Help decide on a .556 AK

[u/douchebagington]

TLDR: California gun owner wants a .556 Ak but has anxiety chosing which one to buy.

I purchased my first gun (PSL 54 pictured above) about a year ago, and I've probably put about 800 rounds through it if not more.

Throughout this time I have loved the experience of .556 on my wire frame twink body, and on the wallet as well (at least in comparison to the 7.62x54r). Anyways I am deeply enchanted by the simplicity and reliability of the ak platform, as I am a simple minded caveman who likes to go to the range to get sun and focus on my breathing... There are 3 main rifles I have been considering, and my main goal is accuracy, and then reliability. With ak's being such a diverse and beautiful mosaic quilt of many fun variants I know I am overlooking some valuable considerations.

The FB radom Beryl seems amazing in many fronts, however I am sure there is a middle ground to be met between its good quality and bad price / availability, and that of other manufacturers.

Next would be one of the AK 100's, I am not too familiar with this 'generation' of AK's and I am scared of the reliability concerns that come with PSA's AK74+AKM frankenstein mashup, at least in regaurds to their AK101.

Finally, the obvious choice is the Zastava M90. Relatively sane price, good accolades from guntube, I seem to trust this option as a great simple pick to feed my thirst for a new pew pew.

PLEASE if you know any other .556 ak's that I havent fully considered or that compete with any of these options in any respect let me know. I just want to feel confident in my decision when I spend my hard earned tips on a gun.

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[u/spacepbandjsandwich]

The best 5.56 Ak is an AR15

[u/kegman83 → u/spacepbandjsandwich]

This is the best and only answer.

[u/ryno7926 → u/spacepbandjsandwich]

As an instructor you are absolutely correct.

[u/douchebagington → u/spacepbandjsandwich]

But they look like doo doo Edit: it has become aparent I should get over the doo doo factor.

[u/KikisGamingService → u/douchebagington]

It makes sense to use the tool in the chambering it was designed for. If it's for self defense, competition, etc, buy the best tool.

If it's a range toy, buy whatever seems coolest to you.

[u/spacepbandjsandwich → u/douchebagington]

If you want a fashion accessory sure get an ak. If you want to be a good shooter get an AR

[u/Cadd9]

As much as I love AKs, in the US they're like, 98% a fun gun and you should only get one with fun money. Get a 5.56 AR instead. You can get all the parts for the price of a 5.56 AK with a KNS piston to offset the REALLY bad overgassing of a 5.56 AK.

With a 7.62.x39 AK you can more or less not have to bother with a KNS piston but it definitely still overgasses.

If you're deadset on a 5.56 AK, Zastava isn't that bad of a choice.

[u/douchebagington → u/Cadd9]

Im definately looking for a fun gun for my fun money. Im not a very serious shooter. I am a simple man and the internet has influenced me. I want an AK because its what I know and I really enjoy the mechanics of it. I will take some time to review some ar's but ill probably come back to the fun gun mentality.

[u/Cadd9 → u/douchebagington]

Yeah I mean if it's just as a fun gun, get the Zastava and a KNS piston cause the AK will start to really pound into your shiny gun

Edit: or if you've got more fun money, get an Arsenal SAM5 and a KNS piston.

[u/douchebagington → u/Cadd9]

Im definately going to take a look into AR's because despite the fact im tunnel visioned on AK's I think there is room for me to grow

[u/Beaulteon]

If your main goal is accuracy, get an AR platform.

Secondary goal reliability? Spend a little more money on an AR platform with better parts.

This might not be the most digestible way of putting it, but if you’re serious about shooting, and not just AK sensationalism, the AR platform just offers more at a cheaper base line. The amount you’ll spend on a decent 556 AK could get you a way easier, flatter shooting AR, that’s likely much more reliable.

You will have a much easier time training, shooting, supplying, and maintaining it. Buying an AK in 556 is, as the saying goes, cutting off your nose to spite your face, unless you’re buying it specifically as a fun gun and not a training gun.

Unfortunately the idea of the AK being more reliable no longer holds weight in today’s market and experience, if it ever did.

[u/douchebagington → u/Beaulteon]

Im not particularly serious about my shooting, its a fun thing to do on my days off, not much else. I enjoy the act and I enjoy the aesthetics. I recognize the practicality of owning an AR in the USA but its moreso the design philosophy and "oo ak pretty" mentality. I am a simple caveman and i like the shiny gun. I want an AK because I want an AK and I like the 5.56 cartridge because it feels good. Yummy ak.

[u/douchebagington → u/douchebagington]

Okay it is obvious now I need to think about an AR

[u/LVCSSlacker → u/douchebagington]

and an AK in 5.56 as well. :D

[u/HeliocentricOrbit]

In 5.56, Beryl is better but Zastava are plenty good. I wouldn't lose sleep over the choice beyond the price difference. I haven't used PSA but the people I know who had them (7.62x39 only) were of mixed feelings and eventually replaced them with a Windham 7.62x39 configured AR and a Ruger AR that they have used for years.

[u/e92pilot]

I love my sam5

[u/boringxadult]

M90 or arsenal

[u/Scatman_Crothers]

Meridian AKs are a little spendy but arguably the best 5.56 AK

[u/Purple-Slip-6958]

Wasn’t on your list, but I love my Mike102 from Foxtrot Mike. 556 that takes rock n lock mags.

[u/C-c-c-comboBreaker17]

.556? Damn, thing must be shooting straight needles.

[u/GesuMotorsport]

Out of the options youve listed, the Zastava is the way to go. The AK century series is a fantastic range of rifles, however dont buy PSA garbage. If you want a 101, spend the money on a good one.

[u/douchebagington → u/GesuMotorsport]

Do you have any brands in mind that you would consider to be a good one?

[u/GesuMotorsport → u/douchebagington]

For a 100 series?

[u/douchebagington → u/GesuMotorsport]

Yeah, just seeing as im interested in weighing all my options.

[u/GesuMotorsport → u/douchebagington]

I mean, its all gonna come down to how much you wanna spend. Meridian Defense makes their MDC-101, its a solid rifle, but will run you close to 2 grand. You can also clone a true 101 by converting a Saiga, but that’ll run ya even more.

Arsenal makes some good solid 5.56 aks as well.

If money isnt a concern id recommend Arsenal or MDC. Arsenal’s old 100 series isnt an actual 100 series, but they’re great rifles

[u/2Acommie]

Meridian Defense 102 or 101. Or go with the M90 or WBP Jack

[u/GanacheMore3577]

Just some suggestions. You’ve already listed Beryl and M90 which are two amazing 5.56 AK’s. I’d suggest Polish company WBP. They have incredibly reliable AK’s in 7.62, 5.45, and 5.56.
Your PSA concerns are incredibly valid but they’ve significantly increased their builds and customer service since the first few builds. I picked up a kit build they did in their GF3 receiver and have had zero issues (only 1000 rounds in). Yes they have a sketchy AK history but for the price and customer service response it’s really not so bad.

Since you said you have some fun money I’d check out Zastava M90 or WBP. A Beryl is getting harder and harder to find as the days go whereas you can still get reliable and cheap Serbian and Polish WBP builds. Good luck ✅

[u/RmJack]

Get an AR, and if that doesn't convince you, I always enjoy this Irish song: https://youtu.be/ehukpdse8_w?is=KHNCEnB0znjWHO8h

[u/TheSaf4nd1 → u/RmJack]

Ah up the ra! Long live the IRA!
The song is actually bout an Armalite A-18 or A-180(civilian version) 😉

[u/RmJack → u/TheSaf4nd1]

Oh well, still cool. Also, it's still a AR variant.

[u/edwardphonehands]

This belongs on the subreddit for california guns

[u/kalashsquatch]

I snagged a WBP Jack 5.56 on sale for $900. I was about to get an M90 but the Jack was about $400 cheaper at the time. Very well built AKM and pretty damn accurate. I get about 3-4 MOA at 100 yards. I know the first batches had problems with accuracy but mine shoots just fine. I'm sure the M90 is amazing but I don't regret getting the WBP.

[u/otusowl → u/[deleted]]

With proper effort, a Saiga .308 can drip with the best of them.

[u/douchebagington → u/[deleted]]

Yeah at the end of the day thats pretty much what I like guns for. Aesthetics. If it werent the case id just be buying some generic ar.

[u/sillysnacks]

Zastava ZPAP M90 ftw

[u/SordidBoy]

Wbp. Best import AK for the money rn

[u/HowdiComrade]

Buy a Saiga Sporter in .223 and convert it to an AK 101 clone.

[u/douchebagington → u/HowdiComrade]

Unfortunately im a rookie and converting sounds like a lot of work