DO You Get What You Pay For With The AK-47? - Page 2

absit · January 7th, 2007, 03:53 PM

$300 - GP WASR 10. Everything an AK was designed to be, everything else is blasphemy, and expensive for nothing.

Don't argue, you know it's true. The original AK was cheap, reliable, and ugly. The WASR 10 is the epitome of those things.

Mo · January 7th, 2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlstorm

I was thinking about Saiga, and I havent actually heard anything bad about them, they also seem to be plentiful and cheap. I am still a little hesitant because of the price, and even at twice the price its not too bad..

Saigas are nice because they are a true Russian AK in a sporter configuration. The original AK is just under the surface, and conversion back to military configuration is fairly straight forward. If you can find a Saiga conversion done by someone who knows what they're doing, it would be a good choice indeed. I think the hardest part is making a bullet guide so that it can use regular non-saiga AK mags.

Muzz · January 9th, 2007, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo

... I have one of the SAR (no "W") guns that was imported during the assault ban. Though it has no flash hider or bayonet, it is dead-reliable.

If I were to buy an AK today, I would probably go for the $450 or so Yugo M70 underfolder. If my budget was more like $700, I'd look hard at one of the Arsenal Inc. guns. For any more $$, you're paying for collectability and rarity, not fit or function.

Same here - I have an SAR, and although it suits me just fine, if I were going to buy an AK over again I would go with the Yugo M70 as well. They are built like a tank - best 'bang for the buck' on current batch of AK's, IMO.

dr_cmg · January 10th, 2007, 01:14 AM

The only problem with the Saigas is that depending on the model magazines can be hard to find and very expensive. Otherwise they are very good for what they cost.

SixBravo · January 10th, 2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlstorm

I have heard many times people talking about an AK as a SHTF weapon...I dont like to get any gun I couldnt use in a defensive situation..which is proably why I generally dont buy cheap...however this rule seems to be overlooked when talking about AK's from what I see...is it just me?

Cheap guns can be their cost because of how mass-produced they can be - just like my love of military surplus. Some of the most reliable firearms that have stood up to the worst possible conditions are those which are no longer made. The AK happens to be one that is still currently in production, just a big revision from the 1947 design (and arguably, the German's 1944 design).

Obviously, this does not apply to most cheap firearms. They are cheap because of the metals used, difficulty of use and cleaning (read: poor design), or some other reason.

Just remember - cheap doesn't neccesarily mean they are junk. Sometimes expensive can mean complicated. Some people may argue that the Mosin Nagant is the easiest rifle to battlefield strip, others would argue the AK... SKS... it really comes down to an opinion on the matter. I have never stripped or cleaned an AR or anything from the Stoner family - but I can't imagine it is easier than those rifles listed above

I'm sure this isn't what you were getting at exactly, but meh... Just IMO....

AKsrule · January 11th, 2007, 05:15 AM

I have owned AKs since the mid 1990s.
In the AK world of today you need to distinguish between the
bargain basement rifles and the quality rifles.
Unfortunately PRICE alone is not a good indicater of value!

The wasrs (cheapest)are all Brand new guns , serviceable - but lacking in fit and finish. ( sometimes these will have slight functioning
issues )

In the middle you have the "Kit guns" which are generally made from
demilled surplus rifles with some new parts and a refinish.
Its best to examine these in person before you buy , or make sure
the MFG gives and will honor a solid warranty.

At the top are the models from Arsenal Inc , Vector , and the Custom
built rifles from several very respectable makers.

Do NOT expect to find a NIB trouble free AK for under $400
unless you are a very lucky person.

foob · January 11th, 2007, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKsrule

Do NOT expect to find a NIB trouble free AK for under $400
unless you are a very lucky person.

Saigas are NIB and less than $400. They go for $250-$350 depending on the model/caliber. They may not look like AKs, but conversion takes a few hours with hand tools.

Haven't heard of anybody with problems with them.

Illuminaughty · February 27th, 2007, 05:10 AM

Saiga's, unless converted only take saiga mags. They do not accept standard AK magazines.

Ben Hennessy · February 27th, 2007, 09:12 AM

I am not an AK expert but I have shot from cheap to the more expensive AK's. I find this to be a great battle rifle no matter in what price range you buy. I have take a cheaper WSAR-10 and put syn furniture and red dotted it and made this my rifle. You can find so much extra's for an AK now a days. I like to own an AR but my choice is an AK. That seems to be the worlds choice also.

cphilip · February 27th, 2007, 03:52 PM

The Mid priced ones tend to be heavier built and represent the true lasting values. Of course that mid price point keeps moving. However the best built ones do indeed represent a class to themselves. A mid range being 500-600 dollars. Or milled being 600 to 700 dollars. Still fairly afordable and retain thier value very well. You can do quite well with $400 - 600 dollars getting a very well built example of an AK as it was designed to be and well finished at the same time.

January 7th, 2007, 03:53 PM	#11
absit Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 110	$300 - GP WASR 10. Everything an AK was designed to be, everything else is blasphemy, and expensive for nothing. Don't argue, you know it's true. The original AK was cheap, reliable, and ugly. The WASR 10 is the epitome of those things. __________________ All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

January 10th, 2007, 01:14 AM	#14
dr_cmg Lead Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,897	The only problem with the Saigas is that depending on the model magazines can be hard to find and very expensive. Otherwise they are very good for what they cost. __________________ George Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

January 11th, 2007, 05:15 AM	#16
AKsrule Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 695	I have owned AKs since the mid 1990s. In the AK world of today you need to distinguish between the bargain basement rifles and the quality rifles. Unfortunately PRICE alone is not a good indicater of value! The wasrs (cheapest)are all Brand new guns , serviceable - but lacking in fit and finish. ( sometimes these will have slight functioning issues ) In the middle you have the "Kit guns" which are generally made from demilled surplus rifles with some new parts and a refinish. Its best to examine these in person before you buy , or make sure the MFG gives and will honor a solid warranty. At the top are the models from Arsenal Inc , Vector , and the Custom built rifles from several very respectable makers. Do NOT expect to find a NIB trouble free AK for under $400 unless you are a very lucky person. __________________ ------- -SIG , it's What's for Dinner- know your rights! http://www.handgunlaw.us "If I walk in the woods, I feel much more comfortable carrying a gun. What if you meet a bear in the woods that's going to attack you? You shoot it." {Bernhard Goetz}

February 27th, 2007, 05:10 AM	#18
Illuminaughty Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sandusky, Ohio Posts: 110	Saiga's, unless converted only take saiga mags. They do not accept standard AK magazines. __________________ "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." George Washington ...we are NOT a free people.

February 27th, 2007, 03:52 PM	#20
cphilip Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,447	The Mid priced ones tend to be heavier built and represent the true lasting values. Of course that mid price point keeps moving. However the best built ones do indeed represent a class to themselves. A mid range being 500-600 dollars. Or milled being 600 to 700 dollars. Still fairly afordable and retain thier value very well. You can do quite well with $400 - 600 dollars getting a very well built example of an AK as it was designed to be and well finished at the same time. __________________ www.cphilip.com

February 27th, 2007, 09:12 AM	#19
Ben Hennessy VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. James, Missouri Posts: 2,361	I am not an AK expert but I have shot from cheap to the more expensive AK's. I find this to be a great battle rifle no matter in what price range you buy. I have take a cheaper WSAR-10 and put syn furniture and red dotted it and made this my rifle. You can find so much extra's for an AK now a days. I like to own an AR but my choice is an AK. That seems to be the worlds choice also.

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