AK Sponsor
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Entry level AK 47 (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/19/2016 4:10:51 PM EDT
| Hey fellers, im looking to get into the realm of AK and was wondering for around $800 what was the best value out there? I have my eye on either the century arms RAS or C39v2. But before i commit i'd like to maybe be guided in a better? direction. Any input is much appreciated! |
|
If you want to gamble, go with the V2 over the RAS47.
I co-admin the C39 and run the RAS47 facebook groups. Until Century gets their stuff together with these cast parts in these rifles, it's a crap shoot if the one you get will eat itself alive. If you want something under $800 and not have to worry about https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/cai-ak-47-wasr-10-7-62x39mm-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0 |
|
Quoted:
If you want to gamble, go with the V2 over the RAS47. I co-admin the C39 and run the RAS47 facebook groups. Until Century gets their stuff together with these cast parts in these rifles, it's a crap shoot if the one you get will eat itself alive. If you want something under $800 and not have to worry about https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/component/virtuemart/shipping-rifles/cai-ak-47-wasr-10-7-62x39mm-rifle-detail.html?Itemid=0 I agree. Even if this particular model doesn't do it for you, it's hard to go wrong in doing business with Atlantic. |
|
Quoted:
Hey fellers, im looking to get into the realm of AK and was wondering for around $800 what was the best value out there? I have my eye on either the century arms RAS or C39v2. But before i commit i'd like to maybe be guided in a better? direction. Any input is much appreciated! For pure entry level, WASR is the right answer. If you want to move up the scale a bit, and you're willing to gamble a bit, the C39V2 might be what you want. I decided that I wanted an AK with a good barrel, nice wood, and a good overall fit and finish. I also liked the idea of a milled receiver. With this in mind, I decided to go with the C39V2 knowing that I might encounter BCG issues. If I don’t have issues, then I wind up with what I think is a hell of a rifle for $750. If I do have issues, then I wind up with a hell of a rifle for $900, which isn't nearly as appealing, but still less than any other milled AK with a good barrel, good wood, and good overall fit and finish. I'm only 100 rounds in, so I don't know yet whether my BCG will be ok, but I'm enjoying the rifle quite a bit. |
|
Quoted:
You'll get this answer a lot and for good reasons - Buy a WASR For $800??? I've been out of the AK game for awhile but the WASR was bottom of the trashcan from what I remember in terms of reliability, accuracy,, quality (Canted sights and sloppy magwells). Has something changed? |
|
Quoted:
For $800??? I've been out of the AK game for awhile but the WASR was bottom of the trashcan from what I remember in terms of reliability, accuracy,, quality (Canted sights and sloppy magwells). Has something changed? Quoted:
Quoted:
You'll get this answer a lot and for good reasons - Buy a WASR For $800??? I've been out of the AK game for awhile but the WASR was bottom of the trashcan from what I remember in terms of reliability, accuracy,, quality (Canted sights and sloppy magwells). Has something changed? Lot has changed but canted sights and sloppy magwells are not an impediment to good shooting unless you let them be. A WASR is usually dead-nuts reliable as an AK should be, generous tolerances are an important part of that equation. Good CHF chrome-lined combloc barrels are the best for longevity, Henderson Defense has WASR's with up to 100K rounds on them and the barrels are still not shot out. You will want to experiment at some point with various furniture and such to see if it works for you, and pretty much everything made for an AK will work on a WASR so it's an awesome test rifle to find the combo that works for you. You will shoot a 500 dollar WASR more often than an expensive safe-queen or vintage rifle, which will make you a much better shot. If you decide to sell the WASR and buy a nicer gun, you will still get that $500.00 dollars back for it. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for all the input! I've read about the issues century has been having. Is it something that will damage the rifle? Something that can be fixed with a new bolt/carrier? Are those things that are interchangeable among aks? Thanks again guys! Why would you want to spend 600-800 on a rifle to have to do a 200 dollar repair out of the box? I know there is a video that shows a ras47 with 5000 rds and no damage but then again I don't trust factory propaganda videos. Take a look at the ras47 that ak operators union has after only 1000 rds. They are releasing amother video tomorrow as well. |
|
Quoted:
For $800??? I've been out of the AK game for awhile but the WASR was bottom of the trashcan from what I remember in terms of reliability, accuracy,, quality (Canted sights and sloppy magwells). Has something changed? Quoted:
Quoted:
You'll get this answer a lot and for good reasons - Buy a WASR For $800??? I've been out of the AK game for awhile but the WASR was bottom of the trashcan from what I remember in terms of reliability, accuracy,, quality (Canted sights and sloppy magwells). Has something changed? Yes, the quality has gone up significantly, but the price has as well - at least in comparison to what they used to be. WASRs are in the 450-650 range nowadays, depending on where you buy them and what is going on politically. The fit & finish on the current WASRs remind me more of a Hungarian or Polish AK than Romanians of the past. I believe that with the recent boom of Yugo imports, the pressure was really put on Cugir to improve their QC. |
|
Quoted:
For not much more you could get an Arsenal Bulgarian SLR107FR. That is a great AK and I just picked up one lightly used for $860.00 they can be had online new for $999.00 That $400 difference in price would buy almost 2,000 rounds of ammunition, which would be far more practical & useful than any perceived advantage of owning an SLR and not being able to but 2k down range practicing. We own $300 mutt-AK's all the way up to Title 2 AK's, I would be just as happy with a current WASR (or one of the very early ones before Century got sloppy) as I would be with $1k SLR, in fact I would likely be happier shooting the WASR as it is the better bargain. |
.jpg)
.jpg)
| When people say entry level do they mean the most affordable? A ak-47 is a AK-47 all day long every day. Anyway I agree with most everyone here a wasr is about the best place to start. Maybe a G rifle if you come across one, if you have a little extra coin op for one of the bigger names such as Arsenal, Krebs and call it done. |
|
I bought my C39V2 with walnut for $719. I paid $100 for a brand new matching Bulgarian bolt and carrier. I sold the factory bolt and carrier on Ebay for $100. I bought Magpul MOE furniture for $100 and sold the factory walnut for $100. I replaced the factory recoil assembly with an early milled telescopic assembly for $22.
Bottom line $750 for a fine entry level AK. AK's are like opinions, everybody has one and theirs is the best! But, I think I have a very durable, dependable and accurate rifle. NOTE: At one time I made a statement about keeping those parts for spares and have since sold them, thus evidence below: Ebay Bolt Bolt Carrier 
|
| New build WASR hands down. You might be able to find a VEPR for about 800 but they are really getting hard to come across in 7.62x39 and then you have to convert it if it hasn't been already. They are high quality, top tier AK's, but very heavy compared to a WASR that should run great off the bat and for decades to come. |
|
Quoted:
Entry level gun suggestion would be the WASR 10 or the N PAP, Both are solid and affordable rifles , WASR top pic N PAP bottom http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/wasrnew%20(5%20of%203).jpg http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/npap%20(11%20of%2011).jpg Yep. Started layaway on my 2nd Atlantic wasr last night:) |
|
Quoted:
Whats more important is you got it for the price you payed. Come November prices will be ridiculous. Quoted:
Quoted:
I hope I don't get shamed but I went with the ras47....let's hope it isn't a lemon. Whats more important is you got it for the price you payed. Come November prices will be ridiculous. And also availability may become an issue in November. Glad I got my Arsenal Sam 7sf last fall. |
| I live with regret! Haven't even fired the thing and just from cycling the blot carrier i'm already having major ware issues lol. I'm on gunbroker right now debating a DDI 47 or an Arsenal 107fr. I should have just listened and spent a little bit more up front...... |
|
Quoted:
I live with regret! Haven't even fired the thing and just from cycling the blot carrier i'm already having major ware issues lol. I'm on gunbroker right now debating a DDI 47 or an Arsenal 107fr. I should have just listened and spent a little bit more up front...... Finish wear is not metal deformation. Don't get paranoid about potential issues unless and until they stop becoming potentialissues and start becoming actual issues. Just shoot your damn rifle and enjoy it. As the years go on I'm more and more convinced that new owners are to gun forums as tour groups are to slaughterhouses. If you spend all your time focused on how your sausage was made you'll miss out on all the yummy deliciousness. |
|
Quoted:
Small price to pay imho. For a problem he didn't have, but that somebody else had on their rifle? I need to go into business buying new/barely used firearms at a significant discount from people who read on the Internet about a guy who once had an issue with the same model. Or maybe it wasn't a post from that guy, himself, but it was from some other guys on the Internet who read on the Internet about some guy who posted that he had an issue with the same model firearm. I could retire off that income. I'll start a side-business buying magazines from people looking to dump them after seeing a video of one breaking after being dropped, fully loaded and inserted in a rifle, from a five story building onto concrete, or another video of a guy chucking them at AR500 targets. They clearly won't stand up to the original owners' punishing abuse, i.e., shooting 500rds/yr. at paper from a bench. |
|
Well, I've been on the AK fence for about 8 years now. Yesterday I almost impulse purchased (which I NEVER do but figured I'd try being "normal" for once. Glad I didn't.) a Century RAS47 locally for $699 tax. I came home, did a little research, and decided that I would HAVE to have a C39v2. US made, milled receiver, 4150 barrel, chrome lined...hell, I didn't know these were AK options AT ALL. Plus, is sounds like I could have one for what I almost paid for the stamped receiver. Now I see this thread and find out that there are BCG issues or something with the Century guns. Are they not taking care of this issue or otherwise not reputable?
What the heck is a "starter AK"? I just want a cheap, 7.62x39, wood furniture, no optic commie gun that will never hiccup on me or need anything done or replaced for the next 100 years. Last time I looked into AKs, about 8-10 years ago probably, I learned that WASR was the absolute worst, and that I'd probably want a Bulgarian or an Arsenal, but I could never bring mself to pay those prices. Now, these hardly acceptable AKs are right up there too @ $800 or so. I really can't see spending $800 for an AK, but I also can't see buying anything less than a "true, sewing machine AK" either, so I'll have to decide if i want to continue to avoid them or take the plunge. My wife would likely shoot it more than myself, as I think the size and weight would be about perfect. Is everyone running polymer mags now? I am a USGI mag guy and would THINK that the old steel ones would be the only way to go. I am not a P-Mag fan at all, no reason other than personal preference. What is the story on mags and what to they run? Is ammo still around $350 / case for steel cased surplus? Is there any reason to consider gambling on a C39v2 or should I settle for an imported and stamped variety for the same price and (I assume) no warranty or factory support of any kind? I will have to look into the other brands mentioned here, as I've never heard of any of them. Thanks for any assistance! |
|
Quoted:
I really can't see spending $800 for an AK, but I also can't see buying anything less than a "true, sewing machine AK" either... That's the problem with most people trying to get into the AK. Why is it okay to spend $800 for a good AR (not you specifically) but not an AK? |
|
Quoted:
That's the problem with most people trying to get into the AK. Why is it okay to spend $800 for a good AR (not you specifically) but not an AK? Quoted:
Quoted:
I really can't see spending $800 for an AK, but I also can't see buying anything less than a "true, sewing machine AK" either... That's the problem with most people trying to get into the AK. Why is it okay to spend $800 for a good AR (not you specifically) but not an AK? I think I'd probably just end up buying another AR, and I've got it in my head that AKs are cheap, barrel whipping things that trade accuracy for unrelenting reliability. No other reason. 
A $625 WASR >/= a $750 C39v2? How do the $630 "Yugo Zastava N-PAP" rifles compare? ETA: I just noticed the stupid "read owners manual" text on the N-PAP, but they do have the smooth dust cover rather than the ribbed on on the WASR. What is it that a $1,000 AK gets you? Better fit / finish / materials? |
In the last month I have bought a ras47 Zhukov, c39v2 and an Zastava npap df. I have to many AR's and was looking for something to beat around with, so far all have functioned flawlessly. If I had listened to everyone who bitched about AR brands my safe would be empty. Let's not forget what these rifles are, they are tools designed for a purpose and it's not looks and accuracy.
John Edit- spelling |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Entry level AK 47 (Page 1 of 2)
AK Sponsor