Where can I get an AK?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

The Deer Hunter

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
2,800
Location
Chairborne HQ, MA :(
Hi, like the title says I'm looking for an AK or even an SKS type rifle. Why? Well I'm not really sure but I haven't ever bought a gun just for the sake of having a cool gun so I want to get one just for that reason.

I'm basically just looking for an AK type rifle that works well. The only store that deals with new stuff around here only had a couple Valmets at like $1200 a piece. Now I'm sure they are quality firearms but I'll be having none of that. I might get a Saiga but then I would like to have the pistol grip so that would be a minor headache right there. What about the WASR rifles? From what I have seen the 7.62 version is around $350 or so? That seems like the price of a Saiga at most places. What other types of AKs are there?

Now besides what rifle I should be looking for, where can I find them? Like I said the local gun shop doesn't have them. Should I find a site on line and have them do a FFL transfer? Its always seemed a little sketchy paying some guy over the internet for guns and trusting them to ship them over my way. Besides that, can my local shop order right from importers?

I'm sorry if I don't know what I'm talking about (I dont) but I need to start some where.

Thanks guys.
 
you might also check centerfire systems or any of the gun auction sites, just find a local dealer that is willing to do the transfer for you first.
 
If you can't find any local, ask if your shop will order or accept the FFL shipping so you can buy one online.

I'm personally waiting for my Saiga to arrive. Considering some manufacturers you have to swap parts on to keep legal under 922, if you ever plan on using 'hi capacity' magazines, I went higher quality, cheaper, and will save the money for parts.
 
your best bets, going off your description of what you're looking for, are either a WASR-10 for around 400-450 bucks, or a Yugoslavian M70AB1 (fixed stock, not underfolder) for around 550-600 bucks.
 
Man...They seemed much cheaper like 7 months ago...:(

But I'm not buying the Valmet...$1200 is way too much for me to be spending on things like that.

Oh and about the gun auction sites...All I see is are a bunch of over priced over fangled pieces of garbage. Its almost like all of the sellers don't know the actual value of most of what they are selling.
 
You appear to be Massachusetts - don't they have some kind of ban and/or an indirect ban through supposed safety feature requirements? That might limit your options, and those Valmets might not look so bad.
 
I'm not spending $1200 on a rifle...I can barely afford an AK as it is...I need to be spending this money on books not overpriced steel.

I think I'm going to head to a gun show or something and maybe buy a rifle off of some guy walking around. If I buy a WASR 10 is it going to break on me?
 
From what I understand, the WASRs are just fine. They aren't going to break on you, but you may not be real happy with the way they look.

I just picked up a Saiga and I think it is easily worth it. Mine was $320 and you can easily modify it to use AK mags. Then wait a little while, if you need to, to modify the furniture from a sporting configuration to the normal standard. From what everyone says, the converted Saigas are some of the best AKs on the market. FWIW.
 
Yugoslavian M70AB1 (fixed stock, not underfolder) for around 550-600 bucks.
Click to expand...

Man...They seemed much cheaper like 7 months ago...
Click to expand...

Yep – might be a good idea to get one now anyway – prices aren’t going to go down. I got an M70AB1 for a little over $400 – about 7 months ago.
I'm not spending $1200 on a rifle…
Click to expand...

Agreed – if I were, however, in that price range I’d go with a vz 58.
 
Try www.hendersondefense.com. They have some pretty decent looking deals, if they haven't all been snatched up.

Atlantic Firearms, as mentioned, aren't the cheapest, but have a good selection and the service is about as good as you'll find anywhere.

The days of the cheap AK are gone.
 
The WASR-10s made in the last year or so have been just fine and a great value. They aren't the highest quality ones out there but they won't be breaking down on you.
 
If you don’t mind doing a little reading before buying an AK, the two URLs below will take you to posts that discuss what to look for when buying an AK style rifle. Both posts are by the same author and are a part 1/part 2 format.

Part 1: http://www.gunchat.net/chat/viewtopic.php?t=3086

Part 2: http://www.gunchat.net/chat/viewtopic.php?t=6382

Then go to http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml for some excellent tutorials on the AK rifle. The site is primarily for Romanian AK rifles but the principals discussed and illustrated apply to nearly all AK makes.

After you think about what you’ve read, don’t be surprised if you know more about the AK than the person selling it, especially if you buy at a gun show.

Apply what you have learned from the above posts to a WASR and you'll end up with a good rifle. If you go to a gun show, try to find a Romanian SAR-1. It's an underestimated "Best Buy" in Romanian AKs.

BTW, 7.62X39 ammo now costs about $210.00 per case of 1,000 rounds (Wolf ammo). Mags range in price anywhere from $12.00 to $20.00 depending on the capacity that you get. When getting mags, don't buy U.S. made AK mags. Get either Chinese or Eastern Bloc mags.
 
I just picked up a Saiga and I think it is easily worth it. Mine was $320 and you can easily modify it to use AK mags. Then wait a little while, if you need to, to modify the furniture from a sporting configuration to the normal standard.
Click to expand...

You might want to read up on 922(r). I don't think it's legal to modify a Saiga to take standard AK mags unless you remove and replace the necessary number of parts with US-made "compliance parts."

Of course I'm assuming that you were simply stating a possibility.
 
There is some excellent advice in this thread for you. Ordering a gun from an online dealer is not a big deal in my state (I don't know anything about yours.)

You may wish to look for a used gun, like a mak90 or sar-1. There can be some good deals on them.

Whatever model you are interested in, I suggest you check it out on the forum before buying. Avoid anything by hesse, vulcan or blackthorne (sp).

Yes, you should buy one. They are not getting any cheaper.
 
Since you're in MA...

Go on gunbroker and find a MAK-90 that has a square-cut receiver. Then convert it to evil form for $100. It'll be MA compliant.
 
Is there any place that sells the Saiga's already converted...and what's a fair price for such a configuration?
 
Around here they have some nice fixed stock Bulgarians for about $600. They also have Yugo M70AB1's for around $550. Both are excellent guns for an affordable price.

WASR's are ok if you can find a good specimen. They tend to have poor consistency and quality control though. If you find a good one, they will get the job done.
 
Is 549 a good price for that? About what would it cost if I bought one and converted it myself?
 
If you're really not comfortable doing the (very simple--really, it's a couple files) smithing, and are happy with the grip and stock, it's a good price.

As for converting one, I got my stock 7.62x39 for $335 shipped, plus FFL, add the parts, and you could have one with cheap parts for as cheap as $400 if you're lucky. Let's say $450-$500 as a rough price range, more if you go with nice wood furniture and such.

And remember to buy only America-made parts, so it's all legal when you convert to milsurp magazines.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Where Can I buy a Saiga
Replies
8
Views
419
RIATAC45
R
L
  • Locked
School me on AK/SAIGA/WASR lingo
Replies
8
Views
4K
jbauch357
J
HOLY DIVER
  • Locked
AK help
Replies
23
Views
1K
BP Hunter
BP Hunter
K
  • Locked
Arsenal, Saiga, AK, US, Bulgarian, Russian questions
Replies
11
Views
1K
Katitmail
K
Z
  • Locked
looking for a new AK
Replies
12
Views
617
NoLifer211
N
Back
Top