My personal experience? Get the cheapest new one you can find. I paid $400 for mine (WASR10) and it has never let me down. It shoots accurately enough, has NEVER jambed, hiccupped, or malfunctioned in any way. If you don't need the absolute best then you would just waste your money with a more expensive rifle.
Your cheapest "new" AK will utilize a fresh receiver but surplus parts kit (barrel, furniture, etc..) from some com-bloc country. Fit and finish will suffer, barrel quality are hit or miss, sight alignment has been known to be problematic. (I have a WASR10 as well, have only had 1 issue and I believe it was a maintenance fault on my end.)
I think it is the opposite of this, old receiver new barrel. My AK used an existing full auto receiver/trunion and a new production chrome lined barrel.
Yea you're right for the most part. Also, just pick one up, make sure the sights are straight and the gun functions. If that stuff is good and you like the way it handles/looks get it!
I think it is the opposite of this, old receiver new barrel. My AK used an existing full auto receiver/trunion and a new production chrome lined barrel.
I recently purchased a romanian WASR10. Went shooting over the weekend and put 120 cheap rounds through it without a single hiccup. If you buy one with a wood stock the only thing I would suggest is the butte pad. My shoulder is killing me.
Question, you have an AK that has a full auto receiver? As in the third pin hole and other items not found on an ATF approved receiver?
Just curious.
Darral, if you put a butt pad on it, where would you put your tool kit? Also it wouldn't be as effective when you butt stroke your attacker/zombie. Steel FTW.
Seriously though, if you shoulder it properly it won't hurt your shoulder. It should actually rest in the pocket of your shoulder just to the inside of your armpit, and don't squeeze the rifle into your shoulder as hard. It does not have that much recoil so you don't need to manhandle it.
I was thinking my issue with was I am 6'5 and in order to see straight through the sights I had lean my head down farther than what most people would. My hopes where to get a scope mount and scope to raise the line of sight a little so I could shoot from a more comfortable position. I will try to pay a bit more attention to exactly how I am holding it next time out though. Never know, you could be right.
I was thinking SKS but for not a lot more I can get a AK. Mainly wanting it for hunting coyote, plinking at range and if SHTF.
What should I look for in a AK?
I found them online for $400 up to $1200 so what is the diff?