Which negates the argument of many that the SKS is "overpriced" now; it has always been undervalued. Fully machined, hardwood stocks, most - even the Chinese, were decently built. Could be said for milled AKs as well, though I'm not really a fan. Just more weight with no real benefit that I can see.
I like the AR rifles, but much less than the AKM. They function well, accurate, dependable, but just.....sterile to me. No "soul". The AKs I've owned have been reliable, easily accurate enough for their design, easy to maintain, and fun to shoot. But then like Rick, I really like the G3, and FN49. And FAL. And prefer all three of those to any AR-type.
The FAL is another great rifle. The G3 eh. I’m preferential to old school machined weapons. The stamped ones will work but I don’t see the value comparison. Weight savings while humping the guns around out in the field I most definitely see value. I guess it is the old machinist in me coming out. I definitely look down on stamped vs machined work.
I don’t see undervalued at all. When one compares the value to value of money exchange value of China, Russia to the USA, SKSs or AKs are still cheep guns. If a gun made there costs 200 it may cost 2000 to make here. I don’t see the value going up or it being undervalued.
Don’t get me wrong. I like using milled or stamped firearms.
In all actually I like most all firearms. Played with a good portion of them. Look forward to the ones I haven’t yet.