AK Sponsor
Posted: 1/5/2010 9:51:32 PM EDT
|
Ok, so recently I've been wanting an AK type firearm. I'm not new to firearms, but most of my knowledge is on the AR platform. I DO know the difference between the AK47 and AK74. For my first AK, I want it to be in 7.62, so that means an AK-47.
But my question is this: what is/are the defining characteristics of each type of AK, as far as country of origin are concerned. What makes a Bulgarian AK a Bulagrian AK; what makes a Chinese AK a Chines AK.....etc, etc? So far, I've gathered that at the end of the day, $1,000 AK and a $300 AK is still going to be an AK. The only difference that one is paying is the quality of craftsmanship and finish, right? I'd be looking for a beater AK that I can run hard and not feel bad abusing, but will still be reliable. For the money, I'm thinking about the Romanian AK's to start off. So recomend me an AK. TIA |
|
Do you want a fixed stock, or one of the many types of folding stock? Do you want to mount an optic with the side rail? Do you want plane jane wood, or is a gas-tube rail or full rail in the plans? Am I right in assuming you want to use cheap imported magazines, and not be stuck with US mags for 922r compliance? What type of muzzle device do you want? Think about these questions, and your answers may help narrow down the choices. Good Luck. ETA: I bought an Arsenal SLR-107F pre-Obama. I was initially torn between wanting nice looking swelled wood laminate handguards and wanting the polymer side folder. I am happy with what I bought, and I have a Ultimak and PA microdot waiting at home. |
|
Quoted:
Do you want a fixed stock, or one of the many types of folding stock? I'd like an EVIL folding stock  ; but I know that the disadvantages far outweights the advantages - as I've shot both of my friend's fixed and folding stock - it is hard to get a good cheek weld
Do you want to mount an optic with the side rail? Do you want plane jane wood, or is a gas-tube rail or full rail in the plans? I like to keep my guns in accordance to the KISS principle. If I do deviate, it will probably be the addition of a scope and thats it. Am I right in assuming you want to use cheap imported magazines, and not be stuck with US mags for 922r compliance? Cheap is better in my book, but I won't mind buying quality. What type of muzzle device do you want? I want FIREBALLZ!!!!!!    - so a muzzle device is not high on my priority list. I've seen the effective use of the original slant brake, so I'd probably want to start there first.
Think about these questions, and your answers may help narrow down the choices. Good Luck. ETA: I bought an Arsenal SLR-107F pre-Obama. I was initially torn between wanting nice looking swelled wood laminate handguards and wanting the polymer side folder. I am happy with what I bought, and I have a Ultimak and PA microdot waiting at home. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Do you want a fixed stock, or one of the many types of folding stock? I'd like an EVIL folding stock ; but I know that the disadvantages far outweights the advantages - as I've shot both of my friend's fixed and folding stock - it is hard to get a good cheek weldDo you want to mount an optic with the side rail? Do you want plane jane wood, or is a gas-tube rail or full rail in the plans? I like to keep my guns in accordance to the KISS principle. If I do deviate, it will probably be the addition of a scope and thats it. Am I right in assuming you want to use cheap imported magazines, and not be stuck with US mags for 922r compliance? Cheap is better in my book, but I won't mind buying quality. What type of muzzle device do you want? I want FIREBALLZ!!!!!! - so a muzzle device is not high on my priority list. I've seen the effective use of the original slant brake, so I'd probably want to start there first.Think about these questions, and your answers may help narrow down the choices. Good Luck. ETA: I bought an Arsenal SLR-107F pre-Obama. I was initially torn between wanting nice looking swelled wood laminate handguards and wanting the polymer side folder. I am happy with what I bought, and I have a Ultimak and PA microdot waiting at home. http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Romanian_GP-WASR_10_63_7.62x39_Rifle.html Aim seems to be sold out of their 10/63's. They still have a good price on cheap steel magazines, though. http://www.classicarms.us/ Classic Arms has a Romanian fixed stock rifle with a side rail for about the same price. Good Luck. |
|
im not a fan of anything NEW out there now, for me i like the weapons that came into the country during and before the 1994 to 2004 ban.
im no ak guy, i like the typical look of ak's with wood and for a akm or 47 i dont like 90 degree gas blocks. right now for stamped guns i have a hungarian sa85 and an egyptian intrac akm. i like they they are both factory and not sure about the egyptian but the hung. is up to mil. specs so that makes me prefer that gun especialy for shtf. |
|
I suppose its like comparing a Bushmaster to a DPMS to a Olympic to a Rock River Arms to Colt to etc., etc., right?
But what I'm really interesed in is, what makes a Chinese AK a Chinese AK, for example. What are the identifying marks or characteristics between the different brands. On a side note, what is a AKM ??? 
Again, sorry for the noob questions... |
| The Russians originally wanted the AK to have a stamped receiver, but realized that they weren't ready to make them. So when they fielded the AK-47 in large numbers it had a milled receiver. When they got their stamping technology together, they introduced the AKM, M standing for modernized, with a stamped receiver. |
|
Quoted:
So far, I've gathered that at the end of the day, $1,000 AK and a $300 AK is still going to be an AK. You're already ahead of some. I think you should draw your own conclusions as to which rifle to purchase, based on what you've already learned and your preferences and requirements. |
|
AIM will have more fixed stock WASR 10.63's next week
When will AIM get more fixed stock WASR's ? |
|
I was in the same boat as you about a year ago. I bought a Romainian WASR from Henderson Defense, paid WAY too much for it, but couldn't be happier.
My advice would be to get one of the Romainan's and play around with it for a while. Trying different set ups on mine has given me a very good idea of what I want in my next AK. It now looks quite a bit different, here are some pics. 
So far I've just changed the wood handguards over to a set of black plastic ones from K-Var, and switched to a wire romainian folding stock. You are correct, the cheek weld is far less than optimal, but with practice I can use it very well now. The main reason for the stock is so it fits in the tennis bag. |
|
There are certain features of country-specific AK's that are unique. For starters:
the Yugo Zasatavas - non-chromed barrels, the grenade-site on the gas port, the beefed up trunnions, and the three holes on the foregrip/gas block instead of the normal two. For what it's worth, the Tabuk Iraqi AKs are quite similar since they had the Yugoslavs help them. Bulgarian AK's have 90-degree gas tubes and are considered by many to be on par, if not exceeding, Russian AKs in quality. There are many other differences based on the production history specific to each country. I've found this book to be the best in terms of AK reference: AK-47:Grim Reaper |
|
Quoted:
There are certain features of country-specific AK's that are unique. For starters: the Yugo Zasatavas - non-chromed barrels, the grenade-site on the gas port, the beefed up trunnions, and the three holes on the foregrip/gas block instead of the normal two. For what it's worth, the Tabuk Iraqi AKs are quite similar since they had the Yugoslavs help them. Bulgarian AK's have 90-degree gas tubes and are considered by many to be on par, if not exceeding, Russian AKs in quality. There are many other differences based on the production history specific to each country. I've found this book to be the best in terms of AK reference: AK-47:Grim Reaper Thanks! Thats what I was going after - the defining characteristics of each country of origin and how they fall into the grand scheme of things. I'm thinking that I'm going to pick up a Romanian (I've have good luck with a Romanian TTC-33 and a Romanian M69 trainer) and play with it for a bit to get to know the platform. Ok, so next noob question: any advantages to picking "x" country of origin over "y" country of origin? |
|
Quoted:
Ok, so recently I've been wanting an AK type firearm. I'm not new to firearms, but most of my knowledge is on the AR platform. I DO know the difference between the AK47 and AK74. #1. For my first AK, I want it to be in 7.62, so that means an AK-47. But my question is this: # 2. what is/are the defining characteristics of each type of AK, as far as country of origin are concerned. What makes a Bulgarian AK a Bulagrian AK; what makes a Chinese AK a Chines AK.....etc, etc? # 3. So far, I've gathered that at the end of the day, $1,000 AK and a $300 AK is still going to be an AK. The only difference that one is paying is the quality of craftsmanship and finish, right? I'd be looking for a beater AK that I can run hard and not feel bad abusing, but will still be reliable. For the money, I'm thinking about the Romanian AK's to start off. So recommend me an AK. TIA 1. Good job in acknowledging that there will be more to come. 2. The above mentioned book AK47 : Grim Reaper has 868 pages covering this subject. I would recommend ordering it like I just did, or get an AR15.com membership and hit the archives, like I've been doing for the last year. Sooner or later the pieces will all fit together and you will figure out which ones are YOUR favorites........and you will never have money in your checking account again. 3. Sounds like you already know what you need, you just need a little encouragement. The previously mentioned WASR 10 is a great intro gun. You can find one at almost any gun show, and I can't imagine there is a dealer who can't order one. If you can, find someplace that has more than one in stock, go there. Inspect them to the best of your ability. It's not rocket science, just check for straight sights and any obvious flaws in construction (there will be many flaws in the finish, it's a WASR), rack the bolt and make sure it fully closes. Pick the one that "looks the best." If you have to order one online, go to Gunbroker's FFL finder and find a transfer-friendly FFL holder near you. Then check out Classic Arms and look at what they have listed as "Romanian Military AK Shooters Package." There are many other sites like AIM, Atlantic Firearms, and JG Sales that run good deals as well so shop around. That should satisfy your immediate need for an AK, while you complete step #2. Plus, It will give you a good gun to practice your soon-to-be-acquired amateur gunsmithing hobby. Oh yeah...welcome to wonderful world of AKohilcs! |
|
Quoted:
Ok, so next noob question: any advantages to picking "x" country of origin over "y" country of origin? As has been said, each country varies in details like receiver thickness (I think) overall quality, aesthetic quality, and aesthetic appearance. Personally I don't like the Look of the Hungarian AMD rifles. They just don't look good to me. On the other hand I do like the look of Yugoslavian AKs, but they are heavier and don't have chrome lined barrels. I think a Romanian AK is perfect for your needs. The WASR I had was supposedly bottom of the barrel as far as AKs go but, it was still an AK and it was 100% reliable and AK-accurate. If you're looking for something that looks better or different that is personal preference and no one can tell you what looks best to you. Most WASRs these days have good sights and don't suffer from the flaws of earlier imports/builds. Keep in mind you can dress up/refinish your rifle, and a WASR refinished will still cost less than the top end AKs and will probably still be just as reliable. Just my opinion. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
There are certain features of country-specific AK's that are unique. For starters: the Yugo Zasatavas - non-chromed barrels, the grenade-site on the gas port, the beefed up trunnions, and the three holes on the foregrip/gas block instead of the normal two. For what it's worth, the Tabuk Iraqi AKs are quite similar since they had the Yugoslavs help them. Bulgarian AK's have 90-degree gas tubes and are considered by many to be on par, if not exceeding, Russian AKs in quality. There are many other differences based on the production history specific to each country. I've found this book to be the best in terms of AK reference: AK-47:Grim Reaper Thanks! Thats what I was going after - the defining characteristics of each country of origin and how they fall into the grand scheme of things. I'm thinking that I'm going to pick up a Romanian (I've have good luck with a Romanian TTC-33 and a Romanian M69 trainer) and play with it for a bit to get to know the platform. Ok, so next noob question: any advantages to picking "x" country of origin over "y" country of origin? Like many have suggested, a WASR10 is a great startup AK. It was the AK I cut my teeth on. If possible, inspect the front sight base for cant. I've had awesome luck with mine. No issues so far and I've put about 2000 rounds through it. Concerning advantages to picking "x" country of origin over "y" country of origin, it really boils down to personal preference. I have the WASR and an Izhevsk/Arsenal SGL20. The WASR is my range toy and the SGL20 is my safe queen. I like the SGL20 because the receiver is manufactured at the Izhevsk plant in Russia where the AK103 is produced for the Russian military. I have also looked into the Yugo M70AB2 and the Hungarian AMD-65 becuase I wanted a folder. There is some debate about how AK's rank in terms of quality. All of the ones I've seen and handled go bang everytime I've pulled the trigger from my WASR, SGL20, Norinco MAK90 to a full auto Hungarian dealer sample. I've decided that instead of trying to buy all different types of AK out there, it'd be better to stock up on 7.62 ammo. After all, you can only shoot one of them at a time 
|
|
http://www.amazon.com/AK-47-AK-74-Kalashnikov-Rifles-Variations/dp/1882391330 I bought Poyer's book, but the Grim Reaper looks to be newer and they're from the same publisher. For AK site's theakforum.net seems to be the best. Alot of arfcom members who post in the AK section are also members there. They are a serious forum, though, and you won't get the GD antics that make arfcom so fun to surf. I think I have like 3 posts over there. |
|
Quoted:
http://www.amazon.com/AK-47-AK-74-Kalashnikov-Rifles-Variations/dp/1882391330 I bought Poyer's book, but the Grim Reaper looks to be newer and they're from the same publisher. For AK site's theakforum.net seems to be the best. Alot of arfcom members who post in the AK section are also members there. They are a serious forum, though, and you won't get the GD antics that make arfcom so fun to surf. I think I have like 3 posts over there. I too have Poyer's book. The book from Iannamico is much more in-depth. If I had to keep only one, it'd be the one from Iannamico hands down. |
|
Quoted:
After all, you can only shoot one of them at a time
Well, you've got two hands, so you could probably shoot two at a time if you really wanted to. 
Is there a website that shows the characteristics of each type of AK? I don't know of one specifically. This has me thinking of creating a chart with comparisons. |
|
Quoted:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Romanian_GP-WASR_10_63_7.62x39_Rifle.html Aim seems to be sold out of their 10/63's. They still have a good price on cheap steel magazines, though. http://www.classicarms.us/ Classic Arms has a Romanian fixed stock rifle with a side rail for about the same price. Good Luck. ^^ I would start there, if you want different furniture or other features, either customize the WASR or get a 2nd. |
AK Sponsor