AK47 + Mossberg ATR vs Saiga .308 or DPMS .308

[Skydivesnake]

My 2c :-)

For 7.62x39 seriously look into the vz58; milled receiver, lighter than an AK, bolt hold open, sensible safety, very accurate. I have a czechpoint and TGI; well worth the money. I don't (yet) have a Century version that some are selling for around the $350 mark. Thinking about getting one just to compare.

For 308, I prefer my DPMS LR308 over my previous Armalite AR10; much easier to procure spare parts and Magpul do a pmag that fits that model (and others, but not the AR10).

Oh, did I mention the vz58 as an alternative to the AK ? :-)

[big 54r]

I like the vz58 but have concerns about mag affordability and (if it ever breaks>>>) repair support longterm.
I actually think the vz58 is a better wep system than the AK but I have AK's since at the time I got them vz58's where scarce and pricey.
I think the price point know is reasonable and if I where to get a vz58 I would also get a full compliment of spare parts or a pars kit for down the road repair/replacement parts.

I would also stock up on mags!

[uthornsfan]

vz58 looks to be the exact same price as the Saiga and to me doesn't offer any real advantage.

I can get a 7.62x39mm Saiga for $379 and the .308 for $529

VZ58 looks to be $400

[74novaman]

I like the vz58 but have concerns about mag affordability and (if it ever breaks>>>) repair support longterm.

This is the reason I don't have one yet. No mag compatibility with AKs, what the heck?? Last I checked they're 2x as expensive as AK mags too.

[RECIT]

If not you have to purchase a folding mechanism that just does not fit flush and feels a little wobbly to me. The pics posted above are of rifles that originally came with folding stocks and not the after though I mentioned earlier...

Sorry, but you're wrong. The rifle pictured above is a Saiga which originally comes set up for a fixed buttstock. I agree, the external block like the one you have pictured is ugly and out of place.

However, as I mentioned, there are several vendors who sell internal receiver blocks which can be made to fit flush and lock up solidly on a Saiga. That is what I have on mine. It took a little fitting and work to get the block flush, but my stock feels as solid as a fixed when its locked up now.

I understand the difference in the two designs, I was just trying to offer some options for the side folder. The internal folding mechanism will need modification to the weapon to accept the folding block and can not be reversed once you file the tang off and fit the block. I was just suggesting the OP find on that comes with the internal folder already on it instead of trying to cut/snip/file himself.

[Skydivesnake]

I like the vz58 but have concerns about mag affordability and (if it ever breaks>>>) repair support longterm.

This is the reason I don't have one yet. No mag compatibility with AKs, what the heck?? Last I checked they're 2x as expensive as AK mags too.

Mags are $13 a pop. General spares are all easily and cheaply available.

I guess if you have a stockpile of AK mags, it wouldn't make sense to move to an incompatible system - having said that, I sold my Yugo AK and waffle mags within a couple of weeks of buying and shooting my first vz. And then I sold my 7.62x39 AR to buy another vz. Yeap, I was that impressed.

I guess I'm outnumbered here, but seriously, they are little gems :-) I will post some pictures of one of mine sometime as the build quality is excellent.

[big 54r]

Mags for $13 each...
that's a very good price as last I checked they where I think $25-$30 each.