I know Century Arms has a horrible rep for their HK clone builds, but how are their AK’s?
They have a sweet fixed wood stock AK47 for $430.
They’ve been getting generally good reviews. The Yugo builds by Century are on the DCI receivers (top of the line) and new US made barrels.
Bear in mind that the barrels aren’t hard chrome lined.
I think you’re still rolling the dice a little, but early reports have been more positive than negative.
Marc just emailed me this to break my heart.
Is that really a show stopper? I see you own a Yugo.
I do believe that Templar has a Yugo.
In my opinion the lack of chrome-lining isn’t a show stopper. The reason being is you care for, clean and maintain your weapons. You’re not running around the Congo or south-east Asia so when you return from a class or practice session you clean your rifle.
As long as the bore is in great shape to begin with and you clean it like you’re suppose to I really don’t see that much of a problem.
I wouldn’t have a problem buying and building up a Yugo kit if I found the right deal and knew the bore was in great shape.
Marc, thanks for the heads up.
I’m now seriously leaning towards the fixed wood stock Yugo. At least for getting my feet wet in the AK world again. It’s been five years since I owned one.
Best photo I could find:
If you are buying a Century rifle make sure you can touch it first. They have a terrible (and well deserved) history so a bit of caution should be taken before buying the rifle sight unseen.
Bingo, that’s the problem although Templar reports that these are getting good reviews so far.
I would love to find a local dealer with one in stock, BUT that’s a pipe dream and the relatively cheap J&G Sales price of $430 also goes out the window. They would charge $650 at least and I could buy an Arsenal for that from the right dealer.
I just found out another desirable feature about Yugo AK’s; the bolt hold open feature. While I’m along ways off from being an “AK Guy” this seems like a big deal. It alleviates one of my serious complaints about the AK weapon system.
My question is this: Is it the Yugo rifle or the Yugo mags that gives this feature? If it’s the mags, does it work the same in other countries/manufacturers AK’s?
It’s the Yugoslavian magazines that have the bolt hold open feature, not the rifle itself. The follower on most Yugoslavian magazines is raised so that when it’s empty, the bolt slams to a stop on the follower.
As soon as you remove the magazine, the bolt slams home on an empty chamber. It doesn’t matter which AK you use, if you use Yugo magazines they will hold the bolt open until removed.
I do have a “real” Yugo AK, a Zastava imported by Mitchell Arms “back in the day”.
The original Yugo barrels are made from extremely high quality steel, and can be quite accurate. They never had chrome lining though. I’ve shot a couple thousand rounds of corrosive ammo through my non chrome lined Yugo barrel and haven’t had an issue with corrosion…just clean it as you would anything you cared about.
I cannot comment on the quality of the US made barrels that Century is using…no one knows what kind of steel they got their hands on.
If you maintain the weapon, no biggie. I think that chrome lining is much more important on a higher pressure round like 5.56mm to help stop throat and bore erosion. In fact, the Yugoslavian M95 in 5.56mm use chrome lined 1/7" twist barrels.
I’ll once again recommend an Arsenal Inc. SA-M7 Carbine…think of the milled Arsenal rifles as the top tier for AK manufacturers. If you want to hook up sometime before the class I’ll let you try mine out.
Here’s a young man in Liberia using a Yugo M70AB2, which if it were lucky, it got cleaned with gasoline or kerosene and lubed with axle grease…it still works…
Mine…
I’m going to have to admit that I love the wood stocked Yugo’s. I will have to make a decision in the next month or so.
How many AR’s do you own?
You know, it’s ok to have more than just ONE AK…
Good point.
I really like the wood as well.
Is it a big deal to remove the grenade launcher sight? Is there an advantage (like protect the gas tube or something) to having one on the rifle?
Another newbie question, is it impossible to fire the underfolder AK with the stock closed? It looks like the safety has to be on for the stock to be folded? I also notice some of the AKs in these pics have plastic grips while others have wood. Is there a reason for this? My inital thoughs are so there are enough USA made parts, is that correct?
AK’s with underfolding stocks can be fired with the stock folded, there’s a cut on the right stock strut on the inside so that the safety clears.
Flygunz over on AKforum just built this Yugo M70AB2…here’s a good pic of the safety and the folding stock:
As far as grips, early grips were made of wood, then bakelite and plastic came along.
Parts count does have something to do with it on kit built rifles. A US made plastic grip is an easy part to add.
The grenade launching sight cuts off gas flow to the piston when in the up position, to keep the rifle from battering itself to death. I guess you could remove the grenade sight if you really wanted to, but it’s not hurting anything being there.
OK, I’ve got the Yugo M70 fixed wood stock bug again.
What is the best place to buy one? It seems Century only has under-folders.
I did find this one for $479
I just got a Yugo under folder in stock!
C4
Order me a fixed stock. 
Curtis is great guy, and he has a couple:
http://www.akforum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13963&highlight=
I got my fixed stock century Yugo last week, after a bit of consternation about the chrome lining (or lack therof) I overall am happy with it. 1st trip to the range is wednesday
edit: oops, didn’t realize how old this thread was…
I’ll bail you out agian mister!