AK Advice

[briang2ad]

Blasting

DMK - great pics. I Gun Koted my PreB CZ, and cooked it a little long - the black came out dark gun metal gray - and I kinda like it.

Please tell me what you blasted with. The Fazio folks from GK definitely told me to go only with Al Oxide. I did, and things were fine. I had to find a local blast pro and paid $25 a pistol to do it. I saw a WASR today, which looked like I couls juat degrease, KPhos, then GK. Its finish was decent.

Wish I could get a SAR, but I may have to make do with a WASR. I passed up two SARs at a show recently, and did not know all the differences. I probably won't see any again anytime soon.

I have 19 mags, but only my SA 85. Need more AKs.

 

[DMK]

Please tell me what you blasted with. The Fazio folks from GK definitely told me to go only with Al Oxide. I did, and things were fine.

I use 60 grit Al. Oxide. Gunkote recommends 120 grit, but it's too fine in my cheap cabinet. I prefer a flat finish anyway.

Wish I could get a SAR, but I may have to make do with a WASR. I passed up two SARs at a show recently, and did not know all the differences. I probably won't see any again anytime soon.

Honestly, I don't think there is a huge difference with the exception of the magwells. Just bring a spare empty mag with you and try the mag fit. Like Clange said, you'd rather have a tight mag fit with the WASR, you can always dremel it out a little, but it's difficult to make it tighter.

 

[briang2ad]

Mag Well

Upon some looking at my SA 85, it appears that the mag is essentially secured at the front by a thick lip retained by rivets which basically butts up into the chamber area. The rear is secured by the mag release. On WASRs sometimes the well is too tight at the fore and aft, and the mag gets a little stuck. Minimum dremel or file work should solve this. It is probably good to have the sides tight. These do not secure the mag, but help prevent wobble. Thus, if the mag is not too lose on the sides, a WASR could be made to work just as well as a SAR. (I suppose I could use my SA 85 as a template maker - it is quite smooth).

on the other hand a SAR has a "proper" mag well... and dimples, so...

If you saw a SAR for $400 and a GP WASR (with all the stuff and decently made) for $330, which would be "better" to buy? When would you consider the price difference unacceptable?

 

[DMK]

If you saw a SAR for $400 and a GP WASR (with all the stuff and decently made) for $330, which would be "better" to buy? When would you consider the price difference unacceptable?

It depends on the individual rifles. SAR1s also have their own share of potential problems. Some have canted sights, some have canted gas blocks, Mine had horrible trigger slap until I swapped out the trigger parts and even then I had to dremel the disconnector a little (hold the trigger back and work the bolt to feel if it's going to sting you when firing). I'd look them both over very carefully and buy the better of the two.

 

[clange]

If you saw a SAR for $400 and a GP WASR (with all the stuff and decently made) for $330, which would be "better" to buy? When would you consider the price difference unacceptable?

Well the SAR is better and will hold its value more simply due to desirability. Theres a finite supply of SARs, but WASRs are are still getting cranked out. Is it worth the extra money for a SAR? If cost is a relatively large concern, no.

If mags fit ok, and there arent any canted parts, get the WASR. Theres really not much difference with the 7.62x39 romanian AKs.

 

[briang2ad]

Well the SAR is better and will hold its value more simply due to desirability. Theres a finite supply of SARs, but WASRs are are still getting cranked out. Is it worth the extra money for a SAR? If cost is a relatively large concern, no.

If mags fit ok, and there arent any canted parts, get the WASR. Theres really not much difference with the 7.62x39 romanian AKs.

Yes - and it seems that you can make the mag well as good with a file as on the SAR. I am getting a sense that the WASR could be a bit more acurate, from what I am reading also. Funny how things change. Old posts complain of SAR problems, now everyone thinks they are the bomb!

I think the SAR is better in the sense of having the original rec'er with dimples etc. But the WASR has the slant brake, bayonet lug, and seems to be a bot better in finish nowadays - plus I hear that the new ones may already have a Tapco G2 trigger - better equipment than on the SAR... (Am I selling myself here???)

In any case, THR folks have been great on this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again.

 

[clange]

Yes - and it seems that you can make the mag well as good with a file as on the SAR. I am getting a sense that the WASR could be a bit more acurate, from what I am reading also. Funny how things change. Old posts complain of SAR problems, now everyone thinks they are the bomb!

I think the SAR is better in the sense of having the original rec'er with dimples etc. But the WASR has the slant brake, bayonet lug, and seems to be a bot better in finish nowadays - plus I hear that the new ones may already have a Tapco G2 trigger - better equipment than on the SAR... (Am I selling myself here???)

In any case, THR folks have been great on this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again.

Go buy one already!