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.
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
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.
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
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 😢
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
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 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...
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!
@@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.
@@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
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
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
@@Indian_Kamala 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.
@@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.
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.
@@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 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.
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.
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
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."
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.
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 👍
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....
@@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.
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.
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
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
@@YourfavoritesurgeonMy 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.
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.
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).
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
@@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.
@@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.
@@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
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.
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.
@@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!
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
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.
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.
@@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.
@@Yourfavoritesurgeon 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.
@@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.😢
@@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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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
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.
@@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.
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.
Back in 2008, I purchased 5 Romanian kits with factory barrels for $79 each shipped to my door. Used Tapco flats and triggers, among other 922 parts. Made my own precision flat bender (I`m a machinist). Used 8-32 grade 8 button heads instead of rivets with red locktite. I did design and machine a lever detachable mount to place a red dot right over my rear sight on one AK, worked great. However, I don`t run red dots on any of my AR`s or AK`s, I don`t trust batteries and the window can get foggy or wet screwing up my sight picture. Learn to use the sights, they work in all weather conditions. Tritium sights are good for low light. One thing I did, that I learned from my precision rifles, was to recrown the AK`s barrels with a Manson crowning tool. That helped grouping a whole bunch. An AK with the Magpul furniture is my Truck gun, it is totally dependable. No, none of them are for sale.
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.
I think its still an awesome time 🤷 its changed but oh well. surplus was never going to last forever. and i think people should stay off forums, its just a toxic waste pile
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.
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.
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.
@@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
@@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.
@@Yourfavoritesurgeon 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
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.
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.
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...
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
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.
The one think u missed is that a fairly small(at the time) youtube channel piqued my interest in AKs prob 2 years ago? Anyways that channel has shown me how awesome AKs can b. It was KLAYCO47. Thanks for all u do man
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...
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
I bought an Arsenal SLR107FR for my 18th birthday for $650. For my 19th birthday I bought a 104FR for $800. 7.62x39 was $99 a spam can and 5.45 7n6 was $249 a case (2160 rounds). I didnt know how good I had it. I checked gunbroker the other day. Those rifles are going for $3000+ Thanks, Obama.
@@MassiveVictories This video has had nothing to do with that decision or feeling about it, lol. I was just relating to the OP. I've been very glad about holding on to that for years now. Guntubers are guntubers, this was the first video I watched of this guy, it popped up on my feed and I watched it because I had some spare time. I'm not a fanboy for any of them, and view anything they say objectively. It makes me laugh how people take a lot of guntuber's words as gospel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I loved AKs yet being a Zoomer that I am in CALIFORNIIA out of all places, everyone tells me to go buy an AR-15 and that AKs are a "commie gun" and you should get an AR-15, that is assuming that you meet a pro-gun person! I might settle with a PSA AK-101 at this point.
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.
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.
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.
Great post. Reality is the AK is a old platform that relies on old school style tooling and human labor to be built correctly. The reality today in the age of CNC machining is that its just too expensive and unprofitable to build/Import AK's made the old school way and this is why you see a decline in the number of companies and imports overall. Unfortunately I see the trend continuing.
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.
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
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)
@@durbeshpatel3047 yeah they are. I guess I don't really look at it like an AK but I probably waist a hundred bucks in ammo just blasting every time I shoot one 🤣
@@PhaggyJames average 556 barrel is what 12k rounds? I think changing out an AK barrel would cost as much as a new AK either way if you aren't an AK builder.
Most of these issues aren't inherent to the AK market though. Most of these problems are due to the federal government in our country. Inflation, sanctions, taxation, import regulations...these are whats truly killing the AK in the USA.
But they are inherent to the AK market. They were designed for mass production and huge governmental investment into specialized tooling. You can't just expect former Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet satellite states to keep pumping out a complex to produce rifle as their wages and operating costs rise.
@@ChucksSEADnDEAD Neither of those have anything to do with the problems of the AK market in the USA. AR-15 and AR-18 pattern rifles take just as much complex tooling to produce. Do you think running, adjusting and maintaining hundreds of CNC machines is cheap, or doesn't required skilled labor? The AK market is dying; because 922r and the 1989 import ban are destroying the bottom line for foreign manufacturers. Sanctions are limiting the total pool of not only complete rifles, but affordable parts for US manufacturers to use. You act as if the AK platform inherently needs to be manufactured in a socialist state with a planned economy to be financially viable. That is simply untrue. These former socialist factories could easily survive off the US market alone, they don't have to because there are plenty of military contracts, but they could if need be. The problem is our government won't let them. Ranko, the CEO of Zastava USA, has said on record that 1989, and 922r compliance eats up about 1/3 of there US sales profits. The fact they can continue to operate at such a marginal loss shows the incorrectness of your statement. The US market can bare the reasonable, and steady increase of factory wages in these former socialist countries. What it can't bare is the rapid, sometimes downright abrupt changes in price caused by federal regulation/international laws, and the destruction of the value of the US dollar.
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
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 🤪
@@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.
I'm brand new to rifles, and an admitted "poor". And I have to say AK 5.56s hold some appeal. The ability to shoot ammo I already have on a different platform is checking boxes for me. I appreciate the heads up on possible gatekeeping that I might experience in the AK communities online. Your video gives me more confidence to make my own choices and not limit myself to the opinions of the people I shoot with.
You still have to pay shipping fees online in most cases. I’m lucky to have Ventura Munitions 20mins from where I live. Bulk rates with no shipping fees or delivery wait times. They’re starting to crank out bulk 7.62x39 brass to replace the cheap steel.
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.
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.
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.
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
@@KentuckyAk101guy 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.
AKs just aren’t worth the squeeze anymore. With important bans on zenitco and shit, kinda just sucks. But also, to get a “modernized” AK, that bitch is going to be HEAVY. Long gone are the days of owning a high quality AK at sub $600
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...
@@timsimmons9995That's demonstrably false. Any inflation calculator will prove that. $600 in 2005 is $990 today. 0:31 Don't believe them? Well compare gas prices, car prices, etc. In $2005 I was a Specialist in the Army and I made around $20 grand a year. In no way shape or form did my purchasing power back then equal that of a person making $100k today. Things have gotten more expensive, to be sure, but inflation is nowhere near as bad as you imply. Also, WASRs and Saiga's were NOT $600 in 2005. They were both around $300. Adjusted for inflation, that's still under $500 today.
@@Electroniclizard You're definitely correct that inflation is NOT 5x on everything. I was generalizing. It's probably more like 2-3x. House prices are about 3x more in general, some areas much more, even 10x value. Condo I bought in 2000 (I was earning about $30k then) was $110k, now it's worth about $400. Groceries, up probably 5x since 2000 but staples like milk not that much. There's also "shrinkflation," on many goods. Some goods like tech have worked in reverse, you can buy much more tech for a lot less money today than in 2000. So/But there's not an exact formula across the board because so many products vary, some are subsidized (like oil/gas), others manipulated, shrinkflation, there's speculation, collector values, scarcity, new tech obliterates the economic value of old tech but not necessarily the utility value, etc. Take silver and gold, $5 and $300 respectively in 2000. Today they are up by a factor of 6x and ~9x respectively. Stock market (DOW/NASDAQ) are up many-fold since 2000. By contrast to these, an AR15, Glock, or AK47 is practically free compared to what you'd pay in 2000.... My first AR15 was $1000, a neutered Bushmaster. Can buy twice the gun for half the money today! Other examples: $600 in gold in 2000 (2 oz) is now worth almost $6000. That $600 in the S&P 500 in 2000 is now worth around $4000+/- according to quick searches (I have not spent much time on this, it's not that important).
That was a really interesting video. I personally don’t own any kind of AK platform gun. The primary reason is I have buried myself in the AR platform. I have thought about buying an AK just to learn the platform; e.g. how the safety works, how to break it down to clean and fix, etc., but for many of the reasons you have brought up in your video I don’t think I will be buying one. The 2nd reason I haven’t and won’t be buying one is, I refuse to buy anything Russian and decent AK ammo like; Tula, Barnaul, Wolf and Red Army are all Russian made. I appreciate you taking the time to make the video. It was quite informative.
Should’ve seen this coming when you have Meridian Defense charging $2,000+ for a cheap ass parts kit put together, worn out parkerized look, and a rack number. And people were buying these.
To some extent, but AKs were getting expensive before 2022 when Russia invaded this time. A big part of the issue came from old AK factories simply closing down. Europe doesn't have the gun culture that the USA has so if you're going to jump through the hoops of getting a rifle, a shitkicked Albanian or Yugo is not going to be your choice. Plus the tooling on lots of those was wearing out and without the state funding to keep those factories rolling after the Berlin Wall came down, a lot of them just closed up. The switch to the Euro as a currency also hurt the AK business. Cheap eastern Euro AKs could no longer be produced as cheaply with the Euro boosting the economies of European countries. Even countries that didn't switch, still benefited from the boost that came from admittance to the Eurozone as trading partners; Poland and Bulgaria come to mind immediately. Finally, the AK is a hard gun to make at smaller scales. It's even harder to make a good one at smaller scales. Yes it can be done as companies like Rifle Dynamics have shown, but you are paying for the privilege to get what is basically a hand-fitted rifle. Plus lots of good parts kits get bought up and ruined by builders who think they can do the assembly without a jig. Way before the Russian annexation of Crimea, I bought an Arsenal SLR-105R in 5.45 for around $400. A number of years later, I sold it off and thought getting $600 for it was crazy, but it was an Arsenal and not some shitball WASR. It also had very few rounds through it. Today that gun is going for 3-4x what I originally paid for it. For a stamped AK with assault weapons ban configuration (which should tell you how long ago this was) and box stock furniture and no rails, it's $1500 easy.
@@DriveCarToBari blame the "failure" of the AK12, which Mark Serbu illustrated as lever-cammed machined mechanism that would be a helluva lot cheaper with solid bar stock and a fixed firing pin as a Delayed Blowback with a 2 piece bolt, like Newton's Cradle
@@DriveCarToBardonbas took a vote to join russia in 2021 it was pretty much unanimous. then zelensky made the mistake Hitler made in ww2 invading russias territory! mayor's from donbas asked russia to defend them against the ukronazis as they have been attacked by them since 2014! Do I have to send you the videos and newe articles from 2014? Ukraine is not the innocent country they want you to think it is. Child trafficking, sex trafficking, money laundering, bio weapon labs, chimera experimentation on children and other people. Actual nazis look up with stephon banderra was and who the banderites were in ww2 and still today. Banderra is hailed as a national hero by Ukraine who murdered thousands of jews,poles, and Russians assisting the nazis during ww2. And they are alive and well today unfortunately but not as much now there down about 625,000 dead and over a million wounded after zelensky sebatacle in Kursk 1942 Hitler invaded russia, got his ass kicked, 2024 zelensky invaded russia is currently getting his ass kicked. Nazis Don't ever learn just like Nato...... You Don't Fight Russia And Win! Ask Napoleon and Hitler but nato seems hell bent on starting a war with Russia hey nato! 1 russia has the most experienced military in the world. 2 Russians are tough as fuck. There is no woke tranny alphabet cult pansies in there military. 3 Russia has many allies China, India, Iran,Yemen, Africa pretty much all of Africa loves Russia they kicked out nato and welcomed russia in with open arms. I'm pro peace ✌ and don't want war or nuclear conflict, I'm American but I'm damn ashamed of my government 😢. As for the video, I own multiple aks myself just got a Romanian and a tactical ak74 just a few months ago, great guns. We'd have cheaper prices if nato stopped sanctioning russia, imagine if other countries sanctioned us its only fair.
@@DriveCarToBar Europe does have quite a gun culture. I think American's seem to forget about the 100m or so of us in central europe. I live in Czechia and I know our neighbours Slovakia, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Slovenia, the Baltics etc have fairly easy laws as well. I am also pretty sure that Pioneer arms has only shut it's US operation. Gun sales have absolutely rocketed in Poland recently and they might just not be able to service domestic and US sales. Poland has been gradually liberalising gun laws since 2000 from a total prohibition and with the invasion of Ukraine the domestic market is crazy increasing by like 5% of total gun ownership a year. Added to that the US is a very very odd market with your strange import restrictions and near flooding of weapons over the years other markets probably offer more growth. Here in Czechia, Norinco's TA56 is massive and dirty cheap. Which is a much better gun than any Pioneer (although people don't like chinese made stuff) and it's 2/3rds the cost. If you want a cheap AK you get an Norinco. If you want an OK AK you get WBP firearms one (another polish company), if you have money to burn there are loads of good options AREX AKB15, SAIGA AK TR3 or something else from Kalashnikov Concern (the Russian import ban is only directly buying guns so European shops just buy guns off the secondary market in the Caucuses). Most people hear have more disposable income and financial security than the majority of American gun owners so the high end stuff tends to be more popular. Especially in places like Austria where you have limited semi autos on your licence.
I agree. As a firearms salesman I see a lot of people settling with an AR than an AK since AR’s are now 300-400 depending on the brand. Ammo for AK’s have been the major reason why people don’t gravitate to the AK. Most of them say, “I want an AK but I can’t find steel case for a reasonable price”. I recently scored a PWS MK111 Mod 1 in 7.62x39 upper for 7 bills via PP.
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
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.
Right
@@TheGrimiest not if you can't shoot either gun.
Welcome to upside down clown world. Caution: don't drink coke, you may get woke! That... is a joke.
@@TheDoorspook11cwow!!! thanks for the input!!
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
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.
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
zastava m90 still get to enjoy the platform but at the price for 556 with adjustable gas block and chrome lined barrel
Thank hillory
>I want cheap ammo to fuel my hobby from a geopolitical rival!
Grow up
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.
I miss 16 cents a round to my door…
Yep
I was around for $80 per K at knob creek….
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 😢
@sorryociffer It's heartbreaking idnt it?
Makes me sad... 😢😮😢
7cpr 5.45
Owning AK’s doesn’t suck, trying to buy AK’s now sucks
@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
Shooting it sucks too
100%
Finding sub .40c ammo sucks though
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
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.
2008, Romanian G kits with barrel, barely used, were $79 each. Bought 5, wished I had bought 20.
@@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...
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!
@@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.
Surplus guns in general are becoming a collectors only market.
Aimsurplus
No big wars means no cheap surplus arms
@@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
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
@@georgek.9394 tell me about it i cant even get a new barrel from germany for my gewher 98 anymore
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.
A dollar for wolf? When was that?
@@Ian-yf1rl2017
@El_Peto where do you get 10 bks a box of 20 rounds?! WHAT A STEAL !
Ok grandpa let’s get you to bed. Lol
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.
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.
They giving guns to rwanda and Ukraine? Instant boycott. Terrorist nations.
Good information. Thanks!
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
@@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.
That’s what’s up
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.
Yes they are
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
lol you're funny ,,please let a girl teach you something--''An AK is like a AR-15 , But it's for men !! ''
Only thing I don't like as much are reloads on AK platform.
@@Indian_Kamala 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.
I would recommend the channel AK Operators Union Local 47-74 to anyone who wants to know everything about AK’s.
M26_lemon_grenade also!! He’s been building them for 15+ years
@@Southron-CiKyea he's good. I like his dry humor.
I think there is a feud between AKOU and Klay. I know in person Rob is more friendly meeting fans.
Don't forget Mishaco
@@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.
"I don't do ads for ballsack razors"
Nice.
"Razors" okay.........."ball sack razors" not so much
Well, at least he has that ...
Ammo is a problem. It used to be $4 for a box of 20 Tula
The caliber and lack of ammo has destroyed interest in the platform.
Yeah. 7.62 is more expensive than 5.56 now. Why even get into the platform?
thank uncle joe he banned the importation of russian ammo, (40% of all US ammo sales) long before there was a war....
I bought tons of ammo back in 03 for like 3 cents a round that I'm still shooting.
@@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.
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.
I remember buying my Century Arms for $450 and Saiga’s weren’t much more maybe $600?
@@alh961 my unconverted Saiga was like 350 at the time after taxes and transfer fees.
@@xMasterShake9x I picked 3 brand new Saigas 12 ga for that same price each.
@@Jason_556 those were the days.
I paid $350 for my back half converted saiga 7.62 years ago.
PSA and AAC will be the saving grace of AKs
The AK soup and salad bar left town years and years ago.
Ya had to be there for it.
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
@@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.
@@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.
@@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.
I remember being pissed when 7.62×39 went over $5 for a box, we were spoiled.
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.
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
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."
Oh god those forums were terrible.
@@westcoastplinkin6559The AK subreddit isn’t much better either. Not everyone there is an asshole, but the mods are power-tripping dbags.
@@westcoastplinkin6559 agree on AK forum, but disagree on ak files.
They were then what all the "midterm AR" groups are now. People just have to ruin things or be negative.
The files is horrendous
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.
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 👍
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. 😁✌️🇺🇲
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....
Yeah blame 922r and Russian import bans.
@@A8vscRrabbit Interesting. I'm going to have to dig up that video. I love me some Mishaco videos.
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
How do you like yours?my husband says his is awesome.
Zastavas are FUCKING SOLID. I own a M92 Krink and the barrels are insanely accurate!
You have experience with multiple Zastavas? Or just the one you bought?
Only drawback is that everything is proprietary.
Zastava isn't that great. Bad heat treat receivers, canted barrels and gas blocks. Bad rivets..
@@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
Huh,I havent run into proprietary too much on mine
"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."
They still think it's 1980s or they are brass hogs
I have thousands of yugo brass case.
@surferofthesynthwaves4710 it's because it can set fires. Legit it can, although rare.
@@JamesEast-iy3ov How ? I'm really curious about a steel case that can't set fires
@@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.
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.
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
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
@@YourfavoritesurgeonMy 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.
I like Yugo AK's and own several.
I have a zas underfolder, it's my favorite....
Zastava is the best option in 2024
I have three
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.
I always go to YT to take my anger out on unsuspecting vict- I mean commenters
People who hang around in the forums still live with their parents and make bad life choices 💀
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).
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
Nah. Just firearms forums. As a homeowner, there are a lot of professionals hanging out in plumbing and pool forums.
“Hello, my name is José. I like AK’s alot.”
I got into the AK game wayyy to late. 🙁
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.
Really cool perspective man I appreciate it
Let the enthusiasm die so the real AK homies can get affordable parts again lol
thats what im saying bro all these damn ar nerds making my life a pain
1000%
@@purplenurp5590 you do know there is a war in Russia right? lol
@@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.
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.
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.
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
3. embargoes (related to point 2, somewhat). the ammo ban was so bad for us.
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.
2017 sanctions on Russian goods hit the AK hard. Thanks Donny.
@@fabianos6669 Biden's the one that drove the knife in with the outright ban on Russian ammo, not Trump.
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.
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.
I agree 100% sadly. There is nothing “rare” about baklite mags. $100 for a MAG sucks
I’m in at $80 for a mint one with clear stamps BUT $100 for bs shooter grade I’m out
I’m in at $80 for a mint one with clear stamps BUT $100 for bs shooter grade I’m out
Only so many bakes were made and they'll never make them again.
@@hailtothe_rooster1572 You're still getting absolutely screwed at 80 bucks a mag that's ridiculous
Yah this has become a market for collectors and guys looking to show off. No appreciation for the rifle as a rifle anymore.
I will take any you don’t want anymore.
ong
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
@@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.
@@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.
@@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
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.
I have one, it's pretty good. You won't regret getting it if you decide on it.
I have been looking at riley defense ak's.
Love my M70 ZPAP. Things a laser
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.
@@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!
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
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.
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.
@@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.
@@Yourfavoritesurgeon 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.
@@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.😢
@@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.
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
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.
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.
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.
🤫Shhh don’t give away our little secret. THE MIGHTY WASR!!!! Cugir has been in business since 1700s. They know AKs for sure sure.
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
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.
Too bad their aks are garbage
@@surferofthesynthwaves4710some of their parts kit ones are great...ones they make? ehh.....
@@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.
@@surferofthesynthwaves4710 Your info is like 6 years out of date, try again
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.
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
@@turnermd1302 🐽
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.
@@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.
@@mphil3051 buddy you’re believing in false hope there.
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.
I cant lie my ak is my favorite gun in the safe!
AK 47 was my duty rifle 74-76 like P63 and P64. I got P64. I was Border Patrol.
Love my AK, and I'm only getting more obsessed with them. It will get better.
No, it will not get better. It, in fact, will get worse.
@@sorryociffer Bro, if youre not a real fan of akm just say so.
@@billboybaggins777him denying reality makes him not a fan? Bro that’s a cultish mindset.
@@billboybaggins777 single digit IQ energy. When has it gotten better in the last 25 years? It won't get better.
Ammo will get more scarce and expensive likely, saddle up for 5.56 AKs or get out
Back in 2008, I purchased 5 Romanian kits with factory barrels for $79 each shipped to my door. Used Tapco flats and triggers, among other 922 parts. Made my own precision flat bender (I`m a machinist). Used 8-32 grade 8 button heads instead of rivets with red locktite. I did design and machine a lever detachable mount to place a red dot right over my rear sight on one AK, worked great. However, I don`t run red dots on any of my AR`s or AK`s, I don`t trust batteries and the window can get foggy or wet screwing up my sight picture. Learn to use the sights, they work in all weather conditions. Tritium sights are good for low light. One thing I did, that I learned from my precision rifles, was to recrown the AK`s barrels with a Manson crowning tool. That helped grouping a whole bunch. An AK with the Magpul furniture is my Truck gun, it is totally dependable. No, none of them are for sale.
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.
Your mistake was that you just didn't buy one or two good AKs and leave them stock.
@@vmst80 I actually have three that are completely bone stock.
I think its still an awesome time 🤷 its changed but oh well. surplus was never going to last forever. and i think people should stay off forums, its just a toxic waste pile
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.
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.
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.....
Yea I bought several tins of the 7N6 when I got my AK and they are still unopened.
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.
Psa is not it, bro
My ak-e is legit
“Neck-bearded hipster” literally took me out 😭 subbed instantly lol
Online AK community sucks, in person AK community great.
But that's early everything. Wierdo gatekeepers
Quality enforcement is not gatekeeping
@@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
@@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.
@@chknbskt1Thanks! I had no idea AKs are only good for 5k rounds.
@@Yourfavoritesurgeon 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
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.
and I kicked myself, when i bought my forged arsenal many years ago, because of the price THEN...who knew...😂
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.
VEPR review checks out, I've heard those are built really well.
How's the C39v2? Those get a lot of negative reviews
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...
Maddi is pretty much an AKM
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
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
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.
The one think u missed is that a fairly small(at the time) youtube channel piqued my interest in AKs prob 2 years ago? Anyways that channel has shown me how awesome AKs can b. It was KLAYCO47. Thanks for all u do man
Who the fuck is saying don't trust Zastava?
I’m confused too cause I love my M70, great option in my opinion
You would be surprised
@@fearthereaper8e buncha internet gatekeepers
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
The same people who told you Arsenal rifles were Bulgarian junk back in 2010.
The cost of parts ,rifles, ammo ,mags has surpassed it desire for sure.
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...
@@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.
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.
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.
So glad I stockpiled on AK ammo through the past decade
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.
I bought an Arsenal SLR107FR for my 18th birthday for $650. For my 19th birthday I bought a 104FR for $800. 7.62x39 was $99 a spam can and 5.45 7n6 was $249 a case (2160 rounds). I didnt know how good I had it. I checked gunbroker the other day. Those rifles are going for $3000+
Thanks, Obama.
Times change, gramps
There is a company in the US making 5.45 as we speak. You can buy it again
The 107FRs are like 2k and the 104FR are closer to 2500.
I'm so glad I've held on to the SLR107FR lol.
@@MassiveVictories This video has had nothing to do with that decision or feeling about it, lol. I was just relating to the OP. I've been very glad about holding on to that for years now. Guntubers are guntubers, this was the first video I watched of this guy, it popped up on my feed and I watched it because I had some spare time. I'm not a fanboy for any of them, and view anything they say objectively. It makes me laugh how people take a lot of guntuber's words as gospel.
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.
this is it right here.
Other factors such as outright greed and cynical economic protectionism that encourages dogshit domestic production.
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.
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.
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.
I loved AKs yet being a Zoomer that I am in CALIFORNIIA out of all places, everyone tells me to go buy an AR-15 and that AKs are a "commie gun" and you should get an AR-15, that is assuming that you meet a pro-gun person!
I might settle with a PSA AK-101 at this point.
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.
Literally just bought a polish wbp ak on Atlantic last week. They’re still available.
I have one along with many zastavas. Never had an issue. Now PSA on the other hand…junk
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.
@@rickalexander2801 absolutely 👍🏼
@@rickalexander2801 Yep, I bought that stuff by the case at about .15 cents per round. Both calibers.
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.
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.
100% very well said. Ak's are cool, but the AR platform has eclipsed the capability of the Ak platform, its just facts.
Let me know if you have circle Bulgarian bayonets and bakelite.
Thanks bro, acquired a arsenal 8 years ago. Glad I did.
Red Oktober etc. are gonna be 90% 5.56 and 9mm AKs soon..
Great post. Reality is the AK is a old platform that relies on old school style tooling and human labor to be built correctly. The reality today in the age of CNC machining is that its just too expensive and unprofitable to build/Import AK's made the old school way and this is why you see a decline in the number of companies and imports overall. Unfortunately I see the trend continuing.
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.
AK owners are a dying breed. Thanks for videos. Sincerely ZPAP owner.
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
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)
556 AKs are going to be the new way. X39 will be too expensive even if domestic made. 556 has way more dialed in options
Yeah and dont forget the 9mm aks which are fun as hell
@@durbeshpatel3047 yeah they are. I guess I don't really look at it like an AK but I probably waist a hundred bucks in ammo just blasting every time I shoot one 🤣
5.56 AK's don't last as long as 7.62 AK's
@@PhaggyJames average 556 barrel is what 12k rounds? I think changing out an AK barrel would cost as much as a new AK either way if you aren't an AK builder.
I own aks and cz but I’m NO HIPPSTER. I’m American and dont follow a trend or anyone!
I agree! Same here
yes u are
My brother from another mother!
I wanna own em all like Pokémon
I have my M70 and I'm getting a M90. Love the platform. I pray for solutions to keep the platform alive in the US.
Most of these issues aren't inherent to the AK market though. Most of these problems are due to the federal government in our country. Inflation, sanctions, taxation, import regulations...these are whats truly killing the AK in the USA.
But they are inherent to the AK market. They were designed for mass production and huge governmental investment into specialized tooling. You can't just expect former Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet satellite states to keep pumping out a complex to produce rifle as their wages and operating costs rise.
@@ChucksSEADnDEAD Neither of those have anything to do with the problems of the AK market in the USA. AR-15 and AR-18 pattern rifles take just as much complex tooling to produce. Do you think running, adjusting and maintaining hundreds of CNC machines is cheap, or doesn't required skilled labor? The AK market is dying; because 922r and the 1989 import ban are destroying the bottom line for foreign manufacturers. Sanctions are limiting the total pool of not only complete rifles, but affordable parts for US manufacturers to use. You act as if the AK platform inherently needs to be manufactured in a socialist state with a planned economy to be financially viable. That is simply untrue. These former socialist factories could easily survive off the US market alone, they don't have to because there are plenty of military contracts, but they could if need be. The problem is our government won't let them. Ranko, the CEO of Zastava USA, has said on record that 1989, and 922r compliance eats up about 1/3 of there US sales profits. The fact they can continue to operate at such a marginal loss shows the incorrectness of your statement. The US market can bare the reasonable, and steady increase of factory wages in these former socialist countries. What it can't bare is the rapid, sometimes downright abrupt changes in price caused by federal regulation/international laws, and the destruction of the value of the US dollar.
That's the killer, no more direct parts, weapons, magazines or anything from Izmash due to Russian sanctions from the Obama administration.
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
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 🤪
The GALIL is what all other AK'S WISH they could be!
The BEST!
Galils rock! They are a good shooting platform but a bit more complicated to field strip and reassemble than a standard AK.
@@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.
@@tomalexander9340no, they are actually easier to dissemble and reassemble.
I'm brand new to rifles, and an admitted "poor". And I have to say AK 5.56s hold some appeal. The ability to shoot ammo I already have on a different platform is checking boxes for me.
I appreciate the heads up on possible gatekeeping that I might experience in the AK communities online. Your video gives me more confidence to make my own choices and not limit myself to the opinions of the people I shoot with.
Am i missing something? 5.56 is also 50-70 cents a round
ammoseek is your friend
just buy online, itll run you about 40 cpr now
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
You still have to pay shipping fees online in most cases.
I’m lucky to have Ventura Munitions 20mins from where I live. Bulk rates with no shipping fees or delivery wait times. They’re starting to crank out bulk 7.62x39 brass to replace the cheap steel.
@@damiion666 there is literally an option on ammoseek that filters them to free shipping
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.
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.
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
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.
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
@@KentuckyAk101guy 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.
Great video ! Legit factors to chew on.
Salute to you, RobSki, & a few others that promote Positivity to the AK platform.
I agree, but those $2200 Arsenals Kvar is putting out are selling.
AKs just aren’t worth the squeeze anymore. With important bans on zenitco and shit, kinda just sucks. But also, to get a “modernized” AK, that bitch is going to be HEAVY. Long gone are the days of owning a high quality AK at sub $600
Exactly why I love my stamped wasr and Saiga. Light and foreign 😂
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...
@@timsimmons9995That's demonstrably false. Any inflation calculator will prove that. $600 in 2005 is $990 today. 0:31 Don't believe them? Well compare gas prices, car prices, etc. In $2005 I was a Specialist in the Army and I made around $20 grand a year. In no way shape or form did my purchasing power back then equal that of a person making $100k today. Things have gotten more expensive, to be sure, but inflation is nowhere near as bad as you imply. Also, WASRs and Saiga's were NOT $600 in 2005. They were both around $300. Adjusted for inflation, that's still under $500 today.
@@Electroniclizard You're definitely correct that inflation is NOT 5x on everything. I was generalizing. It's probably more like 2-3x. House prices are about 3x more in general, some areas much more, even 10x value. Condo I bought in 2000 (I was earning about $30k then) was $110k, now it's worth about $400. Groceries, up probably 5x since 2000 but staples like milk not that much. There's also "shrinkflation," on many goods. Some goods like tech have worked in reverse, you can buy much more tech for a lot less money today than in 2000. So/But there's not an exact formula across the board because so many products vary, some are subsidized (like oil/gas), others manipulated, shrinkflation, there's speculation, collector values, scarcity, new tech obliterates the economic value of old tech but not necessarily the utility value, etc. Take silver and gold, $5 and $300 respectively in 2000. Today they are up by a factor of 6x and ~9x respectively. Stock market (DOW/NASDAQ) are up many-fold since 2000. By contrast to these, an AR15, Glock, or AK47 is practically free compared to what you'd pay in 2000.... My first AR15 was $1000, a neutered Bushmaster. Can buy twice the gun for half the money today! Other examples: $600 in gold in 2000 (2 oz) is now worth almost $6000. That $600 in the S&P 500 in 2000 is now worth around $4000+/- according to quick searches (I have not spent much time on this, it's not that important).
That was a really interesting video. I personally don’t own any kind of AK platform gun. The primary reason is I have buried myself in the AR platform. I have thought about buying an AK just to learn the platform; e.g. how the safety works, how to break it down to clean and fix, etc., but for many of the reasons you have brought up in your video I don’t think I will be buying one. The 2nd reason I haven’t and won’t be buying one is, I refuse to buy anything Russian and decent AK ammo like; Tula, Barnaul, Wolf and Red Army are all Russian made. I appreciate you taking the time to make the video. It was quite informative.
Should’ve seen this coming when you have Meridian Defense charging $2,000+ for a cheap ass parts kit put together, worn out parkerized look, and a rack number. And people were buying these.
The AK is back in war now, no wonder it’s more expensive. Ammo price is similar to 556
Not just back in war but back in war in use on both dang sides.
I love aks and ars but. I had to go ar. As of right now. And even than I'm boltgun carbine guy
yep! this is why I've been eyeing the JTS AK shotguns.
It all boils down to everyone larping the Ukraine war/Tarkov.
To some extent, but AKs were getting expensive before 2022 when Russia invaded this time. A big part of the issue came from old AK factories simply closing down. Europe doesn't have the gun culture that the USA has so if you're going to jump through the hoops of getting a rifle, a shitkicked Albanian or Yugo is not going to be your choice. Plus the tooling on lots of those was wearing out and without the state funding to keep those factories rolling after the Berlin Wall came down, a lot of them just closed up.
The switch to the Euro as a currency also hurt the AK business. Cheap eastern Euro AKs could no longer be produced as cheaply with the Euro boosting the economies of European countries. Even countries that didn't switch, still benefited from the boost that came from admittance to the Eurozone as trading partners; Poland and Bulgaria come to mind immediately.
Finally, the AK is a hard gun to make at smaller scales. It's even harder to make a good one at smaller scales. Yes it can be done as companies like Rifle Dynamics have shown, but you are paying for the privilege to get what is basically a hand-fitted rifle. Plus lots of good parts kits get bought up and ruined by builders who think they can do the assembly without a jig.
Way before the Russian annexation of Crimea, I bought an Arsenal SLR-105R in 5.45 for around $400. A number of years later, I sold it off and thought getting $600 for it was crazy, but it was an Arsenal and not some shitball WASR. It also had very few rounds through it.
Today that gun is going for 3-4x what I originally paid for it. For a stamped AK with assault weapons ban configuration (which should tell you how long ago this was) and box stock furniture and no rails, it's $1500 easy.
@@DriveCarToBari blame the "failure" of the AK12, which Mark Serbu illustrated as lever-cammed machined mechanism that would be a helluva lot cheaper with solid bar stock and a fixed firing pin as a Delayed Blowback with a 2 piece bolt, like Newton's Cradle
Any Edwin Sarkisian can tell you, you can chamber a 50 BMG in a 12 gauge, but I guess Mark didn't give Scott the message 🤔
@@DriveCarToBardonbas took a vote to join russia in 2021 it was pretty much unanimous. then zelensky made the mistake Hitler made in ww2 invading russias territory! mayor's from donbas asked russia to defend them against the ukronazis as they have been attacked by them since 2014! Do I have to send you the videos and newe articles from 2014? Ukraine is not the innocent country they want you to think it is. Child trafficking, sex trafficking, money laundering, bio weapon labs, chimera experimentation on children and other people. Actual nazis look up with stephon banderra was and who the banderites were in ww2 and still today. Banderra is hailed as a national hero by Ukraine who murdered thousands of jews,poles, and Russians assisting the nazis during ww2. And they are alive and well today unfortunately but not as much now there down about 625,000 dead and over a million wounded after zelensky sebatacle in Kursk 1942 Hitler invaded russia, got his ass kicked, 2024 zelensky invaded russia is currently getting his ass kicked. Nazis Don't ever learn just like Nato...... You Don't Fight Russia And Win! Ask Napoleon and Hitler
but nato seems hell bent on starting a war with Russia hey nato! 1 russia has the most experienced military in the world.
2 Russians are tough as fuck. There is no woke tranny alphabet cult pansies in there military.
3 Russia has many allies China, India, Iran,Yemen, Africa pretty much all of Africa loves Russia they kicked out nato and welcomed russia in with open arms. I'm pro peace ✌ and don't want war or nuclear conflict, I'm American but I'm damn ashamed of my government 😢. As for the video, I own multiple aks myself just got a Romanian and a tactical ak74 just a few months ago, great guns. We'd have cheaper prices if nato stopped sanctioning russia, imagine if other countries sanctioned us its only fair.
@@DriveCarToBar Europe does have quite a gun culture. I think American's seem to forget about the 100m or so of us in central europe. I live in Czechia and I know our neighbours Slovakia, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Slovenia, the Baltics etc have fairly easy laws as well. I am also pretty sure that Pioneer arms has only shut it's US operation. Gun sales have absolutely rocketed in Poland recently and they might just not be able to service domestic and US sales. Poland has been gradually liberalising gun laws since 2000 from a total prohibition and with the invasion of Ukraine the domestic market is crazy increasing by like 5% of total gun ownership a year. Added to that the US is a very very odd market with your strange import restrictions and near flooding of weapons over the years other markets probably offer more growth.
Here in Czechia, Norinco's TA56 is massive and dirty cheap. Which is a much better gun than any Pioneer (although people don't like chinese made stuff) and it's 2/3rds the cost. If you want a cheap AK you get an Norinco. If you want an OK AK you get WBP firearms one (another polish company), if you have money to burn there are loads of good options AREX AKB15, SAIGA AK TR3 or something else from Kalashnikov Concern (the Russian import ban is only directly buying guns so European shops just buy guns off the secondary market in the Caucuses). Most people hear have more disposable income and financial security than the majority of American gun owners so the high end stuff tends to be more popular. Especially in places like Austria where you have limited semi autos on your licence.
PSA was smart for making their first release krink 223....
Too bad they care about quantity over quality
@@robertwallace4515 do you have any experience running their AK's? I do.
I agree. As a firearms salesman I see a lot of people settling with an AR than an AK since AR’s are now 300-400 depending on the brand. Ammo for AK’s have been the major reason why people don’t gravitate to the AK. Most of them say, “I want an AK but I can’t find steel case for a reasonable price”. I recently scored a PWS MK111 Mod 1 in 7.62x39 upper for 7 bills via PP.
😭how could you say that! I just got one!