Navyguy, Doug Stockman is a good dealer who's in your AO, www.ssgknives.com

He'll get in the Arsenal SLR-106FR's and also carries the Vector line of rifles.

Vectors are good to go and have a good rep for reliablity, good clean builds, and customer service. They also have some milled receiver rifles for about $800 or so.

The 1mm thick receiver is standard for every European AKM or AK-74 except the Yugoslavian rifles, which use the 1.6mm (or 1.5mm) RPK receiver. The Amory USA (Global Trades) 1.6mm receivers aren't "authentic", but I haven't heard any serious issues about them either. The Armory USA 1mm standard receiver is a decent one.

In the $500-$600 range I'd definitely look very hard at the Vectors. They have a 5 year warranty and like I said, good clean builds. If you join AKForums and order from Atlantic, tell him that you're a member there and they'll give you a discount.

Hope that helps.