AK Sponsor
Posted: 6/25/2007 11:57:12 AM EDT
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Hello everyone. I recently bought my first AK (an M70AB2) and I'm trying to figure out what spare parts would be good to have stashed away for my AK "just in case". I plan on using it for target practice right now but this will also be my go to gun in case of emergency so I want to have the most common parts on hand to fix it if I can't run down to the store or internet and buy some more. Thanks for any advice. |
First, welcome to the Dark Side.  Second, your new Yugo is far more rugged that the AR you probably already own. Like most all AK's, she's built like a tank. I think keeping spare parts would be a waste until she's had at least 20k rounds through her. Way down the road, you may have extractor/ejector issues, but I even doubt that until she's approaching 30k-40k mark. At most, I'd get a spare bolt. But for now, I think you should stock up on high cap mags and ammo. Just an opinion...!!! 
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Properly head spaced complete bolt. It contains most of the key parts that are likely to break. I have seen a lug shear on a MAK-90 with approximately 5000 rds. A complete set of replacement springs. The bolt is one of the few parts easily replaced in the field or range. |
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First thanks for the reply, extra mags and ammo are definitely on the "Buy Quick" list. After doing some research and actually handling the AR and AK I chose the AK as my first semi-auto gun. I prefer a gun I can use and abuse to one that shoots 600 meters but has to be cleaned all the time. I think if things really hit the fan people won't be able to get cleaning supplies and then where will they be, they'll have a dirty gun that won't fire. Maybe I'm wrong and maybe all will go well for the AR users, but I'll put my trust in a gun that has been tested the world around and come out fighting no matter what the conditions. |
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Here we go with the BS ignorance about the AR15.I own an AK as well.When I was in the service motor oil worked fine for lubing and cleaning in a pinch.AKs fail too if not taken care of.I dont live in a desert so in the north east all I have to worry about is cold weather the further north I go. Of course I also have an M14 type of wich the only advantage the AK has over that is lighter and 10 more rounds.Any weapon that is used filthy and grimy will accelerate parts wear even on an AK.In spite of what youve heard as lond as an AR isnt run dry itll keep on going even if filthy of course dirty and lubed is much better than dirty and dry.Try filling up your AK with powder to mimick fine sand and see how it functions.. You can use and abuse an AR as well,but I prefer to take care of the weapons that take care of me...even my AK.95% of problems with the M16 are end user related...proof of this in the beginning was the fact that the Army and Marines were having major problems in Vietnam do to not cleaning the weapon but Navy Seals who had the rifle way before them had virtualy no problems because they maintained their weapons...the Navy is a stickler for cleanliness and it benefitted those soldiers...and those were the first M16s with no chrome lining. |
| LilThump just a FYI the AR platform isnt as much of a cleaning and maintenance hog as you may have been led to believe. Also a little CLP on the platform goes along ways so unless there was a RedDawn, 28 Days Later, or Invasion USA theme going on a bottle of CLP will last quite awhile and get you through until you can buy another bottle of it. Im an AR guy because I used on on a professional basis from Somalia to the SandBox and im quite comfortable with it. I have recently started getting into the AK platform and have found a mistress and cant stop buying them. Enjoy your toy! |
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Good to know that the AR is more reliable when dirty than I have been lead to believe. I was planning on getting one (if I can ever afford it) but until I get a chance to prove it either by seeing them at the firing range or handling one myself, I'll still be somewhat skeptical and probably by another AK first. I will grant you that if an AK is not taken care of to some extent it will die also, but from what I understand and have read the AK will work much longer under extreme conditions and that is primarily what I'm basing my opinions on. Thanks for the info about the AR guys. |
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1. KYOSHI is wise in his comments regarding the AR and its reliability 2. I suspect there's a good chance my AK will not wear out before I die. That being said, I might buy a spare (AK, not pieces), just in case. My opinion (worth what you paid for it), use your $$ to buy a few thousand rounds of golden tiger (or whatever)... then save your $$ and buy an AR (and hope that ammo prices drop a little someday) so you can enjoy both. YRMV |
LilThump to ease your skepticisim if the AR platform was indeed unreliable do you think the US military would have been fielding it for the past 40years? Besides that here is a major "here's your sign" so many civilians wouldnt own and use the platform if it was a hunk of junk, as civies have to use their own money to pay for things. A major thing to remember is not all AR brands are created equal and the majority of them are not mil-spec products.
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I think instead of answering this question, we should turn this thread into a huge AR/AK cock-pulling contest! WHO'S WITH ME!?!?!?  ... okay, maybe get yourself a bolt. More for the hell of it than anything else. |
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