I have both a WASR-10 and a CETME. I'm no gunsmith, so I was worried about both purchases. Both required minor tinkering. I treasure both of them.
The WASR required me to file and smooth everso little metal off of the mag release to get it to operate correctly on all the different magazines I purchased. The front sight looks slightly canted but I think it's an optical illusion because it shoots straight. There's no muzzle break. But, I installed a blackjack buffer which helps a little with the "felt" recoil and quiets the operation of the gun. I've had no operational failures to date. There is noticable "trigger slap" after 100 rounds. I plan to cure that with a new trigger group eventually. I get about 3" to 4" grouping at 100 yards with OLD mil surplus ammo.
The CETME black widow was test fired for about 100 rounds with no failures. I then had to trade in the black stock for an HK stock set because I couldn't handle not having a sling and I really like wood furniture. With modifications, and a short break in of about 20 rounds, it has been working like a champ. The integral muzzle break works fantastic. The gun is very low on recoil. The peep sights are also far superior to the WASR. No trigger slap either. Accuracy on this rifle has yet to be tested though I'm guessing it will do at least a 2" grouping at 100 yards with portuguese or south african ammo.
Ammo for the WASR is going to be a lot cheaper than the CETME.
Overall I'd have to say the CETME is favored because of the low recoil and it fits my 6'2" frame better than the WASR.
