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Posted: 5/4/2024 2:19:31 PM EDT
I have many different guns in my collection but I have never owned an AK. I do have a VZ58 which is pretty awesome. With so many AKs out there and none really being cheap anymore, if you were going to own just one what brand would you buy? Are the $1800 Arsenals worth it? Or is my money better spent on a mid tier AK? If so what brand? Anything worth it in the $1000-$1200 range?
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Originally Posted By bw77: I have many different guns in my collection but I have never owned an AK. I do have a VZ58 which is pretty awesome. With so many AKs out there and none really being cheap anymore, if you were going to own just one what brand would you buy? Are the $1800 Arsenals worth it? Or is my money better spent on a mid tier AK? If so what brand? Anything worth it in the $1000-$1200 range? View Quote Yes. A Sig550. |
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Salute the Marines.
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Wasr are workhorses
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I like to make US historical flags out of wood
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East German milled.
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If you’re only buying one, this and done.
I bought 2 just in case and they have been flawless.. I got a thing for milled AK’s and the quality is comparable to some of my other, earlier production rifles https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/firearms/rifles/sam7-series/sam7sf-84epm Attached File |
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Vepr.
WASR is a good, solid AK but poor QC. Saiga is nice but Vepr is built better. My Romy rifles are fine. I'd do legit ((10)) Bulgarian as a #2 choice. Solid rifles, good fit and finish. Arsenal is OK. IMHO, over priced. |
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SGL31 with a mountain of 2000s priced 5.45.
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An AK105, which I used to have, and will need to rectify.
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As another who missed out due to age on the cheap AK market, prepare for 100 answers
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Polish Beryl in .223 or 7.62.
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Traveled the world, currently living in Indian Territory
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I have a Polish underfolder from Red Jacket that Pedo Will Hayden sloppily built. I had forgotten all about that rifle in the back of the safe until I took notice of it one day. Then I sent off a Form 1. It was approved but I forgot about it again. Then I remembered and I bought a WPB parts kit with a 10.whatever inch barrel. I really need to get around to sending it off to have the new front end installed.
Anyone have any suggestions? |
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I love my sam7sf but no way in hell I’d pay 2k for it. It runs great suppressed with an adjustable piston. I was just as happy with a wasr before I decided I wanted to try a milled Ak.
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When they were cheap I never dedicated the money to one and I’m ok with that decision.
For actual fun at the range, I like my PSA 74 with plum furniture, Belomo scope, KNS piston, and Griffen adaptor for a plan A suppressor mount. |
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AMDG
At this point everybody can suck it! -Dru |
If I could only own 1 AK, I would own 0 AKs. I have no desire to own any AKs with all the other wonderful options out there.
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Not really in my collection, so to speak, but I really liked the regular AKM in 7.62. Lots of accessories available here too.
Attached File Same rail on my AK-74. Attached File Then there's the AK-12. Another 5.45, but kind of cool. Attached File Fun switches definitely help them to be enjoyed as intended. |
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A Valmet or a Galil
Honestly, I have a transferable Valmet m78 in 7.62x39, a Galil clone, an AK-74, a Maadi and an SBR Draco and everyone of them sucks in one way or another. I also have a PSL54 and an RPD just because I haven’t gotten around to selling the PSL. Attached File Attached File |
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I like AKs.
I have a WASR 10 that should've been QC'd. I'd love to hear about better AKs. |
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Alea iacta est
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I am Government Man, come from the government.
PA, USA
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My 6.5 Grendel VEPR
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View Quote I’m with this guy! My Polish underfolder is my absolute favorite rifle. Also the only gun I’ve ever named, her name is Natasha. |
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SGL-21 is what I picked.
Ain’t selling it now. |
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Direction, not intention, determines destination.
Integrity is the essence of everything successful. |
The Arsenal guns are WAAAAY overrated. Not a particularly bad choice but not really any better built than any other AK that was produced in an actual military AK factory.
I have owned many over the years. If I could just own ONE, it would be a pre-ban Hungarian underfolder. My regular range toy is a Romanian SAR1. Thousands of rounds without a significant problem. I have an Arsenal in 5.45 that has an off-center bore (not uncommon in AK barrels) but still shoots straight. However, it is a little picky on ammunition. |
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I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy Glock and thy AR15, they comfort me.
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I have a lot of AKs but if I was to buy one and only one AK today just for the purposes of having an AK to play with, I would probably buy either the PSA AK-101 or Zastava M90 so I could share ammo with ARs.
I wouldn't even bother getting into 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 with currrent prices and availability now that Russian ammo imports are drying up. |
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Do not waste your money. I was in the same position, Bought a cheap, AK yugo underfolder, it sucked.
Then I bought a arsenal AK. it also sucked. Sold them both to different people who bought them for the same reason. They both had them up for sale within a couple weeks. |
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10108028
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"They want you dead but will settle for your submission" - Malice
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Chinese RPK count?
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Chinese for the win... milled
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"They want you dead but will settle for your submission" - Malice
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I dunno enough to have a hard on for one over the other, but I'm happy to have my saigas
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Bulgie K74 that I picked up way back when and a few wooden cases of ammo. Lightweight, fun, and reasonably accurate. Fun little rifle to shoot and dead on reliable and easy to maintain.
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Luke 11:21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe.”
A nation without borders is not a nation at all. |
My Polish girl is solid. Built like a brick shit house. I believe she was $480.
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Get the cheapest non American made one you can find.
If you don't have one yet, then you have no real interest and it will sit in the safe anyway. It you like it, then it will go up in price to sell towards another or keep it as a backup or loaner. |
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Bulgarian 74 is my favorite.
Polish PMKMS would be my pick for a 7.62 AK, although the Hungarian guns are also nice and a bit more accurate. I own a bunch. 20 years ago the only guns I could afford were milsurps and kit builds. I put together a bunch of different in my basement. Funny how now both AKs and milsurps are some of the more expensive guns around. |
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Originally Posted By Makarov: The Arsenal guns are WAAAAY overrated. Not a particularly bad choice but not really any better built than any other AK that was produced in an actual military AK factory. I have owned many over the years. If I could just own ONE, it would be a pre-ban Hungarian underfolder. My regular range toy is a Romanian SAR1. Thousands of rounds without a significant problem. I have an Arsenal in 5.45 that has an off-center bore (not uncommon in AK barrels) but still shoots straight. However, it is a little picky on ammunition. View Quote At today’s prices, this guy is not wrong about Arsenals. That being said, if you find a good example at a reasonable price, it’s a great out of the box rifle that doesn’t require much tinkering. I have earlier examples of milled rifles that a I probably prefer, but the values have gone up so much that I wouldn’t consider buying them again. Ammo is another consideration. $180 cases of Golden Tiger are a thing of the past so the appeal of cheap blasting is not there anymore. If I didn’t have a lifetime supply of 7.62x39, purchased at bargain basement prices, I’m not sure I would start in deep anymore. |
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Call me "Phuroah”
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Originally Posted By Duke117: If you’re only buying one, this and done. I bought 2 just in case and they have been flawless.. I got a thing for milled AK’s and the quality is comparable to some of my other, earlier production rifles https://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/firearms/rifles/sam7-series/sam7sf-84epm https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/562102/IMG_1187_png-3205346.JPG View Quote I have that one and it's kinda meh. Very heavy (milled receiver) folding stock is uncomfortable and has a little wobble (not rock solid like my IMI Galil) and accuracy sucks (with a NF NX8 attached it was still hard to get under 4MOA) Although I only used the various FMJ loads and there is probably something out there that could get maybe 2.5MOA. My favorite AK is my Zastava M85 pistol in 223 but Im biased towards 223 AK's. |
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Ilove the Yugos and that's where most of my AKs come from. But If I was starting over, I'd buy a PSA in the flavor I liked and shoot the ever-loving piss out of it.
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Valmet M76
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For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
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The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid
KY, USA
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If I knew I was only going to own one, I would spend the money and get a Type 3.
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If you aren't representing Jesus in a way that makes people want to hang out with you, you're doing it wrong.
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If you're buying new and want 7.62x39, then the Zastava ZPAP M70 and WBP Fox are great buys at about $1k. Zastava AKs come off a military production line but they are heavier than the rifles made by WBP (who only make parts for military contracts, not complete guns). The FB Beryl 762 is an extra $500, but it combines the lighter weight of the Fox with the military credentials of the M70 so it's arguably a nice upgrade. The Beryl isn't compatible with aftermarket upper handguards though so bear that in mind.
If you want 5.56, it's basically the same thing with different models: Zastava M90 or WBP Jack are good options at around $1k, and a bit more for the standard FB Beryl. These are all stamped guns. They all have hammer forged, chrome lined barrels. They are all plenty strong & realiable. They are all reasonably smooth, although the FBs often have hammers that offer a bit of resistance when racking the bolt if the rifle isn't already cocked. If you want a milled gun, you'll pay a little extra but the Arsenal SAM5 and SAM7 are great. They are heavier than the stamped guns but glassy smooth and theoretically stronger. It really just comes down to what you prefer. |
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WASR or Yugo. The new Yugo ZPAP's are pretty solid but will weigh more than the WASR. WASR's usually need to be inspected prior to purchase due to Q/C issues. Last couple I looked at a few years ago where rubbish. I have one built in 2015 that's pretty solid, as is my SBR'd Draco.
If you want to drop double that, then an Arsenal. |
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Originally Posted By ITCHY-FINGER: I have that one and it's kinda meh. Very heavy (milled receiver) folding stock is uncomfortable and has a little wobble (not rock solid like my IMI Galil) and accuracy sucks (with a NF NX8 attached it was still hard to get under 4MOA) Although I only used the various FMJ loads and there is probably something out there that could get maybe 2.5MOA. My favorite AK is my Zastava M85 pistol in 223 but Im biased towards 223 AK's. View Quote Can’t necessarily disagree. The two I have must have been built on a good day as they have been solid. An earlier example I have ( SLR101S) is finished a little better. My old school Saiga’s may be a little rougher, but also have more character. Anything Hungarian is usually good to go. |
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With all respect to PSA, a milled Chinese AK. If we're talking any type AK in the world with no NFA issues, the sky's the limit.
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"An age of glory passed like a lightning flash. The mandate of heaven passed from you but you didn't see. Times change and power passes. It is the pity of the world."
Song dynasty poet |
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ACE Gen2
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I had 3 in my lifetime
Polytech Legend Saiga SGL21-61 converted by Arsenal(2009 vintage) Romy AES-10B I converted to a “Baby Dragunov” Of the 3, the Romy was a spot on DMR. Long bitch to lug, but fun at the range. I’d like that one back. |
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Man who put head in sand get ass kicked.
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"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
Proud member of Team Ranstad. Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot |
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