Need advice on what AK to buy

[nightfighter2660]

I want an AK. I live in Maryland. I need to be able to go into my gun shop and tell my dealer what to order for me. At first I wanted an AK chambered in 5.56mm NATO, but now I'm thinking it might be smarter just to get a 7.62 X 39mm AK. If I get a 7.62 X 39mm AK, I'd certainly want one that took the regular old AK-47 magazines that seem to be so cheap and plentiful at gun shows in Pennsylvania and Virginia (can't buy them in Maryland but i can own them legally). I'm looking to spend no more than $800. I want a "normal" Russian looking AK, nothing fancy. Stamped parts are fine. I want an AK for reliability, not accuracy.

I could still be convinced to get a 5.56mm variant, but aren't the magazines expensive and hard to find?

Anyway, what do you recommend I buy? What can my gun dealer easily order for me that's decent for <$800.

[Moebrown20]

First, welcome to the site.
A Romanian AK is a "normal" AK for you.
It takes almost all of the mags an AK uses and would cost around 300-400ish

Here's a link to one on sale:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=185838180

[Dan44]

2 A Sales & Supplies in Jessup, MD 20794 has few Arsenal SGL20-41s coming in at $700 plus tax. Not a bad AK for the money

[videodon]

For that money you could get a Romy AKM,
AND 1000 rds. of 7.62 x 39...
AND some mags!
(or a side mount / scope!)
:)

[slamfire51]

Welcome nightfighter2660.

What they said. For a first, a Romy would be my choice.

[imanaknut]

Welcome to the group !!! :welcome:

Check the Atlantic Firearms website and see what they have.

If you want a good one, try to find a Norinco MAK-90 on Gunbroker. Try to stay around $500 or less if possible. MAK-90 prices are going up because they were banned from importation back in 1994 and all that are here are all that are going to be here. The MAK-90 was a commercial rifle and has arguably the best trigger feel of any factory AK.

If you want the only non-commercial AK variant, try to find an SAR-1. They also are no longer imported because ATF found that they were true military issue semi-autos and our government can't have us with real firearms. Anyway, the SAR-1 can also be found on Gunbroker, and sometime well under $500. In fact I found one recently for $350!!!!

As for the 5.56x45, you are right, there was never a mag standard as there is with the 7.62x39, so you really have to be careful what you buy.

[nightfighter2660]

Thanks for the warm welcome to the site. Who says the bad guys are the ones with Kalashnikovs?

Any idea where my dealer could get a Romanian AK? I checked out the Atlantic firearms site and they had a sweet Arsenal SLR-106 in 5.56mm. What do you think of that rifle? The Arsenal magazines are $25 apiece.

[nightfighter2660]

What do you guys think of this rifle?

Any idea what kind of scope rail it comes with?

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct818.aspx

[printerman]

Welcome ! You'll get different answers from folks who use their AK's for different reasons , but for me it was a Romanian SAR-1 (7.62 x 39) ! Bought the basic wood stock rough finish model and decided to upgrade certain features here and there . Many purists love the basic model as is and their reasons are because the reliability is unsurpassed ....

Have fun and shoot often ...

[MOP]

SLR-106F has no rail.

SLR-106FR has the standard East European left sided rail.

It is a great rifle.

Mags are costly.

[nightfighter2660]

I've given up on the 5.56mm Arsenal because even though the 20 round mags are legal in Maryland, the few people who carry them are squeamish about shipping them to Maryland.

What about this Yugo paratrooper model:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct855.aspx

or how about this classic-looking one?

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct847.aspx

or any of these...

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storecategory90.aspx

[slamfire51]

If you are willing to spend that amount of $$, make sure you get a dimpled receiver.
Many rifles offered are WASR type.

[nightfighter2660]

This gun seems to good to be true. Does anything know of anything wrong with it? Does it take normal AK magazines? http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct752.aspx

[slamfire51]

This gun seems to good to be true. Does anything know of anything wrong with it? Does it take normal AK magazines? http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct752.aspx

Looks good to me. The HGs and buttstock are not your run of the mill furniture, but nice.

[Blacksmith]

I've given up on the 5.56mm Arsenal because even though the 20 round mags are legal in Maryland, the few people who carry them are squeamish about shipping them to Maryland.

What about this Yugo paratrooper model:
http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct855.aspx

or how about this classic-looking one?

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct847.aspx

or any of these...

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storecategory90.aspx

These are the ones I would be looking at. I have a Polish and the Gallil. But I do not have the milled AK on the second link. but for that price, I would not mind having it..

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct656.aspx


http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct904.aspx

If you want one in .223 I recommend the Gallil

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct412.aspx

[Blacksmith]

FYI
The dealers around here won’t "order it for you".
The way it usually works, you talk to your dealer and see if he will accept the shipment. If he agrees to it. for a reasonable fee “$25.00 or less” contact the dealer you will be purchasing from. Pay him for the firearm and shipping. and give him your dealers information.
BTW
J&G’s has a better deal on the gallil. This one also has the bayonet lug and will accept standard m16 bayonets ;)
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/galil-style-golani-rifle%2C-223-caliber%2C-with-folding-stock-coming-soon%21/products_id/1624

Edited to add:
(Confirm the bayonet lug. They recently changed the description)

[Bluntforce]

I started in AKs in either December or January. A Romanian WASR 10/63 UF in the $400 range was my first. I carry it out here in the country almost everyday.

I've gone to a PSL for long range, 7.62x54mm is so much cheaper than .308 for the M1A and I got a NoDak Spud Bulgy clone in 5.45x39mm which is what I would recommend for SCHV AKs.

Right now you can get 3,000 rnds of 5.45 for what 2,000 rnds of .223 or 7.62x39mm costs. This situation may change, however the lethality of the 5.45 is dependent on the bullet design, the lethality of the .223 was based on a very slow twist rate of the rifling which is no longer there.

The NoDak Spud comes with a scope rail and a kickass Parkerized finish.

[gunnutz]

Get a new production they will be cheaper. it's a shame we don't have the sponsorship we used to have because gunsnet made them what they are today! try www.aimsurplus.com or www.centerfiresystems.com www.classicarms.us www.ioinc.us then get your local dealer to transfer one for you. transfers are 30.00 around here but you don't pay out of state sales tax.

[Atlantic Firearms]

Nightfighter , if you have questions on AK rifles that will best fit your needs & budget we will be glad to speak with you via phone . Please email us your contact info & we will call U sales@atlanticfirearms.com

[cciota]

Nightfighter , if you have questions on AK rifles that will best fit your needs & budget we will be glad to speak with you via phone . Please email us your contact info & we will call U sales@atlanticfirearms.com

Now that's customer service!

[nightfighter2660]

One more question. I kind of want a folding stock, but not if it's a pain in the ass to shoot. What's your opinion on folding stock vs. regular stock?

Thanks everyone. I also asked these questions on Subguns.com and folks weren't near as nice.

[Bluntforce]

I have an underfolder and while it is run down a lot, I find it comfortable to shoot and I like the fact it is not much wider than the weapon itself.

The 'Romy' sidefolder is the same as the Polish Tantal, IIRC. Most people say it is very comfortable. I can tell by looking at the closed loop on the back that it would overcome the only drawback I find on my underfolder, the "horns" of the butt catch my shirt sometimes when I am shouldering it.

The sidefolder would not fit in the case I put my AK into. An Ace pistolgrip shotgun case. I also don't like the part that protrudes past the end of the receiver, but I could get over that cosmetic prejudice for the advantage of the closed loop not catching my clothes. I would just need to scrounge a new case.

I have a fixed stock as well. The only thing a fixed stock would have over folding in theory is busting some fool's head with it. The stock on the Warsaw Pact length stock is so short, you can forget it. I'm so short that the NATO length stock is too long.

In practice, the folding stock is kickass for the reason you can fold it, then loop the sling over your neck and let your body support the weight or carry hands free and still have it ready and at hand. True, for accurate fire you need to dismount it from your neck, deploy the stock and aim, but you can still send a lot of lead downrange from a folded AK slung from the neck.

Unslinging and unfolding in a hurry is not something that's going to come up very often as a necessity, but neck slung carry is comfortable and convenient to the point of being preferable to a fixed stock, IMO.

[Blacksmith]

One more question. I kind of want a folding stock, but not if it's a pain in the ass to shoot. What's your opinion on folding stock vs. regular stock?

Thanks everyone. I also asked these questions on Subguns.com and folks weren't near as nice.
I prefer the under folders. but the NATO length us made solid stocks are by far the most comfortable. Just not as easy to carry and store.
IMO
You will only get opinions to you question. you just need to try them and find the one you prefer. Or just get them all. ;)