A quality milled receiver is going to raise the cost of the rifle a lot.
What’s your budget?
Mine is stamped I believe, with a straight cut back. I am currently trying to get it to an original config and 922r compliant
To sum it up, you need to buy a Arsenal SLR or a Izhmash (imported by Arsenal) SGL series in whatever caliber and configuration you like.
Or
You need to buy a pre import ban AK (Polytec-Chinese, FEG-Hungarian, etc) if you want the old school look.
Or
Have a reputable gunsmith build a real parts kit off a Nodak receiver.
This gun will be shot, it will probably be my only AK, and I want it mainly for my collection. Definitely want 7.62.
I am not worried about cost as much as I am getting the best representation of one of the most ubiquitous and famous rifles ever made. Which version would be the best representation of what has been used for the last ten years in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Honestly?
Any AK-47 or AKM that has been produced in the world is a good representative of what’s found in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Russian, Bulgarian, Polish, Hungarian, East German (DDR), Yugoslav (especially in Iraq), Egyptian, Chinese…all of them were/are found over there, in great numbers.
If you want to keep it simple, and have the cash to blow, buy a pre 1989 import ban Polytech Legend or Arsenal Inc. SA-M7 Classic, they are the two factory Type III milled receiver AK-47 clones out there.
If you want a stamped receiver AKM, then a pre 1989 import ban Egyptian Maadi imported (not made by) Steyr would be my first choice, as the US got a shit ton of them into Afghanistan during the 80’s and they are very common all over the Middle East, or a Chinese Type 56S, as imported by Polytech (with underfolding spike bayonet) or Norinco. The Chinese have shipped a metric shit ton of them both into Iraq and Afghanistan.
My Classic dressed out as an ING clone…
Norinco Type 56/S…
Excellent Templar! That’s exactly the info I need. Now to track one down.
Templar, I hate you just a little more every time you post pics of your AK’s. :happy:
Hah, well thanks man.
I still have the Arsenal SA-M7 Classic, but unfortunately the Type 56/S found a new home.
I like the AMD-65 rifle. I have one that has a Hungrian FEG recevier and have been very happy with it. I have added a cheek rest to it improve the ergonomics.
Cheers
Good luck with that, because it never happens. 
I bought my Hungarian AMD-65 couple years ago just to test the AK waters and now it’s my most used rifle overall due to weight/ability to conceal. It’s not pretty but works really well. All my shooting buddies talk about getting one after shooting mine but they are getting harder to find cheap. I’m thinking of getting a side folder arsenal incase anything ever happens to my AMD-65.
I like the side folder AK’s as you can stuff them in a large backpack (25" when folded) to take with you just about anywhere legal with AZ CCW. I use my AMD 65 as my truck gun when going out in the desert without the attention of a rifle case leaving the house all the time.
You may not need a sidefoldering stock now but it could be a nice option down the road if you don’t want everyone knowing you are carrying a rifle.
This AK doesn’t really shine on a bench shooting groups but I do really well with it standing/kneeling against steel plates.