What is a decent AK?

[Gasitman]

I had a Romanian one that had tons of rust on the inside. Sold it to fund my aimpoint, but my kid loved that rifle, so I may have to pick up another one. I love the look of the Dragunov, but I have no idea which ones are good, bad, cheap, etc. What would be a good one for under $600?

[TOrrock]

For under $600.00, I’d look seriously at the WASR’s offered by Henderson Defense.

Yes, they are Century Romanian WASR’s, but Henderson goes through them to make sure that everything is good to go, so you don’t have to.

http://shop.hendersondefense.biz/product.sc;jsessionid=BC69CD5BBC21BB91B2383CE208723679.qscstrfrnt03?productId=78&categoryId=4

If you can go an extra $100.00, the Arsenal Inc. SGL-21’s are probably the best on the market right now.

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17015&cat=353&page=1

[Buck]

Im fond of the IWI Galil SAR… But thats just me…

B

[JSGlock34]

@Templar

If you can go an extra $100.00, the Arsenal Inc. SGL-21’s are probably the best on the market right now.

I own two Arsenal AKs and they are superb.

[JediMindTricks]

A MAK-90 is a real AK, and will run you about $400-$500. They don’t look as nice as others but I’m sure they’re built tougher.

[OneUp]

Arsenal SGL20/21 all the way.

[jagdkommando]

Arsenal SGL

[500grains]

Since it is for your kid I would go with the 5.45 in order to take advantage of the el cheapo milsurp ammo at $119 for 1040 rounds. Among my Bulgarian (Arsenal), Romanian and Polish Tantal, I like the Tantal best. I think they can be had for 500 bucks or so these days, although they peaked at near 700 during the Obamagunbuyingfrenzy.

[NinjaTactics]

Templar (and others in the know), what is your opinion of the Century Underfolder Carbines here?

Also, with the folding stock on those is there any NFA type issues that have to be addressed, or is this considered a normal length rifle? Thanks for your help.

[TOrrock]

@NinjaTactics

Templar (and others in the know), what is your opinion of the Century Underfolder Carbines here?

Also, with the folding stock on those is there any NFA type issues that have to be addressed, or is this considered a normal length rifle? Thanks for your help.

Typically they’re fine, an if you ask Henderson to go over it and make sure it’s good to go before it ships, that should help.

Be advised that the US barrel on that Yugo is not chrome lined. Original Yugo barrels weren’t either. Most of the surplus rifles that got cut up into kits out of the Balkans had beat bores, where the militias couldn’t find time in between ethnically cleansing their neighbors to clean their bores.

There’s no NFA issue with a folding stock AK with a 16" barrel. Michigan has some screwy state law that has an OAL more restrictive than federal.

[NinjaTactics]

@Templar

Typically they’re fine, an if you ask Henderson to go over it and make sure it’s good to go before it ships, that should help.

Be advised that the US barrel on that Yugo is not chrome lined. Original Yugo barrels weren’t either. Most of the surplus rifles that got cut up into kits out of the Balkans had beat bores, where the militias couldn’t find time in between ethnically cleansing their neighbors to clean their bores.

There’s no NFA issue with a folding stock AK with a 16" barrel. Michigan has some screwy state law that has an OAL more restrictive than federal.

Thanks for your quick and thorough reply. I’m looking to get into a couple of AK’s in the near future and Henderson looks like a very affordable seller that I’ll be keeping in mind.

[William_B]

@NinjaTactics

Thanks for your quick and thorough reply. I’m looking to get into a couple of AK’s in the near future and Henderson looks like a very affordable seller that I’ll be keeping in mind.

+1 I just recommended that site to a friend who is in the market for his first “assault” rifle. Thanks!

[Boss_Hogg]

FWIW I was VERY impressed with the quality and finish of the Saiga 5.45 rifle I ordered from KVar. It even had a straight FSB!

I should have picked up a couple of 7.62x39 when they were $499…for an AK made on real Russian tooling.

Bulgarian would be my next pick.

[snappy]

I missed the “stimulus sale” unfortunately. Have been saving for a VZ58 but am taking forum advice and going with the true AK(M) platform first. Have been weebling back and forth between an Arsenal SGL (Russian) or SLR (Bulgarian folder) in 7.62. Still would kinda like the folding stock of the SLR but decided it wasn’t worth an extra $160 for one on my first AK. Just sent payment for an SGL-21 and now the waiting begins. Guess the VZ will have to wait until summer, (hope they’re still available). Will pass along the impressions of a first timer when the SGL arrives.

[The_Dumb_Gun_Collect]

I have had very good luck with the FEG Aks.

[GermanSynergy]

@Greg Bell

I have had very good luck with the FEG Aks.

FEG makes a great AK. I need to scan and post some pics of my firing one while training the Hungarian army back in 2000…

[crazymoose]

Have had very good luck with Arsenal, Norinco, and the Robinson-imported VEPR II’s.

[Toonces]

I have an SGL-21 from the stimulus deal and a converted Saiga. Besides the threaded muzzle on the SGL, there really isn’t any functional differences between them. Both of them have been smooth running from the start.

If you can’t find an SGL for near the stimulus price, and you don’t need/want the threaded muzzle, buy a Saiga and convert it.

My wife is small, and not a recoil lover. She was slightly concerned about the 7.62 recoil before shooting. She giggled after shooting the SGL…and then bitched about the sights. I figure that will make it easier for me to get an Aimpoint on an Ultimak or TWS rail.

[big_54r]

RPG arms in Houston makes some of the best AK’s that I have shot or used and that is about all of them from Arsenals to Vepr’s to Feg’s (which are actually pretty good as stated…) and various others.

just my 2c…

[Alaskapopo]

I am not saying its the best out there. But its the best I have owned. The Saiga Arsenal SL21 from Kvar.
Pat