cool45auto
Member
There's a gun show next weekend near me. I've been wanting an AK for a while but don't know what to look for. What's the best brand and what things should I look for while shopping?
I want an AK47.
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jon1996
Member
i am no expert
i am getting ready to order my first aks monday, i have asked questions on every forum they are and here is what i have come up with,
sar-1 ak-47 new $289.95, watch out for canted sights and gas tubes(meaning they are crooked on the barrell) some may have trigger slap,
wasr-10, heard they were a better quality than sar-1. ut may have trigger slap as well, you can get a hi-cap version whaich has had the mag well cut to accept standard ak mags, or you can get a low capacity version and save a $100.00 and with a dremel tool and 30 minutes you can have a hi capacity model, hope this helps,
jon
i am getting ready to order my first aks monday, i have asked questions on every forum they are and here is what i have come up with,
sar-1 ak-47 new $289.95, watch out for canted sights and gas tubes(meaning they are crooked on the barrell) some may have trigger slap,
wasr-10, heard they were a better quality than sar-1. ut may have trigger slap as well, you can get a hi-cap version whaich has had the mag well cut to accept standard ak mags, or you can get a low capacity version and save a $100.00 and with a dremel tool and 30 minutes you can have a hi capacity model, hope this helps,
jon
Take a hard look at the Saiga for a high quality Russian made rifle that effectively has the guts of an AK-74 (yes, I said AK-74, not AK-47...the 74 has improvements over the old -47, and you get them all...)
This rifle is MUCH superior to the Chinese and Romainian crude AK-47's.
Note that you can get them at http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html
...for about $179...amazing...
This rifle is MUCH superior to the Chinese and Romainian crude AK-47's.
Note that you can get them at http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html
...for about $179...amazing...
For your basic AK rifle, go for a Romanian. If you think you are going to play around and start changing furniture, FCG, etc. spend the money up front for an Arsenal, Inc. SLR-101SB or SAM-7S. The Saiga is definitely a good platform if you want to do the conversion (and all said and done, you'll probably have just as much or a little less invested in it as a Romanian AK) otherwise you'll be limited to 10-round magazines and a funky trigger pull.
The Romanian's are lacking a little aesthetically , but are very functional rifles in my opinion. Totally satisfied with mine. The 2003 models seem to be of better overall quality. Mine is straight and doesn't have any trigger slap. They are hard to beat for the price.
, but are very functional rifles in my opinion. Totally satisfied with mine. The 2003 models seem to be of better overall quality. Mine is straight and doesn't have any trigger slap. They are hard to beat for the price.Tropical Z
Member
A WASR-10 single stack,a dremel tool,30 minutes and $100.00 in your pocket? It cant be that easy!
thefitzvh
Member
whatever you do...
make sure you get "the switch"
James
make sure you get "the switch"
James
Romainian stuff may work, but does look crude. I was very impressed with the Saiga's accuracy...cost is much less. Conversion is very straightforward, but not necessary.
...or, you could wait til Nov, and see if the 1994 assault weapons ban expires....then your choices may multiply dramatically.
If it does not expire, get the Saiga...
...or, you could wait til Nov, and see if the 1994 assault weapons ban expires....then your choices may multiply dramatically.
If it does not expire, get the Saiga...
rock jock
Member
The best AK makers?
Kreb's
AK-USA
Arsenal USA
Robinson
IMHO.
Kreb's
AK-USA
Arsenal USA
Robinson
IMHO.
ny32182
Member
Ok, I've got to know. I keep hearing about "the switch". What is that?
My VEPR K works great and is excellent all around. Built like a tank, accurate for an AK, and fit and finish are excellent for an AK as well. My only gripe is the slant cut rear reciever so that it only takes the robinson furniture (but, that and the "very bull" barrel is just part of the deal with the RPK).
My VEPR K works great and is excellent all around. Built like a tank, accurate for an AK, and fit and finish are excellent for an AK as well. My only gripe is the slant cut rear reciever so that it only takes the robinson furniture (but, that and the "very bull" barrel is just part of the deal with the RPK).
GigaBuist
Member
It's a running joke on THR that's become popular lately it seems. It stems from a writeup of what sucks about gunshows, part of that being every other idiot you pass by asking you if the AK you're selling on your shoulder has "the switch" -- meaning it'll go from semi-auto to full-auto.
JA
Member
It is not that easy! The WASR-10 rifle can be modified to use double stack high capasity magazines with a Dremel tool. The mag well opening in the bottom of the reciever needs to be widened and the spacers that are spot welded to the inside of the receiver on each side need to be ground down.
But...... the rifle would be a illegal assualt rifle and you would have commited a federal crime. You would have to swap out 5 parts of the rifle with US mfg. parts to not commit a crime and make the rifle legal to own.
You would not have a $100 in your pocket as you would have to spend most of it on the 5 US mfg. parts to make the rifle legal.
The 7.62x39mm,5.45x39mm,and 5.56x45mm Saiga rifles are modified AK-100 series rifles. The AK-100 series of rifles are the updated version of the AK-74.
10mmshooter
Member
I have 3 Romanian AK's. 1 Sar-1 (7.62x39mm), and 2 SAR-2's (5.45x39mm). All are 2003 models, and all have been great. I did get the luxury of hand selecting all of them from local dealers though...So I was able to avoid the commonly reported problems that some folks have had with them.
I don't know how difficult it would be to make a WASR-10 into a high cap...But, I would spend the few extra dollars, and buy an SAR-1 instead. They are getting a bit more scarce...Due to the fact that they are no longer being imported, but they are worth picking up if you don't have one yet.
I don't know how difficult it would be to make a WASR-10 into a high cap...But, I would spend the few extra dollars, and buy an SAR-1 instead. They are getting a bit more scarce...Due to the fact that they are no longer being imported, but they are worth picking up if you don't have one yet.
No4Mk1*
Member
WASR 10 high cap...
"But...... the rifle would be a illegal assualt rifle and you would have commited a federal crime."
Actually I think it would be classified as the feared non-sporting imported rifle, a crime equally evil as owning an assault rifle.
Thanks to GCA '68 with Bush Senior's redefinition of "sporting," you must have fewer than 11 imported parts from the official parts list.
"But...... the rifle would be a illegal assualt rifle and you would have commited a federal crime."
Actually I think it would be classified as the feared non-sporting imported rifle, a crime equally evil as owning an assault rifle.
Thanks to GCA '68 with Bush Senior's redefinition of "sporting," you must have fewer than 11 imported parts from the official parts list.
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Not too difficult with the Saiga...since it only has 14 of the defined parts starting out according to the ATF, you just have to replace 4 of them...
I *think* the wording is "no more than 10 imported parts", making the total 10 or less. Saiga doesn't have evil flash supressor starting out.
Hammer, sear, stock, mag follower...if you want to be safe, gas piston...and you are there...
I *think* the wording is "no more than 10 imported parts", making the total 10 or less. Saiga doesn't have evil flash supressor starting out.
Hammer, sear, stock, mag follower...if you want to be safe, gas piston...and you are there...
mrapathy2000
member
you can add a pistol grip and if you buy one made in the USA it counts towards your benefit.
If you buy and choose to convert a Saiga to pistol grip bear in mind that you will have to replace the FCG anyways (3parts?) and add a pistol grip (make sure it's US made or it counts as an additional foreign part) and a buttstock (also US made). Do this and you SHOULD be under the 10 foreign parts number.
If you add a foreign stockset your going to have to find two more internal parts to replace. Also one thing to remember that changing the Saiga forearm to a more tradition AK look is a pretty tricky process (involves pressing off the sight block and gass block) that is usually left to gunsmiths with the proper equipment. And it isnt generally a cheap process.
If you add a foreign stockset your going to have to find two more internal parts to replace. Also one thing to remember that changing the Saiga forearm to a more tradition AK look is a pretty tricky process (involves pressing off the sight block and gass block) that is usually left to gunsmiths with the proper equipment. And it isnt generally a cheap process.
Sleeping Dog
Member
My 2000 SAR-1 (romanian) has "da switch", or maybe just "uh switch".
Anyway, it switches from "safe" to "semi-auto" and back.
Trigger slap can be a good thing. It keeps my friends from wanting to shoot the thing all the time.
Regards.
Anyway, it switches from "safe" to "semi-auto" and back.
Trigger slap can be a good thing. It keeps my friends from wanting to shoot the thing all the time.
Regards.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
My 2002? SAR-1 has no trigger slap at all. In fact, I would have to say the trigger is better than my mini-14's.
JA
Member
I got to examine a friend's 2003 WASR-10 that had been factory converted to hi cap mags last Friday. The sides of the mag well and the two single stack mag spacers spot welded to the inside of the of the receiver on each side you could see the bare metal where they were ground down. There were plenty of metal shavings inside the receiver.
They had got a little over zealous grinding and a hi cap mag had plenty of side to side play. You had to be careful when inserting a mag as the mag well opening was so large and the spacers didn't even touch the mag. Neither guided the mag into the mag well. You had to make sure the rear of the mag was in the dead center of the mag well or it wouldn't lock in. We had quite a hard time changing mags till we set the rifle down on the bench and figured out what was going on.
Converting a singel stack mag WASR-10 to use high capasity magazines(LCMM) would violate this Treasury ruling.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/assault/treasrelease.htm
After the implement date of the above converting(assembling) a AK rifle that uses hi cap mags, the BATF ruled that a thumbhole stock was the same as a pistol grip. The rifle would be in violation of section 922r and become a illegal assualt rifle.
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter32.txt
So the converted rifle could only have 10 imported parts otherwise you would be commiting a federal crime.
From United States Code Title 18,Chapter 44,Section 922.
(r)
It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) of this chapter as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes except that this subsection shall not apply to -
(1)
the assembly of any such rifle or shotgun for sale or distribution by a licensed manufacturer to the United States or any department or agency thereof or to any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or
(2)
the assembly of any such rifle or shotgun for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Secretary.
They had got a little over zealous grinding and a hi cap mag had plenty of side to side play. You had to be careful when inserting a mag as the mag well opening was so large and the spacers didn't even touch the mag. Neither guided the mag into the mag well. You had to make sure the rear of the mag was in the dead center of the mag well or it wouldn't lock in. We had quite a hard time changing mags till we set the rifle down on the bench and figured out what was going on.
Converting a singel stack mag WASR-10 to use high capasity magazines(LCMM) would violate this Treasury ruling.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/assault/treasrelease.htm
After the implement date of the above converting(assembling) a AK rifle that uses hi cap mags, the BATF ruled that a thumbhole stock was the same as a pistol grip. The rifle would be in violation of section 922r and become a illegal assualt rifle.
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter32.txt
So the converted rifle could only have 10 imported parts otherwise you would be commiting a federal crime.
From United States Code Title 18,Chapter 44,Section 922.
(r)
It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) of this chapter as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes except that this subsection shall not apply to -
(1)
the assembly of any such rifle or shotgun for sale or distribution by a licensed manufacturer to the United States or any department or agency thereof or to any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or
(2)
the assembly of any such rifle or shotgun for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Secretary.
Joe Demko
Member
Haven't seen any in a while, but my personal experience with a Misr (Egyptian AK) would be to avoid it no matter how much of a good deal it might appear to be.
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