[digex]

I currently own a Hesse, which I know most folks hate. I have the opportunity to buy a Czech AK for $400 and was wondering where I could find more info about them. My search for "czech" only brings up ammo threads, any other ideas? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tommy

[JShirley]

More info, please? What nomenclature is the weapon? "AK" is a generic term, describing an action system designed by Kalashnikov, now often used to describe numerous rifles made by varied countries.

John

[digex]

I just got off the phone to clarify a few things and it turns out that it's actually Romanian (the earlier sales guy was confused). It's an AK-47, sorry about the lack of info. Do you think that $400 is a fair price? Thanks in advance.
Tommy

[Dave Markowitz]

$400 is a little high in my neck of the woods (SE PA). $300 - $350 would be more like it for a Rumanian AK.

[JShirley]

Perhaps it is this rifle (http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/romanian.html)?

From AK-47.net:

The AK-47 is chambered in 7.62x39 and features hardwood furniture with a fixed stock. The AK-47 has a 16 inch barrel with a muzzle nut to protect the threads. The AK-47 features a stamped receiver with a non ribbed cover plate and magazine. The rifle can be fired in two different firing modes; semi and full auto. The AK-47 has a 800 meter leaf sight that is only adjustable for range. ...
The AK-47 is currently unavailable to the general public in the U.S., very few were imported into the country and those that did got snatched up by collectors.

In other words, the weapon you are looking at is NOT an AK-47. I don't want to be pedantic, but you wouldn't call an AR-15 an M-16, would you?

John

[P95Carry]

Best to refer to SAR1 .... tho in most respects ''AK'' in lineage.

[digex]

My apologies. It is a WASR 10 hi-cap model 2. The price seems a bit high, but not too many of this type of rifle around my area so maybe it's a supply and demand thing?

[Destructo6]

The Czechs didn't make the AK. They made the Vz-58, which looks a lot like an AK from the outside, but is quite different inside.

http://world.guns.ru/assault/vz58v.jpg

Note the furniture is shaped differently, the selector switch is similar to an ARs, and the magazine is wider (fore-aft) because it incorporates a follower that will trip the bolt hold open device?

[Zundfolge]

It is a WASR 10 hi-cap model 2. The price seems a bit high

Okay, a WASR 10 does not come from the factory accepting full capacity magazines (we try not to use the anti's term "hi-cap" around here :) )

The WASR 10 is made for single stack magazines, so someone had to take a Dremmel to it to make the double-stack full-caps work (this is not necessaraly a bad thing ... if its done right its fine ... if its done right). Some have said the WASR 10s are better made then the SAR-1 (the Full-cap Romanian AK variant)

Even so, I'd estimate the rifle is about $100 overpriced (although that is comparing it to what you'd pay online).

If the Dremmel work was done by a decent gunsmith, and you could knock him down $50 or so, or could get some extra goodies (extra mags, or ammo) then I think it would be an okay deal.

[Sir Galahad]

Now I get to be didactic. The AK-47 is the milled receiver version. The one with a stamped receiver is an AKM. While "AK-47" might not be correct, the term AK is because it simply refers to "Avtomat Kalashnikov"---the name of the action and/or rifle. The AK is closer to the true AK-47/AKM than the AR-15 is to the M-16. For one thing, the AK-47/AKM doesn't have a flash suppressor; the M-16 does. The new ARs do not have a flash supressor. Anyway, people see it and recognize it and they call it "AK". Nothing wrong with that. As I said, it refers to the action/rifle and that Kalashnikov designed it. In some parts of the world, they don't even call true AK-47/AKMs by that term; they call them "Kalashnikovs" or "Klashes" or "Klatches". By any other name, it's still the same gat, the chopper, the coffee grinder, the heater, the hall hose...except for the selective-fire ability and bayonet lug. Brakes are legal. The AR by virtue of U.S. manufacture wants to make sure they don't compare themselves in name to the M-16, or at least make that point too closely, lest the hand-wringers hear that. The importers of AK firearms be they Saigas, SARs, Saiga shotguns and so forth are proud to claim the "world famous reliable AK design" and just don't care if people like it or not. As it should be.

[MAKOwner]

Okay, a WASR 10 does not come from the factory accepting full capacity magazines

Century does sell alot of them already milled out to accept standard mags though... I'm not sure you'd really want to tackle it with a Dremel and I'm not aware of too many gunsmiths doing the mods on these on a large scale.

[Dave R]

Yup. There is no doubt that Century built that WASR 10 Standard Capacity AK. Which means that it could be fine, or it could have canted sights. If you can check it out, and make sure the barrel, sighting plane and gas tube are all aligned, it will be a fine rifle. It is a bit overpriced, but if the dealer will warrant the rifle, or make it right if something is not right, it may be worth it to you.

[NevadaPistolero]

I own a SAR 1 and a WASR 10. The WASR was modified by Century Arms to accept regular AK mags. Both are fine guns and very good shooters. AKs are one of the most dependable rifles made.

[JShirley]

:D