Combloc AKM Advocates Discussion

what's your configuration preference, optics & mounts, slings, muzzle device/bayonet and trigger groups ect.

Yes.

Lol, welcome, new guy. Peruse this section a bit more, especially the pics thread, and you'll find a lot of answers. Personally I cannot pick just one configuration. I like my traditional wood & steel AKs but also dig modern setups and optics. I prefer (import) AKs that are reliable - not a big fan of American-made stuff.

If I had to grab just one, it would probably be a Bulgarian Arsenal SLR-104FR or a 13" Galil ACE, both in 5.45x39. Bulgy is largely stock but rocks an ALG trigger, combloc red dot, and flashlight. ACE has all the popular fancy "upgrades" - KNS plastic delete, MI handguard, Dead Air brake, and EOTECH.

Nice collection you have there. A WASR-10 was my first AK and I proudly still have it and shoot it regularly. It's as reliable as anything I own, and that goes well beyond the gun safe.
 
My favorite combloc is a a toss up between a Russian Molot VEPR , ALG trigger , RS Regulate mount with a dot. A close second would be a Norinco MAK 90 barrel trimmed back and pinned & welded a suppressor mount flash hider - ALG trigger with a forward mounted “scout” style dot. I also removed the god awful stock and installed a Yugo that i worked over with wood rasp file to make it fit
You didn’t ask , but I also have an American AK - my 3rd gen PSA Krink with a brace also ALG trigger and a dot - picked up for a really good deal and surprisingly shoots really well
Taking the VEPR and a backup to an AK match “Winter Motherland” this Saturday- cannot wait
 
Never did get around to nabbing a WASR 10 when they were "reasonable" and I still regret it...

Ive found I like functional, "military" type folding stocks the best... 4.5mm/5.5mm trunnions ( the AK74/100 series type) and the Bulgarian AR series folders ( like the SAM7sf) the best. A good folder and wood handguards is a favorite. Although Ive got more Modern options aswell.

I loath the feel of the "popsicle" type grips, and replace them with either Magpul grips, or a good quality wood one. (Z Recto on AK Files makes some of the BEST)

Magpul slings with accommodation for shooting lefty work great.

RS regulate slide mount, rear bias with an Aimpoint PRO works great with my astigmatism, and still cowitnesses well.
Really RS Regulate stuff i general is great...

A properly installed ALG is always nice, and is my preference these days. Regardless of FCG I use a good retainer plate, they make life so very much easier.

Muzzle devices depend on mounting types... if it has a 24mm threaded fsb I'll stick with either an AK74 type brake or a Flash hider to preserve the ability to mount a bayonet, and on standard style AKM type threads I HATE the slant brakes as I shoot lefty. Ive grown to like the three prong flash hiders and the Chinese type cages on those applications.


Really, thats just stuff off the top of my head. I love my AK's.... I'll likely think of more later 😆


Here is an older pic of my SAM7sf, its easly one of my overarching favorites.20210104_191646.jpg
 
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If you guys were going to buy a new one tomorrow, which model would it be? I've been wanting an ak for a while but when i read about them i get turned around with yugo, bulgy, hungarian, etc. I had a few century wasrs way back when for $279 new and they worked fine. For the money nowadays, id hate to make a $1000 mistake. All input is appreciated
 
Here's the wall at my nearest gunshop. Any of these jump out to you guys over the others?
Screenshot_20211230-223410_Gmail.jpg
 
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Here's the wall at my nearest gunshop. Any of these jump out to you guys over the others?
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That's a great looking wall! Could you share what shop this is?

my take, having the wasr's and the zastava M70, the M70 has much better QC, over all everything feels tighter and well constructed. The wasr is tried and true to it's calling, never had a genuine issue besides canted front sight blocks but I've personally never handled a combloc akm that wasn't canted to some degree off the shelf. For the 2021 dollar value, the m70 wins between the two imo.

That RPK on the wall sticks out to me, I've always been a sucker for them lol.
 
Thanks for the advice. The shop is area 52 in Burlington on Huffman mill road. They send me emails saying here what currently on the wall and that pic is 2 days old so should be fairly current. I've been thinking about the zastava but isn't there a compatibility issue with those vs the other brands? I wish i had just kept the wasrs i had but what's done is done.
 
Zastava stuff is "Yugo" type, which means they use different furniture, and often times different optics mounts.... nothing wrong with them just different.

As for whats on that wall, I cant see enough to get an idea beyond that it looks like they may have a Mak-90 or something up there on the top right corner....also cant see any prices.

As for what Id get these days, Id honestly look hard at a WASR if you can find one to look at and make sure is straight.

If you wanted something milled, a SAM would be good, once again, preferably one you can look over.

Prices are really high these days across the board...
Keep your eyes peeled.

Stay away from ANYTHING MADE by I.O. ( this includes the "Pioneer" import line)

Be suspect of ANYTHING MADE by Century. ( Century imports can be ok, just be selective)
 
Zastava uses what’s commonly referred to as Yugo pattern furniture and optic mounts. They used to be harder to find, but with the prevalence of Zastava guns, the market has responded somewhat.

WPB Foxes come in and out of stock too if you’re looking more for an AKM pattern that’s a step above the fit/finish of a WASR-10 but in the same ballpark as a Zastava price wise.

Some of the very early Zastava NPAPS had qc issues if I remember correctly, but that’s been remedied for a long time.

Don’t be fooled by the Pioneer Radom guns. They’re juuuuunk.
 
@Desolo beat me to the post button, but I agree with him completely.

PSA has recently started building up Romanian parts kit AKs in addition to their own new manufacture stuff. I think the jury is still out on their kit builds, and their in house made stuff seems to still be having teething issues after a few thousand rounds.
 
Thanks. I knew that io sucks... can't remember why i know it, but i know it. Aren't wasrs century imports? The ones i had way back were all straight shooters. When you say SAM, do you mean arsenal? They have always been the expensive brand from back when i had mine. And yes prices aren't listed. I guess they want you to come in. All this info is helping. Thank you guys a ton.
 
I have also heard to steer clear of psa as far as ak's go. Do zaztava's use the same parts as other ak's apart from furniture and sight mounts?
 
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@Desolo beat me to the post button, but I agree with him completely.

PSA has recently started building up Romanian parts kit AKs in addition to their own new manufacture stuff. I think the jury is still out on their kit builds, and their in house made stuff seems to still be having teething issues after a few thousand rounds.
*highfive*
Thanks. I knew that io sucks... can't remember why i know it, but i know it. Aren't wasrs century imports? The ones i had way back were all straight shooters. When you say SAM, do you mean arsenal? They have always been the expensive brand from back when i had mine. And yes prices aren't listed. I guess they want you to come in. All this info is helping. Thank you guys a ton.
And yup, Arsenal.
 
Area 52 tends to be high. They wanted $1400 for a BFPU condition romy underfolder when I was there last.

I have an Arsenal SAM7SF and it was one of my grail guns. I love the damn thing. They’re spendy, but if you intend to keep it forever, I’d argue that they’re worth the premium.
 
I've never bought from area 52 before bc like you said, the price. I just know they are close by and have a wall full. Any suggestions on where to get a nice ak near Alamance County?
 
....the SAM7sf is essentially an ARM7 without the select fire.

A legit military config, with a true military grade folder, and a somewhat unique safety selector setup, all in a package with a quality milled receiver... all built on the same lines, and of the same parts as arms used throughout the world.
 
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