Wanting a new plinking rifle (AK lifespan).

StarfuryZeta

New member
I was lucky enough to have a friend sell me his SLR-95 in excellent condition for $500 w/ accessories. This is one fun gun to shoot. I've put about 500rnds downrange, and I believe he shot about 100rnd. However, I don't want it to wear out on me. Thus, I was thinking of a replacement/companion to take on plinking/stress relief sessions.
I love the AK style, so any recommendations of AK manufacturers? I've tried to locate additional SLRs, but to no avail.
Also, I kinda like the Bushmaster bullpup. Never owned a .223. Are they good/fun to shoot with as well?
Thanks!
 
I think it is KBI who is selling the new SA2000M's. They are restriced to 10 round mags, but they are very nice little rifles that cost about $200. Check shotgun news for distributers.

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Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans. Robert E. Lee

Beware the three D's: The dumb, drunk, and deranged.

chadintex@hotmail.com
 
Your SLR -95 should have a chrome-lined barrel with a life expectancy of about 80,000 rounds. I wouldn't worry about shooting the rifling out of it for quite a while.

You want to plink with the same ammo? Get an SKS. Cheaper than an AK, and still fun to shoot. Wanna stick with an AK? Try a Hungarian or Romanian one. Good quality and not terribly expensive.

Of course, you just got one helluva deal on that SLR. Those go for $650-$750 NIB around here.

Shoot Safe. Have Fun. :)

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RKBA!
"The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security"
Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 4
Concealed Carry is illegal in Ohio.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry Website
 
I agree....The AK's will outlast all of us. I second the motion on an SKS, they are great fun and I have never seen one fail to function.
 
Sks are going for $200 on up, look at Norinco Chinese MAK90s or those new converted Bulgarians...I think they for $300
 
80,000 rounds! Wow. That's over 1,400 lbs of lead down range, about what my old VW Rabit weighed.

Conventional wisdom holds a well cared for steel barrel will lose it's service accuracy after 6,000 to 8,000 rds. A chrome lined barrel after 8,000 to 10,000 rds. That's based on the .30-06 and .308. The 7.62x39, because of it's lower pressure and flame temperature, might double those numbers.

Gus Fisher, a well know GI armorer, discusses chromed barrels on this thread: chromed lined barrels. -- Kernel
 
I'll second the SA2000M. I really like mine, and for $200, you can't beat it. Get a Kobra sight and you're a force to be reckoned with under 300 meters.

[This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited July 31, 2000).]
 
It's great as long as there are replacement barrels or replacement guns. But with trends as they are, barrels may have to last a couple or three generations. Surely we can do better than chrome-lined steel.
 
Kernal has made the best estimate so far! I would be just a bit more conservative. I would estimate the life expectancy of a chrome lined 5.56mm semi to be about 5-8K. Maybe 10K if babied! Remember: Rapid fire leads to rapid throat erosion!

Regards! DaMan
 
I'd check out a Romanian SAR-1. These have a "pre-ban" look (pistol grip). They also use normal high-capacity magazines. I have two and they work very reliably. They are fun to shoot and inexpensive (can be ordered for around $290 from various sources). I put a Bulgarian-style black plastic stock and a Russian Cobra red-dot sight on one of mine. Insert a 75-round drum and you can't beat it for fun.

Doug
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by StarfuryZeta:

.....I love the AK style, so any recommendations of AK manufacturers? I've tried to locate additional SLRs, but to no avail.....
[/quote]

Goto www.jgsales.com They have the milled SLR-100 (that accepts 30 rnd mags) NEW for $448.50.. These rifles are really really nice! I have seen them at gunshows for ummm 800+ where I live.

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Dead [Black Ops]
 
I'm still saying the $200 Hungarian SA2000M. Don't buy any extra mags, just send it to "Informer" and have him to do the $100 LEGAL conversion to standard mags. Then you'll have a high quality AK that takes 30 rd. mags, and is one of the more accurate AKs on the market. It also has a better trigger than most. It ALSO has an American made synthetic stock, that is human length vs. chinaman length. All in all you'll have a great rifle for lesss than $350.
 
What is this "LEGAL" conversion you talk about?? I am really interested in have a Hungarian Rifle that can use hi-cap mags. Was looking at pre-ban ones but damn too much $$$$... Also could those use standard stock and pistol grip config if enough US made internals are used??

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Dead [Black Ops]
 
It depends on the make and model and how the low-cap conversion was done in the first place. Mike Prewitt, the AK Guru, has taken some of the Russian Saiga rifles, modified the trunion and magwell to accept standard mags, replaced some parts with US made, and made some ohter mods to yield a standard configuration AK. With the imported parts count at an ATF acceptable level, it's kosher.
 
Yes, Mike is the man I'm talking about. The ban did not actually affect the type of magazine that was to be used. You can't legally (or physically, inthis case) modify mags to the point that they won't work in the original gun, but you can modify the gun to accept different mags. All it takes is to open up the mag port on the bottom...then the 30 rd. mags are fitted in. You must replace 3 foreign parts with US parts to make it legal. This is normally the trigger, sear, and disconnector, but if you remove the stock muzzle brake (I wouldn't) then you only have two to deal with. Take a look at www.ak-47.net and the forums there to find out more about the KBI SA2000M that is $200 brand new, and is really accurate for an AK.
 
Fronsight, how would I contact this person Mike? Does anyone have any experiences with him, does he do good work? Thanks.
 
Several guys in the KBI forum section of www.ak-47.net have had the conversion done, with very good results. Mike referenced "Tenesee Guns" website for his conversions. He did all of theirs. (I don't have the link). You can do it yourself, but I don't trust mu refinishing capabilities.
 
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