AK-47s, Milled or Stamped?

[Yournamehere]

I don't think any particular country's AK kits or parts are much better than any others really, sheerly because it's the AK design, and it's hard to fuck it up. I'm not personally a fan of Romanians, but I know guys who have and love them (for me it's Century's quality control). That being said, I asked originally because I was looking at a Vector Arms AKMS Underfolder for a really good price (which I lost due to a dating conflict) and a Bulgarian SLR100 down the street. The latter is still available, and I've checked the gun and it looks pretty solid. These particular Bulgarians are buot with Hungarian parts kits and internals, so it's an AK you'd approve of wrapped in the receiver of one you wouldn't. Most if not all AKs are parts guns and when it comes down to it, they are all just as tough as the next one, or that's the way I feel. My concern was originally if the weight was justifiable by the added reliability, and the answer is no, but not because the gun is heavy, but because they are all reliable ass AKs. Long story short, I think I'm gonna save for this Bulgarian.

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

it's the AK design, and it's hard to fuck it up.

You'd be surprised. I once read a message board post by a former Iranian militiaman who was issued a North Korean-made AKM (which they called the Type 68) during the Iran-Iraq War. According to him, it was total shit. Apparently, after Iran received the first shipment of Type 68 AKMs that they bought from the DPRK, they actually refused further shipments in the future due to the terrible quality.

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

Long story short, I think I'm gonna save for this Bulgarian.

I'm really not a fan of the Bulgarians, though at least they're not as crappy as some other stuff out there (contrary to what you've said, I've had bad experiences with just about everything Century Arms makes, though maybe their QC has improved since I last shot one of their AKs).

But I still think your best bet is to find a pre-89 Chinese AK with a stamped receiver. In my opinion, they were the very best AKs (besides the Maadis and SA-85Ms) that anyone ever sold in the United States.

[MT2008]

BTW, my Dad's planning to start building his own AK at some point in the future. It'll be a Hungarian SA-85M/AK-63 parts kit on a stainless steel receiver that he'll build himself.

[Yournamehere]

Originally Posted by MT2008

(contrary to what you've said, I've had bad experiences with just about everything Century Arms makes, though maybe their QC has improved since I last shot one of their AKs).

Actually that was badly phrased, you're right to question Century Arms. I was trying to imply that their QC is fairly poor as they let some of their WASRs slip through with canted sights and bent gas blocks, making them impossible to sight in. They still work though.

I hear a lot of good things about Chinese AKs, and you're right to recommend a pre-89 (or anything preban really), but I guess my desire for a Commie Bloc AK kicks in. I hear good things about the Bulgs too, and it's what's immediately available to me (in a sea of WASRs *cringes*), so it's probably what I'll go with.

Also, real interesting about the North Korean AKs. They must have busted their asses in their sweatshops to make pieces of crap out of the design.

[Excalibur]

Speaking of Century Arms, today, I just picked up a Century Arms clone of a HK91. It only had the push button to release the magazine instead of the lever release.

[Yournamehere]

Yeah they had one down at a store nearby for 700. I got my friend into the HK91 style rifles, but the one by Cntury looked questionable. It had very crude weld marks and a mediocre finish. It also had an FAL style muzzle brake instead of an actual G3 style one. I'm glad to say it retained one of the most important parts on the HK91s, the rotary sights. He didn't care for the stock but I didn't mind it.

I don't mean to hate on your rifle, I'm just not a fan of Century Arms products, and G3 clones are really hit or miss short of actual HK91s. If it works well though, then it's well worth it.

[Excalibur]

I didn't say I LIKE Century Arms. I personally think they make very cheap clone guns that I would never buy, but it's the first time I've ever held a G3 clone, so I asked to pick it up. There was also a Romanian AK74 like weapon there.

[Yournamehere]

Oh I thought by "pciked up" you meant you bought it. I did the same thing when I saw it, as I too had never really handled a G3 clone.

I also installed a pistol grip on my 870 (like MT2008, but I am NOT a copycat (lol), it was a birthday gift) and I have to say it feels good.