Originally Posted By Slokett454:
I mean this in the nicest way possible –– and I'm honestly not trying to stomp on a sponsor's posting –– but I'm having a hard time seeing the value in these rifles.  Don't get me wrong, I think High Standard and Interarms make great products –– hell, I own an Interarms AK74!

Undoubtedly some people will disagree, but I've always thought that an AK's value is composed of several variables –– specifically:

1.  Function
2.  Value-adding parts
3.  Builder/Country of Origin/Authenticity
4.  Speculative value

The function component accounts for the fact that you have a working assault rifle.  In essence, this is the amount we will pay to have a functioning –– and assembled –– group of metal, plastic, and wood parts.  For simplicity's sake, we can use the standard Century rifle as a benchmark.  Thus, it could be argued that the functionality component of an AK's value is currently 'baselined' around $400-450.

The value-adding parts component accounts for the fact that we want features above a simple 'working assault rifle'.  A chrome-lined barrel, a milled receiver, authentic-looking furniture, and a lifetime warranty could be considered value-adding parts that will increase an AK's value over that of a Century gun, or standard WASR (yes, I realize that WASR's do have chrome lined barrels).  Generally, a milled receiver appears to add around a $200-$225 premium to the base cost of an AK.

The Builder/Country-of-Origin component accounts for the fact that while we all claim we care more about simply having a 'gun that goes bang everytime', the reality of current AK prices says otherwise.  We may not admit it, but almost every AK enthusiast would MUCH rather have a truly authentic Bulgarian or Russian AK over a parts-kit Romanian.  I could be wrong, but prices in the EE seem to support my theory –– afterall, an SGL-21 commands a much higher price than a parts-kit, or Century, AK.  Every part that detracts from the authenticity of an AK results in a corresponding decrease in the perceived value.  For instance –– hypothetically –– an Arsenal SLR-107UR that has been permanently altered to have M92 furniture attached will command a lower price than an unaltered SLR107UR.  The same theory applies to newly built rifles –– the less authentic, the less premium they command.  This component can add a premium of anywhere from $200 (ie, the premium an SGL-21 commands over a parts kit AK) to $600.

The Speculative value component goes hand in hand with the country-of-origin and authenticity component.  Generally, the more authentic and less available an AK is, the greater its price will be (simple economics right?).  Once again, while many of us hate to admit it, we do care about whether our new purchase will hold its value –– and perhaps even appreciate over time.  For this reason, when an AK has a greater potential to appreciate in value, it's initial sales price will undoubtedly be higher.  The speculative value component is hard to place a numeric value on.  Nonetheless, simply by looking at prices of Krinkov rifles, we can tell that an SLR-107UR will command a premium of about $300-600 over it's non-Krinkov brethren –– largely due to scarcity and the perception of increasing value.


That all being said, the Yugo High Standard is offering is undoubtedly a solidly-functioning rifle.  That accounts for $450.  The value adding parts include a good chrome lined barrel, a milled receiver, nice furniture, and a solid warranty.  That accounts for an additional $300.  The fact that it is Yugoslavian in origin would raise the value, but most AK enthusiasts would probably prefer to see an RPK-type receiver, rather than the milled receiver being used.  Additionally, I would also be interested in knowing how many matching parts are otherwise used on the rifle.  Overall, I don't know if you could really say that the Yugoslavian origin of this rifle will really increase the value, as I'm not entirely certain how true-to-the-original this rifle is.  Lastly, the speculative value is also hard to determine, as I'm unfamiliar with how High Standard rifles have appreciated over the years.  Nonetheless, we could make an assumption of about $200, since you seem like a highly reputable builder/manufacturer.  Overall, this adds up to rifle that has a perceived value of about $950 –– tops.  Keep in mind that this is solely my opinion, and I'm sure there are aspects of the assembly/development process that probably make the MSRP justifiable from a manufacturer's viewpoint.

If you want to command a premium for a rifle like this, I would highly suggest going for an "OEM-plus" look (a term from the automotive world that is used to describe a car that has been outfitted with upgraded parts from different models made by the same manufacturer).  By this, I mean I would be very interested in this rifle if it featured the RPK-receiver/buldged-trunion, slightly lighter wood, and an M76 (or M64/70) pistol grip.  Those components would probably increase the perceived value by making the rifle appear more 'Yugo-authentic'.

At $550, your AK74 model is a hell of a bargain!  At nearly $1200, I don't think I could justify the purchase of your Yugo over an Arsenal, or a used Mitchell Yugo.

Originally Posted By insider:
I think a nice milled rifle with a price point of $895 would be the way to go.

Originally Posted By VLODPG:
Is there any reason not to put the mfg info/sn on the bottom of the receiver?

IMO, on the side looks like crap!

Originally Posted By kiddsf:
I would rather buy an Arsenal Bulgarian SLR-101S from Cheaperthandirt for $970...