The AK47 is one of the only guns to outlast the country that created it. Some of that lasting popularity comes from their famously durable design, and some of it comes from the sheer number of variations on the market. It can be hard to pick out the best AK47 from all the options, so we pulled together a list of ten good choices. We ranked them based on accuracy, their extra features, durability, and historical value. Some of these weapons are only available used, so take the price ranges as a general rule of thumb and always check the gun’s condition before buying.
10. WASR-10
| Manufacturer | Cugir and Century International Arms |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62x39MM |
| Barrel Length | 16.25’’ |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs |
| Price Range | $600-$700 |
The WASR-10 uses a mix of Romanian and American construction. Most of the parts come from Cugir in Romania, but Century International produces some parts in the United States to satisfy legal requirements. The result is an affordable AK that can take all of the normal accessories. The WASR-10 is slightly unusual in that the barrel is lined with chrome to prevent erosion. That makes these weapons even easier to clean and maintain than other AK47 variants, it’s a contender for the best AK47 for new shooters who need to learn maintenance skills.
9. SLR 107F
| Manufacturer | Arsenal Bulgaria |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Caliber | 7.62 x 39 mm |
| Barrel Length | 16.25’’ |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs |
| Price Range | $1100-$1200 |
The SLR 107F is a solid and dependable rifle for general use. The sights are rated for an impressive 875 yards, but apart from that the rifle mostly stands out for the quality of construction. That helps with the gun’s durability, but the more important boost is to the weapon’s accuracy. This weapon will shoot more accurately than most other AK47 variants, so it’s a great choice for the experts and intermediate shooters who need that extra accuracy. Novices who aren’t as comfortable at the range won’t see a big improvement over the cheaper AK47 variants.
8. Valmet M76
| Manufacturer | Valmet |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62 x 39 mm |
| Barrel Length | 16.46’’ |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs |
| Price Range | $1800-$2000 |
The Valmet M76, also known as the RK 62 76, is one of the best AK47 variants to come out of Finland. It was based on a Finnish variant on the original AK47 but saw improvements across the board in the manufacturing tolerances and a few new features. The most notable improvement is the addition of a flash suppressor, which is uniquely designed to cut through barbed wire. Some also include a face protector to provide insulation against the cold while shooting, and those models are perfect winter weapons. Since this gun was designed for military use, anyone can learn to use it quickly and easily, so it’s a good choice for novices and experts alike in cold regions.
7. Zastava M70
| Manufacturer | Zastava Arms |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62×39 |
| Barrel Length | 16.3’’ |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs |
| Price Range | $500-$600 |
The M70 is an AK47 variant that came from Yugoslavia, but it remained in use with a number of nations after the country broke apart. That widespread popularity is a testament to the gun’s quality. It was designed to launch grenades, so it has an unusual receiver dust cover for protective purposes. The barrel is also forged instead of stamped, which gives it a slight boost to accuracy at the cost of some durability. That might be the best AK47 for people who need high accuracy and anyone who needs to fire a grenade, but the more fragile design doesn’t do it any favors with novices.
6. Saiga Sporter
| Manufacturer | Kalashnikov Concern and Kalashnikov USA |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62×39 |
| Barrel Length | 20’’ |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs |
| Price Range | $400-$500 |
Kalashnikov himself designed the Saiga Sporter to adapt the AK47 to civilian use. It works much like the classic AK47, but it is built with very loose tolerances so that dirt can work its way out of the system. Waterproofing the stock helps the gun survive use in the wilderness. Since the barrel is hammer-forged, it offers slightly more accuracy than other AK47 variants. This is best AK47 for hunters of any skill level, but other users should consider one that is optimized for alternative roles.
5. Maadi
| Manufacturer | Maadi Company for Engineering Industries |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62×39 |
| Barrel Length | 16.3’’ |
| Weight | 6.83 |
| Price Range | $600-$1000 |
The Maadi is formally known as the Misr, which is the Egyptian form of the Soviet AKM. Many older examples have Arabic markings, and they’re hard to tell from the Russian guns without them. The weapons are essentially the same in mechanical terms, but the Maadi stands out for its unique history. It’s the only AKM variant that didn’t come out of the Warsaw Pact nations. That gives it fairly average performance for the AK family in every area, but it’s hard to find a more beautiful specimen than a Maadi in good condition. If you want a beautiful and functional weapon, an old Maadi is the best AK47 regardless of your skill level.
4. AMD-65
| Manufacturer | Fegyver- és Gépgyártó |
| Capacity | 20/30 |
| Caliber | 7.62×39 |
| Barrel Length | 12.5’’ |
| Weight | 8 lbs |
| Price Range | $500-800 |
The AMD-65 is a Hungarian weapon that was intended for paratroopers. It’s the best AK47 variant for use in tight spaces because it’s one of the smallest ever made. Most of them are made entirely of metal except for their plastic grips, so they’re quite durable, although wooden grips have been added to a minority of the guns. The grip positions are a little unusual, but they do help with the gun’s ergonomics once the user gets used to them. The weapon’s proportions make it a little hard to control, so this gun is only suitable for experienced shooters who are willing to practice with it.
3. Centurion 39
| Manufacturer | Century International Arms |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Barrel Length | 16.5’’ |
| Weight | 8.05 lbs |
| Price Range | $1000-$1200 |
The Centurion 39 is a fairly modern variant from America. It has a combined gas lock/front sight system for quick and easy target acquisition along with an adjustable rear sight. Picatinny rails are molded onto the weapon for easy modification, so this is a good choice for tinkerers. It also has a slightly unusual charging handle on the left. Right-handed shooters can reload it without moving their primary hand, but it’s very awkward for left-handed shooters. Experts who like to tweak their guns should consider this option, but only if they shoot right-handed.
2. M+M M10-762
| Manufacturer | M+M Industries |
| Capacity | 30 |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Barrel Length | 16.5’’ |
| Weight | 7 lbs |
| Price Range | $1200-$1300 |
The M10 is marketed as a modern merger of technology from the East and West. That’s a fair assessment. It takes the AK47 and improves on with manufacturing methods and American engineering. That led to a gun with greater accuracy that traditional AK47 designs, and a huge number of customizations and optional components. It’s also designed to be ambidextrous, so it’s popular with left-handed shooters. It’s designed with experienced shooters in mind, but the customization options make it easy to add complexity and performance as your skills improve, so it’s not terrible for novices.
1. IMI Galil Ace
| Manufacturer | Israeli Military Industries |
| Capacity | 20 |
| Caliber | 7.62x51mm |
| Barrel Length | 16’’ |
| Weight | 8.7 lbs |
| Price Range | $2000-$2100 |
The Galil is based on the older guns on this list, and it combines their best assets. It has a normal set of picatinny rails that can be covered by hand guards. The ergonomics are excellent for rapid use, especially around the folding stock. The exception is the safety, which demands unusual positioning for lefties. The stock can be hard to collapse, but that’s not a huge drawback for most users. The construction quality is as excellent as people expect from Israeli weapons. The Galil is too expensive for new or casual shooters, but it’s the best AK47 for experienced users.
Making The Right Choice
There really is an AK for every occasion, and there are far too many variants out there for anyone to have heard of them all. If you’ve tried one that isn’t on this list, or if you have something to add to the ones that we considered, don’t hesitate to share what you know with other shooters in the comment section. However, if you feel that the AK47 is not quite for you, there is also a selection of 9mm rifles for you to consider.
