Which AK47?

[thanker92]

I am interested in purchasing an AK47 underfolder and I'm totally confused by all the different types, manufacturers, countries of origin, forged/stamped, etc. Does anyone know the "pecking order" of AK's?

[TonyF]

The Aresenal AK's are of very good quality.

IMHO, avoid underfolding stocks as they do not provide for a good cheekweld.

The stamped receiver AK's are much lighter than the milled receivers.

[King 5.45]

Not all Arsenal AKs are of good quality. Their QC has been fer sh!t of late, and there are lots of rifles, not limited to one model, coming through with canted front sight bases. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to zero the irons before running out of adjustment room on the front sight. Furthermore, you can rest assured that you'll be getting a rifle with a horrible finish that needs to be redone, perhaps from the parkerizing underneath, on up, perhaps just a dura or molycoat on top, with luck. Seriously, the Bulgarians paint their rifles with this crap that looks like somebody let an elephant take a dump in a batch of Rustoleum coming out of the factory.

Century Arms International tends to have a reputation for sloppy workmanship, with the exception of two rifles: the Yugoslavian under and non-underfolders, and the Galils. The first is in 7.62x39, and is an exceptional rifle with a few quirks that separate it from other AKs. The Galil is the AK's first cousin, an Israeli rifle in .223 with magazines that are hard to find and an $800 price tag.

The Yugo has a foregrip length that is unlike anything else in AKs, which makes it tough, outside of an Ultimak, to put a front rail on it. The Yugos don't come with chrome lined anything, as chromium was almost nonexistent there, and Yugos have an integral gas system cut-off/grenade sight that folds up and down on top of the front portion of the upper forearm. Most of the Century models have barrels from the US, as I understand, and purists have issue with the nature of the cuts made to rifle the barrels. Also, there are optic sight plus mount units calibrated for the 7.62x39 round available through an outfit called PA Distributing, as well as the proprietary Yugo side rail, which must be installed by a competent gunsmith or a knowledgeable machinist.

The big bargain for the time being continues to be 5.45x39 ammunition, a COMBLOC near-equivalent to 5.56x45, or the .223 Remington that people tend to feed ARs. 5.45 can be had in the neighborhood of $240-$260 or so for right around 2,200 rounds to your doorstep from a couple different outfits. The former COMBLOC nations who had adopted this ammo have joined NATO or are attempting to, so they've liquidated their surplus on the international market. The good news is that it's cheap and still plentiful, and the bad is that one pen swipe and a certain party in the Oval Office puts it forever out of your reach. Look for Polish rifles called "Tantals," designation WZ88, and Bulgarian rifles like the SLR-105 through Arsenal in this caliber. Avoid the Century Tantal like the plague, and look for one from just about anyone else.

Really, your question is way too big in scope to answer in one fell swoop, and you should visit a specialty site like http://www.theakforum.net/ and read your butt off until you're ready to start deciding. Given the time factor, I'd jump on it NOW.

[dc dalton]

I only buy Yugos and I have 3 from Century, 2 underfolders and a fixed wood stock one, I had heard Century's quality control was pretty poor but as mentioned in the previous post all of mine are top notch.

When I first started looking I compared the Bulgie, Romanian and the Yugo and there is just no freaking comparison. You can literally feel the difference by picking them up, cycling the bolt and then inserting and removing the mag. Try them side by side and you will know the Yugo is the way to go.

As far as the previous post about underfolders I must disagree, my wife actually likes the underfolder better than the fixed stock because she cant get the sight up tight enough with the thick stock (I don't have that problem BTW). I find both my underfolders and my fixed stock ones comfortable to shoot, well built and OMFG accurate!

[Scud]

I picked up an Arsenal sam m1 (I believe that is it's designation) some three years ago. It is your basic AK 100 type, with the weird bird cage flash hider, milled reciever, black plastic furniture etc.. I guess that an Arsenal would have been my first pick, but if their quality has gone down I would make a ChiCom Ak underfolder my second pick. Look for a Polytech or Norinco. Good luck.

[MyDogsBoss]

Anyone seen any of the Vector or Lancaster Consulting guns ?

[PA Rifleman]

Here are similar discussions, past & present:
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42...buy-370-a.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42...ads-up-ak.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42/11819-ak.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42...se-advice.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42...anian-aks.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42...s-ak-47-a.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42/9888-ak-47-a.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/rifles-42...facturers.html
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/question-...n-ak-47-a.html

[jon'76]

Budget = Romak of some form

Bang for Buck = yugo m70b2.

Conneiseur = Arsenal variation

Lottery/Collector = Originial Russian

[mojo]

Originally Posted by MyDogsBoss

Anyone seen any of the Vector or Lancaster Consulting guns ?

I just picked up a Vector UF from a member of this forum (ar15jules, great deal). I haven't shot it yet but it looks great. I will try and post some pics and a range report.

This is my understanding of the pecking order ...

Romanian
Yugo
Bulgie
Polish
Hungarian
Chinese
Russian

Not sure were Egyptian ranks. I think the yugos are the best for the money.

They are all fun to shoot.

[dc dalton]

Originally Posted by mojo

I just picked up a Vector UF from a member of this forum (ar15jules, great deal). I haven't shot it yet but it looks great. I will try and post some pics and a range report.

This is my understanding of the pecking order ...

Romanian
Yugo
Bulgie
Polish
Hungarian
Chinese
Russian

Not sure were Egyptian ranks. I think the yugos are the best for the money.

They are all fun to shoot.

Think you need to switch Romanian and Yugo, from every thing I've seen and the comparisons I've made the Yugos are much better