I'm not up on AK-47s, but I know this is where to find out. I know several countries make them, which is the one most sought after? Which caliber is recommended? What should one pay for an AK-47? I'm interested in merely adding it to my Vietnam collection.
Keep it coming...

Dont own one and am certainly not an expert on them.I have shot a few though.I believe the Romanian is one of the more desired variants.The standard 7.62 by 39mm would be correct for the Vietnam era.The 5.45 mm was introduced in the AK-74 if I am correct.As far as prices go I dont have a clue,they fluctuate a lot depending on current legislation.

I think most of the AKs used in Viet-Nam came out of China and Russia. I believe roklok is correct about the Romanian being a popular variant. But likewise I am not very well informed on the subject. I did for a short time own a Chinese made Norinco in 7.62 X39 and a Norinco NHM93 in .223. Both were aquired in a trade and were similarly traded off for something more traditional.

Good Luck

It depends. I have several AK-47s, the one from China is a bit rough. The Russian models are better made. The best I have found regarding quality, fit and finish are the Hungarian rifles made by FEG. Prices vary widely and since the expiration of the Clinton "assault gun" ban on September 13, 2004, prices have dropped a lot. The clones that were sold here during the Clinton "assault gun" ban from 1994 to 2004 are even cheaper.

I searched the used gun racks and found the mint condition Hungarian FEG for $200.00. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

Thanks for the input guys. This isn't on the top of my priority list, just needed some info so if a deal comes along, I'll know what I'm up against.
Keep it coming...

I owned romanian. They're a good rifle but not the greatest as far as accuracy is concerned. 5.45 being more accurate but still not as good as an AR variant. If you want the lowdown you won't be able to get more info then at this website.http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=4

Shotgun,
Glad to see you here and hope you post often. I agree with you, most any AR-15 can out shoot most any AK-47. All the best...
Gil

If price is any judge, the Tantal and Krinkov command a high price. Also the milled receivered AK's have a higher price than their stamped steel counter parts. I built my own Romanian last year from an imported parts kit and would highly recommend it if you are at all handy. They ship AK's into the country with the receiver cut to make them legal. Recently there was a decission by BATFE to require the barrels to also be cut prior to shipment. Luckily the importers loaded up on these kits before that new regulation went into effect. You can buy the receiver as a flat, needing to be bent and drilled, as a 80% receiver which is already bent, but needing to be drilled, or as a 100% receiver which is mostly a drop in deal. The 100% receiver requires an FFL to handle the purchase and has serial numbers stamped on it. There is also a regulation on the number of imported parts you can have in an AK that you build, six of the sixteen parts must be USA made. Those parts are available from a number of sources. The whole project cost me about $250 for a like new Romanian AK. If I can be of any help, I'd be happy to do so.
These guys really know AK's and were a big help to me in building mine:www.gunsnet.net/forums...y.php?f=77
Here's a picture of the one I built:

Don

Say, the wood even looks good.
Keep it coming...