accurate, will not be banned, and looks like a rifle. Cut down Garand action. Besides, how many mags does a guy need? The OEM mags work like a clock. Does he WANT to look like a commie?

 

[Pisgah]

If you really want something good to shoot 7.62x39 out of, get an SKS. "Only" 10 rounds, but lighter and twice as accurate.

 

[Welder1]

Maybe I’m getting to far away from the objective. If you are looking for a rifle that can digest 7.62x39 I’d give a look at the Ruger American Ranch I’m not sure if you want something in the semi automatic platform or just something that shoots the specific cartridge. For the price I don’t think you can beat the Ruger. The Ruger also has the added feature of using Mini 30 Mags so that is a plus also.

 

[shell627]

Arsenal ak's are heard to beat.In firearms as in life you get what you pay for.

 

[robvious]

I have one AK... spends its time waaaaay in the back of the safe... type 56 Chinese... supposed to be a "national match" top of the line version AK... not very accurate... and I have a Yugo SKS... that would be my suggestion...

 

[Frank46]

And use either the Monarch brand as sold at academy or the PPU as sold by SGAmmo, Frank Stay away from the steel cased stuff. Frank

 

[jlrhiner]

Gosh, Counselor, why don't you give him your AK.

(Thats what I'd do)

 

[bubbajoe45]

There are several good ARs in 7.62x39. Additionally, though not inexpensive, the IWI Galil Ace looks interesting.

 

[Glashaus]

Gosh, Counselor, why don't you give him your AK.

(Thats what I'd do)

Because it’s a Century C39V2, they are ticking time bombs.

AK’s are made to shoot steel case ammo.

The most accurate AK’s that I have are my Arsenal 107FR and my 104FR, I have also worked with those two a lot at the range.

Now is not the best time to get into AK’s as the choices have become limited and prices have gone up. The sanctions on Russia have stopped all imports of the Russian made Saiga’s and Vepr’s. Arsenal has limited imports as Bulgaria has more lucrative military AK contracts to fulfill rather then doing runs of special semi auto AK’s for the US market. Arsenal stopped the production and importation of the popular 107FR last year and it may never return, they brought in 107 fixed stock guns but that batch seems to have pretty much sold out. Romania also has military contracts to fulfill but are still making WASR’s and Draco’s and sending them to the US but in smaller batches. There is talk that there will be something coming out of Poland this year, they are trying to ramp up production and get approval for the US market.

It sounds like you are aware of the problems with the US made AK’s, those made with all US parts. There are AK’s that are put together in the US using Com Block parts kits using US receiver’s, barrels and enough parts to comply with 922r, some of those are really well done, look at Atlantic Firearms web site. There are also the Yugo NPAP’s to consider, shows out of stock at Atlantic, but you get the idea.

Century Arms N-PAP AK47 RIFLE RI2087-N

 

[g8rb8]

I have owned and shot umpteen varieties of AK-47's or their derivatives.

Your question asks "the best AK to buy?"

1. Probably a Valmet variation is one of the nicer made but these haven't been made and/or brought into the U.S. for years and they are very pricey and can be hard to find, although Gun Broker makes finding one easier, so this is probably not a practical rifle to buy unless you're a collector.
2. Pre-Ban foreign-made, arsenal-made (i.e. made in dedicated AK factory) AK. I prefer the Chinese stamped varieties with the slightly thicker 1.5 mm steel but the other varieties (i.e. Eastern Block countries and Egypt) are good and the milled varieties are good too. Be careful of buying a parts gun advertised as a pre-ban gun. Once again this is not so practical in terms of cost and ease of obtaining (except Gun Broker does help with finding one).
3. Post-Ban AK. These are from the 1990 and have "evil" features eliminated such as muzzle brake and pistol grip and have, in my opinion, the ugly but functional thumb hole stock. My favorite combination of ease and comfort of shooting and quality is the stamped Chinese MAK-90 (Modified AK). This has the ugly thumb hole stock but I like the LOP (length of pull) of that stock. Price and availability of these will be less than option #1 and #2 above but, most likely, you still will have to shop Gun Broker to find one.
4. Shop for a used Saiga or Arsenal. The last time I checked an original Saiga was pricey. A used arsenal might not be too bad.
5. I'll echo what other posters (Glashaus, Shell627, Inusuit, bulletslap, Triathaloncoach) have opined. The Arsenal brand (out of Las Vegas last I checked) is a good AK-47 and should be relatively easy to come by either ordering directly from Arsenal, ordering through a distributor, or buying off Gun Broker. Arsenal is not my favorite AK but it is very good. It is well-made and you can be sure you're getting a quality piece. About the only thing I don't like is the finish (painted).

 

[Murphy's Law]

Simple solution, get him a "SAM7SF-84". He'll be happy and you'll be broke (can't satisfy everyone).

 

[Breakaway500]

SOG has the Yugo SKS on sale and will send to a C&R holder direct. I just bought one,and they are unfired but covered in thick cosmoline. Few hrs of clean-up and a very nice SKS appears..with 3 dot sights,milled receiver and decent trigger (compared to chinese SKS)

Can't go wrong...