The Best AKs for the Money
1. Zastava Arms AK-47 ZPAPM70 - Editor's Pick
Zastava generally makes some of the most rugged and reliable rifles in the AK market. Ages ago, the rifles were imported and sold as Remington 798 rifles before finally being reimported once again just under the M70 naming. The ZPAPM70 features modern furniture, a 16.3” barrel and even features molded in QD sling swivels for seamless integration with some of your already existing gear.
The ZPAPM70 also features a modular design with a smooth top cover and three short sections of Picatinny rail that ban be attached to the side sand bottom for the attachment of modern grips and accessories. Best of all, the cleaning rod doesn’t need to be removed in order to have this feature. The Zastava ZPAPM70 is available for $1211.99.
2. JTS Group M12AK-T1 - Budget Pick
Wait - A shotgun AK? Yep.
The M12AK-T1 takes everything you love about the AK platform and expands it into an incredibly reliable and affordable semi-automatic shotgun. While other shotguns take more time and more skill to reload, the M12AK-T1 makes use of detachable box magazines and is compatible with almost any type of shotgun ammunition on account of its 4-position adjustable gas system.
The M12AK-T1 can accommodate up to 3” magnum shells and also features an aluminum M-LOK forearm and uses a slinglock and Rm choke configuration depending on the type of chokes (if any) you’d like to use. This can turn the M12AK-T1 from a purely defensive and combat role with buckshot and slugs and convert it into something that is suitable for quail hunting or some fun back yard skeet shooting. The JTS Group M12AK-T1 is available for $575.99.
3. M+M Industries M10X AK-47 Rifle
The M+M Industries M10X is the ultimate in modernized AK design. Not only does the M10X feature a polymer folding and adjustable Magpul Zhukov stock, it also sports a single unite integrated high quality 18-inch picatinny rail for the mounting of optics, lights, IR lasers and other accessories.
The lower receiver is made from very corrosion resistant stainless steel and finished with a black nitride treatment giving it an extra boost of durability. The charging handle for the M10X is also ambidextrous as are the fire controls which so operation from a left or right handed shooter is seamless. Finally, the addition of various muzzle brakes and other muzzle accessories is made easy with the 5/8×24 threaded barrel. The M+M Industries M10X rifle is available for $1888.99.
4. Arsenal SAM7K-34 Pistol - Variant Pick
The Bulgarian Made SAM7K pistol is made in the standard “Krink” style configuration and makes for quite a fun blaster. The Krink style sights are a departure from what most AK users would be used to but they still provide enough accuracy in the tiny package for use at close range. The SAM7K features ambidextrous fire controls so that disengaging and reengaging the safety can be accomplished with either your forefinger or thumb (if you’re right handed)
While a Krink style pstiol may not be for everyone, they’re incredibly compact and still pack a punch even with the reduced length 8.5” barrel. I’ve seen these used from everything from a self defense role to pest control. The Arsenal SAM7K-34 AK pistol is available for $1,817.99.
5. IWI Galil ACE Gen 2
We can go back and forth all day debating on whether or not the Galil ACE is an AK or not but I’m not going to get into that here. For our purposes today I’m calling it an AK. The Galil ACE is in many ways the pride and joy of IWI’s rifle lineup. Rigorously improved over the years in its Gen 1 configuration and now finally in its GEN 2 configuration. The Galil ACE features the best of bot h the Russian AK-47 ann the Finnish Valmet RK62 rifles making it one of the most reliable and well rounded AK style rifles on the planet.
The GEN 2 Galil ACE fetrues a generous section of Picatinny topped M-LOK rail as well as a foldable and adjustable buttstock that is compatible with most common AR-15 collapsible stocks. A bone stock IWI Galil ACE GEN 2 will set you back nearly two racks at $1,969.99 but its entirely justified in my opinion.
6. Arsenal SAM7SF-84E - Premium Pick
The SAM7SF is the premium grade AK rifle that fans of the platform laud for its rugged design and high quality parts. The SM7SF is made from Arsenal’s Exclusive milled and forged receiver which produces an unequaled strength, precision and durability that stamped receiver AK’s can’t compete with. Meanwhile the SAM7SF’s FIME enhanced fire control group gives an insanely smooth and light trigger pull while still delivering a reliable primer detonation for rock solid reliability.
In summary the collection of premium components combined with its chrome lined hammer forged barrel and ambidextrous features makes this likely to be the last AK you’ll ever buy. Each Arsenal SAM7SF-84E rifle comes with a scope rail, sectional cleaning rod, one 10-round magazine, a sling, oil bottle and cleaning kit. The rifle is sold for $1,999.99.
Current pricing trends
Since 2012, the average price of an AK rifle has increased to around $800 for entry-level carbines that are largely Yugo rifles. You’re going to pay more for Russian-made rifles, or the Chinese variants, including the related but slightly different Norinco Type 81. Modern takes, like the Klashnikov USA models, are much pricier but you do get what you pay for.
If you’re even remotely considering purchasing one, do it now! It is almost impossible to put an accurate ceiling on the average price because it changes constantly. And with the threat of increased governmental regulation looming, it will not diminish. This does, however, represent an opportunity. Should you be looking to off-load any extra firearms you have, it is definitely a seller’s market.
Accuracy, ergonomics and the AK
Most AK owners will say rifles with milled receivers are more accurate than ones with stamped receivers. While on paper this is absolutely correct, in practice the difference between the two major types of AK carbine is minimal. What about the all-milled SKS rifle? It is more accurate than your average AK due to its more rigid construction, less violent action, longer barrel, and subsequently longer sight radius, but again it’s more academic than practical. That said, the best group I’ve ever seen fired from an SKS assault rifle was around two inches at 100 yards, which is basically on par with AK-pattern guns.
Ergonomics are a tricky thing with firearms. Rather than being simply subjective or objective, at least in part, ergonomics are a personal issue. The concept also touches upon how easily a shooter can shoot a firearm in awkward positions, reload it, and clear malfunctions. This falls into the uses for each rifle as created and how they are used now. Each has its own ergonomic qualities that are quite different. Looking at the challenges the AK presents when manipulated and fired from various positions. The AK’s steep stock angle, relatively short barrel, and capacious magazine capacity make perfect sense. It wasn’t really designed for long-range use, but more for mobility. This explains why the AK is so awkward to fire from the prone position – it wasn’t designed for it.
History of reliability
The AK-47 is a gas-operated rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, it is a wildly popular firearm for recreational shooters.
The number 47 refers to the year the rifle was finished – 1947. It was designed to be a simple, reliable rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods available in the Soviet Union at the time. The AK-47 uses a long stroke gas system with a large gas piston, wiggle room between the moving parts, and a tapered cartridge case. This allows the rifle to handle a lot of dirt and fouling while still being able to cycle properly.
AK-pattern rifles are known for their ability to tolerate the most abhorrent conditions imaginable. From the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan, the AK just works. It’s the reason first-run models dating from the late 40s and early 50s still pop up in conflict zones to this day. They have an unsurpassed ability to just keep running.
Why is the AK-47 so popular?
The AK-47 style rifle has the benefit of being nearly three quarters of a century old in its design. The simplicity of its construction combined with its relatively reliable nature means that the rifle was adopted over the years by many countries leading it to be one of the most prolific rifles in the world. Although the modern AK-103 is largely the same rifle as it was back during its first iteration, improvements are still made as the design has solidified itself as a reliable and rugged platform worthy of any soldiers use.
Why are some AKs so expensive?
Authentic AK rifles usually go for a premium price. Russian, Bulgarian and Yugoslavian produced rifles tend to fetch more money than ones produced in Pakistan or other combloc countries that adopted the AK rifle. American produced AKs from certain companies are also considered not to have the best quality control and therefore don’t usually coast as much.
Can an AK be suppressed?
You can suppress anything if you put your mind to it. However, Suppressing an AK style rifle is a relatively easy affair and you generally only need to take a few things into consideration when suppressing your AK. One thing is that some AKs barrel threads are not concentric to the bore meaning directly mounting a suppressor to one could mean a very quick and expensive first range trip with your suppressed AK. The Dead Air PBS-1 Suppressor however, can counteract many of these issues that make suppressing the AK difficult for all but the worst of builds.
Second, keep in mind that your piston driven AK won’t be nearly as quiet as a direct impingement AR-15 – this is simply the nature of the best and the operating principals of the AK will cause it to be louder. Another remedy for this is the KNS Adjustable Gas Piston which can tame the inherently over gassed AK design for more suitable use with a suppressor.
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