re: What are the prices on an AK now?

a surplus norinco is an excellent rifle at the low end of the price spectrum
chrome lined barrels, outstanding trigger, and can be had with either stamped or milled receivers

I've got a really nice one that has been a pleasure to own and shoot

I've gone all Russian on my sporting rifles (AK, SKS and mini 30)...fun to shoot and 100% reliable with an affordable and easy to find cartridge that will kill what you shoot at