About ready to buy my first AK

[CrazyIvan]

So I've got a 1911, (2) AR-15 style rifles and some other handguns.

I'm looking into getting an AK. I don't have a lot of experience with these, so would like some input. I do have some guidelines to my wants:

Cost: $300-$560
Style: Composite stocks
Brand/Build with a good history of using steel-cased ammo (Wolf & others)
7.62x39
Maybe a folding stock, but not required

I'll just be using this for plinking and maybe self defense out to 75-150 yards. I'll probably stick to iron sites, but may want a small scope or red-dot site at some point

I know the WASR-10's are about the low-end. I don't mind this option, if it has good reviews of use and such.

Thanks for the help.

[SwedeSteve]

I bought a WASR10 because it was what I could afford. Nearly 5,000 rounds later, she's going strong! Shell eat anything I feed her.

[CrazyIvan]

Found this one online, what do you guys think?

GunsAmerica - Black Widow Custom AK47 Package! *Folding Stock+Bayonet+Sling+MORE!* - AK-47 Rifles (and copies) > Folding Stock

[tlarkin]

I have a Chinese one in .223 (5.56) and it shoots like a champ. I hear great things about the Yugo ones, and I guess the Czech ones are no longer being made so their price may go up, not sure how valid that is though.

[jmp8927]

One of my best friends has a WASR-10 with synthetic foregrip and composite folding stock like you want and he LOVES it. I've shot it and handled it and I can't find a single thing wrong with it. He's only ever shot Wolf steel case and no issues whatsoever. So far as funtionability and reliability, it's as good as the next one. Another choice you might consider is a Yugo make. They're heavier, but that's because they're built with a milled receiver that's thicker than most others. If you go the Yugoslavian way, be sure to get one with a new barrel. Wouldn't want to get a previously issued barrel that may have had corrosive blanks fired through it.

[squirrelbaster]

take a look at the yugo m70s they are the best for the cash in my opinion.

[GunRangeSniper]

With the bleak outlook for the upcoming elections, I would recommend a folding stock; either underfold or sidefold (although personally, I think the underfolders look better). The reason I say this (maybe I'm too pessimistic ) is that I'm afraid that the Clinton era bans (and worse) are just around the corner due to the poor candidates for President. I'm trying to stock up now on those nasty "assault weapons" as well as C&R handguns. Again, maybe I'm paranoid, but like Feud said, "Just because you're paranoid that doesn't mean that no one's out to get you".

I have a WASR-10 UF made in Romania, with synthetic forearm. I wish I had gotten the wood forearm just because it looks more "authentic". They have the slant muzzlebreaks and come with the bayonet, 1 or 2 magazines (depending on where you get it), and a Romanian magazine pouch. I also have the standard wood stock/forearm WASR-10. Note - The finish on the WASR's wood is pretty poor. I sanded with fine and extra fine sandpaper and then put several coats of Birchwood Casey TruOil on it. Looks really nice now.

[win308]

With their crappy sights, AKs are hard enough to shoot accurately. Why add a folding stock to make matters worse ? I would stick to the fixed stock.

[ghost_raven]

Mine's a wasr 10/63. The best description I've heard is that they are kind of like VW bugs- nothing fits as tightly as you think it should, nothing works as well as you think it should. But, throw it all together, and it works.

[Parrothead]

I love my Century Yugo - zero problems and loves whatever I choose to feed Yugos have that nice grenade sight / gas block just in case you should feel the need to launch some inert rifle grenades, golf balls, tennis balls, or whatever else LOL!

J&G is where Dad picked up his Yugo underfolder. Check 'em out

AK-47 and RPK rifles

[CrazyIvan]

Well now I am really torn. I've wanted to get a Kel Tec PLR-16. But, I also want an AK. I dunno...what do ya'll think?

Here's a pic of the PLR-16, it looks awesome!

[squirrelbaster]

what round does that thing shoot?

[ArkansasHunter]

Hey Crazy...LOL ! Check out the AK's at Classic Arms while your looking, but you better hurry !...A.H

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by squirrelbaster

what round does that thing shoot?

It's a .223. It fits all standard sized .223 magazines. It is classified a pistol, though it usually can only be held and shot with 1 hand on the grip and one hand on the forward stock. I've been thinking about one for a while, but also been thinking about an AK...ugh. I dunno.

Anyhow, here's a video of one of the review guys over at GunBlast.com using it:

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Kel-T...16/Kel-Tec.mpg


Here is their review:
Kel-Tec PLR-16 5.56mm Semi-Auto Pistol

The cool thing about Kel Tec is that they have a lifetime, transferrable warranty.

But, AK has such a history, it is kind of an icon and something to really enjoy.

[jmp8927]

I would buy an AK-47 first. More reliable and has more stopping power. In the long run, it'll be better to you as you have a hard time getting an AK to stop working. If you can later, buy your Kel-Tec after the AK-47.

[CrazyIvan]

Well, went and held a Yugo M70, modified MIL-spec AK. Still had the flip-up sight for the grenade launcher, had the original foreign manufacturer stamp, good wood, and a tight mag receiver. $550...

I can't find it on their website though. Is the WASR-10 a remanufactured M70? I'm thinking not, because all the WASR-10's I've seen have not had the double-stack mag dimples...but maybe I'm wrong.

The one I looked at was heavy duty and had the offset trigger system. He said the steel was thicker.

What do ya'll think?


EDIT: It looked just like this one (also had the rubber buttstock)

[knightRider]

buy an ak now i tell you

[meatloaf]

Yugo has stopped producing the Yugo m70 so if you find one I would buy that. Besides being a fantastic gun, and is superior in quality for its price range. It is probably going to be a good investment. Its going up in price because it is not available (except for what is produced), and if a ban goes into effect that will just add even more to the investment. Now if you can break your price barrier I would check out Arsenal AK's they start at about 700. The only ak better built than that is a galil, and that will totaly blow your budget. That is if you can find one. Also dont stress so much on what to get your going to be happy no matter what, after all its an AK.

[CrazyIvan]

Well the guy didn't call it an M70, he didn't give it any model number. He just said it was a Yugo. But after looking online, it seems that is what it was. He did say that they are no longer imported and the only ones in circulation are only the ones that are left to sell in the US. He did note the additional thickness on the receiver as well, which was another thing my research came up with on the M70.

He showed me a WASR-10 as well, and I could tell the differences between the two...so I'm not sure what it was exactly.

[squirrelbaster]

i highly recomend the yugo m70, they are thicker from what i can tell and weigh a bit more which help a lot with recoil, i personaly like the ones with the uderfolding stock, i see them all over for around $500 give or take $25 depending on where you get it.