Convert WASR-10 to an AK-47?

[Nightwing]

I have a buddy in another state that took a dremmel and cut the receiver profile of a WASR-10 to match an AK-47. He also cut out two retention tabs. It now takes a 30rd AK magazine and basically is now an AK-47.
I mean I know the WASR-10 is basically an AK, but it doesn't take high capacity.
Anyone else done this conversion? Is it a good final product? Seems like a no brainer to me. 250 bucks for an AK-47.
More info.... please!
Also, would a WASR be confiscated if there was an assault weapon ban? It only has a 10 round mag capability. Maybe I'll just get one and keep it at 10 rounds if it wouldn't qualify as an assault weapon.

 

[Leif Runenritzer]

Beware of 922(r). Your rifle being pure Romanian, if you do the "non-sporting" conversion, it has to have enough US-made parts to be 922(r) compliant. Look for a $30 Tapco trigger group (3 parts), and substitute two of either the stock, grip, forend or piston with something US-made. If there is anything screwed onto the muzzle, this, or an aforesaid part must be replaced with a US-made part.

In other words, that's 5 US parts to replace, or six US parts to replace if there's a muzzle attachment. US-made magazine floorplates, followers and bodies also count for your US parts count.

 

[nalioth]

Love the sensationalist thread title.

An AK-47 is a selective fire assault rifle.

You have a Kalashnikov designed sporting rifle.

As has been stated, if you haven't added the appropriate 922r parts, you are now illegal (have you ever wondered why Century doesn't sell WASRs for $250? Because they have to add US made parts when they hog out the mag well.).

 

[wdlsguy]

Would it make any sense at all to demill a WASR-10 and rebuild it on a U.S.-made receiver (e.g., DCI / NDS) with appropriate 18 USC 922(r) compliance parts?

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

I mean I know the WASR-10 is basically an AK, but it doesn't take high capacity.

I know the trained monkeys over at Century are pretty bad at putting guns together... But how did they let a WASR get out the door without milling out the magazine well first?

 

[Nightwing]

I'm lost.
All I know is my buddy had a legitimate AK, and another buddy has this modified thing. They both are awesomely accurate and it's hard to tell a lot of difference between them.
Obviously the ego's in here are already getting too inflated, so I'll let this thread die.
Honestly.... there are a few good answers that don't make a lot of sense to me, and then a handful of high and mighty answers. You guys... do you have nothing to do other than spew sarcasm and disapproval all over an educational thread? Please.... grow up. If you can't answer the question, then don't contribute by being a pain in the ass.

 

[chupacabrah]

"Is it a good final product? Seems like a no brainer to me. 250 bucks for an AK-47. "


Sure, I would do it. but be sure to look into 922r as mentioned above to make sure you're legal by replacing the required parts with US made stuff.

 

[Joe the Redneck]

OK, first the languare police" are on you becasue you said "AK47". I do it all the time, In point of fact, they aren't ak47. AK15 are select fire. Just like my AR15 isn't really and AR15, it is an "XM15 Shorty AK". Yeah, that name ain't confusng or noting. Just ignore those peole that play language cop. Small petty people with noting better to do. I'm sorry to be a sandy butthole about this, but I'm just really really sick of it. We all knew what you ment. I guess some peole can only feel big when they put other people down.

Second, the laws are different for "guns manufacture in the US" and "imported guns." That's why Bill Ruger supported the Assault Weapons Ban (and why I don't buy new Rugers.) The restrictions never applied to his weapons because they are American made.

So, before you can do anything to your "imported gun", you have to turn it into an "America Made" gun. Once you replace a certain number or "imported" parts with American parts, you "AK47" becomes "American" made and you can fiddle with the hi cap mag.

I realize this makes no sense, its the government.

WHat you find is, in the end, the price evens out so you may as well just buy one from your dealer that has alread had the work done.

There are thousand of AKs that have been "illegally" changed over. But unkess you do something really stupid. like full auto, I doubt you would get caught. The parts that came in my kit looked exactly the same except they had "USA" stamped on them. I just think you should always stay within the law, this way you have nothing to worry about. It is well worth ti to have the piece of mind to know that you did it right.

Joe

 

[lvcat2004]

I paid a bit over $300 for may CAI "AK-47". I think it may cost me more to convert a WASR-10 to an "AK-47", and I'd be wondering if I'm compliant with 922(r).

I'd say if you want an "AK" save save yourself the trouble and pay a bit more and get one...and it might actually turn out cheaper than exchanging to US parts.

 

[nalioth]

Would it make any sense at all to demill a WASR-10 and rebuild it on a U.S.-made receiver (e.g., DCI / NDS) with appropriate 18 USC 922(r) compliance parts?

Not really. If you choose to do so, make sure you destroy the WASR receiver in accordance with the law before you demill it.


As far as "the language police" thing, thread titles are more visible to folks who just look over the board for 'fodder for the cause' and having "convert" and "AK-47" in one is sure to raise some interest that having the same words among the responses would not.

 

[sublimaze41]

Nightwing says:

Obviously the ego's in here are already getting too inflated, so I'll let this thread die.
Honestly.... there are a few good answers that don't make a lot of sense to me, and then a handful of high and mighty answers. You guys... do you have nothing to do other than spew sarcasm and disapproval all over an educational thread? Please.... grow up. If you can't answer the question, then don't contribute by being a pain in the ass.

That needed to be said! BTW do you have any clips for my AR-15

 

[Nightwing]

That needed to be said! BTW do you have any clips for my AR-15

Clips? I LOVE CLIPS! hahaha

 

[Avenger29]

Quote:
Originally Posted by wdlsguy
Would it make any sense at all to demill a WASR-10 and rebuild it on a U.S.-made receiver (e.g., DCI / NDS) with appropriate 18 USC 922(r) compliance parts?
Not really. If you choose to do so, make sure you destroy the WASR receiver in accordance with the law before you demill it.

I'd venture to say that something like a Lancaster Consulting AK isn't too far out of your reach, and would probably be cheaper in the long run than trying to transfer parts onto a new receiver...

 

[Leif Runenritzer]

It might be fun. Either you can pay $350 for a double-stack WASR-10, or you can pay $250 plus $60 to $100 more to get it compliant. Either way costs about the same, but, if you choose the latter, you can customized it to your liking and (as far as compliance parts) not surpass the cost of just buying one. I'm considering my first AK, too, and have been keeping track of all the stuff that comes out for them. These sellers spring to mind for compliance parts:

Ironwood Designs
dph arms

The easiest, cheapest, best looking way i can see would be to get a $45 laminate upper and lower handguard from Ironwood and a $28 triggergroup and $12 pistol grip from dph. I find the M4 stock tempting, too. Your tastes may vary. The piston could be replaced, but that seems like it would be a pain to install.

Also, WASR-10s have a small chance of coming with gas blocks and front sights that aren't perfectly in the 12:00 position, that is, they might come canted.

Actually, i wouldn't get a WASR-10 in the first place only because i've got to have the dimples above the mag well. I don't know why, but i do. With this in mind, i'd just spend $400 on a Civil Guard AK from this fellow:

http://www.classicarms.us/

 

[Mark_from_Iowa]

Language is important ("that shoulder thing that goes up"). When I saw the thread title, I had scary flashbacks to sear-job info requests. No big deal, we all learn as we go (I sure have).

Converting a low-cap WASR-10 to a high-cap WASR-10 sounds like an interesting project, if you have the time, skills, and money. There are some pitfalls when grinding the magwell, such as making the opening too big (mag wobble). To answer your questions, it is possible for a price.

Following federal regulations (922r) is the main area of concern for the conversion/modification you bring up, however.

The US-manufactured parts requirements have been discussed at length here and elsewhere (arfcom, etc). They should steer you in the right direction. I doubt BATFE agents will hunt you down if you don't have a US-made gas piston, but why take the chance?

As for avoiding potential AWB violations:
It is silly (IMO) to plan firearm ownership around speculative loopholes in future laws. I doubt anyone here can accurately predict when/if/how the next AWB will impact the legality of existing AK mags, receiver profiles, pistol grips, etc. The best plan would be to stay within current federal laws (duh) and do your civic part to prevent such things from happening.

Be careful. Be legal.