AK's... Maadi, WASR Hi-cap or SAR?

[Diggler]

Looking around for an AK variant today. Came upon the Century WASR's that were converted to hi-cap magazines for $349, there was a used one, a little marked up for $299. Also saw a thumbhole Maadi, it was $249.

Any good deals in there, or should I wait and try to find a SAR? Aren't the SAR's better quality?

 

[Ian]

Skip the Maadis; they're the worst of the imported AKs. I have a hi-cap WASR-10 that has worked great for me. Never had a SAR, so I can't comment on them beyond what I've heard (which is good).

 

[Chipperman]

If you find a WASR that had a good magwell job done, then they are as good as an SAR. The problem is that you cannot tell for sure that it will feed well until you shoot it. If you can find an SAR for about the same money, stick with that.

 

[GigaBuist]

Why does everybody hate the Maadi so much? I got one as my first AK and it's been OK as far as I know. A few (maybe 4?) light strikes out of the first 1,000 rounds but it cycles fine, shoots 'em where I tell it to, etc.

I just picked up a WASR from Century on Saturday setup for normal AK mags also. It is a bit crufty getting the mags in and out but it feeds fine -- only put 100 rounds through it thus far though. Figured if any problems show up it'd be in the first few.

Paid $300 used for the Maadi (regular grip and all that) and $300 brand new for the WASR -- though the bugger did tack on 4% because I used a credit card with the WASR.

I'll have to get a SAR one of these days too.

 

[NevadaPistolero]

Im curious as well...Ive owned MAADIs and they were excellent guns...they are built on Russian machinery set up by the Russians. They used to be a great rifle...whats changed???

 

[huduguru]

I've owned two Maadis. They are great weapons. The ones that
suck are the MISRs with the Chinese parts bolted on made by
Century. Chinese parts are great but there is some incompatibility
with the Russian pattern rifles so Century accomplished some
creative gunsmithing. I had an ARM 2 years ago and it was great.
I currently own an RML and it is awesome. I would say they are higher
quality than the SARs by a long shot. And it is true that they are made on
Soviet machinery. I had a SAR that ovaled out the trigger pin
hole in the receiver in a few thousand rounds. I will
never trust another Romanian. I would get the thumbhole Maadi,
it is probably an ARM OR RML which are excellent weapons.

 

[rick_reno]

The Maadi's I've seen have been excellent rifles.