AK47

Riley Defense’s AK 47 Rifles for Sale

Riley Defense produces top quality AK-47 rifles for sale made in the USA at a competitive price with an emphasis on customer service. Riley Defense Inc., is a family owned and operated AK47 manufacturer located in Hickory, NC.

AK 47 For Sale

We work diligently to ensure that our AK-47 rifles are top quality and your experience of owning our products would be enjoyable and hassle free. We pride ourselves on producing American-made variants of the AK rifles in different calibers (7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, 5.56x39mm & .308 Winchester) and many variations and models (Classic, Polymer, Tactical, and Krink) with the highest quality at very competitive prices.

AK-47 vs AKM: Key Differences

The AK-47 and AKM are both Soviet-designed rifles chambered in 7.62x39mm, but the AKM is a modernized version of the original AK-47, introduced to improve production efficiency and performance.

AK-47 (Original Rifle)

  • Introduced: 1947
  • Receiver: Milled steel (solid but heavy)
  • Weight: ~4.3 kg (9.5 lbs) unloaded
  • Accuracy: Good, but heavier construction affects handling
  • Production: More time-consuming and expensive due to the milled receiver
  • Use Case: Early Soviet military adoption;

AKM (Modernized Rifle)

  • Introduced: 1959 (modernized version of the AK-47)
  • Receiver: Stamped steel (lighter and cheaper to manufacture)
  • Weight: ~3.8 kg (8.4 lbs) unloaded
  • Accuracy: Improved with a redesigned barrel and muzzle brake
  • Production: Faster and more cost-effective mass production
  • Use Case: Became the standard-issue rifle for Soviet forces and widely exported

Key Takeaways

✅ Lighter & Cheaper: The AKM features a stamped steel receiver, making it easier to produce and lighter than the original AK-47.
✅ Improved Performance: The AKM has better accuracy due to modifications like a slanted muzzle brake and a more rigid barrel.
✅ Mass Adoption: While the AK-47 was the foundation, the AKM became the most widely produced variant, used across the world.

In short, the AKM is an improved, lighter, and more cost-effective version of the AK-47, making it the most common AK rifle worldwide.

Shop for your AK-47

Browse our collection of AK-47 rifles for sale, or contact us at (828) 838-1139 to speak with one of our experts. Trust Riley Defense for components that deliver quality and performance every time!