Is there a certain model AK-47 a guy should buy or stay away from?
Sigh. Yes. But I have forgotten most of what I learned when I was researching AKs. If you have a good local gun shop I'd go there an pick their brains as well as doing online research.
AKs are made all over the place. At the recommendation of a person at my local gun shop I bought (from another individual) a Saiga, made in Russia. Which is a AK platform but with a few small differences. Mostly where the trigger sits in relation to the magazine. Also, Saiga mags are more costly than standard AK mags. After a couple thousand rounds I can say I am quite satisfied with it. Damn thing is like a tank. Such a different animal than the AR.
But you can't beat a reliable carbine that shoots 123 or 154 grain rounds for 25¢. And field strips in 20 seconds (no exaggeration).
I think the Finnish made Valmet are the nicest AKs ever made. They basically are more like sporting rifles than any other AK that I have heard of.
The Chinese Poly tech are excellent. Probably the Polish and Russian made ones are all good.
ya, any authentic one, inaccurate as heck lol