I'm curious how to figure out which AKM is right for me. In a previous thread and after additional reading/video watching, it seems like a few options exist. I appear to be focusing in on something either foreign made or locally assembled with a foreign parts kit. I do seem strangely interested in something put together from a foreign parts kit. The price difference between some options is pretty big. I'm not sure how to measure the quality for the added money. With an AR, this trade space is much easier to understand - or I just have a lot more time with that platform.
It is a bit of commitment to find/drive to some of these dealers - saving time helps... Actually figuring out who deals what is enough of a PIA with this. As an example - my local FFL stocks Reilly Defense, which interests me alot less since it is US made and the ones in stock are not in the caliber that I want (7.62x39).
These are the options I'm trying to get my arms around:
Small custom parts kit builders (e.g. Macpherson) - It seems like they build parts kits in small numbers. It seems like many accessible parts kits are going to have certain accepted and non-function-limiting parts (e.g. the rifle will zero, but front sight may not be near center). Prices seem to start in $1300ish range. I've reached out - beyond assembled local (which is cool) I can't figure out how to think about them in terms justifying a premium. Do smaller local assemblers do things like tune the gas system? It does seem nice to have a defined place to go if it acts up. Do most local gunsmiths fix AKs? Why are they worth ~$600+ extra over a WASR or ~$500 over a Zastava? Any other local assemblers that I should check out?
Large custom kit builder (e.g. Atlantic) - Appears to build a solid DIY rifle? Only needs a trigger group and furniture added. The remaining build portions seem like a pretty easy DIY - since a 20 ton press isn't needed... This seems cool - the price difference assembled and when things are in stock is just a little over a Zastava. Does anyone know if they do a good job with rivets and pressing barrels? Any other build issues? I'm assuming there is no way they do things like tune the gas system?
Zastava - Seems to build a solid well regarded AKM. Has a receiver that is 50% thicker, so it can handle higher round counts. The newer rifles include a side based rail for an add on that can hold a scope, which seems stronger than a rail on the dust cover. In truth, I'll probably never shoot anywhere near 100k rounds+ from whatever I get. The biggest limitation appears to be furniture compatibility. I'll probably never need to replace the furniture, but how big a PIA is it to find other options if I want to?
WASR 10 - Seems to be a well running rifle with fit and finish issues. The rifle appears to be fine getting to high round counts. How bad are the fit & finish issues? How cheap does it make the rifle feel?
After watching a bunch of AKOU videos, it seems like almost everything foreign stands up to high round counts. It seems like virtually every AKM is over gassed significantly. Do people really bother tuning them with something like a KNS piston?
It is a bit of commitment to find/drive to some of these dealers - saving time helps... Actually figuring out who deals what is enough of a PIA with this. As an example - my local FFL stocks Reilly Defense, which interests me alot less since it is US made and the ones in stock are not in the caliber that I want (7.62x39).
These are the options I'm trying to get my arms around:
Small custom parts kit builders (e.g. Macpherson) - It seems like they build parts kits in small numbers. It seems like many accessible parts kits are going to have certain accepted and non-function-limiting parts (e.g. the rifle will zero, but front sight may not be near center). Prices seem to start in $1300ish range. I've reached out - beyond assembled local (which is cool) I can't figure out how to think about them in terms justifying a premium. Do smaller local assemblers do things like tune the gas system? It does seem nice to have a defined place to go if it acts up. Do most local gunsmiths fix AKs? Why are they worth ~$600+ extra over a WASR or ~$500 over a Zastava? Any other local assemblers that I should check out?
Large custom kit builder (e.g. Atlantic) - Appears to build a solid DIY rifle? Only needs a trigger group and furniture added. The remaining build portions seem like a pretty easy DIY - since a 20 ton press isn't needed... This seems cool - the price difference assembled and when things are in stock is just a little over a Zastava. Does anyone know if they do a good job with rivets and pressing barrels? Any other build issues? I'm assuming there is no way they do things like tune the gas system?
Zastava - Seems to build a solid well regarded AKM. Has a receiver that is 50% thicker, so it can handle higher round counts. The newer rifles include a side based rail for an add on that can hold a scope, which seems stronger than a rail on the dust cover. In truth, I'll probably never shoot anywhere near 100k rounds+ from whatever I get. The biggest limitation appears to be furniture compatibility. I'll probably never need to replace the furniture, but how big a PIA is it to find other options if I want to?
WASR 10 - Seems to be a well running rifle with fit and finish issues. The rifle appears to be fine getting to high round counts. How bad are the fit & finish issues? How cheap does it make the rifle feel?
After watching a bunch of AKOU videos, it seems like almost everything foreign stands up to high round counts. It seems like virtually every AKM is over gassed significantly. Do people really bother tuning them with something like a KNS piston?