Best AK to Buy

UltraMK · September 9, 2010, 02:40 PM

I am looking to buy an AK-47 and I know there are many brands from many different manufacturers. I was wondering what you guys recommend as a solid, reliable version and which ones to avoid.

FTL · September 9, 2010, 05:20 PM

You're right, there are a ton of AK47 variants out there and you better do your homework prior to laying out any cash or you could end up with a dud.
Polytech Legend
Norinco 56S
SA-M7
MAK-90
Arsenal
Vector
Polish

chris in va · September 9, 2010, 08:28 PM

I bought a Saiga at a gun show for ~$300 back in...2005? Installed another $160 in parts and it has been stellar.

seed · September 9, 2010, 08:39 PM

From what I have read, FTL is giving good advice. Unfortunately, cost and availability is a factor. That said, probably the best deal going right now is the Arsenals. You can find them pretty easily for very reasonable prices. They are high quality and well-backed (should you need it) rifles. I have an SGL-20 with 500 flawless rounds through it so far. It is all the AK I will ever need, unless I just feel the need to collect more. My only complaint is the short stock with which it came, but that is easily replaced.

Bamashooter · September 9, 2010, 10:16 PM

they are all about as accurate as a smoothbore, just get the cheapest one.

stubbicatt · September 9, 2010, 10:44 PM

Bamashooter's posting notwithstanding, I have found the Yugo versions to be generally quite accurate. The wood stock is sort of odd in its shape, and the folder is also sort of odd to shoulder, as one's head doesn't line up naturally behind the sights on either of them, but once you get used to the configurations, you can really have some fun with them.

I hope you find one you can enjoy.

I chrono'ed some HotShot ammo a couple of years ago and the extreme spread of these rounds when shot through a Romanian "G" rifle was less than 10 fps. I would recommend some of that ammo if you can find it.

Skans · September 10, 2010, 09:22 AM

The best AK to buy would be a milled receiver Polytech Legend, underfolder.

IMHO, if it's not an underfolder, it's not an AK.

SR420 · September 10, 2010, 09:42 AM

I did my homework, purchased a few Norinco and Poly Tech MAK-90s and then set out to find a pre-ban 7.62 Norinco type 56 S AKM.

I now own a single Norinco 56 S that I call my T56SHTF.

RT · September 10, 2010, 11:29 AM

http://www.k-var.com/shop/home.php?cat=350

TX Hunter · September 10, 2010, 02:29 PM

I have heard that the Yugoslavian models are outstanding.

Pilot · September 10, 2010, 02:33 PM

Hungarian SA85's are considered among the best of the stamped receiver AK's. The Bulgarians are excellent milled receiver versions. These are the only two I have personal experience with and a highly recommend either if you can find them.

srkavanagh6621 · September 10, 2010, 02:38 PM

haha none, save up a little more cash and get a AR if you wanna be able to actually hit something at 100yrds. I know a lot of ppl love their AK's but im not a huge fan! I have seen and shot 3 different brands and all accuracy is poor! I know its an assualt rifle that can never jam but I would rather take an accurate gun that will never jam!

haha good luck if you get one they are kinda fun but there is no precision what-so-ever!

greyeyezz · September 10, 2010, 04:12 PM

Saiga SGL20 is about as good as it gets currently.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/sgl20.htm

SR420 · September 10, 2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

srkavanagh6621 haha none, save up a little more cash and get a AR if you wanna be able to actually hit something at 100yrds.

That's funny

kristop64089 · September 10, 2010, 07:33 PM

Well, short of the Polish, Russian, and Egyptians, I have had most all of em. The Yugo's were nice, and probably my favorite. They are built rock solid, but heavy. Next one I'd choose, is the AMD-65. It's perfect for what the AK is designed for, CQB weapon. It is really a little gun. if your looking for a good HD rifle, it's it.
If your looking for a good intermediate range, high cap rifle, look at the 6.5/6.8 AR's

lachanceent · September 10, 2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

haha none, save up a little more cash and get a AR if you wanna be able to actually hit something at 100yrds.

Funny I can line up and break glass beer bottles at 100yds with my Saiga.

srkavanagh6621 · September 10, 2010, 08:27 PM

maybe 40's

haha jk I have heard good things about the saiga.

WVfishguy · September 10, 2010, 09:27 PM

I was talked into buying a Century Arms Golani Sporter in .223.

Jams (doublefeeds!) every 6-8 rounds, nearly impossible to get the dust cover back on, handles like a sledge hammer, looks like it was finished by a drunken monkey with a spray can, and gets 4" groups at 100 feet (yes feet, NOT yards).

I'll make you a deal on it if anyone's interested. :barf:

essohbe · September 10, 2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

haha none, save up a little more cash and get a AR if you wanna be able to actually hit something at 100yrds.

Quote:

- Funny I can line up and break glass beer bottles at 100yds with my Saiga.

Even funnier is that my WASR will do the same @ 100yds, lol.
Good enough for me. Why would I buy a $1500 AK if a $400 one does everything I need it to?

Quentin2 · September 11, 2010, 12:49 AM

I've gotta agree with essohbe. I bought a WASR-10/63 four years ago and it does everything that any other semiauto AKM does. Never any trouble from it and it handles cheap surplus mags and ammo. You can spend more if you want but you don't have to.

Bones · September 11, 2010, 03:48 AM

"Back in the day" I had a Valmet that was "sweet"....

RT · September 11, 2010, 08:08 AM

WVfishguy ".... buying a Century Arms Golani Sporter...."

Well, there is your problem.

Gelgoog · September 11, 2010, 05:02 PM

Avoid Lancaster at all costs. The gun you get might be ok, but the company has horrible business practices from taking money on guns they delivery 6 months before they even can make them to refusing to fix a ****ty rifle they sent out. Worse then CAI should say something.

http://lancasterarmssucks.blogspot.com/

Katophract · September 11, 2010, 05:27 PM

Of course the AR people who've only shot an AK once and never touched it again because they couldn't hit anything with will tell you that an AK couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. With my AK I've been able to hit prairie dogs at 200 yards with open sights. That's plenty accurate enough. Maybe said haters are just so used to another platform that they haven't bothered to learn how to shoot an AK? If you're interested in making "clover leaf" patterns in paper, get something else. If you want a good, accurate, durable rifle that will be accurate enough for most uses, get an AK.

marsofold · September 11, 2010, 05:38 PM

My brother's Yugo jams occasionally. My Saiga in 5.56mm has never ever jammed. Buy one made by the guys who invented it, the Russians.

September 9, 2010, 02:40 PM	#1
UltraMK Junior Member Join Date: July 1, 2010 Posts: 10	Best AK to Buy I am looking to buy an AK-47 and I know there are many brands from many different manufacturers. I was wondering what you guys recommend as a solid, reliable version and which ones to avoid.

September 10, 2010, 09:42 AM	#8
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,343	I did my homework, purchased a few Norinco and Poly Tech MAK-90s and then set out to find a pre-ban 7.62 Norinco type 56 S AKM. I now own a single Norinco 56 S that I call my T56SHTF. __________________ https://athenswater.com/

September 9, 2010, 05:20 PM	#2
FTL Member Join Date: May 20, 1999 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 29	You're right, there are a ton of AK47 variants out there and you better do your homework prior to laying out any cash or you could end up with a dud. Polytech Legend Norinco 56S SA-M7 MAK-90 Arsenal Vector Polish

September 9, 2010, 08:28 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I bought a Saiga at a gun show for ~$300 back in...2005? Installed another $160 in parts and it has been stellar.

September 9, 2010, 08:39 PM	#4
seed Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Posts: 411	From what I have read, FTL is giving good advice. Unfortunately, cost and availability is a factor. That said, probably the best deal going right now is the Arsenals. You can find them pretty easily for very reasonable prices. They are high quality and well-backed (should you need it) rifles. I have an SGL-20 with 500 flawless rounds through it so far. It is all the AK I will ever need, unless I just feel the need to collect more. My only complaint is the short stock with which it came, but that is easily replaced.

September 9, 2010, 10:16 PM	#5
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	they are all about as accurate as a smoothbore, just get the cheapest one.

September 9, 2010, 10:44 PM	#6
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	Bamashooter's posting notwithstanding, I have found the Yugo versions to be generally quite accurate. The wood stock is sort of odd in its shape, and the folder is also sort of odd to shoulder, as one's head doesn't line up naturally behind the sights on either of them, but once you get used to the configurations, you can really have some fun with them. I hope you find one you can enjoy. I chrono'ed some HotShot ammo a couple of years ago and the extreme spread of these rounds when shot through a Romanian "G" rifle was less than 10 fps. I would recommend some of that ammo if you can find it.

September 10, 2010, 09:22 AM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,324	The best AK to buy would be a milled receiver Polytech Legend, underfolder. IMHO, if it's not an underfolder, it's not an AK.

September 10, 2010, 11:29 AM	#9
RT Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2000 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,194	http://www.k-var.com/shop/home.php?cat=350

September 10, 2010, 02:29 PM	#10
TX Hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: East Texas USA Posts: 1,805	I have heard that the Yugoslavian models are outstanding.

September 10, 2010, 02:33 PM	#11
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	Hungarian SA85's are considered among the best of the stamped receiver AK's. The Bulgarians are excellent milled receiver versions. These are the only two I have personal experience with and a highly recommend either if you can find them.

September 10, 2010, 02:38 PM	#12
srkavanagh6621 Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 190	haha none, save up a little more cash and get a AR if you wanna be able to actually hit something at 100yrds. I know a lot of ppl love their AK's but im not a huge fan! I have seen and shot 3 different brands and all accuracy is poor! I know its an assualt rifle that can never jam but I would rather take an accurate gun that will never jam! haha good luck if you get one they are kinda fun but there is no precision what-so-ever!

September 10, 2010, 04:12 PM	#13
greyeyezz Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2001 Location: N.E. OH Posts: 385	Saiga SGL20 is about as good as it gets currently. http://www.arsenalinc.com/sgl20.htm

September 10, 2010, 08:27 PM	#17
srkavanagh6621 Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 190	maybe 40's haha jk I have heard good things about the saiga.

September 10, 2010, 09:27 PM	#18
WVfishguy Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 662	I was talked into buying a Century Arms Golani Sporter in .223. Jams (doublefeeds!) every 6-8 rounds, nearly impossible to get the dust cover back on, handles like a sledge hammer, looks like it was finished by a drunken monkey with a spray can, and gets 4" groups at 100 feet (yes feet, NOT yards). I'll make you a deal on it if anyone's interested. :barf:

September 11, 2010, 12:49 AM	#20
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I've gotta agree with essohbe. I bought a WASR-10/63 four years ago and it does everything that any other semiauto AKM does. Never any trouble from it and it handles cheap surplus mags and ammo. You can spend more if you want but you don't have to.

September 11, 2010, 03:48 AM	#21
Bones Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2010 Posts: 122	"Back in the day" I had a Valmet that was "sweet"....

September 11, 2010, 08:08 AM	#22
RT Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2000 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,194	WVfishguy ".... buying a Century Arms Golani Sporter...." Well, there is your problem.

September 11, 2010, 05:02 PM	#23
Gelgoog Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 129	Avoid Lancaster at all costs. The gun you get might be ok, but the company has horrible business practices from taking money on guns they delivery 6 months before they even can make them to refusing to fix a ****ty rifle they sent out. Worse then CAI should say something. http://lancasterarmssucks.blogspot.com/

September 11, 2010, 05:27 PM	#24
Katophract Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Vernal, UT Posts: 209	Of course the AR people who've only shot an AK once and never touched it again because they couldn't hit anything with will tell you that an AK couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. With my AK I've been able to hit prairie dogs at 200 yards with open sights. That's plenty accurate enough. Maybe said haters are just so used to another platform that they haven't bothered to learn how to shoot an AK? If you're interested in making "clover leaf" patterns in paper, get something else. If you want a good, accurate, durable rifle that will be accurate enough for most uses, get an AK.

September 11, 2010, 05:38 PM	#25
marsofold Member Join Date: January 18, 2008 Location: PENNSYLVANIA Posts: 46	My brother's Yugo jams occasionally. My Saiga in 5.56mm has never ever jammed. Buy one made by the guys who invented it, the Russians.