Why do you own or want an AK?

DMK · Dec 18, 2005

I was just looking for threads on AKs and browsing back through previous pages of threads, I noticed that on almost every page, there was at least one thread about AKs. I didn't even have to use the search engine. Obviously they are very popular rifles here.

So since so many of us own them...why? Why did you buy your AK?

And if you want, post a pic of yours!

Preacherman · Dec 18, 2005

I own them because:

1. They're probably the most reliable semi-auto rifle design ever produced;

2. They're chambered in an effective anti-personnel round;

3. They're more than accurate enough fo the defensive ranges I'm likely to need;

4. They're light and easy to handle;

5. Having been shot with an AK, I know at first hand how effective the round is.

Also, they tend to irritate the blissninnies...

VirgilCaine · Dec 18, 2005

Preacherman said:
I own them because:

1. They're probably the most reliable semi-auto rifle design ever produced;

2. They're chambered in an effective anti-personnel round;

3. They're more than accurate enough fo the defensive ranges I'm likely to need;

4. They're light and easy to handle;

5. Having been shot with an AK, I know at first hand how effective the round is.

Ditto everything except #5, and add ammo availability to the list for me. Just a wish, so far, though.

444 · Dec 18, 2005

This is the truth. I am not trying to be rude. I own three AKs.
I bought the first one because I have heard so much about them, and read so much about them, and seen so many of them on TV, that I felt like my collection would not be complete without one. I own most of the popular battle rifles and one or two assult rifles. I needed an AK to round out the collection. The other two were purchased as parts kits. A friend was putting together a group of guys to do an AK build and I jumped in on it.

After shooting that first AK maybe 1000 rounds I realized why I enjoy my AR so much. I honestly don't see anything about it that I would mention as a positive point.
But, what do I know ?

The three are a WASR 10, a Polish underfolder, and a Yugo that is basically just like the WASR 10 only it was put together with a lot more care.

garrett1955 · Dec 18, 2005

my friend bought one and I wanted one before that, then saw it and wanted even more!

their fun as hell to shoot!

effective, if you can say that.

just a sweet gun that many people don't have. and when they see it they want it lol.

It looks evil!

beerslurpy · Dec 18, 2005

Taken yesterday, my half converted (to olive furniture) Bulgarian Arsenal AK:
Note the sweet 40 rd RPK mag and PKAS optic.

I have one because:
-it is fun and cheap to shoot at the range
-it is reliable and hard hitting if I ever need to protect myself
-it is more bang/buck than anything on the market.

taliv · Dec 18, 2005

i've never really understood what makes ak-enthusiasts tic either.

every time i read an AK thread here (particularly after VEPR discussions), I think, "wow, what a cool gun. i'm going to go buy one." then i go to the gun store and handle one. if the "man, what a POS" thought hasn't run through my mind at first sight, it definitely has by the time i've racked the bolt a few times.

i've seen them go down at the range numerous times. heck, i've seen them fall apart in the stores. i just don't get the "reliability" reputation. i'm not saying they aren't relatively reliable... i guess it's just that mentally, i tend to associate reliability with well-made (precision) components. you know... the FEEL you get when you work the action on a custom 1911. AK actions feel more like the locker doors in a high school football locker room. anyways, however psychological and non-reality-based my reaction may be... i just can't get into AKs.

Lone_Gunman · Dec 18, 2005

5. Having been shot with an AK, I know at first hand how effective the round is.

Preacherman, be glad it was no more effective!

clange · Dec 18, 2005

taliv said:
i've never really understood what makes ak-enthusiasts tic either.

every time i read an AK thread here (particularly after VEPR discussions), I think, "wow, what a cool gun. i'm going to go buy one." then i go to the gun store and handle one. if the "man, what a POS" thought hasn't run through my mind at first sight, it definitely has by the time i've racked the bolt a few times.

i've seen them go down at the range numerous times. heck, i've seen them fall apart in the stores. i just don't get the "reliability" reputation. i'm not saying they aren't relatively reliable... i guess it's just that mentally, i tend to associate reliability with well-made (precision) components. you know... the FEEL you get when you work the action on a custom 1911. AK actions feel more like the locker doors in a high school football locker room. anyways, however psychological and non-reality-based my reaction may be... i just can't get into AKs.

I guess you either get it or you dont, but the reputation for reliability is well deserved. I'd like to know how one 'fell apart' in a store, and what kind of AK it was actually. The only time I've ever heard of anything like that was with improperly built OOW guns, where the receiver was too long and the top cover would pop off.

Anyway, I got into AKs simply because of the 7.62x39 round. I used to have an SKS, AKs didnt interest me at all. Many years later I decided to get a 7.62x39 gun again and looked at some AKs. I bought a MAK-90 without researching much. It was a well made rifle, but lacked features I wanted. I decided a SAR-1 was more what I wanted, so I sold the MAK and got a SAR. I couldnt be happier. The fit and finish are worse, but its already in pistol grip config, and it has an optics rail.

After I got hooked on ak47.net, I started wanting a better, more unique AK. The 5.45 round interested me so I got a bulgarian AKS-74 kit and had it built up. Its currently my favorite firearm, by far.

I've spent a lot of time learning how the AK action/FCG works, and the simplicity continues to amaze me. Yes, its a stamped receiver, and yes there are large clearences between parts, but my AKs are still the most rugged semi-auto anythings that I own.

Crosshair · Dec 19, 2005

Well, for me the reason was cost. I spent a total of about $450-500 ( I could have done it cheaper if I had skimped on some parts.) on my Saiga AK and got a top notch rifle with optics that is good past 300 yards. (300 is as far as I have tested it.) You MIGHT be able to get a bare bones AR for that price. If I where to buy an AR rifle, it would likely be an AR-180B. In terms of bang for the buck the AK and AR-180B are great. They are plenty accurate for combat/SHTF/Deer hunting/Pest control/Plinking. If I need an ultra accurate rifle, I go for my Savage 12 in 22-250.

MechAg94 · Dec 19, 2005

The AK is like other guns, if you buy a ultra-cheap/crappy model, it will not be so great. However, AK's seem to have more leeway than most. From what I hear, even most cheap AK's are usually reliable if not accurate. I don't know if I can say that about other guns. You can probably get good accuracy out of an $800 AK.

I have a VEPR K and it shoots just fine and is very reliable. It is not the most accurate semi-auto I own, but it is a good rifle and fun to shoot. The only downside to me is the open sights which I think hurt the accuracy more than any other factor.

Inner Monkey · Dec 19, 2005

I love mine for all the reasons already mentioned. I have a Krebs KTR similar to the one below.

To me it is the Glock of combat rifles. I run with an AR crowd & get picked on all the time but my rifle runs all the time & is cheaper to shoot & easier to maintain.

1. Reliable
2. Potent
3. Accurate
4. Plenty of good, inexpensive ammo in a great anti-personal caliber
5. Compact with as a side folder
6. Easy to soot well
7. Fun

Shane333 · Dec 19, 2005

When I first got into shooting I hated AK's. I thought they were just too ugly.

Then I found a Saiga .223. It had a different profile that I liked better. So, I bought one and took it shooting. Turns out that it was much more accurate than what I'd always read about AK's. So then I got involved in doing a conversion to pistol grip, because the ergonomics were wrong for me with the hunting stock.

I ended up with a very accurate AK that is dead reliable. I was so impressed that I wanted to get a "sister" for the Saiga. So I bought a 7.62x39 Romanian kit and am in the process of building her out the way I want.

Now that I've actually become familiar with them, the AK's aren't so ugly anymore. They're good, solid rifles that are ideal for any SHTF situation. Let's face it, most of us live in urban or suburban environments and most firefight scenarios would be under about 200 yards anyway. Ideal for the AK if the shooter does his part.

Koobuh · Dec 19, 2005

Because gun bigots hate them.

That, and they look/shoot well enough for my tastes.
A friend of mine got a bunch of kits, and my father and I have been helping him disassemble them the past few months. We're planning to start folding our receivers pretty soon, and then put our compliance bits into them.
I'm planning an OD scheme to match the AR-15 I will be building later, so that I'll have a matching set of Evil Green Rifles. :evil:

Byron Quick · Dec 19, 2005

Used to have a Norinco. At under 500 rounds it began to slam fire. After a trip to a gunsmith, it continued to slam fire.

Gee, I've owned M1A's, Garands, M-1 carbines, H&K91's, FN-Fals, and AR-15's with never a problem despite all the horror stories.

My AK-47 went TU despite never have been left under piles of mud or run over by trucks.

If I'm given one, I'll go trade it in for a good battle rifle. I did kill a good doe with it, though. I'm just totally underwhelmed by its intrinsic accuracy and my personal experience.

Bigjake · Dec 19, 2005

its the most politicly incorrect gun for the $$. I bought mine 2nd just because GW was re-elected and i felt the need to celebrate and rub it in a little bit. also, got it at one of those eeeevil loophole gunshows, no 4473 for me!

I seriously think that i like the kneejerk reaction the gun causes "liberals" more than i like the actual gun or shooting it.

rick_reno · Dec 19, 2005

I'd sure like one, I think it'd make an excellent homeland defense rifle. It'd be my first semi-auto rifle.

af1acura · Dec 19, 2005

I got one at first becuase it was evil looking and cheap. This is my first rifle and the only other rifles I've shot is a M16A2 in basic and a friends AR-15.

chopinbloc · Dec 19, 2005

yeah, i bought one 'cause it was cheap, evil, pissed off the liberals and effective. though it's not my primary go to for shtf, i won't ever leave it behind if i can help it. it is less sensitive to dirt and carbon so i know it'll work even if i can't take care of it as well as i'd like. really can't be beat for the money.

carolinaman · Dec 19, 2005

Hi there all,

+1 on choppingblock's comments. And hold on, everyone else's for that matter. No wait.....ahhhh! How 'bout, mine is just plain "eat up with cool".

I really do like mine.

Chris

Dave Markowitz · Dec 19, 2005

I like AKs because they are reliable, simple, accurate enough for a defensive carbine, cheap to feed and fun to shoot.

I've owned three AKs and shot several others. All have been reliable, although one needed a replacement FCG because the American maker (Hesse, barf) put soft parts in when they converted a Russian Saiga to military-style configuration. A SAR-1 required some work to get rid of trigger slap, but never hiccupped. My Arsenal, Inc. SLR-101SG is one of the best made rifles I've owned, on par with my Colt AR-15A3. The Colt is currently my SHTF go-to gun but I'm thinking of switching to the Arsenal.

taliv · Dec 19, 2005

clang

where the receiver was too long and the top cover would pop off.

i've no idea why it happened, but you guessed the results. store owner (who is pretty dang good with firearms) could not get the cover to stay on.

DMK · Dec 19, 2005

I guess they just have a dark allure

444 said:
After shooting that first AK maybe 1000 rounds I realized why I enjoy my AR so much. I honestly don't see anything about it that I would mention as a positive point.

Yet you bought two more.

I know what you are saying though. I have a SAR1. It's bottom rung and feels like it. However, it is 100% reliable. I love the simple design and I love the look. I had to have an AK in my collection and the SAR1 is perfect for the job. However, the ergonomics are terrible and although it's fun to shoot, other than just blasting and making noise, it's not all that satisfying. I much prefer shooting my Garand, ARs and FALs. But I'll never get rid on my AK and I also have been thinking about maybe a couple kits.

taliv said:
i've seen them go down at the range numerous times. .... AK actions feel more like the locker doors in a high school football locker room.

Well, I can see your point there. It's a very valid point. However, just keep this in mind: All the semi-auto AKs we have here in the US are merely copies of the original Russian AK-47 (if there are any real NFA Russian AK-47s in the US, they are very expensive and rare). Some commercial AK clones are faithful reproductions, some are improved and better than the original, some are bottom shelf, assembled to be cheap and make a quick profit. The SAR1s, WASRs and a few others are the bottom shelf. They are also probably the most common at gunshows, ranges and gun shops because they are cheap. Most work great, some don't work well at all. But for $200-$300, you can get a good, reliable AK clone if you know what to look for and know how to fix it if it does have a problem. And yes, these do feel like locker room doors because they made with low cost sheet metal riveted and spot welded together. That characteristic itself is one of it's charms.

mtnbkr · Dec 19, 2005

My brother has an AK, I have an AR (that I built from parts). In the few hundred rounds I've put through both rifles, both have been 100% reliable. I prefer the AR though. It's more accurate, more polished, lighter (function of the parts I selected), and doesn't have sharp internal surfaces that'll cut me if I'm not careful. The AR is a rifle, the AK is a loose collection of parts flying in the general formation of a rifle.

Chris

flip180 · Dec 19, 2005

After spending time in the Army a while back, I was just burned out on AR's and wanted something different. I picked up my Sar-1 from a friend for 289.00 and has loved it ever since. In the past couple of years since owning it, it has seen some up-grades and has turned into something that is unique to me. I like it the most because it is the evilest looking thing I own and has that traditional AK style and reliability.

1. Global trades blond hardwood handguards.
2. Krinkov style non-folding butstock.
3. Blackjack green buffer, ergo pistol grip, swift safety lever.
4. Tapco G-2 FCG
5. Red star arms sheppards crook.
6. Mojo peep sight.
7. Wilderness single point tactical sling.

Flip.

Why do you own or want an AK?

Why do you own or want an AK?

It's a real fun plinker

It's my home defense rifle

It's my SHTF rifle

It's my truck rifle

It's my concealed carry rifle

I target shoot with it (Hey, it could happen!) :p

I just like the design

I just like the look

I just like the history

It has the coolest folding stock

Just because the gun grabbers hate them.

I don't own one but want one

Wouldn't want one, but I like to read threads about 'em

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