WHat is a good one to look to buy?? I want one but I dont want some junk, and this way I kind of know what to look for if I see one.
Good threads postban, the ar-15 is cool too, I just am on a AK budget
Lot to pick through, several calibers, fixed stock, underfolders, side folders, wood stocks, poly stocks, metal stocks, ammo availability and price, magazine availability and price, optic plate or not. Another choice is stamped receiver or milled receiver, no accuracy difference, just weight with the milled being heavier.
Generally the good ones are those that came in whole instead of hacked together here. They usually require nothing but ammo and good mags to run for a lifetime. I will tell you what to look out for, many Romanian SAR and WASR guns have incorrectly installed Gas Blocks and front sights, check em bofore buying. Alot of them have poor geometry trigger components that slap your trigger when firing (can be fixed). WASR guns can allows mags to wobble because of no dimples also jam because they only have a 10rd mag feed ramp.
Also avoid anything that says HESSE, Vulcan or Century Arms generally. Also watchout for homebuilt guns unless you know the guy. Never buy any AK that is "screw built". MISR guns also have a bad rep.
New factory AK's from Arsenal are the current best new guns, pricey but worth it in quality and longevity. Lancaster has many fans on the boards. Global Trades has a tolerable rep, some turds out there though. Ohio Rapidfire makes some SWEET looking rifles, great rep too.
Used or older guns are abundant, many gems. Any Polytech, Maadi Steyr Maadi RPM, Maadi ARM, Clayco, GSAD, Norinco, MAK90, MAK91, NHM90, NHM91, Romanian WUM, Russian VEPR...... yummy.
Best value on the market in 7.62 are the pre-ban chinese, thicker receivers and bbls with decent accuracy, great triggers and compatibility with any mag.
Go through this thread, see what you like
http://www.akforum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=373
may have to register, not sure.
Price points;
7.62 ammo is up to $200 a case (1000rds)
223 is near $400 a case
5.45 is $120 a case
7.62 mags are everywhere for <$10 (30 rd milspec surplus)
5.45 mags are 3 for <$12 lots of places
223 depends on the guns, $15-35
7.62 jumps up when you fire, good recoil, you know you shot a gun
223/5.45 are near motionless when fired (doesn't feel like you did anything)
223 is typically most accurate, 2-3" (5 shots 100 yards, iron sight rested)
5.45 is hit or miss, 3" or +5"
7.62 is commonly 4"+, rare to be under that.
You wanna hunt, get a 7.62 for deer or a 223/5.45 for varmints.
You wanna blast and make holes, and enjoy freedom and make liberals miserable, flip a coin.