AK- 47 questions

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Karate

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I am looking to get an AK-47 in the near future...so I began searching the forum for info...now I am totally confused...I see so many terms and have no idea of their importance or meaning...like WASR with numbers after it then SAR...plus many makes from different countrys....Can you AK lovers help me decipher all of this...I just want a good trustworthy AK with Hicap mags...and may be a folding stock or maybe a thumb hole stock...HELP please
 
imported rifles have to have a certain number of american parts to be sec. 922 (r) compliant (i have no idea what 922 (r) is other than i suspect it's a law and bad things happen if you are not compliant). anyway, often the fire control group is replaced with parts made from cheap steel that wears out quickly. my sar-1 started slam firing after about 3000-4000 rounds. gunsmith fixed it up and didn't charge much but recommended a new fcg. bear in mind that you'll probably have to get one sometime so sooner is better than later. good news is they're cheap. there is a wide range in quality my sar-1 is probably close to the bottom, though i've seen some century wasr imports that are worse. the vepr is probably the best and there are many levels in the middle. get what you can afford. buy lots and lots of magazines and ammo and have fun. bottom line is ANY ak you decide on will work very well for quite a while. the only problem is you may very well shoot it into the ground like i did mine. oh, well, a new fcg and barrel and you're good to go again. hint: continuous rapid fire through an entire 75 round drum wears barrels more quickly than normal use.
 
Regarding SAR's and WASR's:

SAR-1: Romanian AK lookalike in 7.62x39mm, with mag dimples on side of receiver (take double-stack mags); have enough U.S. made parts to be 18 USC 922(r) compliant, meaning you can add folding stocks, etc.; imported during AWB and so have non-threaded muzzles and no bayonet lugs
SAR-2: same in 5.45x39mm
SAR-3: same in 5.56x45mm

WASR: Romanian AK lookalike with smooth-sided receiver (manufactured as single-stack and converted to double-stack mags in U.S.); pre-2004's have smooth muzzles and no bayonet lugs; post-2004's in 7.62x39mm have screw-on slant brakes and bayonet lugs.

I have a SAR-1.
 
keep it coming I am learning a lot...what is vepr...it seems that the SAR 1 is the most popular...I saw it one of the links that some have collapsable stock like the AR-15 are these easy to come by...and does it take a gunsmith to install them...is it better to replace the wood or leave them alone
 
A Vepr is a close relative of the AK. It uses the AK operating system, but is actually based on the Soviet RPK light machine gun. The receiver is thicker (stronger) and has slightly different dimensions and contours, so lots of AK parts will not interchange with it. To the untrained eye, it looks like an AK, and it does work almost exactly like an AK. A lot of people think they're better and more accurate than the AK clones, but the big disadvantage is the lack of parts compatibility.
 
VEPR's are also heavier due to the thicker-gauge RPK-style receiver, which may or may not be an issue for you.

I have read that 5.45x39mm AK lookalikes are more accurate than the 7.62x39mm versions. Ammunition for the 5.45x39 is a bit rarer but you can find it at gun shows or mailorder it.
 
Father-knows-best, the main parts difference is in the stocks as the forearm is different, and the receiver has a slant cut so the stock is different. However the trigger internals are all the same.
 
Most of what I was going to say has been said.

I have an SAR-1 and have no complaints.

I'd stay away from the WASRs. The drunk monkeys at century cant be depended upon to properly convert them to fit full size mags. My friend just recently bought one that was not, and it takes some serious effort to get the magazines in and out.

The Arsenal ones are definately the nicest I have seen.
 
Although they all shoot, there is alot of difference in the fit and finish of various AK's. Vepr and Arsenal of Nevada are at the top. Sar-1's are not so great, though they can be refinished. The SAR-1 I owned had the serial number stamped by a drunk monkey.
 
Gp Wasr 10

Karate, the SAR series are no longer imported, but you can buy one for $400 online.

The new "cheapie" is the WASR 10. I'd recommend a GP WASR 10. They have a very nice two-stage trigger and are about $360 (-$400 depending on if you order it from a company like AIM Surplus or buy it at your local gunshop or at a gun show.

If you get a GP WASR-10, make sure the front sight block and gas block aren't canted. Here's some helpful links.

http://www.nrapublications.org/tar/CenturyGPWASR10.asp
a review by the NRA of the GP WASR 10

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/cant.htm
Identify Cant - make sure to get a good GP WASR 10

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/NEW_AK_WASR_RIFLE_w__Bayonet_Lug___Muzzle_Break.html
$319!

I have a GP WASR-10 and it's a GREAT RIFLE. I like the trigger A LOT better than my old SAR-1.
 
Thanks...it looks like I have a lot of reading to do...Mybe I should just get an AR-15 instead.
 
+1 On getting both...

Get the AK varient first((I have a WASR that has not hiccupped, ugly but works :) ). If you get the AR-15 first, you will find that they mysteriously have this tendency to multiply :confused:? AK's are cheap to feed, reliable and fun to shoot, and I think the AR-15varients will be greater appreciated after shooting the AK series. YMMV

PS- The store bought or Brand Name AR-15's are expensive. You could build a good AR-15 type rifle for around 700 though ;) ...
 
I have a WASR-10 that I got locally for $250. I had to file the receiver slightly to make the double-stack mags fit better (as stated above - Century did not do a good job on the conversion). The trigger slap was really bad so I replaced the fire control group with an adjustable trigger FCG from Red Star Arms (it's awesome now). If you decide to do this, also get the plate that Red Star makes to replace the "shepherd's crook" spring.

It's a fun and cheap gun to shoot, and you can't beat the price.
 
Ditto on the close inspection of the front sight,gas block,and rear sight for straightness.
 
Since AR's have been brought up and they are on my short list...I know that there are several different brands of AR type rifles...which one seems to be the best and which ones should I stay away from...There is a dealer at the local gun show that sells Olympic Arms. How do they rate? How about Rock River arms? I have a friend who has a Bushmaster and loves it.


PS- The store bought or Brand Name AR-15's are expensive. You could build a good AR-15 type rifle for around 700 though ...
Click to expand...

Too Many Choices...How can I go about this...it sounds like something that I would enjoy....Where would I start.
 
Last edited:
How can I go about this...it sounds like something that I would enjoy....Where would I start.
Click to expand...

You will need a stripped lower. I bought one manufactured by Stag Arms.

http://www.stagarms.com

You will need a rifle kit. I bought one from Del-Ton.

http://www.del-ton.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=80
http://www.del-ton.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=81

Then you put it together following the directions at ar15.com. You will need a few inexpensive tools.

http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower
 
Karate,

Wdlsguy gave you some very sound advice. If you want to go for even less $$, you could buy a quality lower receiver(Bushmaster, Rock River Arms are what I am partial too, but Stag gets good reviews too). Bushmaster has complete lower receivers for around 260+ ffl transfer and tax(~300-325to your door). After you find a good lower, check the equipment exchange here and at ARF.com, and purchase an upper(which can be shipped directly to you :evil: ~300-350depending on condition and maker). You will have an excellent starter rifle to get aquainted with while shooting Wolf ammo(cheap practice)and save up for a new upper or other project. When you burn the barrel, get a quality one that fits your shooting needs.

Too Many Choices!? ;)
 
I did not see any lowers on Stags WWW. ..but I sent them an Email and also requested a Catalog...I will look at Bushmasters website also.

Thanks.

Does anyone know anything good or bad about the quality of Olympic Arms AR rifles...I have an ad from Gun Show in Memphis...someone is going to sell at what they claim to be Wholesale...
 
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