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Looking at buying an AK - what's the word (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/8/2025 12:44:20 PM EDT
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Looking at Atlantic - What is ok to buy? Riley defense? WBP? Arsenal? |
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I have 7.62x39 WPB full stock model and its been great so far , maybe 700 rds so far. I bought it to eat up the x39 ammo I inherited recently. I also have a PSA krink in 5.56 thats been flawless after 3k of steel cased ammo. The yugos seem decent from my limited hands on with them. The Riley , I remember a few issues with them , but maybe they fixed that. I have a few Chinese preban models as well as a Yugo m92 and a Bulgarian 74 as well. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Swedish? You mean Finnish. I'm a huge Russian and Bulgarian AK nutcase. I like Romanian too. For the money, IMHO, grab a PSA. |
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If you're in the market just for an AK, you need to know what you're looking for. If you just want something to blast with, I would get the following...
Hopefully, this helps. I'm an AK guy mainly, so I figured I'd throw in some thought, albeit a shorthand example. I'd honestly avoid most American-made AKs. I've not seen many good ones. I picked these specifically due to commonality, cost, and also not "extremely rare or really a collector's gun. The only one I could see be debated is the MAK-90, but they can be found for $800-$1000 still if you look. |
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Originally Posted By nictra: I'll say this, if you grab a PSA make sure you get one with the FN barrel. They have already been tested and make fine accurate shooters. Originally Posted By nictra: Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Swedish? You mean Finnish. I'm a huge Russian and Bulgarian AK nutcase. I like Romanian too. For the money, IMHO, grab a PSA. Get the PSA, FN, WBP collaboration. Best AK i have. 
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"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
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Many/most will say it's not at AK, but I 100% recommend the "limited edition" 13" IWI Galil ACE available at Dissident Arms at the moment. IMO, 13" really is the sweet spot for x39. Get it, and get the KNS plastic delete, KNS adjustable gas piston, and ALG trigger. Sweetest AK-ish gun you can get of you're not an AK purist 
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| Arsenal, Zastava, or Romanian would be my choices. Recently, I got out my old Romanian GP1975 which I bought ten to twenty years ago. The front sight is so far to the right I don't think it can go anymore, but feels so reliable and is fun to shoot. Yes the prices are high these days. Don't expect AR15 precision. |
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Originally Posted By MtnMan307: Arsenal, Zastava, or Romanian would be my choices. Recently, I got out my old Romanian GP1975 which I bought ten to twenty years ago. The front sight is so far to the right I don't think it can go anymore, but feels so reliable and is fun to shoot. Yes the prices are high these days. Don't expect AR15 precision. Yeah the WASR, Arsenal, or a zastava would be what I recommend. The Polish Beryl is still available currently so I'll add that. All but maybe the WASR should be easily available in 556 if you don't want 762. A galil ACE was mentioned and that would be great because it has a top rail already to go if that matters. |
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If I were buying a 7.62 AK today, it would likely be this: https://atlanticfirearms.com/wbp-762sc-jack-100-classic-rifle-blem |
If you aren't representing Jesus in a way that makes people want to hang out with you, you're doing it wrong.
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Originally Posted By Sputnik556: If I were buying a 7.62 AK today, it would likely be this: https://atlanticfirearms.com/wbp-762sc-jack-100-classic-rifle-blem Besides the fit and finish being better if I was in that price range I'd go with This Wasr for a bit less and put some cool furniture on it. |
In .300blk at that
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The draw of AKs was cheap guns to shoot cheap ammo. Neither the guns nor the ammo are cheap anymore. I don’t recommend anyone buy an AK these days. I like mine, don’t get me wrong. But they don’t make financial sense. Since pix make every thread better, I’ll post some. My favorites are Yugos, but they are going to have slight differences than most other AKs. The Yugos I built: Attached File The Romy shoots well, but gave me some headaches building it. I ended up putting a buffer in it (I know). I don’t honestly remember what the issue was, rail jumping doesn’t ring a bell but why else would you add the buffer? Anyway here it is: Attached File |
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I like my FN barreled PSA, its a Forged Nutmeg GF5 https://palmettostatearmory.com/psak-47-gf5-forged-chf-classic-alg-nutmeg-wood-rifle.html |
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Originally Posted By Jmo371: I like my FN barreled PSA, its a Forged Nutmeg GF5 https://palmettostatearmory.com/psak-47-gf5-forged-chf-classic-alg-nutmeg-wood-rifle.html PSA new sabor AKs looks interesting. They use Romanian parts kits, FN barrels, and swell neck rivets (they should of probably used these always). It's got a rail and ALG trigger and only around $1100. Have no idea if these are good but the parts are pretty good for that price. |
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Originally Posted By T1DOperator: If you're in the market just for an AK, you need to know what you're looking for. If you just want something to blast with, I would get the following...
Hopefully, this helps. I'm an AK guy mainly, so I figured I'd throw in some thought, albeit a shorthand example. I'd honestly avoid most American-made AKs. I've not seen many good ones. I picked these specifically due to commonality, cost, and also not "extremely rare or really a collector's gun. The only one I could see be debated is the MAK-90, but they can be found for $800-$1000 still if you look. Zastava? They're available in good supply for sale at Buds and the usual big stores. Supply problem? Not difficult to locate during my daily web searches. |
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How is the PSAK-47 GF5-E? https://palmettostatearmory.com/psak-47-gf5-e-with-alg-trigger-psa-slr-solo-13-5-rail-toolcraft-trunnion-and-bolt.html Specs look good. I have a WASR but I want another AK to play around with. |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: How is the PSAK-47 GF5-E? https://palmettostatearmory.com/psak-47-gf5-e-with-alg-trigger-psa-slr-solo-13-5-rail-toolcraft-trunnion-and-bolt.html Specs look good. I have a WASR but I want another AK to play around with. If you want to go the PSA route and want a similar style AK you should look at the sabre PSA AK. It has Romanian core parts, swell neck rivets, and all the gf5 extra features. On top of that it's cheaper. They have a gf4 version as well but the 5 is a great deal. There's a lot of good deals right now on used AKs if you want to build out a real import but that sabre on paper seems great with what you get. Out of stock but they come back in hopefully at the same prices. Gf4 Sabre Attached File Gf5 sabre Attached File |
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Originally Posted By JamesJones: If you want to go the PSA route and want a similar style AK you should look at the sabre PSA AK. It has Romanian core parts, swell neck rivets, and all the gf5 extra features. On top of that it's cheaper. They have a gf4 version as well but the 5 is a great deal. There's a lot of good deals right now on used AKs if you want to build out a real import but that sabre on paper seems great with what you get. Out of stock but they come back in hopefully at the same prices. Gf4 Sabre https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/426002/51655225926_9425_1_jpg-3667720.JPG Gf5 sabre https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/426002/51655225449_9225_1_jpg-3667721.JPG Thanks, I was checking those out as well. I haven't come across any good deals on the used market but I was looking at Arsenals and they're always pricey anyway. |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: Thanks, I was checking those out as well. I haven't come across any good deals on the used market but I was looking at Arsenals and they're always pricey anyway. Originally Posted By wav3form: Originally Posted By JamesJones: If you want to go the PSA route and want a similar style AK you should look at the sabre PSA AK. It has Romanian core parts, swell neck rivets, and all the gf5 extra features. On top of that it's cheaper. They have a gf4 version as well but the 5 is a great deal. There's a lot of good deals right now on used AKs if you want to build out a real import but that sabre on paper seems great with what you get. Out of stock but they come back in hopefully at the same prices. Gf4 Sabre https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/426002/51655225926_9425_1_jpg-3667720.JPG Gf5 sabre https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/426002/51655225449_9225_1_jpg-3667721.JPG Thanks, I was checking those out as well. I haven't come across any good deals on the used market but I was looking at Arsenals and they're always pricey anyway. I see used milled arsenals here in EE for 12-1400ish on occasion. The stamped are still way overpriced. It depends on the budget and if you want it "Gucci'd" out but at that 1400 range they are asking for the gf5 that gets you a lot of good options right now. I don't know why they priced the sabre AKs lower because they are probably the best spec AK they have. |
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If you go to the ak47 subreddit, you'll see a buyer's guide that may save you a lot of headaches. For instance, when people say "Polish," they mean...? Radom, probably. WBP is a commercial AK that gets great reviews. Then there's Pioneer, which is Polish, but NOT what people mean. AKs are a bit of a minefield. Here's the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/ak47/comments/10xcq38/qa_thread_and_helpful_links_2023/ They're snobby over there, but it's a useful snobby. |
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Originally Posted By NEXT23: Looking at Atlantic - What is ok to buy? Riley defense? WBP? Arsenal? God help me, you do need help.  Stay away from Riley Defense. Absolute garbage. Stay away from Palmetto State. Complete garbage. The only Century worth looking at is the WASR-10. It's Romanian (Cugir factory), and they are bomb proof. If you buy an Arsenal, buy one with the intent of upgrading it if you don't mind spending the money (send to Rifle Dynamics). Yugos are nice but heavy due to their RPK receivers. To better answer your question, what caliber do you want? What is your budget? Do you plan on running the AK variant suppressed? All key questions. |
Elite Soviet Democrat
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Originally Posted By JJL0325: Many/most will say it's not at AK, but I 100% recommend the "limited edition" 13" IWI Galil ACE available at Dissident Arms at the moment. IMO, 13" really is the sweet spot for x39. Get it, and get the KNS plastic delete, KNS adjustable gas piston, and ALG trigger. Sweetest AK-ish gun you can get of you're not an AK purist https://i.imgur.com/US8Tkoz.jpeg That release is VERY VERY hard for me to pass up. 13" barrel in 7.62x39 is awesome, especially suppressed. The Gen 1 Galils are peak AK minus the top covers (although mind has held zero). IWI Galils are the best made AK variants I have come across to date, especially if you run suppressed. Attached File Here is my 5.56 rock n'lock version, when it was released two years or so ago. HUXWRX can up front, 13" barrel. Ultimate 5.56 AK minus the clunky magazines, lol. |
Elite Soviet Democrat
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Originally Posted By themao: God help me, you do need help. Stay away from Riley Defense. Absolute garbage. Stay away from Palmetto State. Complete garbage. The only Century worth looking at is the WASR-10. It's Romanian (Cugir factory), and they are bomb proof. If you buy an Arsenal, buy one with the intent of upgrading it if you don't mind spending the money (send to Rifle Dynamics). Yugos are nice but heavy due to their RPK receivers. To better answer your question, what caliber do you want? What is your budget? Do you plan on running the AK variant suppressed? All key questions. Straight shooter. I once had a Maadi, it got taken in a family squabble...... 7.62 |
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wav3form pretty much all the specs of the one you posted but with better military factory Romanian core parts and swell neck rivets for $300 cheaper.was In stock as of me posting. "PSA Sabre AK Here" for under $1100out of stock In theory if PSA builds it correctly this should be their best AK and it's not priced too bad. FN chf barrel on a Romanian kit and the proper rivets with all the modern features should make a great AK. I don't know anything about PSA rails and would of liked to see a railed top cover but for under $1100 I guess you can upgrade over time. |
| Stick with an import. They will take a much higher round count and a US made AK and have proven to be more reliable. Romanian AKs like a WASR 10 and an RH-10 are leaps and bounds more reliable, WBP is also reliable and will have a better fit and finish than a WASR. Romanian kits builds are awesome too. Arsenal these days are way overpriced and are hit an miss on quality. |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: What's the deal with Zastava vs. everybody else? Solid riffles and pistols and now that we cant get them anymore do to the Serbian governments export ban they are eventually going to go up in value. Even though the furniture is not interchangeable with AKM furniture without mods there is still a pretty decent aftermarket support for them. They also have more consistent quality than the others. Arsenal is very hit or miss these days and are way overpriced anyway, The Romanian WASR's are awesome but US civilians complain about the canted sites not knowing that they are actually within spec for what Romanian considers expectable because they CAN still be zeroed in. WBP's fit and finish is great Id choose that over a Zastava any day. As far Pioneer, PSA, Riley, Century's 100% US built AK's and other US AK's they just are not on the level of quality as far as the materials they use. Fit and finish can sometime looks better than imports, but that does you know good when the bolts and carriers get funky wear and mushrooming with a low round count. |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: Solid riffles and pistols and now that we cant get them anymore do to the Serbian governments export ban they are eventually going to go up in value. Even though the furniture is not interchangeable with AKM furniture without mods there is still a pretty decent aftermarket support for them. They also have more consistent quality than the others. Arsenal is very hit or miss these days and are way overpriced anyway, The Romanian WASR's are awesome but US civilians complain about the canted sites not knowing that they are actually within spec for what Romanian considers expectable because they CAN still be zeroed in. WBP's fit and finish is great Id choose that over a Zastava any day. As far Pioneer, PSA, Riley, Century's 100% US built AK's and other US AK's they just are not on the level of quality as far as the materials they use. Fit and finish can sometime looks better than imports, but that does you know good when the bolts and carriers get funky wear and mushrooming with a low round count. Cool, appreciate the insight. I have a WASR already and I honestly love it a lot. I may go for a WBP or Beryl just for some variety. |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: Cool, appreciate the insight. I have a WASR already and I honestly love it a lot. I may go for a WBP or Beryl just for some variety. Originally Posted By wav3form: Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: Solid riffles and pistols and now that we cant get them anymore do to the Serbian governments export ban they are eventually going to go up in value. Even though the furniture is not interchangeable with AKM furniture without mods there is still a pretty decent aftermarket support for them. They also have more consistent quality than the others. Arsenal is very hit or miss these days and are way overpriced anyway, The Romanian WASR's are awesome but US civilians complain about the canted sites not knowing that they are actually within spec for what Romanian considers expectable because they CAN still be zeroed in. WBP's fit and finish is great Id choose that over a Zastava any day. As far Pioneer, PSA, Riley, Century's 100% US built AK's and other US AK's they just are not on the level of quality as far as the materials they use. Fit and finish can sometime looks better than imports, but that does you know good when the bolts and carriers get funky wear and mushrooming with a low round count. Cool, appreciate the insight. I have a WASR already and I honestly love it a lot. I may go for a WBP or Beryl just for some variety. You can still get zastava and I'd choose them over wbp but the beryl is done importing and the last of them are drying up. Besides weight I don't have much negative to say about zastava. The M90 and M85 are a couple AKs I would buy if I was looking. Edit - I'm pretty sure Serbia lifted the export ban for at least zastava but they are still available. |
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The Sabre AK-47 GF5 are back in stock at PSA, I just ordered one. I think this will scratch my "need another AK" itch for a while. Now I have two Romanians! https://palmettostatearmory.com/sabre-ak-47-gf5-rifle-w-plan-b-mount-moss-green-burnt-bronze.html Edit: Sold Out |
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@NEXT23 Did you end up getting anything yet? If not what's the budget? Meridian Defense just dropped their 101(sold ou )and 103 HERE if you have a high budget. Other WASR paratrooper model seems to be the cheapest AK that I'd get and know it's going to be solid. |
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What exactly are you look for, OP? New/old? Country-specific? Full size/compact? Fixed/folding stock? Stamped/milled? I mean they all basically run like well-oiled sewing machines with the only real differences from country to country being fit and finish. Even my Romies that are hard on the eyes are still as reliable as my Russians. AKs come in many sizes and calibers too, different furniture options, etc. - you looking for a caliber or certain features? There are some differences in accuracy, but I wouldn't expect any AK to compete with something like an AR in that category. In my experience, 74s are more accurate than anything in 7.62, YMMV. 5.56 AKs are fun and cheap to shoot. All of my stuff is kind of old school, so I can only speak for those, if you have questions. I've seen and shot newer stuff from PSA, Poland, and Yugoslavia - finishes are nicer, but the reliability has never changed. If you're looking to do business with Atlantic, those WBP Jacks are very nicely made - lots of attention to detail. My 2 cents. 
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All my AKs are built from parts kits in the 2005-2010ish range, with the exception of my recent Riley 7.62 Krink and PSA AK104 GF5 (with the FN CHF barrel etc). Both are excellent fun and the 105 is surprisingly accurate with handloads. (3MOA or a little less instead of the usual 4-6 with steel case). |
| If you want a basic ready to go akm, you can’t beat the WBP Jack. Arsenal is dead unless you want a modern milled rifle. Zastava is good if you want that style of rifle. Lots of builds out there if you want a specific clone. Modern 100 series stuff is harder to find unless you go US made, or look into Atlantics Azeri builds. |
Looking at buying an AK - what's the word (Page 1 of 2)
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