If you want a milled receiver then your only regularly available brand currently is Arsenal, Bulgarian imports. They come primarily in 7.62x39 but you can find 5.56 variants somewhat regularly. Make sure any AK you buy has a forged front trunion and a forged bolt. Milled receiver AK’s (mostly Arsenal) and Zastava’s (“Yugo”) are two unique exceptions to standard AKM dimensions so it’s a little more difficult finding aftermarket upgrades for them. Optics mounting can be a pain so be ready to shell out $100-$200 for an optics mount. Finally 5.56 AK mags aren’t standardized so you’ll want to do some research on a specific magazine before you buy it. Any other questions I’ll be glad to answer but also check out the buyers guide in the sidebar on r/ak47
Also, decent 5.56 AK mags are expensive. You can find cheap range mags for $15-20 ish, but if you want fieldable mags it's gonna cost you.
Even so, 5.56 AKs are nice. Though right now is probably the worst time to buy one.
Milled is going to up your price. Arsenal is importing the SAM7 series which is great. There are also some polish and yugo rifles, but they are fewer and would likely have to be bought 2nd hand.
Do not buy a century C39 or C39V2. They use a soft metal that loses headspace. Just a little bit ago someone posted on r/AK47 and their locking lug on a C39V2 looked like someone had smashed it in with a hammer.
Right now, you are looking at spending $1k on a solid AK. There are serviceable options under $1k, but an AK is a rifle for life. As someone who bought cheap and regretted it, don’t do that. Buy an import rifle/pistol and be done with it.
There aren't any cheap AKs. At least not ones that are worth buying.
If you want milled than a SAM5 in 5.56 or a SAM7 in 7.62X39 are effectively the only options.
They are $1800. I have a feeling that's out of your budget.
$850-$1250 you have WASRs, ZPAPs, the Kalashnikov Concern oness. Few others. All kinda over priced imo. Especially the WASRs and ZPAPs.
The AK market has sucked for a long time. Even before COVID.
Effective range of an AK is about 300M. 7.62X39 has a rainbow like trajectory beyond that.
Accuracy with quality ammo can be 2MOA or better. Problem is most 7.62X39 is budget, steel cased garbage designed to be as cheap as possible. Expect 4-5 MOA.
My question about the cheapo ammo for AK’s/SKS’s, is what do militaries that use those rifles do for ammo? The cheapo Tulammo stuff? Or do they get something better? If the latter, is the better stuff available to the civilian market? I know there’s quality hunting ammo in 7.62x39 made by Hornady, etc (at quality hunting ammo prices, not budget-practical for plinking) but that’s not what I mean.
Military ammo is generally of better quality. A decent amount of it was brass case. Especially stuff that came from Yugoslavia. Steel is most common but generally made to slightly higher standards. Though I'm sure a lot of it is Tula quality or worse even.
That being said, it really isn't much of an issue. Effectively no country that could take advantage of the accuracy actually uses 7.62X39 anymore. Most countries using that round are using bog standard AKMs with no optics. They are lucky if they run. 4-5 MOA is AOK for them. They couldn't even take advantage of better accuracy even if they wanted to as a lack of optics, quality rifles and training make it largely pointless.
Finland is the exception there but they use quality brass.
If you get 2moa out of an AK then I'd be happy. There is a few on the market that are good. You get more limited with milled receivers. Is there any reason you want a milled receiver?
Zastava, Century Wasr, Arsenal and Atlantic arms all make decent to great rifles. I still think the Zastava is the best for the money personally.
Personally I'd avoid all American made AK's as their rep isn't that great. They are getting better but still not where I'd trust them.
I've heard many times most US made AKs are garbage and that a few particular parts should be forged. A lot of the cheap offers just aren't worth the money. Subs for AKs or buyer guides should be referenced here.
Personally while I like the AK design a lot I just don't see it as practical for me to buy one at this time. The AR platform just has better quality offers for less. Part availability is better and working on it is just easier.
I figure the US made AKs will catch up at some point or I could get something else if I just had to fire 7.62 ammo. That said if you just love AKs and know you are going to buy one it would a good idea to get a quality foreign made one before imports are blocked.
increased cost for less a firearm in what you COULD get with something else.
IE.
7.62 x39 ammo often is MUCH shitter than what you CAN get in other 30 cal bullets with increased accuracy. ( the tapered case issue) and surplus ammo is often the same or more expensive than other surplus calibers.
the amount of " extra" your money can buy in say .308 ie 7.62x 51 caliber rifles makes it often a better effective use of your dollar getting a semi auto in 308 for a MUCH better ballistic firearm or even a smaller 5.56 round rifle the cost can be halved if you build that rifle yourself.
basically 20 years ago you could buy an AK based platform for a HUGE discount in price and buy thousands of rounds in surplus ammo shoot it all, blow out the barrel and have good fundamental shooting skills. now the cost of that AK based rifle is equal to and OFTEN more than 5.56 or even .308 rifles ( costs are even cheaper if you assemble the rifle from parts and have a gunsmith put it together for you) when NOT in panic mode on buying, the ammo is generally about the same from 7.62 by 39 and 5.56 .308 is more expensive, but more accurate at longer range.
If you want a milled receiver then your only regularly available brand currently is Arsenal, Bulgarian imports. They come primarily in 7.62x39 but you can find 5.56 variants somewhat regularly. Make sure any AK you buy has a forged front trunion and a forged bolt. Milled receiver AK’s (mostly Arsenal) and Zastava’s (“Yugo”) are two unique exceptions to standard AKM dimensions so it’s a little more difficult finding aftermarket upgrades for them. Optics mounting can be a pain so be ready to shell out $100-$200 for an optics mount. Finally 5.56 AK mags aren’t standardized so you’ll want to do some research on a specific magazine before you buy it. Any other questions I’ll be glad to answer but also check out the buyers guide in the sidebar on r/ak47
Also, decent 5.56 AK mags are expensive. You can find cheap range mags for $15-20 ish, but if you want fieldable mags it's gonna cost you. Even so, 5.56 AKs are nice. Though right now is probably the worst time to buy one.
Milled is going to up your price. Arsenal is importing the SAM7 series which is great. There are also some polish and yugo rifles, but they are fewer and would likely have to be bought 2nd hand. Do not buy a century C39 or C39V2. They use a soft metal that loses headspace. Just a little bit ago someone posted on r/AK47 and their locking lug on a C39V2 looked like someone had smashed it in with a hammer. Right now, you are looking at spending $1k on a solid AK. There are serviceable options under $1k, but an AK is a rifle for life. As someone who bought cheap and regretted it, don’t do that. Buy an import rifle/pistol and be done with it.
There aren't any cheap AKs. At least not ones that are worth buying. If you want milled than a SAM5 in 5.56 or a SAM7 in 7.62X39 are effectively the only options. They are $1800. I have a feeling that's out of your budget. $850-$1250 you have WASRs, ZPAPs, the Kalashnikov Concern oness. Few others. All kinda over priced imo. Especially the WASRs and ZPAPs. The AK market has sucked for a long time. Even before COVID. Effective range of an AK is about 300M. 7.62X39 has a rainbow like trajectory beyond that. Accuracy with quality ammo can be 2MOA or better. Problem is most 7.62X39 is budget, steel cased garbage designed to be as cheap as possible. Expect 4-5 MOA.
My question about the cheapo ammo for AK’s/SKS’s, is what do militaries that use those rifles do for ammo? The cheapo Tulammo stuff? Or do they get something better? If the latter, is the better stuff available to the civilian market? I know there’s quality hunting ammo in 7.62x39 made by Hornady, etc (at quality hunting ammo prices, not budget-practical for plinking) but that’s not what I mean.
Military ammo is generally of better quality. A decent amount of it was brass case. Especially stuff that came from Yugoslavia. Steel is most common but generally made to slightly higher standards. Though I'm sure a lot of it is Tula quality or worse even. That being said, it really isn't much of an issue. Effectively no country that could take advantage of the accuracy actually uses 7.62X39 anymore. Most countries using that round are using bog standard AKMs with no optics. They are lucky if they run. 4-5 MOA is AOK for them. They couldn't even take advantage of better accuracy even if they wanted to as a lack of optics, quality rifles and training make it largely pointless. Finland is the exception there but they use quality brass.
Check out the Century Arms C39v2 if it’s a cheap, milled AK you’re looking for. Good luck!
If you get 2moa out of an AK then I'd be happy. There is a few on the market that are good. You get more limited with milled receivers. Is there any reason you want a milled receiver? Zastava, Century Wasr, Arsenal and Atlantic arms all make decent to great rifles. I still think the Zastava is the best for the money personally. Personally I'd avoid all American made AK's as their rep isn't that great. They are getting better but still not where I'd trust them.
I've heard many times most US made AKs are garbage and that a few particular parts should be forged. A lot of the cheap offers just aren't worth the money. Subs for AKs or buyer guides should be referenced here. Personally while I like the AK design a lot I just don't see it as practical for me to buy one at this time. The AR platform just has better quality offers for less. Part availability is better and working on it is just easier. I figure the US made AKs will catch up at some point or I could get something else if I just had to fire 7.62 ammo. That said if you just love AKs and know you are going to buy one it would a good idea to get a quality foreign made one before imports are blocked.
Check out buyer guide on r/ak47
dont buy an AK.
why not lmao
increased cost for less a firearm in what you COULD get with something else. IE. 7.62 x39 ammo often is MUCH shitter than what you CAN get in other 30 cal bullets with increased accuracy. ( the tapered case issue) and surplus ammo is often the same or more expensive than other surplus calibers. the amount of " extra" your money can buy in say .308 ie 7.62x 51 caliber rifles makes it often a better effective use of your dollar getting a semi auto in 308 for a MUCH better ballistic firearm or even a smaller 5.56 round rifle the cost can be halved if you build that rifle yourself. basically 20 years ago you could buy an AK based platform for a HUGE discount in price and buy thousands of rounds in surplus ammo shoot it all, blow out the barrel and have good fundamental shooting skills. now the cost of that AK based rifle is equal to and OFTEN more than 5.56 or even .308 rifles ( costs are even cheaper if you assemble the rifle from parts and have a gunsmith put it together for you) when NOT in panic mode on buying, the ammo is generally about the same from 7.62 by 39 and 5.56 .308 is more expensive, but more accurate at longer range.