"Best" AK to buy?

[mikec]

Which ones to avoid, which ones to drool over? What kits to buy and who to have build it? Give a novice some help. Things to look for.

Thanks

[rotty]

Krebbs are nice
Russians of course
Vepr's are supposed to be good.

for a good cheap one the WASR's are nice and SAR series all have good reps going.

[KalashniKollectr]

Krebs and AK USA w/ their Saiga based 100 series style rifles rank in the number one spot, Arsenal Inc. for their milled AK's, The VEPR series for the folks that prefer a high quality AK variant w/ a different look, or for the person looking for an AK variant chambered in 308 (Galil ARM, ValMet M78, and Yugo M77 rifles are all too expensive and/or too purdy to shoot for most), Arsenal USA for ppl that want a high quality stamped AK variant that's in true AK type configuration on the cheap. IMO Arsenal Inc., Arsenal USA, and the VEPR series all rank in the same position as far as high quality is concerned, there is no best between the three it's all what the individual is looking for in a rifle.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/index1.html
http://www.krebscustom.com/
http://www.globaltrades.com/
http://www.ak-103.com/
http://www.robarm.com/

Krebs Custom and AK USA are two good places to have your kits sent for building, there are also many other options but I have experience with both AK USA and Krebs Custom, the others I do not so I will not comment. Some of the more common kits out there are the Polish and Bulgarian sets. Bulgarian and Polish made AK's are of extreme high quality, definetely ranking somewhere in the top 5. What kit to buy? What type of AK variant do you want? There are Hungarian AMD-65 kits, Polish PMKMS kits, etc., the one thing to remember is the AMD-65 barrels are not chrome lined, something to keep in mind.

:ak47:

The Kollector

[Rrotz]

SAR1's are the best buy available!

[etp777]

No, actually I'd argue that the Saigas are the best buy available. But that doesn't matter, as that's not what was asked.

[ByronF]

Now Rrotz, when you say obvious stuff like that it kind of ticks me off because I have to admit to agreeing with you.

The SAR1 kicks ass, and I'd take a $300 SAR plus 3K rounds of ammo over any $500 variant. However, if you decide to pay somebody to refinish it for you, you might as well pay extra for the pretty rifle. You'll have $500 in it and it'll STILL be an SAR1 (not a bad thing, though).

Byron

[Engineer]

Can't go wrong with an SAR-1, 2 or 3. Those along with a do-it-yourself Saiga conversion are probably the best bang for the bucks out there. Otherwise, the list that KalashniKollectr put up is pretty comprehensive.

[Harlan at FAC]

For pre-ban AK's, I favor the Yugos, Chinese Poly Tech Legend series, and Hungarian SA85's.
For post ban, get the SAR1's while still available. Already quite a few distributors are out of stock. The Arsenal Inc. milled receiver SA M-7 rifles are excellent rifles, albeit at a higher price than the stamped receivered SAR1's.

Harlan
FAC

[Packrat]

It really bothers me when someone talks about buying a kit and having someone else build it for them. If you can't build it yourself, you lose a lot of the pride of ownership. You might as well spend the same amount and get one already built.

The Saigas are nice little rifles; they're the only ones (to my knowledge) that come with a bolt hold-open (manual, but still handy). They can be converted to AK-style fairly easily, but by the time you do that, you're put enough into it (in required US parts) that you might as well buy a SAR. Of course, a 16" barrelled .308 AK is something to brag about, even if it has only 8 rnd mags. (A conversion that would take FAL or CETME mags would be even better, but I've been told that there's not enough steel in the trunion to make a safe conversion.)

Most of the SARs that I've seen had pretty nice wood in the stocks; stripping and refinishing that is not an expensive undertaking, and you end up with a nice rifle. Make a wooden pistol grip, and it will be even better. (And the grip will be a US-made part, and more comfortable if you have big hands.)

If you're just looking for something shootable, the CETMEs are in the same price range as the SARs. Ammo is more expensive, but more effective (especially if you consider 300-500 yds), and magazines are cheaper. I prefer the AK, but this is another option.

[etp777]

Make your own furniture when you convert your Saiga and you can get a noticably better piece than the SAR. Making my own laminate, can fit Saiga and an RSA FCG in at same cost or a bit less than what an SAR 1 would cost me. And from every example of SAR and Saiga's i've seen, give me a rifle with noticably better fit/finish quality

[KalashniKollectr]

Pack, I understand where you're coming from but some people don't have the time or knowledge to do it themselves, also some people (like myself) wish to have the gun built to look like the real select fire version. Bulgarian kit, then we must have the Bulgarian factory stamp, selector lever markings, and all of which painted white, etc. I like it perfect and done right. Also the Saiga conversions done by Chris (AK USA) and Marc Krebs are works of art, what they do most can't including myself. I could never produce a AK variant like Chris and Marc can, that said enough time and money and I can do anything but neither of which I have.

The Romanian/Century SAR series are nice guns for the money but personally I'd rather spend the extra couple bucks and buy an SAM-7S and be totally satisfied.

The Kollector

[kernal_panic]

the problem with buying a sar is you have to look at the price and tack on $50 in fire control parts to the price. the stock ones in mine didn't last 1k rounds. for a little more you could get a vepr or a sam7

[KalashniKollectr]

Kernal that's exactly how I feel.

The Romanian/Century AK's are great if you can hand pick one and if you're paying $350 or less for the rifle and leaving it stock. Many people will buy an SAR-1 for $350 and dump all kinds on money into it, a new stock set, having a muzzle device put on, refinishing the metal, etc., now you have $200-250 ++ into the gun, you could have bought a high end AK variant (SAM-7, SSR-85 etc.) for the money you spent on your SAR in total.


The Kollector

[justashooter]

sar 1 is the way to go, and a folder is 29$ from tapco just now. their 20 rd mags are 6$ and new. until the ban sets, i have a snakecharmer on mine that just gets 26".

the most fun you can get for a couple of bucks and a can of high temp satin black.

[Gunruner]

I'd have to say a SAR-1 right now would do you good as a starter AKM. They are inexpensive and almost all of the 2003 models are excellent fit finish and do not have the dreaded "trigger slap" that everyone complains about. I bought a SAR-1 from Coles Distributing on 10 Oct. and it is excellent; Sights are straight, wood doesn't need refinishing and looks great (non-laminate), metal is black parked and is uniform all over, no sharp edges that are not supposed to be there, fire control group is well finished and hardened. I fired 500 rounds slow, fast, and bumped and it hasn't missed a beat. I bought it $325 otd w/40 and 10 round mags plus sling & cln kit, a 75 round Romo drum $85, a 30 and 20 round mag $20, case Wolf FMJ ammo $69=$499 total and no tax. That's rock-N-roll .......... P.S. FAC and Wholesale Guns & Ammo still have SAR-1's in stock w/pistol grip

[Col. Kurtz]

Mike
Do a search for the SAM-7 "Classic"
This was one of the best post-ban variants produced IMHO.
It has been discontinued, but they can be found in un-fired condition in the $700.00 range.
http://www.arsenalinc.com/images/bigclassic.jpg
If you want to get something on the cheep the SARs cant be beat.
Hope you fill the Void soon
Col.

[TheBigCA]

I scrolled quickly through all the responses, and saw at least two SAR-1 recommendations

I suggest you buy as many as these as you can afford.

Thing to look for: Straight Front sight; i.e., no cant. You'll see it.

Trigger group sucks but, easily replacable.

Get several, while they're still around.

[Little-Boy]

Is The SAR-1 worth a high price of 300?? Would you guys Say that a WASR-10 Hi cap is worth the money?

[MacRob]

I have a WASR-10 that I bought in April and have yet to fire. The front sight is canted slightly, but everything else seems OK. As I have not fired it I cannot address the trigger slap issue, but cycling the action does not produce any noticeable movement in the trigger, when depressed.

I bought the rifle out of a desire to examine one and get the feel of shooting one of the most famous and common military small arms in the world today. I think for the money (considerably under $300), I did OK. I know I will probably have to fix the canted front sight and the fcg will probably also have to be replaced after some shooting, but for the money I think it is probably the best buy in an AK type rifle available today.

[mbakercad]

Inrange & AKUSA both have great reps as gunsmiths. For parts kits, some of the early Polish PMKMS kits, Bulgarian AK74 kits, K-Var Krink kits, & AMD kits are all nice.

As for completed rifles, Harlan has some great suggestions.





It really bothers me when someone talks about buying a kit and having someone else build it for them. If you can't build it yourself, you lose a lot of the pride of ownership. You might as well spend the same amount and get one already built.

I agree I would have more pride if I built my guns myself but I have not the tools, room, or skills to do so. That is why I sent mine off to be built. I would have rather a prebuilt 'factory' gun but what I want is not available. That is why I and many others go the custom built route.

[pickleweedpete]

I think you've been too long in the bush, Colonel Kurtz. Arsenal SA M7 Classics are as good as you say -- but they're pretty hard to find these days and an unfired one will probably set you back about $900.00. It's a shame, and I'd guess their price will climb even higher when Arsenal halts production of their other milled receiver AK's too.

[mbakercad]

It's a shame, and I'd guess their price will climb even higher when Arsenal halts production of their other milled receiver AK's too.

I think they are going to continue making the milled series, only in smaller numbers.

[pickleweedpete]

mbakercad,

I'm glad to hear that Arsenal will continue making a few milled receiver AK's. I've got all I need, but I think there will always be a demand for them.

[jhawk01]

I understand that there is a company (in the USA - Connecticut, I think) that will take any AK Rifle and bring it up to "high quality." Does anyone know the company and/or URL?

[duck65]

[SIZE=3]Its noble to teach oneself, but its nobler to teach others. Hell, I'm not grasshopper. :ak47: :AR15firin :notworthy

[mbakercad]

I understand that there is a company (in the USA - Connecticut, I think) that will take any AK Rifle and bring it up to "high quality." Does anyone know the company and/or URL?

I'm not exactly sure what your looking for when you say 'bring it up to high quality'. You should identify what your expecting before going any further. However, once you do I recommend contacting one of the smiths below. All have great reputations.

(lawyer talk) I'm sure their are many other fine smiths available. This just happens to be the ones that I have worked with or read a lot of positive things about.

AK USA (http://www.ak-103.com/)
Inrange (http://www.inrangec2.com/)
Marshall Arms (http://www.marshall-arms.com/)
Ohio Rapid Fire (http://www.ohiorapidfire.com/)

[AKM]

I would say the SAR series are the best bang for the buck. I would have to disagree on the SAM-7 Classic being the best, but only because it an AK-47 varient (I like AKMs). I like Hungarians as the "best" and the Krebs, AK-USA Saigas also.

[uscgjason]

I have to say that I just received my Underfolder from Vector Arms. Very nice fit and finish, excellent bore and cost was 530 shipped with one mag. I think that these are not too bad a deal if your looking to buy one. I'll let you know how it shoots
J