First AK, which do you choose?

Unka-Boo · Jun 2, 2020

If we are talkin a $2k budget....Galil Ace
I will also parrot SLR107
I will go against all the poopoo on PSA AKs, they seem to have gotton all the bugs worked out and have a decent product....see Rob Ski vids

spider · Jun 2, 2020

With that kinda cash, add a little more, have some fun and build one at Rifle Dynamics in Las Vegas. After you build it, you get to shoot it then transfer it back home to own it.

Other than that, a Arsenal will suit your needs, or get one of the Century Arms and buy a lot of mags and ammo.

I myself have a Norinco MAK 90 and a Romarms/CAI SAR-1 AKM. They both rock, but I know they both are going for $800-1000 currently, which is a far cry from when they were only $275-450 like 12 years ago.

Porter · Jun 2, 2020

SCARed said:
I bought an Arsenal 107r a couple months ago as my first AK. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have just bought a PSA. Not that I'm necessarily unhappy with the Arsenal, it is a good gun. But at this point, the PSAs are just as good for a few hundred less.
I'm starting to hear of people having QC issues with the latest batches of Arsenals. Mines been fine for the record.

No , an Arsenal AK and a PSA should not be put in the same sentence as far as equals. One has many years of proven military history while the other does not. Arsenal Bulgaria has proven itself for many years PSA cannot say that, they are doing ok so far but many of us experienced AK guys know that a combloc built AK will last many generations, be worth more as time goes on, and have zero questions on reliability.

bolus · Jun 2, 2020

In today's environment if I was getting one I'd make an 80% AK.

80% receiver with rails welded in from Childers, add the pre-drilled trunion holes

Childers Guns LLC

Childers Guns is a licensed 07 / SOT manufacturer of firearms specializing in custom AK 47 Receivers, AKM Receivers, AK 74 receivers, Yugo Receivers, Tantal receivers, and other firearm parts and accessories.Build your own AK using parts and services provided by Childers Guns.We offer: AK 47 for...

www.childersguns.com

New romanian parts kit straight from the factory that makes romanian military AK's with pre-populated barrel

AK47 Romanian PM-63 7.62x39 AK-47 Parts Kit with populated original Romanian 16 Barrel

Discover the AK47 Romanian PM-63 Parts Kit with original 16" barrel at Centerfire Systems. Perfect for enthusiasts seeking authentic components!

www.centerfiresystems.com

(This kit includes a little baggy with a yellow label that includes the legal select fire parts. Not illegal until someone drills that extra pin hole in the receiver)

Tothtools for the trigger guard install tool and the rivet jaws for a bolt cutter

Home

www.tothtool.com

AK-builder for the jig to dril pin holes

AK-Builder Receiver Blank Drilling Fixture | AK-Builder.com

High-quality AK-Builder ak-builder receiver blank drilling fixture made in the USA. Precision fit and finish for professional builds.

ak-builder.com

Yeah, its about $1000 in parts and tools but you get to build an AK that does not go through registration and if SHTF you drill an extra (illegal, dont do it if you like your dog) pin hole and you can properly fight in the zombie civil war

jupiterjones82 · Jun 2, 2020

titsonritz said:
Arsenal SLR-107 series would be my first choice because 7.62x39 is the quintessential AK cartridge and the Bulgarian Arsenal AKs are pretty much the top of currently produced/imported AKs especially since we no longer have access to Russian Saiga SGL series and it falls well within your price range. They are lot more refined in comparison to the WASRs. Also, I would not buy an AK made in the US unless it was built buy one of the smaller higher quality shops like Krebs and Jim Fuller.

I had a Yugo m70 and it was fun to shoot but precision was not kept in mind when they built mine. Hardly any of my magazines worked for it and the lock up was very loose. So I sold it and picked up a Bulgarian 107. All magazines lock up tight, tooling and the work that was done on it is perfect. It's definitely my favorite rifle to shoot.

AshWilliams · Jun 2, 2020

Porter said:
...but many of us experienced AK guys know that a combloc built AK will last many generations, be worth more as time goes on, and have zero questions on reliability.

Amen.

titsonritz · Jun 2, 2020

Porter said:
No , an Arsenal AK and a PSA should not be put in the same sentence as far as equals. One has many years of proven military history while the other does not. Arsenal Bulgaria has proven itself for many years PSA cannot say that, they are doing ok so far but many of us experienced AK guys know that a combloc built AK will last many generations, be worth more as time goes on, and have zero questions on reliability.

Just like a PSA AR is just as good as a Colt or BCM.

Savage Jav · Jun 2, 2020

The bubblegumtiest wasr 10 you can find... this is the way for all new ak operators

Juniper9mm · Jun 2, 2020

Arsenals are great but their very difficult to come by right now at a reasonable price. The painted finish on these tends to be iffy at times but shouldn't take away from being one of the most solid platforms available. In my opinion, as others have suggested, the new Serbian Zastavas with the chrome lined Bbls and bulged trunnion is probably the best deal out there for an entry level rifle and can be had for 8.5 to 9 bills.

Savage Jav · Jun 2, 2020

spider said:
With that kinda cash, add a little more, have some fun and build one at Rifle Dynamics in Las Vegas. After you build it, you get to shoot it then transfer it back home to own it.

Other than that, a Arsenal will suit your needs, or get one of the Century Arms and buy a lot of mags and ammo.

I myself have a Norinco MAK 90 and a Romarms/CAI SAR-1 AKM. They both rock, but I know they both are going for $800-1000 currently, which is a far cry from when they were only $275-450 like 12 years ago.

Can we get some pics of the SAR-1, one of only a few true AKM's imported

Savage Jav · Jun 2, 2020

WBP Fox is also a great buy for the money, id put it on par with arsenal

The Heretic · Jun 2, 2020

Unka-Boo · Jun 2, 2020

SAR-1 was my first AK. All of $260 in '02.
True "mil spec" ( for lack of a better term) double stack receiver. Other than no bayo lug and not threaded, closest to a true military Romanian you could get. Finish was nothing special ( black paint over parkerizing), but it ran and ran and ran.....been looking for another off and on.
Right now I have a Romanian kit build ( born same year as me ) to fill the hole.

I was compiling a mental list of all the AK variants I've had...stopped at 16

frosty · Jun 2, 2020

Arsenal SAM7 all day
Vepr second choice

Porter · Jun 2, 2020

titsonritz said:
Just like a PSA AR is just as good as a Colt or BCM.

Yup, some firearms are good for people that rarely shoot and will last a lifetime. For those that shoot a lot, quality is preferred.

Juniper9mm · Jun 2, 2020

I rank the AK's in the following order based on perceived value and future collectability:

Valmet
IMI Galil pre-ban
Zastava (Yugoslavia) pre-ban
Polytech
Zastava (Yugoslavia) post-ban
Arsenal
Norinco
Zastava (Serbia)
FEG (Hungary)
Cugir (Romania)
Maddi (Egypt)

These are complete country of origin rifles. This is just my opinion. These are just the ones that I have experience with. I've never had a Russian variant, but they seem to be the rage right now.

titsonritz · Jun 2, 2020

Juniper9mm said:
I rank the AK's in the following order based on perceived value and future collectability:

Valmet
IMI Galil pre-ban
Zastava (Yugoslavia) pre-ban
Polytech
Zastava (Yugoslavia) post-ban
Arsenal
Norinco
Zastava (Serbia)
FEG (Hungary)
Cugir (Romania)
Maddi (Egypt)

These are complete country of origin rifles. This is just my opinion. These are just the ones that I have experience with. I've never had a Russian variant, but they seem to be the rage right now.