So my question now is, which gun? AK-47, AK-74, SKS, SAIGA or a Dragunov (clone?)? Plus which calibers should I be looking at seriously? I know if I pick the 47 or 74 that my choice is made for me. Lastly, we have the choice of either wood, plastic or steel furniture as well.

I'll need unprimed casings too, so that has to be thrown in the mix. I want to stock up on ammo for the final guns I choose and also I plan on reloading and casting bullets for myself so I can afford to shoot a lot. Which of the rifle rounds are the best to stick with. Also, there is the 7.62x25mm Tokarev, which is for a cz -52 Czech pistol. If you did read close, it was an unknown AK with Bulgarian furniture. I saw one AK listed as Bulgarian if you did not read it closely. But you have to be careful with those as well. Bulgarian's seem to be one of the better current model's of AK's sold. You have to watch to see if the barrel's are chromed. Some are scary because they say WASR-10, then give you a 30 round magazine. You have to watch to make sure that is high capacity in order to be able to use all magazines. Also, you have the new American machined recievers, just what kind are they? Are they the best built of all? Then there are the kit guns and fully assembled guns.

A 1.6mm stamped reciever is better than the 1mm stamped reciever. The reciever is what lies at the heart of the gun, so a reciever milled/machined from a solid piece of steel is stronger than a stamped receiver. Way too many models, makes, calibers, styles and colors. Across the board Kits have doubled in price in the last 6 months, and finished guns have gone up 20- 30%, get all you can while you can, think Kids and grankids also Kits are drying up, with the new regs barrels have to be cut when imported, so that drives the price of a build up. If you decide you don't like a particular brand. You should really just suck it up and get 2 of each, and a Suchka just for good measure. I prefer the Yugo's myself, the bulged trunnion, 1.6 mm receiver and over all beefed up for launching grenades rifle make it a tad more durable. If your not trying to Standardize the rifle with any others. The Romaks are tried and true, they are the most common, and cheapest. The AMD (Hungarian) is a matter of personal pref, they are high quality, goofy looking critters to me. Bulgarian will prob be the most expensive, and have the best fit / finish.

Bulgarian ak bayonet