What AK manufacturers match what I am looking for?

[Tread_Head]

I'm looking for an AK-47 which matches as close to possible to an original AK-47. It doesn't have to be milled, but they are aesthetically a little nicer. I saw a nice one at the last Austin gun show which looked EXACTLY like an original AK, but he wanted $850 for it, which seemed steep. Basically I want to be able to fire a semi-auto version of all the AK's I captured in Iraq but couldn't keep. :cuss:

[M1 Tanker]

Which type of AK-47 are you trying to model? Chinese, Romanian, Bulgarian, etc...? That would be step one, but all AKs have different markings not to mention features of the rifle. Do you have a picture we can work from?

Here is an engraver with samples....I have a lot of pictures too.

http://www.orion-arms.com/AK.php

[nalioth]

Tread Head, glad you caught up with us.

From the pix I've seen from Iraq, ANY of the kit built AKs would fit the bill. I doubt the WASR line would, though.

[Tread_Head]

This is what I am looking for, but w/a slant muzzle break. http://www.volny.cz/ak-47/ak-47/ak-47a.jpg

Nalioth: It took a while for me to track down these boards. Have you seen my recent CETME issues? Check out the CETME page, it's a hoot. :(

[nalioth]

If that is what you are looking for, get a Sar-1 and buy a wood stock set from one of the woodworkers around . . .

[M1 Tanker]

Thats a milled AK. Milled AK receivers are A LOT more money. Last I looked they were all $500+ , as opposed to less then a $100 for a stamped receiver. I'm not sure who the manufacturer of that particular rifle is...the furniture is a lot more square then any I have.

[hunter_la5]

This is what I am looking for, but w/a slant muzzle break.

IIRC, the original milled AK's never had slant muzzle brakes. are you sure you want an "original AK47" type, or an "original" looking AKM?

as tanker pointed out, the biggest differences are the machined vs stamped recievers, but there are other differences

hamerstone arsenal makes some pretty good looking romanian AKMs. I know Ive seen romanian AK's in pics of confiscated weapons in the Iraq war.

I believe the Iraqi Tabuk AK's are based off the yugoslavian M70 series of AK's (minus the grenade sight), so maybe a Yugo M70b1 or ab2 might suit your fancy?

just some thoughts

[hunter_la5]

or if you want a machined reciever AK, the Bulgarians seem pretty nice, as well as authentic looking. Im nearly positive that some Iraqi forces (iraqi national guard or somesuch??) used Arsenal bulgarian AK's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/INGwithBulgarianAKandRPG.jpg

[nalioth]

I've seen pictures of captured AKs from Iraq, and I've seen Romanian, Yugo, Bulgarian/Russian and some more I have no idea where they came from....

rusmilitary.com sells the original Russian laminated buttstock, pistol grip and foreend furniture, just get some of that and stick it on a Sar-1 or Romy kit...

[okie shooter]

There used to be some USSR/PLO kits that were brought in a few years ago. Some were milled and others were akm's, not sure if there are any around but if you were to build a kit that would be one way to go. Supposedly the MAADI built akm is the closest to soviet, due to the fact the USSR sent a factory to egypt to bolster the egyptian army against the us backed isrealis. Any ak will feel like what you are looking for, I imgaine you might have been handleing a chinese rifle at the show you went too.

[cetme]

I fit were me I'd find a romanian SAR-1 (dimples in rec.), duracoat it and then dig up the stock I liked best. The duracoat would give you a pro looking finish as apposed to the crappy romi finish and the stock would dress it up just right.

[Tread_Head]

I've been looking all over the online auction sites, and it is hard to find an AK like I want. This is what 90% of captured AK's look like and what I want. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/AK-47_type_II_Part_DM-ST-89-01131.jpg/800px-AK-47_type_II_Part_DM-ST-89-01131.jpg
Most AK's I've seen for sale in the US have this funky thing over the trigger. What is it?
http://pictures.auctionarms.com/6317122425/270067fdc3327f0e09796666aff7d531.jpg?aa=2007041415 5932

[M1 Tanker]

Thats a milled receiver Tread Head...I would get a milled receiver AK if I was you and start there.

That funky thing over the trigger is called a scope rail :)

[k98k792]

If you want something like that the the only way to do it is to get a milled reciever and a milled kit and build it,or have it built. You are going to be in the 600$ to 800$ price range. I have no idea of what a Rus milled complete rifle would cost, if you could find one. That is a collectors weapon here in the U.S. ,and will be priced as such.

[Tread_Head]

Yea, I'm 99% sure I am going to go w/the milled reciever over the stamped. More expensive, but I buy rifles to keep for life, so why not. That is the scope rail?!? Huh, I never would have guessed that. Figured it was just something from cheaply manufactued AK clones to keep it semi-auto only. :thanks: BTW: M1 Tanker, you in 3-67AR?

[M1 Tanker]

Tread Head, check out this website:

http://tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/bstmounts.html

You can see the rails and types of scope mounts that attach. Its an awesome website for optics.

And Negative on 3/67 AR...I'm out now :) How bout you?

[Tread_Head]

Thanks for the link, interesting stuff there. I'm in 8-10CAV but will be leaving soon on TDY for Capt. Carrer Course.

[k98k792]

Here is a good place to get the reciever http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/firingline/Prices.html

[k98k792]

rifle on gunbroker http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=69992706

[okie shooter]

There was a milled receiver at the gun show today, I think though it was close to eight fifty. It was a arsnal build. Not sure whos kits they used.