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Posted: 6/15/2007 7:10:41 PM EDT
| Ok, I have ben hanging around the Ak Forums mainly looking at ammo for my Bolt 7.62x39 rifles. Since I have and am still buying good amounts of 7.62x39 ammo I started thinking maybe I should by a semi rifle to go along with my bolt guns. I looked at a mini 30 and then started thinking maybe I should try a AK47. e I really have never even shot one I have fired SKS full size and carbine guns my buddies owned but thats the closest thing. i really like the look of the under folder style and was wondering where would be a good place and brand of AK47 in the $600-$700 range to start out at? |
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if you want to get a quality AK for around $500 go with Vector....if you want to spend around $700 go with Arsenal......both great rifles I would suggest hitting a gun shop or asking someone you know that has a underfolder to fondle it for a little....I think they are some of the most uncomfortable rifles I have ever shot |
Underfolders are incredibly iconic, but they do leave something to be desired when shooting. I have one, but I have three other AKs (Chicom fixed stock, Warsaw Pact fixed stock and a VEPR with an M4 stock.) The Norinco with the Chicom fixed stock is my favorite to shoot (most say the Warsaw Pact stock is the most comfortable.) |
| Ok thanks for the help. Here is what I have found instock and ready to ship in my price range. Vector,Lancaster, and a century arms yugo Ak47 rifles all underfolders. I did check a unfolder out this weekend the wood stock does feel alittle nicer to shoulder,but the under folder still was fine so I am going with it. Which of these rifles do you think might be the best bet to go with? I am pulling the trigger this week and ordering one. Thanks for anymore help! |
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cobra your telling the man with a choice between a Vector, Lancaster, and century to go with the century?? thats some good help do NOT go with the century, out of the 3 listed the Vector is a top quality build.... the mojority will tell you the same Vector is top stuff.....my reasons as followed 1. Vector....uses polish parts, great customer service, and a 5 year warranty (if the Vector is at a shop that you can check it out, check to see if the barrel is chromlined) the New vectors are using non chromlined US made barrels....just like the century arms(not a big deal if not chromlined) 2. Lancaster would be my second pick......I dont like paying $500 for a romanian parts kit gun, but I would definately pick it over a century....chromlined barrels and I think a really good guarantee (lifetime if not mistaken) again it is a romanian parts gun and for me the price is to high....have also seen a few where fit and finish were very bad, not impressed 3. Century arms ak.....95% of anything bought from century is crap, rifles are usually put together by monkeys, crappy customer service, and very crappy product....century is synonomous for dung.......not to say that they have not let a few good builds slip past there QC....but the bad outweighs the good by far |
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For $600 - $700 you can get an excellent AK, as that the price range sweet spot for quality stamped receiver AK's. And I understand your desire for an underfolder: versatility and cool looking. Go with a Arsenal, Vector, or Amory USA. Not sure if Arsenal is offering any stamped receiver unferfolders at the moment though. My 4th choice might be a Lancaster, but I would only buy one from a shop, rather than over the web. Descent quality, but inconsistant fit and finish IMO. |
It's a done deal I sent the FFL copy and money order off about 15minutes ago for the Vector underfolder. Now the wait starts I can't stand it already. I am going to have to order a few extra Mags now I guess I will start shopping around for those this evening. Thanks for the Help being my First Ak47 I didn't what to find out I bought a peice of junk by mistake.
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terry CONGRATS!!!! kudos for you on researching before buying.....you have just bought one of the best AK builds out there right now...IMHO and many others.....the ultimak will work just fine here is mine in original....finish done by dukenukem on these boards  and here she is tacked out with ultimak and zeiss red dot....post pics when you get yours  
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The Vector should be built from a Polish parts kit, which is what my Armory USA rifle is built from. It is an excellent rifle. The Ultimak should work fine. I had to smooth out a little bit of wood from my Bulgarian rifle to make it work, but even then it wasn't a big deal... 
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| no pitfalls....just shop smart, do research and try to find who has the best deal.....prices have gone up just a few bucks(vectors could be bought for $499 plus shipping, but now that they are using new US made barrels prices have gone to $524 plus shipping) Atlantic firearms still have them advertised at $499 they have a pretty good reputation and i THINK...if I am not mistaken(but could very well be and dont hold them to anything) that they may do a little better on price if your a member of the boards(can someone confirm).....something to email and ask.....hope it helps |
I have a CIA (Century International Arms) Yugo M70AB2 underfolder that I bought last spring. It is absolutely a shining example of a quality built Yugo AK. Overall craftsmanship is great. It is also very accurate. Now, here is the kicker. Not every Century build is of this quality. There are several that get through the cracks that still desire something. I have read about a lot more guys getting a quality CIA Yugo underfolder than those getting a crappy one. I would venture to say that the 95% estimate is a bit too high. If you get a chance, physically compare Vector, Lancaster, and CIA. 
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it is not jumping to conclusions....century arms products are for the most part SHIT....that is FACT plain and simple......if you read up top I say that a few have gotten out with no issues....but the bad far outweighs the good with century arms AK and their other rifles as well.......your going to get a few that are ok and MORE that are shit and have to be sent back.....also there is no comparison of a Vector arms AK and a century Arms AK, please hold both in your hand....the better rifle is QUITE obvious, the fact of the matter is that Century arms reputation is lousy at best with firearms....Vector Arms has a great reputation and puts out a very well made product, again fact and here is the kicker both are about the same price.......if you seriously have to ask or say someone is jumping to conclusions between picking a Vector arms AK over a century arms AK....you just have no idea, there just is no comparison |
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The rifles that Century actually builds are usually quite good. The Yugo underfolders are typically nice rifles. I've been buying/selling AK's for a long time and it's rare to find a really bad Century build. I'd put a good Century build up against Vector any day of the week...and I've had several of each to compare. They tend to get a bad rep from the WASR series of rifles, which are built in Romania and imported by Century. They don't actually manufacture the rifles. Century simply opens the magwell to accept double stack mags and adds the 922(r) parts. The issues with canted sights, poor fit/finish and shoddy assembly are the fault of the Romanians...not Century. The fact that Century will fix the rifles quickly for no charge or give you a refund is quite remarkable, IMO. I'm sure they make a nice profit on the WASR's, but I think every AK fan will be glad when that contract is done. I just wish the SAR series would come back. The last few years of their import run was the best bargain in AK's to come along since Norinco/Polytech importation stopped. Closest thing to a real military AKM you could find without paying $200 for a tax stamp. Century is also the driving force behind importation of most of the milsurp rifles and ammo you see on the market today. The vast majority of Mosin Nagants, military Mausers, Swiss K31's, 7.62x54R, 5.45x45, 7.62x39, 7.62x25, etc is imported by Century. They are the largest arms importer in the US. The other major distributors such as AIM, SOG, and JG have gotten a large percentage of their milsurp inventory from Century over the years. It's a shame they've had their reputation sullied by the early SAR series (canted sights...eventually fixed) and the later WASR series AK's. Also, their billboard-sized import stamps don't sit well with collectors, like myself...but that's a topic for a different conversation. I'm not a Century apologist and I know they've sold some inferior rifles over the years...especially in the AK world...but I also know the rifles they build in-house are usually pretty good. |
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