ak-47 top builder

[griz1]

I recently got the urge for a ak-47 rifle. Seems like Krebs, Rifle Dynamics, Red Jacket are some of the top gunsmiths working on the AK-47. Any experience with these gunsmiths, or let me know your experience with other builders. Also like to see some pics of AK-47's you have. Thanks in advance.

 

[nalioth]

What are you after?

Different builders offer different aesthetics.


Are you just wanting a plain-jane, but quality-built Kalashnikov?
Are you wanting an AK with more cheese graters and doodads than a French chef?

 

[griz1]

Quality AK not all the doodads that people hang on the AR platform.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Red Jacket are over rated. I also don't quite look at them the same anymore after their TV series. Horrible production and overall the whole thing comes across as jersey Shore with NFA toys and a southern drawl. They have nice products but at this point you are paying more for the label than any sort of quality or special features.

Krebs also makes nice products but once again, by the time you get done paying for all their accouterments you're looking at a $1.5-2k AK.

The strength of the platform is reliable, durable, simple and inexpensive. When you get into the four digit price range with an AK you have to ask yourself, at this point why not just buy a SCAR or a decked out AR?

 

[griz1]

I have to agree on your comments about the strengths of the AK platform. I don't want to spend $2,000 on the AK. Any experience with Rifle Dynamics? There website old and new one has some good info. I know his work is also going to cost a good penny. It's just I have the fever for a smooth working AK. So many brands of AK's and people who work on them it gets confusing and it's even worse with the AR platform.

 

[nalioth]

If you just want a quality-built AK, find yourself a parts kit and barrel (if the kit doesn't come with one) and receiver and 922r parts and contact Ken Kubin at Global Military Gunsmithing. He's an "alacarte" gunsmith, in that he does what you want, and doesn't push a "package" on you like some of the well-known players.

 

[Combatops1911]

In Range is great as is Piece of History Firearms.

I would also say Waffen Werks is top notch - Atlantic Firearms just got the in a batch of the new 5.45 74's that Waffen Werks is currently building. http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct970.aspx

I just posted something else in another thread in reference to Veprs that Atlantic should be getting in soon so I figured I'd let you all know that I don't have any affiliation with Atlantic, actually I haven't bought anything from them but something tells me I will be soon....

 

[AK103K]

I have an early Krebs AK103K. Got it back before he sold them himself, and was supplying some nut job in FLA who didnt stay around long. Mines been shot a lot and has never been any trouble. I added an Ultimak and Comp ML2 when they showed up, and both have been on there ever since. As far as Im concerned, its still the best set up going for a red dot on an AK. The newer Aimpoints are even better. This is really the only thing needed (well, a nice Russian web sling too ) to bring the AK into line with the AR's for a "realistic" use gun. My AK's so equipped, shoot pretty much like my AR's set up the same way, when shot the same.


Ive owned and own AK's across the price range, and never really found one barreled in the country of origin to shoot any better than the next. The only ones I have owned that were what I'd call inaccurate, or at least, less accurate, were the guns built here, but thats with guns 10 years old now, so things may have changed there. I just never bothered to try any since.

As much as people like to bad mouth the SAR's and WASR's, mine have been good rifles and shoot just as well as my Krebs Saiga.

 

[DM0217]

DK,

Couldn't agree with you more about the Red Jacket TV show. Watched it once. Daughter pissed me off with her attitude. Haven't watched it since. You nailed it Jersey shore wanna be. Sorry to hi jack. I have a Saiga 223. Did the conversion with the PG, FA, Stock, VG, using SGM mags. I like it and it works for me. Next rifle is gonna be a Bulgy x39. Centerfire Systems has a deal going right now for 399.00 and they will discount a 75 round drum for an additional 25.00. Fyi.

 

[Atlantic Firearms]

We will post a few pics of the Vepr & Waffen Werkes AK 74S today.