First AK, which do you choose?

[kbf64]

Looking to add an AK to the collection, which would you choose in today's market and why?

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[TheHumungus]

I'm probably in the minority, but I am a huge fan of the Chinese Norinco Type 56 from the late 80's/early 90's. Modern AK's are certainly cool and milled receivers are stronger than stamped, but my retro Norinco still brings a huge smile to my face every time I shoot it..

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

Rifle or pistol? Preferred caliber?

 

[kbf64]

7.62.39 rifile, looking at the IWI -

 

[AshWilliams]

I'd go with a Romanian WASR-10 in 7.62x39 for my first AK. Its rugged and plenty accurate for the job, a real workhorse. It'll take just about any abuse you want to dish out and keep coming back for more.

My first AK was a WASR and ran flawlessly, plus I picked it up at a gun show for $400, but I think those prices are long gone.

 

[raftman]

In today's market, if I were getting into a 7.62x39 AK, the Kalashnikov USA KR-103 is due out soon. I was really impressed with their KR-9 and would be surprised if the 103 ends up being crap given the trouble they went to with the 9... but it may be a couple months before it's out, and another couple more months before there's a good consensus that it's good. If I wanted something already on the market now (panic buying situation notwithstanding), I'd probably go for a Zastava (as imported by Zastava USA). It occupies a middle ground where it's not Century Arms crap but also not so nice/expensive that I'd feel bad about getting heavy use out of it.

 

[Unka-Boo]

Budget would help.

 

[Wombat of Doom]

Vepr was my pick. Though, I will be honest, I like my draco as well, but the vepr is way nicer.

 

[AshWilliams]

Sorry for the thread drift, but I just checked Atlantic Firearms and new WASR 10-RI1805-N is selling for $849.

Gone are the days of inexpensive and plentiful AKMs.

 

[doobee8]

The the new Chrome Lined barrel Zastava in 7.62x39mm.

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

arsenal

 

[Unicykle]

Should have picket it up 10-15 years ago, latley they have gotten overpriced for what they are, dont take this the rong way they are cool but i remember them for $269 at the shows. 7.62 id look for norico or mak90 or m70ab2, latley ive been having a blast with my 9mm akv. Might want to check PSA website also

 

[kbf64]

budget $2000 or less...

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

budget $2000 or less...

arsenal

 

[SonicBlue03]

If you just want one to beat around, you can get by with most (stay away from the CAA imports, though. Unless you like magwells widened with dremels...). You can get a nice Cho-build locally for under 2K. Billy used to work with Jim Fuller, and their AKM builds are top notch.

That or get a RD build. You can find them under 2K.

 

[kbf64]

GunBroker.com - Error

 

[GOG]

Another vote for Arsenal. There's a choice of milled or stamped receiver models and they're well priced or at least they were when I bought mine.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Looking to add an AK to the collection, which would you choose in today's market and why?

I bought one of these zastava m70's w thumbhole stock for $450 new (on sale) locally. It was a good gun. Holy moly was their tooling machinery worn out. Unbelievable how these guns can run so well when the metal in the bolt etc is so rough cut.

 

[Portaledgepete]

I have had a few MAK 90s, a SA-85-M, and a couple of Bulgarian Arsenals, a SAM7-61 and a SLR107R. The Norincos were great for what I paid, around $250 way back in the day. They go for more than they are worth nowadays, imho. The Hungarian SA-85 was excellent and I regret ever selling it. I sold the SAM7 and still have the SLR107. I like my Arsenal, but I'd really like to get another SA-85-M or a Russian SGL21

 

[sobo]

arsenal

Another vote for Arsenal. There's a choice of milled or stamped receiver models and they're well priced or at least they were when I bought mine.

A third vote for Arsenal.

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