In this article, we’re pitting the venerable Zastava ZPAP M70 versus five other AK-47 offerings to find out who’s the king of the hill.
2020 was a crazy year in just about every way you never wanted to imagine and 2023 ushered in 50 shades of 1984. Buckle up because 2024 is bound to be explosive!
If ever there was a time to live out your daydreaming fantasies, or nightmares, larping in a post-apocalyptic dystopia where zombies defy all logic and roam around in hordes looking to eat some poor sucker’s brain, it’s now!
Just make sure you’ve got your hands on the best weapon system, ready and waiting for any inauspicious reality you wouldn’t dare imagine… or would you?
Given the invasive overreach of those in power and the current political climate, it’s rational to select the best AK, gather weapons, and prep your bugout shelter!
Best AK-47 Rifle Contenders
If you’ve been short on luck in your hunt for the perfect AK, we’ve got your back! In this article, we’re taking you on a deeper dive as we pit the Zastava ZPAP M70 versus 5 of the most readily available AK-47s currently on the market today.
We’re not aiming for the most expensive options out there since we know that funds are tight, inflation is high, and gas prices are skyrocketing!
When it comes to AKs, higher “cost” doesn’t always correlate with higher “quality” and you just might be surprised by the quality you can get for a little over ten Jeffersons.
The primary focus of this article is AKM variants that represent the best value, build quality, functionality, and availability in today’s marketplace.
Despite its age, 7.62X39 is an increasingly popular cartridge that is still cheaper to shoot than most other rifle rounds and almost everybody knows at least one person who owns an AK-47 or wants to buy one for themselves.
*Note: The AK-47s on this list appear in a random order so as not to give away the winners.
As you scroll through each model, your curiosity will be answered regarding the following:
- A brief introduction to each rifle’s historical context & current iteration
- The manufacturer’s info (whether imported or US-made)
- Specifications of each rifle
- The average market price and availability
- Build quality and a 5,000-round durability test done on each rifle (courtesy of Rob Ski)
- Our recommendation and the final grade for each rifle
We will conclude the article, list the winners, and provide enough information for you to make an informed decision before purchasing these killer Kalashnikovs!
#1: The Zastava Arms ZPAP M70
Let’s start with the AK vying for the heavyweight title!
Introduction to the Zastava ZPAP M70
In 1970 (in the former Yugoslavia) Zastava began to manufacture the ZPAPA M70, which is a variant of the Soviet AKM-styled AK-47.
Flash forward to 2021, and the now Serbian-made Zastava ZPAP M70 is imported directly through Zastava Arms USA.
Because of the close relationship between the importer and exporter, the quality control of these rifles is generally very good, though they did have a few ‘less than stellar’ rivets appearing on earlier batches which have since been addressed and corrected in current production imports.
Overall, its fit and finish are not the best of the bunch but all of the fundamentals are intact.
When all is said and done, the Zastava M70 makes for a very reliable and functional weapon capable of withstanding very harsh treatment (with minimal cleaning).
Rob Ski fired thousands of rounds after dunking the M70 in a swamp for three days. Then he dropped on rocks from waist-high several times and fed it a steady diet of sand as it cycled through most magazines he tested to date!
Our favorite Polish-American comrade Rob Ski doesn’t go easy on these torture tests as you will see!
Specifications on the Zastava ZPAP M70
Here are all of the most relevant specifications of the ZPAP M70 rifle.
- 1.5mm bulged trunnion receiver
- Cold hammer-forged (CHF) chrome-lined barrel
- Bolt hold-open notch on the safety selector
- Adjustable front and rear iron sights
- 30-round magazine in polymer or steel
- Wood or polymer furniture
- 7.9 lbs
- 16.3″ CHF barrel
- 37″ overall length (35″ with collapsable stock)
We did our due diligence to find out what other people’s experience has been like owning the Zastava ZPAP M70 and here are some potential hiccups we’ve uncovered:
Potential Zastava ZPAP M70 QC Issues
Some of these issues noted below are somewhat common on imported AKs and can be remedied with the right tools and a little knowledge.
We encourage everyone in the AK sphere to get to know your rifle inside and out.
Take it apart and learn how to fix and replace common parts as well as keep a stock of parts that may wear out prematurely.
We will go over how to do basic fixes and maintenance in another article!
- Occasionally some imperfect riveting occurs (this is thought to be remedied on current batches though)
- The finish on the receiver, and dust cover is not the best & the bare-metal bolt carrier prone to mild rusting
- Mag-well may have trouble with certain magazines fitting & the mag-release catch may be slanted (these issues can be easily rectified with some careful filing or Dremel work to the rifle). In addition to that, some surplus mags (& others) may require filing the magazine’s back latch or locking front lug due to being out of spec
- Some reports of canted sight leaf (as we experienced personally) or canted front sight. We were able to straighten the out-of-spec sight leaf by filing the left side of the pivot arm.
Our Take on the Zastava ZPAPM70
The Zastava AK-47 is built like a tank, is as rugged as they come, and thanks to the 1.5mm thick stamped receiver, it feels heavy in the hands.
Out of the 6 AKs that made this list, it is the only one that has bulged trunnions on the sides of the receiver.
Note: Historically, bulged trunnions were a departure from the standard Russian AKM design and used by the former Yugoslavian, now Serbian, military.
Yugo AK-47 rifles required a noticeably thicker front trunnion to hold up to launching grenades. The grenade launcher that attaches to a proprietary rear lug was yet another option that distinguished Yugo-made AKs from the rest of the AKM clones.
For a semi-automatic civilian rifle lacking the dreaded grenade launcher, it’s a bit overkill for sure.
But, if you’re looking for something to survive the coming apocalypse, look no further!
With a hammer-forged front trunnion, a cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel, and a hammer-forged BCG, this AK was built with strength, reliability, and accuracy in mind.
Some time ago now, one of our favorite AK-loving YouTubers (Robski from “AK Operators Union”) released his final results video on the ZPAP.
After torture testing this rifle through 5,000 rounds of 7.62×39 ammo, the result was quite spectacular!
Zastava ZPAP M70 5,000 Round Torture Test!
Watch the video below to find out why we love the ZPAP M70 so much.
Results of 5,000 Round Torture Test
Here are the pictures Rob took that we edited with notations to show you how the AK faired in key locations.
Zastava ZPAP M70 Price & Availability
These awesome AKs can be had for approximately $999 & up, (at the time of this writing), and we think they represent one of the best values of any AK-47 variant currently on the market.
Being one of the few AKs that are still being imported in 2024, they pop up in various models that usually sell out within a week.
You can sign up to be notified when an item is in stock or, better yet, you can just peruse the digital storefronts of your favorite online gun sites anxiously hoping to snag the last item in stock.
They do tend to sell out quickly, at their current price, so don’t make the mistake of allowing your cart to time out!
We were lucky enough to pick ours up from a reputable online dealer (k-var.com) with the Hogue furniture package and ProMag Archangel adjustable stock included in the price!
We were pleasantly surprised that the price of this rifle included all those extras without bumping the cost up in the slightest.
Something to keep in mind, this AK is a Yugo-style AK variant that requires parts and furniture specific to that style.
We added the Yugo version UltimAK gas tube with rail in place of the stock gas tube and upper handguard.
With all that out of the way, we mounted an Atibal red dot scope that co-witnesses with the front sight.
Our Final Score for the Zastava ZPAP M70
As you can see, we were quite impressed with the overall value, build quality, and performance of this reliable AK variant!
#2 The PSA PSAK-103
Next, we’ll be pitting the ZPAP vs the Palmetto State Armory PSAK-103!
Introduction to the Palmetto State Armory PSAK-103
“The AK–103 is an assault rifle designed in Russia by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1994. It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M (chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge) similar to the AKM. It is basically an AKM configured as an AK-74M”
Wikipedia
It appears as though somebody in the US has stepped into the AK arena and upped their game!
Palmetto State Armory, known for making quality AR-15s for many years, started its first production into an AK lineup just a few years ago.
After refining their process through a few earlier production models, their current iteration has ironed out most, if not all, of the kinks and was one of the first fully US-made AKs to pass the 5,000-round torture test.
Using only the highest quality sourced, and in-house, parts, the AK-103 is a veritable home run for Palmetto State Armory.
Specifications on the PSAK-103
Here are all of the specifications as stated on Palmetto State Armory’s website.
- 16″ Cold Hammer Forged Chrome-lined FN Herstal Barrel with a phosphate finish
- 1:9.5″ Twist Rate
- M24 X 1.5 RH thread pitch with concentric barrel threads
- 4140 Hammer-forged front trunnion, CHF AKM style bolt, and CHF bolt carrier
- 1mm stamped and dimpled receiver with a high-quality black finish
- Comes with one 30-round magazine
- 800-yard rear sight leaf and fixed front sight post
- AK74 style dust cover
- AK74 style muzzle brake
- AK74 style 90-degree gas block with cleaning rod and bayonet mount
- Fire selector switch with easy-to-engage finger ledge
This premium model comes fitted with a cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel made by none other than FN Herstal.
We did our due diligence to find out what other people’s experience has been like owning this US-made AK-103 Clone and here are some potential hiccups we’ve uncovered:
Potential PSAK-103 QC Issues
Here are all of the known quality control issues that we could ascertain regarding the PSAK-103.
- Canted front sight block or leaf (not as common as on other AK imports)
- Some sight posts needed to be adjusted towards the last few threads to zero (requiring Loctite)
- Loose locking lever on the gas block (* note: lever doesn’t unlock during shooting though)
- Some have experienced an iffy finish on the side of trunnions, dust cover, and bolt carrier (this may have been addressed in later batches)
- The Select-fire switch is too tight (this can be easily bent to loosen it some without breaking it)
Just know that when dealing with AKs in general these are not at all uncommon complaints (even on $2k Arsenals!) and won’t have any effect on functionality, durability, or accuracy.
Our Take on the PSA PSAK-103
Now onto the good stuff! What sets these particular US-made AKs apart the most has to be the use of a cold hammer-forged FN Herstal chrome-lined barrel.
With good surplus ammo and a competent shooter, it can consistently achieve 1 MOA at 100 yards with iron sights!
The overall fit and finish are excellent and the all-important rivet job done on these rifles on our sample size of two is quite good actually.
We were very impressed with the riveting that PSA has done on this rifle and don’t think it gets much better than this. Bravo comrades!
The PSAK-103 is nice and tight-fitting as well. Nothing sloppy here folks! There’s no wobbling in the stock, handguards, or dust cover and most magazines fit nice and tight (with a few exceptions).
We’ve only needed to make a few adjustments to some surplus mags (Korean I believe) because some mags were out of spec and needed to be shaved down to fit into the trunnion’s magazine catch.
Occasionally, a magazine’s reinforced locking latch was off-angle or simply too thick, but most commonly available magazines presented no problems at all.
Having a cold-hammer-forged barrel is a premium option on an AK and FN makes some of the best in the world. PSA’s single-stage trigger has a 3.4-4 lb trigger, which is pretty standard.
The trigger pull is smooth (with some take-up) and the break is clean (reset is crisp and audible too).
A lot of people upgrade the trigger group replacing the typically US-made Tapco triggers (or some other generic, no-name trigger) with an advanced ALG-type trigger with a lighter pull that has less take-up.
These triggers will run you from $68-$150 depending on the model but PSA’s stock trigger is really good for what it is.
We consider ALG triggers to be a potential safety hazard in self-defense situations, due to the lightened trigger pull, but they’re great for shooting competitively.
The AK74 style muzzle brake greatly reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise. The PSA AK-103 is not over-gassed like a lot of AK imports are.
This translates into a very comfortable shooting experience comparable to an AR-15 shooting 5.56 NATO.
This is great if excessive recoil is not your idea of a good time or you’ve been put off after firing an over-gassed import.
The PSA AK-103 is compatible with all AKM-type furniture and accessories.
You can even mimic the look of your favorite Call of Duty loadout by adding a railed gas tube, side scope mount, red dot scope, or adjustable gas piston if that’s your thing
Or, you could go old-school and add a nice surplus (or newly made) wood furniture to give it that classic com-bloc look.
The US-made polymer furniture that comes standard with the rifle is surprisingly well-made and may suit your needs just fine.
As nice as it was, we decided to upgrade the furniture set to suit our needs.
We always encourage people to stock up on ammo first before upgrading to their AK (a rifle is useless without ammo!).
Speaking of ammo, those good ol’ reliable steel-cased, corrosive (or not) Russian surplus ammo with hard primers (Tula, Wolf, Red Army, Bear) run great through this AK- just as Mikhail Kalashnikov intended!
Flash forward to 2024, and it’s getting harder to find Russian-made 7.62×39 but there are rumors that a US manufacturer will be producing steel-cased AK-47 ammo within our shores soon!
PSA PSAK-103 5,000 Round Torture Test!
Check out Rob’s torture test video of the PSA PSAK-103 below.
Results of the 5,000 Round Torture Test
Check out these pictures to see the results of the 5,000-round test yourself!
PSA AK-103 Price & Availability
As of this writing, these American-made AKs can be picked up in one of two configurations; folding stock or fixed stock.
The folding stock version goes for $1,099 and the fixed stock for $999 and can be purchased directly from Palmetto State Armory’s website.
They were harder to come by a few months ago but now they seem to have picked up production as of late.
Palmetto State Armory is thought to have sold 1,000 of these AK models a week in 2020! That would make this one of the best-selling US-made AKs likely today!
Once these rifles get the respect and attention they deserve and prove their reliability over a larger sample size, they should hold their value over time.
Waiting too long to pick one up might come at a higher cost in the not-to-distant future!
Our Final Score for the PSA AK-103
As you can tell by our generous score, there’s much more we like about the PSA AK 103 than dislike.
If things continue to improve with further iterations, we may have to revisit and upgrade our score.
#3 The KUSA KR-103
Our next ZPAP vs the world AK is from Kalashnikov USA- and it’s no slouch!
Introduction to the KUSA KR-103
Like the PSA AK-103, the Kalashnikov USA model KR-103 is patterned off of the Russian 100 series.
The AK-103 is the upgraded version of the older AKM-style rifles.
The original AK103 was designed and overseen by none other than Mikhail Kalashnikov himself in 1994 (his last project).
Though they use the Kalashnikov name, there is no relation to Kalashnikov Concern out of Russia.
If they were indeed Russian-made, they would have followed the Soviet AK 47 blueprints concerning what materials to use to build AKs to spec.
Unfortunately, they use the cheaper-to-manufacture button-rifled nitrided barrel instead of a cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel and their bolt is machined out of forged billet.
Although they look the part, they aren’t an exact AK-103 clone, technically speaking, but they most definitely come the closest to replicating a Russian AK-103 to date.
Specifications on the KUSA KR-103
Here are all of the stated specifications found on KUSA’s website.
- 16.33″ barrel that is chrome-lined with button rifling
- Forged front trunnion
- Forged carrier
- Billet machined bolt
- Forged 5.5mm rear trunnion
- 7.65 lbs
- 36.75″ long
- 30 round magazine
- cleaning rod and AK74 bayonet lug
- Polymer furniture kit
- AK-103 side-mount scope rail
Potential KUSA KR-103 QC Issues
At the time of this rifle, this particular AK model did not have any issues to list since it’s a newer production model and it appears to be incredibly well-made.
More than 3 separate 5k round tests have been done by various YouTubers in the last 4-6 months showing little to no real issues with this model.
We have noted that our particular KR-103 did have a small issue that prevented some wider magazines from fitting into the magazine well.
We procured our KR-103 directly from the Klashnikovusa.com website and alerted them about this matter.
They responded asking for pictures and I provided them but have not received any response to date.
The issue causing this is a slightly out-of-spec internal support rail tac-welded directly above the receiver dimples on either side.
It would be easy enough to rectify with a Dremel bit, but we wanted to know first if this was a fluke or par for the course.
Since we don’t recall reading any other complaints about magazine fitment issues, we’re leaning toward a fluke.
Our Take on the KUSA KR-103
Besides the aforementioned fluke we experienced, the KR 103 is a marvelously-made, Russki work of art.
The quality of the finish is superb and the smooth racking action of the bolt is a sonic pleasure.
The piston head is smooth, being a direct Saiga clone, and the bolt is also a thin-stemmed design (also, like the original Saigas).
As we read through numerous forum posts, certain concerns were raised regarding the rationale behind producing a machined billet bolt and its strength and durability in comparison to the CHF bolts typically found in high-quality imported products (including the PSA).
But all of that was put to rest after we stumbled upon this video by another AK-loving YouTuber that we’ve come to rely on as a good source of unbiased information.
His YouTube channel is KLAYCO47 and this is the video that put that fear to rest as far as we’re concerned.
The KR-103 benefits from a very mild recoil impulse, making it a pleasure to shoot, so we know it’s not over-gassed. Now onto the AKOU torture test!
KUSA KR-103 5,000 Round Torture Test!
Unfortunately, YouTube removed Rob Ski’s video on this torture test but at least we still have the screen captures from that video to show you below.
Results of the 5,000 Round Torture Test
Let’s get a closer look at those all-important internals!
KUSA KR-103 Price & Availability
We were lucky enough to figure out that you can purchase this AK directly from the manufacturer’s website (kalashnikovusa.com) for the best price of just $1,100, but occasionally they’ll list a blem rifle for $999.
The other gun sites had them listed for $100 to $200 more and the ones closer to the MSRP were already sold out.
The experience of buying from KUSA directly was easy and without complications. There were no problems processing or shipping out our order in a timely fashion.
Inventory on these AKs seems to be about average for a US-made AK. Some months are better than others in terms of availability.
Your chances of picking one up are pretty good compared to the imported variants.
Our Final Score for the KUSA KR-103
Yes, we are big fans of this very well-made AK 103 clone.
Time will tell if it will stand the test of time as more and more people put rounds down range and put this baby through its paces!
#4 The WASR-10 (Century Arms)
Our next AK-47 to go up against the venerable Vastava ZPAP M70 is the time-tested WASR-10 imported by Century Arms International.
Introduction to the Century Arms WASR-10
“The Wassenaar Arrangement Semiautomatic Rifles (more commonly referred to as the WASR series rifles) are export-oriented, semi-automatic versions of the Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965 (PM md. 63), itself the Romanian variant of the Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy (AKM) series of Kalashnikov rifles originally manufactured in Russia.
The WASR series rifles take their name from the 1996 Wassenaar Arrangement, a multilateral export control regime (MECR), the purpose of which is to monitor and limit the proliferation of certain conventional weapons and dual-use technologies. The WASR series rifles use a Romanian-made receiver but lack the dimple above the magazine well seen in the SAR series of Romanian AKM rifles.”
Source: military.wiki.org
The WASR-10s currently being imported by Century International are still made in the Romanian Cugir Arms factory.
The WASR is the closest newly manufactured AKM you can get to a Russian AK because the Cugir factory uses the original Russian equipment and tooling.
The only US-made parts on this WASR-10 import are the furniture and the trigger. The barrel, receiver, front & rear trunnions, gas block, rear sight block, front sight post, and fire/safe selector are all Romanian-made.
Specifications on the WASR-10
Here are all of the known specifications on this unbreakable AK-47 rifle!
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Length: 34.25″
- Weight: 7.5 lbs.
- Barrel: 3.3″ Hard Chrome-Lined Hammer-Forged with 1:10 twist, 14×1 LH thread
- Trigger: RAK-1 Enhanced Trigger Group
- Magazines: (1) 30-Round Standard Capacity
Potential WASR-10 QC Issues
There was a time when WASR was associated with “junk” and that claim was mostly based on facts.
The current opinion has changed a lot and now the WASR name has been restored (for the most part).
This is due to the improvements made in quality control between the manufacturer and importer.
We’re still waiting for our WASR 10 to arrive and until we do we can’t vouch for the quality of these AKs.
We have seen others complain about canted sites from time to time and the quality of the finish but these are not uncommon issues with a lot of AKs imported from abroad.
Update: We received our WASR a few weeks ago and, although it needed a lot of cleaning to remove metal shavings, we can confirm it has met our expectations!
The action is nice and smooth and the trigger is crisp. The finish is underwhelming but the riveting seems acceptable.
The unbranded, polymer furniture is awful though, and will be replaced ASAP.
Our Take on the WASR-10
One of the first things most people notice about the WASR10 is the lack of dimples in the receiver.
That may not be to your liking, but it’s not a deal-breaker in our opinion. We also appreciate the quality of the parts and their construction.
From the cold hammer-forged trunnion and the hard chrome-lined, hammer-forged barrel, the WASR was built to last and should not be confused with some of Century Arms‘ offerings of the past.
One of the US-made parts of interest in the WASR is the RAK-1 trigger. For the longest time, most imports were fitted with Tapco trigger groups.
One of the issues with these triggers wasn’t the feel of the trigger pull but the angled geometry of the hammer.
Compared to other hammers, the Tapcos have rather bulky and odd angles which cause some bolt carriers to get stuck on them when racking the bolt.
They may also be over-hardened because they tend to mushroom and deform the tang on the carrier after a few hundred rounds.
The RAK-1 hammer has better angle geometry, and is perhaps a bit softer, keeping it from deforming the tail of the carrier as much.
The wood furniture is US-made as well and doesn’t look half bad but the plastic furniture is some of the cheapest looking and feeling we’ve ever seen.
It would be easy enough to upgrade it using standard AKM parts. Most AK-47 magazines should function perfectly with the WASR-10 and we’ll report back anything we discover as soon as we receive it.
Update: We can confirm the WASR we received accepts all magazines we’ve tried in it. Pass!
WASR-10 5,000 Round Torture Test!
Check out Rob put the WASR-10 through its paces and surpass the 5,000-round test.
Results of the 5,000 Round Torture Test
Look at these pictures for our parts wear analysis.
WASR-10 Price & Availability
Prices range from $800 to $899 and are currently in stock on at least a couple of gun sites at the time of this writing.
They are coming into stock from time to time as Century Arms gets them into the country.
Because of the improved quality control imposed upon the newest batches coming in, now is a great time to get your hands on a Romanian classic- the WASR 10
Our Final Score for the WASR 10
We do like this model but will reserve further judgment until we’ve gotten our hands on one ourselves.
Check back for further updates!
#5 The Century Arms VSKA
Next, we pit the infamous WASR vs the VSKA which is made by Century Arms in the USA. Read further to find out who wins!
Introduction to the VSKA by Century Arms
The VSKA (pronounced Vish-Kuh) is short for “Vermont Stamped Kalashnikov” and is a relative newcomer to the AK market getting its start in 2019.
Made entirely in the USA by Century Arms, this is one of the three most commonly made-in-the-US AKs available today.
They had a rocky start with various QC issues, especially at a press launch event where it pretty much failed miserably and blew up.
Their C39 V1 & V2 as well as their RAS47 models were plagued with QC issues and stories of cracked trunnions and other failures.
Fortunately, the VSKAs made in 2021 seemed to have achieved decent reliability with a few caveats that we’ll uncover in the QC section.
Specifications on the VSKA
Here are the specifications of the Century Arms VSKA AK.
- Barrel Chromemoly 4150 Steel
- Front Trunnion Machined S7 Tool Steel Plate
- Bolt Carburized 4140 Steel
- Receiver 1/16” Stamped Steel
- Bolt Carrier S7 Steel
- Sights Standard AKM
- Caliber 7.62 x 39mm
- Stock American Maple
- Feed Ramp S7 Steel
- Trigger Century Arms RAK-1
- Finish Manganese phosphate
Potential VSKA QC Issues
Here are the quality control issues we dug up as potential points of interest.
- Use of tool steel instead of hammer-forged parts
- Because of the steels used and how they’re manufactured, premature wear on load-bearing parts is increased and results in a less durable rifle compared to the others on this list.
- Lack-luster chrome-moly barrels may be accurate but not as tough as cold-hammer-forged barrels
- Loose-fitting upper handguards are common
- Though it has survived a few 5,000-round tests, it has shown uncharacteristic wear patterns that should be concerning to those who plan to shoot your rifle more than 5,000 rounds.
Our Take on the Century Arms VSKA
Although we do appreciate how much Century Arms has improved its manufacturing of AKs, they are still making some questionable decisions about what materials they choose to use in the manufacture of this rifle.
I’m sure saying “S7 tool steel” sounds good on paper, but in the real world there is a strength and durability disparity between this tool steel versus forged parts (especially concerning the bolt, carrier, and front trunnion).
There just isn’t getting around that simple, yet undeniable, fact. Though Century Arms claims their trunnions survived a 12,000-round test without any failures one would still have to question what the internals looked like after such a “successful” test (we’re still waiting for those pics!).
Especially when considering that Palmetto State Armory is selling their US-made AK 103 for about the same price but with forged parts!
If we had to choose between a VSKA or a WASR-10, we’d be picking the WASR-10 all day!
The VSKA may be a serviceable rifle, but they’re asking a couple of hundred too much for what you get, in our opinion. Like anything, it pretty much depends on how it’s going to be used.
It’s okay for a range toy or a wall-hanger but we don’t think it’s something you’d want to pass down to your kids… or stake your life on!
Sure, it may put a few thousand rounds downrange, but it will be worse for the wear and we think you strive for something better.
VSKA 5,000 Round Torture Test!
Here’s Rob putting the VSKA through a gauntlet of final testing ending with a passing grade.
Results of the 5,000 Round Torture Test
Here are the pictures showing how the internals held up to all that friction.
VSKA Price & Availability
The going rate for the VSKA is between $849-$989 and can usually be found in stock on popular gun sites fairly regularly.
There’s no rush to go out and buy this model since others on this list can be had as well and aren’t that much more expensive to purchase.
If there is nothing else available, the VSKA may suffice until something better comes along.
Our Final Score on the VSKA
Like I said earlier, it’s far from our favorite but it’ll do in a pinch.
But seriously, get a WASR instead!
#7 The WBP Fox Polish AK-47
Next up is a heavy hitter from Poland!
Introduction to the Polish WBP FOX
“Wytwornia Broni Jacek Popinski (WBP) is an independent privately-owned manufacturing company with its premises in Rogów, Poland.
Our manufacturing facility maintains a fully equipped workshop for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and upgrade of small arms.“
Source: wbprogo.com
AKs that come out of the FB Radom factory are renowned for their quality, precision, durability, and overall high performance.
Starting in 2019, these began being imported first by Century Arms and currently through Atlantic Firearms.
These newly collectible AKs have all matching part numbers and only the furniture, magazine, and muzzle device are US-made.
That’s good news since the former importer (Century Arms) installed US-made trigger groups that were not hardness-matched.
This caused significant splash damage on the carrier tang which you will see in the 5,000-round torture test.
Atlantic Firearms worked closely with the Polish WBP company to ensure only the highest quality product made it to our shores.
Specifications on the Polish WBP FOX
Here are all of the specifications we could find on the WBP Fox AK-47 rifle.
- Made in Poland by WBP Rogow and Imported into the United States
- All new quality parts
- FB Radom Hammer Forged Chrome Lined 16-inch Barrel
- Forged Polish Barrel Trunnion
- The bolt carrier is fully machined from hammer-forged steel
- Polish Import markings on Receiver
- Collectible Matching Numbers / on many parts
- Polish Eagle marking on rear sight block
- Bayonet Lug
- Threaded barrel 14mm x 1 left hand
- High-Quality Black Finish
- AK Side Rail for Optic Mounts
- Beryl Type Rear Trunnion for use with FB Radom Beryl rail system
- AF Plum furniture set (US)
- Original Polish Fire Control groups
- 35 1/4 Inches in Length
- Weight 6.8 pounds empty
Potential WBP FOX QC Issues
Update: We just got our WBP Foxes and these are some of the finest quality AKs we’ve ever laid our hands on!
We’re still waiting for our Foxes to arrive so we can find out ourselves, but everything we’ve read and watched online suggests these rifles are some of the most well-made AKs on the market…even compared to the Bulgarian Arsenals!
Of course, there was an issue with the imports with US trigger groups but these latest batches are using 99% Polish parts with matching numbers.
These AKM variants are as close to perfect as an AK can get.
Our Take on the Polish WBP FOX
We were excited when we found out these were being imported by Atlantic Firearms and couldn’t wait to save up some dough to plop down on 2 of these nearly unmolested imports from Poland.
These AKs have all of the characteristics you’d want in an AKM from the chrome-lined, hammer-forged barrels to the heat-matched trigger control groups and bolt carriers to the hammer-forged front trunnions.
The Polish-made receiver is made with FB Radom tooling using Kalashnikov build techniques.
They employ a thicker dust cover for added strength and durability as well as a heavy-profile, gas block.
It’s said that Beryl AKs and WBP AKs share some parts in common such as the bolt but these rumors cannot be confirmed due to a non-disclosure company policy.
Since FB Radom shifted production from making AK47s to only making AK74s, they have helped WBP with the manufacturing of their AK47 rifles over the years.
Both of these Polish manufacturers produce some of the best AKs ever made.
This bodes well with their popularity, and increasing collectability while also speaking highly of their manufacturing techniques and quality controls.
This also explains why the price of these rifles is going up!
WBP FOX 5,000 Round Torture Test!
As Robski would say, “Enough of the bullshit talk!”… let’s get to the test!
Results from the 5,000 Round Torture Test
“The results are in and they are good!”
*Note: The tang deformation was caused by the US-made trigger group specifically because the hammer was not hardness-matched.
WBP FOX Price & Availability
This one has been the most elusive on the list and for good reason…it’s highly desirable and sought after. Because of this, these sell out quickly when they come into stock.
Even at the steep cost of nearly $1,400 to get it shipped to your FFL, these AKs get sold out within a day or two of receiving the notice in your inbox!
We were lucky enough to pick up two of these bad boys and when we checked the stock status just 4 hours later…they were all sold out!
As much as we’d love to say get the WBP Fox, the reality is it’s easier said than done.
There’s always Gunbroker.com if you’re desperate but you’ll likely be paying a much higher price than if you waited for a new shipment to come in.
Our Final Score of the WBP FOX AK-47
As you might have surmised by our not-so-subtle score, we think this AK is pretty close to perfect…or as perfect as an AK can get.
Even Russian and Bulgarian AKs aren’t perfect, though they are more sought after and expensive for sure!
This isn’t a testament to their quality, per se, but to their rarity in the States. Sure, they do build high-quality AKs… but at the end of the day, they’re still just AKs…after all.
So who’s it going to be??? Keep scrolling to find out!
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
We do appreciate you’ve made it this far, our AK-loving fans. Bravo! It was a lot of information to read and digest but after many hours of putting the pieces together for you, we hope it serves you well.
After racking our brains over which AK represents the best value for your buck, we came up with a top pick for comrades who prefer the AK imports and a top pick for patriots who prefer the domestically made AK.
Both of our AK-47 top picks should satisfy the majority of buyers and will serve you well when the SHTF or TEOTWAWKI!
Our Domestic AK-47 Winner:
THE KALASHNIKOV KR-103!
When we considered all the factors involved, (cost, availability, and build quality), the KUSA KR-103 is hands down the best value for a domestically-made AK on this list.
The PSAK-103 was a close 2nd in the value-for-cost department but the potentially problematic firing pin issue made the choice a bit easier.
In our opinion, both of these are American-made and deserve high praise.
Our Import AK-47 Winner:
THE ZASTAVA ZPAP M70!
The Zastava M70 ZPAP is the clear import value winner followed by the WASR-10.
Premium AK-47 Import Winner:
THE POLISH WBP FOX!
If you want bragging rights though, you have to get the WBP Fox… it is one of the best AKs money can buy!
Of course, Arsenal AKs are excellent as well, but it’s getting harder to justify the added cost of these rifles when you’ve got tough competition at more reasonable prices.
If you’ve gotten this far you’re well on your way to finding the best AK47 that suits your needs and fits your budget.
We’ll continue to expand in future articles on other AK models as they become available to us and report back what our findings are.
So check back often and thank you for supporting our efforts to get you the best tactical insights into the guns and gear you love!
I love my Zastava Zpap M70, I also have the version with hogue handguard and Archangel stock.
Thing is an absolute sewing machine, and its a blast to shoot.
Might be getting a KUSA KS-12T here soon or might do a Komrad.
Nice. It’s good to hear the Zastava performing well for you as it has for so many owners. KUSA-12T looks sweet!
My choice was between the KUSA 103, and the Zpap. Sold my VSKA and ended up with a Zpap. Availability was a factor, but “built like a tank “ kept resonating. The one I picked only needed the front post to be lowered and it was dead on. I would say that this rifle shoots groups in the 1.5” arena. Easily .75” sight in at 25 yds. Swapped the grip with TD, and butt stock with Magpul using Zastava rear trunion AR buffer tube mount. Left the pretty wood up front. Fighter break on the barrel end. Absolutely love this rifle.
Sound like you made a solid choice comrade. VSKA’s are not up to snuff compared to imports or KUSA and PSA’s for reasons mentioned. Those upgrades sound sweet and I bet they look good too!
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Prawdziwy z Ciebie talent i mistrz pióra z ogromną łatwością przekładasz myśli na słowa… trzymaj tak dalej, dbaj i pięlęgnuj swego bloga… Skąd czerpiesz tak ciekawe inspiracje ?
Thank you so much for the kind words! I used Google translate from Polish to English to uncover your text for our English readers that I’ll share here:
“You’re a true talent and pen master that can easily translate your thoughts into words… keep on, take care, and maintain your blog.. Where do you get such interesting inspirations?”
To answer your question, it comes more easily when you’re writing on a topic you are passionate about and are eager to learn more about and share your knowledge with others. Much like the Polish American YouTuber Rob Ski, I get excited when talking about and discussing anything related to the AK-47 rifle. I only wish I could afford to shoot as much as he does! He does a great service to all of us when performing the torture tests on these AKs so we can see for ourselves the quality of various AK manufacturers both import and domestic-made models.
Wah jangan berpendapat negatif senantiasa, sekali-sekali kita wajib berfikiran positif untuk menyongsong masa depan yang penuh kemauan. Suka banget sama tulisannya.
Please tell me that youre going to keep this up! Its so great and so important. I cant wait to read more from you. I just really feel like you know so substantially and know how to make people listen to what youve to say. This blog is just also cool to be missed. Excellent stuff, seriously. Please, PLEASE keep it up!
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Aided me a lot, just what I was searching for : D.
Love Rob Ski and his channel! He definitely sold me on the Zpap M70 and was my first AKM and definitely not my last one! Great review and write up.. Cheers!
Thanks for the feedback, Corey! Yea, Rob Ski’s channel is an awesome resource for testing modern-made AKs for sure. We love the ZPAP M70 too and could only dream of putting 5,000 rounds through her!
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I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
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Great article that was showed to me by a friend. He suggested the WBP Fox as a diamond in the rough. As I looked into it for the day, now I have a one getting shipped to me. At this point, I’m wondering if I need to breakup with him, cause he has managed to get me to buy 3 other guns over the years. lol
Feels great to get a real comment as apposed to the tons of spam I have to delete daily. Don’t be too hard on him (you won’t regret that purchase) because the WBP Fox is highly underrated at a very fair price (hundreds less than the comparable Polish FB Radom AKs). Not to mention its flawless fit & finish with excellent build quality, and uses hammer forged parts where it matters most. You can never have too many guns! Lol, so long as the budget allows, why not?