ak noob questions

[wolverine_173]

I have a wasr 10 and want to get a maintenance kit. cheapest i can find after shipping to utah is 42 bucks, is that about right? And the kit is either arsenal or east germany, will those work for my wasr 10?

i also want a muzzle brake to reduce kick. I hear tapco ak74 style works ok and they are about 20 bucks. what are your opinions between that or this one http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.ph...cat=344&page=1 I cant afford much more than 25 bucks

and lastly do these ak buffers work at all as far as saving the bolt from hitting the reciever or should i just get an extra power recoil spring? http://www.amazon.com/AK-47-Valmet-G...6325634&sr=8-1

 

[fireman 9731]

AK maintenance kits for most people around the world consist of boot laces tied in knots and dipped in motor oil. You can find an AK/SKS cleaning kit in a little metal tube for less than 5 bucks that will do everything you ever need to do to maintain an AK.

AK buffers are a gimmick. Once again, millions of AKs around the world and 99% of them don't have buffers or need buffers.

The muzzle brake will serve a legitimate purpose. The AK74 style is effective at reducing felt recoil and muzzle climb.

 

[Rob G]

cheapest i can find after shipping to utah is 42 bucks, is that about right?

Way too much. Try this: http://www.rrcfirearms.com/cat-cleaning-kit.cfm
Good company, I but lots of AK stuff from them.

do these ak buffers work at all as far as saving the bolt from hitting the reciever or should i just get an extra power recoil spring?

As fireman 9731 said AK buffers are a waste of your money. Just shoot it the way it is.

i also want a muzzle brake to reduce kick. I hear tapco ak74 style works ok and they are about 20 bucks

They're allright, the KVAR ones generally work better. I'm not sure what threading a WASR has on the end of the barrel so check that before you buy any muzzle brake. If the KVAR one is threaded right then take the money you saved buying the cheaper cleaning kit and not buying a buffer and buy there's. It greatly improves the recoil on the '47.

 

[Jet-mech]

I agree with fireman, buffers are more hype than help, and a buttstock cleaning kits are easily found for 5-10 bucks. Muzzle devices always come down to personal preferance but the AK-74 style does help with muzzle jump and percieved recoil. My experience with them is that they don't do much for redirecting noise . Seem to make the rifle a bit louder for the shooter. Just my opinion though.

 

[Deus Machina]

I'm another fan of the '74-style muzzle brake, but it does make the gun sound a little louder on your end. Less recoil--closer-fitting brakes do a better job of that--and less muzzle rise, even if it's just because it's a dense chunk of steel counteracting that.

For the $5 I paid, I'm happy enough with the buffer in my Saiga. Do you need it? Heck no. Will it save wear on a bolt? Aside from maybe the bluing, not that you'll notice. But in my case, it made the actual function noise less harsh.

Turned the 'BOOM CLANK' into a 'BOOM, kchunk'.

 

[dfariswheel]

The WASR is threaded 14x1 metric LEFT HAND threads.

The American (Tapco) type AK-74 brakes are not nearly as effective as the real thing, but do offer some muzzle braking. They are heavy.

One thing you can do is buy an adapter that converts the 14x1 left hand WASR threads to 24x1 1/2 right hand thread as used by real AK-74 brakes.
All you have to do then is either buy a brake made for the 7.62 or drill the hole of a 5.45 version to a larger size.

http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16256&cat=272&page=1

 

[RobGR]

dfariswheel has a great point, the Tapco ak-74 style brakes are heavy. Just get a slant brake, done. If you have the cash, maybe get a AK-47 BATTLECOMP, but they are stupid expensive.. half the cost of your WASR. There are some other well marketed options out there, but the slant is battle proven and cost effective.

Agree about the buffer, you don't need it. Tried one once and there was no benefit.

As for maintenance kit, get a cheap one from Apex -

https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/1936

There are some good parts in there if you were ever going to replace the trigger, etc.

I use a Hoppes boresnake on my AKs, but, as noted, a shoelace does work ;-)

 

[Kymasabe]

Forget the maint kit. Go buy a BoreSnake instead.
Forget the buffer. Waste of money.
Slant brake is on more AK's worldwide than any other and I think they cost around $8. AK doesn't have a whole lot of muzzle rise to begin with unless you're firing in full auto, which I doubt the WASR is set up for.

 

[zoom6zoom]

The only time I ever saw a buffer needed was on a home build that the owner cut the rear of the top rails too short and the carrier was jumping off the track. If it needed one, the Commies would have given it one.

 

[briansmithwins]

These brakes work and are only $20: http://www.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=16333&cat=286&page=1

You don't need the buffer and RTG should still have AK kits for under $10. You can also use the German tobacco tin kits as they work nicely on pretty much any .30 cal or 9mm weapon.

BSW