[WayneS]

Soviets haven't EXISTED since the early 90's.

Also, Colt hasn't "changed" the .45 ACP since 1911. What's your point? A great design is a great design.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Right. So, if he really wants a "historic" weapon, he needs to go to the effort to get a the right licenses and mechanisms to get a "real" (machine gun quality) weapon.

If he wants a new/modern/Chinese-copy (boy that's sounds funny!) AK-47 just so can say he owns something that looks like an AK-47, that's a different problem.

If he wants a home defense weapon, get a shotgun with a wide choke and lightweight pellets. It won't penetrate walls and kill needlessly, but will kill/disable/remove arms and legs easily and more effective. With much more margin for error in aiming and recoil. And more cheaply to boot.

The AK-47 (regardless of who made what version when) isn't as good a choice.