Owning AK's kinda sucks now...

[@Gunthusiest]

We live in a world where ARs are under $400 and AKs cost over a grand. If that's not a total 180° then idk what is

[@TheGrimiest]

I don’t love this comparison because you can find cheap, kinda reliable maybe not so much ak’s for 600ish bucks. The 400 dollar AR is usually not that great either so that would be a better comparison. A zastava m70 is a better rifle than a blem PSA AR.

[@TheDoorspook11c]

Right

[@TheDoorspook11c]

​@@TheGrimiest not if you can't shoot either gun.

[@djphillips109]

Welcome to upside down clown world. Caution: don't drink coke, you may get woke! That... is a joke.

[@cardboard_shaft]

@@TheDoorspook11cwow!!! thanks for the input!!

[@wellregulated8725]

I miss 16 cents a round to my door…

[@KLAYCO47]

Yep

[@sorryociffer]

I was around for $80 per K at knob creek….

[@DarkWolff.]

Agreed. I'm not even shooting much anymore, as much as I want to but the cost of ammo! I'm trying to hold on to the 762 ammo hell even my 556 ammo for shtf. Kinda just do dry fire drills at home 😢

[@damianbigelow9511]

​@sorryociffer It's heartbreaking idnt it? Makes me sad... 😢😮😢

[@sasquatch440]

7cpr 5.45

[@trackpackgt877]

I stopped shooting my AK and went to an AR when the government killed cheap 7.62x39 ammo. Its to the point now where 556/223 is cheaper than 7.62. But my AK is still my favorite!! Great video brother

[@edwardlilley1705]

Same. But whats wild is when Covid kicked off I switched back to the AK and trained a lot, but then the costs went back through the roof and I am back on the AR. End of the day I really like my ARs but love my AK.

[@Gmny1MOA]

Same...I built a piston ar in x39 bc the ammo was still so cheap back then...I must have the only bombproof one of its time bc back then it was a joke in the comments...now they make the spear lt in x39...same concept as mine...wasr is my jam tho...I want all of them

[@anthonyb556]

zastava m90 still get to enjoy the platform but at the price for 556 with adjustable gas block and chrome lined barrel

[@HDSME]

Thank hillory

[@taterc229]

>I want cheap ammo to fuel my hobby from a geopolitical rival! Grow up

[@Lugghandle]

I held off buying an AK for years. Then I finally bought one and planned to have bulk 7.62 for cheap fun range days. Not even 2 months later ammo prices skyrocketed.

[@Big_G-999]

How you think i feel, im 20 ive wanted to own a gun since i was a kid when i was 10 or 11 a mosin costed between 200-500 now there like 1000 or more like what the fuck just when I became an adult that whit had to sky rocket that makes no sense

[@chrisripley154]

@@Big_G-999 Don't even. I was a broke AF college student when the local milsurp had Mosin rifles for $89, and $200 AKs. 4 full crates of Mosins by the door. I am kicking myself in the ass for not scraping together a few bucks.

[@Gojeto346]

Owning AK’s doesn’t suck, trying to buy AK’s now sucks

[@KLAYCO47]

@Gojeto346 you are not wrong. People that got into it while it was good are in a much better position that new buyers by a long shot

[@Nathan-jh1ho]

Shooting it sucks too

[@van3158]

100%

[@EggplantHarmesan]

Finding sub .40c ammo sucks though

[@turnermd1302]

I've been an AK guy as long as I can remember and I gotta say owning them definitely sucks now. The prices of parts, furniture, mags, ammo, etc are so bad that I genuinely don't see the US-based AK market surviving. Nobody in their right mind is blowing over a grand on a "decent" AK when they could build a nice AR for that much and have money left for ammo or a cheap optic

[@sidviscous5959]

2000-2008 was probably the Golden Age of the AK, buying, building, and ammo prices. Wish I'd bought a crate of 10 barreled parts kits when you could get that for less than $800. Now you can't get 1 barreled parts kit for $800.

[@bbivens8263]

2008, Romanian G kits with barrel, barely used, were $79 each. Bought 5, wished I had bought 20.

[@flaircraft]

@@bbivens8263 Agreee completely. I bought my PM md. 63 kit with original barrel for less than $90 in about 2005. So many parts kits available back then that I wish I'd bought...

[@shawnmurphy4069]

Brother the golden age of AKs was 87-96, first AK I bought was a folding norinco for $337, after the ban I bought a norinco mak90 for $189 and ammo was $1 a box! I wish I had spent every dollar I had and stored a conex full!

[@flaircraft]

@@shawnmurphy4069 Yep, that's back when Norinco SKS were available at the gun shows for $70 brand new, they were so cheap we all figured there must have been something wrong with them.

[@x7empestx]

Stupid me was too busy having a childhood, I should’ve been buying crates of that stuff.

[@jamesoneill8901]

Surplus guns in general are becoming a collectors only market.

[@jamesschiller7247]

Aimsurplus

[@MehGuyver]

No big wars means no cheap surplus arms

[@georgek.9394]

@@MehGuyverit’s more the import ban on both russian weapons and foreign rifles, im pretty sure a large % of rifles has to be domestically made, which is pure ass for anyone into any foreign weapons

[@jefferyboring4410]

They’ve all gone up mosins enfields carcano toks maks everything. Ars are cheap cuz they’re domestic and pooped out of a machine with minimal labor. Dudes with legit old aks aren’t letting em go

[@dictatorofsalt5902]

@@georgek.9394 tell me about it i cant even get a new barrel from germany for my gewher 98 anymore

[@patrickandkennafenwick3958]

“I don’t do Patreon and I don’t do adds for ball sack razors”. LOVE IT!! Excellent and insightful video.

[@richardmartel1869]

I tried to quit the AK, I spent the last two years being all in on ARs...but something pulled me back in, I can't quit this platform. Both ARs and AKs are awesome.

[@KLAYCO47]

Yes they are

[@StreetLight099]

I think AK’s are more comfortable to shoot. I hate the trigger pull in AR’s and I think the extra weight of an AK helps recoil

[@mariasantana6861]

lol you're funny ,,please let a girl teach you something--''An AK is like a AR-15 , But it's for men !! ''

[@Time4Project2025]

Only thing I don't like as much are reloads on AK platform.

[@kaijucifer3544]

@@Time4Project2025 Really? For me the AK reload is better. Rock and lock is better than having to double check if your AR mag is seated with a hard smack.

[@puma51921]

I stopped buying them when they became double what an AR is and when the ammunition shot up. My first Ak was $250. The last Ak was $1700. Never again.

[@ilhamseptian1604]

Is this because locally overproduced AR?

[@FodderForFreedom]

"I don't do ads for ballsack razors" Nice.

[@jamesnewberry1191]

"Razors" okay.........."ball sack razors" not so much

[@userer4579]

Well, at least he has that ...

[@lettybastien4624]

How about Gash Slash?

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

He's a hero. Gotta respect that.

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

@@userer4579 What? Present a coherent argument and opinion. It works wonders in an educated world.

[@XaviarCraig]

I will mention that for 5.45x39 ammo you can reload the brass cased Hornady ammo for about $0.48 a round if you order components in bulk. Its about 24 cents a projectile, 16 cents for powder, and 8 cents for primers. These will be Match Grade reloads too if you know what you are doing! A die set if you have a reloading press is about 100 bucks and a Trimming die is another 100. The main downside is that you first NEED a bunch of 5.45 brass to reload. ALso AKs are a bit rough on brass so the brass wont last as long but most people I know reloading it get like 6-9 reloads before the cases start cracking at the neck. You can get a few more reloads if you anneal the neck but that's another tricky thing to get into.

[@robertmartin442]

Ammo is a problem. It used to be $4 for a box of 20 Tula

[@TexasSurplusPro]

The caliber and lack of ammo has destroyed interest in the platform.

[@djbray7]

Yeah. 7.62 is more expensive than 5.56 now. Why even get into the platform?

[@Jake-Jake]

thank uncle joe he banned the importation of russian ammo, (40% of all US ammo sales) long before there was a war....

[@Athanasios-pg2gf]

I bought tons of ammo back in 03 for like 3 cents a round that I'm still shooting.

[@geoechidna]

@@djbray7 Me, an intellectual: has a 5.56 AK Jokes aside 5.56 AKs are awesome. Not at all the same vibe as an AR despite the same caliber and mags aren't even that hard to find these days. "Why" get into the platform still...? Because AKs are great guns and they offer something different from your average basic AR build that flood the gun community. A lot of people clearly wish every rifle was just an AR; I like AKs because they aren't. Hell, a lot of us do.

[@xMasterShake9x]

It's funny, back in 2010 my exact reason for buying a Saiga in.223 was because the ammo will always be available state side, and cheap Russian steel.223 ammo was available.

[@alh961]

I remember buying my Century Arms for $450 and Saiga’s weren’t much more maybe $600?

[@xMasterShake9x]

@@alh961 my unconverted Saiga was like 350 at the time after taxes and transfer fees.

[@Jason_556]

@@xMasterShake9x I picked 3 brand new Saigas 12 ga for that same price each.

[@xMasterShake9x]

@@Jason_556 those were the days.

[@bigbadjohnpesek9894]

I paid $350 for my back half converted saiga 7.62 years ago.

[@Khrodeas]

Polish dude here. Pioneer USA may be closed but right here in "motherland" they're ramping up production. Their AR-15s (called PAC-15) are sucess locally, and even sold some military contract of rifles to some minior Asian military as of late. They're expanding on catalogue and even stated that their AKs (Hellpups and all that) would return at least in Europe. If everything goes well you may see some imports in the future, possibly with better quality. They're called now SVRN - Suveren Small Arms Poland not Pioneer. As for Fabryka Broni Radom they're clogged with GROTs building now A3 version for the Polish Military, and sold/gave some batches of A1 and A2 for Rwanda and Ukraine. For civilian market they released Bulpup version of GROT like two weeks ago. I don't think they're considering large scale production of Archers anytime soon.

[@bldontmatter5319]

They giving guns to rwanda and Ukraine? Instant boycott. Terrorist nations.

[@eljefeamericano4308]

Good information. Thanks!

[@Bloodgulchblue]

Last I heard FB Radom sold their AK tooling to Nigeria and is officially out of the AK game and committed entirely to the GROT

[@Khrodeas]

@@Bloodgulchblue entirely not possible as most of military still uses Beryls and will be for some time, and Army wants their spare parts. New civilian Beryls are always available locally but somewhat expensive compared to Jacks, surplus Tantals or other options. Jack even released 5.45mm version like half a year ago.

[@zachwalley3463]

That’s what’s up

[@scotttwombly6528]

Still loving my MAK 90. 249 bucks. AK stock 15 bucks in 1992. Sights are perfectly centered. Put a better recoil spring and ALG trigger in over the years. Shot the hell out of it 90’s 2000’s. Still goes out every few years. Stocked ammo deep for my AKs

[@kevinwinfree]

Used to be able to buy MAK-90s at Roses Department Store in VA in the 90's. Like $250 bucks!!! Oh, the good ole days.

[@Fade2278]

I would recommend the channel AK Operators Union Local 47-74 to anyone who wants to know everything about AK’s.

[@Southron-CiK]

M26_lemon_grenade also!! He’s been building them for 15+ years

[@АлакПатрова]

​@@Southron-CiKyea he's good. I like his dry humor.

[@АлакПатрова]

I think there is a feud between AKOU and Klay. I know in person Rob is more friendly meeting fans.

[@VCBird6]

Don't forget Mishaco

[@freeridemoto7133]

@@VCBird6 Mishaco has actual knowledge about the AKs...hes been an FFL for 20 years + these dumb youtubers didnt know what an AK was prior to 2010.

[@sageshirley]

I remember going to the gun store and complaining that wolf cost 1.00 for a box of 20. Long long time ago in free country far away.

[@Ian-yf1rl]

A dollar for wolf? When was that?

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

​@@Ian-yf1rl2017

[@Letsallparty2]

@El_Peto where do you get 10 bks a box of 20 rounds?! WHAT A STEAL !

[@zacharydalton8132]

Ok grandpa let’s get you to bed. Lol

[@brentreeve7554]

man you've gotta be retirement age because I'm 40 and cheapest I recall ever seeing Wolf anywhere was 7.99+tx for 20 at Dunham's. Unless some crazy sale I dismissed because I didn't shoot it at the time.

[@Wingly_Actual]

"You can't shoot that steel stuff here, go pay 22.50 for a box of 20 if you want to shoot on my range, son."

[@surferofthesynthwaves4710]

They still think it's 1980s or they are brass hogs

[@JamesEast-iy3ov]

I have thousands of yugo brass case.

[@JamesEast-iy3ov]

​@surferofthesynthwaves4710 it's because it can set fires. Legit it can, although rare.

[@surferofthesynthwaves4710]

@@JamesEast-iy3ov How ? I'm really curious about a steel case that can't set fires

[@JamesEast-iy3ov]

@@surferofthesynthwaves4710 it's mostly at indoor ranges, the rubber like material is flammable. Steel cases in that material can create sparks. I say it's a very slim chance but still a chance and no one wants their business to burn down. This is also why some places don't want steel core even at outdoor ranges. Grass fires have happened.

[@evilnineteen]

I got my AK in the early 2000's for $269.00 at a local gun shop. The guy had 10 crates to look through and choose from. I was getting spam cans of surplus ammo for about $150 dollars too. I'm glad I stocked up back then. I'm still shooting that ammo today and have plenty left. I wouldnt even think about buying another AK today. Way overpriced.

[@SamF-vc9gh]

Can you guys not import and own new chinese norinco aks

[@Austin-5098]

​@@SamF-vc9gh nope, Norinco has been banned since the 90s

[@justicej2012]

I call BULLSHIT!!! All assault rifles were never cheaper than in the 86-89 legal import period. I paid $269 for my Type 66 Norinco in 87. Then paid $299 for my Mini 30. You didn’t pay $269 post 2000 for an a Complete AK your a fucking Liar. They were banned since 89

[@M81_WOODLAND]

The AK soup and salad bar left town years and years ago. Ya had to be there for it.

[@KLAYCO47]

This analogy hits hard dude. It's like the salad bar back when you could sit down and dine at a Pizza Hut... what a moment in time

[@M81_WOODLAND]

@@KLAYCO47 It's sad and we hate it. But it is what it is. But....we NEED guys like you and the others in the AK community pushing the message and getting together for the fun times.

[@throwawayaccount12]

@@KLAYCO47fr I was too young to own one, and my dad had no knowledge of guns like so, back 07', 08' I know AKs & SKSs were afforable as shit.

[@BadWolf762]

@@throwawayaccount12 Back in the early '90s I picked up SKS rifles new in the box and full of grease for $129 each. Super nice Norincos. I still have many cases of ammo that I bought cheap and stacked deep also.

[@chizorama]

I remember being pissed when 7.62×39 went over $5 for a box, we were spoiled.

[@blainecolbry3192]

It just blows my mind that an American ammo company hasn't filled the vacuum that's been left after the Russian ammo ban came. You'd think there would be a huge demand for steel case ammo in 5.56 and 7.62X39 and would be a cash cow for a domestic company to produce.

[@solidslicc707]

PSA has been cranking out 7.62x39 steel case ammo if you didn’t know, though I’ve seen some people end up with out of spec rounds, but other people haven’t had any problems with it.

[@OrganikMechanik]

⁠@@solidslicc707 yeah I’m really hoping they square their sht away but I’m not counting on it. I’ve heard some really bad stories about AAC ammo. Sideways primers, separated cases, all sorts of things that really suggest a lack of QC. Yet people gonna say that PSA/AAC are gtg and people are just being jerks and gatekeepers.

[@mtnbound2764]

@@OrganikMechanik they got the brass aac lines sorted out, im confident they will do the same with their new steel case line. its a huge investment and if they stick to it will pay off, for them and users of the product.

[@markreynolds6715]

​@@solidslicc707 nobody wants to work, and nobody cares about quality that you can hire. Or their too dumb because their parents and the school system ruined them.😢

[@geoechidna]

@@solidslicc707 To be fair that's about what was expected from Tula too. Probably one in every 500 rounds would not go bang. Still miss the ease of finding that stuff though.

[@CoreyFPiazza]

AKs were built to be cheap, reliable, and durable. The charm behind the wood and steel was that while they will never be sub-moa firearms, they hit hard, they hit reliably, and at little cost. Now, to even get a WASR-10, you're looking at a thousand bucks. KUSA went down, Pioneer followed, and our only options now are PSA and the dubious American built Centuries. AKs will always be more exciting and beautiful to me than ARs. But I have to face the facts. For the cost, ARs are far more practical as a duty gun.

[@johndel1971able]

This ☝️ is the most rational, but unfortunate truth. I'll still have my AK'S for anything serious but as much as I don't want to, training with an AR is just the reality of it. Good post bud 👍

[@UncleSam-7.62]

ARs are 2 or 3 for the cost of an AK. AK Greed has consumed the market just like them $1 Mcdoubles that ain't $1 no more. 😁✌️🇺🇲

[@A8vscRrabbit]

Years ago I believe i was watching a mishaco video... the way he explained the process of kalash assembly would eventually become more expensive due to construction. Ars are spit out by cnc machines. Aks are different. Spot welds, bends, rivets, presses and practice/experience. This creates a situation: there are abilities that must be mastered and tools that must be purchased to build a kalash, rather than basic hand tools and surface to work on. That being said, I wait for the day someone makes a sig sg/fn scar style receiver that uses an ak bcg, trigger group & ak mags....

[@Gregory-qu1ct]

Yeah blame 922r and Russian import bans.

[@CoreyFPiazza]

@@A8vscRrabbit Interesting. I'm going to have to dig up that video. I love me some Mishaco videos.

[@thezone3946]

i bought every darn ak that hit the ads 10-15 years ago. clean kit builds every darn country. paid under 500 for em all, and i bought so many kits. sad its over for you guys. glad i kept it all. wish surplus ammo was still a thing

[@golgotha1522]

AK Files and AK Forum did their level-headed best to push people away from the AK scene. Those sites were absolute swirling toilets of snobbery, arrogance, and douchebaggery. Here we are years later and IMO they are significantly responsible for a lot of peoples' disdain for the AK "community."

[@westcoastplinkin6559]

Oh god those forums were terrible.

[@geoechidna]

@@westcoastplinkin6559The AK subreddit isn’t much better either. Not everyone there is an asshole, but the mods are power-tripping dbags.

[@Gorgoth_siberian]

@@westcoastplinkin6559 agree on AK forum, but disagree on ak files.

[@psode27]

They were then what all the "midterm AR" groups are now. People just have to ruin things or be negative.

[@skydivemurr]

The files is horrendous

[@xdanman1175]

I would add on to final reason 6. I know this is an apolitical channel but the main driving factors for AK’s being expensive 1. Economy sucks in the states right now, whoever doesn’t think the economy is bad is oblivious. 2 Active Foreign Conflicts. Can’t have surplus if all the resources are being used to fight.

[@OrganikMechanik]

Amen brother. Hopefully Trump can end the war in Ukraine and we get a huge wave of battlefield pickup equipment. I can see a bunch of mags coming over, maybe some parts kits. I can also see more polish FB parts coming in eventually as they transition to the Grot. For now though all the surplus they have is likely going to Ukraine. We were insanely lucky to get FB products at all. Speaking of FB, I think their AK production has likely ceased permanently but I hope I’m wrong. @klayco47

[@gentronseven]

It's sad everyone tries to be apolitical when half the political parties in the US want to destroy private gun ownership and most gun owners' entire way of life.

[@fabianos6669]

2017 sanctions on Russian goods hit the AK hard. Thanks Donny.

[@mfallen2023]

@@fabianos6669 Biden's the one that drove the knife in with the outright ban on Russian ammo, not Trump.

[@Enjoyer.762]

​@fabianos6669 Why are you leaving out those sanctions that began under Obama in 2014? Thanks, Obama.

[@thegungooch639]

Let the enthusiasm die so the real AK homies can get affordable parts again lol

[@purplenurp5590]

thats what im saying bro all these damn ar nerds making my life a pain

[@tombombadil4222]

1000%

[@thevillain5479]

@@purplenurp5590 you do know there is a war in Russia right? lol

[@zchris87v80]

​@@thevillain5479 90% of "AK's" aren't made in Russia, and Tulammo is banned stateside. So it has nothing to do with it. I'd love if the importation of kalash arms were allowed, but the move and retooling from IZMASH to IZHMECH in 2010 killed QC. I'm very much a stickler for '09 or older Saigas and am very picky when it comes to that. If it doesn't have an "H" prefix, move along.

[@hunthighlights281]

I've never heard of anyone complaining about the Zavasta. My best friend has a wasr 10 that had issues from the start.. but once it was fixed, it ran and never stopped. I bought a Zastava m70 pap.. have not had any issues. I wanted a reliable AK, and it delivered first on reviews and then my experience.

[@aaronirizarry979]

I've shot around 3000 rounds from my wasr-10 i dont thing I've ever had a failure to feed.. lots of steel cases, no problems

[@maxmagnus777]

@@aaronirizarry979 I had bad luck with wasr. I would not buy one again. Zastava - well that gun is built and has been in wars. It works.

[@slavabtomat]

Zastava has been hit or miss due to issues with metallurgy (front trunnion lugs taking a beating), but that has mostly been corrected from what I understand. Their original military parts kits were very good (though the Balkins kits original barrels were like sewer pipes).

[@GoreTorn16]

Zastavas are FUCKING SOLID. I own a M92 Krink and the barrels are insanely accurate!

[@HugeCockAndBalls]

You have experience with multiple Zastavas? Or just the one you bought?

[@Nel33147]

Only drawback is that everything is proprietary.

Zastava isn't that great. Bad heat treat receivers, canted barrels and gas blocks. Bad rivets..

[@Fadaar]

@@Nel33147 luckily Midwest and CNC Warrior have some Zastava friendly furniture, my M92 that I got in 2012 is an absolute blast to shoot now

[@jacobishii6121]

Huh,I havent run into proprietary too much on mine

[@FraldinhoBJJ]

It’s sad what the prices are doing . I bought a brand new WASR in 2009, brand new with bag, cleaning kit, bayonet , the works , for 499 + tax

[@DebbieStidham-fb8we]

How do you like yours?my husband says his is awesome.

[@condorhigh2310]

Lack of brand of ammo and price of ammo is what made me get my first AR15 ever last month. It just wasn't fun to go shoot my AK knowing my wallet was going to suffer greatly to try and replenish the ammo i used. I remember getting 40rds of Tula for $9 and just having a blast mag dumping at the range. Now my AK just sits there collecting dust and waiting for things to get better some day.

[@zach507]

For what it's worth, I've been very happy with my psak gf3. Hits the steel every time at 100 yards with irons, looks great, great mag compatibility, and tough. I just used it as a bear gun on a sling travelling through the yukon a few weeks ago and it held up fine. Also never a malfunction. Not once

[@Fdmartinez419]

In my opinion the biggest reason why owning an ak now sucks is the community. The people who just bash and call you poor and an idiot for buying *enter any Ak here* its exhaust and frustrating. To me I don’t care what Ak you buy psa pioneer Riley if you’re having fun with it and getting out that’s all that should matter but it don’t you’re poor and stupid.

[@jsmaldo9888]

“Hello, my name is José. I like AK’s alot.” I got into the AK game wayyy to late. 🙁

[@jeremywills9303]

My Zastava M70 and AMD65 clone have been solid. So far my KP9 has held up but with KUSA closing it doors I hope I don't have any issues with it down the road.

[@bbivens8263]

Be glad you didn`t get a PSA AKV. Piece of junk. Jams every other round. My young friend paid way too much for it because it was the "hot" thing. He won`t let me fix it for him and won`t send it back to PSA. 35 yr old Millennial. I know what to do to fix it, but he`s just an idiot.

[@348indian]

I have a Yugo AK under-folder in 7.62X39 and have put a LOT of rounds through it and it has never jammed once. I have shot low quality wolk steel lacquered case as well as fairly hot reloads. I did replace the rear sight and mounted a Sig Romeo 5 red dot optic sight. This was my SHTF gun until I acquired an Israel Weapon Industries Galil Ave Gen 2. This is the AK platform taken to a whole new level.

[@maxmagnus777]

Zastava has always been a reliable choice. I am keeping mine and giving it to the darn kids when the time comes. They will give it to their kids.

[@slavabtomat]

As much as I love my Galil ACE, it's a heavy sumbatch.

[@JW-fq1pp]

My brother-in-law has an Egyptian Maddi AK. He paid maybe $200 for it maybe 20 yrs ago. Yep, ammo is the big issue. I built up an AR in 7.63x39 that was my go-to until the Russian ammo ban. Still have a ton of ammo for it but now I don't shoot it much anymore. Every now and then PSA has Winchester 7.62x39 on sale for $8.99/box of 20. Thats not too bad...

[@timothycain4512]

I've always liked zastavas. They have done just as good as my other imports. I did have a npap that was probly my least favorite zastava import. But my zpap m70 has been killing it since they first imported. I dont no why people hate on yugo aks. I understand century botched up the early imports but now zastava USA is here they been quality. And they have kept the price the same and havnt went up like the rest. My family from Yugoslavia and still have family there. So maybe I'm a bit biased. But to me they have been quality nice shooting aks

[@OrganikMechanik]

People have criticized the fact that they are heavy for no reason and claimed that the metal they use is soft. Supposedly the metallurgy was corrected but who knows. PS Croatia is better

[@Gregory-qu1ct]

​@@OrganikMechanikMy zastava m90 has crooked front sight and rear sight. They are crooked in the same direction so it works but it looks wrong. I also wish they would sell m90 firing pins since it is my main ak that I have decked out.

[@donald2665]

I like Yugo AK's and own several.

[@Jake-Jake]

I have a zas underfolder, it's my favorite....

[@Grizzlyman420]

Zastava is the best option in 2024 I have three

[@ColeDedhand]

Don't go to the forums looking for civil discussion. Go to the forums if you hate yourself and want to take it out on random strangers. You'll fit right in. They might even make you a moderator.

[@T-SwiftsMaritalAid]

I always go to YT to take my anger out on unsuspecting vict- I mean commenters

[@PutTheLimeInTheCoconut]

People who hang around in the forums still live with their parents and make bad life choices 💀

[@donald2665]

I was once a Member of AK Files Forums for several years. Enjoyed the comments and some discussions and the ability to sell or buy parts. I departed suddenly because a Moderator put me on a pause of several weeks for speaking my mind about Covid back when Covid was breaking out. I like free speech and was not abusive and not un-truthful. That ended it for myself. Enjoyed hearing and seeing Members displaying their builds (A LOT of excellent Builders there).

[@josephthomas8318]

Long time files member. The place is a cesspool and the vocal majority are brain dead. The marketplace is the only part of that website worth a shit

[@Sig_P229]

Nah. Just firearms forums. As a homeowner, there are a lot of professionals hanging out in plumbing and pool forums.

[@terrylafauci791]

Really digging your channel man. Especially as someone who is looking to purchase their first AK or semi automatic rifle ever (which I would very much like to be an AK variant) but you’re right, I’m constantly back-and-forth between KZbin videos and forums, looking for information on where to find a quality platform and it seems to be slim pickings. I’ve narrowed it down to either a WBP Jack or Zastava m70. Everything else seems to be either overpriced or poorly manufactured with maybe an exception in the case of the WASR-10, but I would still rather something a bit higher quality from what I’ve read. I have no way of getting my hands on one of these before I buy them so I’m kind of going in blind. Wish me luck lol

[@fearthereaper8e]

Who the fuck is saying don't trust Zastava?

[@SirDopeBoy]

I’m confused too cause I love my M70, great option in my opinion

[@KLAYCO47]

You would be surprised

[@chknbskt1]

@@fearthereaper8e buncha internet gatekeepers

[@CuursLight]

Yeah I’m not huge into the AK community but I’ve never heard anything negative about the M70 models. Zastava is in top with the exception of arsenal

[@saltwatertaffybag]

The same people who told you Arsenal rifles were Bulgarian junk back in 2010.

[@forthehellofit5544]

I agree 100% sadly. There is nothing “rare” about baklite mags. $100 for a MAG sucks

[@hailtothe_rooster1572]

I’m in at $80 for a mint one with clear stamps BUT $100 for bs shooter grade I’m out

[@hailtothe_rooster1572]

I’m in at $80 for a mint one with clear stamps BUT $100 for bs shooter grade I’m out

[@АлакПатрова]

Only so many bakes were made and they'll never make them again.

[@turnermd1302]

@@hailtothe_rooster1572 You're still getting absolutely screwed at 80 bucks a mag that's ridiculous

[@baneofbanes]

Yah this has become a market for collectors and guys looking to show off. No appreciation for the rifle as a rifle anymore.

[@clydemarshall8095]

I’m an AR guy for my tactical needs. I just want a good AK for the collection. Preferably one that’s just classic Cold War. I don’t need a modernized AK. Some of the Zastava M70 ZPAPs are about $990 before shipping. I’m really tempted.

[@Maddog3060]

I have one, it's pretty good. You won't regret getting it if you decide on it.

[@brandondavis4306]

I have been looking at riley defense ak's.

[@ehova5838]

Love my M70 ZPAP. Things a laser

[@geoechidna]

You might also look into the WBP Jacks. The entry level model is like less than $900. Nitrided barrel sadly, but for most people that isn’t a huge deal.

[@victorglaviano]

​@@brandondavis4306they're good AKs, I own 3. 2 Saigas I bought over 20 years ago for 700 who pop and 1 Riley Defense for unfortunately a grand! But the Riley Defense is good quality, but as mentioned everything AK is expensive! Thank God I have 5 bakelite Izmash magazines, they are worth over 700 dollars alone! Nevermind allow of the Russian furniture pieces I have!

[@harleysmith7834]

I can't believe how much a used sks costs now. Holly Molly.

[@FrancisSullivan-j7t]

Yep,crazy..you could a Russian..tula,izvec t in a barrel for $150 a piece, Great rifling, smooth action..Now they're commanding 1k +

[@ninjaxams]

I’m really hoping psa succeeds with their 7.62 ammo, would be an absolute blessing to have a readily available and affordable domestic option. 45cpr sucks but its cheaper than most of the wolf and tula thats still available. I’ve heard mixed stuff and bought some to run through my ak and the small amount I purchased ran flawlessly. Was super hesitant to put any of it through my SKSs however. I can replace my beater psa rifle, not my beautiful chinese SKSs.

[@surferofthesynthwaves4710]

Too bad their aks are garbage

[@fortheloveofnoise]

​@@surferofthesynthwaves4710some of their parts kit ones are great...ones they make? ehh.....

[@ninjaxams]

@@surferofthesynthwaves4710 you speaking from experience or just parroting bullshit you heard online because their 7.62 rifles tend to be decent enough. Not high end and they won’t have the longevity of their comblock brethren but will suit most peoples needs just fine.

[@bower31]

@@surferofthesynthwaves4710 Your info is like 6 years out of date, try again

[@mattalwayslearning2184]

Great video. You got me into AKs a few years ago and I am now going back to ARs. I’ve paid more for each of my AKs than I just paid for a Colt M4A1 SOCOM. I won’t even go into how much I’ve spent on everything else for my AKs. Stocks, mags, optics mounts, furniture etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love my AKs but it’s so much easier to just run ARs these days.

[@vmst80]

Your mistake was that you just didn't buy one or two good AKs and leave them stock.

[@mattalwayslearning2184]

@@vmst80 I actually have three that are completely bone stock.

[@praktikalnurse504]

Gone are the days of finding bakelites and surplus steel mags in the bundle bin marked "$5 each". I am glad I bought my AKs when they ranged from $175 (Chinese MAK-90) to $450 (Bulgarian AK-74) and 5.45x39 ammo for $5 a box of 30 and 7.62x39 for a box of 20. I have never owned an American made AK, and from what i am being told, reliable ones are hit and miss. Personally I don't choose to gamble $1k on something that may or not work, especially since running a rifle for me is more for obtaining food and self-defense.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

im in my 20s...too young to have got cheap B T C, too young to get cheap surplus, too young to get cheap new cars.....

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

Yea I bought several tins of the 7N6 when I got my AK and they are still unopened.

[@danbgt]

Amazing. I have a Romanian SAR that I bought in a pawn shop a few years ago for 325 bucks. Looked like it had never been shot. I like it. I’ll keep it.

[@samadams8355]

Those old imported parts kit AKs were only cheap because the governments that paid to build those rifles were long gone, and the new regimes were selling their assets for pennies on the dollar. When imports began to dry up and manufacturers in the US started to make AK parts for companies like Century Arms, they quickly found that they couldn't match the quality at the same price point. They are learning, and the latest generation of PSAKs are really not bad at all. Zastava and WBP still have better quality control, and that comes at a premium.

[@surferofthesynthwaves4710]

Psa is not it, bro

[@rockymountainhomestead]

My ak-e is legit

[@TWBwyattearp]

Am i missing something? 5.56 is also 50-70 cents a round

[@spacepirate1955]

ammoseek is your friend

[@plmkoo6772]

just buy online, itll run you about 40 cpr now

[@palpichulo6969]

if your buying at a gun store yeah maybe...if u buy online it's better. a few months ago I got some 5.56 at .36 a round

[@spacepirate1955]

@@damiion666 there is literally an option on ammoseek that filters them to free shipping

[@turnermd1302]

@@MassiveVictories Nope, he's just being realistic. Why would anyone with common sense decide to buy an AK nowadays? For the same price as a mid-tier AK you can build a nice AR and have money left for an optic and range ammo, you might not like it but that's just how it is

[@brorx4475]

I will take any you don’t want anymore.

[@maybeblakemclemore]

ong

[@TheSulross]

the fundamental issue with AK's is they're intrinsically iron sights only firearm - no reasonable way to mount optics on AK and SKS - but plenty of AR style firearms have sturdy, reasonable provision for mounting optics

[@PNSHDSako]

@@TheSulross Quite a few ways, between Ultimak, RS Regulate, TWS Doglegs, Midwest, ZenitCo, but the issue is pricing just FOR the means to have an optic, then having to ALSO get an optic, you'll spend roughly 150-400 just to be able to use an optic.

[@Quicks1lvr]

@@PNSHDSako yup. Easily looking at $100 or so for a side rail mount. Add another $100-$150 for red dot or whatever else. I have a Romeo 5 and for the price it was worthwhile.

[@PNSHDSako]

@@Quicks1lvr Im running a Bravo mount for the T1 footprint currently. Its nice but... I don't love it. Its at a good distance, but it doesnt fit snug, and I doubt it will due to how it attaches to where the rear iron would sit. Good for the 80 bucks i spent, but it wont beat the other options for T1 mounts imo

[@tacticoolgent1784]

Agree 100%. Back in the day they were great options, super low cost to own and operate. I'll hang onto what I have but I don't foresee any new ones in my future. Wish I hung onto a few I let go. Especially those 5.45 spam cans.

[@Myemnhk]

I used to be an ar snob (hated aks) but i was teenager, mostly hated 7.62. Still do. But at that time i didn't know that 5.56 and 5.45 aks existed. Once i learned of 5.56 aks it was like a whole new world opened up to me. I'm fanatic about them now. It sucks that aks and accessories are so expensive but i wouldn't trade that for an ar15 any day. I'm going to build a polish wbp jack in 5.56, and hopefully some really good zenitclone comes out. I liked the barwarus stuff but it was sport 4 not sport 1. If that doesn't work out then I'll just use a side mount until its feasible.

[@KLAYCO47]

Really cool perspective man I appreciate it

[@bradborgelt60]

The cost of parts ,rifles, ammo ,mags has surpassed it desire for sure.

[@timsimmons9995]

Cheaper today adjusted for inflation, than any time in the last 25 years I've been shooting. That "high quality" $600 AK back in 2005, adjusted for about 5x inflation, is closer to $3000 today. But you can get a Zastava or PSA GF5 with excellent barrels, triggers, QC, for $1500...

[@robison87]

​@@timsimmons9995I'm not sure where you're getting 5x inflation numbers, but according to the inflation calculator, $600 in 2005 was just under $1,000 today.

[@BB-yh5rd]

I love the AR and the AK. I have a really nice Romanian WASR AK47 and no matter when I go to the range with both my AK and my AR everyone wants to shoot the AK because despite being outdated and completely obsolete there is just something entirely cool about the AK. To me it's like driving a 1960s muscle car ... sure it doesn't have backup cameras, built in wi-fi, all the technology but there is something about the raw power of the car that makes us love the likes of the 1968 Camaro SS or the GTO that is just flat out cool.

[@tiptopdadddy]

The war is Ukraine is a major factor too. The amount of ammo and spares they’re burning through is staggering. Once that ends things could quickly do a 180°

[@JohnANimo-me4br]

Excellent point.

[@pestomystic]

Love my AK, and I'm only getting more obsessed with them. It will get better.

[@sorryociffer]

No, it will not get better. It, in fact, will get worse.

[@billboybaggins777]

@@sorryociffer Bro, if youre not a real fan of akm just say so.

[@baneofbanes]

@@billboybaggins777him denying reality makes him not a fan? Bro that’s a cultish mindset.

[@PhaggyJames]

​@@billboybaggins777 single digit IQ energy. When has it gotten better in the last 25 years? It won't get better.

[@bower31]

Ammo will get more scarce and expensive likely, saddle up for 5.56 AKs or get out

[@mphil3051]

Good video , but AK platform is here to stay. I am optimistic about future of the AKM. You competition guys and builders like Krebs/Fuller, etc. will make this industry strive. Nothing is more badass than the AKM......Love watching your community with all the young people getting in to this platform. Rachael really helps the ladies love this stuff.

[@turnermd1302]

I don't know how the events of the last 3-4 years have convinced you that the AK is here to stay but it's most definitely not in the US, the AK market is dying fast as fuck

[@mphil3051]

@@turnermd1302 🐽

[@baneofbanes]

Gonna be honest I don’t see it. Eastern European nations are currently worrying about a war with Russia and so production is going towards military contracts, while Russia is at war and actively hostile to the west trade at all is near banned let alone firearms and ammo, China can’t export rifles to the US and I’m expecting us to go full trade war on them regardless of which’s party wins, and American made AKs from what I’ve read either flat out suck or have the QC all over the place or are more expensive than many would ever pay for an AK.

[@mphil3051]

@@baneofbanes I still see com bloc AKM's at local gun shows and granted they are relatively expensive. Hopefully, Trump will win and be able to restore peace in Europe. If the Democrats get in, you might be right and most guns will go away.

[@baneofbanes]

@@mphil3051 buddy you’re believing in false hope there.

[@chknbskt1]

Online AK community sucks, in person AK community great. But that's early everything. Wierdo gatekeepers

[@medieval_flail]

Quality enforcement is not gatekeeping

[@chknbskt1]

@@medieval_flail that dude is a FUD. If you're referring to in general, most of it is gate keeping nonsense and reaching for views, clicks, likes whatever. Imagine if every military rifleman cried as much as the internet. It's dumb. Noone is shooting 5k rds as a civilian in a gun fight, yet time after time most AKs last 5k rds either domestic or foreign and all the internet kids can do is cry about some minute detail. It sends booolets out the pipe, it works. Your shooting more at the range than in some apocalypse scenario most likely. It's gonna be A-ok. Grab an AK, use ammoseek, train when you can... And most importantly make some friends. Friends made in the 2A > the dumb internet bots on reddit or gatekeepers on comment sections Lovin my PSAs, my Sam7s, and my Vz.58. Haters gonna hate

[@OrganikMechanik]

⁠@@chknbskt1 if you’re ok with paying a lot of money for something that won’t last especially if you’re a serious shooter, then fine, get a PSA. Hopefully it doesn’t lose headspace and you don’t end up losing an eye. People are right to be angry about paying $700 for something that won’t last. Comments can get ugly but a lot of it is well intentioned and a lot of us get angry when we hear comments like this that can be easily misconstrued by newer AK shooters looking for a good gun who are easily misled. As long as people know what they’re buying, I really don’t care if they buy something like PSA. But saying “just as good” is a lie and misleading to a lot of people.

[@geraldwest3428]

​@@chknbskt1Thanks! I had no idea AKs are only good for 5k rounds.

[@GunSperg]

@@OrganikMechanik You can’t argue with the delusional PSA fanbase lol. Look on the bright side, the guys buying PSA’s aren’t buying imports which in turn gives somebody with enough brain power to do research the opportunity to buy a legit quality AK that’ll stand the test of time and be handed down. Truly Darwinian if you think about it lol

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

I just loved the edit/cut from the future Klay - that was great. 🙂

[@Az_Shoota]

I cant lie my ak is my favorite gun in the safe!

[@kazimierzspaczynski7401]

AK 47 was my duty rifle 74-76 like P63 and P64. I got P64. I was Border Patrol.

[@DavidEllner]

I have a Riley defense and at first I felt it jammed more easily than my AR15, but using more oil than AR fixed that issue and wasn’t a huge fan of the side rail for attachments. But over time learned to love it, I feel ammo is expensive regardless if 556 or 762x39. Still will use them since 308 even crazier even in bulk.

[@Church152]

So I’ve been running a Riley AK-74 and have wonderful luck with it, always felt good and hit well. No one else in my area really runs aks and I love the 5.45 round lately I’ve been trying out Telammo as it has been coming into the market and my AK has been eating it fine (apparently from Azerbaijan not 100% sure but it is helping with the ammo prices since can’t really get Tula or wolf 5.45 any more)

[@misterbill1911]

Good points. I actually stumbled across a steal of a deal in 2018, buying a PSA with Magpul furniture-for $500 plus shipping because it was "blemished"-which I never found. Dressed it up with a TWS railed cover, Vortex Venom dot and Lantac brake and ran it decently at the 2021 Red Oktober-met you there. I agree about the cheap ammo being essentially gone. I snagged some TulAmmo while it was still in the pipeline. My recommendation-because (I think) they now have a stateside plant (in addition to South Korea) is PMC. And if you want bulk .308 ball, theirs can be found for $450 to $480 per 500 at Target Barn.

[@Gunthusiest]

They're only "cheaply made" in those countries where the factory is the size of a whole town. Massive factories that were pumping out parts anyway. The tooling is actually expensive, so having them made here is expensive.

[@michaeldavis9693]

AKs are my favorite because I’ve had a lot of them for over 25 years and I’m very familiar. That familiarity makes using one efficient and precise.. although now expensive. Luckily I make good money these days so I’m not sweating it right now.

[@alexanderelkorek]

Dollar devaluation is part of the problem. Prices are going up across the board for the most part due to inflationary monetary policy and other factors. Also, global trade supply chains are deteriorating. Chess pieces are organizing themselves on the board for large scale intercontinental global conflict. When trade and economics breaks down, the tanks get fired up, things get hot, and access to previously available goods go away.

[@monthlyragmag]

this is it right here.

[@willshogren1987]

Other factors such as outright greed and cynical economic protectionism that encourages dogshit domestic production.

[@victorglaviano]

Dollar de-evaluation isn't the problem, in fact with inflation it's the opposite. It's mainly the sanctions on Russia which have caused a lack of parts and weapons.

[@JoshuaDomoslai]

I’m glad I was always into AKs. Have a handful of old well made AKs and made sure I always grabbed a case of ammo at a gun show when it was cheap.

[@rocbola]

The one that got away..... I still remember the $600 Polish Tantal side-folder i passed up at a gun show 10 years ago.... i'll never see that price again.

[@DennisHillard-rl9sm]

Love my American made KUSA 103 has been flawless 2k rounds shows virtually no wear, my ZASTAVA just the same, love em

[@telosprime22]

I'm curious, when did you buy your KUSA? I'm hearing mixed things all the time about it. I'm looking to maybe buy one, but I'm still not sold on it.

[@A8vscRrabbit]

Love my aks. All of them. Leary of the gun community. I still remember how all the 2A bros gave zero fucks about 7n6. Green tip this 855 that. Nerds

[@GunSperg]

People like to talk about AK guys being mean on line, but there’s more to it than that and if you had been around a while you might understand. I can show you AR guys present day that laugh under videos of Kamala threatening to ban firearms imports. They cheer on an import ban and cope that it won’t affect them. To me that’s far worse and actually traitorous compared to going on an AK forum and somebody saying a mean word to you lmao

[@matthewmorel3758]

Only reason green tip wasn’t banned was because it would impact American ammo companies, Russian 7n6 was a threat to American ammo companies because it was significantly cheaper and performs the same.

[@Spook_Boi]

2 years ago i got a used Romanian WASR 10 for 700 bucks. I really enjoy it, and ive been building it out slowly to be exactly how i want it. hopefully state-side ammo manufacturers start making 7.62 and 5.45 soon-ish.

[@8551-w5v]

I've had several Century Arms WASPRs that have been amazing. Never had a malfunction of any kind and it's my go to hog tool. Think I paid $500 for it. I've put a peep rear sight on it and it's an accurate MFer.

[@aribpm]

🤫Shhh don’t give away our little secret. THE MIGHTY WASR!!!! Cugir has been in business since 1700s. They know AKs for sure sure.

[@megga118]

AK owners are a dying breed. Thanks for videos. Sincerely ZPAP owner.

[@tylerhayes6386]

Literally just bought a polish wbp ak on Atlantic last week. They’re still available.

[@Grizzlyman420]

I have one along with many zastavas. Never had an issue. Now PSA on the other hand…junk

[@rickalexander2801]

You'll love it. I put a KNS piston in mine. Runs smooth as butter. Today's ammo prices suck. The lucky ones stocked up years ago.

[@Grizzlyman420]

@@rickalexander2801 absolutely 👍🏼

[@musicgroopie1]

​@@rickalexander2801 Yep, I bought that stuff by the case at about .15 cents per round. Both calibers.

[@AtrociousAK47]

indeed, love my JACK classic, bought mine from AoA though since Atlantic would only ship the nuetered CA model to my state and doesnt having a mag pinning service to limit them from 30 to 10. ive also heard that Atlantic makes certain questionable changes to them while AoA doesnt. mine is a 2022 model, came without the extended mag catch or safety and has the side rail, red US made wood furniture including the pistol grip.

[@richardturk7162]

Built two kits and used Pioneer receivers and they work as they should. Love my KP9 KUSA and I will hold on to it. I'm waiting to see the price go up on it. Big fan of the AKs

[@benbreakfast4314]

My father owned a gun store in the 90s when people thought you were absolutely crazy if you owned a Colt carbine. Back when AKs were "inaccurate" and ARs were "unreliable". When 7.62x39 was $89 per 1000. Turns out we were right the entire time.

[@DUIDave-s1k]

@benbreakfast4314 The first time I bought 7.62x39 it was $89 for 1000 and I thought that was expensive 😅 😳

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

An ak itself was $89….its the millenials and younger who destroyed the market…

[@tbohn10]

​@@TheAcenightcreeper smartest boomer

[@kevincollins6617]

I've had my Romanian, Century Arms SAR1 for about 25 years. Still love it.

[@R226]

@@DUIDave-s1kMan you are kidding. I got some boxes of wolf that have $1.99 on the box still.

[@MayumiTakezoC-chan9377]

what’s your thought on Galil platform? My husband owns 2 one an Imi and one called a Gallant. My husband utilized the Vektor R4 during his military service. So my husband’s go to rifle is the Galil platform

[@sergejpetrov208]

yeah we got it, you have husband now 😆what do you expect when asking AK guys what is their opinion on other gun? If they think it's good, they will be galil guys 🤪

[@williamsavageii9569]

The GALIL is what all other AK'S WISH they could be! The BEST!

[@tomalexander9340]

Galils rock! They are a good shooting platform but a bit more complicated to field strip and reassemble than a standard AK.

[@MayumiTakezoC-chan9377]

@@tomalexander9340 I agree my husband showed me multiple times taking it apart and i got the hang of it after a few times. I thought it was going to be like the Ak 5.56 my husband gifted to me. He thought ahead and stockpiled 5.56 and .223. His other favorites are the FN FAL which he used in Botswana and DRC. So that’s the other rifles besides the PTR-91 which i find too heavy.

[@yurig2530]

​@@tomalexander9340no, they are actually easier to dissemble and reassemble.

[@amilefromthesun5434]

My Saiga ak converted 7,62x39 was a good investment. Paid $439 out the door. Took less than $150 to convert now it’s worth $1500 plus. Going to be a family heirloom now.

[@dustinatorr]

I bought a ZPAP in 2020 for $800. Everyone said Yugos are terrible to own because of the proprietary furniture, but I'm pretty happy with the stock wood. I did get some archangel polymer furniture for real cheap that I occasionally run for fun. Easily found an RS regulate mount to put any scope on I want. Haven't had the want or need to do much more to it. Ammo was still around 20 cents a round then, so I the only thing I really hate is how expensive that's become. Fortunately I stacked deep as soon as the embargo/sanctions were announced to where I won't have to really worry about that for a decade or more.

[@ZeroKitsunei]

I've always been an AK guy, but recently my boss finally broke me down enough to build an AR. He was in the Army and just wouldn't shut up about them. So I built it, and OMG the amount of customization is stupid. Not only is there like 27000 manufactures of the parts. A lot of them just do specific parts "Oh here's a company that just makes titanium springs for ARs. I ounno if that's just a marketing gimmick or if it actually does something useful, but it's crazy." So there was a little learning curve, but what I didn't have to do is spend hours bidding on gun broker or paying out the ass for the parts I want. Also you said it in your vid, but with the price of ammo now. I'll probably leave the AK at the house for most range days. Unless one of my friends wants to shoot it, and they're paying for ammo.

[@Civiliansoldier762]

I’ve felt this way for 7-8 years now. Makes me want to liquidate the cabinets full of surplus Russian mags in my garage and some of my aks with the current prices. The majority of my AK’s just sit and collect dust. I was into AK’s for collecting purposes and anymore I’ve lost the passion for collecting especially with the cost. Let’s face it aks are nostalgic and cool but are lacking in so many ways compared to other modern options. I’ve became more utilitarian and I’d rather just have a quality AR for a go to rifle. Better and much more available ammo options, better ergos, much easier and more accessible to properly set up with modern equipment that will hold zero like optics and IR lazers. Access to replacement parts as well as service in ways more than basic maintenance is much easier for the average person.

[@mtnbound2764]

100% very well said. Ak's are cool, but the AR platform has eclipsed the capability of the Ak platform, its just facts.

[@Captured-On-Camera-Reviewer]

Let me know if you have circle Bulgarian bayonets and bakelite.

[@Ct125dude]

I've got the psa gf3, have a 1000 rounds through it, and have had no issues. I know people have different results but I lucked out. More of an ar guy myself

[@H3lmHammerhand]

Yep. Dad bought me a WASR 10/63 when I was 13. $350 with 2 surplus mags. Didn’t know much back then. But I got a good one. 1969 kit with the original chrome lined barrel. Thousands of rounds and the only issue I ever had was feeding hollow points. Still love that gun. Just hard to feed it now… Currently considering getting a 5.56 AK. Just don’t know what to get.

[@alext6204]

“I trust wasrs” dude I remember being called a poor for even considering one 😂

[@duffmann3]

I think you are dead wrong on PSA. I have owned my PSA AK-103 for over 2 years now. I got lucky. I picked it up and a bunch of ammo right before the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. It’s very reliable and has not failed me once. I have a PSA AR-15 as well. And I definitely think it’s more reliable than any Colt M-4 I carried in the Army. PSA has come a long way.

[@GunsGunsAndMoreGunsReviews]

As someone who owns a lot of import AKs , they are nowhere near worth asking prices currently. 2k plus for a current arsenal is just insane. As a huge AK lover , breaks my heart these current times

[@MTC566]

And hoarding them is contributing to it

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

@@MTC566 Hoarding is a natural human behavior - account for it when you buy things. It sucks, but it's part of the market.

[@MTC566]

@justanothergunnerd8128 oh I understand. However, someone saying they are hoarding them, complaining about prices, then saying it breaks their heart is just heavily tone deaf and contradictory.

[@tbohn10]

I got in under the window. 1500 for a Meridian

[@GunsGunsAndMoreGunsReviews]

@MTC566 ain't hoarding shit .... I was actually born a couple years before the golden years.

[@AllThingsFlightSim]

Yea, glad I bought mine back when things were affordable. The issue is the ammo to run them. At .50c to 60c a shot your looking at $15-20 a mag.. No more mag dumps.

[@mm_industries]

Our mission has been to take what the AK started and modernize it both in the performance and manufacturing process. We will continue to streamline our platform so that the AK type design can evolve in the years to come

[@baldeaglearrage3450]

yep! this is why I've been eyeing the JTS AK shotguns.

[@4x4BACKWOODSBOY]

PSA and AAC will be the saving grace of AKs

[@oneofmanyte3321]

PSA has some really good AKs for cheap

[@bodinian]

I like what PSA does

[@daltoonybob]

Winchester also sells some good imports ammo for cheap.

[@bobbykelly2333]

I love my PSA AK

[@TheGraveKeeperX]

Maybe one day

[@EarlCorgi]

A few years ago I bought up some Bulgarian 74 kits, Polish AKMS kits and what not and built them out. They weren’t $300 like back in the day but inexpensive compared to today’s standard. I miss kit building. I really enjoyed the hell out of it.

[@Greengoblin0481]

Kamala has commented multiple times about banning “”cheap”” foreign weapons. The reason I mess with Aks is resale value. In 2020, peak covid, I had a buddy sell a clapped out npap for 1300, dude literally traded a Wii for it in 2007

[@lintlicker4178]

I have a Zastava ZPAP M70 that I traded off a BCA AR-10 for , I absolutely love my AK

[@thelemonademan6235]

I have the same m70 I love it

[@HTownWerewolf]

Hey it's me the neck bearded hipster juice bandit. True Words! GunBroker has arsenal stamped AKs that cost 3k and up. Options are slim for the good stuff, and all the meridian stuff is also crazy expensive for commercial grade parts.

[@Jake-Jake]

and I kicked myself, when i bought my forged arsenal many years ago, because of the price THEN...who knew...😂

[@themandalorian9009]

First gun i ever bought was a Polish Ak-74 Tantal. I sold it years ago, everytime i think about it i wanna cry.

[@that1electrician]

I have 3 AKs. Bought a C39v2, a VEPR, and a Romanian Draco- in that order. I was super late to the party. But to this day, I will trust my Russian Molot made VEPR with my life in battle. Thank God I bought cheap and stacked deep when the getting was still good with Wolf and Tula. Oh, how I miss 1000 rounds of 7.62 for 100 bucks.

[@41tl]

VEPR review checks out, I've heard those are built really well. How's the C39v2? Those get a lot of negative reviews

[@Hiringsoon]

The AK is back in war now, no wonder it’s more expensive. Ammo price is similar to 556

[@societyisboring]

Not just back in war but back in war in use on both dang sides.

[@societyisboring]

I love aks and ars but. I had to go ar. As of right now. And even than I'm boltgun carbine guy

[@richardb8157]

In times like these we must recognize Zastava. They listen, they deliver, AND for good prices. Wasr’s are shoddy as ever, Kvar is one of the biggest offenders with price gouging and honestly a huge reason we have an AK market like this. FUCK Kvar. WBP and AOA seem to be doing good work right now, though I don’t own anything from them.

[@FirstLast-ff7qx]

Got a 2018 wasr. Cant find anything wrong with it except it came to me without the shepards hook lol. Thats on century tho. Sites arent canted or nothing like that.

[@richardmartel1869]

I think WBP is the one to choose these days if you're trying to get into AKs, WASRs are legit too but they're not that much cheaper than WBP

[@matthewerwin7806]

WBP is a very solid choice, they had QC issues with firing pins breaking, but they fixed that quickly. I have a gen 2 5.56 and it kicks ass, it's a tack driver.

[@AvtomatKentucky101]

I have a Jack 5.56sr, arms of america just started offering 90 degree gas blocks and 24mm fsb’s when I bought mine so I had it converted and a barrel swap done. As others say absolute tack driver and good quality ak. Definitely a go to war rifle. Put 100 series polymer furniture on mine to make it look like a Ak 101

[@matthewerwin7806]

@@AvtomatKentucky101 All I did furniture wise on mine was give it a cheese grater upper handguard. The furniture is hard to come by, so I kept my Smoky Walnut since they don't offer it for the 5.56 ones anymore.

[@dronepilot260rc]

I have my AK just resting in the gun case for a couple years now. I agree with the points you’ve made. I’m tempted to sell mine but it’s hard because of how awesome the gun is.