6 Best AK-47 Rifles in 2025

The AK-47one of the most well-known and widely used rifles in historyepitomizes durability and reliability. Recognized for its presence on virtually any battlefield around the worldthe AK platform riflesand the AK-47 in particularstand as a testament to robust engineering.

For gun owners seeking a high-quality rifle that can withstand abuse and still function flawlesslythe AK-47 offers a compelling alternative.

While in the United Statesthe AR-15 may be the most popular choice for its versatility and precisionit’s important to acknowledge that it’s not the only option available.

Designed by Mikhail Kalashnikovthe AK-47 has been an important firearm since its introduction in 1947. Like the AR-15its long service life has led to the platform’s evolutiongiving usin the 2020sa wide selection of rifles and pistols to choose from.

Selecting the best rifle for your situation can be challengingso we at Gun Made are here to help you decide what you should purchase.

I have been shooting AK- rifles for over a decade and have owned rifles from multiple manufacturers and countries of origin.

Serbia’s official arms manufacturerZastavamakes the ZPAP M70. This rifle has the best featurespriceand quality control of any on this listso it easily took our top spot for best overall.

Other good choices are available; any rifle from this list would provide solid service. Rifles like the Arsenal SAM series and several rifles from Palmetto State Armoryamong othersdeserve a long look.

Keep reading and get all the information you need to pick your first….or next AK-47 or AK platform rifle.

Image	Product	Price
	Best Overall AK-47 – Zastava ZPAP M70	Check Price
	Best Domestic Value AK-47 – Palmetto State Armory GF3	Check Price
	Best Imported Value AK-47 – Century Arms WASR-10	Check Price
	Best Domestic Produced AK-47 – Palmetto State Armory GF5	Check Price
	Best Milled AK-47 – Arsenal SAM7R	Check Price
	Honorable Mention AK-47 – Beryl Pattern – FB Radom Beryl	Check Price

Best Overall AK-47 – Zastava ZPAP M70

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Zastava is one of the old-school names in AK production.

With a history dating back to the mid-nineteenth centuryZastavaas a company in one form or anotherhas produced many firearmsincluding but not limited to cannonsMauser riflesSKS riflesand AK- rifles.

This long history of firearms production is not wastedand Zastava has put its experience and long history to good useproducing quality AKs for the civilian market.

The ZPAP M70 is the fourth generation of AK PAP rifles brought to the market by Zastava. I acquired my first AK in 2013 when I purchased a Zastava OPAP (Zastasava third-generation AK)and let me tell youthat gun is built like a tank.

The ZPAP took everything right with the OPAP and made it better.

Zastava began producing the ZPAP in 2019which corresponds with the launch of Zastava USA. The ZPAP M70 has a 1.5MM bulged trunnion receiverlike the OPAPbut features a chrome-lined barrelwhich is a significant upgrade over the OPAP.

The Z-PAP is still principally manufactured in Serbia. Receivers and barrels are made in Serbia and then sent to the United States.

Once hereZastava USA does its thing and builds out the remainder of the rifle. This ensures 922r compliance and allows the company to perform quality control checks on every rifle.

The Z-PAP is a “Yugo” pattern riflewhich means the furniture is incompatible with AKM pattern rifles. Most other AK-47 rifles on the market are AKM patternswhich you must be aware of when purchasing accessories.

This isn’t to say that you are limited in aftermarket support. Many companies produce both AKM and Yugo pattern accessories.

My Zastava M70 has proven to be the epitome of reliability. The rifle has functioned without flaw for over ten years. It shoots wellpoints welland is dead sexy. It isn’t picky with magsrunning newsurplusmetaland polymer mags well.

As my eyes have agedI have added a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) to compensate for the standard AK iron sights. Besides the optic and a slingthe rifle is stockand I don’t see myself changing that soon.

If you are in the market for an AK- riflelook no further than the Zastava ZPAP M70. It is the perfect choice for going to the rangebeing used as a truck gun on a ranchor if you find yourself in a SHTF situation.

Best Domestic Value AK-47 – Palmetto State Armory GF3

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Palmetto State Armory (PSA) GF3 is our choice for the best domestically produced value AK-47. The GF3 is well-builthas the backing of a solid companyand is priced better than just about every other AK-47 rifle on the market.

I always try to support companies I like and respectand PSA is one of them. I am firmly convinced that Palmetto State Armory is doing its very best to arm every American legally allowed to be so.

The GF3 is not a new rifleso there is plenty of data regarding the longevity of these rifles. They workand they last. AK Operators UnionLocal 47-74 has over 5,000 rounds through oneand there are reports of them lasting over 15,000 rounds.

Aside from its durabilitythe PSA GF3’s best aspect is its price point. The GF3 may not be the best AK availablebut it costs less than many other rifles and performs very well for the price.

Palmetto State Armory is still working to overcome a past reputation for inconsistent quality control. HoweverI have never personally experienced an issue with any of my PSA firearms. I have also heard of plenty of instances where PSA has quickly addressed the issue(s) and stood behind its products.

I do not own a GF3but I plan to acquire one as soon as possible. My experience with rifles made by Palmetto State Armory makes me confident that it will serve me well for many years to come.

Best Imported Value AK-47 – Century Arms WASR-10

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Our value pick for an imported AK-47 goes to the Century Arms/Cugir WASR-10. Produced by Cugir in Romania and imported by Century Armsthe WASR-10 is a no-frills AK with a reputation for being a tough gun that lives up to the AK-47’s reputation for durability.

If buying an AK-47 made in the United States feels sacrilegious to youCugir is your oyster. The WASR-10 competes directly with Palmetto State Armory’s GF3 for best value AK-47.

Cugir has a long history of producing firearms and AK-47s specifically. This expertise is not wasted. AK Operators UnionLocal 47-74has put over 10,000 rounds through oneand it’s still functioning. Battlefield Vegas reports WASRs still running after 60,000 rounds. 

This isn’t to say the WASR is a perfect rifle. It tips the scales as a value pick for a reasonand offerings from ZastavaWBPArsenaland FB Radom are all considered high-quality AKsbut they cost more.

That saidyou can find people who will argue that the WASR is a better rifle but with cheaper furniture to explain the price difference.

If you are in the market for an imported AK and don’t want to break the bankthe Century Arms/Cugir WASR-10 is a worthy offering.

Best Domestic Produced AK-47 – Palmetto State Armory GF5

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Palmetto State Armory GF5 is the best domestically produced AK-47 rifle. PSA has taken its successful GF3 that we mentioned above and upgraded a few components to make a premium version of the GF3. The result is this GF5.

The most significant upgrade for the GF5 over the GF3 is the barrel. For the GF5PSA replaced the gas nitride 4150 steel-treated barrel with a chrome-lined FN cold hammer forged CMV steel barrel. The GF5 also includes an upgraded front trunnion and an upgraded ALG trigger.

These upgrades result in a price increase from the GF3. Considering the quality of the GF3you might question whether the premium is worth it. I would say it is.

When you consider the cost of just the upgraded barrel and triggeryou are getting a better rifle and are coming out ahead in terms of buying those upgrades separately. It also includes the cleaning rod the GF3 is missing.

As a PSA AK rifle ownerI have first-hand knowledge and experience with their fit and function. PSA is the best of the US-based AK manufacturer and compares closely with the best international manufacturers for making rifles that will last.

You will not be disappointed in your GF5 if you decide to buy one.

Best Milled AK-47 – Arsenal SAM7R

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The best milled AK-47 is the Arsenal SAM series of rifles. As opposed to the majority of AK-47s that are made using a stamped receiverthe SAM7 is milled from a hot-die hammer forged receiver blank.

A milled receivermachined from a solid block of steeloffers several benefits over a stamped receiver.

The result is added strength and rigidity in the receiver. High rigidity helps to enhance the accuracy of the riflewhile the added strength results in greater durability.

Arsenal is not content with just basic parts for its rifles. It pairs the milled receiver with a cold hammer-forged barrel and a FIME Group Enhanced Fire Control Group.

The old adage of you get what you pay for is true with the Arsenal SAM7. If money is not a factor in your purchasing decision…buy an Arsenal.

Honorable Mention AK-47 – Beryl Pattern – FB Radom Beryl

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The long heritage of making rifles for actual military service means the rifles are both durable and reliable. FB Radom is recognized around the world for its quality manufacturing.

Much like AK rifles from Serbia that are what we call “Yugo” pattern and are slightly different than the “standard” AKM patternAK- rifles from Poland also can be of a non-AKM . The newest we see coming from Poland is the Beryl pattern.

The Beryl rifle is a combat-proven arm that is the standard infantry rifle of the Polish military. Since Poland is a member of NATOthe Beryl was designed to be chambered in 5.56 NATObut it is also available in 7.62×39.

It features upgraded components such as a hammer-forged chrome lined barrel and enhanced controls.

The Beryl can be a difficult rifle to find with limited availabilityand the price for the rifle runs higher than most on our list. Howeverthat shouldn’t dissuade you if you decide the Beryl is the right rifle for you.

Selecting the best AK-47 rifle is not an easy exercise. Several quality manufacturers are vying for your hard-earned dollarsand many of them produce products that anyone would love to have in their safes.

We at Gun Made have years of experience shooting AK- rifles as well as guns of all types.

Our years of experience have helped us to decide what factors are most important to selecting the best rifles. I have owned AK- rifles from SerbiaPolandas well as the United States and shot rifles from several other nations as well.

All of this combines to help us give you the best advice.

AK-47- rifles are legendary for their reliability and durability. For a rifle to make it to our listit needed to check off both factors.

Several US-made AKs have earned a reputation for catastrophic failuresso we obviously avoided those. Price was also an important factor once a rifle was confirmed reliable and durable.

You should get an AK-47 because theyalong with the AR-15are the most iconic rifles of the last 75 years. Guns do not reach this level of notoriety without reasonand the AK-47 has reasons in abundance.

The AK-47 was the standard infantry rifle of the Warsaw Pact and the Communist world during the Cold War.

From the rice patties of south Southeast Asia to the deserts of the Middle East and the plains of Eastern EuropeAK-47s were put through some of the most challenging combat conditions mankind has faced and still functioned.

They were also designed to be maintained by unskilled and untrained forces if necessary and with limited tools and lubrication. If the AK-47 can survive these types of conditions with minimal maintenanceyour twice-yearly range sessions or LARPing outings won’t even begin to test the rifle.

As you research AK- riflesyou will discover there are two types of receivers: milled and stamped.

These are two separate manufacturing methods for creating the rifle’s receiver. Since everything on the rifle goes into or connects to the receiver in one form or anotherit is the most important part of the rifle.

AK-47sas initially created by Mikhail Kalashnikovwere milled. To create a milled receiveryou start with a solid steel blockwhich is then milled out by removing metal until the receiver is created.

To produce AKs faster and cheaperreceivers began to be stamped instead of milled. Stamped receivers start life flatare bent into the appropriate shapeand are riveted into place.

Stamped receivers are both cheaper to produce and lighter than milled receivers.

Whether you should select a stamped or milled receiver comes down to personal preference. Most of the AKs on our list are stamped and will still serve you well.

In comparisona milled receiver is technically stronger and more durable. But if it takes 100,000 rounds to wear out your stamped receiveryou’ll be fine with either.

It is no longer possible to import AK- rifles from Russia or China. That leaves former Combloc nations like Serbia (Yugoslavia)RomaniaBulgariaand Poland to fill the void.

In additionthe United States has several domestic producers attempting to meet demand. Most domestic manufacturers and their AKs have less than stellar reputations and should be avoided.

Howeveras mentioned abovePalmetto State Armory is a domestic manufacturer we recommend.

Thankfullycompanies are constantly changing and improving. A great example of this is early PSA AKswhichbefore the GF3were not known to be great rifles. NowthoughPSA has two rifles on our listand Gun Made also recommends many other PSA offerings.

Our choice for the best overall AK-47 rifle is the Zastava ZPAP M70. It is a reliable and durable rifle that is available at a competitive price point. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other great AK-47s out there at affordable price points.

Our best value choices include the Century Arms WASR-10 and PSA GF3both of which are incredibly durable rifles that are available at an excellent price.

Selecting a “best of” list can be a very complicated undertaking. There are lots of quality guns available that frequently do not make this list.

For examplethe WBP Jack and WBP Fox are both fantastic guns that directly compete with several of the rifles on our list. These rifles are also worth exploring.

At the end of the dayif you’re still shopping for an AK-47make sure it’s reliabledurableand that the manufacturer has a proven track record of making high-quality AKs.

If you know which one you wantbuy one today and get to training with it!

Which AK-47 would you have expected to see on this list that wasn’t? Let us know in the comments so others can check them out too!