AK-47 Rifles

Why the AK-47 Pattern Endures

The AK’s long-stroke gas piston system operates with far more mechanical energy than competing designs, cycling reliably even when fouled, wet, muddy, or run dry of lubricant. The generous clearances between components allow debris to pass through without causing malfunctions. The result is a rifle that functions in conditions that would stop a direct impingement AR-15. The tradeoff is accuracy—the AK’s looser tolerances that aid reliability reduce the mechanical accuracy potential compared to tightly fitted AR-15s. For most practical shooting distances inside 300 yards, a quality AK-pattern rifle is entirely accurate enough for any hunting or defensive application.

WASR-10 and VSKA—Century Arms Options

Century Arms offers two primary AK rifle options. The WASR-10 is a Romanian-pattern import in 7.62x39mm with a chrome-lined barrel and decades of production history. It’s the most widely available affordable AK in the American market and functions reliably with any 7.62x39mm ammunition including steel-case surplus. The VSKA is Century’s American-assembled AK, built in the U.S. with an enhanced front trunnion, improved fire control group, and better quality control than older imported designs. For buyers who want a budget-friendly AK with proven reliability, both are legitimate options—the VSKA for those who prefer domestic assembly. See our dedicated WASR-10 page for more detail.

Zastava ZPAP M70—The Premium Choice

The Zastava ZPAP M70 is the most respected production AK available in the American market—a Serbian-made rifle built on the pattern of the original Yugoslav M70 with a cold hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel, a 1.5mm thick receiver (heavier than the standard 1mm), and fit and finish that noticeably exceeds budget AK options. The ZPAP M70 accepts standard AK-47 magazines and delivers the AK’s reliability with improved accuracy and a more refined overall package. It costs more than the WASR-10 and VSKA but represents a meaningfully better rifle. See our Zastava brand page for the full lineup including the M85 pistol.

AK Pistols—Draco and M85

AK-pattern pistols with short barrels and pistol braces have become popular for their compact size and the AK’s trademark reliability in a more maneuverable package. The Century Arms Draco in 7.62x39mm with a 12.25-inch barrel is the most popular AK pistol in America, offering the full AK operating system in a package that stores easily and accepts any standard AK magazine. The Zastava M85 in 5.56 NATO offers the same concept in a smaller caliber with access to inexpensive .223 Remington ammunition. Both accept pistol braces for improved stability.

Calibers—7.62x39mm vs. 5.56 NATO

7.62x39mm is the original AK caliber—a 123-grain bullet at approximately 2,350 fps that generates good terminal performance at close to moderate ranges. Steel-case surplus 7.62x39mm is among the most affordable centerfire rifle ammunition available, making the AK economical to shoot. 5.56 NATO AK variants like the Zastava M85 and some Century Arms models offer compatibility with AR-15 magazines (with adapters) and the lower recoil of the smaller cartridge. For most buyers, 7.62x39mm is the right AK caliber given ammunition cost and the cartridge’s suitability for the platform’s effective range.

Where to Go Next

For AK brand pages, see our Century Arms and Zastava pages. For 7.62x39mm ammunition, visit our 7.62x39mm ammo page. For other rifle options, explore our Rifles category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are AK-47 rifles legal to own in the US?
Yes — semi-automatic AK-47 pattern rifles are legal to own in most US states. The fully automatic military AK-47 is restricted under the National Firearms Act; semi-automatic civilian AK-pattern rifles fire one round per trigger pull and are legal for purchase like any other semi-automatic rifle. Utah and Idaho, where Impact Guns operates, have no state-level restrictions on AK-pattern rifles. Some states have assault weapon restrictions — see our California legal guns page for details.

What is the difference between an AK-47 and an AKM?
The original AK-47 used a milled steel receiver; the AKM (adopted 1959) switched to a stamped sheet metal receiver for faster and cheaper production. Virtually all AK-pattern rifles produced after 1960 — including the WASR-10, Zastava M70, and most modern AKs — use stamped receivers derived from the AKM. When people say "AK-47" they almost always mean the AKM-derived design. The distinction matters primarily to collectors; functionally they operate identically.

What caliber does the AK-47 fire?
The standard AK-47 and AKM fire 7.62x39mm — a Soviet intermediate cartridge roughly comparable to .30-caliber in diameter. AK-74 pattern rifles (the Soviet successor adopted 1974) fire 5.45x39mm, a smaller and faster cartridge similar in concept to 5.56 NATO. Most civilian AK-pattern rifles in the US are chambered in 7.62x39mm. See our 7.62x39mm ammo page for ammunition.

Does Impact Guns carry AK-47 rifles?
Yes. Impact Guns carries AK-pattern rifles from Century Arms (WASR-10), Zastava, and others at our Ogden and Boise stores and ships to FFL dealers nationwide. See our full AK-47 rifles page for current models in stock.