It's almost 2016, and I want an AK 47

[Mitch]

Like the title says, I want an AK. This isn't going to be a defensive gun per say, just something I want for fun. Because of that, I'd rather not spend $1000 on this. Are there still good options out there for a $500-$600 AK?

I'm looking at these two:

WASR 10 (https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/cai-ak-47-wasr-10-7-62x39mm-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0)

Zastava m70 (https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/zastava-ak-47-m70-pap-7-62x39-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0)

Worthwhile? Or is the answer to just suck it up and save more for an Arsenal if I really want an AK?

[Sasage]

I have seen a couple used SLR106 for $750 locally. Can't go wrong with a good wasr or NPap or Opap.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[HCM]

I have a yugo M70 and I've been pretty happy with it. If you want to leave the gun pretty much stock do you go is a good way to go. The only real downside is some of the common AKM pattern accessories and options may not work.

If you want to modernize your AK I would go with the WASR. Just make sure the front sight post isnt canted.

[Bigghoss]

I've got a WASR 10 with a few thousand rounds (very few but still in the 4 digits). I haven't done competition or classes or anything like that but the gun has never malfunctioned once. I shoot the cheapest new production steel cased ammo I can get and I may have only cleaned it once ever, which I should probably do. The thing just works and shoots decent. It's always just been a fun blaster but I'm taking it a bit more seriously lately. Put magpul furniture on it, Krebs enhanced safety, and an AKT trigger pack and everything fit as expected so you should be safe if you want to deck it out.

[helothar]

in that price range the wasr from Atlantic seems like the best bet, scope rail so you can add a rsr mount and you can add the folding magpul stock which I do not believe works on the yugo guns (I've read they are in the works however )

[Unobtanium]

What about those new milled lower Century guns? I have handled a few, and they all looked really nice to me. Easily as nice as my Arsenals.

[Gray222]

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DDIAK47SFMZM&name=DDI+ZHUKOV+MOE+AK47S+7.62X39+Rifle&search=ak47

Fingerbanged one of these at the local toy shop, its pretty good over the others I've seen. Will need a little bit of polishing around the bolt but other than that you have a pretty good starting rifle.

[joshs]

I'll second VDM's recommendation of DDI. The base gun with standard furniture is pretty close to your price range, but it's a better deal to get it with the Magpul furniture, if you think you might add it later anyways.

[JSGlock34]

Or is the answer to just suck it up and save more for an Arsenal if I really want an AK?

I've been very satisfied with my Arsenal SLR107CR, but they have gotten more expensive recently.

[rob_s]

I'll second VDM's recommendation of DDI. The base gun with standard furniture is pretty close to your price range, but it's a better deal to get it with the Magpul furniture, if you think you might add it later anyways.


http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DDIAK47SFMZM&name=DDI+ZHUKOV+MOE+AK47S+7.62X39+Rifle&search=ak47

Fingerbanged one of these at the local toy shop, its pretty good over the others I've seen. Will need a little bit of polishing around the bolt but other than that you have a pretty good starting rifle.

I've been passively shopping for an AK again since the announcement of the Magpul furniture. I'm assuming there's no reason this for end wouldn't fit on that gun, right?

https://www.magpul.com/products/zhukov-hand-guard-ak47-ak74

ETA: I'm presuming this is the base gun?
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DDIAK47SFHPB&name=DDI+AK47S+7.62X39+Fixed+Stock+Rifle&search=Ddi

[joshs]

I've been passively shopping for an AK again since the announcement of the Magpul furniture. I'm assuming there's no reason this for end wouldn't fit on that gun, right?

https://www.magpul.com/products/zhukov-hand-guard-ak47-ak74

ETA: I'm presuming this is the base gun?
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DDIAK47SFHPB&name=DDI+AK47S+7.62X39+Fixed+Stock+Rifle&search=Ddi

That is the base gun, and the Zhukov handguard definitely fits. DDI sells a model that already has both the folding stock and handguard http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ddi-stamped-ak-47-magpul-zhukov-detail.html?Itemid=0

[breakingtime91]

throw a rifle dynamics rear sight on it and thats an awesome set up.

[Mitch]

Can anyone with an ak74 comment on the ammo situation after the ban on surplus ammo? I think I'd prefer a 5.45 but not if it's going to be a pain to feed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HCM]

Can anyone with an ak74 comment on the ammo situation after the ban on surplus ammo? I think I'd prefer a 5.45 but not if it's going to be a pain to feed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's available - wolf, Tula etc. it just isn't dirt cheap like the surplus. Academy has Monarch ( rebranded. Tula) for $9.99 for 30 and it was just on sale for $7.99 for 30.

[Malamute]

Can anyone with an ak74 comment on the ammo situation after the ban on surplus ammo? I think I'd prefer a 5.45 but not if it's going to be a pain to feed.

Cant comment as to how common it is currently, but it shows as available.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/catalog.aspx?groupid=33&name=5.45x39


http://ammoseek.com/ammo/5.45x39mm

Shooting the surplus stuff made lots of sparks when shooting at rocks near dusk. Sort of fun to see.

[LSP972]

Shooting the surplus stuff made lots of sparks when shooting at rocks near dusk. Sort of fun to see.

Say it ain't so! You? Jeremiah Johnson redux? Revolver dilettante extraordinaire? With a Commie gun????

Another icon falls…:D

.

[Malamute]

Say it ain't so! You? Jeremiah Johnson redux? Revolver dilettante extraordinaire? With a Commie gun????

Another icon falls…:D

.


:D

I like all sorts of things, just some more than others.

It was hard to resist when the 5.45 commie ammo was $109/1000. You cant begin to reload anything for that price. It was a flirtation in any event. When the luster faded, off it went. Fun while it lasted.

A friend long ago made a comment when I asked him about selling one of his guns. He said it was interesting, but it was not important. Good perspective.

[LSP972]

It was hard to resist when the 5.45 commie ammo was $109/1000.

Can't argue with you there. A pal bought two rifles and a ton of the ammo for that very reason. He even had an AR carbine built in that caliber.

And then he discovered the joys of corrosive ammunition.:D

.

[rob_s]

throw a rifle dynamics rear sight on it and thats an awesome set up.

Why that particular sight? I'm assuming you've used it and the stock part and prefer the RD sight for a specific reason(s)? I ask because at $90 it's a bit steep.

[Malamute]

Can't argue with you there. A pal bought two rifles and a ton of the ammo for that very reason. He even had an AR carbine built in that caliber.

And then he discovered the joys of corrosive ammunition.:D

.


I hopothesized that if I shot 10K rounds through the gun and simply tossed it in the garbage after that number of rounds I was money ahead on shooting anything else available at the time. The infatuation didnt last that long, however.

I just cleaned my corrosve stuff with Shooters Choice and never had any trouble at all. Have cleaned a pristine 1903-A3, an H-K 91 and a couple others shot with corrosive ammo that way with no ill effects.

[LSP972]

I hopothesized that if I shot 10K rounds through the gun and simply tossed it in the garbage after that number of rounds I was money ahead on shooting anything else available at the time. The infatuation didnt last that long, however.

I just cleaned my corrosve stuff with Shooters Choice and never had any trouble at all. Have cleaned a pristine 1903-A3, an H-K 91 and a couple others shot with corrosive ammo that way with no ill effects.



Shooter's Choice used to have a high ammonia content. That is what cut the primer salts in the corrosive ammo. Now that the enviro-nazis have gotten their hooks into gun solvents (Hoppe's was the first to cave, IIRC), I doubt you'll find anything so effective offered as an OTS product.

Butch's Bore Shine still has a slight amount of ammonia (at least, the last bottle I bought did), but nowhere near that of the original Shooter's Choice; that was some good stuff.

.

[Mitch]

:D

I like all sorts of things, just some more than others.

It was hard to resist when the 5.45 commie ammo was $109/1000. You cant begin to reload anything for that price. It was a flirtation in any event. When the luster faded, off it went. Fun while it lasted.

I'm kicking myself for not getting an AK 74 and a boat load of 7n6 before the import ban. There's still a lot to like about the caliber, but damn, paying double what it was 18 months ago sucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Blood_Brothers_2017]

It really depends, if you were to go with an AK Pistol. Great caliber for a short barrel.

It hits hard and they're super reliable. It's not so much a matter of brand; it's more about Cast OR Forge.

Of course, price is always key.

It's also about picking one that either you like for looks, 'furniture'

or making into a Tact-Shooter.

Don't go into it for $1k and expect to have CASH on hand for accessories.

Best be it either a Quad Picatinny or something that has room for decent ammo.

How 'nice' would it be to purchase some (Bear) Russian Ammo and throw it down.

Either way, mags are VERY Distinct and it just adds to the fun.

Try Circle-K for some ideas

[rob_s]

Anyone have any take on one of these vs the other?

DDI STAMPED AK-47 MAGPUL ZHUKOV Price: $849.00 (http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ddi-stamped-ak-47-magpul-zhukov-detail.html?Itemid=0)

RAS AK47 RIFLE MAGPUL ZHUKOV RI2363-N Sale: $775.00
(http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ras-ak47-rifle-magpu-zhukov-detail.html?Itemid=0)

[Mitch]

Well I waited too long to decide and now WASRs and O Paps are both unobtanium, at least at Atlantic. I'm not sure I'm willing to pay AR 15 money for an AK, so that may be that.

Thanks a lot, Putin.

[jh9]

Well I waited too long to decide and now WASRs and O Paps are both unobtanium

A local shop still has WASRs, but they're like high $500s now. A few on gunbroker near that price. They're out there, still.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=516411389
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=wasr+10

I wouldn't pay that for one. Even an Atlantic "QC'd" sample or one I got to handpick. But you can if you want to.

[LOKNLOD]

Anyone have any take on one of these vs the other?

DDI STAMPED AK-47 MAGPUL ZHUKOV Price: $849.00 (http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ddi-stamped-ak-47-magpul-zhukov-detail.html?Itemid=0)

RAS AK47 RIFLE MAGPUL ZHUKOV RI2363-N Sale: $775.00
(http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/ras-ak47-rifle-magpu-zhukov-detail.html?Itemid=0)

I'd be interested to hear thoughts too. I like the look of a pre-magpulled AK for shooter purposes.

[rob_s]

I'd be interested to hear thoughts too. I like the look of a pre-magpulled AK for shooter purposes.

Blain from Atlantic returned my email and said he'd pick the DDI, but that they were pretty much equal.

[LOKNLOD]

Blain from Atlantic returned my email and said he'd pick the DDI, but that they were pretty much equal.

Interesting. I wonder how much of that is just "I don't want to admit to owning a Century" and/or "please buy the more expensive one I sell".

If all things are truly pretty much equal, I'd save $75 on the rifle and spend it on ammo and mags.

I'm behind the times on this, but what's the word on all these barrel nitride treatments instead of chrome lining?

[Mitch]

A local shop still has WASRs, but they're like high $500s now. A few on gunbroker near that price. They're out there, still.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=516411389
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=wasr+10

I wouldn't pay that for one. Even an Atlantic "QC'd" sample or one I got to handpick. But you can if you want to.

I agree completely. I'm not paying that for a wasr. Now I think I just have to decide if I want an ak bad enough to pay arsenal prices, and if I do that I'm getting an slr 107 or 104. I'm really unsure about that, though. $1000 is just tough for me to swallow for an ak.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GAP]

I have a bunch, honestly either buy a WASR to mess with or an Arsenal in 7.62. The ammo is readily available and you can get steel cased stuff for 9mm prices. N-Paps are fun but a pain in the ass because they have unique parts and are harder to find. Oh you want a different AKM stock on your N-Pap? Here buy these three adapters to make it work.

If you want optics on it then you'll be buying an ultimak gas tube rail (which are freaking awesome and give you a true co-witness) plus your red dot of choice. In this case the WASR may make more sense due to overall cost. If you buy a side folder then you won't be putting a side mount optic on because it will not close properly.

There are a lot of things to consider but if you have any questions I'm happy to answer.