scavenger 0 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I'm looking for an AKMS from a reputable manufacturer to have along side my main AK-47. I'm not necessarily looking for the bargain bin deal, as I'd want something that is great and wonderful all on it's own, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm seeing everything there is to offer. I know a lot of people on this forum have bought many AKs and know who to trust and who are the to-go-to guys when you need an extra AK around the house. So far I've come across http://www.cheaperth...om/70779-1.html which, as far as I can tell, seems pretty sound - though I have never purchased anything from Century Arms and am not too sure how anyone here may feel about them. Advice would be nice; yes, I'm specifically looking for an AKMS! Of course I'll probably get a WASR down the line, but yeah. Sorry if I missed a similar thread to this, if there is one then just point me in that direction. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dudethebagman 222 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I have a Century SAR-1, which (as far as I know) is the precursor to the WASR. It runs like a raped ape. The FSB is slightly canted. I don't know how accurate the rifle is because I run cheap ammo through it and have never bothered to find out. I have a Saiga 308. It runs like a raped ape (within reason because of ammo cost). The gas block is slightly canted. I have it scoped, and it is more/as accurate as I am. If I had to choose, I'd go Saiga. Why? Because I like to put the stuff on the rifles that I like. I didn't like the stock pistol grip or buttstock on the SAR-1, so I replaced them anyway. If you're going to change stuff around, you might as well change stuff up front and get a rifle from the factory that century hasn't touched for a lesser cost. I'm not sure Century is really as bad as people say, but why not cut out the middle man and do the work yourself? That being said, if I had an unlimited budget I'd go with a VEPR or Valmet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L5K 162 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 If it's built in a foreign factory generally the rifles are good to go. I'd just get something foreign build (perhaps a WASR which is build in Romania, and then modified by Century) and inspect it in person if at all possible. For me I require foreign receivers, chrome lined foreign barrel and those two requirements have never ever let me down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) Deleted Edited January 21, 2011 by imarangemaster Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KC913 324 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Seeing as your on a Saiga forum, You can safely assume what most of the recommendations will be. $350 for a factory new Saiga, $120-ish to convert it. =$470 for a factory new Russian AK. Quality and price, you get the best of both worlds with a Saiga. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) By AKMS, I assume you mean a folding stock version. For under-folders, Century Yugo M70AB2s unde-frolders are excellent. They have Green Mountain barrels and heavy 1.5mm receivers with RPK style trunnion. If I didn't have a Saiga, that is what I would get. Centerfire systems has new Polish under-folders that should be good weapons. The Yugos, however, are very heavy because of the trunnion and thicker metal. If I remeber, the Yugo I had was over 8.25 lbs, but the Saiga is just over 6.5 pounds. If underfolder is not a necessity and side folder would do, a restored Saiga with a Romanian or East German side folder is the best bet. It would not be much more than a Century Yugo, but would be a real Kalashnikov built on a Russian AK103 weapon system. Chrome lined, and Saigas tend to be more accurate than the average AK. Edited January 21, 2011 by imarangemaster Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scavenger 0 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 The underfolding stock and laminated wood is the ideal look that I am going for. L5K and I obviously see eye to eye about things, but the idea of buying a Saiga rifle as they're imported by RAA and doing the conversion myself sounds like it'd be worth the fun. I own an SGL-21 and I love it more than anything; I'm just looking to appease the other side of me that is into the style of the AKMS. If I would go with an original Saiga and do the conversion myself, would anyone have any recommendations for underfolding stocks/heat guards and the like? I haven't combed through the conversion thread myself, but that's something I'll do when I find the time to this evening. The only sketchy part about the conversion in my honest opinion is making sure it complies to standards, though I saw somewhere there is an easy enough checklist for that. Honestly, if anything, getting something cheap that's already "converted" with a foreign receiver I can go ahead and see what I can find in underfolding stocks and laminated wood and the like. Thanks for all the help so far, everyone! I'm taking all of the advice into consideration. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modrisco 16 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 You might look into the Vector Arms AK47 under folder @ $760. They're built on a US made receiver with Bulgarian parts kit and chrome lined barrel. Atlantic Firearms stocks them... http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct917.aspx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t3mac21 1 Posted January 26, 2011 Report Share Posted January 26, 2011 (edited) Henderson defense certified WASR-10/63. That or a saiga conversion. My wasr has no cant, is threaded, is a factory built rifle, chrome lined, blah blah, it runs great. I'd get the saiga though if your budget is higher, and you're willing to spend for a full conversion. Edit - IDK if classic arms is sold out yet on side-folding stocks. They had them cheapppppp. Edited January 26, 2011 by t3mac21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted January 27, 2011 Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 Purchased the Vector wood/yugo underfolder 3 years ago. Well built, no flaws. Just don't shoot much, underfold stock just doesn't fit me right. (too wide). Cool factor is #1 though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-//one_man_army//- 0 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Purchased the Vector wood/yugo underfolder 3 years ago. Well built, no flaws. Just don't shoot much, underfold stock just doesn't fit me right. (too wide). Cool factor is #1 though. I would like to shead some light on this topic with my limit knowledge of AKs. I too am in the market for a Bulgarian, or Chinese AK. I changed my mind on converting my Saiga. It's too much of a hassle living in California on what is and isn't legal. The smiths I know out here won't touch the Saiga, just shy of wanting to bolt and pin a muzzle break on it. I would like to recommend Lancaster Arms. They have some really nice AK platforms on their site. I would stay away from the WASR AKs, unless you know what year it was produced. I have been reading about the WASRs, and from what I understand, they were originally designed with a single stack magazine well, which means the receiver would have to be widened to accept a standard double-stacked AK magazine. I have read post after post about people having wobbly magazines because of too much machining, and no magazine dimples on the receiver. From what I read, if the WASR is 2004 and newer, it is supposed to be okay. Just my two cents. Saiga also builds a milled receiver AK platform for about $850 for so. It also boils down to whether you want a stamped or milled receiver. Milled is always a good way to go Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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