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Posted: 1/18/2015 9:34:21 PM EDT
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I'm wanting to purchase my first AK, but am undecided on which one to get, and could use some advice. I have plenty of pistols, but have not yet owned any long guns. I was planning to buy a VEPR-12 first, and then get an AK, but that may change. It seems like now may be the time to buy as the WASR and NPAP may be increasing in price for "2015" versions. There are 4 different models that have crossed my mind, but I'm a n00b in this arena. I don't have a set budget, although the thought of buying a WASR or NPAP and ammo and mags while still coming in cheaper than the more expensive models appeals to me. As of now, my primary use will probably be plinking at the range, but could expand into others. I plan to leave whatever I get stock for the time being, but may make change or add components down the road as I see fit. Help?
WASR - seems like the newest ones are getting good reviews, take the majority of aftermarket parts, lowest cost of entry, can get for around $500 + shipping NPAP - I like the notch in the safety lever for bolt hold open, but takes non-standard furniture, high comb on stock could be an issue, but otherwise good reviews on them, can get for around $530 shipped DDI Milled - appeals to me for some reason, I like the black furniture, seems to be a limited run, milled receiver may limit my stock options, don't know if it offers anything the cheaper ones don't, can get for around $800 + shipping Arsenal SLR-107FR - The side folding stock really appeals to me, but otherwise I don't know of anything too special about it, can get for around $900 + shipping |
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You have to decide what your total budget is. If you spend the money on the gun that really appeals to you(Arsenal), but you can't get mags and ammo for it, then it is just something really cool sitting in your safe. You can have the greatest firearm on the face of the Earth, but if you can't feed it, it is no more useful than a baseball bat.
If you have an unlimited budget, then ignore the previous statement. The Current WASR and the NPAP are current high value for the money offerings, and you will likely have a great experience with them. The roughly 400.00 you save over the Arsenal will buy you a case of ammo and enough mags to have the start of a lifetime of enjoyment. If you like the folder on the Arsenal, and the extra coin for it won't interfere with your ability to get ammo and mags, then get the Arsenal. You won't be left saying "I wish I had the folding stock", and you won't be left with putting an arguably less desirable folding stock option on the WASR or the NPAP to compensate. |
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An underfolder npap would eliminate the stock comb issue 
http://i59.tinypic.com/mr2ywo.jpg or get an m70ab2 and you can attach a bayo http://i62.tinypic.com/2lbj9eb.jpg the compactness of them over the side folders, and the cost saving, is something you might consider This is true, but when push comes to shove, the majority of us shoot more with the stock extended, and for the majority of users, the underfolder is not as comfortable to shoot extended. |
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An underfolder npap would eliminate the stock comb issue
http://i59.tinypic.com/mr2ywo.jpg or get an m70ab2 and you can attach a bayo http://i62.tinypic.com/2lbj9eb.jpg the compactness of them over the side folders, and the cost saving, is something you might consider I certainly can't argue your points, and have read that underfolders are good, but one thing I have seen time and time again is that while they are good, they aren't the best choice for your first AK. I realize I didn't specify, but I'm looking for a more traditional stock for my first AK. 
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Quoted:
You have to decide what your total budget is. If you spend the money on the gun that really appeals to you(Arsenal), but you can't get mags and ammo for it, then it is just something really cool sitting in your safe. You can have the greatest firearm on the face of the Earth, but if you can't feed it, it is no more useful than a baseball bat. If you have an unlimited budget, then ignore the previous statement. The Current WASR and the NPAP are current high value for the money offerings, and you will likely have a great experience with them. The roughly 400.00 you save over the Arsenal will buy you a case of ammo and enough mags to have the start of a lifetime of enjoyment. If you like the folder on the Arsenal, and the extra coin for it won't interfere with your ability to get ammo and mags, then get the Arsenal. You won't be left saying "I wish I had the folding stock", and you won't be left with putting an arguably less desirable folding stock option on the WASR or the NPAP to compensate. I basically am willing to go up to the amount for the Arsenal, but the more I think about it, the only thing that appeals to me "on paper" is the side-folding stock. I don't know that any of the "better" features of either of the more expensive guns would mean anything to me being that I am basically starting with a clean slate. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward ordering a WASR, some extra mags, and a case of ammo, and seeing how things go. |
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I'm not against it, but what does it do that a WASR doesn't? Quoted:
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Arsenal SLR-107FR You get what you pay for in quality. If you're going to pass the rifle down the value will most likely still retain. I'm not against it, but what does it do that a WASR doesn't? This. Either the Arsenal or Atlantics QC WASR's. |
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WASR. There's nothing wrong with the new guns, fit and finish is not at all bad and you are NOT getting a better finish with an Arsenal. Wide range of furniture and accessory options as a WASR is pretty much standard AK in every way.
Some recent issues reported with the Npap have me leery of them. The DDI rifles look super nice, might be an excellent choice. Centerfire has a Hungarian-pattern underfolder that looks good too for under 700 bucks. |
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Fit and finish. Side folding stock. Fit I get, finish I have read may not be all that great on an Arsenal, but I have no first-hand experience. Really, the only reason I like the idea of a folding stock is so the gun may fit in a bag/case that doesn't scream GUN! when I'm transporting it. |
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Quoted:This. Either the Arsenal or Atlantics QC WASR's. Unfortunately the QC WASR;s are out of stock now, and when they get more, the price will be closer to $600 + shipping due to Century's 2015 price hikes. This is part of the reason I'm asking if now is the time to buy if I decide on a WASR, as J&G has them for $499.99 + shipping. |
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WASR. There's nothing wrong with the new guns, fit and finish is not at all bad and you are NOT getting a better finish with an Arsenal. Wide range of furniture and accessory options as a WASR is pretty much standard AK in every way. Some recent issues reported with the Npap have me leery of them. The DDI rifles look super nice, might be an excellent choice. Centerfire has a Hungarian-pattern underfolder that looks good too for under 700 bucks. Thanks for the input. I have read about the possible mushrooming issue with the NPAP's, if that's what you're talking about. I'm a bit leery of them too, for that reason plus the reasons I mentioned in the OP. I do like the DDI, but am still undecided if I actually want to spend that much on the gun, or get a WASR for $300 cheaper and use the difference toward ammo and accessories. Being that I really have no AK experience, will I really miss any features the DDI has if I start with a WASR? That's my reasoning for currently leaning toward a WASR. |
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I'm not against it, but what does it do that a WASR doesn't? Quoted:
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Arsenal SLR-107FR You get what you pay for in quality. If you're going to pass the rifle down the value will most likely still retain. I'm not against it, but what does it do that a WASR doesn't? Hold its value. The SLR series is the Bulgarian knock off of the Russian 100 series AK that is the current production for export AK of Kalashnikov. The SLR series has the 100 series style folding stock and 24 mm muzzle brake. It has polymer furniture and will take any AK stamped receiver furniture. It has a side rail for optics. Accuracy can be as good as 3 MOA with an optic, ymmv. By contrast the WASR is a 1960's style AK with plywood furniture and either a welded thread cap or 14 mm slant brake. Accuracy should be sub 6 MOA, ymmv. |
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or get a WASR for $300 cheaper and use the difference toward ammo and accessories. . I think this is absolutely the best and smartest idea for a new AK owner, Wasr+mags+ammo and shoot the heck out of it, you'll have a much better idea after that if you really like the platform or not, and if you decide to sell the Wasr, it will still be worth 99% of what you paid for it. Century has already said they will be going up on WASR prices this year, so if you score one now for 499, it might actually be worth more by year's end. |
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Hold its value. The SLR series is the Bulgarian knock off of the Russian 100 series AK that is the current production for export AK of Kalashnikov. The SLR series has the 100 series style folding stock and 24 mm muzzle brake. It has polymer furniture and will take any AK stamped receiver furniture. It has a side rail for optics. Accuracy can be as good as 3 MOA with an optic, ymmv. By contrast the WASR is a 1960's style AK with plywood furniture and either a welded thread cap or 14 mm slant brake. Accuracy should be sub 6 MOA, ymmv. Quoted:
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Arsenal SLR-107FR You get what you pay for in quality. If you're going to pass the rifle down the value will most likely still retain. I'm not against it, but what does it do that a WASR doesn't? Hold its value. The SLR series is the Bulgarian knock off of the Russian 100 series AK that is the current production for export AK of Kalashnikov. The SLR series has the 100 series style folding stock and 24 mm muzzle brake. It has polymer furniture and will take any AK stamped receiver furniture. It has a side rail for optics. Accuracy can be as good as 3 MOA with an optic, ymmv. By contrast the WASR is a 1960's style AK with plywood furniture and either a welded thread cap or 14 mm slant brake. Accuracy should be sub 6 MOA, ymmv. SLR series isnt a knock off of the Russian. Its a Bulgarian and Russian is the Saiga series. Bulgarian actually has a better finish and fit. |
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Hold its value. The SLR series is the Bulgarian knock off of the Russian 100 series AK that is the current production for export AK of Kalashnikov. The SLR series has the 100 series style folding stock and 24 mm muzzle brake. It has polymer furniture and will take any AK stamped receiver furniture. It has a side rail for optics. Accuracy can be as good as 3 MOA with an optic, ymmv. By contrast the WASR is a 1960's style AK with plywood furniture and either a welded thread cap or 14 mm slant brake. Accuracy should be sub 6 MOA, ymmv. Quoted:
Quoted:
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Arsenal SLR-107FR You get what you pay for in quality. If you're going to pass the rifle down the value will most likely still retain. I'm not against it, but what does it do that a WASR doesn't? Hold its value. The SLR series is the Bulgarian knock off of the Russian 100 series AK that is the current production for export AK of Kalashnikov. The SLR series has the 100 series style folding stock and 24 mm muzzle brake. It has polymer furniture and will take any AK stamped receiver furniture. It has a side rail for optics. Accuracy can be as good as 3 MOA with an optic, ymmv. By contrast the WASR is a 1960's style AK with plywood furniture and either a welded thread cap or 14 mm slant brake. Accuracy should be sub 6 MOA, ymmv. Yes, the SLR gives you a lot of features for the money, no question about that. But, 1) used WASRs are currently not much cheaper than new WASRs, so it holds its value quite well (compare that to an SLR-106), 2) you can't really argue that the 100 series represents a large improvement or advance relative to the AKM, and 3) a WASR is sub-6 MOA in the sense that an SLR (or AR, any SPR) is sub-6 MOA, i.e., 3 MOA is sub-6 MOA. If you can't get 3 MOA with a WASR maybe you shouldn't be allowed to handle firearms. |
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