Want to buy my first AK

[confederatebaptist]

I am wanting to buy my first AK, and I am going to look next week at the gun show in Houston. What should I look for price wise, make, model, nationality, caliber? Should I avoid buying one at the gun show?

Thanks!

[quadfan]

AK's run the gamit of price,caliber,quality, so it's hard to say without knowing what you are going to use it for,how much money you want (or have) to spend,etc...

[confederatebaptist]

I would like one in the 7.62x39, the traditional Soviet Caliber. I do not want to spend a great deal of money on one, however would not mind spending more money if I needed to in order to step up in the model of the weapon, and I would like to buy one for plinking, playing, and if needed be, self defense. I might also use it as my carry weapon on my cart on the family farm...

[Nighthawk]

The Romanian SAR-1 is a great AK clone and for the Money $350.00 or so well worth it.They are very reliable,durable and will last forever.Look after the serial no. they will be a year stamped in the gun 2001 etc.Rifles assembled from 2001 up are of better quality than the older ones.HTH





Best!!

[DocWagon]

I just bought my first one, and went with the SAR-1. Pick through them and look at each one carefully. I poked around in several forums and web sites and picked up the following advice that helped me while poking through them:

As previously stated, the 2001 and up are considered better quality than the older ones. Some of the pre-01s have mismatched wood, even.

Carefully inspect the front site of each one. Some were installed canted. I looked at 5 at the local gun shop before picking one, and only one had a slight cant. This is mostly a problem with the pre-01 models, apparently. One had a stock that wasn't cut quite right and wobbled badly. You could see where the stock was much too thin and the paint was shoddy.

Inspect until you find the one you want, them grab it. It should come with one 10 round magazine and one 40 round magazine, along with the sling, etc.

I paid $329 for mine.

[mseanmc]

Are you looking to start a collection, or are you just looking for one rifle that feels good that you know you can rely on? If you want to go through this exercise only once, look for a VEPR K chambered in 7.62x39.

Some folks will tell you that they are too heavy. The rifle is built on a RPK (Soviet light machine gun) receiver that is 50% thicker than AK receivers, and has a heavy barrel. The heavy barrel helps accuracy dramatically and the thicker receiver should translate to longer useful life.

Once you hold one, you will know why the VEPR K is called "The HK of AK". The rifle is absolutely solid. No rattling, no ill fitting parts and no Third World feel. You will pay a few more dollars for the VEPR ($550 - 600), but you won't be sorry. I live in the Houston area, and would be happy to recommend the FFL that helped me with my transaction.

In the meantime, you can check them out for yourself at Robinson Armaments web site (http://www.robarm.com)

Good luck & have fun.

[Texas Patriot]

If you're going to the Big Houston Gun Show this weekend, make sure you go by the Global Trades Booth. They are a local company and specialize in AKs. Their quality is good and they can answer many questions, and as I found out a few months ago, if you have a problem with a gun you get from them, they will make it right for you.

[boogeyman]

SAR1 for sure, hell it's more accurate than a stock mini! One could always buy a locap WASR 10(179$) AK and convert it to hi cap. 1, you have to get 5 us made parts to be compliant, hammer disconect piston trigger and grip can be found in a us made kit. Then cut the mag well with a small cut off wheel and file the mag catch some to make room for the double stack mag and your all set. Something to ponder.

[DocWagon]

Well??? Did you get one? You're keeping us all in suspense. :D

[confederatebaptist]

Well, I found a Norinco MAK-90 with a pistol grip at a local gun store for $249... I could not pass up.... I was not able to go to the Houston Gun Show ( Family Illness)....I am going to try it out this weekend! :D