AK47 WASR-10 or Yugo M70

[.308 garand]

I am currently looking for an AK but don't know which one. I want a fixed stock which these 2 have but is the Yugo worth the extra $$$? Centerfire Systems has the Yugo for $449. Does anyone know how the quality on these are? My next question would be, Would you rather have a WASR-10 that you could look over first hand or a Yugo that is ordered sight unseen? I ask this because I can pretty easily find WASRs but not Yugos around here.

Thanks,
.308

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

I bought a fixed stock Yugo M70 this weekend. The dealer had both WASR’s and Yugos. The WASR were around $400 and the Yugos ran a little over $600. The Yugo seems like a much better rifle with the RPK receiver. The stock is attached using a long tube/rod that runs through it’s length making it a lot sturdier. The stock is also longer on the Yugo (just like their SKS’s). The Yugo mags also have raised surface on their followers that results in the rifle having a last shot hold open feature (something that in my opinion all autoloading rifles should have). The Yugo feels like a good quality Kalashnikov, now I just need to find time to go test it out.

I have never been impressed with the Romanian Kalashnikovs from Century. They always rattle when I shake them, have horrible triggers, and just feel like a piece of junk.

I would get as good a rifle as you can get while they are available. With the lack of incoming parts kits and having Democrats run Congress (and probably the White House soon) my feeling is that they will get scarce. Prices seems to being going up too. A few years ago my buddy bought a VEPR K for around $650. The VEPR K I saw on Saturday was priced at $860.

 

[WinchesterAA]

I'd check out the WASR-10 in person and see if you like it. Mine has been nothing short of perfect for me and there's tons of parts for it everywhere. Yugo is slightly different and I'm not sure if the amount of spare parts/accessories is as high as the WASR or not.

Nevertheless, check out the WASR-10 in person. See if the dealer will let you put 5 or 10 different magazines in it to test for mag wobble, check the trigger to see if anywhere on it says anything about g2 usa or tapco or anything like that. If it doens't then you'll probably need to buzz the thing off of the sear which is a painfully easy operation. Also check the front sight block alignment for canting. That's not really a "problem" even if it is canted, but some people prefer ruler-tight precision on alignment of things so YMMV.

WASR-10 is a very nice firearm in any case, and it's pretty tough to beat for the price.

 

[bthest86]

Yugo M70 Pros (IMO)

- Folding stock (most of them)
- Hold open magazine follower (not sure if they work on other AKs)
- Piston shut-off/Grenade sights for extra big fireballs.
- Sturdy RPK reciever.

Cons

- Doesn't interchange with most AKM furniture
- Underfolder stock can be a bit wobbly
- More expensive than the WASR.

 

[MikeH]

Another Yugo con:

- no chrome-lined bore

I'd agree this is more important to soldiers in the battlefield than civvie shooters.

 

[dolanp]

I think the Yugos are better built. However they do not have chrome-lined barrels if that matters to you.

 

[.308 garand]

The chrome lined barrel is not that big of deal for me. It was noted above that Yugos are different and there is not as many parts for them, is this true? What parts are different?
Also has anyone had any experience good or bad with http://www.centerfiresystems.com/? They have the M70 w/fixed stock for $449. Is this a good deal?

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Fit and finish on the Century Yugos I have examined is far better than the average WASR. Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing on WASRs. I think they are great for a starter or heavy use rifle. At the gunshows in my area, the fixed stock Yugos run about a hundred dollars more than a WASR. Money well spent in my opinion. I would still definetly want to inspect either before purchasing though.

-jagd

 

[offthepaper]

I don't think any Yugo produced rifles have chrome lined barrels. They usually compensate for this by making the barrel a little "beefier". My Yugo SKS does'nt have a chrome lined barrel, but is a fine shooter (for a SKS anyway).
I've been told that the recievers in the Yugo AK's are also slightly thicker metal. If cost is a major concern, get what you can, while you can. If cost is not a factor, get the best rifle you can, while you can.