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Questions about AKs
- Thread starter Birdbrain
- Start date
PM me if you have specific questions.
The AK market has gone significantly downhill with the popularity of the AR platform, but there are still a couple of decent builders. However, sources of quality aftermarket products (i.e. rails, stocks, barrels, etc.) will pale in comparison to those available for the AR. Same goes for ammo.
I’m assuming you’re looking for 7.62x39? This is the most popular and easy to find. 5.45x39 is another great choice, but that brand of ammo is becoming more scarce.
I used to own a Romanian AK (WASR-10), but sold it many years ago. Ended up buying a Sig-556R (7.62x39, and takes AK mags). A much higher quality platform, basically a “Swiss AK.” Very happy with it.
However, if you are looking for a traditional AK, I would look at the designs sold by Arsenal. Very good quality for the money.
If you’re going all in and want a custom build, check out Rifle Dynamics (Jim Fuller’s company out in Vegas). Be aware, the wait time is very long. Also, Krebs Customs does some cool AK after-market work.
Stay away from anything by Century Arms. Very poor quality control, with the nickname “Drunken monkies” by people in the industry.
For quality aftermarket products, I’d recommend anything by Midwest Industries. They do great rails for optics mounting. Avoid anything by Tapco. Cheap, and will end up in the garbage can at some point.
An AK’s accuracy will surprise you if good ammo is used. Try to avoid that cheap shit (i.e. Wolf, Tulammo, etc.), unless you just want to do plinking at the gravel pit. Some of these powders are highly corrosive, so make sure to clean the barrel thoroughly after each use.
Best of luck.
The AK market has gone significantly downhill with the popularity of the AR platform, but there are still a couple of decent builders. However, sources of quality aftermarket products (i.e. rails, stocks, barrels, etc.) will pale in comparison to those available for the AR. Same goes for ammo.
I’m assuming you’re looking for 7.62x39? This is the most popular and easy to find. 5.45x39 is another great choice, but that brand of ammo is becoming more scarce.
I used to own a Romanian AK (WASR-10), but sold it many years ago. Ended up buying a Sig-556R (7.62x39, and takes AK mags). A much higher quality platform, basically a “Swiss AK.” Very happy with it.
However, if you are looking for a traditional AK, I would look at the designs sold by Arsenal. Very good quality for the money.
If you’re going all in and want a custom build, check out Rifle Dynamics (Jim Fuller’s company out in Vegas). Be aware, the wait time is very long. Also, Krebs Customs does some cool AK after-market work.
Stay away from anything by Century Arms. Very poor quality control, with the nickname “Drunken monkies” by people in the industry.
For quality aftermarket products, I’d recommend anything by Midwest Industries. They do great rails for optics mounting. Avoid anything by Tapco. Cheap, and will end up in the garbage can at some point.
An AK’s accuracy will surprise you if good ammo is used. Try to avoid that cheap shit (i.e. Wolf, Tulammo, etc.), unless you just want to do plinking at the gravel pit. Some of these powders are highly corrosive, so make sure to clean the barrel thoroughly after each use.
Best of luck.
I'm not sure why this seems to be what everyone thinks. It's not that the type of ammo is going away, just the Russian 7n6 that dried up (and Golden Tiger can be hit and miss on availability).
I'm not much of an AK guy, but I have a 5.45 AR, and since the 7n6 ban, should I have needed to buy 5.45 ammo, there's always been options to procure some type of decent 5.45 (if I hadn't already grabbed a couple of cases before the ban).
I can usually always find it online and from at least one table at a gun show. It’s only at the brick and mortar gun stores where you get the shoulder shrug from the guy behind the counter.
And yeah, I buy most of my stuff online anyway. Way cheaper and much better selection.
Side note: One of the most accurate “conventional” AKs I’ve ever fired (not counting my Sig-556R) was a friend’s Sako 95. Comparable groups to an AR at 300 yds. Yep, the Finns know how to make an AK.
Given what they did with their captured Mosins in WWII, unfucking Russian small arms must be a Finnish tradition. ?Yep, the Finns know how to make an AK.
True, and their Vodka isn’t too bad either.
colonial-aviation
Intermediate Jet
I'm lucky enough to be the owner of an Arsenal SGL-21, so the genuine article from the Ivhesk plant. Sadly, those are gone but if you can find unconverted Saigas they're great.
Arsenals have always been expensive.
Max the Mad Russian
Hands off Ukraine! Feet too
It could seem unbelievable, but I have never touched original AK-47. All we had in a Naval College as a midns' personal rifle was AK-74 of 5.45 mm, a far cry from the old good beast of 7.62. On a ships I've served there were AKMS: https://popgun.ru/files/g/85/orig/1047302.jpg the same 5.45 peashooters.
Generally, I doubt one in USA can buy an original Russian (i.e. Soviet) 47. It would be either a thing of Chinese or Yugoslavian origin. Old good used but still stiff 47 here of Tula Ordnance Plant of 1958 quite could cost $ 5K on a black market, since there's no white one in Russia
Imagine how much it would be in USA after all the smugglers' nets income...
Generally, I doubt one in USA can buy an original Russian (i.e. Soviet) 47. It would be either a thing of Chinese or Yugoslavian origin. Old good used but still stiff 47 here of Tula Ordnance Plant of 1958 quite could cost $ 5K on a black market, since there's no white one in Russia
Imagine how much it would be in USA after all the smugglers' nets income...
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Quick look of the suggested AKs seem to be closer to a grand... any suggested AKs that would be closer to $600 or so? Looking for something to shoot some javelinas my last few months in South Texas