Making an AK nicer without going all blactical tactical?

[Hoplophile]

So, I was very lucky when I got a WASR-10 in such great condition. A cook must have owned it, because it's impeccably clean. The bore is SO clean I'd eat out of it. However, like all AKs, the trigger is just okay, the Shepherd's hook is made of wire, and a notched safety lever would help put range-masters at ease. I also use this gun to introduce new shooters to shooting (you want to make them feel empowered, without bruising their shoulders), so it would be nice if I could lock the bolt carrier back. I'd also like an inexpensive scope and scope mount for it (just because).

What's the best AK trigger? Something to make it really nice-feeling, a light trigger, ideally adjustable. Can you link me to the product?

How about a decent replacement for my Shepherd's hook and safety lever?

It's an AK, so I don't need some badass Leupold scope. Ideally, scope + scope mount should be under 100 dollars, and I don't really care about magnification. A little peep sight or something might be nice, or a cheap 4x red dot. I don't know.

Oh, and I have two questions about the sling: First of all, my sling is kinda nasty, should I get another? Secondly, the rear sling swivel is mounted on the BOTTOM of the stock. This snarls up the sling pretty badly. Is this okay, or should I see another option? Am I slinging it wrong? How loose should the sling be, anyway?

Thanks.

 

[Kymasabe]

Most people find that the Tapco G2 trigger does a fine job. Most WASR's I've seem are already equipped with the G2. Another option is the adjustable trigger from Red Star Arms. http://www.redstararms.com/index.htm?c1.htm&1
Shepherds hook can be replaced with a retaining plate also available from Tapco or RedStarArms. http://www.tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?Id=a6d831d9-7032-41e7-b118-95fc4a96e9ab
Notched safety levers can be had at Dinzag Arms http://www.dinzagarms.com/saiga_762x39/sslbho.html or thru Krebs Custom.
http://www.krebscustom.com/PartsPages/KalashnikovParts.shtml

I've had scopes and peep sights on my AK's. A good combo is the Krebs Custom peep sight with an orange front sight from Tapco. TechSights is coming out with a rear peep soon, http://www.tech-sights.com/index.html Tromix makes a rear peep that's off an HK and needs to be welded on your AK but looks and works great. http://www.tromix.com/images/saiga-parts/HKsights.jpg
WASR's and Saiga's have a decent side mount so a Belarus BP-02 low-rise side mount works great with a red-dot on it. Another option is some of the new beryl mounts out there.

 

[chris in va]

TechSights...yes!! I can't wait. Tried out a set on a 10/22 at the last Appleseed and really enjoyed their function. Hopefully they won't be astronomical in price like the Krebs rail.

I'd say you probably want to replace the sling if it's the original one that came with the gun. You figure probably 30+ years in storage or use. Or just skip it like I did.

Kymasabe knows his stuff, good recommendations.

 

[nalioth]

It's not designed to be a modern fighting rifle.

The WASR is a pretty decent specimen of a typical AKM (designed back in the '50s and put into service in 1959).

If you want "new hotness", I'm afraid the "blacktical tactical" awaits.

Not sure where the sling came from, they usually ship with brand new ones.

 

[RP88]

give it a sling, tapco G2 trigger, and some sort of cheap mount/optic. That's all you'll need. If you don't care for the trapdoor for the cleaning pod (not sure if WASRs have those or not), then you can also add a recoil pad.

 

[H2O MAN]

blactical tactical?

 

[Thin Black Line]

I prefer a double hook trigger, but you may have to mod your receiver to
make it fit. There is a US made standard size fore end that also has a
rail under it which matches up with the AK style and still lets you put a
grip on.

 

[Aka Zero]

I have a tacticool ak. But I also have a pretty "AK" Saiga, with wooden thumb hole stock.

The saiga is about the least "tacticool" looking rifle. 10 round mags, no flash hider, no pistol grip. And overall is way nicer than my wasr. And I got it for $400, so if you wanted to drop more cash (and get another gun) Could go with that.

But painting AK sights is a good idea, black on black doesn't work. Cheap fix that helps a lot. HAve a 1x red dot on it, but haven't really sighted it in.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Find someone to carve you a nice walnut stock set.

You NEVER see pretty wood on an AK.

Those new iron dot sights from LaRue tactical are something I want to try next, it's 'high speed low drag' but doesn't replace the fore end with lego-like attaching rails, and you can still use the iron sights.

 

[woodfiend]

Most people find that the Tapco G2 trigger does a fine job. Most WASR's I've seem are already equipped with the G2.

Oh, yes the Tapco G2 is a splendid improvement over the normal Century one. No trigger slap or anything, just a nice, clean break. And as you said, mine did come with one installed.

 

[Shooter88]

Big +1 on the Larue Irondot. One of the biggest disadvantages of an AK is the crude ironsights; the Irondot fixes that quite nicely. No other addon to an AK will improve your shooting experience more than a good sighting system.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Don't the WASRs usually come with a scope rail ? If so, these are way cool, I have one on one of mine, and they're pretty damn nice. It's a little more than you want to spend, but we all have to amend our budgets now and then.
http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=72

 

[d2wing]

I don't find a scope useful on an AK because it slows target aquisition and doesn't help accuracy.

 

[GrandmasterB]

The best AK trigger is the completely adjustable one from Red Star Arms.

The shepherds hook replacement plate is worth every penny as it makes disassembly and reassembly so much easier.

I notched my own safety lever to make it able to hold the bolt open. Took me all of 5 minutes with a Dremel. Wish I would've done it years ago. Great modification and so easy!

WASR rifles have the side mount scope rail, so why not get a Kobra or PK-AS red dot optic? I have the Kobra on my SAR-2 and it really helps to acquire the target fast - much faster than the standard iron sights.

 

[MIL-DOT]

(quote)" I don't find a scope useful on an AK because it slows target aquisition and doesn't help accuracy."

Uh, actually that's exactly what a scope does. Are you really familiar with the notoriously lame iron sights on AK's ?

 

[Coronach]

Assuming you don't want to go ninjafied...

Trigger: Tapco G2 for bombproof AK reliability with a crisp, clean trigger. RSA if you want something lighter and adjustable, but with added complexity. Personally, I went with the G2, because it just seems wrong to put an adjustable trigger on an AK. JMO, though.

Sights: Ultimak top rail if you want some milspec rail, then put on the optic of your choice, or Larue's new red dot/rear sight combo if you want something more minimalistic.

Mike

 

[Coronach]

I don't find a scope useful on an AK because it slows target aquisition and doesn't help accuracy.

Uh. Ok.

I think you'll find yourself in the minority on this one.

Mike

 

[maddog1775]

Too much?

 

[buck00]

Making an AK nicer without going all blactical tactical?

A few other things you can do to make an AK nicer without putting junk on it:


- refinish the wood. Sand it down, then stain it a richer red... or brownish-orange.

- buy a stainless steel bolt carrier, or have your bolt polished

- gun koat (depending on how the metal looks now). This can be done for roughly $120 depending on where you go


But yes I agree, putting scopes, red dots, US made furniture, or flash-lights on an AK is generally wrong.

 

[regal]

I have the XS big dot installed, it is a nice upgrade with tritium. Still looks like a classic polish AK.

 

[armoredman]

Is this what you had in mind? Famous Maker red dot on traditional Romak side rail mount, whole thing was under $100. The mount is NOT rock solid, and not really suitable for long range use because of that, but short range, very handy. This is the wife's rifle, and she loves her red dot.

 

[nalioth]

- buy a stainless steel bolt carrier

This is a unicorn.

What you are seeing is chrome over carbon steel, not stainless.

 

[Zundfolge]

You could always upgrade the stocks.

Ironwood makes some nice wood for AKs
http://ironwooddesigns.com/2aprod/1zAKproduct.html

As for optics I'd stick with actual Russian optics for authenticity's sake
http://www.opticsbestbuy.com/Specialty-Scopes.html

 

[NC-Mike]

Find someone to carve you a nice walnut stock set.

You NEVER see pretty wood on an AK.

 

[expvideo]

Red Star Arms makes a very nice adjustable trigger that retails for about $70. From what I've heard, it's the best investment you could ever make for an AK. As for furnature, I would recommend getting a nice set of Ironwood Designs wood. It's made in the USA which is good for 922r compliance and it's unfinished, so you can give it the exact finish you want.

Those two things would give you one of the nicest AKs you could ever ask for.