Looking for a decent AK47, what to look for?

[JesterRock]

I've been searching the net and the forums, but I can't really find the info I'm looking for. I'm in the market for an AK47, but I have no idea what I'm looking for or doing. I know the WASR-10s can be hit or miss, and the Chinese AKs are generally really good rifles, but beyond that I'm clueless. I certainly don't want the cheapest AK, but I don't need an expensive top of the line one either. What kind of low end decent AK47 should I look for, and how much can I expect to pay for a decent rifle? The local gun store has new Century International Arms WASR-10s for $460, but those are the only ones I've seen for sale at nearby stores. I'll be hitting some gun shows soon so hopefully I'll see some more variety. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Bojangles7]

Arsenal SGL-21. They're higher than a WASR but well worth it if you have the $. Unless you want to drop a few thousand on a milled reciever (not worth it IMO), they're pretty much the best you can get.

 

[W.E.G.]

Buy the cheapest one you can find.

Shoot a thousand rounds through it.

If at that point you want an AK that does something more than the cheap one does, you will have an actual basis for your decision.

Understand that it does not take much to accomplish what an AK tries to accomplish.
7.62x39 bullet hose.

You want more than that, you probably want something other than a AK.

 

[Mike1234567]

I bought all Saigas. I won't mind swapping the parts to make them 922r compliant because it'll save me money... approximately $150 each in conversion parts.

 

[Mot45acp]

Milled Polish 1960s were under $600 from Aim. Love mine. American made receiver. They are marked Century, but farmed out to a good company.

 

[gym]

I did as Weg said, they are a rectangular box with a barrell triger and a bolt, along with some tubes for gas. I can't in good faith see spending any real money on one. I would rather spend a couple hundred more on an AR, Or buy a real rifle like a 308 rem or savage. Even 30-06, you have range and accuracy. The 30 rounds do no good if they don't travel much farther than my 45 govt, or you are using it to rob a liquor store. If the two were out on a 1000 yard playing field, the 308 would nail you before you got into range to use that AK. That's why they give them to 3d world terrorists, they cost very little to make and are so lose that they don't jam, But don't try to engage a sniper with one.The can do a lot of damage in a close quarter situation, like a bank. But a sniper from 500 yards will split you in half.

 

[bejay]

Milled Polish 1960s were under $600 from Aim. Love mine. American made receiver. They are marked Century, but farmed out to a good company.

those do look nice is there 2 companys making milled receivers now was wondering how good the receiver was?

 

[Sam Cade]

But don't try to engage a sniper with one.The can do a lot of damage in a close quarter situation, like a bank.

Hilarious.

I don't think the OP was intending on "engaging snipers" on a regular basis.

 

[Sam Cade]

Buy the cheapest one you can find.

Shoot a thousand rounds through it.
If at that point you want an AK that does something more than the cheap one does, you will have an actual basis for your decision.

This is very very good advice.

Understand that it does not take much to accomplish what an AK tries to accomplish.
7.62x39 bullet hose.

A good AK is about as accurate as your average Marlin 336 and fires a roughly equivalent cartridge.

So if it can be done with a .30-30 lever gun, an AK can do it too.

 

[gym]

The round is a 200 yard max accuracy round, if you are buying it for self defense you should know that. Like I said it does a lot of damage close up, but if the SHTF, you don'twant an AK, that's what I meant, Sam. You may as well get an AR, with a decent barrell, you can keep distance between you and any potential looters or group of criminals.Also you still have the ability to unleash hell in a confined space if that became necessary. Not everyone is shooting targets, they may be now, but you want the abiity to have the most utilitarian gun. There are half a dozen shows on now showing people accross the country preparing for an event of some magnitude, I am merely pointing out the pluses and minuses of different types of weapons. I don't know what he wants a 30 round semi auto weaon for, but I can imagine.

 

[Sam Cade]

The round is a 200 yard max accuracy round, if you are buying it for self defense you should know that. Like I said it does a lot of damage close up, but if the SHTF, you don't want an AK, that's what I meant, Sam.
.

oooooooK...... I'm not sure what you mean here.

Its no problem to ring a 12" gong at 300m shooting prone with a mounted 6x PSOP and decent ammo.

You may as well get an AR, with a decent barrel, you can keep distance between you and any potential looters or group of criminals.

Do you plan on defending a radio tower or something?

There are half a dozen shows on now showing people accross the country preparing for an event of some magnitude,

I don't really watch TV so I don't have any idea what you are talking about.

I am merely pointing out the pluses and minuses of different types of weapons.

Are you?
I would like to see your data presented in a more quantitative manner.

I don't know what he wants a 30 round semi auto weaon for, but I can imagine.

Yes, indeed, you certainly can.

 

[Bojangles7]

The round is a 200 yard max accuracy round, if you are buying it for self defense you should know that. Like I said it does a lot of damage close up, but if the SHTF, you don'twant an AK, that's what I meant, Sam.

That's weird. I was just putting holes in paper this morning at 300 yards with open sights and some junk ammo from a pawn shop that came in a ziplock bag. Sure they weren't 6" groups, but if it were a silhouette, that guy wouldn't have been returning fire.

 

[Sky]

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/Centerfire-Systems-Inc/centerfire_august_2011b/2011072801/

Centerfire systems has them for $399. The above link is the one on the front page. I have that weapon. It goes boom every time; takes 30 rounds double stack mags and the only thing I ended up doing to mine (except shooting it) was to adjust the sights and front post. Bang for the buck and no problems. I did not want wood only because I use my guns for hunting in all kinds of weather and they work for me with very little consideration.. My Saiga is nice and works but they both go boom and both are what they are. Like one of the posters said find one and shoot the thing. You may find out you are in love with the caliber/thing or decide it ain't for you.

That's weird. I was just putting holes in paper this morning at 300 yards with open sights and some junk ammo from a pawn shop that came in a ziplock bag. Sure they weren't 6" groups, but if it were a silhouette, that guy wouldn't have been returning fire

SKS and Yugo ammo I hit a 300 yard 14" steel plate no problem. Have not tried it with the AK but will see what happens when I do. There really is such an inconsistency with the 7.62x39 ammo (even in the same batch) that sometimes people blame their weapon when in actuality it is the ammo. Tula is some of the worst I have ever used for long range shots. Wonder if they measure the powder by volume or by weight?

 

[Sam Cade]

Wonder if they measure the powder by volume or by weight?

I think they do it by smell sometimes.

 

[JesterRock]

Thanks for the info. I already have an AR-15 so this just for plinking around. I'm looking at a Romanian underfolder AK and a Polish underfolder AK both at $499. Is there one that would be better than the other? Any "made in ____" that I should stay away from?

 

[gym]

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-160015.html
Consensus is bullett drops like a rock after 200 yards, think what you will. Google it. It's a heavy round made to do damage at 100-200 max yards. The AR will go out past 800.That is from our own site, if youcheck with manufacturers, you would need a very good rifle in AK to get accuracy past 200 yards.
Sam tv's are pretty common these days, I can send you a list of shows like "prepers" , of people all over the country , not goof balls, professional people, who are peparing for an event of some type, weather it be a rogue nuke, virus, shutting down of the power grid, "which is being tried by hackers on a daily basis, or natural disaster. We almost had a shutdown of the govt which would have meant loss of power as the east coast is now on emergency power since the earthquake, "if you had a tv". Thus the difference between an accurate rifle at 200 vs 800 yards ould make a difference if you were defending your food supply and family and home, against people who had not prepared and wanted your food ammo etc.That's why there are so many people purchasing readiness equiptment as most here know.We have several ex miitary here where I live 350 homes and have spoken openlly about this, if you haven't perhaps you should. Ak is really a cheap rifle unless you spend a thousand dollars for a milled rceiver and quality parts, you would likelly do better with a 30-06, as an all around weapon, with 10 rounders.It wold cost less and do more. By the way we don't use radio towers anymore, cell towers, internet through fiber optic cable, or satellite transmission.
You seem to have a handle on things so good luck to you. I am going to go light the campfire so I can make dinner. If you are interested in the ballistic coefficients of various rounds you can google them,

 

[mshootnit]

If you want a decent AK get a saiga or an Arsenal. Other than that there are Vepr's, Yugo's are pretty good, And I am intrigued by the AMD 65. I think if you could take off the wire stock and put on a decent buttstock they would be pretty darned cool.

 

[JesterRock]

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-160015.html
Consensus is bullett drops like a rock after 200 yards, think what you will. Google it. It's a heavy round made to do damage at 100-200 max yards. The AR will go out past 800.That is from our own site, if youcheck with manufacturers, you would need a very good rifle in AK to get accuracy past 200 yards.
Sam tv's are pretty common these days, I can send you a list of shows like "prepers" , of people all over the country , not goof balls, professional people, who are peparing for an event of some type, weather it be a rogue nuke, virus, shutting down of the power grid, "which is being tried by hackers on a daily basis, or natural disaster. We almost had a shutdown of the govt which would have meant loss of power as the east coast is now on emergency power since the earthquake, "if you had a tv". Thus the difference between an accurate rifle at 200 vs 800 yards ould make a difference if you were defending your food supply and family and home, against people who had not prepared and wanted your food ammo etc.That's why there are so many people purchasing readiness equiptment as most here know.We have several ex miitary here where I live 350 homes and have spoken openlly about this, if you haven't perhaps you should. Ak is really a cheap rifle unless you spend a thousand dollars for a milled rceiver and quality parts, you would likelly do better with a 30-06, as an all around weapon, with 10 rounders.It wold cost less and do more. By the way we don't use radio towers anymore, cell towers, internet through fiber optic cable, or satellite transmission.
You seem to have a handle on things so good luck to you. I am going to go light the campfire so I can make dinner. If you are interested in the ballistic coefficients of various rounds you can google them,

First off, if you are involved in a SHTF scenario you have no need for engaging people at 800 yards muchless 100 yards. That is not self defense unless they are shooting at you. It is smart to be prepared, but we don't have to get all crazy about it and claim that a government shutdown would result in loss of power. You can be smart about preparing or you could drive yourself and everyone else crazy while trying to prepare for the apocolypse.

 

[Sam Cade]

First off, if you are involved in a SHTF scenario you have no need for engaging people at 800 yards muchless 100 yards.

...but but but how else will I defend my local cellular mast (broadcasting and receiving radio waves in the UHF spectrum) from looters and flash-mobs?

 

[vellocet]

Listen to W.E.G. Or move to North Africa.

 

[Bojangles7]

^ and all 1911's are the same too.

 

[jehicks87]

Ok, so this guy "Gym" is obviously one of the nutcase types you'll occasionally meet on internet forums like this.

But, in all reality, the AK is a great weapon and has been used in many real-life SHTF scenarios. So, if that's what you want it for, power to you.

Me, I hate AR-15 platform rifles. Hate them.

As far as what to look for in an AK (as per the OP) one of the biggest things I've heard over and over is to look for the dimples above the magazine well in the receiver. If they have dimples, they are receivers made to accept double-stack mags. If they do not, they are receivers made to accept single-stack mags which have (more often than not) been dremeled out to accept double-stackers. This could cause some wobble with certain mags, as the chance of taking too much material out is very real.

Jake

 

[Germster]

There is no such thing as a descent AK-47. When you pick one up you will wonder what all of the hoop-law is over them. They are killers however. Pure pot metal. An SKS looks better. If you absolutely have to have one buy any one you can find. You'll learn to hate the thing however.

If you must have a military semi-auto buy one of the AR's. Yeah, I don't like them either. But I own one. I'd suggest one of the LAR's. Maybe an M1A, but they are god-awful too. Buy a black gun and hang all kinds of do-dads on it. You'll love it. Just don't try to kill anyone with it.

 

[gym]

AW, I don't subscribe to the theory and I sold my rifles, My 5 inch Govt will get out far enough for anything I'll need. But the show preppers shows that therer are entire colonies forming now "like the 60's" growing their own food cattle etc, they need longer range weapons. As they explained on the show, "common sense really" those who don't have will attempt to take from those who do. The one they show a coule weeks ago, "last time I saw the show" had shooting stations with 2 man fall back dugouts, Re supply bags, trip wires with video , these people "several familys" were very serious, they had 6 AR's and everyone had to be proficient with all the weapons the had, including 20 or so pistols, "just what they showed". They even grew the hay for the horses and cattle.
I haven't prepared for anything other than 10 gallons of gas in my generator, I'm just telling you what's going on.Everyday I get emails from some new site selling water purification devices, bugout bags, Mre's. Even Buds is selling them, or were.Cheaper than dirt, all the usual suspects. We are ok where we are you can see a thousnd yards in every direction and we have more than a few ex military who live here. It's a middle to high end development surrounded by some shakey areas, but plenty of land all around you can't get within 300 yards . I don't subscribe to hoarding but it is a phenominon that is sweeping the country.
We have come close to govt failing twice now in 3 years, if it ever did shut down and people stopped getting paid, why would they go to work, simple answer is they wouldn't, they would gather and protect their familys.
The military wanted to know from the president 2 weeks ago if their familys were going to get their checks. This all started over a rifle, that's why folks buy 30 round magazine equipped rifles, I'm not getting crazy about anything, but you do know we are on emergency generators in the northeast? I hope. If you ever were down here in FL or louisiana when the crap hit, you know what can happen very fast. Citys out of staples in 4 days.I just think it's a concern. We should all remember next time we elect our officials. Get the AR $650 from Buds with a scope.

 

[Sam Cade]

There is no such thing as a descent AK-47. When you pick one up you will wonder what all of the hoop-law is over them. They are killers however. Pure pot metal. An SKS looks better. If you absolutely have to have one buy any one you can find. You'll learn to hate the thing however.

If you must have a military semi-auto buy one of the AR's. Yeah, I don't like them either. But I own one. I'd suggest one of the LAR's. Maybe an M1A, but they are god-awful too. Buy a black gun and hang all kinds of do-dads on it. You'll love it. Just don't try to kill anyone with it.

I didn't know that Jim Zumbo was a member.