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Noob Looking for an AK-47 - need advice

2FastLX
I have not own many guns. Just a couple pistols. But after shooting a friend's AR-15 I would like to start collecting and shooting. My Father was an expert marksman in the military, but he never had any guns in the house, and never spoke about guns with me. So I have no knowledge of what to look for in a rifle. I would like to start with an AK-47 in the $400-$750 price range. If someone could give me advice on what brand, options, etc I should look for it would be much appreciated. Quality is more important than options or upgrades. I just want a nice base gun that I can work with. I prefer the wooden stock models over the plastic ones. Other than that I have no idea. Like I said, I am a complete noob.

Thanks for any help you guys can give.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • gotstolefrom
    Welcome to Gunbroker !

    For a 'NOOB', you have a generous pocket book.
    If you have 'just a couple of pistols', does that mean that you are satisfied with your pistol shooting ?

    It may sound wimpy, but all introductions....long gun or pistol, seem to work out best at the 22 cal level. Ammo cheap cheap, and IF you wanted to sell, you could recover most money. If you are looking into milsurp auto rifles, consider the SKS. 1/4 to 1/6 of your price range, and all of the above still generally applies.

    For your AK itch....everybody here gets an itch you have to scratch.
    Check previous posts and sales using 'smart search' from the GB home page. The field is wide, and all 'AK's were made loose and simple to operate in crappy conditions...none are tack drivers.

    Anyway, if you have not guessed by now....
    Spend your startup gun money on economical pieces. You can put 4 or 5 guns in your collection, enjoy them, then sell or keep if you choose to move up.

    These type of questions are asked and answered often, and some people save their responses for quick post, some just get tired of answering.
    SO....do search this site...loads of information.

    Do you have a local range with friendly rangemasters.(info goldmines)
    Do you have a good/honest gunsmith ? The good ones will spend the time with you...a potential lifetime customer.

    ENJOY !


    If we do not hang together,
    We will most certainly hang separately.
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  • Frogbert
    Welcome aboard! Here's a couple of links from a good seller:

    http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/admin/images/content/v47classic.jpg

    http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/admin/images/content/ssr85c2.jpg

    Hope you enjoy the forum. Later, check the "General Discussion" area for all kinds of interesting exchanges.[^]

    Frog.

    RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to. -Roger Miller
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  • mateomasfeo
    I would look for the Arsenal SLR95. Milled reciever, chrome lined barrel, hard to beat, and definately in your price range.

    AresenalSLR95Ironwood2LeftSM.jpg

    ArsenalSLR95beforeSM.jpg



    oswald.jpg

    Mateomasfeo

    "I am what I am!" - Popeye
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  • jhimco
    I have two Romanaian WASR-10's (AK Style) they both work very well. Even better that I have attached scopes to them. You can get one for give or take $300.
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  • rldowns3
    Unless you are a masochist, avoid the underfolding stocks on an AK clone. Them things hurt. In fact, just avoid any of the folding stocks in general, most are flimsy crap, unless you just really have to have one. Not saying they aren't fun to fold up and shoot, though.

    You can't go wrong with any AK. They all work the way they were designed to. It's hard to screw up that design unless you really try hard. Milled or stamped, not really that important. Milled is more expensive and heavier, where stamped is lighter and cheaper. Stamped is still very durable and still extremely reliable.

    Double stack mags a must if you ever intend to get cheap hi-cap mags, and single stackers are tough to sell, nobody wants them. But do check your local laws reguarding magazine capacity and rifles.

    ______________________________________________________________
    nostradamus2.gif
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  • ern98
    GSF has offered some good thoughts on starting slow and buying up as you get into shooting more. It is very normal for preconceived ideas to change as you get more data to work with. The AK is a great gun, I own two, still my SKS does just about everything the AK will but with more accuracy. An SKS, a Mauser 98 and a Mosin Nagant with ammo could all be had for less money you are talking about for an AK. Also for that kind of $$ you could get an AR15 which is a much more flexible platform then the AK. The big thing to watch for when buying used surplus milspec gun is the barrel's bore condition. If the bore is crap then its accuracy will be the same. When ever shopping for such, bring a bore light and a string cleaner in that caliber. Every gun seller will claim that the bore will clean up just fine, but no he didn't remember to bring anything to clean it with.
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  • 2FastLX
    Thanks for all the great advice, and for taking the time to reply. You guys have a really cool message board here.

    I have a friend who's father owns a shooting range. He will help me out a lot when I get a chance to talk to him. But I've been really busy at work lately so I haven't made it over there. My step Dad is a gun collector and he could help me out too. But he's mostly into shotguns.

    The reason for the AK interest is quite silly actually. But I play an online game called Condition Zero. And I want to purchase the same guns I use most in the game to hang on the wall above my PC in the den. An AK on one side, and an M4 (or AR-15) on the other. I already have the AR-15 I want picked out. My friend who has one helped me out there.

    I would just like to start with those two pieces for now and go from there. I have a LAN setup where all my friends come and play on my uber game systems and they'd all just be drooling seeing those two guns on my wall. And when we get bored playing we could go out and shoot the real thing. Yeah, I'm just a 34 year old kid [8D]

    Thanks again guys. I really appreciate it.
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  • drobs
    AK's are a blast. I have 3 so far.
    22925greencouch-med.jpgThey all work well. You can spend anywhere from $300 to $1000+ and still have a nice gun. If you have some cash to blow check out:
    www.krebscustom.com
    Otherwise as mentioned before Atlantic Firearms is a good place to look.

    Regards,
    gadsden.jpg
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  • dragunovsniper
    I wish I could have one...(have money but law says no)
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