I’ve been thinking about holding off on buying an AK because it seems to be such a terrible market to buy one right now, but my thought is it could get even worse. I’ve heard Cold War surplus stockpiles are drying up and companies like Arsenal are focusing on their military contracts, not civilian production, so things can get worse. I’m stuck trying to decide between buying a WASR, Zastava, or Arsenal. This would be my first AK and my preference is for the old-school looking AK with wooden furniture that you can beat the hell out of and it will still work.
Which AK should I get as my first?
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Out of those three, the Arsenal is the best, then the WASR, followed by the Zastava. Just my opinion.
If you are not opposed to converting or sending a Saiga off to be converted, a good option is an unconverted Saiga. You'll end up with an Izhmash AK and about the closest you can get to a true Russian AK. Personally, that would be the route I would go if I'm looking to own a bonified AK before they cannot fond on the market for decent prices. If you don't know what is involved in converting a Saiga, spend some time reading on 922r compliance for AK's, it's not very hard to meet 922r compliance anymore with all the US parts that are available.
Some good parts resources for AK conversions:
http://dinzagarms.com/saiga_762x39/saiga_762x39.html
https://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/category_s/1864.htm
https://armsofamerica.com/usaksaigacomplianceparts.aspx
If you are not opposed to converting or sending a Saiga off to be converted, a good option is an unconverted Saiga. You'll end up with an Izhmash AK and about the closest you can get to a true Russian AK. Personally, that would be the route I would go if I'm looking to own a bonified AK before they cannot fond on the market for decent prices. If you don't know what is involved in converting a Saiga, spend some time reading on 922r compliance for AK's, it's not very hard to meet 922r compliance anymore with all the US parts that are available.
Some good parts resources for AK conversions:
http://dinzagarms.com/saiga_762x39/saiga_762x39.html
https://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/category_s/1864.htm
https://armsofamerica.com/usaksaigacomplianceparts.aspx
blahpony
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The Zastava furniture isn't compatible with other AK models. There is plenty available, you just have to buy Zastava (Yugo) parts.
This might seem like a dumb question, but is it possible to put wooden furniture on an Arsenal AK? I’ve noticed most of their current lineup has a more modern, tactical look to them, but I prefer the rugged look with wood that most people think of when they think of an AK. I don’t want to ruin a quality rifle, though
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If you want the best currently produced AK that's readily available, Arsenal is the way to go. If you desire to have the Izhmash marks on the side for nostalgia purposes, converted Saigas are a very good option.
Sounds to me like in your situation buying an Arsenal and changing out the furniture is the way you should go. Just know Arsenals can be spendy and then you are putting $175-300 for some quality furniture on it. This was the reason I was suggesting a Saiga conversion, because one can find an unconverted Saiga for ~$550-700 and with $300-400 in parts you have an Izhmash AK.
You can't go wrong with either. Easy route, more money, more modern = Arsenal with furniture change out; More work, less money, more authentic = Saiga conversion.
Sounds to me like in your situation buying an Arsenal and changing out the furniture is the way you should go. Just know Arsenals can be spendy and then you are putting $175-300 for some quality furniture on it. This was the reason I was suggesting a Saiga conversion, because one can find an unconverted Saiga for ~$550-700 and with $300-400 in parts you have an Izhmash AK.
You can't go wrong with either. Easy route, more money, more modern = Arsenal with furniture change out; More work, less money, more authentic = Saiga conversion.
skeeterfogger
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I would like an AK too. If I get one it will have to have a milled reciever.
What’s the best way to find a Saiga in that price range with all of the regulations in place? I looked on Gunbroker and the prices seemed to be very high
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One of our members is selling one at a great price. Unconverted Saigas around me are going from $650-800 around me.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/wts-wtt-saiga-izhmash-7-62x39-wv.851597/#post-11178756
Arsenals were and probably still are in some of their models building off of Saiga receivers. Just FYI.
To convert a Saiga, one needs to have a feed ramp installed (a drill and tap affair or weld on affair, change out the fire control group, then one can pick and choose what other US parts they want to install to make 922r compliant. One only needs 6 US made parts installed on the AK to meet 922r. But do your research, converting a Saiga is not hard, but it's in no way as easy as buying an Arsenal and putting on some wood furniture.
The only reason I suggested the Saiga route to you, is that it seems you were after a bonefide AK for shooting as well as a good collector piece and if you don't mind a project you can save some money over the Arsenal. Because the older Arsenals are essentially a converted Saiga (many Arsenals have Saiga and Izhmash markings on the receiver, these are older Arsenals when they were using Saiga receivers), I believe all current Arsenals are milled receivers with Arsenal of Las Vegas, Nevada stamped on the side.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/wts-wtt-saiga-izhmash-7-62x39-wv.851597/#post-11178756
Arsenals were and probably still are in some of their models building off of Saiga receivers. Just FYI.
To convert a Saiga, one needs to have a feed ramp installed (a drill and tap affair or weld on affair, change out the fire control group, then one can pick and choose what other US parts they want to install to make 922r compliant. One only needs 6 US made parts installed on the AK to meet 922r. But do your research, converting a Saiga is not hard, but it's in no way as easy as buying an Arsenal and putting on some wood furniture.
The only reason I suggested the Saiga route to you, is that it seems you were after a bonefide AK for shooting as well as a good collector piece and if you don't mind a project you can save some money over the Arsenal. Because the older Arsenals are essentially a converted Saiga (many Arsenals have Saiga and Izhmash markings on the receiver, these are older Arsenals when they were using Saiga receivers), I believe all current Arsenals are milled receivers with Arsenal of Las Vegas, Nevada stamped on the side.
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I might end up going with an Arsenal because converting a Saiga seems too involved for me, as a person who has no experience with an AK haha.
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You can't go wrong with an Arsenal they are arguably the best current production US available AK. The new Palmetto State Armory Gen3 AK's are really starting to take off as well, which will be a great option, and one that shouldn't be overlooked.
NIGHTLORD40K
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Step 1: Save up $$
Step 2: Buy an old Norinco (MAK90, NHM90, etc.)
Step 3: Be happy forever.
Step 2: Buy an old Norinco (MAK90, NHM90, etc.)
Step 3: Be happy forever.
Does that include all WASRs?
theotherwaldo
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I opted for a WASR-10 for most of the reasons given by the OP. It's a rough-and-ready beater of a gun with splintery-feeling wood and a war-production feel. I've never had a failure with mine.
Isn’t the WASR 10 supposed to be the best WASR?
NIGHTLORD40K
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I believe the worst offender is the Century RAS47. These are 100% US made and have had many documented failures, due largely poor quality castings.
Wasr's are mostly Romanian with enough US parts to be 922R compliant.
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Wasr's are built in Romania as a single stack rifle, imported, then opened up to take 30rd mags by Century. Century adds US parts to be 922 compliant.
Mosin Bubba
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Step 1: Save up $$
Step 2: Buy an old Norinco (MAK90, NHM90, etc.)
Step 3: Be happy forever.
This.
In my experience, the fit and finish of the MAK 90s is light years beyond the Romy guns. They're steep at around $1000, but they are a much better buy than a $750 WASR today.
The only downside is the thumbhole stock - I think you can replace it, but the replacement buttstock you get probably isn't going to match the forend, so you'd pry need to replace both of those (plus get a pistol grip). I actually like the thumbhole stock, so if you are fine with it as well, everything else is good to go.
NIGHTLORD40K
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Some of the Maks with the "slash cut" receivers are a little tough to find wood stocks for, but the squareback receivers have many different stocking options.
The Timbersmith AK wood sets look awesome, and are not too pricey-
The Bishop thumbholes that shipped on the NHMs are actually quite nice, and not nearly as chunky as the MAK. I left mine alone.
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No, Century doesn’t make WASRS.
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