rate the .223 AKs

Z

Zigokubasi

New member
How do you guys feel about the .223 AK clones out there? I've only seen a few different types available. Here's my stab at ranking them, based solely on what I've heard (I don't own one yet) -

In order of quality:

1) Galil
2) VEPR/VEPR II
3) SAR-3
4) Norinco

Now these are the only four I've heard of, are there any others? Does anyone have experience with these particular animals?

Ziggy :confused:
 
I'll give you my impressions:

Galil: good build quality, good sights, magzines very costly.
Vepr: good build quality, mediocre sights, expensive mags, unless your versions takes regular AK mags
Norinco: decent build qualty, inexpensive mags
SAR: mediocre to decent quality, inexpensive mags

I'd pick Norinco for logistics reasons.

PS: I recall seeing a pre-ban Norinco underfolder in .223 at Gunstop in Excelsior, MN. Can't recall the price but it was very reasonable. Can inquire if you like.
 
.223 AKS

My vote's with Oleg.............
Norinco's the way to fly, mags still available from Tom Forrest, fairly reasonable........
And they are more robust than the Galil's..the Vepr's, are just an afterthought IMHO...
The SAR's..I am not familiar with.
Galil's.....in .308 caliber, are prone to reciever stress fractures.....with the lower powered .223, may not be an issue.
 
More robust than a Galil?!?!?!?

Lordy, where can I find one of these magical creatures? I was under the impression that the Galil was the ideal "assault rifle", at least under desert conditions (which more or less describes where I live). I really don't know much about the Norinco AKs in .223, I just assumed they weren't very good. Do you guys know where I can find out more about them? (AK-47.net is closed)

Ziggy

P.S. - Oleg, please do find out how much that Norinco is going for, if it's not too much trouble to you. I'd appreciate it very much, at least for reference. My budget is limited, but I'll save up for a nice rifle if it's worth it.
 
I had a Norinco .223 with the folding stock. I traded it for a new REM.700 Sendaro in .300 mag.

It was an exellent rifle and was as accurate as I was. I never had a problem with getting the 30 round mags to work ,they all worked fine and I had 7 of them. With the stock folded I could lash it ot the side of a backpack and it was very handy.

The only disadvantage to it that I saw was the rather short sight radius. I thought of putting a peep site on it, I beleive this would have helped a bit. The mags I bought were about 15$ a piece vs. 6$ for regular AK mags. You can tell the difference between 7.62 mags and .223 mags because the .223 mag is a bit straighter than the 7.62.

All in all, it was an exellent gun. I wish I still had it. It had the advangtages of a shorty AR-15, it was light , quick aqnd accurate with the AK action it could defiinatly take more abuse than the shorty in the same sitations.

If you want the advantages of a .223 with the robust self cleaning reliablity of an AK...this would be the one to get.:)
 
I agree with how you have the rifles rated, except I would probably put the Norinco ahead of a SAR-3. SAR-3 need a little bit of tweaking to be reliable/safe shooters. If you have the bucks, go with a Galil. Spend a little less, get the VEPR. If you are on a tighter budget, get the Norinco. If you like to tinker, get the SAR. The SAR and the Norinco are not going to be tack-drivers, if that is a concern to you.

Zane
 
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