Which AK's to stock?

[C4IGrant]

As I go down the list of AK's to stock, I must admit that I am not up on which ones are quality and which ones are not. I know that I will stock the Arsenal line, but what about the cheaper ones from the commie countries??


Thanks in advance for input...



C4

[Jay Cunningham]

Vector makes a good product.

[C4IGrant]

Vector makes a good product.


Do they have a web site that is operational?


C4

[Jay Cunningham]

http://www.vectorarms.com/indexframe.html

[C4IGrant]

http://www.vectorarms.com/indexframe.html


Tried that one already (No Joy).



C4

[VA_Dinger]

(1.) Vector - (Try Atlantic Firearms, they will probably sell you some at dealers cost.)
(2.) Arensal

This is allow you to cover both ends of the cost spectrum with quality AK's.

[bigbore]

More Boring reality for you Grant.



$350 Century Arms WASRs sell at a steady pace. They are cheap, the finish sucks, but for the folks who want an AK for no other reason than to have an "AK", they are as reliable as, well, an "AK".


Stocking more than one "Quality" AK variant is foolish. If you attempt to sell on line the mark up is minimal, and locally 9 out of 10 looking for an AK dont want to spend more than $350.

Its also good to stock at least 1 $150 SKS.

[M4arc]

More Boring reality for you Grant.



$350 Century Arms WASRs sell at a steady pace. They are cheap, the finish sucks, but for the folks who want an AK for no other reason than to have an "AK", they are as reliable as, well, an "AK".


Stocking more than one "Quality" AK variant is foolish. If you attempt to sell on line the mark up is minimal, and locally 9 out of 10 looking for an AK dont want to spend more than $350.

Its also good to stock at least 1 $150 SKS.

Maybe Ohio is different because the two shops I frequent can't keep the Arsenal Inc AKs in stock. DeGoffs moves a lot of Arsenal Incs and poor Marie at The Armory can't seem to get enough of them. When they do get a few they are gone in a matter of days. I would be more concerned with availability than I would trying to move them.

Even if you can't move them locally I don't think you'll have any problems moving them over the web.

Vectors are nice too. Hopefully Templar will be along shortly to give you his opinion...he's sold more Arsenals than everyone else put together so he'll be able to give you the real skinny.

[TOrrock]

Grant, there are basically three "Tiers" of AK's out there.

Tier One: Arsenal Inc., out of Las Vegas Nevada. Highest quality AK's, especially the milled line (M5, M7), but the stamped SLR series are the highest quality stamped AK's available.

Krebs KTR-03S is a beautiful piece of gear, but I think he has an exclusive contract with R Guns.

Tier Two: "Kit" rifles built from foreign parts kits onto US stamped receivers. Vector is probably the best example. If you stock Vectors, make sure that they are built on receivers made by Armory USA/Global Trades out of Texas. Vector also builds on Ohio Ordnance and Ewbanks receivers, which I wouldn't push. Vector also gives you a 5 year warranty.

Armory USA out of Texas sells a model called the SSR-85C. The company went through a little rough period a couple years ago, but hopefully they are on the way back. Their stamped receivers are some of the best of the US manufactured receivers, the geometry is right and they're properly heat treated, something that the Ohio Ordnance receivers can't claim.

The Century Arms Yugo kit rifles have gotten a pretty good reputation. NDS receivers (the best US receivers) mated to newly made Green River barrels.

Tier 2 rifles do well with guys who want a quality AK and are willing to spend about $600.00 or less.

Tier Three: Romanian "WASR" rifles from Century Arms. Bigbore is correct that you will sell a lot of these to people looking for an inexpensive rifle. They can have some serious cosmetic issues and front sight cant can also be an issue.

I'd stay away from SAIGA conversions unless you know who did the work on them. I'd also tell you to focus on "traditional" styled AK's, they will outsell the TAPCO ****ed rifles.

Hope that helps.


Here's my personal Vector rifle. I have since changed out the early East German side folding stock for a laminated wood buttstock. It's buit with an Armory USA receiver and a matching # Polish parts kit. Very nice build.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vector%20AKM/HPIM1517.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vector%20AKM/HPIM1516.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vector%20AKM/HPIM1518.jpg

[Joe Mamma]

Armory USA out of Texas sells a model called the SSR-85C. The company went through a little rough period a couple years ago, but hopefully they are on the way back. Their stamped receivers are some of the best of the US manufactured receivers, the geometry is right and they're properly heat treated, something that the Ohio Ordnance receivers can't claim.


Does anyone know how the Armory USA rifles (SSR-85C) compare to the Vectors built on Armory USA receivers? I think my next purchase may be one of these two. But, I don't know the differences. I really like the blond wood furniture on the SSR-85C:

http://www.globaltrades.com/currentproductionrifles.html

I've got a Romanian SAR-1 and an Arsenal SAM-7 (milled receiver). Now, I just need something that is middle of the road quality.

Thanks.

Joe Mamma