I own and have built a number of Kalashnikovs.
The best AK-47 quality I have personally seen are the Polish AK-47s, followed closely by the Russians, Yugos and Bulgarians. The Chinese are varying in quality but very good and sometimes great. In AKMs again I would rate them Polish first and Russian second.
If I were closer to Amarillo I would assist and supervise you building one for yourself from a kit. I have the tools and such.
If I were purchasing one a new today, I would buy a Yugo PAP M92 as a pistol, and submit a Form 1 to the BATFE, and upon approval Install a Butt Stock and have a good example of a "Krinkov" style Kalashnikov will all Zastava Parts !
Here is a Polish AKMs Unfolder I assembled a year or so ago.
If you really want to be effective out to 500 yards go with a AK-74 in 5.45x39, at 500 a 7.62x39 is running out of steam.
The weak points on any AK are the US 922r compliance parts.
