I’ve been reading a bit about AK’s and was looking to pick one up perhaps. I built my AR, it took me about a year of reading here and buying parts but I ended up with mostly BCM, Noveske and Magpul (Geissele trigger, B.A.D A.S.S., Aimpoint, etc) and think I have a pretty good rifle. Right now I am putting most of my money and reading time into a LRB m14 build. So I was looking to just get an AK off the shelf. Something equivalent to a Colt 6920. Any suggestions?
Arsenal SGL-21 or a variant of. That said, take a long look at the SGL-31 series in 5.45, both are available in folding polymer stock versions.
Don’t leave out the SLR-107 as well. Atlantic has them for under a grand.
This.
Closest thing a guy in the US can get to a real deal Russian Kalashnikov. And I own SLR105, SLR106, and an SLR107, nothing wrong with them they just don’t have the Russian markings.
I prefer the Bulgarian rifles over the Russian for many reasons, but the Russian ones are fantastic too.
Another vote for the SLR-107 series. Love the spring loaded firing pins like the Chinese Polytech.
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I think you’d be fine with any of Areseal’s current offerings.
Budget? I went through this only a few months ago and exchanged a couple of PM’s with Steyr. I ended up with an Arsenal SAM7R, mostly because that’s all I could find in stock at the time and was tired of waiting for a cheaper Arsenal to show up. Its a great gun, but apparently the newer WASR’s are being made with CL barrels, scope mounts, and they’ve tightened up their conversion practice so the magwell cuts are much cleaner. If I had found one for $400 (maybe $500) I’d have been all over it. AIM lists them for $375 last I checked, but they’ve been out of stock for awhile. I’ve seen them going for somewhere in the $500s recently I think. Any more though, might as well get an Arsenal.
This:
Another +1 to SGL-21/31 Arsenals as the 6920. I like the Bulgarians, also, but the Russian guns are probably more the 6920 equivalent.
As for the WASRs, Cugir built guns are better than something like a GP1975, but the Romanians are pretty utilitarian, and the whole welded piston thing is sub-optimal. Of the Cugir guns, the M&M M10 is probably the safest bet, then a hand-picked WASR. I wouldn’t call Romys a 6920 equivalent…more of an assembled parts kit, in that at worst, with a little work, you’ll have something perfectly functional and reliable.
I’m seeing Waffen Works 74s at good prices right now, but I have not handled them personally.
I’ve got a stack of Interarms builds that I’ve been very happy with, but they’ve dried up lately. I’ve had good results from the US made CL barrels in them.
SGL 21/31 would be a fine choice, there are a few things to be mindful of IMO:
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The “paint” job is lacking, any type of harsh cleaner will likely remove the finish; so be careful with the application
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The triggers are a fairly lackluster 2-stage, easily swapped with a Tapco (yes, Tapco of all things) G2
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The muzzle threads are an odd sizing, so you will likely have to re-thread if you want to update the stock brake (Manticore’s offerings being one exception)
The Waffen Werks mention brings up a good point, whether the OP wants 7.62 or 5.45. Personally, I chose 7.62 because I can buy it at Walmart and other stores, and because I knew Magpul was releasing PMAG’s for the platform soon…
As for the WASR thing, I probably should’ve clarified I was just throwing it out there, not that its necessarily an equivalent to a Colt.
Agreed with the first bolded statement. Tough to go wrong with a 6920 for just about anything a carbine would be asked to do; same with the SGL21/31.
I have a couple WWs from before Newtown—awesome guns. Unfortunately it seems that’s not the case currently and there are a lot of problems with the basic function/fit of the newer ones.
It used to be SGL21 at one point in time in my mind. Now you can’t find them. And if you can they cost more then an actual 6920.
Thanks for all the replies so far. Looks like a SGL21 is the way to go and most likely what I will end up with.
I have a fascination with Romania though. And would not mind picking one of those up and putting a bit of work into it. If someone can point me in the right direction, I know SPQR476 mentioned Cugir built guns.
Nothing wrong with Romanians, just get a SAR 1/2 so you don’t need to worry about poorly modified mag wells, US barrels or crappy builds. Also absolutely NOTHING wrong with Arsenal Bulgarian rifles if you can’t find a SGL series.
My Bulgarian is very, very nice… If you just want one AK, ignore what I said about the WASR and find an Arsenal. I looked for SAR’s for awhile but I believe they stopped being imported so you’re only going to find a used one, and I never found someone selling one that even appeared reputable.
My vote is Arsenal as well. They are pretty much the gold standard as far as I’m concerned.
Are you interested in the side folder or would you rather have the fixed stock? The side folding stocks on the SLR series are second to none.