Good AK-47 for a novice?

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Soke

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Not only in experience with semi auto rifles but firearms in general. I'd like to learn about all the parts, the different companies and what makes one example higher quality than another one etc. In the next 2-3 months I'll be making my purchase it will be a designated Target practice/SHTF gun and nothing more. Budget will be $950 max. Would you say build one? WASR 10? Arsenal? I'm willing to learn but I also don't want to buy a piece of crap I have to throw a lot of money at to get right. If it matters Im 21 years old and live in Florida.


Thanks!
 
Factory Saiga's are a lot less than your price ceiling, and are quite good. Add maybe a hundred or so in parts and a few hours time if you want to do a trigger conversion and pistol grip.

One delightful thing about an AK, to me, is that you can take the top cover off and easily examine the whole action. You can also see why it's so hard to jam one.

Everything Saiga:

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?act=idx
 
Saigas are great for money. Mine is unmodified and shoots just about a well as the Arsenal SA M7s that also in the rack. Somewhere I read that Arsenal is now reworking the Saigas and they go out as Arsenals. Anyhow, both are nice pieces. Just depends on how much cash you want to part with.
 
wow i cant believe your telling him to go cheapo, get a ****ing arsenal there the best copys hands down. Then its stamped vs milled i got a stamped because its heavy as it is and already cost me 850. The milled ones go for over 1k i think, going to be tuff to find a Aresnal cant get my model anymore. I would go with 5.56 because our troops use it and when SHTF you know. And we dont import 5.56 ammo we make it here, 5.56 on AK platform is nasty!
 
All AKs are standardized.

They're all made for less than $200 (this includes 4 mags, bayonet, sling, cleaning kit - everything the soldier is issued with it)

Obviously Arsenal, Inc has spent their marketing budget wisely, as they seem to have fooled you into spending 3x what it's actually worth.

Milled receivers? Made militarily obsolete in 1959. Again, the marketing department of Arsenal at work.

Don't drink the kool-aid, folks.
 
You don't need to spend a grand to get a good AK. Mine is a Polish underfolder build on a Global Trades receiver, I don't think I even have 500 into it. Shoots as well as any AK will.
 
I have a Lancaster AK /w a 1.6mm USA reciever, romanian g-kit chomed barrel and parts, and it's 100% reliable and accurate enough for me to get ~4MOA. Good enough for me.
 
I agree on the Saiga because of the cost factor.

I bought Yugo's over the Saiga because they come with US made DC recievers, US made match match barrel, excellent US made tapco triggers, stainless bolt, Tritium flip up night sights and flipped down they are day sights, and I like the underfolder mechanism. I bought 2 of them late after the OB scare and paid $700 each new. They used to be $400 before the scare and I have actually seen them used at various gun sites for up to $1,200. You should be able to find one for around $700 if you shop.
 
any AK is a good AK for a novice so long as it works. I got a converted Saiga. It was my very first rifle, and is what I learned to shoot on. Not the best starter gun, but there ya go. It's a good way to practice not flinching.
 
WASR 10s are back in stock right now. Good idea to get one. Theybuild them better nowadays.
 
The WASR is very attractive, the only thing that discounts it for me is that it doesnt have a chrome lined barrel. I've decided this is what I want to go with last night. That puts my sights the likes of Saigas, Bulgarians, and the Hungarian FEG AMD 65(thoughts?). I'm sure there are others(still researching) but I think im leaning towards the Saiga because of price and because I think converting it is a good intro to modification. I'm tempted to get two, one with wood furniture, and another sporterized. Also, is there a civilian version of the AK 103? Ive seen AK-47s with the 74 stock but I just assumed they were just that. From what ive read I think I want to go with a milled receiver but we'll see.


Thanks guys


edit: So apparently the Saiga 7.39 x 39 is basically a civilian ak 103 after the conversion?
 
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So apparently the Saiga 7.39 x 39 is basically a civilian ak 103 after the conversion?
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Almost. You won't have the AKS-74 style side-folding rear trunion and stock assembly. That can't be retrofitted without replacing the rear trunion and cutting the receiver to fit the angle at the back, the rivet holes, and the D-shaped hole for the release button. Also you'd need the forward hook/catch (and its spring) to keep it folded and to cut and drill the proper holes in the receiver (and front trunion) to install that catch.

That very nice left-side folder is a defining feature of the AK-10x series and is very nice, but hard to duplicate if your receiver isn't already set up for it.

-Sam
 
For someone who's new to AK's and rifles in general, I wouldn't recommend a folding stock anyway.
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Just out of curiosity, why?

I could definitely see the issue with Tantal-style stocks which are substantively one wire, and are more or less uncomfortable to shoot, and I can see it with M-70 style underfolders for exactly the same reasons.

But the AK-10x style side folders are very substantial and rock solid. In fact, someone unfamiliar with the weapon probably wouldn't realize that it is a folding stock if they weren't shown how to fold it. It's just a very substantial, traditionally styled, synthetic stock, that happens to have a hinge and latch in it.

This is what we're talking about, by the way: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AK-103.JPG

You or I might look at that and instantly see the release button and know it's a folder, but I'd bet a lot of shooters not familiar with the platform could shoot that rifle for hours and never realize that it will fold.

Is there another reason I'm overlooking why a folder isn't a good rifle for a new shooter, in general?

-Sam
 
wow $500+ for a wasr 10, i got mines for under $400. i was thinking about getting another budget ak. i personally would recommend one. they go bang and that's the purpose of an ak, finish is rough though but for the price it's a great buy.
 
The AK was designed for the original novice. Illiterate peasants and farmers drafted into service with the red army.

It is as basic as you can get without buying a break action single shot. If you have any mechanical aptitude you can field strip one in 30 seconds or less and you can clean one with a solvent soaked rag and a bore-snake in 5 minutes.

Pick one you like that fits within your budget, buy lots of ammo and just shoot it. It's an AK, it aint rocket science.
 
trigga said:
wow $500+ for a wasr 10, i got mines for under $400. i was thinking about getting another budget ak. i personally would recommend one. they go bang and that's the purpose of an ak, finish is rough though but for the price it's a great buy.
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wow $500+ for a wasr 10, i got mines for under $400. i was thinking about getting another budget ak. i personally would recommend one.
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tell me about it. i got mine for $299 from classicarms in 2007
 
There was one stupid post but I think others are all valid. I think you would be happy with WASR, but if you get a Saiga and convert it yourself, you will be happier, more knowledgeable about the gun, and would have one of the better AK clones out there....for a lot less than what you can get for some companies with gimmicky marketing with overpriced AK's.
 
I have a Lancaster AK /w a 1.6mm USA reciever, romanian g-kit chomed barrel and parts, and it's 100% reliable and accurate enough for me to get ~4MOA. Good enough for me.
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Mine too...nice AKM!
 
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