There are so many options out there now. Imo the siagas are still some of the best out there. You buy them already ready to rock, and the conversions to put pistol grip etc on them is really easy. I bought a siaga 5.45 as my first ak platform and have a 7.62 now. The other option is to look at guns other people have imported or built. Have to be careful with what you pick. Last 2 options are to have someone build you one from a nice kit, and you can pick all the nice stuff you want, or to build one. I'm at the final stage where I'm just going to build one myself. I have a so so kit to practice with first, then I'll get a nicer kit to build after some practice.