New Shooter looking for 1st AK platform recommendations

[yummy]

Hi Gunners,

I am a new shooter, I browsed the web on some options and kept getting conflicting or completely bias reviews...

Background, AK-47 (Chinese model) was the first gun I ever shot with my father and would like to get a accurate AK variant rifle. Just wanted to get some real opinions so I don't make a bad decision at the LGS.

Located in Downtown SF & Sacramento, any recommendations on great local inventory would be very helpful!

Hope this message reaches some of the AK loyalist, thanks for any and all advice!

[Mossy Man]

Budget?

Get a WASR10 if you're broke

Concerted Saiga otherwise

[yummy]

Budget?

~3k

[DoddRod]

Arsenal and a most excellent supply of ammo?

[johnyreb]

Can't go wrong with an aresnal, but unfortunately most of the good ones are no longer imported. SLG 20s and SLG 21s are available used and are worth it, but cost a pretty penny now. Arsenals SA milled line is nice, my buddy loves his.

WASRs are cool, and pretty much bulletproof. Not the prettiest, but they always work.

James River Armory is making AKs right now for a decent price, and if thier AK quality is half as good as their Garands and carbines it gonna be awesome.

[CK_32]

Find a WASR under $650 /thread

Never mind, saw your budget. If $3k is your spending cash, still WASR with some extra mags/ammo or check out Atlantic Arms for a Arsenal.

[johnyreb]

~3k

Then look for a SLG 21 on GB, and import it. You won't be disappointed.

[CSACANNONEER]

Just about any AK will function as well as any other. The more expensive ones are just fit and finish unless you go with a custom Krebs build or something like that. While I've met Mark Krebs and think he's a good guy who makes some great products, I'm also a cheap SOB and own homebuilds and WASRs that work fine.

[Click Boom]

An arsenal with a tws dog leg and/or rs regulate with option for irons, dot, or 1-4 scope like a burris xtr, since it's in ur price range. Would still have money left over for a couple thousand rounds. Doesn't get much more high end than that. Or you could buy a saiga and have a good smithy convert it to your preferred layout.

[Arkangel86]

OP I just PM'ed you regarding the recommendations on a converted Saiga

[CSACANNONEER]

An arsenal with a tws dog leg and/or rs regulate with option for irons, dot, or 1-4 scope like a burris xtr, since it's in ur price range. Would still have money left over for a couple thousand rounds. Doesn't get much more high end than that. Or you could buy a saiga and have a good smithy convert it to your preferred layout.

I've seen an 8 year old manufacture his own AK from a parts kit. It doesn't take a "good smith" to convert a Saiga. Almost any moron can do it.

[HibikiR]

Just be sure to take a look at the ban list before you put any money down in an online purchase.

http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf

Milled AKs like the Arsenal SAM-7 are supposed to be more accurate than stamped AKs, but that's just what I heard. Less compatible with aftermarket options like stocks though, but that shouldn't matter to AK purists.

[kcheung2]

I suggest you spend some time at the Atlantic Firearms site, that will give you a general idea of what AKs are out there and their price. I ordered my N-Pap from there.

I can't speak for the Bay area, but AK selection in Sacramento sucks.

[hellayella]

NPAP, OPAPs, WASRs...if u can find them at a good price, SAIGAs..convert at will

3k then get a NPAP, WASR and a SAIGA together!!!!

[ar15barrels]

It doesn't take a "good smith" to convert a Saiga. Almost any moron can do it.

Depends on how detailed/correct you want the conversion...

How many people do you know that rivet in the bullet guide after machining the flat in the trunion and drilling the hole to accept the proper flat style military type bullet guide?
Most people plug those holes in back with the plastic plugs, but some people go to the trouble of welding them closed.
There are drastically different levels of conversion work being done to satisfy purists and cheapskates alike.