I’ve been collecting AK’s and AR’s for a couple of decades, though I’ve always been good about maintaining a manageable level to keep numbers in check. I noticed however that prices on AK’s keep climbing while prices on AR’s are going down. Seems that an Arsenal AK is a better overall investment than say a Colt or BCM. Especially on the second hand market. I know we have a large amount of AR manufacturers that attribute to the overall competitive market but even base model AK’s like say an Arsenal SLR 107FR or WPB Fox47 costs more than say a basic Colt LE6920. Seems that you would think with larger numbers of AR’s available especially at lower prices, that more people would be buying AR’s- driving down the prices of competitive rifle systems like AK’s but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Another odd thing I noticed is the price of 74 variants going way up even though the supply of 7n6 ammo has been cut off- to me that doesn’t make sense but it’s happening. Just a strange market it seems. Guys bidding up AK’s for thousands while factory Colt’s are sitting for hundreds. What do you guys make of this market?
Simple supply & demand. There’s tons of ARs, but good AKs are not so plentiful. As people (no me) get into AKs, inevitably a certain segment of that market will want the highest quality.
Didnt the thing trump just got rid of allow for us to get saigas again? If thats the case id think the cost would go back down as theres more options again.
Investment potential only applies to financial value. There are some absolute shit guns that have gone up a ton in value. My SWD M11/9 full auto for example. Or a crappy pre ban AR in a ban state selling for a premium.
AR prices are super low. High volume, efficiency per unit, huge supply with waning demand.
AK prices climb. A choke point on cheap import part kits and especially barrels. Price of parts up, labor intensive assembly in comparison, etc.
It’s like saying a 1998 Defender 90 is way better than a 2018 4Runner because the defenders price has gone up.
Edit- I have used AKs since foreign fam training in the 80s. With my first personal one a Chinese model purchased in the early 1990s. I have two SBR AKs, in 7.62 by 39. I have four more 7.62x39 AK rifles, A 5.45 one. A 5.56 one. A PSL which is essentially a 7.62x54 rimmed AK. I am not anti AK. But comparing an AK to an AR used to be like comparing a 1970 454 Chevelle to a 1985 5.0TPI IROC. Now it’s like comparing a 1970 Chevelle maybe with better seats and tires to a new 6.2L Camaro SS 1LE. Subjectively I can love both, but objectively I can’t champion the 70 for a daily drive or track day car over it.
You’re talking about stuff that is out of production collectibles. I’m talking about actual current production or recent production items. Take the WPB Fox 47 rifles, they sell for about $980 each but they are almost constantly sold out- even at that price which is more than what an LE6920 costs. I just find it interesting is all.
I’m an AK whore. I got in to them back in the early '90’s when they were inexpensive because they were a better value relative to AR15’s and other options. I really enjoy the platform. Every AK that I purchased over the years is now worth much more than what I paid. The primary reason for this is that most of these AK variations are no longer made. As a collector, I’m glad that I got them back in the day because I logically wouldn’t be able to justify purchasing most of them now given the other options available for the same money or less. Now, AR15’s are very inexpensive relative to other semiauto rifles that are available. Personally, I’d say that AK’s were a good investment when they were inexpensive. Though I believe most will continue to rise in value some, most of the upside potential is gone. Since quality AR15’s can be had for way less than most factory built AK’s, most people buy AR15’s. In theory, AR15’s should have more upside potential because they’re inexpensive relative to their competition, but I don’t see much changing that to provide upside potential. So long as there’s lots of competition in the US, prices will stay down and that’s a great thing.
BTW, today I sent off a '83 Russian AK74 parts kit to a highly talented AK building along with a new US made receiver, a Bulgarian barrel and a US trigger group. When all’s said and done, I’ll have about $1,400 in to this rifle. I’m sure that most here will think that I’m crazy for spending that kind of money on what’s not even a factory AK, but the collector in me wants to get as close to a real military configuration Russian AK74 as I can get. That’s what it takes.
It’s still about supply and demand. If they saturated the market like Colt has, then they wouldn’t sell for half that much. They’re smart to keep their operation small.
I have an 86’ Izhevsk 74 build and an 83’ Tula 74U build- both were expensive to put together even back over ten years ago due to the rarity of parts. For what it costs these days to pick up Colt AR’s I’m honestly surprised people aren’t stacking them deep. It’s like they forget the $2500 pre-bans during the 90’s. There may never be another time in history like this to acquire these items.
Yes, I am using examples of poor guns but great financial value.
Then I not the loss of very inexpensive imported surplus build kits, exacerbated significantly by barrels no longer coming with those kits, and how much more labor intensive an AK is compared to an AR. With hints at scale of production cost efficiencies.
The cost comparison of an AK vs an AR in the US is not one of quality.
It is one of Production expense, scale of operations, and labor costs.
Agreed. I purchased five of the Mexican Colt 6920’s that were offered on Gunbroker a while back for $700 each. Not only was the price unbelievable, the bonus Mexican markings will make them somewhat more collectible. I also bought a Colt OEM-1 6920 for $600.
I just know in hindsight I wish I could have bought a few Mak90’s back in the 90’s and sat on them all these years. Even in their neutered state I’d double or triple my money per gun. I bought a MISR-90(which I thought was a Mak90 at the time) in the mid '90’s. Unfortunately my early 20’s self didn’t have the foresight to think “I should buy a few of these” nor the disposable income to do so anyway.
I bought my MAK-90 at a LGS for $179. Then I went to a gun show the next weekend and saw them for $149. I was disappointed that I had wasted $30. I guess that I didn’t do so bad after all.
This inversion signals red alert—get out of old AKs and into a combination of top end stuff being imported in small batches (B&T, SAN) and cheaper but high quality stuff that can’t realistically sink lower (Colt ARs and ammunition).
The AES-10B’s are being imported again, only they are now over $1400. My issue is that they are still selling these AKM/RPK’s with wood 1980’s furniture. At least Arsenal BG, when they do get around to importing complete lines are offering modernized furniture, rail systems etc.
Perhaps if you’re doing it from an investment standpoint, but I buy based on what I want to have for my collection. I’ve found with guns and coins that if I buy what I like in nice condition, they’ll generally increase in value over time. I have to disagree about the B&T and SAN offerings. Their prices have already taken up most of the upside potential. B&T offerings are not limited, so that will keep them from increasing in value. SAN’s offerings are at least limited, but they’re even more expensive. I totally agree with you about Colt AR’s and ammunition.
I wouldn’t call a SLR 107 “THE SHIZZ of the AK world”, I have one and a new production WASR 10. I consider both of them to be the 6920s of the AK world, basic no frills go to war rifles. I hate the painted finish Arsenal uses, I wish it was just a thick parkerized finish like on the WASR.