Wanting a first AK help please

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Wanting a first AK help please

Posted: 11/17/2012 1:26:24 AM EDT

I have no idea when it comes to AK's, but I've been shooting my buddies when he comes over and while I still prefer AR's more I've got this urge to get one.

So what are some good ones to look for and are there any to stay away from?

Posted: 11/17/2012 1:44:48 AM EDT

[#1]

They are all good.
Some are better.
How much are you planning on $pending?

Posted: 11/17/2012 1:59:04 AM EDT

[#2]

Was wanting to stay around the $500 range

Posted: 11/17/2012 2:26:41 AM EDT

[#3]

Enjoy your WASR. reliable, fun, classic looks.

Posted: 11/17/2012 4:57:31 AM EDT

[#4]

AK Buyer's Guide

Just take a gander at this thread (broken down by price range) and come back with some questions.

Posted: 11/17/2012 5:27:39 AM EDT

[#5]

You might enjoy these too, Jim Fuller has some great advice for first time AK purchasers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0BP2_hcffs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seY9ZZxMFIQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VFkgZij5eg&feature=related

Posted: 11/17/2012 5:49:04 AM EDT

[#6]

If you don't have a yearning for the traditional look, AMD-65's are still somewhat reasonable at around $500. They are probably the cheapest you will find with WASR's being around $550 at the moment.

Posted: 11/17/2012 5:57:59 AM EDT

[#7]

I would get one from K-Var. Try the SGL series.

I started out with a WASR-10. Then I picked up a WASR-10 underfolder. Then I got a Yugo. Finally I got a SGL.

They're more expensive, but after you get your first AK, you'll want another one so you might as well bite the bullet to start with.

Posted: 11/18/2012 3:02:31 PM EDT

[#8]

Little more than what I was wanting to spend but anybody have one of those waffen werks 74's? I think I just fell in love with the plum furniture one

Posted: 11/18/2012 3:31:44 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Little more than what I was wanting to spend but anybody have one of those waffen werks 74's? I think I just fell in love with the plum furniture one

Nice fit and finish, as outlined in the ak buyers guide that SGL shooter wrote.

They are parts kits with New US chrome barrels. For a few hundred more you could get a cold hammer-forged barrel.

Here's what I would get, in what order - depending on budget:

SGL/SLR
AMD
M110
Wasr
Waffen Works

My rationale is all based on the barrel.

Posted: 11/18/2012 5:19:31 PM EDT

[#10]

Ok thanks for the replys, Iam dead set on a ak74 now due to the price on 5.45 ammo, and I love the plum furniture, iam not all that concerned with the barrels being hammer forged vs non, none of my AR's are hammer forged and doesn't bother me.

Finslayer83's 74 is my inspiration. Hope he doesn't mind me using his photo, but to me this is just ak perfection!

Posted: 11/18/2012 6:46:08 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Ok thanks for the replys, Iam dead set on a ak74 now due to the price on 5.45 ammo, and I love the plum furniture, iam not all that concerned with the barrels being hammer forged vs non, none of my AR's are hammer forged and doesn't bother me.

Finslayer83's 74 is my inspiration. Hope he doesn't mind me using his photo, but to me this is just ak perfection!
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/gnarkill_89/74CB0920-320F-4EE6-974B-063DA6897522-10869-0000103CC5BCA068.jpg

ABSOLUTELY NOT!
You are strictly forbidden to purchase an AK74 before you buy an AK47. If you buy that 74 first, Mikhail Kalashnikov will be very diaapointed.
But seriously, if you have AR's already, you might want to look into 7.62, it will give you something different to play around with.

Posted: 11/18/2012 7:30:06 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Ok thanks for the replys, Iam dead set on a ak74 now due to the price on 5.45 ammo, and I love the plum furniture, iam not all that concerned with the barrels being hammer forged vs non, none of my AR's are hammer forged and doesn't bother me.

Finslayer83's 74 is my inspiration. Hope he doesn't mind me using his photo, but to me this is just ak perfection!
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/gnarkill_89/74CB0920-320F-4EE6-974B-063DA6897522-10869-0000103CC5BCA068.jpg

ABSOLUTELY NOT!
You are strictly forbidden to purchase an AK74 before you buy an AK47. If you buy that 74 first, Mikhail Kalashnikov will be very diaapointed.
But seriously, if you have AR's already, you might want to look into 7.62, it will give you something different to play around with.

Yeah don't really care for the 7.62x39 not that's its not an awesome round just don't really see any advantage over the 5.56 for what I use my rifles for. The 5.45x39 on the other hand is perfect it puts holes in stuff and I can afford to shoot a ton of it lol

Posted: 11/18/2012 7:58:57 PM EDT

[#13]

I've really wanted an Ak-74 for quite sometime but I can't really justify paying about $900 for a decent one and then paying for the expensive mags when I already have so manu 7.62x39 ammo and mags along with my SGL21

I have an AR anyway.

I really wish I could find a AK-74 for around $500-$600.

Posted: 11/18/2012 8:36:49 PM EDT

[#14]

An AK-74 in this current market, on a $500 budget, is near impossible.

Some close options would be a self-built kit rifle, an M+M AK-74, or a Waffen Werks AK-74. Last two options are above $600.

Posted: 11/19/2012 5:42:31 AM EDT

[#15]

FInd a WASR in good shape (no cant or mag wobble, etc.) Offer $500 out the door or no deal. They might bite.

Whatever you get, have fun. An AK might overtake your love for AR's.

Posted: 11/19/2012 6:40:34 AM EDT

[#16]

If i was going to buy a AK it would have to be an original 7.62x39. Thats an AK. Better knockdown power proven reliability.

Posted: 11/19/2012 6:55:58 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
If i was going to buy a AK it would have to be an original 7.62x39. Thats an AK. Better knockdown power proven reliability.

There is a reason (or several) that Russian forces are using the 5.45 round nowadays.. Yes I am sure someone will be here to mention that their SF's use the 7.62 if they choose, but you get several great advantages with the 5.45.

Also saying the 7.62 has

proven reliability

like the 5.45 doesn't is absolutely stupid.

Posted: 11/20/2012 4:01:55 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If i was going to buy a AK it would have to be an original 7.62x39. Thats an AK. Better knockdown power proven reliability.

There is a reason (or several) that Russian forces are using the 5.45 round nowadays.. Yes I am sure someone will be here to mention that their SF's use the 7.62 if they choose, but you get several great advantages with the 5.45.

Also saying the 7.62 has

proven reliability

like the 5.45 doesn't is absolutely stupid.

I agree, the 74 is awesome and a great rifle. And if i could only have 1 gun forever in shtf, Id pick it.

BUT the 74 was a copy of the USA 5.56 and if youre looking for something different from your ARs then the 7.62 is the ticket. And its not much more expensive to shoot... And ammo is more available....

Posted: 11/20/2012 7:27:28 AM EDT

[#19]

SGL.

Posted: 11/20/2012 10:46:24 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
SGL.

Annnndddddddddd here it is.

Posted: 11/20/2012 11:23:42 AM EDT

[#21]

You might be paying inflated prices now due to the demand.

Save your money and buy a Krebs, or call them and get put on the waiting list. I recently bought a SGL31 and ended up selling it off unfired, it was night and day different than my AK-103K. My Krebs rifles are tops in fit, finish, action, trigger, etc. I'd get whatever caliber you like, and can find a decent amount of magazines for. I like the 7.62x39 myself, but own both. Here's a photo of some of my Krebs rifles.

Posted: 11/20/2012 11:33:23 AM EDT

[#22]

These are a great deal and the brake does a fnatastic job of taiming recoil, while making quite the fireball. LOL

$499 AMD-65

Posted: 11/20/2012 12:53:56 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:
SGL.

Annnndddddddddd here it is.

ill triple that

Posted: 11/20/2012 12:59:05 PM EDT

[#24]

762x39mm

Posted: 11/20/2012 1:04:12 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
You might be paying inflated prices now due to the demand.

Save your money and buy a Krebs, or call them and get put on the waiting list. I recently bought a SGL31 and ended up selling it off unfired, it was night and day different than my AK-103K. My Krebs rifles are tops in fit, finish, action, trigger, etc. I'd get whatever caliber you like, and can find a decent amount of magazines for. I like the 7.62x39 myself, but own both. Here's a photo of some of my Krebs rifles.

http://i47.tinypic.com/jayqnd.jpg

What was wrong with the SGL