Ak47...

[Kentucky Rifle]

A gun shop, less than a mile from my house has a great selection of rifles.
They even stock Barrett .50 cals! I have a few long guns. My favorite is (of course!) my Bushmaster Shorty. However, of late I've began to look fondly upon the AK's hanging up there on the wall. Seems to be quite a few variants. The Romanian version seems to be the most common. In the opinion of the owners of AK's on the board, just which model is the most trouble free and desirable? Military rifles! I have begun to dream of that M-1 I used to have to lug around in military school. I hated it then, but I'd sure love to have it back now! I like the carbine model too.

KR

 

[Triad]

which model is the most trouble free and desirable?

The VEPR is probably the best available now. Romanian versions have some problems like canted sights, but so far as I know, there have been no problems with them that can't be avoided by examining the rifle in person. Most AK's are going to be trouble free, but the only one I'd avoid is the Maadi, which I've heard only bad things about. The most desirable variant is a very individual thing. For most of us it would probably involve tax stamps.

 

[telewinz]

Just about any AK works fine. Isolated problems occur in any of them just eyeball what you buy and you will do fine.

 

[762x51]

The Romanian guns are a great buy. Just be sure that you look at the front sight and gas block specifically to make sure that they are straight. They aren't the prettiest guns out of the box, but with a little work they can be. I am very pleased with mine.

 

[Triad]

Nice looking rifle you have there 762x51. Is that the US made set from K-VAR?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The Romanian rifles are a good buy. Just check it over before purchasing, to make sure you get one with straight sights. I have a SAR-1 that's been 100% reliable in the ~450 rounds I've put through it so far.

I also have a Russian Saiga sporter that was modified by Hesse to look like an AK-103. While Hesse's reputation for quality is pretty bad, they didn't have to do much to this rifle, and I'm very pleased with it. So far it only has a couple of hundred rounds through it, but it works like a charm.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

My SAR-1 (year 2000) is super-reliable. And the front sight is on straight. I usually get 4" or 5" groups at 100 yards with a Kobra red dot sight.

It does have a bit of trigger slap that I have not been able to get rid of yet. I may have to get a red-star trigger group and just replace the thing. It's not too bad, just a little sting on the finger.

Regards.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Some tips:

The VEPRs are GREAT guns, from all accounts, and have windage adjustable rear sights. However, they're made on RPK receivers, which while being super strong are also heavy. And unloaded 20" VEPR weighs in at 9lbs, about the same as a FAL or something similar. Note too that according to a recent review in the Shotgun News, the VEPR II .223's magazines weren't 100%, but your results may vary. Check them out at http://www.robarm.com.

There's also the the Arsenal USA guns which have a good rep. http://www.globaltrades.com.

Kreb's Custom makes expensive, but top quality, AK types. http://www.krebscustom.com.

There're the AK-103 clones available from several manufacturers. Most notable are those from AK USA: http://www.ak-103.com/

The Romanian guns can be hit-or-miss, but make good project guns.

Also, according to all accounts the 5.45mm guns are more accurate than the 7.62x39mm ones.

 

[cratz2]

A gun shop, less than a mile from my house has a great selection of rifles.

Kieslers has some nice stuff, don't they...

If you haven't bought anything from them in the past, one thing to keep if mind is that some of the salespersons will deal no problem, some won't even knock off $10 on a $600 gun.

 

[BHP9]

If money is no object three of my favorites are the Israeli Galil, the valmet and the poly tech AK.

My poly tech gun which has a solid frame is an amazingly accurate 7.62x39. I think part of its accuracy is the improved trigger that is found on them and the solid frame that does not flex under recoil.

 

[762x51]

Triad:

Thanks. Yes it is a KVAR set. The whole gun was also powdercoated by AK-USA.

 

[12 Volt Man]

careful..........this can be addicting! I second the recommendation on the Romanian Sar. I picked up a Sar 1 and it has been a lot of fun. All kinds of stuff out there to buy for them to slick them up. Here is a photo of mine http://groups.msn.com/Ashbys/robs.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=273
I used truck bed liner on the handguards, and got the fixed krinkov style stock from www.rpbusa.com
You can get a lot of help from the boys over at AK47.net (http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=77 )

Just noticed that since I took the picture I have added an AK74 style brake, and a Kobra Red Dot sight.
I also forgot one of the most important things. CHEAP AMMO!

 

[MAKOwner]

Here's my SAR2 (5.45x39) and SAR1 (7.62x39): www.inter-scape.com/ray/sars.jpg

I love them, I truck bedlinered the SAR2s stockset, turned out awesome. Fun guns to play around with, and you can get them online for $275ish, or at a good gunshow for $325ish... Great buys.

 

[Neal Bloom]

I have had a SAR 1 for about 2 years and it has been absolutely reliable. Very fun to shoot. Ditto on the canted sights, there are a lot of the SAR's that have this problem. The only complaint I have was in getting all that */#@ cosmoline off of the gun.

 

[Dave R]

I have the SAR-3 (.223). Guess I couldn't decide between an AR and an AK...

It did have one minor problem out of the box, but once that was fixed, it has been a flawless performer and a lot of fun to shoot.

Check out a Romanian carefully, but buy it if you find a good one. Its a great value.

 

[Roadrunner]

I really like my AK-74 (SAR-2) in 5.45x39 I picked up in 2001. Mark Graham, the "Gunplumber," at ARS did a great job and the 5.45 has hardly any recoil.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Thanks for the opinions, guys...

I've just got that old "I need a new gun" feeling!

Cratz2: Like a moth to a flame, I go to Kiesler's a lot. However, THIS time I was referring to Shooter's Supply. They've begun to give me discounts.

KR