[WhoKnowsWho]

I know they only take single stack mags, but how is the quality? I was going to try and get a Romanian SAR-1, but $200 for a single stack sounds tempting since I won't be doing much with it.

And why doesn't anybody make a mag that is fat at the bottom and feeds into a single stack into the top, like the Makarov double stack mag?

While a high quality $800 SAR sounds nice, I will get my Thompson 1927 first... :D

[goon]

$800 for an SAR?
Whoever is trying to sell you one for that price is on crack.
You can get a new SAR-1 from AIM for about $300.
For only another $100, you get the look of an AK and the ability to use any hi-cap you can get your paws on.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/

[Coronach]

I just purchased a SAR-1 that was assembled well from www.centerfiresystems.com for about $300 plus shipping. Pay via credit card on the website and snail mail them your FFL paperwork. My FFL was obviously on file, because I got a call from my dealer the same day I mailed the paperwork.

:D

I'd pay the extra $100 and get the SAR, but if thats not an option, the WASR is likely to be similar in quality to the SAR. There is also a procedue to adapt the WASR to accept hicap mags. It is perfectly legal and is supposedly easy to do, and very functional.

Hope that helps,

Mike

[DMK]

There is also a procedue to adapt the WASR to accept hicap mags. It is perfectly legal and is supposedly easy to do, and very functional. Just be aware that if one does this, they also need to keep the number of certain foreign parts in the gun to under 10 to comply with 9.22r. WASRs are exempted because they can't take full capacity mags, but that changes when you fix that minor deficiency.

Usually this is acomplished by adding three U.S. trigger parts, a U.S. pistol grip, and a U.S. gas piston. This is what Century does on the SAR. A U.S. made butt stock and the pair of handguard pieces(1 item) can also count.

Back to the original question: From what I've seen, the WASR is about $100 cheaper than the SAR1 usually. 10 round single stack mags for it can be a little dificult to find sometimes though. If you only want a couple mags, and don't want to invest a lot of money in an AK right now, then you may want the WASR. You can convert it later if you change your mind, but you will then have more invested in it than you would have if you bought a SAR1 in the first place.

OTOH, normal AK mags are cheap and plentyful. Also, Century is also supposed to not be making many more SARs. If you want one of them, strike now while the iron's hot. They are still available and reasonably priced plus those laminated stock models are pretty.

For $800, you could probably get a real nice VEPR or Arsenal SA M7 and still have money for mags and ammo.

[AJ Dual]

I have a Century modified high-cap WASR and it's fit and finish is actually a tad bit nicer than the early SAR 1's which were a bit rough, canted sights and gas-tubes etc.

A good shooter.

My only complaint is the Century electric scribing pencil for the importers mark. Looks like the same drunken chimpanzee is still working there, but my 5.45x39 SAR 2 is marked the same.

[NevadaPistolero]

I also have a WASR 10 hi-cap done at Century. Ive got a SAR 1 too. Do not try and modify the WASR to take high cap mags unless your a machinist. You'll just screw the gun up. Pay the little extra and buy a hi-cap model. Ive seen a lot of people say all they need is the 10 round single stack and quickly change their minds. 10 rounds is not enough to plink with but the 30 rounders are. I picked up a screw on muzzle brake and adapter for the SAR for only $30 today at a gun show. Got 2 30 round mags for $10 each.
If you dont like the wood stocks just sand them down and paint or stain them.

[WhoKnowsWho]

10 rounds is enough for my SKS, and I have had no urges to get a larger capacity for a multitude of reasons.

DMK - VEPR or SA M7 was what I was thinking for high end, ($800 SAR? yeah, I want quality! :) )

JG Sales has the laminated stock Romanian SAR-1 for $310, but $100+ less is $100+ less, and if the WASR is similar quality... I guess I have to check them out by hand to make sure. Also, that $100 could go toward my lever action 30-30 rifle. Don't have one of those in the collection yet.

The modification would be a doh move... if it could be completely done at home without looking like it was done at home, I would use my dremel. But I would also need the US parts most likely.

[DMK]

10 rounds is enough for my SKS, and I have had no urges to get a larger capacity for a multitude of reasons. I agree with that. I've got a bunch of SKSes and they are some of my favorite "go have some fun" rifles.

However, how easy is it to load a WASR with stripper clips?

[WhoKnowsWho]

True.

But even when I shot my SKS, 40 rounds in a row was plenty, and then it had to sit and cool before I burnt up some more of the atmosphere!

Too bad SARs aren't $200... heck, too bad everything isn't about $200!

[DMK]

But even when I shot my SKS, 40 rounds in a row was plenty, and then it had to sit and cool before I burnt up some more of the atmosphere! I found a fix for that... I bring at least three SKSes with me to the range (or two SKS and one AK). :neener:

heck, too bad everything isn't about $200! That would be nice. Except of course for the stuff that's under $200. :D

[goon]

I have noticed that the quality on converted WASRs seems a little better than an SAR.
I think Wholesale guns and ammo sells converted ones for around $259.
For the ability to accept the cheap hi-caps that are easy to find, I would go the extra $60.
Besides, they look really scarey to anti-gunners. :D

[Redlg155]

Spending an extra $100 is definitely worth it.

A single stack AK is like driving around in a 4 cylinder Mustang GT. Why? :D

Good Shooting
Red

[Newton]

Get the SAR-1 with the new laminated stocks, they look fantastic compared to the old wood.

The can be had for under $300, the trigger slap, canted sights, and canted gas block issues are supposed to be going away with the newer rifles.

[WhoKnowsWho]

Looked at the WASR, looked away, might as well wait and get a true SAR later I figured, or get a super cheap WSAR from someone who doesn't want it anymore. And anyways, I bought something else... I'm a handgun person at heart. :)