9 Best AK-47 Rifles – 2024

Century Arms C39v2 AK-47 Rifle

Last updated February 9th 2024

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Winners at a Glance

ImageProductDetailPrice
Arsenal SAM7R

Arsenal SAM7R

  • Overall Winner
Lowest Price
Palmetto State Armory PSAK-47

Palmetto State Armory PSAK-47

  • Cheap Rifle
Lowest Price
Riley Defense RAK-47

Riley Defense RAK-47

  • Sexiest AK
Lowest Price
Zastava Arms ZPAP

Zastava Arms ZPAP

  • Tactical rifle
Lowest Price
Century Arms WASR-10 Classic

Century Arms WASR-10 Classic

  • Classic AK rifle
Lowest Price

Introduction to the AK-47

The AK-47 is a mythical beast in the firearms world and rightly so. This assault rifle has won more wars than possibly any other weapon in the world.

The classic Russian icon is found right across Africa, the Middle East and yeah, more or less everywhere else. The Soviet Union and the fearsome Red Army was effectively built on the back of the best AK47 rifles, and many African kingdsoms have been brought down by it.

Lieutenant General Mikhail Kalashnikov designed the AK-47.

It has become a symbol of war, and has featured from the Islamic State to the depths of the African jungle and the Vietnam War.

Modern-day AK-47s for sale have kept the heavy hitting ammunition, the low maintenance finish and the willingness to chew through ammunition at the range. AK-47s tend not to jam up, can be field stripped in minutes and you can pretty much send any old ammo downrange.

That has led to a cult following on these shores. But what are our top picks for the best AK-47 rifle for sale?


Arsenal Sam7R. One of the finest AKs on sale in 2023.

1. Arsenal SAM7R

  • Price: $1,829.99
  • Action: Semi Auto Rifles
  • Barrel Length: 16
  • Weight: 8lb
  • Caliber: 7.62x39mm

Overall Winner

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
2/54/54/54/54.5/5

This, right here, is a modern savage. It’s a gun that has moved on, ever so slightly, from the original AK-47 era of Russian political and military history. It’s the cleaner, more efficient, modern day equivalent and the best AK47 in our opinion.

So this, in a close quarters’ urban war, is exactly the kind of gun you’d love to have by your side. It’s also an epic truck gun, at a price that is just about within reach.

Bulgarian firm Arsenal has copied the AK-47 rifles since 1958. It has also brought in some improved manufacturing techniques, like a milled receiver and hardened steel bolt carrier group to give more strength and durability.

This high quality Arsenal SAM7R is a hybrid between the old AK-47 and the AK-74, a 1974 update from the base Kalashnikov rifle. So it’s a more advanced version of the most widely used weapon in the world.

The Arsenal SLR is another option, if you want a cheaper rifle. We prefer the SAM7R and its stamped receiver, but we totally get you if you want to go with the Arsenal SLR.


Palmetto State Armory PSAK-47 G3 rifle in Black Satin.

2. Palmetto State Armory PSAK-47 GF4

  • Price: $799.99+
  • Barrel Length: 16.5 inch
  • Action: Semi Auto Rifles
  • Total Length: 34 inch
  • Weight: 6.3lb
  • Capacity: 30+1

Best Budget Option

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
5/53/54/55/52.5/5

PSA is probably the biggest supplier of AK-47s in the United States of America right now. Crazy huh?

They’re a pretty solid fit, honestly. Palmetto State Armory produces high quality cheap AR-15 rifles and parts kits. The AK fits their ethos of value for money firearms that made it THE assault weapon of the last century.

Now you might be confused by the PSAK-47 GF3 and GF4. The main difference in the G4 is the chrome lined barrel that marks a major improvement in accuracy and durability. There was a Palmetto State Armory G5 with an FN barrel that was even better, but that seems to have fallen off the radar.

You can still buy the PSAK-47 GF3 or G4. We’d go for the G4 unless the daily deals on the PSAK-47 GF3 are too good to pass up. Both come with a forged receiver, Bolt Carrier Group and cold hammer forged barrel.

Variety of Finishes

This one comes with black satin finish wood stock and handguard. But there’s a rifle to suit your taste, style and budget.

You can get a BLEM Palmetto State Armory for around $600 on a good day through to $1,100 Palmetto State Armory Custom offerings with a picatinny rail for red dot sights & rifle scopes.

Check the full line of best sellers in the United States here:


Riley Defense RAK-47

3. Riley Defense RAK-47

  • Price: $869.99
  • Barrel Length: 16.5 inch
  • Total Length: 34 inch
  • Weight: 6.3lb
  • Capacity: 30+1

Most Stylish AK-47

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
4/53/54/55/53.5/5

This thoroughly 21st Century AK comes with a quad rail up front, an MFT Minimalist stock and a much more advanced looking muzzle device.

The Riley Defense RAK-47 is a design masterpiece.

You can mount red dots on the Picatinny rail, a weapons light or go full operator with lights and lasers peering down that 16.5 inch barrel.

Then there’s the cold hammer forged chrome moly barrel with a twin port muzzle brake and polymer furniture. With a hot die forged Bolt Carrier Group, they combine to create one of the best bang for buck rifles here. Not the best gun, but the best bang for your buck.

See the full Riley Defense line up and some of the best AK47s here. Get an old world wood stock, a folding stock or a high quality Magpul MOE stock. The choice is yours.


Pioneer Arms Sporter,

4. Pioneer Arms Sporter

  • Price: $856.99
  • Barrel: 16.5 inch
  • Total Length: 34 inch
  • Weight: 7.9lb
  • Capacity: 30+1

Classic Military Vibe

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
4/53/54/53.5/53/5

The Pioneer Arms Sporter 7.62x39mm is the minimalist Russian military service rifle with the folding ‘stock’.

Now this Polish manufacturer is right up there with the best AK47 rifles in the modern clone wars. And this is a fun gun with a simple stamped receiver that you will enjoy.

You can switch out the wire stock for a Magpul MOE or purest wood stock or synthetic stock too.


Century Arms VSKA. A classic AK-47.

5. Century Arms VSKA 7.62x39mm

  • Price: $656.99+
  • Barrel: 16.5 inch
  • Total Length: 34 inch
  • Weight: 7.9lb
  • Capacity: 30+1

Bargain Romanian AK

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
5/52.5/54/53/52.5/5

If you want a more faithful recreation of the classic Soviet rifle that has been re-engineered with S7 tool steel for additional strength, then you want the Century Arms VSKA. That’s the USP here. It’s a little heavier, but this semi auto rifle is definitely stronger.

This is modeled on the original Soviet military weapon that has made its presence felt on every single continent. This is the the world’s most effective killing machine in the last Century, complete with wood furniture.

The Century VSKA7.62x39mm is basically the rifle that has served in the Red Army, Middle Eastern wars, African skirmishes you will never know about and Eastern European bloodbaths. It is woven into the tapestry of our world.


Zastava ZPAP M70 rifle on sale

6. Zastava Arms ZPAP M70

  • Price: $1,500.99
  • Barrel: 16.5 inch
  • Total Length: 34 inch
  • Weight: 7.9lb
  • Capacity: 30+1

Modern Trendsetter

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
2.5/53/53.5/53/53.5/5

The Zastava ZPAP M70 is another thoroughly modern interpretation of the class AK design, and we like it.

The Zastava M70 Bulged Trunnion is like a really fat, double height handguard that basically conceals the fact its an AK at all from the outside world.

You can buy a Zastava Z-PAP M70 with the traditional wood stock, or a metal stock, but you’ll see plenty of that on this list.

So this Zastava Arms M70 is a Back to the Future AK47 7.62x39mm with a side folding stock, a full length Picatinny rail, polymer furniture, a proper muzzle brake and other treasures. It is different and quality control is superb on the 16.5 inch barrel.

We like the Zastava Z-PAP M70 for home defense. Although firing an AK indoors without ear protection might make you question the decision.

Pioneer Arms, Riley Defense, Zastava, it mostly comes down to the personal impression each brand has made on you. You could just as easily have a wood furniture Zastava without a scope rail at number one. If it’s a reliable rifle that’s great for shooting targets.

The Zastava N-PAP still gets great gun reviews to this day and that is a classic version of possibly the most widely used assault weapon in the world.


Kalashnikov KR-103. An updated version of the classic AK rifle.

7. Kalashnikov USA KR-103

  • Price: $1,200.99
  • Barrel: 16.5 inch
  • Total Length: 34 inch
  • Weight: 7.65lb
  • Capacity: 30 rounds.

The Icon, Back in the USA

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
3/53.5/54/53.5/54.5/5

The Kalashnikov USA AK-103 was the last version of the legendary AK that Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov personally oversaw and it built on the progress of the AK-74.

This faithful recreation is built to the Russian specifications and features tech that the Russian army uses to this day. It is certainly one of the best AK-47 rifles on the market today, even though it really isn’t technically a 47 anymore. It’s a twist on the classic Soviet army infantry weapon with a long stroke gas piston.

This is an AKM rifle, though, and comes with the hammer forged front trunnion, cleaning rod, button rifled barrel that adds a little long range accuracy.

The front sight and single port muzzle device are both better than the earlier models of Kalashnikov rifles, and there’s space to attach tactical accessories.


Century Arms AK-47 replica

8. Century Arms WASR-10 Classic

  • Price: $917.99
  • Barrel: 16.5″
  • Total Length: 37.25″
  • Weight: 8.05lb (Unloaded)
  • Caliber: AK-47 7.62x39mm
  • Capacity: 30 Rounds

Classic AK Design

PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
3/52.5/54/53.5/52.5/5

This is the classic AK-47 rifle in period dress, with a stamped steel receiver, for a price that most of us can afford. It will eat pretty much any ammo, it will make most AR-15s look like histrionic drama queens and it should keep going all day.

The Century Arms semi automatic rifle isn’t the best example you can get of the AK-47 mechanism in terms of build quality and it’s based on the old Romanian model for civilian use, but it is better than the majority of pattern rifles you might see for a less money.

You get a pistol grip, a fixed front sight, seemingly untreated wood stock. It stays true to the old AKM philosophy with the fewest modifications possible for the modern market, and that’s basically its USP and major weakness summed up in one sentence.

It’s a true old style AK, witha stamped receiver and forged barrel, no creature comforts, no modern frills and no real evolution. But if you want a real old AK for home defense or playing at the range, then these are pluses, especially if you drop a Rak 1 Enhanced Trigger Group in there.


The IWI Galil Ace II is a real AR-15 alternative and a combination of the classic Draco gun and Valmet RK62.

9. IWI Galil Ace Gen II

  • Price: $1,914.99
  • Barrel:16
  • Weight: 7.5lb (Unloaded)
  • Caliber: 7.62x39mm
  • Capacity: 30 rounds
PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
3/54/54/53.5/54/5

Now this is a naughty little gun isn’t it? It has drawn inspiration from the good old-fashioned Kalashnikov rifles and the Finnish icon, the Valmet RK62.

It’s not really a standard issue AK-47 anymore, but it is a great little rifle for home defense and general shooting. You can get one in 5.56 NATO, too, and rifles that go right up to the 308.

The Israelis are on a roll right now, with the Tavor TS-12 Semi-Automatic shotgun, but this IWI Galil Ace Gen 2 is a gun we could easily see taking over as anybody’s last line of defense.

For that reason alone, the IWI Galil Ace Gen 2 is one of the very best weapons you can buy in the traditional AK-47 caliber of 7.62x39mm. There are cheap gun deals on this side folding rifle, too, sometimes…

The Israeli Special Forces, feared throughout the world, pack the gas operated full auto machine gun when they go to work. It’s easy to see why this machine gun works for them, especially the short barreled SBR form.

It’s a great little weapon for home defense in the United States and the Galil Ace Gen 2 is definitely a step up from an AR-15 when it comes to stopping power.

They come in Flat Dark Earth and other racier finishes, and it’s ready for tactical accessories.


And the AR Wildcard…

The Sig Spear LT in 7.63x39mm. The next gen AK-47 built with a large amount of AR tech.

10. Sig Saur MCX LT Spear

  • Price: $2,599.99
PriceAccuracyReliabilityWeightPrestige
1/55/55/53.5/55/5

The new Sig Sauer MCX Spear has been adopted by the US military and law enforcement agencies in fully automatic rifle form and it might just be the best gun here. It has borrowed the best parts of the AR-15, without giving up any of the AK’s hard hits.

That makes it one of the best AK-47 complete rifles for sale in 2023. It’s a high price, high spec masterpiece.

The direct impingement system is refined, compared to some of the agricultural specials here. It’s an AK-47 lite, for sure, but there’s nothing wrong with that. This is a different kind of side folding rifle and it could really be the best AK-47 rifle for sale.

And of course there’s a short barrel rifles version, which we used to call pistols in the good old days.


Where to Buy 7.62x39mm Ammo

If you are looking to bulk buy ammo, 7.62x39mm ammo, 45 ACP ammo, 223 ammo, 300 Blackout ammo, rimfire ammo, rifle ammo, shotgun ammo, handgun ammo, AR-15 ammo for a belt fed AR-15 and more, we can help.

Well our partners like Firearms Depot, Lucky Gunner and Sportsman’s Guide can help with the ammo, best muzzle velocity and cleaner ammo so you won’t need so many gun cleaning supplies for your home defense guns.

The Best Concealed Carry AK-47

If you want a concealed carry AK pistol on the market today then you really should take a look at the Micro Draco Pistol. It’s fun, tiny and loud, and it’s almost small arms. If you really want small arms you’ve got to go to the 45 ACP ammo or best 9mm subcompact pistols.

Where to Buy Rifle Parts & Accessories

AK complete rifle parts and accessories are relatively easy to find these days. If you need stamped receivers, milled receivers, a charging handle, complete uppers, a new trunnion, magazine release or a forged, chrome lined barrel, check out Palmetto State Armory first.

They have all kinds of parts and accessories. Check the rifles & pistols out here:

They have other parts, shotgun parts, pistol parts, range gear as well.

FAQ

1. Does the US Marine Corps prefer the AK-47?

There’s a wild story that the Marine Corps will drop their rifle and pick up an AK from a felled opponent at the first opportunity. I mean it’s a fun idea, but not strictly true.

We’re sure there are times when the Marine Corps will dump their 21st Century weapon for a rusty AK, if there’s lots of AK ammo around and not enough to keep their main duty weapon running. But not normally.

It was a thing in the Vietnam War. Not so much these days…

2. Is the AK-47 a Copy of the German STG?

No, the German STG combat rifle certainly inspired certain elements of the AK, but it is not a copy of the German STG.

3. What are AK Shotguns?

Some of the best semi auto shotguns/pump action shotguns have adopted the AK layout. Semi automatic shotguns from Kalashnikov USA and almost always feature top of our semi auto shotguns feature.

4. Can you Buy a California Legal AK-47

In California, AK-47s are generally classified as “assault weapons”. So the sale, transfer, and possession of are highly regulated by state law.

There are some legal AK-47 variants that are specifically designed to comply with California’s assault weapons laws. But not many. And forget short barrel rifles.

They have to be modified with a fixed magazine, or with no flash suppressor, and no protruding pistol grip. A California legal AKs must essentially be a featureless rifle, or have a maximum capacity of 10 and a cumbersome reloading process.

New York legal AK-47 and New Jersey legal firearms are almost as extreme, although you don’t need a pinned magazine and just have to do without the threaded barrel, tri-lug adapter and pistol grip.

There are reasons behind the laws for California legal weapons, but it’s easy to see how these rifles/pistols are an abomination.

So yeah be careful with the California legal rules, or New Jersey legal rules, Maryland legal, or just move to a better State and enjoy the best AK47 rifles. And freedom…

5. Is there a left handed AK-47?

You can find left handed AK rifles, pistols etc, but they’re really not that common off the shelf. Left handed shooters often simply cope with the occasional shell casing to the face, or modify their weapons with a left handed safety and a modified extractor to give some additional clearance.,

Author

  • Nick Hall

    Nick is a lifelong gun enthusiast who has a simple mission. He wants to find the best deals for guns online and help you make the best choices with weapons your life may depend on one day.Nick won a minor league shooting competition at the age of 11 and it all went from there. Now he runs one of the biggest firearms websites on the net and his work has featured in Playboy US, Tatler Asia, Forbes and a whole host of national magazines and websites.

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