Lots of AR owners here - who runs an AK?

There is usually something AR related in the survival forum which is understandable. Does anyone else run an AK?

I have both, and after 25 years of AR ownership am starting to lean toward the Kalash.

I recently sold my Yugo AK-47. The AK is stone reliable with big parts. It is not as accurate as my AR-15s, but accurate enough for defense at modest ranges. I really prefer the 7.62x39 to the 5.56. Now I only have .223 and 5.56 NATO caliber defense rifles (Mini-14s and AR-15s). Since most of my rifles were that caliber, I sold the AK at a good price.

No AK here but I do have a SKS that I will be putting in a bull pup stock in the near future.

I don't have either but I really lean towards the AK. I have wanted a polish tantal with the wire folder for a while. I guess I'm drawn to how the AK design has loose tolerances to allow the weapon to function even when dirty.

I have heard a story from Vietnam of a special forces team finding a dead NVA solider who had fallen on top of his AK when he died and his body decomposed into and on top of the rifle. Apparently, they test fired the rifle and it functioned. That story was told by Larry Vickers (who is retired SF and now works for Daniel Defence I think) on a military channel program called weaponology.
The design just seems tough. It seems like much more of a battle rifle to me when compared to an AR, but there are accuracy issues as well. Also, I'm drawn to the generally cheaper prices on the AK platform.
Just my opinion at this point, not having either rifle....

If you like to tinker I think the AR is a better platform. There are redeemimg values to the AK but I sold mine years ago. I prefer the adult lego rifle.

Hmm...I really like them both. I started an AK guy all the way. Then I slowly migrated to the AR.

You end up having the same amount of cash in either and they cost about the same to shoot.

AK is more reliable but my AR runs flawlessly... I admit it gets cleaned regularly.

If I want to shoot 3 gun and varmints with the same gun it is an AR situation.

Ammo for the AR weighs less. Parts for the AR are more abundant. Options are abundant. AR shoots alot flatter.

AKs are around the world for a reason. Lol, it is just hard to say what is best. I currently only shoot the AR which is undergoing some changes.

Should I run a Leupold VX-6 1-6 with the illuminted reticle or a Vortex 2.5-10 and an offset RMR?

Back in the day (pre 1996 here) I had a Valmet M71s .... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have a Saigia in .223 but Im for sure an AR guy a platform I have trusted my life to and would again.

I assuredly appreciate the AR love as I've owned and ran them for two and a half decades. The simple (crude) AK has been getting more love as of late. I prefer a 5.56 AK due to the stated ammo weight issue of the 7.62 models. My SLR-106FR is stone reliable and shoots the ubiquitous NATO round. Unfortunately, mags are expensive at roughly $25 each.

Tough call, but I don't foresee selling either in the near future.

Good and reasoned responses from everyone!

Dang psyop, where were you with my saiga 223 thread?! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I just saw a nicely built one...and wanted it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

RN,
I have a factory converted Saiga in 7.62x39 (Arsenal SGL-21). The quality is absolutely top shelf, but Saiga's have some non standard parts. The bolt and gas piston readily come to mind.

My 5.56x45 Arsenal SLR106 is a better choice (owning to the rock solid folding stock and caliber - I prefer the power and legendary relibality of the 30 cal but the weight and non-NATO issues make it my second choice). I also like the standardized internals. Outside of being a 223 bolt with a spring loaded firing pin - everything looks normal AK.

Research SGL or Saiga with Ak100 series bolt. Regular AKM parts won't work.

Lol I dont know didnt see it. Mine is apart Im converting it. Just need to find some furniture I like and put it back together.

Never fired an AK or SKS. Mine is a Colt AR15 A3. Stock cept for the 4 power glass on the flattop.

No AK here, yet, but they are tons of fun to shoot.
I like my russian SKS, and have been trying to decide between a vz-58 or a sig 556R for my next 7.62x39mm rifle. After I get one of those two, then I will be looking for a 5.45x39mm style ak to burn up some cheap ammo I would rather shoot then sell.

I had many AR's at one point and now only have one. While a great platform, it isn't my first choice. For 556 NATO, I like my Sig 556 and Robinson XCR much better, though it would be really hard to pick which I like better.

13 or so different AK's so I guess i'm kind of an AK guy.
Although the FAL is my choice of weapon.

Couple of duplicate shots, but you get the idea.









Saiga 308 conversions.

^^^^ wow I would say so lol.

....glad you threw in the clarification at the end... !!! I would have had to arrange the revocation of your Man Card otherwise..!!

Awesome ak collection...I really like the .308 conversions <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

aw man the one with the green functors looks sweet! I think I'm a sucker for green furniture and a gas block front site but man if I saw that one in a store somewhere I don't know if I could stop until it was mine!

curious as to your opinions on that one?




on another note the sig 556 in 7.62x39 is looking pretty attractive again if the fixes are good.

Rock and Rolla with the Ayatolah! AK rules.

....Heartbreak Ridge... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bushmaster M4 with Aimpoint Comp M4 BUIS and a Surefire, battle proven and does anything.

[quote] aw man the one with the green functors looks sweet! I think I'm a sucker for green furniture and a gas block front site but man if I saw that one in a store somewhere I don't know if I could stop until it was mine!

curious as to your opinions on that one?

It's pretty sweet with the Russian folder and furniture. I gotta say that a 308 AK is much more of a hand full than 7.62x39

That's a lot of AK love there SN. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Yeah I guess it is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Is that a bullet button mag release? Sorry for your loss <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Although I'm sure everyone will be rocking those soon, if they get to keep their modern sporting rifles at all <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Being Canadian I can not own an AK but I can own a VZ58. I own both AR and VZ. I like them both but I find AR ownership way more expensive due to the large list of add on items(especially with the marked up price due to import fees). I am very jealous of you guys south of the border with your AKs

Unfortunately we will probably be just like you or worse within the next 4 years.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />

Well, when the ban comes up, lets just make sure we all email our elected congress people with the message:

"If you let this pass, myself, my family, my friends and their families and friends will never vote for you again. A ban on legally owned firearms will not keep them out of the hands of criminals, who by definition do not obey the law and who source these weapons from already illegal sources.

All you would be doing is alienating your potential voter base and killing off a billion dollar industry, which has thrived as one of the only ones since 2008."


No other threats, mentioning religion or anything that will make us seem like wackos. Politicians respect losing votes and tax revenue from businesses, but only if brought to their attention by people who seem like balanced and mature adults.

All the AK's I used to own... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/footinmouth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> were all built using receiver flats that were bent by me. As you know an FFL isn't required for a receiver made from a flat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Have a Hungarian Ak. 4,000 rnds doewwn the tube with 3 jams all from one bad mag. Needlesss to say, love mine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yet.

Just saw this, what is a bullet button mag release? The mag release on mine is the standard military type.

It's an antigunner device forced upon law abiding citizens in some states, it requires a bullet to push the mag release button.

Wow that would suck. No mines the normal one.

another FAL guy here but i do own a few AK's

the 5.56 arsenal is one of my favorites to shoot. it's sooo smooth

Glad to hear it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It just looked like one I guess.

....at last....some style and class.... !!

Great thread!!!!!

I took this pic of an Iraqi that thinks he is a mall Ninja notice the taped on laser.

Lets not forget the first of the real battle rifles.

Its difficult to pin down what the "best" rifle is as there are too many variables: weight, ergonomics, accuracy, reliability, capacity, cartridge capabilities, etc etc etc ad nauseum. When built by a quality company: the AK47/AKM (in 5.45, 5.56, 7.62x39), AR15 (in 5.56), and FAL (7.62x51) are all the best at one or more of the criteria mentioned above.

At the end of the day, reliability is my first priority.

I pretty much have all the MBR's covered and when it comes down to it this is my go to baby. Just a plain old Imbel kit with an Imbel receiver. I shortend the barrel to 18". I built this rifle pretty much out of left over parts from previous builds. This thing just flat out shoots !




I built it two weeks before the 6th annual Oregon FAL shoot this last June. I was using 1968 Australian surplus for the compitition.


Here is a copy of the MBR results with 23 shooters. This is the FAL I was using.

This was posted on another fourm from one of the organizers of the event. Here is the copy below.

"I'll fall on my sword (again) in the DEBRIEF thread. Meanwhile, we had very tough conditions on an already difficult shoot. The poppers are USA poppers, and are 24" tall. The round 'body' is 8" wide. There were five poppers standing at 125 yards, and another five standing at 250 yards, making it a 3 MOA challenge for FALs, iron sights, and (mostly) surplus ammo. And then came the wind and rain. Gusting at 20 (easily), and at times 30mph, it was a very difficult day.

These results are for the MBR Class, which, in case you don't remember, is .30 caliber rifles with iron sights. Without further ado, the order of the

MBR Class in the Drop 10 Event

1. sportsnut - 65.87 seconds (FAL)
2. kwthor - 79.02 seconds (FAL)
3. Tuscan Raider - 83.40 seconds (Garand and four [that's 4!] clip loads)
4. Tat2 - 90.42 seconds (FAL) ...

we limited out at 90 seconds, so the following are shooters and their plate count at 90 (yes, I know, Tat2 belongs down here with 9 plates at 90 seconds. I thank you for your assistance...).

5. Otis61 = 9 plates
6. Son of Otis = 9 plates
7. Tat2 Jr. = 9 plates
8. brunop = 8 plates
9. Rich of Oregon = 8 plates
10. Jim = 8 plates
11. Dom = 7 plates
12. jdhdjunkie = 7 plates
13. snowhawk jockey = 7 plates
14. Dation = 7 plates
15. Tailback = 7 plates (Garand)
16. Brush511 = 6 plates
17. sparky923 = 6 plates
18. Greg Jr. = 6 plates
19. Biltong Bobby = 5 plates
20. Erik the Red = 4 plates
21. 4x401 = 2 plates
22. Black Elk = 1 plate
23. PSL54Junkie = 4 plates (need confirmation)"

NICE... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Very!!!

I wish I could find a decent priced AK 74.

im picking up my AK in the morning...

Are you putting optics on it?

nope... don't think so. at least not yet. think I will shot iron sights on everything all next year to get my weight up.

Tritium sights would be a good buy

the only thing I changes sights in had been my sub2000 and I picked the black sight blade after testing 5-6 options. so I'm thinking my preference will be to the factory sights. but I do think I would like to try a peep sight if I can find one. seems like I do better with those when I want to stretch my shots out some.

Not to good for night shooting though

How do you like the subie? Stumbled across a place with a respectable wait and very fair price and plopped a deposit down. I figure another month or so and a glock 17 version will be mine. Seem like a lot of fun...

the sub2000 is good a buy rn and a ton of fun! i think its one of my better firearm purchases. more accurate than you would probably think and a nice small rifle. its a lot of plastic and some parts don't inspire a ton of confidence at first but mine has been fine over the 300-400 rounds i've put through it. hope you can pick it up soon.

picked up my AK this morning. snagged a thermomold mag and a metal mag just for looks. it's seeming like these metal mags won't work well with this ak. i haven't figure out why but it's just not locking in. overall my first impression is that i'm happy with the rifle. read that arsenals finish on the metal doesn't last and from what i'm seeing it's appearing that is going to be the case. for my uses this rifle will probably not be very pretty for long.

have to say that the trigger in this one is pretty good. i saw in some other reviews that the trigger is better than other arsenals and the tapco g2. all i can say is it's smooth all the way through to the click. i like it better than my m1a scout and i kind of liked that trigger.
pic....

Oooh there we go now it's looking right lazi.

A ACE stock would look bad ars and fold!

Is that the milled receiver one you were talking about?

Yep that is

yup, GD called it. it's a milled Aresenal SLR-101S. I was on the fence about gettig a AK until I held this one. when I ordered it I really didn't know the differences between milled and stamped other than how they are made. but when I held the 101 at the gun show I could tell it was a quality built piece.

Can we get some up close pics of the reciever and other parts?

a I have is my cell phone camera handy. will look for my better camera and see what I can do...

Awesome!

I have gone full circle and then some.

I had the AR of my dreams...you name it, it had it. Geissele, Troy, more Troy, BCM, chrome lined hammer forged, F2, magpul, Larue. And I sold it.

I now run an AK and won't be looking back... Thought you might like that Arc and sports.

Basic fact is AK's just run and run. As far as accuracy mine haven't any problem hitting MOM {Minute Of Man} at 200 yds.

AK47 = <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Hey why no love for the HK91/G3/CETME?

Greaser, there is some love for them but unless it is a real HK, CETME, or Indep G3 I would stay clear unless you can work on stuff that has been welded. These rifles don't lend themselves for easy replacement of parts. Just my opinion but I would rather have something that is easy to work on than something that there is not a lot of support for.

Welded stuff never scared me now cast stuff that is where the issues lay, very hard if not impossible to weld. I know all the horror stories on the CETME variants but in reality they are very easy to work on and as long as you know what to look for (and don't mind lugging around 12lbs) they can be great rifles.

nice psyop!

I remember one seeing those for the first time at a gun show. looked at the price tag of $299 and thought I should buy one just to see what's it's about. i remember thinking how good could it be for that price? guess there are where still some bargains around back then.

What?????? LOL that seems like it never happened I remember passing on crates of SKSs for 100 bucks per gun. I sure am kicking myself now.

I agree very nice Psyop

I even managed to find some mags for 15 each this week.

well I'll be looking to get something else to shoot x39 ammo from. be glad if prices get back down to the couple few hundred dollars.

i am wondering if after all this goes away will the prices still be even higher? was seeing coverted saigas around for $600 or so. wasnt a horrible price if you factor in parts and labor. but you could still find a more complete couple AK's for that price. and it is still hard to believe sgl21's were the same price a few years back and i wasn't willing to pay that. and they just kept going up.

I have seen some AKs for 800 but I don't know enough about them to risk buying one.

My favorite AK-

Very nice M76, one of the best made AK style rifles. It is a shame that they stopped the importation from Finland when they did, and even more a shame the company was not around when the ban was lifted. I would love to have a 76 again, but this time both in 5.56mm and 7.62x39mm.

This one was unfired, NIB when I got it a several years ago (I fixed that!).

Had just gotten a bonus at work, saw it on gunbroker and put in a lowball bid.
This was when the AWB was still in force, and prices on pre-ban stuff was still high. I didn't make the reserve (only bit $1000), and forgot about the rifle. A day later, the seller hits me up with an email that if I still want the rifle, he'll sell it to me for my initial bid ($1000). I said "Sure..."

It came with 3-30 rd Factory Valmet mags, 1-15 rd., and a couple converted AK mags. Just the Valmet mags were almost $450 in value.

When it got to my FFL, it truly was unfired. It was missing the bayonet and the green leather sling, but otherwise in NIB condition.

If you know what these sell for, and what all "pre ban assault rifles" were selling for, you know it was a steal.

It's a great shooter!

I love standard AK's too though...


Polish



Romanian G, my cheapest build!

looks like prices are coming down some. from the little bit I've learned its hard to go wrong with a arsenal. if I was to buy another it would likely be an arsenal or a vepr. the vepr rifles are supposed to be solid but lack some of the features. some minor mods may be required to take ak mags but a lot of it is covered on the web somewhere.

nice! looks very much like a galil. if i'm seeing right it even has the angle on the receiver at the mag. is this one in .223?

No a Galil looks like a Valmet .... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Yes that one is in 5.56. The very first Galils were built on bare receivers the Israelis bought from Valmet... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeas, I remember. My first Valmet was a M71, then I had to get a 76. I even got to shoot a buddies M76 in 7.62x39mm and M78 on occasion. You did make a steal. I used to get Valmet stuff from a guy that went by Finn Bear--he was a former greco wrestler in Finland that had moved to the US. Great guy and I miss talking with him.

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="" />

Nice!

Those Bulgarian mags run like a champ too, never once had a bobble I could attribute to the magazine. Can't honestly remember having any malfunctions with my rifle that werent user induced, actually.

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

I threw a Black Jack buffer in mine, you'd swear the weapon doesn't even move during recoil.