Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

ahahahaaa....that's what one of my buddies calls the AK-47.

"It's the perfect rifle for us peasants......can drag it thru the mud, dunk it in a watering trough to give a 'cleaning' and shoot all day with it"

Since I've been accumulating some 7.62x39 along the way and now have about 4000rds laying around, and the only thing I could shoot it in is an old SKS, I guess I'd like to buy an AK before they get banned again.

So, some of you AK fans tell me......what should I look for, and bear in mind I'd like to keep the price in the 600-700 FRN range or less, because much above that I could buy another REAL rifle.....ahahahahaaa...no offense.....like my Rem700 mountain rifle in 30.06 with a 3x9 50mm Bushnell scope......and I'll just keep the ammo as an investment....most if it has already near doubled over what I paid for it, so it's doing as well as PMs at this point in time.

I understand from a little internet reading the Romanian/Eastern Europe models have the thinner stamper reciever, and the Norinco models have the thicker one, which seems to be a plus if you plan to use it hard......kindly coment if you're in the know....

also what should I expect to pay for a decent one......

and do you know of a source I could get a local FFL dealer to order one for me......local guy will order anything for 20 FRNs over cost.

Thanks in advance for the education, which is always in abundance here.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

I have one chinese and one Romanian, paid 325 each at gun show last year, I have fired hundreds of rounds out of each with only one problem on the chinese and not the gun but the mag, spring was very tight and if you loaded over 20 rounds it would try to double feed on occasion, I solved the problem by loading 30 rounds in it and leaving it sit for a month and gave it a shot of wd40, no troubles since then, used it this week, can't offer any informaion on the reciever thing being thick or thin though.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

You dont have a problem with FFL paperwork Andy? If not why not?

Any large gunshow will have what your lookin for.

I went to a gun show in shytehole reno nevada AT THE LIVESTOCK EVENTS CENTER, and it was late in the day on the final day of the show and as I was walkin out I passed a table with 20 AKs, 223's of all brands and fnls , and the seller was like a Barker; saying NO PAPERWORK lets go buy here Now.

I thought it was cool (ya know FREEDOM IS COOL).

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

I went to a gun show in shytehole reno nevada AT THE LIVESTOCK EVENTS CENTER, and it was late in the day on the final day of the show and as I was walkin out I passed a table with 20 AKs, 223's of all brands and fnls , and the seller was like a Barker; saying NO PAPERWORK lets go buy here Now.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Private sales are always the best.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

I don't have a problem with the paperwork....as I've stated before, I don't care who knows what about what I have....they ain't getting it back, so it doesn't matter to me.

As to the guy at the Gun show hawking a table full of rifles, I would ASSUME that was an ATF sting, since I'm pretty sure they define any type of volume sale as a 'dealer' and thus all paperwork applies. Likely they'd sell you the rifle, then follow you home and use that illegal buy to confisgate the rest of you collection.

Did you buy one ?

I don't have any problem with private sales, and have some weapons bought that way. I also have some weapons bought thru a small local dealer, filled out the yellow forms ( which STAY at the dealer unless the dealer goes out of business.....then they go to the ATF is my understanding )......he operated out of a little shack right on a local river bank. His shack and all his records are now somewhere between here and New Orleans due to a flood....ahahahahahaaaa.......turns out, he was ready to go out of biz anyway and this seemed like a real time to do it.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

No I didnt buy One. But I would have if I wanted one.

A sting , no way, its legal Man.

The paperwork stays with the dealer and if need be the feds need the info on the form they contact .

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Hey Andy !

Gonna get a national ID card? Retna scan bother you?

The avalanche is getting bigger and closer by the year my friend.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

When turn in time comes if you dont comply there will be a hold on renewing your liscence and IRS will be notified.

Sorta like the deadbeat dad progressive initiative.

Gotta hand it to them , these almost devilish intelligent bastards that wrote the IRS code , the most cunning super intelligent devious bunch is alive and well running the American Politic,

gosh , Gee 70% happen to be Jewish.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Some people like their WASR's, to me that really is a peasant rifle. If you're going to buy Romanian I would strongly suggest holding out for a SAR-1.

The Chinese MAK-90 is a much better built rifle but there's three things to look out for. First, make sure it really has a Chinese reciever, it should have the Norinco marking on it. If the reciever is marked B West run away quickly as the B West recievers are American made and not properly heat treated so they tend to self destruct quickly. They come with a wood butthole stock, you'll want to remove the stock before you buy to make sure it is straight cut as a slant cut rear reciever won't accept a real AK pistol grip stock set. Finally it is important to note that the MAK-90 has a blued finish, you'd do well to give it a gunkote or other treatment.

The Russian made Saiga is a good rifle if you perform a conversion on it so if you buy one understand it is a project gun.

The Arsenal milled rifles and the Vepr are both great AK's but they may or may not be available in your price range in your area. The Vepr is actually built on an RPK reciever and they're very accurate, but there's also a little heavier and not as well balanced. I like the Vepr just fine and a vertical foregrip improves the handling considerably.

Most people don't seem to know anything about running an AK. Many try to use the same manual of arms they would use on an AR on an AK with predictably disasterous results. Here's a few hints. When charging your AK reach under the reciever with your left hand to pull the charging handle, not over the top or with your right hand which should stay on the pistol grip. You should manipulate the safety the same way. The 30rd mags are not short, if you're trying to shoot from a low prone under an obstacle like a parked car, fallen log or similar lay the AK flat on the ground with the charging handle up, use the charging handle as a rudimentary sight, watching your impacts to correct your fire. As always perform a "tactical reload" during a lull in firing, not when you run dry, you don't have a last shot bolt hold open. Dumping mags and speed reloads are not going to work here. The plus side is your magazine is strong enough and seated firmly enough to be a useful part of your weapon in hand to hand combat. There is a simple sollution that can improve mag changes on AK's, it's incorparted into the design of the Valmet and Sako rifles, if you search for AK tactical mag release you should be able to find an example. It's just a tab of metal that extends further to the side so you can hit the mag release with your trigger or middle finger.

The AK is a fine weapon that needs no excuses or pampering, it just does its job. Understand that it isn't a rifle in the traditional sense but an infantry weapon and you'll have a good relationship with it. AK's like junk they get to blow apart at close and medium range, not a paper bull's eye a few hundred yards away.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

What are some of the drawbacks of the WASR model?

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

WASR-10's seem to be going for $350-$400 around here.

I considered getting one but I picked up a SKS instead. I'm STILL cleaning out the cosmoline. :(

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

The thread was questions on the AK........you're drifting pretty far out in left field, man.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Yes Andy it ocured to me as well.

Its all kinda intertwined .

But Andy Its not far left or far right , its CALLED CONSTITUTIONALIST.

'FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW'.

AND NOT DEMOCRACY ; MAJORITY RULE (MOB RULE).

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Gonna answer the question Andy?

Whats it gonna take? You aint safe!

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

So, what are those issues with the WASR?

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

B S ............

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

CB&Julie, as Nuggethunter stated the WASR is BS!

Well, maybe he wasn't talking about that. My name is Bess and I ain't in that mess.

Ok, people have WASR's that live up to their expectations so if you have on that does I'm really glad you have a good gun. My own reservations are based on several points. For one thing there is no such thing as a hi capacity WASR, they are all built for single stack 10rd magazines. Then some monkies at the importers open up the magwells to take real AK magazines with mixed results. I never saw an AK that had a feed problem till I saw a WASR hi-cap that did. They don't all have it, but it happens. Second, the triggers are worse than horrible compared to a quality AK. This has a very adverse effect on accurate shooting and clean followup shots. That brings us to the final point, build quality. The SAR-1 is kind of junky too, but WASR's really are the least examples of AK's that are currently on the market, they're really more of an AK-like object. If you got a good deal and yours runs like a top, hey, don't let me bum you out but it just isn't in the same league as a good converted MAK-90 or Saiga or a stock Vepr, Arsenal or other quality AK.

Some people have the strange idea in their head that AK's are supposed to be cheap "peasant rifles."(not a stab at Andy but a reference to a greater trend) They aren't, they are fine weapons more than worthy of quality construction and they benefit from it. If a good AK can be had for a low price that is outstanding but low cost is not the reason for the existence of the weapon. They exist because they are simply the best at what they do. They will handle more adversity with less complaining than anything else out there and deliver rounds on target at close and medium ranges every time. Their parts are few, large and strong, prone to neither breakage nor loss in the field. Wonderboy engineering and high parts counts are not the measure of a good gun.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

I like the magazines. Reminds me of Scalextrix track sections....

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Thanks for the input, Rev.

-J-

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Global Trades builds a good AK, as does Vector Arms. That's a nice piece you have there. A MAK-90's reciever is thicker than average at 1.5mm but the Global trades is even a trifle heavier than that.

The AK-47's ribbed steel magazine is probably the most durable and reliable feeding device on the planet and are 1/3 of the reason AK's are as tough and reliable as they are(the others are tapered cartridge cases and lots of reciprocating mass, their gas piston helps a lot, too). That said I like the Bulgarian waffles quite a bit. Being polymer they are not as durable, but they are just as reliable and weigh a whopping half pound less. That can add up. I stock both types.

I have no idea what a Scalextrix is though?

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Perfect example of why the USA is goin down the toilet.

And I dont dont care if this post is AK-47.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

IGNORE ISSUES

SLEEP

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

I have no experience with Aks. I like the looks of the Romanian unerfolders. IS this design OK?

About 600 FRNs where I buy Remington food.

E-A

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

No threat Andy from my part . I was just lookin for the truth.


Thats whats its about isnt it?

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

The AK with an underfolder stock is a classic look, I think they're pretty sweet myself. There are some functional downsides to the underfolder, though.

The biggest is that the cheekweld is compromised, it isn't nearly as comfortable or as close to the centerline of the rifle as other stock types. You can still shoot it, people have used them for decades, they just aren't optimal. The underfolder is also just about useless as a bayonet handle, which is a real shame because the AK is actually awesome hand to hand if you know how to wield one. You may or may not care about that stuff. I only worry about protecting my farm and my family, not bayonet charges, but if a badguy is in my house and gets close I might have to wrestle with him, who knows?

The last one has to do with the way the underfolder is attached. If it is mounted they way it was designed to be, through holes in the sides of the rear of the reciever, it will clear the magazine. If it is mounted with one of those newfangled underfolder kits that attach to the tang on a non-underfolding reciever then it will not clear the magazine when opening and closing.

Otherwise I'd have to know more about the specific AK that's for sale in your area as there are a number of variants that have been imported from Romania. As a rule of thumb, if it has dimples in the reciever over the magwell and the underfolder is connected directly through holes in the rear of the reciever then you should be good to go. If it doesn't have those dimples it is likely a converted WASR and it all depends on how good the monkey doing the conversion was.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Nuggethunter,

You have posted 6 times since Andy's last post. He may have gone to bed.

You may want to try to pick a fight with him a little later.

-1

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Correct you were -1......though my name is at the bottom like I was still here because I simply turn the monitor off and the computer stays on all the time.

I'm an early to bed and early to rise kinda guy......especially if I know the next day is going to be busy as today is.

For those of ya'll that replied ABOUT WHICH I asked, thank you.

For NH, no, I'm not taking the national ID card, nor do I intend to comply with the NAIS ( National Animal registration ) nor a host of other proposals which constitute my personal line in the sand.....nor do I intend to pack up and leave.

Had you been following my positions here for many years, you'd already know that.....but your tone last night seemed to be one just of confrontation possibly greased by drink or something.....so in the light of day, perhaps my answers will suffice.

If not, feel free to go screw yourself. :D

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Sorry Andy; a little greased.

Your one of the anchors/ pillars here and I was just hoping for more input.

Didnt mean to mess up your thread.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Nugget,

If you would refrain from posting when you are 'greased' it would save us all some heartache as you clearly hijacked a perfectly good thread with a totally unrelated subject. As in knock it off.

There are plenty of questions and answers in threads to the questions you pose in other threads. Tn of all people isn't sleeping but is savvy enough to not take a blatant baiting.

Thank You,

Tn, don't have one, but understand exactly why you are pursuing one. Get the lead out........

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Tn, have a look at gunbroker.com and search the AK's there. E-Bay type site with "buy it now" options. If nothing else, it'll give an idea of the price range you can expect for the various incarnation of the AK you choose.
I had a Russian Saiga AK-74 for several years and had nothing but good things to say about it. Shoots the 7.62X39 and I found it to be as hardy as it's dash 47 cousin. Picked it up for around $225 with a scope but that was more than 10 years ago. Some more experienced may disagree about the quality, and maybe I just got a "good" one, but I certainly had no problems.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Andy one more thing that you will need to think about picking up soon is drums.

Since the election I have a feeling that 75rd drums will be going up.

-1

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

No problem man......been greased on more than one occassion myself, hence my ability to recognize it :wink:

Stopped by my local gun dealer earlier today, and he said they were absolutely going like hotcakes. He stocks nothing, but let's you flip thru his dealer sales papers and pick whatever you want....he gets 25 FRNs over his cost + shipping, tax and 10 buck gun check. Said he'd sold 15 in the last week.....guy that was leaving as I walked in had bought 2.

He called SOG Firearms and they were out of many models and had NO drums or 30rd bolt/hold/open clips left.

So you're quite right, -1.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Here is a link to a thread that shows how to make your own bolt hold open magazines for an AK. If you're handy with sheet metal you could even bend your own followers and save a few bucks.

http://www.ak47.net/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=55&t=84152

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Yo Andy: I am in the market too but need to redo my DD from a while ago. I remember that machined receivers are better than stamped, and something about watching out for a chrome gas piston and mismatched parts being used from a MAC-90. Seems like the front sights on some were canted off center too. Anyway, check out:
http://www.ak-47.net/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jfreeman246/index.htm
http://www.ak-47.us/
I think that the Bulgarians are higher quanlity than Romanians.
http://users.frii.com/gosplow/slr95.html
http://www.milparade.com/kalarms/karms.htm
Hoorah

BTW: AK-74 fires 5.45x39mm round

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Andy,
For the whats left of the buck...
The Norinco drag it through the mud difficult to jam model gets my vote.
Although the aformentioned URL recommended unit looks pretty darn good for 600.
Regards,
Haystackneedle.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Andy,

Here ya go. I have a buddy who swears by the Hungarian AMD 65. He carried one in the sand box (contract worker). I own two on his say so and have been very pleased.

I picked up many, many magazines the past year or so. Minimum of four drums, thirty rounders, twenty rounders, ten rounders (for specific types of specialty rounds).

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/prog...d.asp?Prodid=6

Currently priced at $499 ea.

Besides, if you just went out and got another Rem 700 in 30.06 you still would not have a weapon to shoot the 39 in. On that note, have you considered buying a REM 700 in 7.62x39? It's supposed to be a great set up. Good short to intermediate range rifle with little to no kick that delivers a thirty caliber down range with some fair 'uumph' on it. Out past about 200 yards, I think velocity starts to fall off a bit.

ALSO, you can find many semi-auto weapons that will also fire the 7.62x39 round. If you are an AK fan, great. An AR FAN? No problem. Several other manufacturers over the years have made good examples. Some made some pretty crappy ones.

And so sorry to hear about that affliction you have. You know, early to be and early to rise. That just means you set your schedule to the rising and falling of the sun. Not bad, but hey, what's electricity for if not to 'wave off the night' as it were.

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"
 

Re: Want to buy a "Peasant Rifle"