Choosing semi-auto AK 7.62 rifle

 

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum (and weapon ownership), just wanted to hear opinion of experienced NJ rifle owners.

Eventually I want two AKs (7.62 & .223) but will start with original 7.62x39.

It would be the first rifle I own (but, as former post-soviet trained paratrooper, I'm not new to AKs of different styles and calibers. Just a bit cautious of non-original parts and assembly).

 

In any other state I would buy $489 CAI Polish AKMS Underfolder from reputable Henderson Defense. It is cheap, has great reviews and, if comes from Henderson Defense, can be expected to be a great weapon.

Since I'm in NJ, I would ask HD to pin stock in open position (as they offer for CA) in addition to their standard “NJ option”. Also will have them weld JTac47 instead of original compensator (I remember recoil difference btw AKS-74 and AKMS... Would like to reduce it as much as possible).

 

Question 1. In practical use, would this kind of NJ legalized Polish AKMS Underfolder look “too evil” at Cherry Ridge (or another NJ range) and generate any sort of practical issues?

As much as I would love to have rifle in design I'm used to, I would prefer to avoid potential hostility coming from people or authorities.

 

Question 2. If anyone has positive or negative experience with this build, I would appreciate your feedback.

 

 

Unfortunately HD doesn't have this rifle in stock (for some reason ALL of their rifles out of stock – bad sign?), but I can get same one from another place.

Or $644 Interarms Polish Underfolder - (chrome lined threadded barre) found one negative review, but should be OK if from Atlantic.

Or $749 Unknown Build Polish Folder (original chrome lined Polish barrel) from Atlantic.

Unfortunately I don't have a chance to hold any of those rifles in my hands before placing an order, have to rely only on online reviews and your feedbacks.

 

Question 3. Do you know if Atlantic does NJ modifications? Do you know a FFL dealer in Northern NJ who could convert this kind of rifle to NJ legal variation?

 

Question 4. I'm not sure if it smart to go over $700 for this kind of rifle. Price comes close to virtually best by parts and build quality SGL21-62 (will have to weld and "shave" - don't like Arsenal's NJ legal option without muzzlebrake).

Even SGL21-62 doesn’t look the way I want, I would take quality/functionality over nostalgic look of iffy underfolder. Willing to take chances with cheap underfolder just because like the look and because it cheap.

 

 

Any input is welcome.

Joe at Mastadon Ammo can do all the modifications. He's five minutes from Cherry Ridge and he is a real standup guy.

 

You won't have any problems shooting this at Cherry Ridge. If it's legal, you're fine. No one cares.

Availability

: Currently Out of Stock

JetAgent in Mendham, NJ also does neutering modifications, and they do a nice job.

 

If I were you, I'd check out the other 20+ options of other AK's. Underfolders are nice, but why get an underfolder when 1 - you have to pin it and 2 - can't use it as it was intended to and 3 - I find them to get a difficult cheek weld on and they vibrate your jaw so it takes getting used to.

 

There are plenty of other options in the $500-700 price range.

JetAgent in Mendham, NJ also does neutering modifications, and they do a nice job.

 

If I were you, I'd check out the other 20+ options of other AK's. Underfolders are nice, but why get an underfolder when 1 - you have to pin it and 2 - can't use it as it was intended to and 3 - I find them to get a difficult cheek weld on and they vibrate your jaw so it takes getting used to.

 

There are plenty of other options in the $500-700 price range.

 

X2

 

what is the point of pickign a super uncomfortable stock when everything that makes it good is taken away..

Yeah, underfolders are the least comfy option there is. And without being able to use it, not worth it

Thanks for your input, guys.

 

Well, I want a folder, because I never held in my hands an AK that wasn't a folder. I don't have a need to get used to it - I just don't know anything else.

Fired about 5K-6K rounds, about 90% 5.45 and 10% 7.62.

Non-folders look wrong to me, kind of silly...

 

Maybe I will get used to a solid stock. Next 5.56 could be solid stock.

I would say you could always get a wood stock so you can mount it whenever you want, but if I recall correctly, the way the under folder stock mounts makes it almost impossible (or at least very difficult) to mount a wood stock, or anything other than a folding stock.

 

Glenn might be able to chime in here...

Yeah, the receivers are diferent and you cant switch between folder/non folder (But I dont think thats what OP wants to do).

 

The triangle folders are really sweet looking and offer a much more solid stock feel. The best folder you can get. The soviet paratroopers used them, at least up through the late 80s as you see the AK-74s with them in afghanistan with the paratroopers.

 

 

PS: have you seen the movie 9th company? its sweet

 

The triangle folders are really sweet looking and offer a much more solid stock feel

The triangle folders come only on AKS-74 cal 5.45x39, all AKMS are cal 7.62x39 and are underfolders.

 

have you seen the movie 9th company?

Yes it's a nice movie, a bit softened and glorified, but somehow realistic in general.

The triangle folders come only on AKS-74 cal 5.45x39, all AKMS are cal 7.62x39 and are underfolders.

 

I disagree

 

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17868&cat=353&page=1

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17056&cat=357&page=1

I disagree

 

http://www.k-var.com...&cat=353&page=1

http://www.k-var.com...&cat=357&page=1

 

saigas are not real AKs..

I disagree

 

http://www.k-var.com...&cat=353&page=1

http://www.k-var.com...&cat=357&page=1

 

 

saigas are not real AKs..

 

Well, local builder's fantasies can go in different directions ))

(good chance somewhere in the world there is a "M-4" cal .308 painted pink with flashhider in form of elephant's head) :buba:

 

I'm talking about real weapons with assigned names: AKS-74 and AKMS.

 

 

You won't have any problems shooting this at Cherry Ridge. If it's legal, you're fine. No one cares.

 

Nowadays no one cares...... 15-20 years ago the old codgers there would give you dirty looks.

Well, local builder's fantasies can go in different directions ))

(good chance somewhere in the world there is a "M-4" cal .308 painted pink with flashhider in form of elephant's head) :buba:

 

I'm talking about real weapons with assigned names: AKS-74 and AKMS.

 

I was being sarcastic..

it is very common to put that side folding stock on an AK (Saigas to be specific)

last I checked it was kind of expensive..

 

but at the end of the day while living in NJ I see no point..

use the move comfortable stock you can buy.. it is not like you can fold or collapse it anyway..

...I'm talking about real weapons with assigned names: AKS-74 and AKMS.

 

Have fun, even the original Izhevsk AKs are not stamped AK-74 or AKMS.

 

The rifles I linked are just as much (or as little depending on your outlook) an AKMS than anything else. You arent getting original full auto receivers on any rifle you will be buying. What makes the linked rifle any less an AKMS than what you originally wanted? The advertising?

 

Lets look a little closer:

 

The polish AKMS underfolder:

-US barrel

-US made receiver

-Built by century

 

The two folders I linked you:

-Russian chrome lined barrel

-Russian made receiver

-Built by Arsenal, the top production builder in the country. (hardly a local builder fantasy)

 

(yes vlad I'm arguing for the Saiga based rifle here lol)

 

So, the only issue you have it looks like is marketing.

 

Oh, and one more thing I forgot, the first rifle I had linked is a clone of the AK-103, which is in use by the russian armed forces. If they are a local builder fantasy then I dont know what to tell you

I didn't mean to offend no one.

 

The so-called Polish AKMS has an authentic look and at $500 (+positive reviews, unusual for most CAI builds) would be a nice authentic look/feel toy to play with.

 

While doing my research, I've learned not to trust CAI.

In time I set my mind on Arsenal (quality, reputation, eventual resale value), but found lots of positive feedback on Henderson Defense rifles (even if they were CAI). Checked out HD website and noticed nice authentic looking AKMS at price range that allows taking chances...

The end of story.

 

I don't really care what Russians are using now. That Polish AKMS comes closest to the weapons I used in 93-94.

 

If I get a positive reply from HD - would go with it, if not, probably would take SGL21-62.

get a saiga 7.62, convert it yourself to the exact look you want. Just my 2 cents. Once you read up, it is easy and cheaper than arsenal sgl 21-62 and you can do the entire conversion in one day-no big deal.

Wasr 10 all the way.

get a saiga 7.62, convert it yourself to the exact look you want. Just my 2 cents. Once you read up, it is easy and cheaper than arsenal sgl 21-62 and you can do the entire conversion in one day-no big deal.

 

this is the answer I give all day every day..

get a saiga 7.62, convert it yourself to the exact look you want. Just my 2 cents. Once you read up, it is easy and cheaper than arsenal sgl 21-62 and you can do the entire conversion in one day-no big deal.

 

Please explain your logic as to how converting a saiga to exactly how you want is easier than just changing parts on any other rifle?

 

Say you want to change stocks, upper handguard and lower handguard to some aftermarket stuff. You say its easier the saiga route.

 

Saiga:

-Remove all furniture

-Buy a new trigger group, do work on rifle to relocate trigger group & trigger guard

-Add a handguard retainer. To be apples to apples to a WASR or anything else though you need to press off the FSB and gas block but I digress

-Buy new gas tube

-Install all furniture

 

Or:

Any other rifle:

-Remove all furniture

-Install new furniture

 

End result is the same rifle "exactly how you want" but much easier.

 

And for the record, you cannot make a saiga with all the features of an sgl 21-62 for cheaper. Maybe if you exclude the $50 muzzle brake, $50 FSB, $50 gas block, $100+ furniture set, cleaning rod, etc...

Please explain your logic as to how converting a saiga to exactly how you want is easier than just changing parts on any other rifle?

 

Say you want to change stocks, upper handguard and lower handguard to some aftermarket stuff. You say its easier the saiga route.

 

Saiga:

-Remove all furniture

-Buy a new trigger group, do work on rifle to relocate trigger group & trigger guard

-Add a handguard retainer. To be apples to apples to a WASR or anything else though you need to press off the FSB and gas block but I digress

-Buy new gas tube

-Install all furniture

 

Or:

Any other rifle:

-Remove all furniture

-Install new furniture

 

End result is the same rifle "exactly how you want" but much easier.

 

And for the record, you cannot make a saiga with all the features of an sgl 21-62 for cheaper. Maybe if you exclude the $50 muzzle brake, $50 FSB, $50 gas block, $100+ furniture set, cleaning rod, etc...

 

it takes me approximately an hour to convert a Saiga.. hardly an earth shattering event.. I know some people are more busy than me.. but clearing out an hour is not really the end of the world..

Here we go again.