You've probably seen them in every action movie ever made. The curved magazine, the rugged wooden stock, and that unmistakable profile. But if you're actually looking to buy one, the answer to how much is an ak 47 isn't a single number you can just look up on a sticker. It's a moving target.
Honestly, the price depends entirely on whether you're looking for a "shooter," a "collector's piece," or a legally transferable unicorn from the 1980s. In 2026, the market has shifted again. Import bans, domestic manufacturing booms, and new legislation like the Big Beautiful Bill have turned the old pricing guides into scrap paper.
The Basic Entry Fee: Semi-Auto Shooters
If you just want to go to the range and make some noise, you’re looking at a semi-automatic civilian version. These aren't "machine guns," even if they look the part.
For a decent, reliable rifle like the Palmetto State Armory (PSA) GF3, you’re looking at roughly $650 to $750. It’s the "budget" king right now. Is it a Russian heirloom? No. But it works. If you want something with a bit more street cred, the Century Arms WASR-10—the legendary Romanian workhorse—is currently hovering around $900 to $1,050.
Prices jumped a bit lately because of shipping costs and the sheer demand for 7.62x39mm platforms.
Then you’ve got the Serbian imports. Zastava Arms has basically taken over the mid-tier market. Their ZPAP M70 is a tank of a rifle with a thicker receiver and a chrome-lined barrel. You'll usually find those sitting between $1,050 and $1,250 depending on if you want the classic walnut furniture or the tactical polymer look.
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The Breakdown of Modern Pricing
- Budget Tier (PSA, Riley Defense): $600 – $800
- Standard Imports (WASR-10, WBP Jack): $900 – $1,150
- Premium Imports (Zastava, FB Radom): $1,100 – $1,500
- Milled Receiver Luxury (Arsenal SAM7): $1,800 – $2,100
Why Is the "Real" AK-47 So Expensive?
Here is where people get confused. When someone asks how much is an ak 47, they often mean the full-auto version they see in documentaries.
In the United States, thanks to the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of 1986, you cannot buy a full-auto AK-47 made after May 19, 1986. The supply is frozen. There are only a few thousand "transferable" AKs in the entire country.
Because demand is infinite and supply is finite, these aren't guns anymore; they're high-end investments. A transferable Chinese Polytech Legend or a registered receiver AK will cost you between $35,000 and $55,000.
Yeah. You read that right. You could buy a luxury SUV or a piece of stamped steel from the 80s. Collectors like James Brown of Machine Gun Price Guide have noted that these assets have actually outperformed the S&P 500 in certain five-year stretches.
The 2026 Factor: The Big Beautiful Bill
Something weird happened on January 1, 2026. The "Big Beautiful Bill" went into effect, which eliminated the $200 tax stamp for Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs).
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Before this, if you wanted an AK with a short barrel—the "Krinkov" style—you had to pay the government 200 bucks and wait months for a permission slip. Now, while the registration (Form 4) is still mandatory, the $200 fee is gone.
This has caused a massive surge in the price of AK pistols and SBR-ready kits. Everyone wants a 12-inch barrel now that the "tax" is dead. If you’re looking at a Kalashnikov USA KP-9 or a Zastava M92, expect to pay a premium of about $100 to $200 more than you would have two years ago because the demand is just through the roof.
Hidden Costs You're Forgetting
- Magazines: Cheap Magpul P-MAGs are $15, but authentic "Bakelite" Russian mags? Those are $100 to $150 a pop now.
- Ammo: 7.62x39mm isn't as cheap as it used to be. You're looking at $0.45 to $0.55 per round.
- Optics Mounts: AKs don't come with rails usually. A good RS Regulate mount will set you back $200.
Is It Worth Buying Right Now?
The market is currently in a "stabilization" phase. We aren't seeing the panic buying of 2020, but we also aren't seeing the $400 deals of 2012. Those days are gone forever.
If you're buying for home defense or hobby shooting, the $1,000 mark is your sweet spot. Anything significantly cheaper usually has cast trunnions (which can be dangerous over time), and anything more expensive is usually just for "cloners" who want every rivet to look period-correct for a 1970s Soviet build.
The most important thing to check is the trunnion. That’s the heart of the gun. American-made AKs had a bad rep for a while because they used cast parts that would crack. Stick to forged parts. Companies like WBP in Poland or Arsenal in Bulgaria use the same military-grade forging processes they’ve used for decades. You pay more upfront, but the gun will outlive your grandkids.
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Actionable Steps for Your Purchase
If you are ready to pull the trigger on a purchase, do not just walk into the nearest big-box store. They usually overcharge for "tactical" looking junk.
Check Atlantic Firearms or GunBroker for current market auctions. Compare the "Sold" listings, not the "Asking" prices. If you see a WASR-10 for $1,200, keep walking. You can find them for $950 if you’re patient.
Sign up for newsletters from Palmetto State Armory or Primary Arms. They run "daily deals" where you can often snag an AK-P or a GF3 for $100 under MSRP. Finally, before you buy, verify your local state laws—places like California and New York have specific "feature" bans that can turn a $1,000 rifle into a legal nightmare if it's not configured correctly.
Focus on getting a solid chrome-lined barrel and a forged trunnion. Everything else—the wood, the grip, the muzzle brake—can be swapped out later as your budget allows.