Regardless of rarity and price, what is considered the best AK?

>>32809779
>currently manufactured

You've limited this thread to the point of being uninteresting

>>32809779
I mean, technically Norincos are still manufactured (just not imported, thanks Clinton)

Mak 90's are arguably the best commercial AK's ever made. You do gotta do some work to convert them, but once that's done they're amazing.

>>32809779
The one you build from a kit.

Seriously.
If you can hold shit to your own standards it tends to live up to them and you get the added bonus of knowing your rifle in and out.

It's the reason AR building is getting so big.

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>>32809806
I'm more concerned with the question of the "legendary AK-47." The 2nd question is just lagniappe.

>>32809831
>>32809831
The BEST Rare AK is the Finnish Valmet in 7.62x39 with the folding stock.
I last saw one sell for pver $8,000 on Gunbroker

>>32809941
>best
>rarest
Then I suppose Albanian SKSes are amazing wundergewehrs that we should all love?

East German.

>>32809941
Valmets are a meme. You won't find one that doesn't have a worn out finish and a shot out barrel, and if you do, you won't want to shoot it so what's the point. They aren't manufactured anymore either.

What made them considered good is they shoot MOA, Veprs do that too at 1/16th the cost and with an actual aftermarket (I don't even want to know how much valmet mags cost or how much of a pain it would be to mount an optic).

OP the answer is vepr or saiga depending on how much weight you want. Arsenal has some stuff if you want a pretty AK, one that's most similar looking to a Russian military one, but due to American fuckery certain parts like the handguards and the paint melt off after a mag or two.

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>>32809779
The best AK is hands down the AK-12 or AK-108. Good luck with getting one of those. You'd need to be a Russian oligarch.

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>>32810083
WRONG

>>32810113
Your picture is so low resolution that I legitimately can't tell what I'm looking at.

I've heard the ones that wound up in Afghanistan in the 80s were amazing.

>>32810083
That may soon change.

Thanks Trump!

>>32810203
I would literally pay $5,000 to get an AK-12, but even if Russia could export it, I doubt they would. Look how closely they guarded the AK-74 when it released.

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>>32810135

>>32810241
The AEK is shit. There's a reason Russia opted for the AK-12. Also, AEK is not an AK, you fucking idiot.

>>32810025
Basically this.
Veprs are probably the best thing going. Thicker barrel, 1.5mm rpk bulged receiver, and good quality. A little heavier than you standard patter akm but very robust.

>>32810233
Wtf where have you been? There were plans to import the AK12, AK107, and AK9 in semi-auto just before the Obama ban. Once Izhmash can do business with us again maybe they'll start bringing them.

The US civilian market is their second biggest buyer other than the Russian military. I doubt they'll care about keeping something under wraps when big money is at stake.

>>32810274
It's an A-545
>not an AK

Kek

>>32810446
They literally couldn't import them if they wanted to, retard, due to the Clinton ban.

>>32810025
>>32810332
>Vepr
>Saiga
>Arsenal
I'm just beginning to get into AKs, but it seems like most folks agree, these are the top of the heap right now.

What about the Vepr is non-standard? It uses an RPK receiver, it's got a heavier barrel, and different furniture, right? Is that all that's different?

Do Saiga or Arsenal have any advantage over the other?

>>32810332

What benefit does the extra weight from the thicker barrel and reciever have over a standard ak for typical users? I think it's a good feature on the high powered rifles but not the intermediate chamberings.

>>32810585
Arsenals are probably the best for the price. Saigas are just too damn expensive, and like you mentioned, Veprs are technically RPKs. There's nothing wrong with an RPK; you just will have compatibility issues with certain parts.

>>32810595
For most people, nothing. Just extra weight. But some people like that. Just like some people like milled receivers. Like you said, it is really only better for higher caliber guns or rpks that are expected to be used for high volume fire.

>>32810491
You must be new. Loopholes exist.

They just have to call it something different like the saiga and import it in hunting configuration or partially assembled without grips or stocks like how arsenals come in, then add them in a US factory.

>>32810585
Veprs have a slanted receiver so they only take certain stocks or you have to put on an adapter for standard stocks. It's just uglier. Handguards are different too.

Saigas use different handguards but you can put a standard clamp on to use standard ones.

Arsenals are $1,200 for the good one and do nothing better than the saiga, except melt under normal circumstances. They're just if you want a pretty AK that doesn't stand up to real use. I mean, it's still an AK and won't break (unless you fill the receiver with clay) but that's pretty shitty when your paint and handguards melt.

>>32810595
Not enough to justify the added weight imo, that's why saiga is best.

>>32809961
>Regardless of rarity and price, what is considered the best AK?
I mean did you even read the post.

>>32810629
Saiga has a specific exemption on the list. The retards who wrote the law just wrote Siaga, so Saiga can import whatever the fuck they want. Same goes with Vepr. Izhmash does not have this luxury. Arsenal is only able to do what they can because there are no sanctions on Bulgaria. Do you even know what the Clinton ban says?

>>32810626
>Saigas are just too damn expensive

They were $315 when I got mine. I told you idiots to buy them but everyone was obsessed with ARs back then. They should come back down to $500 or so under Trump.

>>32810680
Izhmash makes saiga, as does Legion. Apparently it doesn't even matter what factory it comes from as long as it says saiga.

So...

Introducing the new saiga 9
The saiga with built in recoil mitigation (AK107)
And the all new tactical saiga (AK12)

It's funny because this is exactly what they were to be called. Again where the fuck were you?

>>32810714
Please cite this, anon. I am now very interested.

>>32810693
Sorry, mate. Couldn't buy guns back then.

>>32810714
Perhaps Molot could market the Vintorez as a new Vepr model?

An Arsenal 107/104 31/21 with Rifle Dynamics work done to it. Throw in an ELF trigger on it for good measure too.

The gas block Rifle Dynamics uses shaves off considerable weight from the front of the gun

>>32810714
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/12/13/big-news-izhmash-announces-saiga-9-9mm-and-civilian-ak-107-with-balanced-recoil/

Source. It happened just before the clankening and Obama went full cold war part 2 on Russia. Article is from late 2012... It seems like it was much more recent. How can we have gone so long without glorious saigas? Well not us, fuck y'all I got mines.

>>32810693

My Saiga was $600 literally days before the import ban, with no price hikes. So I'm going to guess they will be the same if the sanctions are lifted.

>>32810782
WTF I hate Obongo now.

>>32810757
Gotchu >>32810782

>>32810772
They certainly fucking could. Not sure if there's enough demand though. Among us sure, but we're a small community. Perhaps we should be more vocal.

Think about it though, the saiga 12 looks nothing like and operates nothing like (well it is similar) to the standard saigas. It doesn't even matter what it looks like or what caliber it shoots, as long as it says saiga it's exempt.

Tl;dr GET HYPE you could very well own an AK12 one day. I still think the kalash USA Alfa is better though.

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>>32810025
>You won't find one that doesn't have a worn out finish and a shot out barrel, and if you do, you won't want to shoot it so what's the point.
Literally laughed so out loud your so dumb. Know how i on8w ouve never handled a valmet? I bought mine NOS, and ive seen a bunch of other NOS/Excellent condition ones and even NIB ones. Their quality it 10/10 up there with chinese and russian aks, second best in my books. And mags are 300$ if your wondering but you can convert m14 mags galil mags or g3 mags.

>>32810794
Original configuration or converted? The ban came after Sandy Hook so that probably played a role.

>>32810817
What's your opinion on Kalashnikov USA? Are they just vaporware merchants?

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>>32809779
Slr 107, sgl 31, vepr and their different caliber derivatives.
Apparently some slrs have paint issues but I've mag dumped mine into oblivion and back and confirmed that it's a forced meme (Atleast on my account).
Never had a problem with my sgl or vepr neither, beautiful girls, but slr was my first so she's my favorite.
I also owned an sgl 21 but found no difference from my bulgarian version so I sold it off to my brother due to it having a canted gas block.
I'd recommend any of those really, especially saiga if you have a ruskie boner. Just make sure it's professionally converted and not done by a diy smith with help from professor youtube.
>mfw I know 4 other friends with bulgarian arsenal and none of them have paint issues, yet everyone and their mothers do on the interwebs

>>32810847
>Not affiliated with Kalashnikov Concern

They're the incredibly vaporware, even if they do end up producing something, Im expecting it to make DDI AK's look like quality firearms

>>32810847
I think if anything they're black market merchants. At first the consensus was they're just making them in their own factory, meaning they would be just another American POS AK like PSA or DDI. But seeing the videos from shot show it looks like they imported them or got a hold of the Russians and got some tooling. There's some stuff an American manufacturer just wouldn't do. The rail integrated dust covers are an indicator.

I'll have to see one in person to know for sure. I can tell you now if the AK9 pistol hits stores I'm getting one.

>>32809815
Really? Better than a Saiga?

>>32810840

Original sporting configuration. I bought it the cheapest I could find it (Mississippi auto arms). Everyone else was charging around 620-650.

>>32810883
Arsenals are better than Saigas

>>32810883
A lot of people have a boner for Chinese AKs because they're rare. They're not that good. The quality is similar to a Chinese SKS compared to a Russian.

>>32810926
dont lie, have you ever owned one?

>>32810911

Arsenal SGL series are Saigas (just professionally converted) which were the primary series before the ban, which is why they went with Bulgarian in the SLR series.

>>32810926
This. However, there is some story that has be floating around that the military did a test of AKs from several countries and the Chinese came out on top. No Idea if that is true. Probably just an internet rumor.

>>32810911
They're not. What's better about paying $500+ more (assuming the past 4 years never occurred, and you shouldn't have been buying AKs during that time anyway) for something that has a plethora of American parts and a shitty finish? Melty memes aside the finish is like spray paint. For a grand it should be made out of Putin's poopoo.

The best thing ever has always been to convert a saiga the right way disregarding 922r because who the fuck is going to inspect your gun and be able to prove that shit anyway.

>>32810940
what?

>>32810274
>AE FUCKIN Gk NOT AN AK
HAHAHAH then wtf is it an AR? BAHAHAHA

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>>32810940
Arsenals are Arsenals
Saigas are Saigas

>>32810958
>>32811001

http://www.k-var.com/shop/SGL21-26_Series-7.62x39mm-Caliber-Russian-AK-47-Variant-Rifles

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221622

>>32810926
I'm not from the US so an Unconverted Saiga ($575usd) or NMH90/MAK90 ($655usd) are my only options.
Which is a better rifle?
I can convert the Saiga for another $200usd including furniture.

>>32811121

Saiga.

>>32811022
>SGLs haven't been in stock since 2008-2009
>$1,999
>Saigas were $200

Pffffffhahahahahaha

I never got why this company was taken seriously as an AK retailer.

>>32811211
That's what I thought.

>>32811355

You could buy new SGL21s and 31s in 2013 for 1200, when standard sporter Saigas were nowhere near 200.

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>>32810673
> Veprs have slanted receiver

Not all of them, my 7.62x54r is the square back version

>>32811511
Nice Vepr brah

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best ak by far, fuck your poorfag shit

>>32812459
I still want a Sig 556R g2 because of this. God all they had to do was built kit guns and they fucked it up. Oh well, I like to tinker so I may get one anyway as a range toy

>>32810911

What about verpr

>>32812459
Vaporware

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Best AK for sub 1500$?

>>32815350
anything arsenal or saigas with a convert kit

>>32810083

Is that a fucking flathead screw in the rear trunnion?

>>32810677
The point was that, aside from rarity, honestly you can get the same quality from any other mulled AK or a nice kit built one done to higher specs than the average one.

>>32809779
>Best AK available for the US
Arsenal
Molot Veprs (Ak47-11 and AK74-11)
Prebanned Saigas
Converted Saigas
Converted Veprs
Definitive Arms
Norinco Mak 90s that can be converted into a Type 56
Parts kit and a Nodak Receiver that's assembled by yourself or by an FFL

>>32815528
Chinese AKs are actually decent?

>>32817040
Chinese AKs are god tier.

>>32817040
Polytech Legends are one of the best AKs ever to see the shores of America. But they only made it here for about 8 months before a big import ban, so good luck finding one for less than 4k

>no mention of the OG Galil and Micro galil in 5.56
For shame /k/

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>>32817085

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>>32810673

I know that people say that Arsenals have paint that bubbles away and handguards that melt, but I've never had those issues even when mag dumping 210 rounds (7 mags).

I think mine is a slightly older SLR104, but I've never had any issues with it regarding heat and I bought the damn thing stock. Only recently changed the furniture.

>>32810585
One of the drawbacks is they have a slant cut receiver.

>>32817040
>>32817040
>>32817111

So I had an Norinco Sporting Model 95 (pretty sure it was 95, I'm 100% sure it was Norinco though) in my younger days, one of those with a shitty thumb hole stock. This was circa 2007. It's gone now. It was not exactly, ahem, nevermind. I didn't anything about guns back then. Was that a nice AK that we had, potentially?

>>32809779
Don't we make clones over here? It's not like Putin is going to sue people in our courts.

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best ak

>>32819244
>best ak

>no bayonet lug
>will not buy

>>32817207
cute dog

>>32810869
sauce pls

>>32809815
i found a norinco mak90 in my local pawn shop.
its got a big fat fishtail stock and it looks at least 20 years old

>>32819762
it cost like 750

>>32809961
they're actually quite fine, or are you trying to regurgitate bullshit from a guide made by a clueless retard?

>>32819908
Parts commonality man.

Don't care how good they are on their own. No spare parts commonality means a tiny thing breaks and it's fucked.

>>32809815
I have 2 ban model Mak90s. Never seen another one.

>>32815528
Kek

>>32817207
why did you wrap your moms resistance band from jazzercise around the stock?

>>32819989
but the only thing that's not interchangeable on the albanian sks with those from other nations is the stock, and even then the only difference is the length which can be worked around by changing the position of the ferrule or extending a regular sks stock.

>>32821109
That's a ruski style turnaquet.

AK74M of course. What did you expect?

Good luck getting one outside of the Russian or a Russia-aligned army.

>>32817207
I've been meaning to get a lizard for my EDC.

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If 5,56 AK variants are taken into account than wz.96 Beryl definitely has its place on this list.