I'm asking this because I have two AK-47s - a Yugo N-PAP and a WASR-10 and two AK-74s - a Polish Tantal and a Century Arms Bulgarian. I saw a nice AK-47 side folder at my LGS the other day with plastic furniture for around $ 800.00. I asked the clerk who manufactured it and he said it came from Riley Defense out of Hickory and the customers who had bought Riley Defense guns were happy with them. I bought a boatload of ammunition just before the COVID scare and would like something new to run it through. Does Riley Defense build good rifles? The prices I've seen are reasonable for today's market.
Does Anyone Know The Scoop On Riley Defense AKs Out Of HIckory?
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IUHoosier429
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Personally, I would avoid them. I appreciate what most American companies are trying to do with this family of guns, but there are simply way too many well-documented issues with Riley AKs for me to roll the dice on a lemon. Does Riley build good guns? Sure, if you plan to run a couple mags down the pipe at the range a few times a year. But Riley has also built a big pile of garbage over the years.
Yes, there have been and continue to be growing pains - that is expected with anything - but why spend the money on something dubious when you can spend about the same or just a bit more on a proven, factory import AK from Romania, Poland or Serbia? They've been in this game just a tad longer than Riley. If it's because you want something USA-made or local, I'd go with a lifetime warranty PSAK out of South Carolina before I even considered a Riley.
My two cents.
ETA - that rhetorical question wasn't directed at you, OP, but more in general to anyone considering an AK. Welcome to the forum.
Yes, there have been and continue to be growing pains - that is expected with anything - but why spend the money on something dubious when you can spend about the same or just a bit more on a proven, factory import AK from Romania, Poland or Serbia? They've been in this game just a tad longer than Riley. If it's because you want something USA-made or local, I'd go with a lifetime warranty PSAK out of South Carolina before I even considered a Riley.
My two cents.
ETA - that rhetorical question wasn't directed at you, OP, but more in general to anyone considering an AK. Welcome to the forum.
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I have no personal experience with them but every time I read about them it's about what the last guy said. They do seem to have a bit of a reputation. Then again I bought a late gen VSKA so I am sometimes willing to roll the dice. 
I rolled the dice with the Century Arms Bulgarian I bought and didn't come up snake eyes. Sometimes you can get away with that if the price is too tempting to pass up.I have no personal experience with them but every time I read about them it's about what the last guy said. They do seem to have a bit of a reputation. Then again I bought a late gen VSKA so I am sometimes willing to roll the dice.
No experience but they are right down the road from me in a non descript building. Got a buddy that delivers to them and said they seem to be good dudes. Take that for what you paid for it.
Because I’ve seen reviewers like the above to.
Because I’ve seen reviewers like the above to.
I’ve been very tempted to purchase some of their products too, especially since they are NC natives, but I’ve heard too many horror stories…
The most common problem I’ve heard from RAK’s is keyholing and terrible accuracy. I haven’t really heard of any catastrophic failures, feeding issues, fit and finish, etc… It has all been that they are terribly inaccurate and tend to tumble rounds.
I own quite a few different models and PSA AK’s are my favorite. They’re affordable, fit and finish is wonderful, they make tons of cheap accessories and furniture options, and they have a lifetime warranty. I have run my AKP like a dog and haven’t had a single issue with it. I’m intentionally running it dirty to see when it fails. I’m currently at around 3,200 rounds without cleaning and it’s still chugging. It’s a fire breathing monster and obnoxiously loud! I love it 😁
The most common problem I’ve heard from RAK’s is keyholing and terrible accuracy. I haven’t really heard of any catastrophic failures, feeding issues, fit and finish, etc… It has all been that they are terribly inaccurate and tend to tumble rounds.
I own quite a few different models and PSA AK’s are my favorite. They’re affordable, fit and finish is wonderful, they make tons of cheap accessories and furniture options, and they have a lifetime warranty. I have run my AKP like a dog and haven’t had a single issue with it. I’m intentionally running it dirty to see when it fails. I’m currently at around 3,200 rounds without cleaning and it’s still chugging. It’s a fire breathing monster and obnoxiously loud! I love it 😁