Best AK: durability/parts and accessories
 

Topic title gives you the basic gist of what I'm asking about.

I've heard that one of the best AK style rifles you can get is the RealSword Type 56 and its 56-1 and 56-2 variants. Apparently they're made with the same materials as the real steel and mimic them in dimensions and weight
http://www.realsword.com.hk/gun_47.htm

I'm sure there are others too. People who own them will be able to tell you more!

Sounds pretty good, but any idea how it is in terms of parts and accessories availability? Can the receiver be swapped out for an AKM one or can an AK-74 style flash hider/compensator be attached?

Also, how much does it cost?

Your questions are a bit broad...

AK's are all Version 3 mechboxes....and as such, you ALWAYS need to take the term "reliability" with a grain of salt. Mechboxes are made up of a bunch of little parts, spinning at high speed under stress. They will wear out...not if, but when...and they may fail suddenly and catastrophically.

So...so far as the internals go (big generalization)...all AEGs are the same. Now...good internals are miles apart from low end internals...so there's some method to the madness.

So far as rifle builds, externals, go...pretty much any full metal AK is pretty sturdy. VFC and RealSword are some notable standouts. G&P and CA are also very sturdy. Some (e.g. RealSword) take real steel parts....handguards/flashhiders/etc... Others that the airsoft equivalent...with a good number of parts being cross compatible.

The difference between builds from RS/VFC/CA/G&P are miles apart (heads and shoulders above) cheapo brands like CYMA, DBoys, etc.... The mechboxes might need some TLC (they all kind of do anyways) but you're buying a much, much, much better "shell" of a gun.

In general...get the airsoft model that most closely resembles what you want. If you want an AKM, figure out who makes and AKM and pick one....if you want a AKS74U, then figure out who makes one and pick one. It is a PITA, typically expensive and can be a real headache trying to mod one AK into another.

Personally....I've been very impressed with the RS and VFC AK's.

I had the same questions a year ago, bought a Real Sword type 56 never looked back ivew swapped out muzzle tips and other small items and put a smaller spring in was shooting 470 ...... running a Lipo at 400 fps happily.

The receiver and furniture you dont swap out there simply isnt anything else on the market for a reasonable price that beats Real Sword IMHO.

Mine quickly became my primary in all conditions for a year now not one single issue

There is a very thorough review of the G&G "RK47" (wood/ metal and Rec versions) on the forums here.
If you're planning on spending a grand on what I assume to be a first AEG, get a Real Sword.
If you want something closer to entry/ mid level I can vouch for the wood/ metal G&G.

You will, however want to do something to replace or reinforce the plastic lower receiver.

If you want an AK-74 look for a more modern rig, get a VFC

If you want the classic AK-47 look, get a Real Sword.

They are both excellent quality weapons, there's some pretty unreal stress tests of Real Swords on YouTube.

G&G AK's are the worse I've seen in terms of parts and durability!!! Some clones are even better than G&G!

Dboys steel versions of their AKs are actually quite good externally.

Okay, I'll bite. ASC Thread

Going by Amos, the Rec series is pretty brutal. Looking at his detailed review of the wood and metal "Pro series", holding it in my hands, and using it, you probably developed that opinion without experience or with the Rec series.

I have never EVER seen an AEG so nicely manufactured as the Real Sword type 56.

I can vouch for the VFC...beautiful AK. Like others said, if you want a AK-47 type, go Real Sword, if you want a 74 style, go VFC.

Real Sword.

AK-47= Realsword.
AK-74 and variants = LCT or VFC.

Those are the top manufactures in my mind.

Also, do not buy a clone. My CYMA snapped in half, and I would think Dboys and other equivalent brands are made similarly.

Urk.

$800-1000 is a bit beyond my price range for a single purchase. I was thinking more around $500-600.

So G&G would be my best option then?