10 Best AK-47s for Any Budget: Buyers Guide

For most people, the term AK-47 has come to represent what is actually a wide family of firearms, even if there is only one true AK-47. Originally developed by the Soviet small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov as a versatile battle rifle to fight the Germans in World War II, the first AK was dubbed the Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947.

That initial design didn’t roll out of Russian factories until 1948, but the AK-47 and its many variants reshaped the future of firearms development. After nearly eight decades, AK-style platforms remain some of the most popular and trusted rifles in the world.

Plus, they’re dang fun to shoot! Here’s a look at 10 great options that fit a wide range of budgets.

Table of Contents

Author’s Personal Pick: Zastava M70 PAP
Best Upgrade Under $2K: Arsenal AK
Premium USA-Made: Kalashnikov USA KR-103
Budget USA-Made: Century VSKA
Budget Import Option: Romanian WASR-10
The Real McCoy: Russian Saiga AK
Go-To AK Pistol: Draco Mini & Micro
Most Affordable .22 Plinker: Mauser AK-47
Cheapest 9mm Option: Century WASR-M AK
Bang for Your Buck: Century VSKA Tactical (Blem)

Author’s Personal Pick: Zastava M70 Z-PAP & N-PAP AK

ak47 displayed on edge of fallen tree in an outdoors scene

When it comes to a balance of price and quality, I lean toward the Zastava M70 series of AK rifles. Serbia-based Zastava Arms is a well-respected arms manufacturer with a reputation that now spans three centuries.

It’s American subsidiary, Zastava Arms USA, is the exclusive importer of Zastava Arms products into the U.S. However, the quality of the Z-PAP and older N-PAP M70 rifles rolling out of the Zastava plant and into the states has impressed this author enough that he has added more than one to his personal collection.

While commercial M70s are modern production guns, they’re based on the service rifle issued to soldiers in the Yugoslav People's Army starting in 1970. The M70 itself differs from the classic AK-47 in several ways. Perhaps most noticeably, its elongated handguard boasts three ventilation holes instead of two and lacks the AK-47s typical palm swell on the lower hand guard.

These Yugo-style rifles come with reinforced frames manufactured from thicker steel. M70s can be had in everything from classic wood and metal folding stocks to updated polymer furniture. The Z-PAP line upgrades the rifles with chrome-lined barrels and bulged trunnions.

The PAP designation refers to the “poluautomatska puška,” which simply translates to semi-automatic rifle. These guns are rugged, reliable, and fall into a middle-of-the-road Goldilocks price point.

Best Upgrade Under $2K: Arsenal AK Rifles & Pistols

Quality comes at a cost, and the prices of AK-style rifles has grown well beyond inflation over the last decade. However, grabbing a quality, Arsenal-made AK still generally costs under $2,000.

Saying that Bulgarian-made Arsenal AKs have a great reputation among AK collectors is a bit like saying NASCAR fans prefer fast cars. It’s hard to pass through an AK chatroom without someone comparing any other AK-47 variant to their personal and preferred Arsenal. Their reputation is well-earned, but it comes with a higher price tag.

Arsenals are some of the most respected AKs on the market and made to high standards. They often include upgrades such as milled receivers, though few would complain about being gifted a lighter stamped Arsenal. If you’re looking for a reliable AK you can brag about, Arsenal is where you want to start.

Premium USA-Made: Kalashnikov USA KR-103 Series

Technically, Kalashnikov USA’s commercial KR-103 is based on the military AK-103, which replaced the AKM, which itself replaced the original AK-47 design. All that really matters is that these USA-made AKs offer modernized, reliable rifles that are very close to the original military variants.

If you want an AK that still boasts the Kalashnikov name but is made in America, K-USA has you covered. Kalashnikov USA does this at a competitive price-tag for quality American-made guns.

As a historical footnote, it’s worth mentioning that the AK-103 platform was one of the last designs developed under Mikhail Kalashnikov, the father of all AK rifles. The KR-103 boasts an improved trigger, muzzle brake, and overall higher-quality build materials.

Budget American-Made: Century Arms VSKA

The AK-47 was already built to be extremely rugged. So, it’s particularly notable that Century Arms pitches its affordably priced VSKA as a heavy-duty AK. The bolt carrier, front trunnion, and feed ramp are machined from heat-treated, shock-resistant S7 tool steel.

Other enhancements include a carburized 4140 steel bolt, chrome-moly 4150 barrel, and durable manganese-phosphate finish. AK rifles are not known for having particularly refined triggers, but the VSKA comes from the factory with the RAK-1 Enhanced Trigger Group to improve shot-to-shot accuracy.

Century Arms invested itself in the VSKA, making it a large family of variants that include a wide selection of folding and fixed stock options, wood or synthetic furniture, and a pistol model. To back up its claim that the VSKA is built tough, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty from Century Arms.

Budget Import Option: Romanian WASR-10

The Romanian-made WASR-10 might as well be dubbed “The People’s AK” in America. These guns came into the states at a bargain price for years and became some of the most popular AKs of all time thanks to their affordability.

Ostensibly a second-generation AKM-pattern rifle, the WASR-10 has undergone a handful of upgrades over the years. Importer Century Arms updated the trigger on new imports, and Century has imported so many WASR-10s that these are among the most common import guns you’ll see floating around gun shops and shows.

While the WASR-10 doesn’t boast the same reputation – or high price tag – as an Arsenal-built AK, it still has a strong following as a go-to recreational shooter. Coming in at around half the price of many other imports, the WASR-10 is one of your best bets to grab a lower-priced AK that still has a Cold War pedigree.

The WASR name is a merciful abbreviation of Wassenaar Arrangement Semi-Automatic Rifles. The number 10 in WASR-10 comes from the fact that these guns were originally imported with capacity-limited 10-round magazines due to import regulations. Thankfully, that trend is over.

The Real McCoy: Russian Saiga AK Rifles

More than 90 percent of Russia’s small arms come from Kalashnikov Concern, formerly Izhmash. As a conglomeration of various Russian arms manufacturers, the group includes the commercial Saiga brand and its popular line of AK-inspired sporting rifles.

In fact, the Saiga line of rifles once served as a primary export for Russian small arms heading to America. These Russian AKs originally targeted the American consumer market with a “featureless” sporting AK variant that dropped the traditional pistol grip for a semi-pistol grip on a straight buttstock.

That was in the era of the 1994 Assault Weapons ban when the first Saiga imports targeted the hunting and sporting community. Saiga sporting rifles have since expanded to include a wide variety of AKs. The Russian-made guns come from the same manufacturing facilities as many of the guns that have historically served the Russian military.

Between popular demand and various U.S. import bans on Russian firearms, the Saigas have become scarcer over the years. But they’ve built a reputation as reliable AK variants with a direct lineage going back to the original Russian AK-47.

Go-To AK Pistol: Draco Mini & Micro AK Pistols

Century Arms’ Romanian-made Draco AK pistols offer compact AK firepower in both rifle and pistol calibers, including the very small Mini Draco and extra small Micro Draco chambered in 7.62x39mm.

There are 9mm variants of the Draco as well. These accept Glock mags, making them ideal for people who want to streamline their magazine collection while still enjoying multiple firearm platforms. Additionally, the Draco line now includes models with stabilizing braces.

Falling into the more budget-friendly side of the AK marketplace, Century Arms once again aims for the fun value option with its Draco lineup. That includes pistol options that come with 75-round drum magazines and carry-ready kits.

Make no mistake, these pistols host small barrels, and that makes them true fire breathers on the range when chambered for 7.62x39mm. Don’t expect to ring steel at long ranges with these guns. But you can expect to have a blast and turn heads at the range.

Most Affordable .22 Plinker: Mauser AK-47

If plinking is the name of the game, then the best bang for your buck goes to the Mauser AK-47 brought to you by plinker-friendly Blue Line Solutions. A large part of the company’s offerings focus on rimfire versions of classic military firearms, such as the Mauser HSr and MP-40.

This is by far the cheapest way to scratch your AK itch, and it’s equally cheap to shoot with its .22 LR chambering. The Mauser AK-47 comes in various stock options ranging from classic wood to polymer with a host of Picatinny rails on the forend.

The guns feed off 24-round magazines. While they are only chambered for .22 LR, these plinkers still weigh in at around 7 pounds. That gives them a more genuine AK feel. These rifles even come with an adjustable trigger pull and adjustable iron sights.

Cheapest 9mm Option: Century Arms WASR-M AK

Century Arms has owned a lot of space on this list for a reason. The expansive gun importer and manufacturer has been in the AK business for a long time. It’s budget-friendly 9mm WASR-M AK chambered for 9mm is one of the companies most affordable options.

The WASR-M, like the WASR-10, hails from Romania. In a brilliant stroke for consumers, it feeds off common Glock magazines, which makes this an AK that can share magazines with your daily carry gun if you’re a Glock fan.

This pistol-caliber carbine hosts a new receiver design that makes it Glock-mag friendly. The 9mm chambering also makes this a soft-shooting AK variant. It can be had with either wood or polymer furniture, and the left side of the receiver hosts an AK optics rail.

Other than its 9mm chambering, the gun follows the AKM-pattern rifles and can accept AKM aftermarket furniture.

Bang for Your Buck: Century Arms VSKA Tactical (Blem)

As noted above, the Century Arms VSKA is meant to take a beating while remaining affordable. The VSKA Tactical takes that up a notch and gives the end user some serious upgrades. Notably, it loses weight by employing a skeletonized stock and swapping traditional furniture for Magpul alternates. These upgrades, along with the incorporated dovetail mount, allow you to mount any sort of optics, lights, or lasers you wish. The VSKA brings the AK platform into the 21st century with a refreshed look.

The factory blem models offer a great way to save some serious cash without losing functionality. These are all brand-new, in-the-box models with minor cosmetic defects. Take advantage of this screaming deal now before supplies run out.