School me on AK's

[Colorado Osprey]

I was at Dragon Mans on a trip past Curtis and Highway 94 and it had been 10 years since I was there last and decided to stop in.

I was looking at purchasing a semi-auto AK type rifle in 7.62x39.

I asked him to school me in the rifles he has (Dragon Man Himself) and he stated there are standard stocks, folding stocks and pistols.

I asked what determines the price of these rifles from one to another. He stated that the Russian rifle is the hardest to find and that is the most expensive and that the only other difference was the stock and barrel length.

He was asking $395 for a wood stock and $495 for the underfolder.
I asked if they had single or double hook trigger groups and he didn't understand the question....or was playing dumb.

I asked if he got them from Century and he stated that they were SOG.
SOG's web site seems to have both Romanian and Yugo rifles.

My question is:
What are these rifles and are these decent prices?

Do you recommend any other place to look in the Colorado Springs area?

[jerrymrc]

At $395 it is most likely a Romy/waser and not that bad a price if it is out the door. Aim has em for $319 $10 to ship and a $25 transfer fee and you are to $354. The downside is that you are not able to look at it before you buy.

The show in the springs is the 28-29th. You might want to check with Matt and Gina (ak47man.com) and see what they have.

There are lots of differences between the various AK's out there as well as tips and tricks to buying one.

I will be at the show on Saturday. If you want drop me a PM and we can talk.

Jerry

[roman gnome]

Specialty Sports & Supply should have some you can handle and see for yourself to check out, or like was mentioned AK47MAN always have some handy.

[Atrain]

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/

Good info there. Don't get a WASR. Look for a lightly used SAR-1 or consider building a Romanian G from a kit, it's fun.

[stubbicatt]

If you get a few minutes to go to Hickman Rifles out on Tia Juana street in the Springs, and talk to Mike Six or Forrest, they can tell you what you need to know, and they can build you a rifle that will exceed anything you can buy elsewhere in the fit, finish, and quality department.

These days there are AK's in 5.45, 5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 7.62x51 (Nato) available. Some of the 5.45 AKs are surprisingly accurate rifles.

I would keep an open mind, and figure out what I was hoping to do with my rifle, and then talk to Mike and Forrest, tell them what you want to do, and go with their recommendations. They have done well by me.

[Colorado Osprey]

Keep the info coming...thanks to all

[micah360]

I only buy the Russian or Bulgarian AKs. I started out buying the cheaper ones... but I found that these didn't interest me at all and I ended up selling them as quick as I bought them.

The Russian versions are called Saiga's and they come into the country as a sporterized rifle that you have to convert to regular AK configuration with the correct US parts (trigger group - pistol grip - buttstock).

Here's a photo of the latest addition to my Russian family. This one is a 7.62x39 Saiga converted to a AK103 clone (folding stock, black polymer furniture, Bulgarian FSB with 24mm x 1.5 threads and AK74 style muzzle break). I also included a photo of the way it looked when it started out.




The rifle cost around $300, and if you are handy with a drill press and a dremel tool, you can do the conversion yourself and spend about $400 when all is said and done (using the same handguard and no re-finish). I sent mine off to be built (as I do with all my Saiga's) cause I want them done right the first time. This one cost me alot more than $400... but you get what you pay for.

Then there are the Bulgarians from Arsenal. They are put together in Las Vegas with the correct US parts. The stamped receivers are made in Bulgaria and the milled ones are made in Vegas. They are great AKs, except for the crappy finish. Alot of them have the same cool folding stocks built in from the factory. They are pricey, but they are offering some really cool rifles now that are out-the-door ready to SBR at the drop of a hack saw and a $200 tax stamp.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/about.htm

If I had to choose from the two AKs you mentioned, I'd go with the one for $495. My guess would be that this is an under-folding Yugo. This is a decent price for that gun and they are good quality, although they are not made from new parts (except for the receiver and trigger group) and I've heard alot of bad things about the barrels being pitted out from the get go.

So I guess it just all depends on what you are looking for. Me, I love AKs and look for something that I'll want to keep in my collection and not sell the next month.

[jerrymrc]

If you get a few minutes to go to Hickman Rifles out on Tia Juana street in the Springs, and talk to Mike Six or Forrest, they can tell you what you need to know, and they can build you a rifle that will exceed anything you can buy elsewhere in the fit, finish, and quality department.

These days there are AK's in 5.45, 5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 7.62x51 (Nato) available. Some of the 5.45 AKs are surprisingly accurate rifles.

I would keep an open mind, and figure out what I was hoping to do with my rifle, and then talk to Mike and Forrest, tell them what you want to do, and go with their recommendations. They have done well by me.

Mike and Forrest are great guys. Just spent a weekend with Forrest down in Raton.