Whats the best AK-47

[Jimma]

I am going to purchase an AK-47. I was wondering who makes the best one? I am also curious as to what to look for as far as wear and tear.

[monkapotamus]

These forged Chinese AKs were good (and more expensive than most) but I don't know about current availability.

Polytech "Legend"

[1066AD]

Thanks, had heard similar. I'm sure the prices will be up if for no other reason than transportation costs likely increased due to price of oil these days.

[Delmarksman]

arsenalinc - made in US.

SA M7's are excellent, or get a Krebs.
Both come with a milled rec.
There are also "Vector Arms" built rifles.
It depends on how much you really want to spend.

If you want to go cheap, get a WASR for about $300.

Milled receiver vs. stamped? Endlessly debatable.

Neither will offer better than 2-3+ MOA.
7.62x39 is inherently inaccurate to begin with but, that being said, it's virtually identical, ballistically, to the 30-30 with the ability to shoot bullets other than just flat nose.
Also, being a semi auto vs. lever action, there is substantially less felt recoil, as well as the capability to use 20-30+ round magazines.

Since you already have a Mini 30, staying with the 7.62x39 is a good idea. Ammo commonality is strategically beneficial.
IE: Less is More.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

"When You Need to Get All 4 of Them."

[Tommyjo]

Try and get hold of one of these? Saddam's. Wonder how much that would be worth to a collector?

[lesser_satan]

Buy another Ruger.

[Sender]

Check out these links:

http://www.globaltrades.com/

http://www.defensereview.com/article102.html

http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/global.html

http://www.ak47world.com/rifles.html

Bulgarian milled receiver such as SLR-95 or Arsenal USA variants are the Cadillacs.

[LowRecoil]

If the gun is for his wife, alot of the options depends on how good she is with guns. AK's (and their numerous variants) have that Hollywood look but there are better options. Is she looking for distance or spraying lead? How is she with using sights versus a scope? What kind of ammo capacity is ideal for her intended use? Will she be carrying for any distance, thus making weight an issue? He really needs to go and talk to several gun dealers who can address pros/cons. And all of his options will be semi-auto at best unless he wants to send the BATF some spending money.

[TheOracleAtLilac]

and you can upgrade to a removeable mag...but why bother?

FWIW, a removabe mag or fixed +10 rnd & your in violation of Ca. law!

[Bender2]

If that is a photo of you... Are you asking me for a date?

Though I must tell you I don't go fully automatic on the first date!

If you were just posting to match mine...

I raise you two...

[planekT]

Here is a Bushmaster chambered for 7.62*39. They call it an AK, but you'll know what it is when you see it.

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/bcwa2f14ak.asp

[Robert A Cook PE]

You can't purchase a selective-fire AK47 or AKM. You can purchase a semiautomatic version manufactured abroad for the US market. I would imagine that a Finnish rifle made by Valmet would be among the better versions. I have also heard the Romanian rifles are shoddy. For a semi-auto chambered for the .30 Russian short I would rather have a nice Russian-built SKS carbine. I used to have one in cherry condition with a finely milled receiver. Sorry I let that one go.

I was (naively) assuming he wanted a "true" (historic communist machine gun quality) AK-47 - since he "appears" to be interested in "the best ones" vice some modified weapon.

But, as most accurately pointed out here, each country made slightly different versions of the same weapon.

[Drew68]

The East Germans increased the part tolerances.

The loose tolerances are exactly what made the AKs work so well. They never clogged and jammed.

I have a Chinese Norinco MAK-90 that still functions flawlessly with over 10,000 rounds fired through it. Not a single jam. I'd like to replace it only because the barrel is probably worn down to nothing.

It's not the prettiest rifle and it rattles when you shake it but if the excrement ever hits the fan, that's the one weapon I'd depend on.

[Gulf War One]

My favorite is the one pried from the cold hand of a dead jihadist. Also, it can be in any condition. Collectors item.

[randog]

The ones made in Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea, or former Eastern Bloc nations.

I have a North Korean AK-47 and have been told it's one of the better models. Actually, it belongs to my brother-in-law who gave it to me to hold when he moved to the PRK (People's Republic of Kalifornia). This was several years ago, and I finally took it out of the gun safe to take a look at it. I haven't found the time to go out and fire it, but the family tells me that bro-in-law was a pretty good shot with it.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Valmet

[holymoly]

The WASR-10 is an excellent rifle. (I own one, along with a pair of SKS Carbines.)

You might want to ask for advice at the www.surplusrifle.com forum.

[Modok]

KTR-03S from Krebs Custom.

[holymoly]

7,62x39 not so cheap or plentiful these days, not sure why.

It depends on where you look.

Sportsmans Guide 7.62x39

[kerryusama04]

It's just odd for someone in the know to refer to a rifle as an AK-47. That is the term the media uses to demonize legal rifles. Basically anything with a banana magazine and wooden pistol grip is an AK to them