Quality Mid-Priced AK

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scurtis_34471

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I am looking for a quality weapon, not a cheapy WASR-10. I want something that is well-built, well-finished and reasonably accurate (for an AK). I want to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $400-600. I do not want a sporter stock, so no unconverted VEPR or SAIGA rifles.

Any suggestions?
 
I'm looking at a Yugo right now. About $500 but much nicer than the Romanians. If you can find a used Bulgarian, buy it quick. They are rare but sweet.
 
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The Yugo M70B1 (fixed stock) or M70B2 (underfolder) is a good step above the Romanian WASR's and in your price range. I picked up my Yugo for $430 new and I'm very happy with it.

Here's my M70B1
Yugo-AK-art-1.gif
 
what makes the bulgarian AKs so much nicer? i was looking at sometoday on a website i think they where running 599. the plastic furniture turned me off though.
 
Bulgy AK's use a 1.6mm receiver, instead of 1.0mm. It's a toss-up as to whether this actually affects accuracy.
 
what makes the bulgarian AKs so much nicer? i was looking at sometoday on a website i think they where running 599. the plastic furniture turned me off though.
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Aside from finding one with a milled receiver... I find the tolerances to be a world ahead of the Romanians.
 
jlbraun said:
Bulgy AK's use a 1.6mm receiver, instead of 1.0mm. It's a toss-up as to whether this actually affects accuracy.
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No, the Bulgys use standard 1.0mm receivers in their stamped receiver rifles.

The reason everyone has the hots for them is that they are the closest thing to a modern Russian AK you're gonna get.

Oh. If you're discussing Arsenal AKs, they have offered many with milled receivers (which still doesn't affect actual accuracy).
 
I've mostly been looking at Yugo and Bulgarian rifles. I dearly love my VEPR, but I want a lighter rifle with a 16" barrel and a more traditional AK form-factor. I considered going with something higher-end like a Tromix SAIGA conversion, but I really want to buy two of them before the election and I can't do that if I spend a grand on each one.

I want to buy as much of what I want as possible before the election. I'd like an AR, but my priority is the AKs. I like the idea of standardizing on one rifle round and I already have a VEPR. If I have the funds, I'll pick up a nice Bushmaster A3 M4 in .223. The final must-have is a Remington 870 Tactical with Knoxx stock. A stack of high cap magazines goes without saying. I'll soon have at least 7 for my XD-40 Service and I want to have at least 5 for my CZ PO-1. My wife has 4 for her S&W M&P. I might pick up one or two more. I'm planning on an XD-45 at some point, so I may stock up on those as well. After those purchases are taken care of, its going to be all about ammo, ammo, ammo. I'd like to stockpile at least a few thousand rounds each of 7.62x39, 9mm and .40 S&W.
 
Not a cheapy WASR-10
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I'm offended! ;) (Not really)

WASR's are... well... unique!


I kind of chuckle every time I use my WASR10. I'm new to WASRs and AKs, so it's been fun. I am looking forward to stepping up to something with a little more polish at some point, that's for sure.

In the meantime, it's fun. :D
 
The Bulgarian rifles are best because of the higher quality of parts and manufacturing.

Supposedly, Kalashnikov himself once said that the best non-Russian AK's were the ones built by the Bulgarians.

Ohio Rapid Fire makes some really great AK's, especially their Bulgarian AK-74's in 5.45x39.
They build these from brand new, all matching Bulgarian kits assembled to a fully hardened Armory stamped receiver.

http://rapidfire.targetweb.net/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?&cart_id=993045.4522*5f0d-8

Also, I just got a flier from Centerfire Systems.
They list a Bulgarian AK-SSR-85C rifle for $549.00
It's a Bulgarian made rifle with the Bulgarian hammer-forged, chrome lined barrels that the Bulgarians are noted for.
 
Gunplumber over at the FAL files has some nice kit builds on his website. Nice wood and good park job. I can't remember the country of origin on the receivers. I know the guy knows his stuff, and his prices look to be extremely reasonable. Also, the Polish underfolders have a very authentic AK look to them. It seems like the price spread on the Polish range from $500 up to $700. One of these two will be my next AK!
 
They list a Bulgarian AK-SSR-85C rifle for $549.00
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I have one. It has 1/2x28 threads, which makes finding muzzle brakes a bit of a pain. Nice rifle though.
 
I know you said no Saigas, because you don't want a sporter stock. But you can convert it easily. I just converted mine, and honestly, if I can do it, pretty much anyone can. Your budget is $600 on the high end: Take a NIB Saiga - $250-$300, do a basic conversion - $100ish (PG, buttstock, FCG, bullet-guide). That's only $350-$400. That's quite a bit of money left over from the high end of your budget. Plus, the conversion is fun:D.
 
Vector Arms. I love mine.
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where do Polish underfolders rate?
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I used to immediately recommend Vector for a mid-range AK. My Vector is a polish underfolder and I love it.

The problem is, for me, that Vector no longer has chrome-lined barrels in their AKs-- from my understanding. Mine is a 2001 Vector that has a chrome lined barrel.


Because of the lack of chrome-lined barrels, I'd probably recommend Lancaster Consulting. People that have them seem to be a happy lot, and the company offers (1.) decent price (2.) chrome-lined barrels (3.) lifetime warranty (Vector has a 5 year warranty.)

But I am no expert on the company. I know that they USED to have the above.


-- John
 
On the Vector website they say you can get a chrome lined barrel for 20 bucks more.
So to hijack a bit since I am looking for an AK too; fixed, underfolder or sidedolder? I have a Saiga I'm not converting, so I've got a fixed stock AK so maybe I should get a folder but I am a little concerned about cheekweld and accuracy. I'm leaning toward the sidefolder with wire type/polish/east german type, any experiences, advice?
 
I'm leaning toward the sidefolder with wire type/polish/east german type, any experiences, advice?
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The wire folder (east german/romanian type) is VERY sturdy. Like, you could run out of ammo and beat someone's face in with it sturdy. It's relatively comfortable and doesn't impede accuracy. I prefer it to an underfolder. The gun can also be fired comfortably with the stock folded.
 
Unless you need the folding stock I would stick with the fixed stock. Also if you get a fixed stock it's easy to put a folder on later. It's not easy to switch from a under folder to a fixed.
 
Wolfgang2000 said:
Unless you need the folding stock I would stick with the fixed stock. Also if you get a fixed stock it's easy to put a folder on later. It's not easy to switch from a under folder to a fixed.
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It is not very easy at all to go from a fixed stock to an underfolder stock.

Some side folders are just fixed stock tang bolt-ons, however.
 
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