ezypikns
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If you were going to buy an AK rifle (7.62 x 39), which one would you buy? And why?
Well, here's a question that's never been asked. Which AK?
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LouisCipher777
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in my opinion, the CIA WASR 10/63s are highly underrated... Of course I already have one so now I want to add a Saiga to my collection.
Hatterasguy
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Arsenal, get the BMW.
chris in va
Member
I bought a Saiga and 'converted' it myself. The gun is new from the factory and definitely doesn't feel cheap. Works perfectly.
jpwilly
Member
There are many good AKM's on the market and a few of the top builders put them together and finish them better. Nothing wrong with a WASR but fit and finish will be rough. I had already gone that route but like higher quality finishes parts and functionality to suite my tastes so I didn't just buy one I called Lancaster Arms and ordered one the way I wanted it.
SimpleIsGood229
Member
I did what Chris did, and converted a Saiga since it is my primary defense rifle. If you want a fun plinker, the WASR is fine. Otherwise, the Arsenal SGL series is excellent if you don't want to bother with converting a Saiga.
HorseSoldier
Member
Get one built by Krebs or one of the other custom shops -- AR prices, but they're the Ferraris of the AK world.
nalioth
Member
. . just don't be sad when the guy with the "rough and unfit WASR" cleans your clock at 3-gun. . .HorseSoldier said:
Price means nothing with Kalashnikovs (other than indicating the presence of Mammon lurking).
They all cost the same from the factory, and the only thing paying $1400 for one gets you is the privilege of being severely gouged.
ETA: There is no separation of quality by price, so the "ferrari" descriptive isn't quite right.
You'd be more apt describing a Krebs or Tromix as a "ricer" with all the doodads attached and the engine blueprinted (but still a ricer underneath).
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jpwilly
Member
^^^ I agree but have heard the milled receivers do shoot a little better. Fact or myth? And like I said earlier you pay for a better fit and finish as well as stock options that aren't the standard wood and pistol grip configuration. Scope mounting options etc.
I've only got $850 into mine. It's built on a US 1.6mm receiver, Excellent Romey "G" parts kit (I hesitate to say new but it could have been?) Tapco G2, Tapco 6 position stock and SAW grip. UTG Metal Quad Rail Handguards, US made AK-74 style brake, and a Kobra sight...Plus the fit and finish are top notch.
I've only got $850 into mine. It's built on a US 1.6mm receiver, Excellent Romey "G" parts kit (I hesitate to say new but it could have been?) Tapco G2, Tapco 6 position stock and SAW grip. UTG Metal Quad Rail Handguards, US made AK-74 style brake, and a Kobra sight...Plus the fit and finish are top notch.
nalioth
Member
Entirely a myth. Perpetrated by Arsenal, Inc and their very effective marketing team (C'mon Comrades, let's sell obsolete technology to the Americans as "top notch equipment"!)jpwilly said:
So what? It's a Kalashnikov, not a Purdey or Holland & Holland. It's designed for one thing - be cheaply equip an illiterate conscript soldier. Anything you want past that is just braggadocio showin' up . . .jpwilly said:
Standard wood and pistol grips? Only in America do we have "non standard" options, and that is because our rights have been infringed.
Both WASRs and Saigas come with commie standard mounting rails. Funny how the "higher priced" offerings don't.jpwilly said:
Tommygunn
Member
WASR 10... Look out for canted front sights, assure that it's straight.
If so, it is not pretty. The wood looks like second hand stuff off a skid that was a tree in 1953. It is actually a laminate though.
For it's lack of beauty it works. You will get acceptable AK style accuracy.
And you won't pay as much as a higher end type for which you will get a shooting gun that looks a little nicer.
If ugly don't bother you it's the WASR 10.
If so, it is not pretty. The wood looks like second hand stuff off a skid that was a tree in 1953. It is actually a laminate though.
For it's lack of beauty it works. You will get acceptable AK style accuracy.
And you won't pay as much as a higher end type for which you will get a shooting gun that looks a little nicer.
If ugly don't bother you it's the WASR 10.
CoRoMo
Member
Never been asked?
Which AK?
Ak47 / ak74 which ak to buy?
Which AK 47 to buy or avoid?
Which AK-47 for first time AK owner?
which AK to get??
Which AK 47
Which type of Ak/Ak variant should i buy?
That was only from the first page, of eleven pages, of search results. Probably some good info in those threads.
Which AK?
Ak47 / ak74 which ak to buy?
Which AK 47 to buy or avoid?
Which AK-47 for first time AK owner?
which AK to get??
Which AK 47
Which type of Ak/Ak variant should i buy?
That was only from the first page, of eleven pages, of search results. Probably some good info in those threads.
Interesting.
So basically your reccomendation is not to try to "polish the turd" with an AK. Get a cheap, rough, WASR.
Love it for what it is, and turn to the AR if you want accuracy, fit, finish and "tacticoolness" that is "supposedly" there in the high end AKs.
Interesting, and wise sounding.
So basically your reccomendation is not to try to "polish the turd" with an AK. Get a cheap, rough, WASR.
Love it for what it is, and turn to the AR if you want accuracy, fit, finish and "tacticoolness" that is "supposedly" there in the high end AKs.
Interesting, and wise sounding.
nalioth
Member
If the WASR you get doesn't have any showstopping 'WASR Woes", it'll run just fine and last for generations.dom1104 said:
Birddog1911
Member
For just slightly over the price of a WASR, you could have a GP 1975. Dan Coonan receiver, Tapco G2 trigger group, Tapco furniture, and American barrel. Parkerized, not a crappy phosphate finish. I feel it is definately a step above a WASR, and common sense miles from an Arsenal.
Locally, I have seen the Saiga unconverted AK's for $300 to $350. I have been thinking of getting one to convert.
I already have what I consider a first class AK in my Vepr K. A high end AK is very nice especially if you can get upgraded sights and such, but I would be careful just how much money you spend.
I think you can get a reasonably good AK for just a little more than the WASR rifles. IMO, that is the best way to go.
I already have what I consider a first class AK in my Vepr K. A high end AK is very nice especially if you can get upgraded sights and such, but I would be careful just how much money you spend.
I think you can get a reasonably good AK for just a little more than the WASR rifles. IMO, that is the best way to go.
essayons21
Member
+1
While there is nothing wrong with WASR's there are other options out there like the GP 1975, I also remember one distributor running an awesome deal on Bulgarian or Yugo AKs recently. Anyone remember who this is?
The WASR runs fine, main flaw is finish. I have refinished the wood on mine, and will eventually duracoat it. Stay away from $1K AKs, but paying $50 more for a nice parkerized finish makes sense.
While there is nothing wrong with WASR's there are other options out there like the GP 1975, I also remember one distributor running an awesome deal on Bulgarian or Yugo AKs recently. Anyone remember who this is?
The WASR runs fine, main flaw is finish. I have refinished the wood on mine, and will eventually duracoat it. Stay away from $1K AKs, but paying $50 more for a nice parkerized finish makes sense.
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