AK-47 question?

B

boxjeff

New member
Were can one find a quality new or near new AK with the same tolerances as the original that is known for its ability to keep firing no-matter what.

Does the AK make a good range gun and can you blast away without the barrel overheating?
 
  1. Buy a Saiga. Even if you don't convert it, it's still an AK at heart. Russian made goodness.
  2. Somewhere there's a video of some nut shooting an AK on full auto. He shoots it for so long that the wood stock catches fire. Chances are YOU will overheat and stop working before your AK will.

    Personally, I think the AK is just about the most fun range toy I have.
 
Looks like there is a lot of garbage out there and over priced ones too. Have any info on quality and realistic pricing?
 
ak-47

Look into a 223 golieo rifle on gunbroker. I may of spelled it wrong but its close. They sell for around $500. They are a copy of the jewish gallil military rifle. They are way more accuret than the ak-47 but have the same look.
 
Look into a 223 golieo rifle on gunbroker. I may of spelled it wrong but its close. They sell for around $500. They are a copy of the jewish gallil military rifle. They are way more accuret than the ak-47 but have the same look.
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This is pure BS, the Galil rifle is a copy of the AK platform. It has just the same advantages and disadvantages. Now you're saying that a copy of a copy (it's named Golani btw) is more accurate then an Izhmash AK? Are you aware that Izhmash makes awesome barrels and that their AK-74M shoots pretty much the same groups as a GI M16?

Back to the OP: I agree with those that recommended you Saiga. But beware: Saiga's do NOT accept standard 30rnd AK mags. I used to be sceptical of Arsenal (because a buddy of mine in the US had a lot of trouble with one) but it appears that they refinish Saiga's to AK's nowaday. As somebody in this forum pointed out to me.

Those Arsenal converted Saiga's will accept standard 30rnd mags and while they may have some US-made fittings, they're still Izhmash action and barrels.

If you're looking for a more original AKM, I've seen plenty of excellent Romanians over here, in the US they're called WASR-10. If you decide to go with one, take a good inspection of one in real life, and try to find one made in de 1960's.
 
The Saigas will accept the AK mags but you need to install a bullet guide.
I just bought an AK, a WASR 10/63 underfolder, and to be honest, I haven't experienced any of the issues I've read about.
Seems like a nice solid straight gun and is coffee can accurate at 100 yards freestanding.
It's not pretty, but it's cool :D
 
I'm not a Saiga fan. Here's why:

1. I don't like the 1mm receiver. There are thicker, better stamped receivers out there and milled ones that are better. No, I am not personally aware of a 1mm receiver gun failing, but they feel tinny and cheap to me.

2. I don't like the configuration that the Saigas come in - you have to spend more money to get them to look and feel like an AK.

When I was on the hunt for a newer AK, I did my research and ended up buying one professionally built on a NODAK 1.5mm receiver using a high quality numbers matching polish parts set - WITH CHROME LINED BARREL. The only thing I don't really like about the one I purchased was that it has a black coating on it (like duracoat), which is very durable. But, I'd prefer it to be blued. I looked at the Saigas, but when I actually held one I wasn't impressed.

FWIW, you can tell the difference between a 1mm receiver, a 1.5mm receiver and even a 1.6mm receiver just by looking at the gun. I'd really rather have a 1.6mm receiver, but the only one I found had a US non-chrome lined barrel, so I didn't go with that one.
 
...which is absolutely not important. My Saiga ran flawlessly through thousands of rounds and certainly didn't feel 'cheap', definitely on par with my friend's $900 Arsenal.

Now the Norinco I tried felt like a bucket of bolts.
 
The only question I have about an AK-47 is why doesn't everybody have one. Ammo is well priced, ya can roll it in the dust, mud, water and still fire it!
 
its also a rather compact rifle even in non folder hard stocks..and has the power of a .30-30 winchester. with hunting softpoints its up for hog or whitetail hunting . It would be far from the worst gun you could find yourself with as a Bushpilot, having to survive after a landing mishap (yes, I have seen the films of poachers killing grown elephants with AK's, and FN FAL's, while it wasnt pretty..it does work) So I have no doubt if you had to face a black or brown bear you could kill it (eskimos use .30-30 for that anyway...not .300 win mags). The fact they are tough and reliable even when neglected would be a +
 
Skans, I believe the newer Saiga rifles imported by Russian American Armory have the 1mm receiver. The older Saiga rifle that was imported by European American Armory have the 1.3mm receiver. I just bought a new EAA Saiga. Brand new still unfired made in 2002 with the 1.3mm receiver. So they are still out there if you get lucky and fine one. I paid $400 out the door for mine. Conversion (if you so choose) is something like $200. So for $600 you get a true AK47 made in the same factory as Russian military. I'm not converting mine. I like the "sporter" looks of the Saiga. From a distance, it doesn't have the looks of those "evil" assault rifles. But once you squeeze the trigger, that sound gives it away.
 
Chrome lined barrel is not a make or break deal in reality, not all military issue AK rifles have a chrome lined barrel. The yugo M70 series is one exmple. Military guns for decades used corrosive primed ammo and
Did not have chrome..... Every single gun in WW2 is an example! Most
Ammo comming from europe these days have non corrosive priming even if still berdan.
 
Chrome lined barrel is not a make or break deal in reality, not all military issue AK rifles have a chrome lined barrel. The yugo M70 series is one exmple.
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It is "make or break" with me. Even modern M16's and AR's have chrome lined barrels - Obviously not just for corrosive primers. The barrels last longer, they handle more abuse, and the chrome bores retard erosion. They are easier to clean and easier to keep clean.
 
I'm gonna take a sharp left-turn here since no one has yet. You're looking for a solid, reliable AK? A Chinese Norinko Mak-90 with a milled receiver is the way to go. Standard AK mags, rugged as all get-out, and accurate enough that clay pigeons on a 200yd. berm don't stand a chance. I really don't remember the last time I cleaned it--I think it actually runs better with a little grime. I reload and cast for it--yes, you read it right--I fire cast lead through it. I have a hard-hitting 170gr. cast lead bullet worked up that it simply loves.

ak002.jpg


It's an older target during load development, but this is using cast bullets. I swear the thing will digest anything I feed it, and do it very well.
Picture.jpg
 
Nice one Rangefinder! I tought those weren't for sale anymore in the US?

I was interested in buying one, but couldn't find accuracy reports from one. Could you tell me how that group measures? And do you have targets from other ranges? :)
 
Chrome lined barrel is not a make or break deal in reality, not all military issue AK rifles have a chrome lined barrel. The yugo M70 series is one exmple. Military guns for decades used corrosive primed ammo and
Did not have chrome..... Every single gun in WW2 is an example! Most
Ammo comming from europe these days have non corrosive priming even if still berdan.
Click to expand...
Chrome lining isn't necessarily done for protection from corrosive primers. While it does slow the corrosion process, it doesn't stop it. You still need to clean your rifle.

Chrome was introduced to reduce barrel wear on semi-auto and full-auto rifles. It substantially increases service life of the barrel in terms of rounds that can be fired before the barrel is unserviceable.
 
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