AK47 recommendations?

C

chaya

Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
167
Alright, I know this is a complex subject, so I'll try my best not to sound like an idiot.

There are so frickin' many different variations of the AK47 that it's mind-boggling to try to find the best quality builder/parts maker/receiver/anything. Some people say "buy (blank)" while others say (blank) is complete junk.

What I'm looking for is a high-quality, well-made, very durable, reliable, accurate (for an AK47) AK47 chambered in 7.62x39mm with the ability to take quality hi-cap and drum mags.

Possibly with a folding stock (underfolder or side-folder I couldn't say) without wood/fake wood furniture, but that doesn't matter as much. Rails and a pistol grip would be cool but aren't absolutely necessary.

My price range is probably cut off around $900. And no, I don't want an AR15 :p.

After researching, I'm really pretty confused about all the options. I looked at some supposedly quality stuff from Ohio Rapid Fire and Horn's Custom Rifles but I really wouldn't want to spend that kind of money without having some reviews first.

Any of you guys have anything to reccomend? Thanks in advance!
 
If it comes from Ohio Rapid Fire it is top quality, they built my FN/FAL and it is top notch, accurate and extremely reliable.
 
Absintheur said:
If it comes from Ohio Rapid Fire it is top quality, they built my FN/FAL and it is top notch, accurate and extremely reliable.
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Thanks for the reply, man. From reading their website it's unclear to me whether or not they're currently selling AKs or not.
 
My brother and I both use Arsenal Inc. SLR-107CR rifles. Arsenal Inc. rifles are excellent quality and we couldn't be happier. There are a lot of great builders out there that stand behind their work. Some will even redo a junky Century built AK or convert a Saiga back to an AK.
The AK Forum may have some useful information on the Ohio Rapid Fire rifles. http://www.theakforum.net/
 
if ya have the $$ the arsenal rifles are top notch,

i have had good luck with romainian SAR's & egyptian maahdis too.

i was looking on Kvar last nite and it wasnt so long ago all the AK stuff, stocks, mags, geegaws and such were cheap, LOTS cheaper than AR stuff, man thats not the case anymore, glad i got most of what i needed (wanted?) already, some of that stuffs expensive now, when i first got my maahdi i needed mags, Kvar had 4 east german mags in a EG mag holder for $18.95, they run a little more now lol.
 
Regardless of what manufacturer's rifle you buy, you should examine the it carefully if possible. As you found out from your own research, there are a lot of differences in quality when it comes to AK builders.

Here is a checklist you might want to use.

External -

1. Is the front sight block canted? It should be straight and TDC on the barrel. (If it isn't, this can make sighting the rifle in very difficult.)
2. Is the gas block canted? (If it is, this can effect functioning.)
3. Is the stock furniture loose on the rifle? Dinged up stock screws? (Signs of poor workmanship.)
4. Is the gas tube loose? (Can affect function.)
5. What make of receiver was used to build the rifle? (All imported rifles have fully heat treated receivers. If the rifle has a US made receiver, look for Armory USA, Elk River Tool & Die, or DC Industries markings. These manufacturers receivers are fully heat treated and are excellent quality.)
6. Does the receiver cover fit snugly to the rifle? (Looseness is a sign of a poor build.)
7. Does the magazine click smoothly in and out of the rifle? Does it have an excessive amount of back and forth and side to side play? ( A slight amount is normal, but excessive play can give feed problems and is a sign of poor workmanship.
8. Is the finish parkerized or paint? (A paint finish is often used to cover sloppy workmanship.) Is the finish evenly applied?
9. Do all operating controls work smoothly? (Tight is OK on a new rifle.)

Internal - (if possible to field strip)

1. Does the rifle have a single or double hook trigger? (Single hook triggers are often rougher in feel than a double hook.)
2. Does the gas piston have a slight amount of play to it? (It should for reliable functioning. Some makers rigidly pin or weld the gas piston to the bolt carrier. This is a sign of a "sloppy" build.)
3. If built from a kit, do the serial numbers on the bolt and barrel trunnion match?
4. Can the the bolt/bolt carrier be removed and reinstalled easily into the receiver?
5. Is there sand or rust in the receiver? (If there is, this is from a poor job of sandblasting and parkerization.)
6. Does the face of the hammer and/or the bottom of the bolt carrier have a great deal of finish wear? (This can mean that the trigger lockwork was not well fitted to the rifle.)

I work for an AK rifle manufacturer. What I've given you so far is part of the check list we use to maintain quality control on our rifles. Now, I know that is a lot to remember, and you may be unclear on some things, so......

The short list -

1. Was it build by a reputable manufacturer?
2. Any blemishes, cracks or scratches on the rifle?
3. All operating controls work smoothly?
4. Does the action work smoothly? (Remember, new rifle will be tight however.)

One last thing - with an AK, you generally get what you pay for.

TR Graham
The Glocksmith
Elk River Tool & Die
 
chaya said:
Thanks for the reply, man. From reading their website it's unclear to me whether or not they're currently selling AKs or not.
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You would have to give them a call to see what the have ready. Sometimes they have built rifles in stock, other times you tell them what you want and they build it. Their turn over is so fast the rarely list an "in-stock" inventory on their web site.
 
As previously stated, theakforum.com is the best place to start.

Arsenal rifles of Las Vegas have had quality control issues as you will read on the above site.

It sounds like you want an AK built by a top-notch manufacturer who will be around for a long time and stand behind their product. This being the case, I would look in to Krebs Custom. Your budget may be slightly exceeded, but you get what you pay for. Or you could watch gunbroker.com for a used one.

http://www.krebscustom.com/KalashnikovRifles.shtml
 
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Having owned and/or shot most maker's, Jim Fuller's work is best I've seen.

RifleDynamics

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Wow, thanks for all the info, guys! I read through a bunch of that topic you posted a link to, Soultrack. Very informative.

Looks like there are many high-quality custom builders out there, many of which seem to be built on Saiga receivers/other parts. Good to know. I guess Saiga parts can be trusted then.

Arsenal Inc has the most internet buzz, no doubt because they are the biggest high-quality builder. What I like about them is that they are an established company, which makes me a little bit more comfortable with trusting customer support from them in the coming years if I choose to buy one of their products. I'll hopefully be going to a gun show in a week or so, so I'll see if there are any good deals on Arsenal Incs there.

One question: Most of the Arsenal Inc AK47s around seem to be built on stamped receivers. What's up with that?
 
you do have to watch them for QC issues, a bud bought an yugo underfolder that wasnt cheap ~ $600 and he is having issues with the mag wobbling and the rifle not feeding correctly, i imagine the maker will fix it but it still sucks to have to mess with and will probably take some time to fix/replace whatever they are gonna do.

both the milled and stamped rec'r AK's are good, supposedly the milled are more accurate, supposedly, a bud sells AK's at shows and randomly selected one milled and one stamped bulgarian, took them out and shot them and in his case the stamped was a little more accurate, if i hadnt seen it i wouldnt have beleived it lol, i dont think its that big a deal, the stamped are a little liter if that matters to ya, FWIW both of mine are stamped but my best bud has a milled bulgarian and its nice too.
 
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I used to have an Arsenal AK, I recently sold it after having problems with several different types of ammo refused to fire. The rifle was two years old so Arsenal Inc. would not provide any warrenty coverage:grumpy:.

Before I sent the rifle in to the company I took it out for a last test fire and it also started to "double", two shots with one press of the trigger.

I wasn't happy with customer service either, took a long time to get rifle back and had to pay all shipping and repair costs.

If I was going to buy another AK I would definitely check warrenty and customer service.

Before it started acting up it was a very smooth shooter, a little heavy, though.Patrick
 
chaya said:
One question: Most of the Arsenal Inc AK47s around seem to be built on stamped receivers. What's up with that?
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"Theoretical" accuracy increase (You will never see it) and additional weight with no benefits.

Go Fully Heat treated Stamped receiver, IE Nodak Spud or few others.
 
You should understand that Arsenal of Las Vegas is operated as an extension of Arsenal of Bulgaria. Las Vegas gets surplus parts from the parent company. Some think they also receive "seconds" that fail QC at home. This is only conjecture, but the batch of "off center" 107 barrels fuels this thought.

There is much speculation as to how Arsenal operates, and why they do not follow the demand of the customer. Do a search for "Arsenal SLR 108" and you'll see what I mean. It has been eagerly anticipated for over 2 years.

Personally, I own two Arsenal rifles, both 762, both milled. A stamped Arsenal is nowhere on my want list, although I now "roll my own."
 
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