I want to buy a basic AK-47 as you would see on most movies. Goal in the buy is to keep it generally inexpensive, as that seems to be the draw towards the platform in the first place. I built my AR, can I build an AK? I see the name Century come up a lot, but have also heard that they have a lot of problems? Are these rifles simply imported and then sold, or are they modified before they are sold? I've heard something about some rifles not accepting standard AK mags... When searching gunbroker, they all look the same and sound the same, so I need to know what to look for and what to avoid... sorry if this post is redundant, but I didn't find another thread containing this info!
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Looking at first AK, don't have a clue where to start
- Thread starter kevdrums
- Start date
Most AK's you'll run into are actually assembled by the importer/manufacturer here in the USA. For example, the Century Arms WASR-10 is put together from a mix of surplus AK parts from Romania, plus some US-made parts. Century's Yugo M70 AK is assembled from a mix surplus Yugoslavian AK parts and some US-made parts. This will be the case for most any AK you'll run into, whether it's from Century, InterOrdnance, Arsenal, etc and has to do with the 922R law that states that rifles of that sort needing to have US-made parts in them.
What will vary is how good a job these companies will do in assembling their guns and how good the parts are that are used. Century for example has a reputation for spotty quality control and Arsenal is regarded as top-notch. Century can and does put out good AK's, but you're always taking a bit more of a chance than buying something like an Arsenal AK.
What will vary is how good a job these companies will do in assembling their guns and how good the parts are that are used. Century for example has a reputation for spotty quality control and Arsenal is regarded as top-notch. Century can and does put out good AK's, but you're always taking a bit more of a chance than buying something like an Arsenal AK.
chris in va
New member
Until supply runs out, you could always get a basic Saiga and convert it yourself. Shouldn't run more than around $550 including parts.
Yes, you can put your parts on a receiver if you mean that by "build" but you'll need the tooling and it's not at all as easy or the same thing as putting together an AR15 (just so you know what you're getting into).
It sounds maybe the Siaga route might be overwhelming to someone unfamiliarized with the kalashnikov but it's relatively simple to reconfigure on yourself.
I'd say go the Saiga route. What this is, if you don't know, is actually the high quality Kalashnikov rifle built in the actual Russian factory; However, when it gets imported there's some ignorant laws that require the rifle to not have it's intended configuration so allot of people do the gunsmithing themsleves and fix it. While the imported rifle is fine on it's own, IMO you stand to benefit in different ways from "restoring" the rifle.
Used and wholesale parts can be had at way better prices than as advertised by major companies but you have to be resourceful. For the $, the Saiga is the best option. You will pay the same or more for the already mentioned and typically litlle lower quality Century Arms rifle (although my WASR 10/63 is pretty damn awesome).
Most AKs won't have mag issues, you just have to watch for the single-stack or double-stack magazines because the magwells will be different. Also, .223 caliber AKs have a big mag thing I won't get into but basically as an example the Saiga .223 they can take Weigar mags, Orlites, Galils, etc...
It sounds maybe the Siaga route might be overwhelming to someone unfamiliarized with the kalashnikov but it's relatively simple to reconfigure on yourself.
I'd say go the Saiga route. What this is, if you don't know, is actually the high quality Kalashnikov rifle built in the actual Russian factory; However, when it gets imported there's some ignorant laws that require the rifle to not have it's intended configuration so allot of people do the gunsmithing themsleves and fix it. While the imported rifle is fine on it's own, IMO you stand to benefit in different ways from "restoring" the rifle.
Used and wholesale parts can be had at way better prices than as advertised by major companies but you have to be resourceful. For the $, the Saiga is the best option. You will pay the same or more for the already mentioned and typically litlle lower quality Century Arms rifle (although my WASR 10/63 is pretty damn awesome).
Most AKs won't have mag issues, you just have to watch for the single-stack or double-stack magazines because the magwells will be different. Also, .223 caliber AKs have a big mag thing I won't get into but basically as an example the Saiga .223 they can take Weigar mags, Orlites, Galils, etc...
bamaranger
New member
ak info
There is a world of AK info out there w/ just a bit of looking. Spend some online time a the various AK web sites and you will do much better.
And you are looking first, BEFORE you buy, which is good. I thought I was infomed enough when I bought a gunshow AK stamped Maadi, but came to find out it was the dreaded MISR-90, the world's shoddiest AK.
Still, w/ some home gunsmithing and research, I've fashioned a reliable and attractive AK (legal too)
I wouldn't look just too long however. Once again the winds of .....change... seem to be stirring and the AK platform may not be as readily available in the near future.
There is a world of AK info out there w/ just a bit of looking. Spend some online time a the various AK web sites and you will do much better.
And you are looking first, BEFORE you buy, which is good. I thought I was infomed enough when I bought a gunshow AK stamped Maadi, but came to find out it was the dreaded MISR-90, the world's shoddiest AK.
Still, w/ some home gunsmithing and research, I've fashioned a reliable and attractive AK (legal too)
I wouldn't look just too long however. Once again the winds of .....change... seem to be stirring and the AK platform may not be as readily available in the near future.
All three of my kalashnikovs (WASR, Saiga, Vector) function just fine. I had a chance to inspect a pile of WASRs and pick one that seemed to be assembled correctly, though. I would not advise buying one unless you can inspect it first to make sure the front sight and gas assembly are on straight, the magwell isn't too tight or loose, etc...
I bought my Vector because of the rather nice factory trigger, but the TAPCO G2 trigger in my later-purchased WASR is also quite good for a kalashnikov. Look for it if you go Romanian.
My Saiga is highly functional as well. No frills, just a kalashnikov. Unless you buy one that has already been worked over they will require modification to use standard AK mags.
The VZ58 (not a kalashnikov, but sort of looks like one from a distance) also does not use standard AK mags.
I bought my Vector because of the rather nice factory trigger, but the TAPCO G2 trigger in my later-purchased WASR is also quite good for a kalashnikov. Look for it if you go Romanian.
My Saiga is highly functional as well. No frills, just a kalashnikov. Unless you buy one that has already been worked over they will require modification to use standard AK mags.
The VZ58 (not a kalashnikov, but sort of looks like one from a distance) also does not use standard AK mags.
IO Inc
I don't know if IO Inc is the same as InterOrdnance or not. But IO Inc receivers are supposedly made in the US. Unfortunately, the resultant AKs made from those receivers are very problematic.
I returned 3 of them due to the posterior trunnion rivets bending, which increased the intra receiver distance enough to cause the bolt carrier to jam open. Unless, they've corrected this problem, I wouldn't buy an AK from IO Inc.
In contrast, my Entreprise AK-47 with a NoDak Spud receiver is excellent. The rifle costs a good $200-$300 more than the IO Inc model, but it's much better (i.e., after firing 2-4,000 rounds through it, I haven't had any major problems). I've probably had a total of 6 to 8 jams with this AK, but that's with rapid firing of as much as 200 rounds in a 1 hour period at 102 degree ambient temperature. I have had no problem with the bolt carrier getting stuck open with the Entreprise.
So if you're getting your first AK-47, the Entreprise AK with the NoDak Spud receiver is an excellent choice.
I don't know if IO Inc is the same as InterOrdnance or not. But IO Inc receivers are supposedly made in the US. Unfortunately, the resultant AKs made from those receivers are very problematic.
I returned 3 of them due to the posterior trunnion rivets bending, which increased the intra receiver distance enough to cause the bolt carrier to jam open. Unless, they've corrected this problem, I wouldn't buy an AK from IO Inc.
In contrast, my Entreprise AK-47 with a NoDak Spud receiver is excellent. The rifle costs a good $200-$300 more than the IO Inc model, but it's much better (i.e., after firing 2-4,000 rounds through it, I haven't had any major problems). I've probably had a total of 6 to 8 jams with this AK, but that's with rapid firing of as much as 200 rounds in a 1 hour period at 102 degree ambient temperature. I have had no problem with the bolt carrier getting stuck open with the Entreprise.
So if you're getting your first AK-47, the Entreprise AK with the NoDak Spud receiver is an excellent choice.
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