Ak-47/mac-90

S

simple man

Inactive
I have quite a bit of experience with firearms, but don't have a lot of knowledge of the AK type rifles, other than there basic history.
I have decided to get one in the next few days and have pretty much decided on the AK for expense and reliability reasons.
The most common ones I have found are the chinese made ones and one egyptian and one romanian.
I want to spend the least possible, I am not that worried about the looks of it. My main concern is that it feed, fire and function with extreme reliability.
So for those of you in the know, please recommend what I should be looking for to pick a good one and what a fair market price would be?
Also if you would also recommend what ammo and mags would fit the bill for the best reliability.
If any of you know of a good place to find the best selection and the best price on one in the Dallas or North Texas area, please let me know as I have seen a great variation in price on them.
Thankyou.
 
In brief

Any AKM will be reliable. If you're new to this scene, AK rifles are legendary for working under the worst conditions.

Price: any postban AKM shouldn't go for more than $400. Even that is a bit high. Dealer price on the new Romanian models is $260.

Mags for reliability - just don't get a USA brand magazine. All military AK magazines will work fine, provided that they are the correct caliber.
For the best price, go to the link already provided; go to the discussion forums, and look for 'The Chief's longhouse'
He has the best prices on new AK mags.

Ammo - Wolf is good for plinking and little else. It is dirty and inconsistent, but non corrosive. Aim Surplus has a good selection of milsurp ammo. South African is good stuff.

Best of luck
 
simple man

I'm also in the market for an AK-47. Just bought an SKS about a month ago and it has been 100% reliable so far w/ over 400 rds. through it so far.

I'm going to have my local FFL dealer order me one tomorrow from SOG (www.southernohiogun.com).

They list the following in September 17 Shotgun News:
Romanian AK-47 (SAR 1) 7.62x39 - $295.00 w/ 1 10 rd mag & 2 30rd mags cleaning kit, cleaning rod and sling.
Romanian AK-47 (SAR 2) 5.45x39 - $249.00 w/ 2 10rd mags & 1 30 rd mag, cleaning kit, cleaning rod and sling.
Romanian AK-47 (SAR 3) .223 cal - $289.95 w/ 1 10rs mag & 1 30rd mag, cleaning kit, cleaning rod and sling.

These are competive prices and a FFL dealer in your area would be able to order one for you.

Plan on paying $20.00 to $30.00 to the dealer to have them process the paperwork/etc. for you plus sales tax, etc.

Only problem with this approach is that your are buying something 'sight unseen'. But SOG has a good reputation from what I've heard and they don't sell 'junk'.

Anyway the SKS's and AK's are pretty tough weapons and will take a lot of abuse.

Do a search here on SKS and AK-47 and you will find a wealth of info.

OBTW - I'm ordering a SAR 3 in .223 so that my wife can get in on the fun of shooting these !!!! She doesn't really like the 7.62 after 20rds or so. She'll shoot her Sig 9mm all afternoon though!!! Go figure?????
 
I will offer my experience and my .02(which is about what it is worth).

The SAR series(Romanian) are the best deal going, bar none. There were some problems with the '99 models(soft US hammers, canted gas blocks, trigger slap), but these problems are for the most part gone in the 2000 models. The finish is pretty crappy, and the wood looks like it was dipped in Urethane. However, they clean up pretty nice, and the fact of the matter is they flat out shoot. A bonus for me is the fact you can have a pistol grip, which makes the pakage look more authentic.


The Chinese MAK series are really nice variants of the AK. They cost a little more than a SAR. Three hundred to four hundred dollars is pretty common in todays market. As always, try to pay toward the lower end. The downside of the MAK is the thumbhole stock. There isn't a functional problem, but it just doesn't look right to me. You can add US made parts to enable you to legally convert to a pistol grip stock, but by replacing the original parts, you are negating the reason to get a MAK over a SAR(quality of fire control parts).

Post ban Egyptians are about on par with the SAR series.

At any rate, good luck with your purchase, and welcome to the fun!!

Zane
 
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