sundance43.5
New member
This may be a nieve question, but my knowledge of AK rifles is very limited. So, what are the best versions of the AK? Are SAR and WASR AK's good?
Thanks
Thanks
Best AK variant?
- Thread starter sundance43.5
- Start date
The Romanian SARs are the best value. At least they were a couple months ago, now the prices are getting ridiculous.
If you can't find a SAR-1 for less than $400, go with a SSR-85b or c from www.tenneseeguns.com. They're around $500, but have much nicer wood and finish.
If you can't find a SAR-1 for less than $400, go with a SSR-85b or c from www.tenneseeguns.com. They're around $500, but have much nicer wood and finish.
Don't forget about the newer Russian Veprs...they're AKs built with RPK receivers (stronger than AK ones). Robinson Arms (the M96 guys) import them...they're in 5.56x45, 7.62x39, and .308. I'm very happy with mine (in .308). It's a very nice-looking gun, and quite pleasant to shoot.
bullfrog99
New member
I think it is the SAM-7 rifles they are making now.
Adventurer_96
New member
For fun and plinking, a SAR rifle would be a good choice if you can find one for under $350. However, depending on what you're looking for, the Global Trades SSR-85B/C's are excellent. I just purchased a C and it's the most accurate "standard" AK I've ever shot. The fit and finish are amazing, you have a warranty, and a rifle which won't lose its value.
I also recently came into a Saiga sporter rifle which I may have some work done to. They are Russian actions which have been "sporterized" to be imported under current regs and shoot extremely accurate due to quality construction and 20" bbl. And, they cost about $200 or so, if you can get one from CDNN. They have the integral scope rail on the side, which gives quite a few options as to what to do with optics.
The milled SLR-95's are also nice, if you can get over the thumbhole stock. The barrels are apparently made by Steyr. I haven't shot one, though, so I can't recommend one as strongly as I can the SSR and Saiga rifles.
I also recently came into a Saiga sporter rifle which I may have some work done to. They are Russian actions which have been "sporterized" to be imported under current regs and shoot extremely accurate due to quality construction and 20" bbl. And, they cost about $200 or so, if you can get one from CDNN. They have the integral scope rail on the side, which gives quite a few options as to what to do with optics.
The milled SLR-95's are also nice, if you can get over the thumbhole stock. The barrels are apparently made by Steyr. I haven't shot one, though, so I can't recommend one as strongly as I can the SSR and Saiga rifles.
VEPR II 223
Gents
I have to say that the VEPR II 223 has to be one of the best variants around. I can keyhole shots from 200 meters, and I shoot 1.5 inch to 2.0 inch groups at 100 meters consistently. It is on the heavy side but it is an accurate dependable rifle. As said above SAR-1 great for plinking.....if you are serious about an AK variant, the VEPR is a strong candidate. Spend the extra hundred and get quality rifle.
The Gooch
Gents
I have to say that the VEPR II 223 has to be one of the best variants around. I can keyhole shots from 200 meters, and I shoot 1.5 inch to 2.0 inch groups at 100 meters consistently. It is on the heavy side but it is an accurate dependable rifle. As said above SAR-1 great for plinking.....if you are serious about an AK variant, the VEPR is a strong candidate. Spend the extra hundred and get quality rifle.
The Gooch
All Ak's work well.. its a simple design and it works. Cosmetics vary widely among ak's. The chinese guns have thin blueing, and the wood was never very pretty, still they are pretty darn accurate. The romanian guns interest me only because you can get them in 223.
The best AK I never bought was the FEG SA-85 M, neat blonde wood, blued bolt carrier, and even the thumbhole stock was full sized and ergonomicly comfy. They were never cheap, but I'd prefer an Sa-85 over just about any other ak varient, save a krebs re-manufactured ak100.
Given the supply of inexpensive STEEL magazines, the 7.62 version is still probably the way to go.
The best AK I never bought was the FEG SA-85 M, neat blonde wood, blued bolt carrier, and even the thumbhole stock was full sized and ergonomicly comfy. They were never cheap, but I'd prefer an Sa-85 over just about any other ak varient, save a krebs re-manufactured ak100.
Given the supply of inexpensive STEEL magazines, the 7.62 version is still probably the way to go.
hksigwalther
New member
The absolute best AK variant every built, IMO, is the Galil ARM.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Wise guys... 
I agree about the Galil...
I agree about the Galil...
...why soitainly!
But seriously,
At present...both the Global Trades/Arsenal USA SSR-85B/C and
KVAR/Arsenal SA-M7 are the best "off the shelf" AKs out there. The 'B' is built on the Hungarian FEG stamped receiver(with Polish parts). As previously mentioned the 'C' is milled.
The Veprs are nice...wish I had one & have heard nothing but good things about them.
If you have the $$$ to go "custom" go to Marc Krebs...
But seriously,
At present...both the Global Trades/Arsenal USA SSR-85B/C and
KVAR/Arsenal SA-M7 are the best "off the shelf" AKs out there. The 'B' is built on the Hungarian FEG stamped receiver(with Polish parts). As previously mentioned the 'C' is milled.
The Veprs are nice...wish I had one & have heard nothing but good things about them.
If you have the $$$ to go "custom" go to Marc Krebs...
ks_shooter
New member
To: Ceol Mhor
I am very interested in the VEPR II .308. What is your experience with the accuracy of this rifle? What about the feel, is it easy on the shoulder? It's hard to tell how thick or thin the new synthetic buttstocks are from looking at the Robinson Arms web page. Does it have a rubber butt plate? How are the sights? I would prefer a receiver sight, but I will probably scope it anyway. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Does anybody know if VEPR design has any relation to the Dragunov design? From what I know, the varioius AK's were never chambered in anything stouter than 7.62x39. The VEPR is based on the RPK, but I think is was chambered for the 7.62x39 also. I know that the Dragunov was chambered in 7.62x54. Any issue with the VEPR II getting beat-up by the 7.62x51 cartridge? Thanks.
I am very interested in the VEPR II .308. What is your experience with the accuracy of this rifle? What about the feel, is it easy on the shoulder? It's hard to tell how thick or thin the new synthetic buttstocks are from looking at the Robinson Arms web page. Does it have a rubber butt plate? How are the sights? I would prefer a receiver sight, but I will probably scope it anyway. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Does anybody know if VEPR design has any relation to the Dragunov design? From what I know, the varioius AK's were never chambered in anything stouter than 7.62x39. The VEPR is based on the RPK, but I think is was chambered for the 7.62x39 also. I know that the Dragunov was chambered in 7.62x54. Any issue with the VEPR II getting beat-up by the 7.62x51 cartridge? Thanks.
VEPR 308
If you are wondering about the VEPR 308 we go on and on about it on http://www.ak-47.net/vb/ Go to the robarms section and look around and I am sure all of your questions will be answered
Gooch
If you are wondering about the VEPR 308 we go on and on about it on http://www.ak-47.net/vb/ Go to the robarms section and look around and I am sure all of your questions will be answered
Gooch
I can't attest to the accuract - I only had time to do a little informal plinking with it before I left home for the spring semester of college. We've got some catching-up to do over the summer. 
However, at RobArm's site, they have some target photos and testimonials.
Mine is one with the thumbhole stock...it comes with a rubber buttpad about an inch thick. It's very nice to shoot...feels like my Enfield. Rocks me back a bit, but not harsh at all.
It's not related to the Dragunov design any more than normal AKs are. I don't know too much about the Dragunovs, but I believe they are fairly different from AKs on the inside. The RPK, however, is just a SAW version of the AK. Sturdier action, longer/heavier barrel, bipod, and 40-round mags.
One word of warning - you may have to do some looking to find a scope mount to a Vepr. You can get one mounted on the receiver cover, but that thing isn't solid enough to be a good platform, IMO. The other option is to get a scope mount that attaches to a piece on the left side of the rifle, and curls up over the top. No el cheapo.
One other thing - as of August, RobArms has a deal with a gunsmith to modify (for $150) the .308 Veprs to take M14 mags. I haven't had this done to mine, but it is intriguing.
Overall, I'm quite happy with mine, but I don't have anything close to the experience that a lot of people here do. If I were you, ks, I'd get a second opinion from someone with more .308 experience.
However, at RobArm's site, they have some target photos and testimonials.Mine is one with the thumbhole stock...it comes with a rubber buttpad about an inch thick. It's very nice to shoot...feels like my Enfield. Rocks me back a bit, but not harsh at all.
It's not related to the Dragunov design any more than normal AKs are. I don't know too much about the Dragunovs, but I believe they are fairly different from AKs on the inside. The RPK, however, is just a SAW version of the AK. Sturdier action, longer/heavier barrel, bipod, and 40-round mags.
One word of warning - you may have to do some looking to find a scope mount to a Vepr. You can get one mounted on the receiver cover, but that thing isn't solid enough to be a good platform, IMO. The other option is to get a scope mount that attaches to a piece on the left side of the rifle, and curls up over the top. No el cheapo.
One other thing - as of August, RobArms has a deal with a gunsmith to modify (for $150) the .308 Veprs to take M14 mags. I haven't had this done to mine, but it is intriguing.
Overall, I'm quite happy with mine, but I don't have anything close to the experience that a lot of people here do. If I were you, ks, I'd get a second opinion from someone with more .308 experience.
Although this discussion has drifted toward the more rare and expensive AK variants (which probably are the "best" - though not necessarily the best values), I'll come back and cast a vote for the Romanian SAR-1. I have two of these, and friends have several more, and we haven't had any problems with them. They are reliable, easy to mount authentic AK optics on (due to the side rail), legal to use with imported high-cap magazines, and have pistol grips to make them look and feel more like an AK is supposed to. The finish seems reasonable durable (though not especially pretty), and the wood tends to be mis-matched and kind of ugly, but this doesn't bother me - I don't think AKs are SUPPOSED to be finely made guns. I did put a black plastic Bulgarian-style stock on one of mine and it does give it a nice, evil look. I also have a Russian Kobra red-dot sight for it. Good luck.
Doug
Doug