If the trunion is anything other than forged steel just walk away. Next is the bolt and bolt carrier should be forged as well. Chrome lined bore and chamber is what an AK was equipped originally. Make sure the front sight base is straight, not canted.Like the title says. I'm looking get into AKs. Want to go with 7.62x39, fixed or side folder stock. What should I look for? Any brands to avoid or recommend?
Jeez, I remember going to a fun show in South Bend and MAK-90's were $125 but then I remember when the Dead Sea was just sick. Shoulda bought a whole crate.You can still find a Norinco MAK-90 for under $1500. Best factory trigger of any AK imported into the land of shall not be infringed. If you can put up with the Bush-hole stock, great. If you want to remove (and save) that abomination and install the standard stock and pistol grip, great too but make sure the rear of the receiver is straight cut (squared off) and not angle cut. Do it quickly as Chinese stock parts are skyrocketing like the rifle.
As others have said, the newer WASR-10s and ZPAPs are also good choices.
I'd go with either a WASR, WPB, or maybe a Yugo Zastava model such as a Zpap or Mpap. Avoid pioneer arms, riley defense, and VSKA's. VSKA's have a reputation of rear trunions being weak specifically if I remember correctly. PSA is a decent option too, however make sure you get a newer one as the older ones have a reputation of poor QC but it seems to be better now. I have a WASR10 V2 and haven't had any issues with it. Wasr's can sometimes have canted sights so I'd inspect first in person if possible. I guess I got lucky with my sights having barely any cant to them. It's not that noticeable if you aren't looking for it. The wings on the front sight protector are slightly different sizes than one another but I don't think its a big deal as you don't notice it that much either since its barely noticeable if you aren't looking for it. Very accurate gun imo.Like the title says. I'm looking get into AKs. Want to go with 7.62x39, fixed or side folder stock. What should I look for? Any brands to avoid or recommend?
It is hard to believe that when the MAK-90 showed up they gathered dust on dealer shelves. Now they are realized as among the better factory AK variants.Jeez, I remember going to a fun show in South Bend and MAK-90's were $125 but then I remember when the Dead Sea was just sick. Shoulda bought a whole crate.
That's really apples and oranges. It would be like telling someone that wanted a good shotgun for trap shooting to buy a rifle instead because you can hit a clay target at 500 yards.Ok, I gonna chime in , my advise don't! Why would you (or anyone) want a rifle with a poor trigger, mediocre (at best) accuracy & poor sights?
I personally refuse to spend my cash on something that doesn't meet the above criteria.
Yes I know I'm gonna get piled on, anytime you wanna get together and shoot your rifles vs my service rifle, let's do it. Rapid prone at 300 yards? OK slow prone at 600 yards ok, or even offhand at 200, no problem. I will even shoot irons on my rifle while you shoot optics on your AK .
Save your cash, build a 700 Remington (or clone) buy a Rock River Arms, one of the several other accurate rifles out on the market
Ok, I gonna chime in , my advise don't! Why would you (or anyone) want a rifle with a poor trigger, mediocre (at best) accuracy & poor sights?
I personally refuse to spend my cash on something that doesn't meet the above criteria.
Yes I know I'm gonna get piled on, anytime you wanna get together and shoot your rifles vs my service rifle, let's do it. Rapid prone at 300 yards? OK slow prone at 600 yards ok, or even offhand at 200, no problem. I will even shoot irons on my rifle while you shoot optics on your AK .
Save your cash, build a 700 Remington (or clone) buy a Rock River Arms, one of the several other accurate rifles out on the market
So the rifle is only accurate at 25 yards?That's really apples and oranges. It would be like telling someone that wanted a good shotgun for trap shooting to buy a rifle instead because you can hit a clay target at 500 yards.
I understand variety is the spice of life, I just think there more fun rifles then an AKVariety is the spice of life. Shooting AKs is just good fun. Granted, I enjoyed it much more when ammo was 20 cents a round delivered to my front door.....
No, but recommending a bolt action to someone looking for a semi-auto makes no sense. I bet I can fire 30 rounds faster with my AK than you can with your Remington 700, so nyah! See how little sense that makes?So the rifle is only accurate at 25 yards?
Maybe you did notice I also suggested a RRA (semi auto)No, but recommending a bolt action to someone looking for a semi-auto makes no sense. I bet I can fire 30 rounds faster with my AK than you can with your Remington 700, so nyah! See how little sense that makes?
Offer a different option then the group think and your the bad guy, the OP asked for thoughts and opinions, so I rendered mine.And I would have no problem ringing steel at 100 yards (or more) with my AK. It was designed for minute-of-man, not MOA. It's not a sniper rifle.
No, I saw it. But an AR is not an AK. I get it. Not everyone likes the AK platform. I have both, as well as a VZ2008. I like them all.Maybe you did notice I also suggested a RRA (semi auto)
No, you're not the bad guy. It's all good.Offer a different option then the group think and your the bad guy, the OP asked for thoughts and opinions, so I rendered mine.
By the way, no "sniper rifle" not even a match rifle, a service rifle with iron sight and me on the ground with a sling no bi pod...but we are now off topic
If you're not a purist and want 5.56 in AK, those are the bee's knees; very well made.Zastava ZPAP, WBP Jack or FB Radom Beryl
I wouldn't recommend any Arsenal rifle made after 2019.
I wouldnt recommend a WASR either unless you know what to look for before buying/transferring.