New AK help

D

Damn_Animal

Joined
Sep 14, 2010
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556
Been looking into getting a new AK towards the end of this summer before election time hits. Was looking for something with Polymer furniture under 850-900$

So far I have been considering

http://www.jgsales.com/saiga-5.45x3...gi,-converted-by-delta-arms.-new.-p-6905.html
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct1070.aspx
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct1223.aspx


A solid warranty is important to me and I am willing to go alittle bit above to get the VEPR if its really worth the extra cash.

Open to other suggestions as well. May consider a 7.62 over the 5.45 but am having a hard time justifying it. Mr. Kalashnikov invented the 74 after the 47 for a reason after all :P
 
Of the three you've listed, I'd suggest the last. Century can be hit or miss and it's best to be able to physically inspect any potential purchase from them before putting down your money.

The middle one, I'd hedge my bets if purchasing. There have been some issues of late, possibly due to "Hollywood Lights" or work overload due to sudden popularity.

The last one, you're purchasing from Atlantic without excessive influence and Atlantic will take care of you if there happens to be an issue.

Just to pass on a little AK info, the 5.45x39 cartridge was designed to emulate the 5.56 NATO round for the M-16. Lighter weight and better accuracy and such. It also happens to have a pretty nasty and effective wounding capability and is somewhat less expensive on the current market.

Personally, I still prefer the greater penetration of the 7.62x39, but it took me a while to decide between the two.
 
Stick with the 7.62x39. Better availability and still an overall more effective round. Have carried and used most models of the AK/AKM made, and I still prefer the original loading.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Regards,
Ron
 
nothing wrong with the Saigas. ive shot a few (.223s, 7.62x39s and a .308 model) and they are a pretty good product imo.
id agree with the others, go with the 7.63x39. ballistically its pretty darn close to the ol 30-30 round and much easier on the wallet.

*add...one benefit the saigas have over the traditional AK type rifles is they are less "scary looking" to the gp.
 
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I picked up a Century Arms WASR 10/63 a few years ago at a local shop (also Upstate NY). I crowned the barrel myself, but a gunsmith can do it for very little money, and its a good idea to have it done to just about any AK variant you decide on. There is no difference in accuracy or reliability between my WASR and the Norinco or Arsenal when we had them all out at the same time. In fact the WASR shot the tightest groups by a small margin using cheapo steel core. This mirrors much of what I've heard but have little experience myself - just about all AKs are going to shoot about the same in 7.62x39, with the biggest difference off the shelf being the quality of the barrel crowning performed at the particular factory. My best 100 yrd groups with iron sights are just under 2" with the average being closer to 3".

I've heard the 5.45 is more accurate due to the cartridge, and so are the 5.56 variants - I'm pretty happy with 7.62x39.

Edit to add: any models with a bayonet lug are a no go in NY, and I'd want some advice re the muzzle brake. I'm sure any FFL that you use will have some better insight.
 
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HeavyHanded said:
I picked up a Century Arms WASR 10/63 a few years ago at a local shop (also Upstate NY). I crowned the barrel myself, but a gunsmith can do it for very little money, and its a good idea to have it done to just about any AK variant you decide on. There is no difference in accuracy or reliability between my WASR and the Norinco or Arsenal when we had them all out at the same time. In fact the WASR shot the tightest groups by a small margin using cheapo steel core. This mirrors much of what I've heard but have little experience myself - just about all AKs are going to shoot about the same in 7.62x39, with the biggest difference off the shelf being the quality of the barrel crowning performed at the particular factory. My best 100 yrd groups with iron sights are just under 2" with the average being closer to 3".

I've heard the 5.45 is more accurate due to the cartridge, and so are the 5.56 variants - I'm pretty happy with 7.62x39.

Edit to add: any models with a bayonet lug are a no go in NY, and I'd want some advice re the muzzle brake. I'm sure any FFL that you use will have some better insight.
Click to expand...

Henderson Deffence will weld the muzzle brake and grind off the lug's wings making it compliant on most models is my understanding
 
I live in NY state too. I have both, a NY legal WASR 10 and a Saiga ( the sporting configuration).

I was at a local gun show a few months back and saw plenty of the Century built AK's , but the prices seem to be much higher than they were a few years back. I didn't see any Saiga's for price comparison but when I bought mine it was $150 less then a WASR.

The sporterized Saiga's imported from Russia are made by IZHMASH, the same factory as the current Russian AK variant. IMO they're a bargain.

The sporters can't accept AK mags, so they're not considered AK's. ( and not subject to the parts count BS). But in the link you posted you can buy a converted Saiga.

If it were me , I'd buy the sporterized Saiga's , they cost about $400 and keep the rest for ammo. Plus they sell plenty of accesories for the Siaga.
 
I picked up my Wasr for 425.00 about four years ago - came with two magazines, cleaning kit. To be honest, I almost wish I'd just bought one of the Yugo SKS for 1/2 the price. From what I understand they throw 7.62x39 with accuracy close to the bolt action sporters in the same caliber. If I had my money back I probably would just spring for a CZ 527. Totally different animal I know, but shoots steel core and hunting loads very well by most reports - groups under an inch at 100 yrds not uncommon.
 
HeavyHanded said:
I picked up my Wasr for 425.00 about four years ago - came with two magazines, cleaning kit. To be honest, I almost wish I'd just bought one of the Yugo SKS for 1/2 the price. From what I understand they throw 7.62x39 with accuracy close to the bolt action sporters in the same caliber. If I had my money back I probably would just spring for a CZ 527. Totally different animal I know, but shoots steel core and hunting loads very well by most reports - groups under an inch at 100 yrds not uncommon.
Click to expand...

The SKS is the only rifle I ever re-purchased after selling.
A friend of mine begged me to sell him my SKS and I always regretted it.

I bought a "like new" Norinco SKS a few years later when Numrich Arms shutdown their retail store.

The big difference with the SKS is the milled receiver, most of the new AK's are stamped. So you get a very high quality rifle at a reasonable price. My SKS out shoots my WASR and there's plenty of SKS accessories too.
 
At the price you mentioned, I would not waste time looking, my crystal ball says prices will rise as we near the election.

If you are ruling out the used market I would go to Kvar. They are not the cheapest, but they have a good selection of the different configs available. I don't know if this will be your first "Ak" or not, but my advice is buy it in the form you want. Its cheaper that way. (Example: if you want a side folding poly stock, buy it to begin with vs. moding a fixed stock reciever into a side folder)

Now, being in New Yuck I am not even sure a folding stock is an option?

7.62 vs 5.45, the old saying is go with the 7.62 if its your only one...I have and like both. My gut say the classic 7.62 is a bit more reliable in its design, but if you buy ammo in bulk 5.45 is cheaper.

Now that I think about it, I didnt even think you could have detatchable mags over 10 rds or pistol grips in New York?

Saiga rifles are good to go, but thats after you unfuck them and convert them to their proper form...

Vepr, if you can find one, I would buy it. And the nice thing about the Vepr is their "hunting style" rifles (wood stocks) may get past some loop holes, and they are better made/feeling than the ultra light "sporter" stocks of the Saiga.

Alot will depend on what you see yourself doing with this rifle, are you the gravel pit bubba? if so stop over thinking and just buy something cheap that looks good. If you want a dependable "fighting " rifle and don't plan on bump firing and what not I would look to a .308 saiga or vepr. This sepecially if you live with mag restrictions. If 30 rd mags are fine in your area, or you want an all around fun, functional, "zombie" rifle then a classic Ak with near as can be to mil set up is what I'd go with.

Oh, if an AK brings drama to your state, if you can't have it set up like it should, an SKS in military form would be my choice.
 
If you are set on the 5.45 x 39 and in that price range I would look at the Arsenal SGL 31-61. I have had no problems with my Saiga's either but don't care for the handguards. Buy with confidence from Atlantic. I have purchased numerous firearms from them over the years.
 
If you are serious about an AK, the place I recommend is KVar out in Vegas. They import the Bulgarian Arsenal brand, which I consider the best of the best.
They are spendy, but they are the cream of the crop.
My old Arsenal SA93, that I bought back in 1994. Still the most accurate AK I have ever owned.
AKSA93.jpg
 
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