Cool thread! Here are a couple of my plinkers...
My CAI cheapo Bulgarian "Frankenstein", at only $300 it's probably my best "bang for buck" rifle
Yeah I added some surplus Bulgy wood but that was only another $30 give-or-take. I love this thing, I've put several hundred rounds through it & it's still going strong. I didn't hear about all the horror stories until after making the purchase so I guess I lucked out, no canted gas block or front sight-post, no key-hole'n. Just nice groups at a 100yds, and decent performance all the way out to the 445 steel plate (admittedly when the lighting is good!). I'd buy another but need to save for my SGL 31-84!!!
And my other cheapo, a WASR10. Again I didn't know about all the issues with these things and again it shoots just fine with no jams or problems after hundreds of rounds. In fact I'm somewhat surprised by the consistent groups it gets out at 100. The only thing I find irritating is the lack of mag-well dimples (it's all internal). I didn't even notice when I first bought it to be honest, but it really stands out now... Maybe I'll grab a Polish under-folder to cheer me up
I love the rough nature of Romanian AKMs, especially compared to my other stuff, it's got character & that's enough for me.
Thanks for looking, Ahui hou
Boomah