I am looking at buying my first AK. My question is which ones would guys suggest? I have but 3 requests. 1) must be 7.62x39 2) between $500-700+ tax 3) must be able to accept 30 rd magazine. New or used does not matter. I was looking at a Centurion 39 and a Wasr. Other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Looking for best bang for my buck. Pun intended!
AK choices
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Carolina Kalash
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I have a WASR myself. What I would say if you decide on one of those is to get one in a store, gunshow, or private sale if you can. That way you can look it over and check for crooked sights, severe mag wobble and the like that's often associated w/ century AKs, as you will find may negative reviews about them, which I'm sure mostly come from people who ordered one and by a stroke of bad luck got stuck with a lemmon. If you can, I would test fire it first if you are able to. My only complaint about mine is that the handguard gets hot really fast and I have to either wear my mechanic gloves when I shoot it (which I normally do anyway) or grip it by the magazine, which has never made it jam or hang up on me.
I have looked at Yugo pap. It seemed to be priced higher than the Wasr for the same rifle. At least it seemed that way to me. Can you give me an
idea why the yugo would be better?
I have also looked at several CAI?CIA? Rifles. Some looked good in person.
idea why the yugo would be better?
I have also looked at several CAI?CIA? Rifles. Some looked good in person.
Inebriated
Member
I'd take a new WASR over a Yugo. The Yugos are rather proprietary. Can't use AKM furniture, can't use most standard AKM side mounts... I just don't care for that. Good rifles, they're built well, but I'd rather have the WASR so I can use most of that "standard" AK stuff.
Both are good rifles and will serve you well. The WASR's are built better than ever, and are, IMO, a better deal now than when they were $300. I wouldn't buy a C39. The RAS-47 or C39V2 look like better rifles. Not sure I want to be a guinea pig for them, though.
Both are good rifles and will serve you well. The WASR's are built better than ever, and are, IMO, a better deal now than when they were $300. I wouldn't buy a C39. The RAS-47 or C39V2 look like better rifles. Not sure I want to be a guinea pig for them, though.
The O-PAP uses a sturdier RPK receiver and is just considered a higher quality gun than the WASR.
Mosin Bubba
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You probably know this already, but your only real option in that price range is a Century rifle. A good Century AK is worth your money. But they also produce more lemons than just about any gun company out there, and nothing sucks quite like a brand new gun that won't go bang.
I would make sure you can either inspect a Century AK before you buy it, or get a third party warranty if you're purchasing online.
One series of AKs that are mostly problem-free are the Yugo PAP rifles, like Hoofan mentioned. They are well built guns and are pretty cheap, but they are a few pounds heavier than a WASR.
Another option is a VZ 2008. They are a Czech service rifle, and the best way to describe them is a not-really-an-AK AK. The guts are different, but you can definitely see where the designers were coming from. It's just as good as any other low end AK, and some owners think they are better than the WASR-type rifles. By all accounts, they are well-made guns and are largely free of the problems that plague most of Century's imports. Palmetto State Armory has a deal where you can buy one with five mags included for $400. For that price, you really couldn't go wrong.
Hope this helps.
I would make sure you can either inspect a Century AK before you buy it, or get a third party warranty if you're purchasing online.
One series of AKs that are mostly problem-free are the Yugo PAP rifles, like Hoofan mentioned. They are well built guns and are pretty cheap, but they are a few pounds heavier than a WASR.
Another option is a VZ 2008. They are a Czech service rifle, and the best way to describe them is a not-really-an-AK AK. The guts are different, but you can definitely see where the designers were coming from. It's just as good as any other low end AK, and some owners think they are better than the WASR-type rifles. By all accounts, they are well-made guns and are largely free of the problems that plague most of Century's imports. Palmetto State Armory has a deal where you can buy one with five mags included for $400. For that price, you really couldn't go wrong.
Hope this helps.
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Carolina Kalash
Member
The N-PAP is built on a regular AKM reciever, the O-PAP is on a stronger RPK reciever
Inebriated
Member
The N-Pap is also built new, the O-Pap is built off of older parts.
The O-Pap is a collectors rifle, in that it doesn't do anything that a WASR or N-Pap couldn't... It's just built on an RPK receiver, which is neat, but unnecessary. If you like it, then it makes sense. If you don't care, then save your money.
The O-Pap is a collectors rifle, in that it doesn't do anything that a WASR or N-Pap couldn't... It's just built on an RPK receiver, which is neat, but unnecessary. If you like it, then it makes sense. If you don't care, then save your money.
USAF_Vet
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Another suggestion for the VZ-2008. A buddy of mine just got his, and if that deal through PSA lasts another few months, I'm thinking about snatching one for myself.
silicosys4
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My $0.02, I would cruise a few auction sites until you find a good Mak-90 or other Norinco variant...hopefully not a slant cut receiver. I like those Norinco's, they are still around in your price range, are decent quality, and have a few nice features such as a thicker receiver and barrel that's also chrome lined.
tnxdshooter
Member
This,
I have one its a well built rifle. 1.5mm thicker receiver as opposed to 1.0mm regular akm receiver. Get the straight cut its easier to fit furniture to. There was a straight cut on gun broker two days ago and if I recall correctly was 650 I payed, like 700 for mine but it was worth every penny.
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js8588
Member
Run, don't walk, and buy an N-Pap for $480 right now http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...a-n-pap-fixed-wood-stock-detail.html?Itemid=0
az_imuth
Member
I have a Yugo and really like it, although I have no others to compare it with. It is a very sturdy built rifle and has always run like a top. If I had a chance to do it over again, I'd make the same choice. Mine is an older M70AB2 Century sold before the days of the Pap Yugos.
henschman
Member
I'd go WASR over Yugo. Compatible with AK furniture, a little lighter, and they have a chrome lined barrel, which helps with cycling steel cased ammo. Unlined chambers will foul quicker and won't run as well when fouled. The Yugoslavs were one of the only com-bloc countries to run brass cased ammo, so it wasn't as big of an issue for them. Most US AK shooters will want to shoot steel cased ammo though.
Ohio Gun Guy
Member
Another vote for a hand picked wasr....
Good AK.... Note: I have bought and sold a few, still have 1. I had never run into the canted sights and mag wobble... until I saw one on a used shelf a while ago... The thing was a MESS....
Summary: I like mine, have had several good examples of wasr rifles, I would love another, but I would pick it out myself.
Good AK.... Note: I have bought and sold a few, still have 1. I had never run into the canted sights and mag wobble... until I saw one on a used shelf a while ago... The thing was a MESS....
Summary: I like mine, have had several good examples of wasr rifles, I would love another, but I would pick it out myself.
sappyg
Member
I would pick in this order:
1. WASR. Best/ most bang for the AK buck.
2. VZ2008. Not an AK. Cheapest option w/ lots of accessories.
3. Century C39. Haven't shot one but looks to be a good AK example.
4. N PAP. Probably the best fit & finish. Not crazy about the stock fit (comb height) or the proprietary furniture.
1. WASR. Best/ most bang for the AK buck.
2. VZ2008. Not an AK. Cheapest option w/ lots of accessories.
3. Century C39. Haven't shot one but looks to be a good AK example.
4. N PAP. Probably the best fit & finish. Not crazy about the stock fit (comb height) or the proprietary furniture.
Jackal
Member
For $500 ish dollars, the Yugo rifles are hard to beat. Stepping up to a Vepr/Arsenal will run you about double the price, with no functional difference and I'm a VEPR owner saying this.
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