Current options for AK47/clone in UK

[polemass]

Hi all-as for now,what can I buy and where as Section1 - ak47/vz58/other clone,thnx-jb

[snayperskaya]

Centrefire AK variant-wise you've got two options in the UK, either a Russian Saiga or a Romanian RomArm AKM/AKMS.Saigas are available in 7.62x39 or 223 and configured like an AK-103 (full length barrel) or an AK-104 (short barrelled carbine) with a choice of fixed stock,sidefolding polymer stock or skeleton triangle sidefolding stock.Saigas are made in the same plant on the same lines as Russian military AK variants.
The RomArm AKM/AKMS are produced in Romania at the Cugir Arsenal using the same machines etc as their military AKs, a lot of the machinery was supplied by the Soviets, and are very close to a traditional Soviet-Era AKM.The AKM has a fixed stock and the AKMS has an underfolding stock (as issued to Russian tank crews and paratroopers etc).The Romanian versions will take standard milspec mags (anything from 20 round Hungarian "Tanker" mags to 75 round drums) with no modifications required but Saigas usually require a feed ramp fitting to the breech face and the mag catch modifying slightly to feed reliably with milspec mags (Saigas have the feed ramp built in to the front of the mag and the Saiga mags are more expensive and harder to source than milsurp mags).

Rusmilitary import and sell both Saigas and the Romanian AKs, and they also come up on Gunstar and Guntrader.AMS Firearms also have them from time to time.If you want a brand new Saiga I would start looking pretty quick as I believe the import of them has been hit by sanctions against Russia so it may be quite a while before any more make it into the country.

[lasbrisas]

you won't get a better answer than the one above, for what it's worth I have one of the Romanian AKM's, I wanted something as close to the real thing as I could get. I have every kind of mag you can think of, metal, bakelite and even an original slab side mag which all work. I also bought a custom safety lever which holds the bolt open as required by my club but still have the original. I developed a round for indoor use and the AKM is the one rifle that gets the most attention there as everyone knows what they are.

[snayperskaya]

you won't get a better answer than the one above, for what it's worth I have one of the Romanian AKM's, I wanted something as close to the real thing as I could get. I have every kind of mag you can think of, metal, bakelite and even an original slab side mag which all work. I also bought a custom safety lever which holds the bolt open as required by my club but still have the original. I developed a round for indoor use and the AKM is the one rifle that gets the most attention there as everyone knows what they are.

How about the experimental aluminium "waffle" mags produced by Izhmash and trialled by Russian VDV paratroopers?

I've had two Saigas previously and currently own two Romanian ones, an AKM and an AKMS (which I modified to take an original genuine Soviet AKMS stock and love them.Build quality and finish wise I would say the Saiga has a slight edge but from a shooting point ot view there is no real difference between the Saiga or the RomArm variants.

[polemass]

Sorry,yes-centerfire versions only.Thnx,so not to many options...ok,plus VZ58 maybe.Any chance to get milled receiver version?-old or new.I failed miserably in my home country-Poland,and bureaucrats won-even with all paperwork/permits sorted there were no will to help me with purchase order-very,very sad...

[snayperskaya]

No on a milled receiver AK I'm afraid , a nice Bulgarian milled AK would be a much welcomed addition.

I'm sure someone with a Vz will be along soon, shot a few but personally I don't like them but they do what they are designed to do but are, I believe, considerably more expensive than an AK and in some respects more expensive to modify,

[Lex]

I've shot both the Bulgarian AK and the VZ58 and should say that the VZ performed more consistently although the trigger pull of the AK was crispier.

[paulg25]

Polemass i have the VZ58 MARS action which is a great rifle, I have the .223 version and it shoots well, speak to Scott @ Caledonian Classic arms 01505 843 254 sales@caledonianclassicarms.com I dont have his mobile to hand but this is the office number and email

He also has the straight pull version, I have used this as bisley several times and its a good rifle

Paul

[Brian838]

A straight pull VZ58 will cost you £780 with a choice 3 calibres, 3 barrel lengths, 3 colours and 3 types of stock. A straight pull Polish AKM 7.62x39 is £769.

[snayperskaya]

A straight pull VZ58 will cost you £780 with a choice 3 calibres, 3 barrel lengths, 3 colours and 3 types of stock. A straight pull Polish AKM 7.62x39 is £769.

Its actually a Romanian AKM with Polish furniture, chrome lined barrel as standard
Romanian factory version with light blonde furniture is £669 but out of stock at the mo.