buckshotbob
Inactive
does any one know which AK's are the best nowadays...and where are they coming from?????
Where are good AK's coming from now????
- Thread starter buckshotbob
- Start date
viciouskitty
New member
Arsenals are probably the best they are assembled in Vegas. They have both bulgarian pattern guns as well as actually Russian guns. Those being Saigas that have been brought into the country in sporter configuration then converted to a regular AK pattern rifle. They run in the 700 dollar range or so
Would have to say Arsenal if I had plenty of cash etc - but am extremely happy with Zastava PAP that I bought the old man for his bday last year.
They are Serbian, known as one of if not the best values in AK quality-for-price-ratio , downside is cheap plastic thumbhole stock and single stack mag(magwell), basically they're designed as NJ legal which is right up my alley, made it perfect for us but, same reason its great for me could be the negative for you.
Again, hard to go against Arsenal, but this was $400 some intstead of close to $1,000 - quite a big difference in price, not that much difference in overall quality.
They are Serbian, known as one of if not the best values in AK quality-for-price-ratio , downside is cheap plastic thumbhole stock and single stack mag(magwell), basically they're designed as NJ legal which is right up my alley, made it perfect for us but, same reason its great for me could be the negative for you.
Again, hard to go against Arsenal, but this was $400 some intstead of close to $1,000 - quite a big difference in price, not that much difference in overall quality.
Dfariswheel
New member
As above the Arsenal Inc SGL series rifles are the best.
These are made in the Russian Izhevsk factory where the military AK's were made and where Kalashnikov worked.
These are Saiga commercial rifles specially built for Arsenal for easy conversion.
Once in the States, Arsenal converts them to AK-74 pattern rifles.
These have all the Russian military features like the hard chrome lined bore and chamber and the hammer forged barrel.
These SGL 21 and SGL 31 series rifles are available in 7.62 or 5.45 and with a number of options like stock color and various combination of bayonet and accessory mounts on the barrel, and folding stocks.
They're sold through a number of big distributors and K-Var.
http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/home.php?cat=
Depending on where you buy it and sales, starting price is "around" $800.
These are made in the Russian Izhevsk factory where the military AK's were made and where Kalashnikov worked.
These are Saiga commercial rifles specially built for Arsenal for easy conversion.
Once in the States, Arsenal converts them to AK-74 pattern rifles.
These have all the Russian military features like the hard chrome lined bore and chamber and the hammer forged barrel.
These SGL 21 and SGL 31 series rifles are available in 7.62 or 5.45 and with a number of options like stock color and various combination of bayonet and accessory mounts on the barrel, and folding stocks.
They're sold through a number of big distributors and K-Var.
http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/home.php?cat=
Depending on where you buy it and sales, starting price is "around" $800.
ohen cepel
New member
Look at the Saigas and see if they fit your need/want. That is what Arsenal takes and turns into and "Ak" (really not since it's not auto, but that's another thread
).
I have a Saiga and like it a lot for what it is. Solid, Russian made, and a deal these days! I also have Chinese and Yugo "Ak's" but think I prefer the Saiga to be honest. I like the longer stock and stock design on the Saiga, plus the price is about 1/2 of the other options and you're getting a rifle that left Russia made by Russians and not messed with in any way.
).I have a Saiga and like it a lot for what it is. Solid, Russian made, and a deal these days! I also have Chinese and Yugo "Ak's" but think I prefer the Saiga to be honest. I like the longer stock and stock design on the Saiga, plus the price is about 1/2 of the other options and you're getting a rifle that left Russia made by Russians and not messed with in any way.
Uncle Malice
New member
Arsenal.
Arsenal.
Arsenal.
See if you can find one at a local shop to check out... the fit and finish will really surprise you coming on an AK. It's really a spectacular quality gun. No mag wobble, safety isn't too tight or too lose, no wobble in the fore grip... everything is solid... and it's very accurate. Comes with a test target from the factory.
Arsenal.
Arsenal.
See if you can find one at a local shop to check out... the fit and finish will really surprise you coming on an AK. It's really a spectacular quality gun. No mag wobble, safety isn't too tight or too lose, no wobble in the fore grip... everything is solid... and it's very accurate. Comes with a test target from the factory.
This almost made me spit my drink out.
I am sorry but blanket statements like this are never true. I have had my fair share of garbage AK's mag issues, no mag issues, but still issues. I can't believe what people are asing for WASR 10's anymore... I paid like $200 for mine, makes my head spin.
But really not ALL AK's are reliable.. but I will say it doesn't have to be an expensive one to be reliable. However Arsenal and Red Jacket.. despite the horrible stupid show... would be my top two choices.
My WASR 10/63 I paid $249.00 works just fine. Millions of folks are using AK-47s not made by Arsenal or Red Jacket that work for them. Nothing against Arsenal or Red Jacket who make good products but saying you have to spend that much money to get a good working AK is an erroneous statement.
Did I say that one had to spend more money to get a good one?
Nope pretty sure I said....
I only paid $200 for my WASR-10 and it worked just fine... doesn't mean it was on the same level as an arsenal or red jacket. That is why I said my TOP TWO choices were Arsenal and Red Jacket... not THE ONLY CHOICES.
Take note I did own a $200 WASR-10. It shot, but it was no where near the quality of said other two. Now you can make them nice if you swap out a lot of parts.. and get one where the receiver is not all buggered up, but for what they are asking for a WASR-10 now... $500ish ... I would rather spend my hard earned money on something of more quality. They were fun when they were $200-$300, and over night the Obama-scare irrationally drove the prices through the roof.
Uncle Malice
New member
Exactly, this.
I had a WASR too... it never malfunctioned... but it wasn't anything to be proud of. I wouldn't mind having another to go bury in the desert as a just-in-case... but I wouldn't spend what they're asking for them now.
The Arsenal is really pack leader and for $750, it can't be touched. The Red Jacket's are also very nice... but they are almost always >$1,000.
tahunua001
New member
I hate to incite the flamings but my way over priced WASR 10/63 has issues that are mag related but the reason it's mag related is because the reciever has been ground down by century international arms and now it it has so much mag wobble that it only feeds plastic mags reliably...now I really have no problem using plastic mags but other people don't seem to see it that way. the thing that grinds my gears is that I payed 700 dollars for this gun that is about 90% perfectly fine when 5 years ago I could have gotten it for $350 you may have missed the cheap ak band wagon
back to the OP
arsenal and red jacket are good.
back to the OP
arsenal and red jacket are good.
If My WASR 10/62 never malgfunctions, works in harsh conditions. I also took it out to check my zero a week or two ago I was at in indoor range. At 25 meters it put a whole 40 round magazine into a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2 square. I betcha it will be in the hit zone out to 300 meters. which is pretty much what it was designed for. Keep in mind I dont have the eyesight I used to have either as the sights were blurry.
I have installed some polymer furniture in black on it which fits like a snug glove. I already have a Reflex sight and a Ultimak gas tube with the rail is the next purchase.
I know that there are some real dogged out AK-47s out there also.
So why should I need to pay over $700.00? With a little prudence when checking out AK-47s I can grab me a good shooter for less than that by inspecting them.
You can pick em up at J&G sales for about $429.00. They have some Polish Tantals for around that price also.
I have installed some polymer furniture in black on it which fits like a snug glove. I already have a Reflex sight and a Ultimak gas tube with the rail is the next purchase.
I know that there are some real dogged out AK-47s out there also.
So why should I need to pay over $700.00? With a little prudence when checking out AK-47s I can grab me a good shooter for less than that by inspecting them.
You can pick em up at J&G sales for about $429.00. They have some Polish Tantals for around that price also.
That is sort of like saying I have a Pinto that drives well.... it must be just as good as BMW.
There are quality differences between a WASR and a Arsenal..... if Wasr's were still $200-$300 sure... I could buy 3 of them and if one breaks.. oh well.
But seeing them $500-$600 is just not practical. $750 can get you a much higher quality rifle, one built new... not a reworked rifle with random parts.
By your logic why not go even cheaper and get an SKS? Same fire controls.. and you can actually reload one faster with stripper clips than you can playing AK Rock&Roll Mag change.
I mean you wouldn't be able to put fancy new school plastic on an SKS... but they do make a handy war club when empty.
You seem upset because you think I am attacking the WASR-10.... I USED TO OWN ONE. The problem I have with them is that they are being sold double of what they are pretty much worth.... and people such as yourself get upset when someone talks about a superior brand.
Yes your WASR-10 shoots, but fit, finish, accuracy, parts quality... and longevity of service will not be on par with an Arsenal.
Personally I would spend the extra $150 for the better rifle, with higher resale... and extra piece of mind.
Like stated above.. the WASR's downfall is how well the receiver is ground out for mags, some are good.. some are just terrible, but even the good ones don't match Arsenals quality.
I work behind the gun counter every day... I don't see one example of a firearm.. I see 1000's of them. Guess which brand I get back with more issues?
There are quality differences between a WASR and a Arsenal..... if Wasr's were still $200-$300 sure... I could buy 3 of them and if one breaks.. oh well.
But seeing them $500-$600 is just not practical. $750 can get you a much higher quality rifle, one built new... not a reworked rifle with random parts.
By your logic why not go even cheaper and get an SKS? Same fire controls.. and you can actually reload one faster with stripper clips than you can playing AK Rock&Roll Mag change.
I mean you wouldn't be able to put fancy new school plastic on an SKS... but they do make a handy war club when empty.
You seem upset because you think I am attacking the WASR-10.... I USED TO OWN ONE. The problem I have with them is that they are being sold double of what they are pretty much worth.... and people such as yourself get upset when someone talks about a superior brand.
Yes your WASR-10 shoots, but fit, finish, accuracy, parts quality... and longevity of service will not be on par with an Arsenal.
Personally I would spend the extra $150 for the better rifle, with higher resale... and extra piece of mind.
Like stated above.. the WASR's downfall is how well the receiver is ground out for mags, some are good.. some are just terrible, but even the good ones don't match Arsenals quality.
I work behind the gun counter every day... I don't see one example of a firearm.. I see 1000's of them. Guess which brand I get back with more issues?
Uncle Malice
New member
Taurus?
Judging by what I saw at my local gunshow a few weeks ago, those WASR's are not worth what is being currently asked for them. The wood is absolutely terrible, and they make no effort at all to clean up or refinish the area where they enlarge the mag well.
Arsenals are completely factory new guns. They don't include any surplus parts from demiled parts kits, and they have the nicest fit and finish of any of the factory AK's. They also build them to the specs for the real deal AK-100 series rifles (or as close as you can legally get). I'm personally thinking about getting a SGL21 when the funds become available.
Red Jacket is a custom shop and their bread and butter is Saiga conversions. Their guns are probably about as nice as you are going to get, but you will be paying a custom shop price for one. They also typically include a few features you wont find on an Arsenal like a gunkote finish.
Arsenals are completely factory new guns. They don't include any surplus parts from demiled parts kits, and they have the nicest fit and finish of any of the factory AK's. They also build them to the specs for the real deal AK-100 series rifles (or as close as you can legally get). I'm personally thinking about getting a SGL21 when the funds become available.
Red Jacket is a custom shop and their bread and butter is Saiga conversions. Their guns are probably about as nice as you are going to get, but you will be paying a custom shop price for one. They also typically include a few features you wont find on an Arsenal like a gunkote finish.
MagnumWill
New member
Again, I'm with the people that "quality/reliability/prettiness" is subjective. I'm perfectly happy with my CAI RPK AES10B. Does it have mag wobble? Yes- do I give a ****? No. It has not mis-fed from the mag at all due to the wobble (ran across some crappy mags themselves, though). So the gun works for me, and is super-reliable. Frankly, with the money it takes for an arsenal I'll go with a different style rifle. I love my AK, but I'm not A die-hard fanatic of them. If I'm looking for fit and finish over $900, I'll go with an AR. Just for me, I can't justify spending that much on a rifle you're supposed to drag through the dirt and still be happy with it when it gets scratched. That's how Mr. Kalashnikov designed it.
And back to the Pinto vs. BMW. I'm not going to pay $40,000 for a Pinto that someone has done a rotisserie resotoration on and is immaculate- it's still a Pinto... Just IMHO.
And back to the Pinto vs. BMW. I'm not going to pay $40,000 for a Pinto that someone has done a rotisserie resotoration on and is immaculate- it's still a Pinto... Just IMHO.