Top 5 AK Picks - 2023

This is a quick look at my 5 AK rifle recommendations for 2023! I will go into the history of each as well as explain why I picked these rifles. Enjoy!

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[billsmith]

If someone had told me 15 to 20 years ago that there would be $400 ARs and $1, 600 AKs I wouldn't have believed them.

[punisheroneone]

PSA gets knocked for being “cheap” because the prices are lower. They fail to realize that’s because they’re direct to consumer. Their offerings don’t have the store and distributor markups. Keeps the prices down that way.

[AdventureswithaaronB]

I think I’m gonna go with the M 70 from Zestava for my first AK, I’ve never heard anything bad about them.

[johnburrows]

Got my Zastava last year. Loved it so much I went back and bought another one. Awesome rifles

[GoEqBro]

I have a PSA, Polytech and a Norinco. The Norinco MAK90 was my first. Got it for $99.99 + tax in 1995 on sale at a Roses. Still shoots great.

[sasakrtinic]

Dear lovers of AK rifles. I hope that it will be interesting for you to describe my first encounter with an AK system rifle.
In 1986, I was in the service of the then Yugoslav Army. After completing the training, I was assigned the task of protecting the state border between Yugoslavia and Austria. Then I got to use an extraordinary weapon. It was the Yugoslav version of the AK system called the M70 AB2, which is also mentioned here.The rifle was of premium quality. And the best examples of the M 70 series were produced between 1970 and 1990. What distinguished it from other rifles in service was that it had an optical sight mount. Now it is common for commercial purposes, but back then it was extremely rare. At that time, very few pieces were made and they were only in the service of special units as well as the border units in which I served. What is even more interesting than the rifle itself is a type of passive night sight that was also produced in Yugoslavia and I believe that it was extremely technologically advanced for its time. Of course, from today's point of view, it was first of all quite large in size, but I must say that it did not interfere with the balance of the rifle during use. The sight model was called ZRAK PN 5x80. He used a passive system of increasing the light up to 40, 000 times with the help of two batteries, so the picture at night was extremely clear in complete darkness, and when there was even a minimal source of light (moon or stars) it was visible as if it were daytime. The same sight was used on Zastava's famous M76 sniper rifle, which I believe many of you know because it is also sold in America. Here in the attachment I am sending you pictures of a rifle with a sight because I believe that you are certainly not familiar with this.
P.S. behind is a light machine gun, also produced in Yugoslavia. Model M84, also the Yugoslav version of the Russian model PK

[mobilegamersunite]

Zastava FTW! Just IMO, they have the most solid deal on an AK on the US market right meow!

[samseven]

Super happy for my SAM7 SF I bought years ago for about $1300 new, with rails and 74 style muzzle device. Awesome weapon.

[arujei]

Back in 2016 I was badly craving to have an AK. You know that feeling when it just drives you nuts and you gotta have one.. well I was gonna get a WASR 10 because I wanted the freebies it used to offer—oil can, sling, bayonet, etc. all for like 500 bucks or less. But those bundles have long since dried up and the newer WASRs do not have the freebies anymore and it’s gotten expensive, about 700 bucks at that time, at least where I live. So I decided to just go all out and get the SAM7R. It was around 1200 bucks then. I paid a little over 1300 bucks because I live in a worthless ban state. I just came across your video and was just surprised to see the same SAM7R is now going close to 2 grand. Word of advice to y’all—if you want something real bad, save up and when the price is right for you, go for it. Especially with these imports because the price always go up, goes down. Just don’t forget to pay the rent first.

[ironsharkpa]

I got a WASR10. That thing just won't die. Got more then 30k+ rounds through it. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous-iewn]

Thanks for deterring me from a Kalashnikov USA KR-103. Bought a Zastava M70 1 hour after watching this.

[rickalexander]

It should be added that the Zastava has an optic side mount that is proprietary.

[bfgivmfith]

I Just bought a GF3 PSA. I agree! It is well made! My FFL dealer went off about the quality of it which made me feel good, and watching this video sealed the deal! :) My first AK so I was rolling the dice.

[gregjonson]

I'm live in Alaska and have a few of those AK'S you mentioned. Nice content. My faves are my SAM7R and ZPAP M70. Such nice rifles.

[RobertMcCandless-nrcv]

I bought two Molot VEPR AKs 7.62 ($999, 99) in May 2017, one off on their serial numbers! Just before obame put the ban on all Russian AKs-"Americans are allowed to own, buy and sell the guns, so long as they were already in the U.S. prior to the sanctions." A month went by and the shop where I bought them said they would buy them back as a pair for $3000, I almost took them up on them since I was looking at a .50 Cal. But didn't. I am glad now, one has never been fired, the other less than 500 rds. It is the best, most accurate, most reliable AK/AR I have, plus I would take it over any of my ARs shooting under 300 yards! Remember if you zero at 25 meters, that zero works at 300 meters also! Wonder what I could get now? Have a friend that would match that offer any day of the week. But I might be out of luck if the SHTF, cause any AK or AR will bring in big bucks then! The quality won’t matter.

[eugenebalakirov]

Palmetto MOEkov GF3 is great. Adding adjustable rear sight leaf and Japanese (WWII) muzzle break makes it even better!

[ShadeAnris]

I have a gf3 and a KR-103 and I really cant lie the KR-103 is my favorite of the two by a mile. it was defiantly a bit pricier but it shoots like a dream and I would 100% recommend it to anyone

[DuginIN]

I have the PSA’s AK47 GF5E, Gen2 KS47, and Gen3 PA10. No regrets. Quality firearms at a value price.

[wtchoutna]

Palmetto state armory is a solid company and i love them. Always have great products

[hughdelaterra]

One thing the AK has that the M4 doesn't are freaky early designs.
The Korobov series of AK variants still astounds me to this day.
There are many photos of these odd rifles but very few specs and little evidence on how well they actually performed under test conditions.