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I ended up ordering a stamped model with synthetic Bulgarian furniture and custom desert tan finish and black accents from Lancaster Arms. I placed my order on Nov. 3 I believe, they are naturally waiting on one piece of the furniture. Its now Dec. 8 and I am still waiting. I talked to one of the builders on Friday and he told me to call and check in on Wednesday to see if the parts came in. I am patient, but I thought I ordered it before the freak out. Guess not though. Thanks for all the info and advice. Initial inspection and range report to come when I get the goods.

You have a good point and the CZ VZ rifles are more than what I want to spend after doing more research. The gun show was a let down big time, but I wasted time and didn't get there until late on Sunday so it was my fault. I think I am gong to just bite the bullet and buy a Lancaster unit. They are offering a Desert Tan finish on the receiver at no charge so I think I'm going to get that with the black synthetic furniture. Now I need to contact Lancaster and see what the proses is. Thank you for all the advice and I will post pics or be back on the thread for more advice. Thanx again

I have done a bit of research this week and I am now interested in the CZ VZ58 if any one has any input on those. Very similar, but looks to be better value for the money...

Thanks a lot for giving me some GOOD advice. The gun show is this weekend at Reliant Center so I might have a new rifle this weekend depending on what I see and can negotiate. If not I'll continue to shop and maybe get one from Lancaster.

I would assume the milled receivers are going to be higher quality or better fit and finish. Even the regular Lancaster models are more than I have seen the cheaper Ak's for. I just don't want to order one from them and pay more for it and get and lesser version. They offer the stamped AND milled versions with a price difference of a few hundred dollars. Is any stamped version considered a WASR? If so I can get one quite a bit cheaper than they offer.

So in this case it would be a bad idea to order one off the internet. I need to handle and check it before money goes on the table. Are the lancaster stamped units any good? The milled ones are a little more than what I intended on spending but if thats what it takes to get a GOOD one I guess I will. Are the stamped ones on the Lancaster site WASR's?

I think I am going to keep my CX4 and like you said get an Ak. I have seen the WASR's from 299-599 depending on who is selling them. I really think I would be happy with a WASR cause its going to be a better shot than I am anyway. Everyone says it will leave me wanting a "real" Ak. Does the fit and finish leave more to be desired? Or is it the way it shoots? I know I need to just go and handle one and see what I like, but with them all looking very similar I don't want to get ripped off.

I have a very gently used Beretta CX4 in 9mm I think I am going to try and trade for an Ak at the gun show at Reliant coming up. Would I be able to trade and get a good example plus and extra mag or two, or end up trading and still paying cash? If I would have to come up with cash I would just buy one outright and keep my CX4. Also are the Ak's particular about the type or quality of ammo you feed it?

What are the dimples you speak of and why do I want them? Is the WASR the brand or the style of manufacturing? Sorry to be such a noob, but I feel that I get honest replies on this board and not a "cause thats what I've been doing for 20 years" kind of answers.

I really just want a decent looking plinker. I'm not too concerned with pin point accuracy cause the rifle is a better shot that I am anyway. Do you have wear or malfunction issues with the less expensive rifles or are they all unstoppable? At a gun show what would I expect to pay for a mid-priced AK? I don't want to spend $1000 but I'm not against $500-600.

I am interested in purchasing a new or used AK. What are the pros and cons of purchasing a pre-ban style weapon or a new inexpensive reproduction? I see some for $400-600 or then some much more expensive. If I just want to plink or target shoot with it would one of the cheaper rifles do just fine or are they junk and not worth the metal they are made from? Any advice, opinion, or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.