AK Sponsor
Posted: 12/2/2002 10:32:18 AM EDT
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Ok, Let me start by telling everyone that I am totally unfamiliar with anything relating to AK's. That said, let me start... I'm looking at purchasing an AK or some variant thereof, chambered in .223. Where is the best place learn more about these rifles? I've tried to just search the web, and end up being confused by the sheer mass of info and variants. I believe I'd like a forged / milled receiver and synthetic dragunov furniture, all in black. Does such a beast exist out there as a factory unit that is not a pieced together homegrown? Is there any such thing as a "factory" AK anymore? I don't plan to use this gun to win any accuracy matches, so I won't need any special optics. What else don't I know? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks! - Nw - |
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Here is one for starters. This is a modern, well made version of the AK-47. www.robarm.com/ |
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Milled small bore AK receivers are almost non-existant, and stamped works fine (just a bit harder to rivet than screw in your own basment). Your seem to be looking at about $500 either way: VEPR in 16 or 20" bbl imported from robarm, or SAR3 ($290) plus KVAR black poly stock set ($90) plus Red Star Arms trigger set ($80). Either can get you into the 2-2 1/2" group range with avg ammo. Let us know more about how much price, style or furniture matters to you, and we can steer you better. |
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the pre-ban norinco 84-s (and 84-s1 underfolder) are good rifles. they run best on the specific chi-com .223 mags, though. the pre-ban valmets were also very, very good .223's. mags can be a little pricey. the valmet has a forged receiver. expect to pay about $1200 minimun for one. the galil is also forged, and may be the best .223 ak variant imported. these are available in pre and post ban configuration. again, not cheap at $1000 to $2000. |
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After looking around a bit and looking at the budget I'm considering, I'm thinking of the SAR-1, though it's not a .223, and therefor nothing like my first post. The site I'm looking at ( http://linx310.nothingbutguns.com/model.htm ) says it will take standard hicap AK-47 mags. However, It says nothing about the receiver. Is this a milled receiver? Any one own one? ( On a side note, I like the SAR-1 better than the SAR-3 because of Magazine availability. The only reason I chose .223 to begin with is that we also have an AR in the house and I could swap out ammo. ) I understand that a considerable number of the rifles suffer from "trigger slap". What exactly is "trigger slap"? If I were to pick up a SAR-1 and buy the Red Star Arms trigger set at a future date, it would still shoot passably in the meantime, correct? Also, will the dragunov stock set fit correctly with an SAR-1? Just to make sure that I'm not botching up terms, A Dragunov Stock is thumbholed, fixed, and skeletonized looking, correct? I looked at KVAR's Site and didn't see a set like what I mean. Thank you all for your help so far. Edited to add: Finally, what is probably the dumbest question of all. Do the same AW Ban o' 94 rules apply to the AK as to the AR, if no, what are the differences? As I follow, Removable magazine over ten rounds and pistol grip means no bayonet lug, no flashhider, no collapsible stock. Unless a thumbhole stock doesn't count as a pistol grip, and I really don't care about the collapsible stock. Thanks Again! - Nw - |
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Northern- I think that most of us own 1-2 SAR rifles of one make or another. The SAR-1 is a stamped receiver AK. It is extremely reliable. The finish is often poor when the rifle is NIB though. Sometimes it needs cosmetic surgergy. But the surgery is cosmetic. If Arsenal is coming out with an SA-M7 in .223 cal then I would either get that or a SAR-3. -SS |
Universal AWB rules: A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of-- i. a folding or telescoping stock; ii. a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; iii. a bayonet mount; iv. a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash supressor; v. a grenade launcher '10 rounds' is a separate issue, relating to the manufacture of magazines (all mags with more than 10rds must be made prior to 94 to be leagal for civillian use). And a thumbhole may allow you to have a FH or bayo-lug... |
Actually Campy, Valmet M76's have stamped receivers, they are just extremely well made stamped receivers..........  As has been said before, if you can hold out, Arsenal Inc. will more than likely have 5.56mm milled receivered rifles available in or around Spring '03. You won't find a better post ban for the money. If you can't wait, I'd spend the money on a VEPR II Carbine. |
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Believe it or not, after shooting my SAR-2 tonight with an original Soviet PSO-2 (6x24) illuminated scope at the mother in law's place, I think I like a thumbhole stock on it best. Got a Druganov style (not a ROMAK POS) that's been in the safe since god-knows-when. It looks like an original SVD more than not, and its very comfortable with the big heavy Russian scope, especially because it sits higher and to the left of the iron sights. That, and whenever the AK leaves the house to a destination other than well behind friendly lines, the Drug. goes on because...oops, I forgot to take the bayonet lug off when I put the new FSB/muzzle break on. It looks better hanging on the wall with that bayo. |
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Choate makes a Dragunov stock for the MAK90 milled reciever: www.riflestock.com/catalog_page_detail.cfm?queries_index=index6&title_bar=MAK%2090%20Dragunov%20Stock%20Black&Manufacturer=&recordno=1&Product_CatalogID=378&ProductNumber=DSB&ProductCode=45&NewProduct=0 |
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