New to the forums. Need advice on my first AK-47/AK-74!

[Raiz]

What I'm looking for...
This rifle will be primarily for surviving getting out of Long Beach (and So.Cal. in general) in a zombie/SHTF type of scenario... but realistically I'll be shooting circles on a piece of paper with it and having a lot of fun. However, I'd like to have a rifle with the survival scenario in mind, so here is what I'm thinking:So, can anyone point me in the right direction?

[BucDan]

Polish side folder in 5.45 or the Polish underfolder in 7.62.

Or build a yugo underfolder in 7.62

[zfields]

Convert your own Saiga, Build your own, AMD-65, Tantal (be sure its a 545 barrel and not a screwed up 556 barred), polish, Yugo. Not in any order.

[Raiz]

I guess lists of things isn't necessarily what I'm looking for. They help, as I've looked at the Polish side folder BucDan suggested, but what I'm asking for is guidance of who, where, and why the things you're suggesting meet my needs.

Saying "build your own" tells me nothing really. Why does the AMD-65 meet my needs specifically? Is it the price? Is it especially light compared to others? Please tell me why you're recommending these things.

[Rekrab]

An AMD-65 has a chrome lined barrel, is a folder, and is probably one of the best looking AK-pattern rifles ever made. Just look at this beauty!



That said, I'm not crazy about folders. I think they're harder to get a good cheek weld and prefer fixed-stock AKMs.

As far as 74 vs. 47 goes: if you have no fire concerns where you shoot, get the 74. The 5.45x39 is low recoil, cheap, accurate, and fun to shoot. The only problem with 5.45 is that none of it (except for Hornady) is non-magnetic. However, if this is the last rifle you ever buy, I would probably strongly argue in favor of the 47 because I'm a traditionalist.

[dr_communist]

Sounds like you should buy a saiga 7.62 and convert it. The reason I say this is cause the 7.62x39 is the original AK round. Converting a saiga is easy as pie and all you need is a dremel a drill and a few wrenches. Also the saiga has a scope mount on the side and chrome lined barrel.

I believe they are $299 on j&g sales. I would get the 545 later

Also conversation parts can be had at Carolina shooters supply.com for about 100$ for the basic kit. For the 7.62 you will also need a bullet guide which you can get there plus the drill and tap tools for cheap.

On the plus side the saiga is made in Russia so no goofing around with polish romainian or whatever. No offense to the people who like those.

[NorCalK9.com]

Wasr10/63 underfolder.
They dont cost alot and they run like champs! Also built in romania!
I prefer ak74 myself but 762x39 has alot more ammo choices!
Dont listen to the wasr haters, I git mine as my first ak over 1 year ago, I put over 14k rounds thru it, didnt clean it, left it outside "by accident" in the rain, no problems at all, you can always add a tws rail on the reciever if you want.
I now own over 16 ak's and love them all, but the wasr has a special place in my heart due to its ruggedness and it keeps disproving all the haters.

[chead]

WASRs are good rifles.

[Ak714]

I would go saiga also....my first Ak (and all) rifles are homebuilt...
Saiga route is gonna be cheaper then built kits...
Either way you're getting an Ak platform can't go wrong....

[Revolver Ocelot]

The only thing i dont like about the Romainian underfolders is the drastic downward angle of the stock. Prefer the more straight Polish version.

[wikioutdoor]

best ak for the money, accuracy, build quality, awesomeness especially if you get a bayonet with yours.

http://www.hendersondefense.com/store/pc/Century-MILLED-Certified-AK47-50p79.htm

btw before you go screwing around with under folders think long and hard on it - the solid wood stocks are way more comfortable, don't get hot and can be used as a weapon of last resort. Just remember - so cal summer heated metal poles to the face = bad cheek weld

[zfields]

Id pick up something poly stocked, then get a Tantal style folder mech, they are going cheap right now. 2 screws to swap them out when you get to a free state.

[Raiz]

This is exactly the type of information I'm looking for. Thanks guys! It really seems I can't go wrong with the 5.45 or 7.62.

All:
You might be able to convince me not to get a metal folding stock. I can imagine freezing my face on cold days and burning in on hot days... Should I just go with wood and convert to synthetic later or is there a synthetic stocked AK already out there?

Rekrab:
Yes, that is a good looking rifle! Without a handguard on the top, do you have to worry about burning yourself on the gas piston? Also, thank you for the tip on the non-magnetic ammo. I haven't shot at many ranges, so I don't know the number that don't allow magnetic ammo. You've really got me leaning toward this one.

dr_communist and Ak714:
I know this might sound vain, but I can't get past the looks of the Saiga... not my favorite. I just love the look of the AK and if I'm spending several hundred $, I have to get what makes me happy.

NorCalK9.com and chead:
WASR is definitely up there.

wikioutdoor:
The barrel isn't chrome lined... that's really the only drawback I see. I'd hate to get lazy about cleaning and have my barrel rust on me.

You guys are really helping me narrow this down and I appreciate it. So I think I'm going to stick with a wood stock or find a synthetic folder with a cheek rest. The only folder I would consider is that AMD-65. That's one decision down. I've decided against the Saiga... so that's another one to eliminate.
74 vs 47 is still up in the air, but I really like the lower recoil of the 74. Will the ammo still be around in 40 years when I'm old?

[mike_the_wino]

Or go nuts on this one and drop $2300.

[SmellOfCordite]

OP if I were you, I would find someone with a folder and a fixed stock and shoot both. I am not a fan of shooting very much with a underfolder as there is no cheek weld, and if you do try to rest it, it will not feel very good. This is just my opinion but fixed stocks are much more fun to shoot and they are not that heavy.