what should i look for in an ak 47

[countryrebel8174]

well i finally talked the wife into letting me buy an ak seeing as how the the gun grabbers are probally going to end up as president here real soon. i was just wondering what i should look when purchasing an ak. ive already ruled out getting a crappy romanian ak. ive read enough about them that im not interested. currently im thinking about ordering the vector classic from atlanticfirearms.com but i was wondering if milled is better then stamped and if anybody knew of a better deal? thanks...

country reb

[John R.]

What should you look for in an AK-47? An AR-15  . Seriously though milled is definitely better than stamped, although my brother just bought a WASR-10 that is stamped. It shoots good (meaning it goes bang when you pull the trigger) The prices on all assualt rifles are going up because of the gun control scare,so you better get one while you can. While you're at it don't forget to stock up on ammo!!!

[win308]

If I might suggest a second opinion on Romainian............  I have 2001 SAR-1.  Very nice rifle for a stamped AK.  If you can lay your hands on one of those, made between 2001 and later, I think you will not be disapointed.

[rockbilly]

My son and I have several AKs, including an original early 60s Russian.  I have two of the Romanians, both are very good guns.  Several of the guns were put together from kits with the required number of compliance parts, even those are good shooters and will suffice for the purpose for which they were designed.

John R.  I have used both the AK and Ar in a combat situation.  For both the jungle fighting we done in Viet Nam,  and the urban fighting in Iraq, the AK is the superior weapon.  It wasn't uncommon for American troops in Nam to pick up an AK and use it over the little black gun.

I never could figure out why anyone would take a AR to a gun fight.............

I agree with win308, take another look at the Romanian. None of the AKs are tack drivers, but shooting off a bench, both of mine will stay on a 10 inch paper plate at 200 yards.  If it accuracy you are looking for, then the AR would be a better choice, but if you are looking for a cheap, rugged, knock around gun that will digest anything you feed it, then look at the AK.

[countryrebel8174]

rockbilly....you described exactly what i want. cheap ,rugged, something that can take abuse and digest anything i feed it. im not too worried about accuracy as long as it is capable of hitting a man sized target at combat ranges.
i know the ar is more accurate but i dont want a rifle that is super fussy. i found one im looking at buying it has the 1.6mm reciever instead of the 1mm reciever. it comes with a Armory USA 1.6 mm  receiver
16 inch chrome lined barrel
Threadded barell with slant brake, Bayonet lug, bayonet, Tapco G2 fire control
Bulgarian black poly stock set, Parkerized base finish w/epoxy Gun-Kote , Rifle head spaced & test fired at factory,
recoil buffer installed, 1 - 30 round mag,Comes with rifle case, and a Lifetime factory warranty

they want about $640 for it plus 28 dollars shipping and im gonna have to pay 40 for the ffl transfer fee
so about 700 dollars, does this sound like a good deal? i think it sounds pretty good. how many rounds can you expect to fire out of an ak before you burn it up and what are the common problems people have with them? oh yea should i buy steel or the new polymer magazines? thanks for any input

[jeeper1]

how many rounds can you expect to fire out of an ak before you burn it up

Unless you deliberately abuse it, 40 to 60 thousand.

What are the common problems people have with them?

The only problem I've ever had with my AK's is the constant running out of ammo.

oh yea should i buy steel or the new polymer magazines?

Steel!

[Savage]

[so about 700 dollars, does this sound like a good deal? /b]

Wow! Sounds like a nice AK.  To me tho, $700 sounds like two AKs.
Savage

[Turk]

For both the jungle fighting we done in Viet Nam,  and the urban fighting in Iraq, the AK is the superior weapon.  It wasn't uncommon for American troops in Nam to pick up an AK and use it over the little black gun.

Concerning Vietnam and US troops picking up AK’s is more urban legend than fact.  It’s what I like to call buddy stories.  You know my girl friends brothers’ third cousins friend told me this.  In my unit you were not allowed to carry any enemy weapons and most other Vietnam Combat vets will tell you the same.  I know a Pete (Special Forces) that was in a Road Runner Team (Across border ops) they carried AK reason being they wanted to blend in better nothing to due with a better round.  Lets see NVA spot from a distance the six guys with 16’s would immediately be American but with AK’s may buy the team a little time.   In the 70’s I read an article that SF teams planted 7.62x39 rounds loaded with C-4 in NVA ammo dumps.  Would kind of make bad day when the NVA triggered the AK or SKS.  This was another reason when US troops were allowed to carry captured weapons the ammo the SF teams carried was US made 7.62x39

I never could figure out why anyone would take a AR to a gun fight........

The reason for me they were a life saver.  The M16A1 that I carried and shooting M-193 ball made very horrific wounds.  I’ve seen hits from both M-193 ball and the 7.62x39 and M-193 were worse.   With the new bullets and the shorter barrels with the M-4’s I believe is a mistake.  If I were a young buck in Iraq I would use M-193 ball if you could get it.  Yes I know the new barrel twists won’t stabilize the bullet and that’s what I’d want in the urban fighting nothing better than a 55 gr. bullet key holing into the target.  I’m not a big fan of the AK actually I think it’s a piece of crap. 

Something else is resupply.  Think about an Infantry company carrying 3 types of rifle ammo and how would you resupply?

This is my mileage and others may very.

Turk

[S.S.]

Troops still try to get a hold of an AK as soon as possible !
The powers that be gave a direct order that no American soldier carry
one in Iraq. Looks bad in the papers and the news.
The exploding rounds in nam is a fact though ! Not sure if it was C4 alone,
I believe it was some sort of phosphorus too. Boom with a nice fireball...