OK guys thinking about getting one of these. Since there are so many of them out there I am really lost. This will be a plinker/survival type firearm. I am concerned with strength quality longevity and accuracy.
Can you give me some input as to what make and country of origin I should be looking for. Any input and / or help would greatly be appreciated!

There are so many out there the best bet is find one that you like and buy it.
I do not like the folders but you might, ect.
I do not think there are "bad" AK's out there having used a hundred or so over the years.

I am just looking for a decent one. I do not want junk as I suspect no one else does either.

The Norinco's, and the Hungarian AK's that I have shot have been good ones.

My favorite was a Norinco side folder, with red "plastic" furniture on it.

You had the advantage of a folder, but the stock was solid and comfortable to shoot when extended.

The "strangest" one I ever shot was a Bullpup that was all steel.

Most of the stamped look like junk but...

50,000 terrorist can't be all wrong.

My Romanian shoots fine.

Take a look at the "Store" section on the Arizona Response Systems Web site. Mark Graham's work is not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.

What price range are you looking for?

Mark Graham is an excellent suggestion, he has an excellent reputation for good work.

-myers

www.aimsurplus.com sells romanian AK's for a good price. I will be picking one up for myself after shooting a friends from the same site. I have shot the "high end" AK's and that Romanian felt or shot no different. Just had a few different names stamped on the side and cost about 1/4 of what the expensive one did.