AK 47's from different countries
I know AK 47's are made by the millions all over the world but I wondered if some countries are better than others. I've seen Russian, Hungarian, Romanian, Chinese and others but a friend of mine has one with the folding stock made in Egypt and I wondered if they have a good reputation for AK's. It's wood over wood and appears in good shape but he wants $750 for it so thought I would ask. Thanks
0
-
You have to be careful and differentiate between the pre ban AK's, imported prior to the early 90's. And the AK's assembled here in the States since then, with U.S. made receivers and assorted foreign made parts.
I'm not saying one is better then the other. The pre bans have much more collector value. The Egyptians Maddis were some of the earliest semi-auto AK's imported for civilian sale in the States. The very early imports circa 1984/85 had a good reputation. Later imports deteriorated quality wise for reasons unknown?0 -
Sometimes, it can be a sore point here in the forums, but some have milled steel reciever's, and some have stamped steel sheet metal reciever's. Some say it does not matter, but most AK affictionado's, will tell you there is nothing like a milled reciever. Specifically the Chinese made Poly Tech Legend's, and the Bulgarian, SLR series. I happen to like the milled, and have one of each of the above, but also have a stamped Romanain.
BTW...all of them are PRE-BAN.
Best0 -
Milled recievers are best, but there is nothing wrong with stamped one either, both work very well, but the milled is tougher, heavier, and more expensive.
At all cost AVOID all American made parts.....very few work well.
We Americans can do almost everything better than anyone else EXCEPT build AK-47's....we suck at it.
All Ak's will work (if they are from overseas), but some are better than others. Romanian ones are bottom of the barrel, but some of those are still good.....look to non-canted sights and test the mag well with a magazine....sometimes they are too tight, but are easy to fix. Even canted sights shoot straight, just looks bad.
Russian, Chinese, and Egypt are top of the heap.....and command the highest prices.0 -
ugh...AGNTSA.
As a guy who has built hundreds, I get into it with GBs cadre of IKIAs (Internet Know-It-Alls) who have never squashed a rivet, never set headspace on a rifle, never pressed in a barrel...etc...
It's the "Age of Information"...not it's not necessarily the "Age of Accurate Information"...where the more actual EXPERIENCE you have doing something, means nothing to those who gang up to repeat Internet Opinion based on no objective facts.0 -
quote:Originally posted by DRP-AZ
ugh...AGNTSA.
As a guy who has built hundreds, I get into it with GBs cadre of IKIAs (Internet Know-It-Alls) who have never squashed a rivet, never set headspace on a rifle, never pressed in a barrel...etc...
It's the "Age of Information"...not it's not necessarily the "Age of Accurate Information"...where the more actual EXPERIENCE you have doing something, means nothing to those who gang up to repeat Internet Opinion based on no objective facts.
You'd have to agree though, there have been some pretty crappy AKs (receivers and other parts) that have come from U.S. makers?
If you're not willing to admit that -- and aren't willing to name the names and describe the problems (tell me about Krinks receivers, for example) I'd be willing to bet the "hundreds" you've built are probably in the "crappy US AK" category.
My comments are nothing against U.S. built AKs generally -- I
disagree completely with "the middle's" comment, "At all cost AVOID all American made parts.....very few work well."
There are many U.S. AK receivers/parts that are excellent quality. In fact, I'd argue some of the very best AKs in the world are made in the U.S., I'd consider Arsenal, Inc, to be an example of that: http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/About_Us.html0 -
Usually collectors of AK's consider the ones made by the Motherland to be the best...that is the Russian ones. Some of the early Chinese have really good reputations like the MAK 90 (have one of both and like them a lot). I know I like my little Romanian AK74 but can't speak as to their AK47's. Don't have a Eqyptian AK but do have several Hakims and at one time had a Rashaid and like them...but they are old models from the 50's. You don't mention them but Polish AK's from Radom are noted to be good if you can find them. I would also say that with the nuttynuss that is going on right now with pricing $750 sounds like a good price....but I would shoot it first to check it out. Anyway, good luck. 0 -
I have built hundreds and AKs with the AZEX name on them sell for a premium.
I'll take the "Pepsi Challenge" with any AK made, plus I'll point out the flaws in factory guns from offshore.
Chikom barrels are soft garbage which tend to bend when pressing them in. Bulgarians are really nice, but the finish is garbage and drips right off when hit with brake cleaner.
The best, AFAIC, is Hungarian, which, still have their barrel accoutrements MILLED, not cast.
I'm not a drooling tard regarding milled receivers. They are smooth operating, but weigh much more than a stamped gun. Stamped guns will, literally, if properly built, last longer than you'll ever be able to afford to feed it.
Lots of junk guns, same as lots of junk FALs, my other favorite rifle, where really nice parts kits have been ruined by CHEAPO mass production, lowest-denominator slapdash assembly and QC.
Lots of names I could throw out there, not really worth it tho. It's just best to avoid most Century, all Hesse/Vulcan/Blackthorne, all Ewbanks/Chris Horn, but great results with NODAKSPUD (the standard by which ALL receivers should be judged), AKSU 74LLC (or whatever they're called), Global Trades/Elk River receiver, Tapco parts are great for AKs, the G2 fire control set are awesome right outta the box, MOST Power Custom/Red Star Arms stuff is good. I.O. sadly soft junk. Arsenal US h/t/s are OK but the feel isn't great. Lancaster is a total crap shoot. Any other names you'd like to hear?0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
7 comments