Quote Originally Posted by Fox33 View Post
IMO build over buy

I have used a bunch of different AK's from a bunch of different countries OCONUS and CONUS and I always revert back to what I see as the primary issue with the AK platform.

Milled vs. Stamped receivers

Now in a crisis (financial even) I will use whatever. But having used some of the absolute shittiest AK's made by slave labor in pakistan or a nice milled Russian example, the receivers made all the difference. I've shot maadi's as well and they didnt suck but if you ever get a chance to shoot a czech made AK do it.

If it is going to be mine I would much rather build one. Not unlike AR's you can build a quality gun that meets and exceeds your expectations for less money.

I know lancaster makes AK milled receivers but I can not attest to the quality
In regard to the Czech AK, do you mean a VZ58?

As for building instead of buying, I can't recommend that unless the OP really wants to take on the necessary challenges that are required to do it properly. The tools aren't cheap, and if you end up going with a third party builder you will spend as much if not more than buying a commercially produced rifle. I LOVE building my own. It's my hobby, my escape. I wouldn't trade it for anything. But that said, it's not for everybody.

I too am a fan of milled receivers, and I have several Lancaster units. They're good receivers after some work, but their CS has been extremely frustrating for some customers in the past. At this time, I'd look at CNC Warrior for milled receivers, or perhaps Firing Line in Oklahoma. The CNCW units are pretty good, but all of the milled receivers I've gotten have needed some level of work before being right. That's just par for the course, though. Part of the process.

Unless the OP has a keen interest and extra financial resources I'd still go with Steyr's suggestion and purchase an SGL or other Arsenal variant. Just my opinion, nothing more.

Good luck,
P.