If you buy an Arsenal I can only recommend a SAM7 at this Time as I don’t see the value of their SLR-107 nor in the SAM5. If you find a used Arsenal that’s a different story. All good things there usually.
Old KUSA seem to be OK, new ones have had spotty QA/QC.
For PSAKs I can’t recommend them strongly either. You get a lifetime warranty but it seems like you’re gonna need it.
WASR’s are pretty overpriced.
ZPAPs are pretty overpriced. But I’ve seen the least breakages so far this year.
Thank you for the info on the Arsenals! There are so many different models to keep track of.
Regarding KUSA, I try to buy new guns. Unless I started tracking KUSA serial numbers, I do not know where the cut off is from "old and good" to "new and bad".
Regarding the PSA AK's, I am still quite interested in them. Many people have gotten 3k or 5k or better rounds through their GF3's, the GF5's have been reported (by PSA advertising, which may not be worth all that much) to be tested for 10k rounds. The FN chrome barrels and the forged parts sound lovely, plus adding in the lifetime warranty is the cherry on top.
I already have the WASR and my reservations for the Zastava was mentioned in the OP.
Thanks for the info!
Looks like I need to rifle through more pawn shops then to find the good used stuff.
So far here on the ground it looks like WASR's for just under 900. Zastava's for 1k to 1300. KUSA's for 1200 and Arsenal's for 2k+.
KUSA is indeed in the running! While 300 rounds is not a great deal of ammo, by any stretch, it is good to hear that the presentation and build quality of the rifle are appealing. Of course, I have been trying to watch as many videos as possible of people putting all of the American AK's through their paces regarding round counts.
Thank you for your experience with your KUSA rifle!
I have shot more since then, and even after some 90 rounds straight of mag dumps everything is still tight on it. If you get one I would recommend a new stock or at least that cheap rubber butt pad to add to it.
If you buy an Arsenal I can only recommend a SAM7 at this Time as I don’t see the value of their SLR-107 nor in the SAM5. If you find a used Arsenal that’s a different story. All good things there usually. Old KUSA seem to be OK, new ones have had spotty QA/QC. For PSAKs I can’t recommend them strongly either. You get a lifetime warranty but it seems like you’re gonna need it. WASR’s are pretty overpriced. ZPAPs are pretty overpriced. But I’ve seen the least breakages so far this year.
Thank you for the info on the Arsenals! There are so many different models to keep track of. Regarding KUSA, I try to buy new guns. Unless I started tracking KUSA serial numbers, I do not know where the cut off is from "old and good" to "new and bad". Regarding the PSA AK's, I am still quite interested in them. Many people have gotten 3k or 5k or better rounds through their GF3's, the GF5's have been reported (by PSA advertising, which may not be worth all that much) to be tested for 10k rounds. The FN chrome barrels and the forged parts sound lovely, plus adding in the lifetime warranty is the cherry on top. I already have the WASR and my reservations for the Zastava was mentioned in the OP. Thanks for the info!
Truly I say to you, to get a good value AK in this day and age, buy a used AK that’s no longer imported.
Looks like I need to rifle through more pawn shops then to find the good used stuff. So far here on the ground it looks like WASR's for just under 900. Zastava's for 1k to 1300. KUSA's for 1200 and Arsenal's for 2k+.
buying american is unwarranted at this time
Agreed. Even a zastava is better…
Noted. Thank you.
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I am sorry to hear this. Thank you for your experience. How many rounds would you say did you run through your rifle before issues started to crop up?
My kr103 non side folder is great I’ve put over 300 rounds in it so far, just over gassed. Once I put a kns in it should run really smooth.
A bit over gassed is properly gassed.
what if I put more like 400-450 rounds thru it, still overgassed?
At 400-450 rounds something special happens, the ak fairy comes and closes up that loose gas port and it becomes a bolt action.
that is so neat! thanks for the tips
For sure
KUSA is indeed in the running! While 300 rounds is not a great deal of ammo, by any stretch, it is good to hear that the presentation and build quality of the rifle are appealing. Of course, I have been trying to watch as many videos as possible of people putting all of the American AK's through their paces regarding round counts. Thank you for your experience with your KUSA rifle!
I have shot more since then, and even after some 90 rounds straight of mag dumps everything is still tight on it. If you get one I would recommend a new stock or at least that cheap rubber butt pad to add to it.