AK 47

DAKA · November 15, 2022, 06:40 PM

I need some input on the AK 47's
Looking to give this rifle a try.
From what I read there are good ones and not so good ones
Which should I check?
Tnx Daniel

Sharkbite · November 15, 2022, 09:31 PM

Rifle dynamics….end of story.

DubC-Hicks · November 15, 2022, 11:49 PM

Really depends on your budget. Keeping it inexpensive? Century
Arms WASR and RH10 are solid for the price. Avoid ANYTHING American made by Century like the BFT-47, VSKA, RAS47, C39 On the other hand, PSA AKs have been pretty decent as of late.

The next step up would be the Zastava line PAP series, which are great. Then Arsenal, then the higher up stuff like Rifle Dynamics, etc.

Avoid Pioneer arms and IO like the plague.

Another option to consider is the IWI Galil Ace, an updated and improved AK platform.

jetinteriorguy · November 16, 2022, 05:46 AM

If you can find one don’t count out a Norinco, either an AK or MAC 90. You can easily and cheaply change out the funky thumbhole stock on the MAC. These don’t come cheap though.

50 shooter · November 16, 2022, 07:04 AM

Gone are the days of cheap quality AK's, MAC 90's used to cost $150. They ran all day, everyday and asked for more!

Stamped or milled doesn't matter as long as the company is known for quality. Do your homework before deciding on the one you want.

My AK is an Arsenal SLR-95, runs like a Swiss watch.

SR420 · November 17, 2022, 03:36 PM

https://youtu.be/jfY1qCUNpuA

My Norinco was awesome.

kymasabe · November 17, 2022, 06:39 PM

Interestingly, I had an I.O. that ran great, never a problem with it. I had more problems with an old WASR.
PSA might be a good entry level choice. Arsenal is top notch. I had an ArmoryUSA (built in Houston I think) that was flawless, but they're hard to find.

44caliberkid · November 17, 2022, 07:46 PM

I have a Zastava PAP and I like it. I usually like precise, slow shooting, but I use the AK-47 as a blaster. 30 or 40 round mags, shooting as fast as I can reaquire the sight picture and pull the trigger. So it doesn’t get babied and always works, so far.

Shadow9mm · November 17, 2022, 10:26 PM

Arsenal makes a fine gun. But they cost a lot more than they used to. I just can't bring myself to drop $1000 on an ak when i could get a decent ar15, or a budget ar10 in that price range. I miss the days of $350 aks

jetinteriorguy · November 18, 2022, 08:25 AM

Heck, I miss the days of $118.00 AK’s. That’s what I paid for mine. I remember Coast to Coast Hardware selling SKS’s for $69.95 or three for $199.95. I passed because they looked like junk, who knew.

Shadow9mm · November 18, 2022, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

Heck, I miss the days of $118.00 AK’s. That’s what I paid for mine. I remember Coast to Coast Hardware selling SKS’s for $69.95 or three for $199.95. I passed because they looked like junk, who knew.

friend of mine told me he remembered them selling SKS out of the back of a truck at a gun show for $65. I'm still upset I sold my $99 mosin 8 years ago, things are $400 now... smh.

HistoryJunky · November 21, 2022, 05:17 AM

Your best reasonably priced option today is probably WASR(Romainia) or ZPAP(Serbia).

Just keep in mind Serbian AKs have a proprietary stock and handguard.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Fishbed77 · November 21, 2022, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Your best reasonably priced option today is probably WASR(Romainia) or ZPAP(Serbia).

If you are just looking to get in AKs and don’t want to spend a huge sum, your list pretty much begins and ends with those two options.

If you are willing to roll the dice on a US-made AK, PSA seems to be decent of late.

AKs aren’t the value propositions they once were.

NYPD13 · November 22, 2022, 11:55 PM

I purchased a PSAK47 last year and have zero complaints. Even ran through a defensive carbine course with it a few weeks back with exceptional results. I do recommend.

stagpanther · November 23, 2022, 03:22 AM

Quote:

I purchased a PSAK47 last year and have zero complaints. Even ran through a defensive carbine course with it a few weeks back with exceptional results. I do recommend.

I have a gen 3 PSA AK--it ran great until it didn't--watch that bolt, I don't know if they changed it but the extractor on mine was a cast metal and snapped off at the claw. Taking the bolt apart and putting it together is not easy with crude parts. My next AK is going to be based primarily on the quality of the bolt and carrier.

kenny53 · November 23, 2022, 11:26 PM

I had two Romanian WASR 10 AK47's, both worked great. I traded one straight across for
H&R M1 Garand. I have no idea what AK's sale for these days, but everybody should have at least one.

Ignition Override · November 29, 2022, 12:27 AM

Be very clear:

Guns only --Imported-- by Century are quite different than ...

....guns --made-- by Century's subcontractors.

Most owners probably won't use enough total ammo to find out how durable their components are.

The imported guns have milspec components in most cases which means higher quality steel.

Century's AKMs (for example) have various combinations of components which have lower-grade steel.

This is typically the main reason why a serious number of AKMs made by Century show prematurely-worn bolt lugs, shoulders etc.

Video at 4:56, 6:12, 6:54, 7:07; and reader Steve's rifle went Ka-Boom. See 10:15 and 10:23.

At 15:33 Rob's No-Go gauge fails after about 5,000 total rds. in this RAS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs7eK2SmGYM

November 15, 2022, 06:40 PM	#1
DAKA Member Join Date: May 5, 2011 Location: S FL Posts: 59	AK 47 I need some input on the AK 47's Looking to give this rifle a try. From what I read there are good ones and not so good ones Which should I check? Tnx Daniel

November 15, 2022, 11:49 PM	#3
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	Really depends on your budget. Keeping it inexpensive? Century Arms WASR and RH10 are solid for the price. Avoid ANYTHING American made by Century like the BFT-47, VSKA, RAS47, C39 On the other hand, PSA AKs have been pretty decent as of late. The next step up would be the Zastava line PAP series, which are great. Then Arsenal, then the higher up stuff like Rifle Dynamics, etc. Avoid Pioneer arms and IO like the plague. Another option to consider is the IWI Galil Ace, an updated and improved AK platform. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

November 16, 2022, 07:04 AM	#5
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Gone are the days of cheap quality AK's, MAC 90's used to cost $150. They ran all day, everyday and asked for more! Stamped or milled doesn't matter as long as the company is known for quality. Do your homework before deciding on the one you want. My AK is an Arsenal SLR-95, runs like a Swiss watch. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

November 17, 2022, 03:36 PM	#6
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,336	https://youtu.be/jfY1qCUNpuA My Norinco was awesome. __________________ The History and Development of the M14 EBR

November 17, 2022, 06:39 PM	#7
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Interestingly, I had an I.O. that ran great, never a problem with it. I had more problems with an old WASR. PSA might be a good entry level choice. Arsenal is top notch. I had an ArmoryUSA (built in Houston I think) that was flawless, but they're hard to find. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

November 15, 2022, 09:31 PM	#2
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	Rifle dynamics….end of story.

November 16, 2022, 05:46 AM	#4
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	If you can find one don’t count out a Norinco, either an AK or MAC 90. You can easily and cheaply change out the funky thumbhole stock on the MAC. These don’t come cheap though.

November 17, 2022, 07:46 PM	#8
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,104	I have a Zastava PAP and I like it. I usually like precise, slow shooting, but I use the AK-47 as a blaster. 30 or 40 round mags, shooting as fast as I can reaquire the sight picture and pull the trigger. So it doesn’t get babied and always works, so far.

November 17, 2022, 10:26 PM	#9
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,974	Arsenal makes a fine gun. But they cost a lot more than they used to. I just can't bring myself to drop $1000 on an ak when i could get a decent ar15, or a budget ar10 in that price range. I miss the days of $350 aks __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

November 18, 2022, 08:25 AM	#10
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	Heck, I miss the days of $118.00 AK’s. That’s what I paid for mine. I remember Coast to Coast Hardware selling SKS’s for $69.95 or three for $199.95. I passed because they looked like junk, who knew.

November 21, 2022, 05:17 AM	#12
HistoryJunky Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Location: Freeport, IL Posts: 833	Your best reasonably priced option today is probably WASR(Romainia) or ZPAP(Serbia). Just keep in mind Serbian AKs have a proprietary stock and handguard. Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

November 22, 2022, 11:55 PM	#14
NYPD13 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2008 Posts: 370	I purchased a PSAK47 last year and have zero complaints. Even ran through a defensive carbine course with it a few weeks back with exceptional results. I do recommend. __________________ "THE CONSTITUTION ONLY GIVES PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE HAPPINESS, YOU HAVE TO CATCH IT YOURSELF." ~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

November 23, 2022, 11:26 PM	#16
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	I had two Romanian WASR 10 AK47's, both worked great. I traded one straight across for H&R M1 Garand. I have no idea what AK's sale for these days, but everybody should have at least one.

November 29, 2022, 12:27 AM	#17
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,887	Be very clear: Guns only --Imported-- by Century are quite different than ... ....guns --made-- by Century's subcontractors. Most owners probably won't use enough total ammo to find out how durable their components are. The imported guns have milspec components in most cases which means higher quality steel. Century's AKMs (for example) have various combinations of components which have lower-grade steel. This is typically the main reason why a serious number of AKMs made by Century show prematurely-worn bolt lugs, shoulders etc. Video at 4:56, 6:12, 6:54, 7:07; and reader Steve's rifle went Ka-Boom. See 10:15 and 10:23. At 15:33 Rob's No-Go gauge fails after about 5,000 total rds. in this RAS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs7eK2SmGYM Last edited by Ignition Override; November 29, 2022 at 12:44 AM.