RAS47 or DDI AK for my first AK?

[osok-308]

I've been looking to get into the AK platform for a while now. I'm looking for a good (not elite) quality stamped AK for shooting and potential shtf scenario. As far as what I've been looking at, these are the two I'very kind of narrowed if down to. I'm curious if you guys have any experience with either if these two rifles. I really don't want a bottoman of the barrel AK. I'm leaning towards the DDI, I don't mind paying a bit extra for quality, because this will be my first (hopefully not my only) AK. Is there any other AK I should give a serious look at? The reviews I've read on these rifles have been mostly good, but I know that many reviews are biased. As far as I can tell, finding a quality AK is not as simple as finding a quality AR. Please let me know what you guys think.

[zteknik]

I would check out Atlantic Arms for some deals. Personally I'm not fond of Io or DDI. I'm sure Io probably has better qc and uses better quality by now though. As far as DDI goes for me it's a US company trying to make a com boc rifle, they cant seem to get it right. The US built ones didn't go by the commie specs, ie they used different steel and hardness specs so their not as solid the commie built ones. You can find decent ones built off parts kits from reliable builders but it's gonna cost some coin.
The only factory built ak's I ever had was a Poly legend and a mak 90, all my other aks I built myself.

[sampson]

Russian Molot Vepr

Switch out trigger though

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/comp....html?Itemid=0

[powerstroke79]

I would stay away from IO inc. Bought one had to send it back to the factory for warranty work and got it back with bigger problems. After they sent a new rifle I gave up on it all together.

[BPTactical]

Arsenal or converted Saiga. WASR isn't bad if you can find a cheap one. VEPR is decent but swapping furniture will be a challenge due to the forend configuration and slant cut receiver.
If you can find a MAK 90 or MAADI they are decent as well.
All of the US made rifles (less the RAS47 and C39) are just kit builds from foreign part sets and as such, only as good as the assembly of the parts.
Scratch the RAS and C39, I have seen issues with them that just scream NO!

Believe it or not, some of the Century "kit build" AK's are damn good rifles. Just inspect it closely for workmanship.
I have had a slew of Kalishnakov platform rifles, pre ban CommBlocs, post ban, kit builds etc.
The one that has stayed with me is an early Yugo M70. It is a Century gun assembled from a matching numbers part set from the Croatian conflict.
It's a tank of a rifle that is accurate and smooth.

[SideShow Bob]

WASR isn't bad if you can find a cheap one.

So, my WASR went up in value ? Good thing the member that was interested in it never got back in touch with me....

[UrbanWolf]

Arsenal or converted Saiga. WASR isn't bad if you can find a cheap one. VEPR is decent but swapping furniture will be a challenge due to the forend configuration and slant cut receiver.
If you can find a MAK 90 or MAADI they are decent as well.
All of the US made rifles (less the RAS47 and C39) are just kit builds from foreign part sets and as such, only as good as the assembly of the parts.
Scratch the RAS and C39, I have seen issues with them that just scream NO!

Believe it or not, some of the Century "kit build" AK's are damn good rifles. Just inspect it closely for workmanship.
I have had a slew of Kalishnakov platform rifles, pre ban CommBlocs, post ban, kit builds etc.
The one that has stayed with me is an early Yugo M70. It is a Century gun assembled from a matching numbers part set from the Croatian conflict.
It's a tank of a rifle that is accurate and smooth.

I would listen to this guy.

[skoodge]

US made AKs are no bueno. Think about it, would you buy a non-US made AR? Saigas are decent, try to find a converted one. I've heard good things about the older WASRs, tho I've never had one myself. VEPRs are a little different, they have a RPK type receiver that is 1.5mm thick. I have VEPR 12 shotgun and I enjoy it. Arsenal is a bit more on the pricey end; I have 2. Forewarning, the paint isn't the best (but what am paint is). But they're solid guns. My friend just bought an Arsenal SAM7. Its a milled receiver, so its a little heavier and thus will be a little tougher to find furniture for too; but it's very nice. Trigger is smooth as butter, thumb safety, solid build. It was his first AK and he loves it. For the most part, you get when you pay for in an AK. Just stay away from the US made. Head over to the forums on the www akfiles com website, there's a lot of information there.

[mutt]

AKOU has tested several AKs to see if they will make it through 5k rounds. IO and RAS47 did not do so well. While his tests are samples of one, the results seem to mirror similar reports of serious quality issues.

IO Test - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...YBTgXp3Dn9oItI
RAS47 Test - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...9yNsL0ev4TpNjX

Even DDI's latest all US made entry failed miserably. The only all US made AK to make it through the test was PSA's Gen2 AK.

I avoid all 100% US made AKs like the plague. I only buy combloc made AKs. After stamping them out for the last 60+ years following their TDP, I'd say old combloc factories know how to make a proper AK. Granted they can have fit and finish issues, but those rarely affect function. If you are a fit and finish freak, then AKs may not be for you =). A foreign parts kit rifle is fine if you find one that was put together properly and the price is right. If the price is the same as a comparable combloc factory made rifle, combloc is always preferred.

WASRs are great AKs and are the cheapest of the combloc rifles. Arsenals are also nice but a bit over priced considering the shit paint job they come with. Saigas are great too if you don't mind doing a little conversion work on the backend. VEPRs seem to have the best over all build quality in my opinion. Get a VEPR with a traditional straight cut receiver. They're harder to find but at least they'll take standard aftermarket stocks. I'd also hold off a bit on buying an AK. Now that Trump won, I think you are going to see the price of rifles like the WASR return to more sane levels in a few months.

[osok-308]

Believe it or not, some of the Century "kit build" AK's are damn good rifles. Just inspect it closely for workmanship.
I have had a slew of Kalishnakov platform rifles, pre ban CommBlocs, post ban, kit builds etc.
The one that has stayed with me is an early Yugo M70. It is a Century gun assembled from a matching numbers part set from the Croatian conflict.
It's a tank of a rifle that is accurate and smooth.

I know that they don't accept standard stocks and handguards, but how is the worksmanship on those Yugos? I've looked at them a bit as well. Would you recommend an NPAP to a WASR?

VEPRs seem to have the best over all build quality in my opinion. Get a VEPR with a traditional straight cut receiver. They're harder to find but at least they'll take standard aftermarket stocks. I'd also hold off a bit on buying an AK. Now that Trump won, I think you are going to see the price of rifles like the WASR return to more sane levels in a few months.

I agree fully, I will for sure wait a few months before making the purchase, I'm just getting sick of making my mind up, and then changing it 5 minutes later. Having a Russian made AK would be amazing too.

The only factory built ak's I ever had was a Poly legend and a mak 90, all my other aks I built myself.

I LOVE the idea of building my own AK; however, I'm aware that it's not the same as building an AR. Seeing as I have no experience with AK building, and I have none of the tools, required. I'll probably be buying my first one.