First AK-47??

[CPLofMARINES]

Gun and Knife Show is this weekend and I'm finally considering purchasing
an AK. Century Arms, Romanian WASR-10 Hi-Cap, 7.62x39. Last I checked
they are going for about $400 to $430. (two 30 rd. mags. etc..) Forgot to
mention wood stock, not collapsable. Would any of you folks have any
suggestions or recomendations for a first time buyer? Thank you very much
for any advice!


Semper Fi!!

 

[MP-44]

Wood stocked Yugo M70.

 

[takhtakaal]

WASRs are hit-or-miss, and the only things I trust from Century are Yugo underfolders and surplus ammo.

Bite the bullet and drop $100 to $200 on something less likely to be problematic.

ETA: MP-44's suggestion: http://www.centerfiresystems.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=971

 

[cat_IT_guy]

WASRs are fine. Just make sure you insepect it before you buy it - watch out for canted front sight and loose mag fit. Otherwise WASRs are fine - I have had no problems with mine.

 

[chris in va]

Yeah, look for a Saiga instead. They run about $300 at the gun shows. Make note of the 12ga versions too.

 

[k98k792]

I have an extensive collection of Aks from a lot of different countries. My collecting started out with a 2002 WASR. It has many thousand rounds through it now.

The WASRs are made as single stack rifles in Romania,Century just hogs out the mag well,and adds compliance parts. Romanian quality control is very spotty.You need to inspect the weapon for canted front sight,gas block and rear sight block. These are the main things to watch out for on a WASR.
I have seen these problems on military Romy AKs also.

 

[azhunter12]

I second the Saiga. Heres some info:http://forum.saiga-12.com/

 

[MIL-DOT]

You can do better than the gun show from the prices you quoted. First, as already stated, the saiga is a killer deal, whether you convert it or not.I have one,coverted, and it may be my favorite among all my toys. Also, classicarms has the WASRs for less than, or just at, $300,add shipping and FFL,you still under $350. They also have the somewhat nicer Romanian G model AK for $349. I have one and can't complain,and every other report i've read on these has been good,as well.Classicarms is a highy regarded company,ships the day you order ( or always have with me) and these come with two mags ( unfortunately,pro-mags), leather sling,cleaning kit,oiler bottle.They don't TELL you it comes with this stuff,'cause they also "offer" a deluxe package with this stuff,plus a few rounds and a bayonet, for more money. Bypass this "deal".
More and more, as the years roll by,gunshows have sadly turned into big rip-off parties. You can still find deals, but don't walk in with a pocket full O' cash, determined to leave with SOMETHING.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I always wondered about these double posts...........still wondering.

 

[jad0110]

Century Arms, Romanian WASR-10 Hi-Cap, 7.62x39. Last I checked
they are going for about $400 to $430. (two 30 rd. mags. etc..)

A little steep for a WASR-10, IMO.

k98 is right, a visual inpection is essential when it comes to the WASRs, however:

You can do better than the gun show from the prices you quoted. First, as already stated, the saiga is a killer deal, whether you convert it or not.I have one,coverted, and it may be my favorite among all my toys. Also, classicarms has the WASRs for less than, or just at, $300,add shipping and FFL,you still under $350. They also have the somewhat nicer Romanian G model AK for $349. I have one and can't complain,and every other report i've read on these has been good,as well.Classicarms is a highy regarded company,ships the day you order ( or always have with me) and these come with two mags ( unfortunately,pro-mags), leather sling,cleaning kit,oiler bottle.They don't TELL you it comes with this stuff,'cause they also "offer" a deluxe package with this stuff,plus a few rounds and a bayonet, for more money. Bypass this "deal".

http://www.classicarms.us/

Classic Arms is about the only place I'd consider ordering a WASR from, sight unseen. I hear a lot of positive things about them. $299 plus shipping and FFL. With the savings over the gun show price you quoted, you could also buy a Mosin Nagant from them for around $70 - $80 plus shipping & FFL!

OTOH, I purchased a Yugo M70 wood stock variant (came with 2 30 rounders) from aimsurplus.com for a grand total of about $465. ($419.95 for the M70, $9 shipping, $20 FFL fee, $15 for a cleaning rod - they don't come with one). More than a WASR, but not much more than the gunshow prices you've seen, and noticeably better quality. I don't own a WASR, but most people say they run just fine, crusty as they may be. I just prefer the better workmanship on the Yugos for roughly $100 - $150 more on average. I've handled a couple of good WASRs, but that bad ones are pretty crude, even by AK standards .


Yugo M70AB1, 7.62 x 39:

 

[jad0110]

FYI, the absolute best value I've seen on an AK-type was at D&L Guns in Winterville NC. He had converted Saigas in several chamberings (including .308 if I remember) for $399 (or was it $299 - boy that would be a deal). Yep, they had a pistol grip already installed. I almost bought it over the M70, but I prefered the more traditional look of the M70 over the Saiga's black "tacticle" furniture.