Which AK would you choose?

[OZZIE]

I have found a Polish Tantal side folder (16-9/16 barrel, parkerized finish) and a Hungarian AMD 65 (FEG Reciever & chrome lined barrel) both selling for 399$ each (Centerfire Systems-American Assembly). I just want to purchase a low cost but decent AK-47.
Which rifle would you choose and why? (Or any other suggestions with distributor).

Thank you,

Ozzie

[bryjcom]

Probably the tantal but I would change the stock. The AMD 65 stock isn't able to be changed unless you want to grind off rivets and install a normal trunnion.

I'm not a big fan of the folders because its hard to get a good cheek weld.

Personally I would get a romanian that was assemble on a nodak or something similar. I would stay away from the WASRs because of the reciever construction.

[jreifsch80]

it depends on if you want a 7.62x39 or a 5.45. if you want a 7.62 then in my opinion that amd is the way to go, ace makes an adaptor block that is designed to work with the amd trunnion, also that amd isn't an american built gun, it is a FEG built rifle that is imported as a compliant single stack rifle and then just opened up to a double stack and compliance parts installed here in the states like the wasr's. the tantal is built from a parts kit (not a bad thing) but i am not quite so sure that it has a chrome lined bore though that isn't as important as most people make it out to be. if you ant a 5.45 then the tantal is the way to go, if you don't kno which ammo to go with then i would say go with the tantal since 5.45 is quite a bit cheaper than 7.62x39. also ak74 mags are pretty cheap too. some don't like the wire folders, though i love them, true you don't get a great cheek weld but i put them on my rifles that i don't need a tight cheek weld. you could get an ar stock adaptor and make the tantal into more of a beryl commando with an m4 stock... the good thing is the tantal takes standard akm/ak74 fixed stocks

[OZZIE]

I forgot to add the ammo question, what do you think of 5.45 "the poison bullet"? Great point and info jre (How is the knockdown, etc? I hear it has great rear expansion). Would you compare our switch from an M1 round to an M16?
I have only seen the AK's on youtube, (ordering online - no way to inspect them around here) but the Tantal looked very Solid (correct,w/ no chrome L barrel) while the AMD looked good, but you are right bryj, that wire stock looks unstable/different--but if it is solid I will take it. I know some people love the AMD, I have to shoot it and dig the "ugly". I do want a chrome lined barrel 7.62x39, I don't know much about the positive and negatives of the 5.45 load, only the price (any advice?).
There is a local shop here that makes cheek adapters for the AMD.

Is a Romanian build absolutely necessary - and how do you feel about the AK47 vs the AK74 if you are only buying one AK style rifle? I am avoiding the WASR, do you agree?

Thanx for the info guy's...

Ozzie

[jreifsch80]

If I were to have only one ak it would be an ak74 (tantal is ak74 pattern) parts are cheap and etting cheaper all the time as more stuff comes in, ammo is cheap and pretty good quality for russian ammo. Also like any civillian I am mainly going to do target shooting with the 5.45, but if needed to prove it's worth, the 5.45 will do more damage than a 7.62x39 especially on skinny muj so I've read lol mag options for the tantal or any 74 is great, there are military poly mags, bakelites, even polish tantal steel mags, also anerican poly mags but I will never buy a us mag as they just aren't as strong, my favorites are bakelites. If the tantal is new it will have a green mountain barrel, if it's used make sure it's not one of the century goofs that was made with a .223 barrel chambered for 5.45

[Hoser]

If I was to get an AK I would get either an Arsenal or Krebs in 5.45.

[bryjcom]

Keep in mind that if the tantal is not chrome lined barrel then you need to be on top of cleaning it because ALL of the surplus 5.45 is corrosive. You can buy some of the commercial stuff that isn't but its more expensive.

Most of the 7.62 stuff is commercial and is non corrosive and the only real surplus that is being imported that I know of is the yugo stuff which is corrosive.

[sneakerd]

Krebs all day if you've got the dough- but this guy wants a good cheap one.

[jreifsch80]

If I were to buy a factory built 5.45 I would get a saiga and convert it myself

[mopar]

I know the WASRs get trashed a lot, but I've had one for a couple years
and I have no complaints. Its fairly accurate, no jamming, no misfires.
I did change the furniture on it. Its a great starter gun for not a hell of
a lot of money.