Ak-47

[7677]

Who has one and what kind?

[Gunslinger808]

Bulgarian Krinkov, AK74, and an old Maadi.
The 74 and Krink are class 3 weapons.

[sbeckman]

I have very crude looking Century Arms AK that I bought for $250 or so NIB.

This thing looks like it was hacked out with an ax! The stock has some sort of stain on it but no finish at all to make it water resistant.

Haven't actually got to shoot it other than to verify functionality since it can't come to live with me.

It probably is a total POS, but for $250 I guess I'll cope.

[kilogulf59]

I always wanted one but never got one when they were cheap, 15 years ago or so. Now I would even know which one to get let alone pay the high prices for one.

Basically though I love the design and would want something close to "mil-spec", obviously in semi only.

[PaulDmitrios]

Romanian 7.62. I've got some night sites ordered for it.

[Guantes]

One Chinese and one Hungarian, both with German brown pebble furniture.

[7677]

The reason I asked; I'm looking to get one in the near future. I'm looking at Armory USA and/or Vector. Any thoughts?

[kilogulf59]

The reason I asked; I'm looking to get one in the near future. I'm looking at Armory USA and/or Vector. Any thoughts?

I haven't looked into it but this may help....

http://www.ak-47.us/gear/AK47_Review.php

[Gunslinger808]

If you want a real nice pre built AK, I would recommend an Arsenal, or Ohio Rapid Fire built, there have been some not so good reviews on the Armory.
In all fairness, Armory are OK, but a few bad ones have got through QC.
If you go with a mil surp type, get a Yugo or a Bulgarian AND STAY AWAY FROM THE WASR RIFLES (cheap in price, but some real bad ones out there).
The WASR is a post ban rifle that was modified then unmodified after the ban.
Other good mil surp are the Chineese, and Romanians, Centurys as already stated are THE SUX!
Companys to avoid include JoeKen, Vulcan, and Hesse, reall bad juju there.
If you want a high end go with a Krebs or VEPR (different but damn good rifles).
If you want a custom built, there are several companies out there that can build you exactly what you want, I could name a few if your interested.

[Brownie]

Gunslinger,

Keep your eyes open for me, something short and sweet.

No folder, unless you can convince me otherwise with your wisdom about such things:D

We need to get out more often, I know you have that new toy and I just picked up another one myself. Let me know what your schedule looks like this week or next and we can do some bangin.

Tell Annarchy I said hello for me

[7677]

Gunslinger808,
I've shot an Arsenal (milled) and the VEPR. They are both nice rifles but I'm not looking for a milled receiver. I was looking for a stamped receiver mil spec gun I could use for training that wouldn't break the bank either. If you have any ideas I'd be glad to listen to them.

Last winter, I had the chance to buy an Ohio Rapid Fire built AK but I had never heard of them at the time. It was a nice rifle that was priced right but the guy at the gun shop couldn't tell anything about them such as if the rifle had a new barrel etc. Since then, no one in my area carries AKs because the shortage on 7.62X39mm ammunition. I agree with you about the WASR, I've seen some of the hack jobs that Centery did on the mag wells plus I want something that looks better too.

[The_Tactical_1]

I have a Norinco Mak 90. I replaced the stock set with a synthetic set. I can't remember exactly what brand it is, but I am pleased with it. The reciever is stamped. I also added a 74 style brake. I am very pleased with the gun. Here is a link to a picture of the gun.

http://webpages.charter.net/costner/mak90.jpg

Chris :D

[JMusic]

Probably a stupid question but did any come out with peep sights?
Jim

[Guantes]

Two of the configurations I use.

[Gunslinger808]

Probably a stupid question but did any come out with peep sights?
Jim

You can get them from Red Star Arms as an aftermarket item, I don't think any ever came out on a military rifle.

[PaulDmitrios]

I shot my Romanian AK last weekend extensively. Put near 700 rounds through it, much much more than I'd ever shot at one time. I was passing it around to friends who had never shot one and there was not one stoppage of any kind. Not ONE! Amazing! I was using three different kinds of magazines too. Though after two hundred rounds only folks with gloves were shooting it as it got HOT! I wonder what third worlders do in battles with the things after they've burned through half a dozen clips. Drop it and throw grenades for a while? Flee dragging the thing by it's sling? You could probably have lit a cigarette off the barrel.

I paid $400 for the thing a couple of years ago. Money well spent. I haven't done anything to it as far as mods go. I was leery of trigger slap when I bought it but it has never been a problem with this rifle. I can therefore vouch for Romanian AKs...well at least mine :D

[Guantes]

PD,

Re third worlders and a hot barrel. I imagine they p*ss on it.:)

[oregonshooter]

I just shot my new Vector underfolder today for the first time. Atlantic Arms did good by me. Very nice, tight gun.

No play in the stock that I could feel, smooth trigger.

I put a mojo peepsight on it from the start because the factory sights stink. At 25yrds I was snap shooting singles into a 6" group as fast as I could raise the gun.

Bought the under folder because it's a truck gun, but it's a solid lockup.

[PaulDmitrios]

I'm thinking about another folding stock for the thing. I have the Romanian wire one but I don't like it, so I re-installed the wooden fixed stock. Not too comfy though it locks tight open and closed. Any thoughts on folding stocks? Which ones work well and which ones don't? I'm not into accessorizing my weapons beyond those that might enhance functionality, such as improved sights. I'd rather spend the money on ammo.

[Brownie]

I just purchased an "Arsenal" milled receiver built with Bulgarian parts. Like new with grey parkerizing. Picked up 9 30 rounders for it as well, and will be ordering 2K of wolf ammo for it this week.

Arsenal is in Las Vegas, and I'm told builds a hell of an AK. The milled AK was more expensive than stamped receiver, but I wanted one milled like the one I had before which was the Polytech "Legend" imported from China around the mid 80's.

The Arsenal has nice wood like the legend had, but a little lighter in color, though still dark enough for my tastes.

[Guantes]

I have an Ace folder coming for my SA-85M. When I get it on and shoot I will write and eval on it.

[RTBRANE]

Brownie,
regarding the Wolf ammo, bear in mind the life expectancy of the AK types (7.62x39) is approx 6k rounds when digesting the original design copper coated, steel jacketed stuff. They expected to either rebarrel or toss them at that point. That mild steel jacket will wear out any rifling. :(
Steel case is ok. Might be a little harder on mag lips.
Always check new ammo batches with a magnet, especially surplus. Had to make an emergency run into Vegas for commercial .308 when my friends very accurate surplus ammo failed the magnet test at SOF 3 gun match. He about had heart failure when he realized what he was putting through his HK91.:eek:
The latest Wolf steel cases have a teflon type coating now. The original lacquer caused some problems occasionally.
Will

[Brownie]

I'm looking to buy some of the 122 grain Wolf, it appears copper jacketed, and HP.

Is it that this copper jacketed bullet will ruin the barrel? Or is the copper scraped off as it runs the barrel leaving the steel under it scraping the bore?

I'll hold off until I hear back from you and others for now. I want to run something that will be copper jacketed, but it seems the Wolf is the only game on town and at that, hard to get in quantity.

Suppliers of the better 7.62x39 if you or others have them? Brands, etc?

Thanks for the heads up

[RTBRANE]

Brownie,
It seems the latest Wolf ammo available here is made for the USA market, and not the original mil-spec stuff they first sold. Although, I see copper jacketed and bi-metal listed. Not sure what they mean by that. I suspect that bi-metal is the copper coated steel jacketed stuff. The price difference suggests it.
The steel jacket is coated for corrosion control, not to protect the barrels' rifling. The barrel would be better, harder steel than the jacket, but it does wear it away.

It looks like J&G and Sportsmans Guide have Wolf in stock. If the ammo you are getting is not local, you might call J&G and ask for the particulars on the Wolf stuff(magnet test?).

SpG is $148/1000+sh......122gr HP

J&G is $200/1000+???...... " ... "
--------------------------------------------
Will

[Brownie]

RTBRANE;

Thanks for the heads up on the ammo. I found ammoman has it as well for 179.00/per1K, free shipping.

[Gunslinger808]

Actually, I wouldn't worry too much about the ammo.
AKs are very rugged rifles with looser tolerances than their American counterparts.
Also most are chrome lined to minimize wear and fouling.
Pretty much any AK will last into the tens of thousands on round count, and any Wolf, Baurnal, and if you can find it the Yugoslavian military are all good.
Additionally there are several Russian manufactured types that are good, but not real common, so I won't get into the differences here.
As for the steel core ammo, most of it was Norinco, and banned from importation during the Klinton years (importation NOT possesion).
It was a soft steel, but had a copper jacket and was not really "armor piercing", but banned none the less.
One problem is that much of the military ammo is corrisive, and thus the reason that AKs were considered "throw aways".
The common soldier was considered a pesant and was expected to care for his weapon just long enough to slow an advancing army.
It's not an easy task to replace the barrel on an AK, it was more time and cost effective just to stamp out more for the cannon fodder.

[Brownie]

Thanks GSlinger808 for the information. I know you well enough to know you have a handle on these rifles so I'll order the wolf 112 gr thats copper coated and not worry much. I'll not be putting tens of 1K's through this one anyway.

It's more stored away for the day we may have to partner up and hold off the hordes of raiders, whoever they may take the form of.;)

Say hi to Annarchy for me. BTW-No shooting this weekend as planned. I'm covering hours at the shop again while the mgr is off hunting.:rolleyes:

[Gunslinger808]

You can't go wrong with the Wolf!
Oh and one last thing, Bi metal simply means that the normal lead core has been replaced with Bismuth, which is used in a lot of ammo nowadays(including shotguns).
The Bi just happens to be the designation for Bismuth on the periodic table.:D

[Brownie]

Definition of Bismuth:

A chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. This heavy, brittle, white crystalline trivalent poor metal has a pink tinge and chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Of all the metals, it is the most naturally diamagnetic, and only mercury has less thermal conductivity. Lead-free bismuth compounds are used in cosmetics and in medical procedures.

All materials show a diamagnetic response in an applied magnetic field; however for materials which show some other form of magnetism (such as ferromagnetism or paramagnetism), the diamagnetism is completely swamped. Substances which only, or mostly, display diamagnetic behaviour are termed diamagnetic materials, or diamagnets. Materials that are said to be diamagnetic are those which are usually considered by non-physicists as "non magnetic", and include water, DNA, most organic compounds such as oil and plastic, and many metals such as gold and bismuth.

[Guantes]

Should anyone come by some 7.62x39 of unknown origin, the link below has a matrix, along with headstamp charts that be of help.

http://code10.kalashnikov.guns.ru/amlist.html

[Brownie]

Thanks for the link G, nice to have that resource listed here.

[Guantes]

For those looking for the better terminal performance of soft points.

CTD has S&B 7.62x39 123gr soft points in brass cases @ $5.69/box of 20. This is about half the price of commercial soft point ammo and less than double the steel cased Wolf.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM641-46719-257.html

[Beagles747]

I was an AK addict for a long time and actually I still am. At one point in my life I had about 8 or 9 AK's. I have sold/traded a few since then. I currently only have 4.

They are:
1.) Chinese Preban Polytech Bakelite sidefolder (pre 89)
2.) Chinese Milled Norinco Mak-90 w/thumbhole style stock
3.) Preban Kassnar Hungarian (FEG) SA-85 underfolder in new unfired condition.(pre 89)
4.) SA-85 Kassnar Hungarian (FEG) Thumbhole post 89.

Picture shows a Preban Chinese Polytech underfolder I had and a straight stock Preban Kassnar Hungarian (FEG) SA-85 underfolder in new unfired condition that was the sister to the underfolder I still have. I wish I still had them they were nice AK's!

-John

[Brownie]

Nice toys John,

I like my milled Arsenals:D

[KenpoTex]

This is the WASR I got a couple of months ago...ugly as sin but I've put about 1,000 rounds through it w/o a single malf. (the Glock and the CRKT/Kasper are also ugly as sin but they work :D)

[Brownie]

KenpoTex;

We carry the WASR at the shop most of the time. Don't get em back with complaints/problems so they must run well enough to serve their primary purpose. Good luck with yours, and enjoy

I fear in about 2 years, all these toys are going to be expensive compared to today after the Dems get their way:rolleyes:

[JMusic]

I think you may be right Brownie. I haven't owned an AK in a long time, prefer shooting the SKS but I think I may pick one up just to have.

Jim

[KenpoTex]

Gun shows are dangerous places to hang out...another Romanian AK followed me home yesterday...:D

I took it out today to zero and function-check it...shoots well and runs like a top.

here she is:

[Brownie]

Nice pickup Matt.

I'm seriously considering the Yugo RPK with finned barrel right now to keep the two Bulgarian Arsenals company. Next one that comes into the shop should have my name on it.

Jim Music and I were bangin the SKS hard yesterday for a few hours at targets of opportunity [ rocks in the desert ] ranging from 50-500 yds.

[7677]

I have never been a huge fan of the AK but the more I shoot my AK the more I like it and more it grows on me. I'm now thinking about getting a folder built. The only downside I have found with the AK isn't the gun but finding decent magazine pouches. It seems like every thing is designed around the AR-15.

[Turrican]

Bi metal simply means that the normal lead core has been replaced with Bismuth, which is used in a lot of ammo nowadays(including shotguns).
The Bi just happens to be the designation for Bismuth on the periodic table.:D

Wow! I just learned something right there! I had no idea what that meant. Thanks gunslinger.

I have really started to like the Arsnenal SLR106 series in .556. I just picked up the SLR106U which is as far as I know the only factory made Krink available to us US citizens so I just had to have one. To be SBR'd as soon as Virginia will let me.
The SLR107U is the same thing but in 762X39 if anybody is interested in those as well. I give them two thumbs up with a twist.

[Robert Desrosiers]

I have never been a huge fan of the AK but the more I shoot my AK the more I like it and more it grows on me. I'm now thinking about getting a folder built. The only downside I have found with the AK isn't the gun but finding decent magazine pouches. It seems like every thing is designed around the AR-15.

7677,

What are you looking for praytell? Chest rig? Sneaky bag? Belt mounted?
Let me know what you prefer and I might be able to steer you in the right direction.;)

Bob

[7677]

7677,

What are you looking for praytell? Chest rig? Sneaky bag? Belt mounted?
Let me know what you prefer and I might be able to steer you in the right direction.;)

Bob

Bob,
According to my wife, that is the million dollar question...what I want, lol.

I have been looking at both the chest and belt mounted rigs but the choices are limited compared to what they were. I can really kick myself now for giving away all of the Iraqi magazines and pouches I had and when I was in Germany after the wall fell AK-47 gear was dime a dozen. So, if you have a source for these items I'd be interested.

Most of the "Sneaky Bags" I have seen are not to sneaky IMHO. And, I don't see much use in having a sneaky bag with a full sized rifle. However, I do have a "sneaky pack" for my Sub 2000. The pack is just barely bigger then the gun folded and it does not have the tactical even though it is black in color. The pack holds the carbine, two spare 31 round magazines, pistol, two spare pistol magazines and other assorted items.

[Robert Desrosiers]

Bob,
According to my wife, that is the million dollar question...what I want, lol.

I have been looking at both the chest and belt mounted rigs but the choices are limited compared to what they were. I can really kick myself now for giving away all of the Iraqi magazines and pouches I had and when I was in Germany after the wall fell AK-47 gear was dime a dozen. So, if you have a source for these items I'd be interested.

Most of the "Sneaky Bags" I have seen are not to sneaky IMHO. And, I don't see much use in having a sneaky bag with a full sized rifle. However, I do have a "sneaky pack" for my Sub 2000. The pack is just barely bigger then the gun folded and it does not have the tactical even though it is black in color. The pack holds the carbine, two spare 31 round magazines, pistol, two spare pistol magazines and other assorted items.


There are a few choices.

The first one is based on Paul Howe's Universal chest rig. It can be gotten through SKD tactical. It will hold 8 M4's or 4 AK's.

The second one is through Spectergear. It is their M-1 MK 2. It also holds either M4's or AK's.

You can also contact Todd Kramer at Rainierarms. Todd@Rainierarms.com
They offer some really nice ones which are built by Tactical Tailor and were Iraqi army contract overruns. I believe they hold 4 AK style up front. You will not find them on their web site. But can be viewed at akforum.net in Rainier Arms section.

Tactical Tailor also makes some modular pouches for the AK and can be added to some shells.

There are custom makers like John Willis who make real nice stuff but take time and cost $$$

Last is if you are looking for something belt mounted(singular types) that is low profile .Contact Mike Goerlich ( michael@ravenconcealment.com , 440-465-7111) of www.ravenconcealment.com They have some great designs and will custom make individual mags to fit. I think they already have some made up for Bulgarian waffle mags and 20rd Hungarians. Tell him I sent you.


Hope this helps you get started.



Bob

[Brownie]

Lots of good information there Bob,

thanks

[7677]

Tactical Tailor and were Iraqi army contract overruns
I came across those surfing the net a couple of weeks ago and the caught my attention.

Thanks for the great links.