If you feel like getting the BEST AK for the money check out the VEPR II from Robinson Armament. They're available in .223, 7.62, and .308, all with 20" barrels with shorter barrels availble soon. I've seen from their sithe that these rifles are EXTREMELY accurate, with all 3 calibers capable of sub-MOA accuracy! The 7.62 model will accept all AK mags and drums, the .223 takes modified AK-74 mags (I'm currently pestering RobArms for an AR mag adapter like the Galil had), and the .308 takes 5 or 10 round proprietary mags, although there is talk of making some to accept M-14 mags. Also solidly built, using a thicker reciever with addad reinforcement around the barrel trunnion. From the few I've handled, I can agree with others who have said: "It feels more like an HK than an AK." Tennessee Guns has them for $500 or less, depending on caliber.
Check em out here:
[url]www.robarm.com[/url]
[url]www.tennesseeguns.com[/url]
BTW - This week I plan on trading my SAR-1 for the .223 VEPR II!