AK-47 Info

[MadMonkey]

The Romanian WASR-10 I picked up from AIM Surplus for $379 doesn't have canted sights, no mag wobble, nothing. Looks terrific. Actually I've owned two of them and neither had problems...

[cajunautoxer]

I love AKs esp from this guy. I grew up down the street from his old shop
http://www.redstick-firearms.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[driver8]

I have a Norinco Chinese , it was highly recommended believe it or not. I don't know anyone else that has one but this one has been perfect, no malfunction of any kind in about 10 or 11 years. I can shoot 3" groups or better with it with open sights. That's about twice as good as my Mini-14 ever did. I don't think either one of my AR's will do any better without a scope. Other than my Sig handguns, it's the only semi automatic I have that has never had any kind of jam.

[Travis]

I love my ak's like other guys on here love there ar's. Here's my ak advise/ what I did when I got my FIRST one. Get a wasr 10 there cheap and reliable. Buy a bunch of 30 round mags because your ammo goes quick and it's no fun loading 30 rounds every 2 minutes. Get a tapco adjustable stock, trigger and foregrip they are cheap as well, if you don't get the trigger be sure to get the adjustable stock. I practice with mine on a piece of plywood with skeet hanging on nails at a 100 yards open sight. Make sure you use hollow point for self defense and hunting, the fmj pass through too clean to do much damage, but I guess that's why there is 30 rounds. pm me If you have any more questions about them or once you get one if you need help breaking it down I can explain it too you. Ak's are simple like glocks on the inside, simple and effective.

[driver8]

I agree, they are simple and effective. I wish any American gun maker would make an AK. It is a brilliant design but eastern bloc guns just don't have the quality of ours. Even though my Chinese works flawlessly, I know it's made of inferior material. My son-in-law has a Saiga and he ain't impressed.

[mctowalot]

By the way, have you checked ammo prices?
From what I remember 7.62 is about half the price of .223 - or .223 is twice as much as 7.62
Is the mag. half full or half empty?
(May your mag. runneth over)

Could the poster above please advise what sort of problems his son is having with his Saiga...
(I'm curious since I got that wild hair and bought one pre-homework)
Thanks!
PS. While it looks cool and makes a great compact package, avoid the "bullpup" version of the AK unless your ready to wear an ovenmit while shooting.
I had a century arms version and while it performed flawlessly, (500 rds. no fails) out of the box, it got real hot, real quick - but it sure was scarey looking :)
I suppose it depends on your requirements. A folding stock "regular AK is the same length.

[UpTheIrons]

Bargains can be had on AKs out there, just watch where you look. Saw a Romanian WASR-10 today at Cabela's in Buda on the used rack. In great condition and the sights looked straight, but it didn't have the slanted muzzle brake and they wanted $500 for it. The same rifle with the slanted brake is available at J&G Sales for $400.

[RECIT]

I have had great luck with my AK. My next AK purchase is an AK74. I think aimsurplus or J&G sales are some of the best places to get AK's at a decent price. Aim has some Yugo underfolders for $479 right now. I would take that over a Romanian any day. The fir and finish is just not as nice on the Romanian models I have handled. Rough edges, cracked wood hand guards, spotty finish or no coating at all on the receiver. That kind of thing. Not to mention the canted sight, mag wobble, and I have heard a few that sounded like they were full of pebbles when you shook them. If you spend just a LITTLE more I don't think you have to worry about those issues in quality.

If I were doing it all over again I would just buy an AK74 and be done. The round is more accurate, does as much if not more damage, is cheaper, and recoils less. The same places I mentioned above sell 74s also. Good luck and keep us posted.

[y5e06]

for those shopping
http://classicarms.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
has lots of AK variants. I bought an Enfield from them last year.
for frequentn plinking the AK74's are real interesting. there was less of an impact to the 5.45x39 suprlus ammo prices during the recent crunch. not to mention around $.15/round in today's market when buying a tin full.

[mymojo]

I'm on my third AK and have yet to have a "high end" one. My Wasr was ugly, but it was a great & fun rifle. The Yugos are the next step up in the pricing tier and they are great guns IMO. If you are gonna go with a lower priced AK I would suggest buying it face to face so you can inspect for the things already mentioned (canted parts and such).

[RECIT]

for those shopping
http://classicarms.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
has lots of AK variants. I bought an Enfield from them last year.
for frequentn plinking the AK74's are real interesting. there was less of an impact to the 5.45x39 suprlus ammo prices during the recent crunch. not to mention around $.15/round in today's market when buying a tin full.

I personally would shy away from the corrosive ammo even though it is cheap, it cruds up your rifle and leaves deposits in your rifle that regular cleaning will not wash away. There is a special process to clean the deposits, its just a little more work, but as long as you clean it properly there isn't anything to worry about.

I just don't like to have to worry about making sure its SUPER clean so it doesn't rot my rifle. I would rather buy some Silver Bear ammo that is not corrosive and still darn cheap.

[driver8]

Could the poster above please advise what sort of problems his son is having with his Saiga...
(I'm curious since I got that wild hair and bought one pre-homework)
Thanks!
PS. While it looks cool and makes a great compact package, avoid the "bullpup" version of the AK unless your ready to wear an ovenmit while shooting.
I had a century arms version and while it performed flawlessly, (500 rds. no fails) out of the box, it got real hot, real quick - but it sure was scarey looking :)
I suppose it depends on your requirements. A folding stock "regular AK is the same length.mctowalot
Senior Member

Posts: 291
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:13 am
Location: Houston
E-mail mctowalot I don't remember for sure, we don't talk much, but now that I think about it I think it was mainly the appearance, not the usual AK configuration. I think it worked ok.

[rm9792]

I agree, they are simple and effective. I wish any American gun maker would make an AK. It is a brilliant design but eastern bloc guns just don't have the quality of ours. Even though my Chinese works flawlessly, I know it's made of inferior material. My son-in-law has a Saiga and he ain't impressed.

There is a maker in Texas. He is at all the Houston shows and I believe they run in the $750 range. http://www.centuryarms.com/?attachment_id=272" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is in Florida.

[driver8]

I was told the Century's were assembled in USA from foriegn parts.

[E150GT]

I have a Norinco Chinese , it was highly recommended believe it or not. I don't know anyone else that has one but this one has been perfect, no malfunction of any kind in about 10 or 11 years. I can shoot 3" groups or better with it with open sights. That's about twice as good as my Mini-14 ever did. I don't think either one of my AR's will do any better without a scope. Other than my Sig handguns, it's the only semi automatic I have that has never had any kind of jam.

My brother has a Norinco. We never accuracy tested it at at a range, but we did have plenty of ranch time with it where we "chopped down" mesquite trees with it. This particular gun has a folding stock( folds to the side),a couple of 30 round mags, and a 75 round drum magazine. This gun will ingest any import ammo fed through it. I dont know how many rounds are through it but it is starting to fire two shots with one trigger pull for some reason. That needs to be checked out.