What should I pay for an Ak47

Pops1085 · February 16, 2013, 01:52 PM

Am looking to pick one up and correct me if I am wrong here but they are all about the same because of how simple they are. So what would a budget Ak go for in this current state of things? Should I just wait it out a little bit?

Venom1956 · February 16, 2013, 02:00 PM

wait a bit.

No just because they are simple doesn't mean they are all equal.

I'll leave it to someone else to describe them.

If you want a really russian AK the look into the saiga sporting rifles. They are built in the same plant as the russians real AKs. Its about as close as you can get to one.

I went with ARSENAL SGL-31 which is a copy of the AK-74 built of a russian Saiga rifle. Honestly I couldn't be happier. I plan to get a sporter and convert it myself once I have some extra cash.

Wally21 · February 16, 2013, 11:52 PM

My AK-47 conversion was purchased about three years ago and cost around $700. I believe it was a sporting rifle to begin with that was made by Izmash then converted here in the US to look like an AK-47. I see purchasing firearms as an investment. If you have the extra money then go for it.

BIG P · February 17, 2013, 03:10 PM

Like everything else little as you can,Saiga is a good start I found 762x39 & 308 for 300.00 bucks a piece after looking around awhile.

Que · February 18, 2013, 08:36 AM

I agree with Venom, wait a bit. Right now what you should pay and will pay are two different things altogether.

Carne Frio · February 18, 2013, 03:26 PM

I own and shoot Norinco ,Poly Tech and Arsenal. All three
types have totally reliable. I have heard that the Saiga's
are also fine guns. I have no knowledge of the rest.

And, as pointed out above, now is not the time to buy.

Drhc116 · February 18, 2013, 04:06 PM

Just wait. There will be plenty for somewhat pre panic prices in the next few months. they may never get totally back to what they were but close enough. I would wait.

reynolds357 · February 18, 2013, 09:07 PM

A real AK-47? $8K+

mrbatchelor · February 19, 2013, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

A real AK-47? $8K+

You can get one that cheap?

MrDontPlay · February 19, 2013, 05:36 AM

I paid $500 for my century arms AK and I'm very happy with it. I hear the arsenal and saiga AKs are better but I haven't handled one. Now century arms AKs are going for $1000+ so I would wait. It's the worst time to buy one right now, unless the ban goes through, then you may wish you'd coughed up the $1000

reynolds357 · February 19, 2013, 02:50 PM

I had a friend who sold some Russian Ak-47 a couple years ago for $8k each. He sold them in quantity to a class 3 dealer who probably re-sold them for more than that. Also sold a bunch of UZi-s at the same time.

Wyoredman · February 20, 2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

A real AK-47? $8K+

Why do some insist on being smart alecks?

We all know what the OP was askng and AK-47 is used here to define a type of gun available to civilians.

Before December, a used WASR type was around $500.00. Some of the Saigas could be had for around $900.00. Who knows what the current market will settle at?

tobnpr · February 20, 2013, 04:44 PM

Wait a bit longer if you can.
They're already back down to three figures- even saw an Arsenal for under a grand.

Bought a WASR 10/63 a few years ago, about six bills. Give it a bit, they'll be back down close to that price.

Depending on how many panic buyers realize they made a huge mistake and need to pay the rent, may even get lower- it wouldn't surprise me.

A lot of people bought guns they didn't need- or really want- but just felt they had to "have" because they bought into the hype and thought they wouldn't be able to get them soon. I've got a feeling we'll be seeing them added to the already hopped-up supply.

Fishbed77 · February 20, 2013, 06:28 PM

Wait a while until the madness dies down. Bud's is currently selling WASRs for $1200. Normally, they are $450-500 rifles on a good day.

If you can't wait, keep your eyes open for an unconverted Saiga.

You can't go wrong with a Saiga. It's a brand-new true Russian AK built on the same production line as the the AK-100 series rifles. It includes some nice features like a bolt hold-open and a military spec chrome-lined, hammer-forged barrel. Two years ago, unconverted Saigas were selling for $300. I was fortunate to find one in early January of this year for $470.

If you are willing to do the sporter-to-ak stock and trigger group conversion yourself (it was not difficult even for a non-mechanically-inclined fellow like myself), there are some significant monetary savings to be had. It's a lot of fun, too. All total, I have under $700 into this rifle below ($470 rifle + $150 conversion kit from CCS + a few various tools):

Before:

After:

reynolds357 · February 20, 2013, 10:42 PM

Wyordman, I was not being a smart allek. I just take everything 100% literal.

ScottRiqui · February 20, 2013, 10:51 PM

Are there kits to do the Saiga-to-AK conversion that use traditional wood furniture? I'm a sucker for the fixed-stock / blond furniture look on an AK.

Justice06RR · February 21, 2013, 04:30 AM

Yep, wait at least 2-3months for the prices to go down. I'm already seeing prices of AR15's go down in my area, and they are actually able to keep them in stock also.

If this is your first AK, $500-600 price range is what you typically should spend on a basic AKM like a Century or WASR10. Right now they are all still hovering around $1k or so.

Be patient, but keep your eyes open for any deals too.

breakingcontact · February 22, 2013, 12:07 AM

I liked Arsenal AKs at $600ish, not at $1000+

RangerHAAF · February 22, 2013, 05:58 PM

Before December 14th(about $450) after/$1250 retail if u can find one.

February 16, 2013, 01:52 PM	#1
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 146	What should I pay for an Ak47 Am looking to pick one up and correct me if I am wrong here but they are all about the same because of how simple they are. So what would a budget Ak go for in this current state of things? Should I just wait it out a little bit?

February 16, 2013, 02:00 PM	#2
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 2,291	wait a bit. No just because they are simple doesn't mean they are all equal. I'll leave it to someone else to describe them. If you want a really russian AK the look into the saiga sporting rifles. They are built in the same plant as the russians real AKs. Its about as close as you can get to one. I went with ARSENAL SGL-31 which is a copy of the AK-74 built of a russian Saiga rifle. Honestly I couldn't be happier. I plan to get a sporter and convert it myself once I have some extra cash. __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. Last edited by Venom1956; February 16, 2013 at 11:04 PM.

February 19, 2013, 05:36 AM	#10
MrDontPlay Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2010 Posts: 587	I paid $500 for my century arms AK and I'm very happy with it. I hear the arsenal and saiga AKs are better but I haven't handled one. Now century arms AKs are going for $1000+ so I would wait. It's the worst time to buy one right now, unless the ban goes through, then you may wish you'd coughed up the $1000 __________________ Someday I'll be good enough to know if a gun is accurate or not.

February 20, 2013, 04:44 PM	#13
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 2,214	Wait a bit longer if you can. They're already back down to three figures- even saw an Arsenal for under a grand. Bought a WASR 10/63 a few years ago, about six bills. Give it a bit, they'll be back down close to that price. Depending on how many panic buyers realize they made a huge mistake and need to pay the rent, may even get lower- it wouldn't surprise me. A lot of people bought guns they didn't need- or really want- but just felt they had to "have" because they bought into the hype and thought they wouldn't be able to get them soon. I've got a feeling we'll be seeing them added to the already hopped-up supply. __________________ www.biggorillagunworks.com

February 22, 2013, 05:58 PM	#19
RangerHAAF Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 225	Before December 14th(about $450) after/$1250 retail if u can find one. __________________ Where excellence is possible, good is not enough. NRA Benefactor Life member

February 16, 2013, 11:52 PM	#3
Wally21 Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2013 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 10	My AK-47 conversion was purchased about three years ago and cost around $700. I believe it was a sporting rifle to begin with that was made by Izmash then converted here in the US to look like an AK-47. I see purchasing firearms as an investment. If you have the extra money then go for it.

February 17, 2013, 03:10 PM	#4
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,464	Like everything else little as you can,Saiga is a good start I found 762x39 & 308 for 300.00 bucks a piece after looking around awhile.

February 18, 2013, 08:36 AM	#5
Que Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 834	I agree with Venom, wait a bit. Right now what you should pay and will pay are two different things altogether.

February 18, 2013, 03:26 PM	#6
Carne Frio Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Location: Near Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 671	I own and shoot Norinco ,Poly Tech and Arsenal. All three types have totally reliable. I have heard that the Saiga's are also fine guns. I have no knowledge of the rest. And, as pointed out above, now is not the time to buy.

February 18, 2013, 04:06 PM	#7
Drhc116 Member Join Date: April 26, 2012 Posts: 44	Just wait. There will be plenty for somewhat pre panic prices in the next few months. they may never get totally back to what they were but close enough. I would wait.

February 18, 2013, 09:07 PM	#8
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	A real AK-47? $8K+

February 19, 2013, 02:50 PM	#11
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	I had a friend who sold some Russian Ak-47 a couple years ago for $8k each. He sold them in quantity to a class 3 dealer who probably re-sold them for more than that. Also sold a bunch of UZi-s at the same time.

February 20, 2013, 06:28 PM	#14
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 1,479	Wait a while until the madness dies down. Bud's is currently selling WASRs for $1200. Normally, they are $450-500 rifles on a good day. If you can't wait, keep your eyes open for an unconverted Saiga. You can't go wrong with a Saiga. It's a brand-new true Russian AK built on the same production line as the the AK-100 series rifles. It includes some nice features like a bolt hold-open and a military spec chrome-lined, hammer-forged barrel. Two years ago, unconverted Saigas were selling for $300. I was fortunate to find one in early January of this year for $470. If you are willing to do the sporter-to-ak stock and trigger group conversion yourself (it was not difficult even for a non-mechanically-inclined fellow like myself), there are some significant monetary savings to be had. It's a lot of fun, too. All total, I have under $700 into this rifle below ($470 rifle + $150 conversion kit from CCS + a few various tools): Before: After:

February 20, 2013, 10:42 PM	#15
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 854	Wyordman, I was not being a smart allek. I just take everything 100% literal.

February 20, 2013, 10:51 PM	#16
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,900	Are there kits to do the Saiga-to-AK conversion that use traditional wood furniture? I'm a sucker for the fixed-stock / blond furniture look on an AK.

February 21, 2013, 04:30 AM	#17
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 910	Yep, wait at least 2-3months for the prices to go down. I'm already seeing prices of AR15's go down in my area, and they are actually able to keep them in stock also. If this is your first AK, $500-600 price range is what you typically should spend on a basic AKM like a Century or WASR10. Right now they are all still hovering around $1k or so. Be patient, but keep your eyes open for any deals too.

February 22, 2013, 12:07 AM	#18
breakingcontact Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 650	I liked Arsenal AKs at $600ish, not at $1000+