Thinking about buying an Ak

Leggdpms · Dec 17, 2012

Very new at the whole ak platform

indyk · Dec 17, 2012

Leggdpms said:
Very new at the whole ak platform

Saltpork · Dec 17, 2012

Just joined to respond to this post. Unlike most firearms in America, AK isn't always about brand name & the prices are all over the place.
AKs come in 2 calibers, 7.62x39mm and 5.45x39mm. You probably shot an AK74 variant. As a general rule, 47(AKM) variants are 7.62x39 and 74 variants are 5.45x39mm.

All manufactured AK variants(as in have a company name on them) pass 922r compliance. 922r has to do with the importation of firearms into the US which a majority of AKs fall into.

Most of the imports are identified by their country of import, Romanian, Bulgarian, Chinese, etc.

If you're looking for American manufacturers, check out Waffen Works.

If you aren't, there are lots of options. Arsenal are the Cadillacs of the AK world & you will pay a premium for them.
US manufacturer and importer of the finest and most authentic examples of the time proven assault rifle design.

Century Arms is a major importer and their quality standards aren't always as good as they should be(read that as you can get a really crappy gun).

A good basic rifle for getting into AKs is the Romanian WASR(7.62x39). They're cheap, most are decent, and they are available for anywhere from 500-750 bucks. Getting a WASR 2(5.45x39) is less plentiful, but they are out there.

If you're looking for good countries, almost all of the former soviet countries produce AK variants that are worthwhile. I'm particular towards Bulgarian and Yugo, but that's personal preference. Romanian works well too. I would avoid Egyptian for your first AK.

Go to your local gun shop, tell them you're new to AKs and let them show you what they have in stock. If they're worth anything, they will know the country of origin and the US importer/manufacturer. The biggest things on AKs is how well they're put together. Look for spacing on the rivet heads in the receiver, look down the length of the gun to make sure it's straight, make sure the front sight isn't canted(moved off one side or the other). Cycle the action a few times to make sure it goes all the way back and returns home crisp and clean without twisting or jamming up. This will tell you if the bolt carrier group rails are installed correctly(which is really the only way to kill an AK).

Dry fire it a few times as well with the dust cover off. You will see the hammer strike and can tell if the gun is put together well.

You can also bring your buddy who is into AKs. That will help a lot.

Don't worry about how the wood furniture looks or is colored(the stock & the foregrip, etc). Very few are in flawless condition. Most will be two tone due to the repeated heating of the foregrip. It's just the nature of the AK to be a bit ugly.

For your first AK I wouldn't suggest any folding stock. Get used to shooting them with standard fixed stocks and then if you want, look at under folders, side folders and AK pistols. All are basically the same, just go with a traditional full size AK for your first.

This has gone on pretty long at this point, so just a note about corrosive ammo. This means that the chemicals the primer uses is hygroscopic(water loving). This means that after the gun is fired, it will begin to get tiny deposits of rust in it unless it is cleaned. Over time this rust will eat out your barrel and you will have to get a new one. Putting a barrel on an AK is serious work and best left to people who know how to do it correctly.

With most American guns and ammo you can put off cleaning them for a day or two without any real issues, you can't do this with corrosive ammo. When I shoot milsurp AK ammo(corrosive, always assume it's corrosive), I will take a spray bottle with me filled with water. Just water.
Unlike what a lot of internet culture tells you Windex or Simple Green do nothing special to the corrosive residue left in your barrel and gas port. It's the water that removes the residue. After shooting my AKs I will field strip then spray water in the barrel and gas port, let it all drain out & follow it with some CLP aerosol spray until I can get them home and clean them properly. It's messy, but I haven't had any rust issues in any of my AKs.

Leggdpms · Dec 17, 2012

Awesome thanks saltpork for all the info and suggestions

cwagner1 · Dec 17, 2012

BehindBlueI's said:
RUSSIAN VEPR RIFLE 5.45x39 with 16-1/2" Barrel #AKAGUN-VEPR-545

$500, shoots the 5.45x39 caliber you are discussing, AK style.

This is by far the best bang for your buck. GREAT build quality. Can't say enough good things about the veprs.

Only downside is some proprietary parts and proprietary mags. But they are built like tanks, have a lifetime warranty, and are made by molot.

03A3 · Dec 17, 2012

Before you buy one be sure that you can get mags and ammo.
I haven't looked so I don't know if there is anything left, and if so what the prices may be jacked up to.
I personally don't think this is a good time to be getting into a new platform.

Phil~ · Dec 29, 2012

As Que and some of the other guys' have said~ do yourself a favor and check out the Waffen Works AK-74 Rifles...you'll be glad you did. Most of our Indiana dealers probably have them in stock already or they may have some inbound, so drop by your LGS and give one a good coonfingerin'.

http://www.agsarmament.com/Semi-Auto-Rifles_c83.htm

I have one myself and they are stupid-fun to shoot, cheap to shoot, accurate and have the perceived recoil of a stout .22! A one-handed, pistol grip hold is all you'll need to dump the mag and still have full control of the rifle! They're a blast (pun intended) and they'll eat any type or brand of ammo you put through them. :yesway:

vitamink · Dec 30, 2012

Some additions:

From saltpork:

Just joined to respond to this post. Unlike most firearms in America, AK isn't always about brand name & the prices are all over the place.
AKs come in 2 calibers, 7.62x39mm and 5.45x39mm. You probably shot an AK74 variant. As a general rule, 47(AKM) variants are 7.62x39 and 74 variants are 5.45x39mm.

They also come in .223, .308, 7.62x54r and soon 9mm.

All manufactured AK variants(as in have a company name on them) pass 922r compliance. 922r has to do with the importation of firearms into the US which a majority of AKs fall into.

Most of the imports are identified by their country of import, Romanian, Bulgarian, Chinese, etc.

If you're looking for American manufacturers, check out Waffen Works.

Inter-Ordnance is another American option, but i go with a WW before an IO any day

If you aren't, there are lots of options. Arsenal are the Cadillacs of the AK world & you will pay a premium for them.

If Arsenals are Cadi's then high end custom builds, Rifle dynamics, Krebs, etc are the Ferraris
US manufacturer and importer of the finest and most authentic examples of the time proven assault rifle design.

Century Arms is a major importer and their quality standards aren't always as good as they should be(read that as you can get a really crappy gun).

As long as century IMPORTS the rifle and doesn't BUILD the rifle you're fine. If they install barrels, sight blocks, or rivets, you may be screwed

A good basic rifle for getting into AKs is the Romanian WASR(7.62x39). They're cheap, most are decent, and they are available for anywhere from 500-750 bucks. Getting a WASR 2(5.45x39) is less plentiful, but they are out there.

If you're looking for good countries, almost all of the former soviet countries produce AK variants that are worthwhile. I'm particular towards Bulgarian and Yugo, but that's personal preference. Romanian works well too. I would avoid Egyptian for your first AK.

Egyptians make great collection/investment pieces. The new kits that just hit the market are really cool

Thinking about buying an Ak

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