Andy my man got it right, the Finn's sold receivers to the Israelis. On a side note, the Finns only used 7.62x39mm for their military. When the Valmets were being imported into the US there was no cheap x39mm available so a decision was made to build most of their export models in 5.56mm. Valmets are the bomb!

My first semi rifle was a Model 71s in 1983 (I was 14 at the time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) ...had a soft spot for them ever since. Magazines were almost unobtainable here till the late 80s when they started importing the Valmet Hunter in .223.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. I actually sold my 71 before the ban here in 1996 as by that time I was pretty much shooting my A2 and SLR in service rifle here.

Oh.... if you are a fan of the original "Red Dawn" there are lots of Valmets posing as AKs in there, including a couple of M78s as I recall.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

cool info about the valmet...

i have always liked the looks of the galil but i'm not a 5.56 guy. was googling and came across a rifle called the galil ace. looks like a great little rifle but I don't think I will seek onearlund hereany time soon.

I shoot a stamped Waffen Werks AK and it is excellent.

wanting to put another ak on the wish list. anybody know anything about bulgarian AK's?

I see a ton of parts kits but I don't see and built ones. I also saw one calls a ssr-85 in an old centerfire systems catalog for $400. googles it and looks like now they range from $750 (prepanic) to $1900.

Ive owned two Bulgarian AKs, as well as 2 WASRs (plus an experience with a really bad WASR), and a Russian/Arsenal SGL-21. My first bulgie was an AK-74 parts kit built on an American made receiver, and second is my current SLR-106F. The 74 wasn't too bad, but the receiver must have been dimensioned incorrectly, or the difference between metric and standard caused it, because eventually the magazine catch rivets began to work loose just from inserting and removing the magazines. I tried shaving my mags, but eventually decided the rifle was going to be too much work, so I sold it. My current rifle, though, is a new production SLR-106F and it has been a joy. It cost a bit more, almost 950$ when i bought it, but it was worth every penny. I even torture tested it over a weekend with 1000rds of .223, and nary a bobble. Properly built, Bulgarian kits have a rep for being solid, sturdily built weapons, so my 74 may have been an exception rather than the rule, but in my experience, you definitely get what you pay for in an AK. With the exception of a Vepr, which like a unicorn, for my money an Arsenal AK can't be beat.

I need to figure out how to get back into my photobucket again, so I can upload the pics I took of my SLR. Stoopid old username I can't remember...

the slr106 is a interesting rifle. quite a few were still showing up during the panic. there's even a pistol that popped up. if obese willing to go 5.56 it would be an option. but it looks like the aresenal slr-107 folder is what I should keep an eye out for. but man they weren't cheap even before the panic pricing. the arsenal prices seem to keep creeping up no matter what. every year i'm wanting the price from 2 years ago.

i was hoping there was a bugarian made rifle along the lines of a wasr or the gp1975. just something stamped that i could slap a folder stock on. don't see many bulgarian AK's mentioned anywhere over the last few years outside of the ssr and slr. most of the bulgarian rifles got chopped down for parts. just can't see paying $900 for a parts rifle.

The 107 wouldn't be a bad way to go either, I hadn't realized you were eyeing a 7.62x39. You may also be interested in Arsenal's SGL-21, its a Russian Saiga import that is converted stateside by Arsenal, and has more than enough compliant parts for 922r. It looks like they were a rather limited import run though, but you could still get lucky. I paid 525$ for mine 2 years ago. There's a company in boulder CO that manufactures converted Saigas as well, thier prices were reasonable last I saw. I think though, it will be tough to find a Bulgarian rifle, new or parts kit, for less than 600-700, being generally better quality, they will always run toward the high end on the market. Right now, some of the prices people are willing to pay are ludicrous, but such is panic buying. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Here's my girl

looks good el!

havent been looking but that's my first time seeing a circle 10 .223 mag. looks good with that rifle.

tan yardhook! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />