Please tell me everything I need to know about Romanian AK-47's

[Vitamin G]

Ok, title pretty much says it all. I know NOTHING about AK-47's. Much less about romanian specific ones, or if that even makes any difference.
Accuracy? Reliability? Value? Legality of 10\30\40\Drum clips? ammo price? accessories? and perhaps most important... maintence? (or lack thereof?)

Any help, and i mean ANY help, is appreciated.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

I have one of the Romanian AK style SAR-1's. Mine is a 2002 model. I have heard of canted front sights, mine didn't have one. Mine did have a little trigger slap, I replaced the trigger with a Red Star Arms trigger (~$50) and what a difference it made!! This thing is a great shooter now. Notice I didn't say MOA shooter, though. Accuracy is OK, I didn't get it for a MOA gun, I got it for a fun blaster gun. I have never set down and tried mine out for accuracy, but it will hit rocks and clods on the berm at 100 yards+. I would say it is a 4 inch shooter, probably. I haven't had any feeding problems, though. It eats all the Wolf I can put in a stack of 30 round mags, and eats it as fast as I can pull the trigger.

The true SAR-1's take the standard AK style mags, there are also WASR's that are modified to take hi cap mags. Not real sure about the reliability of those, though, as I don't own one. Seems like mine came with a 10 round and 40 round mag. Being that I already had one AK style rifle, I already had a stack of 30 round mags. They can be had for less than $10, though, so mag availability isn't a real issue, as long as you live in a free state. Ammo is cheap, I bought several cases of Wolf 7.62x39 for ~$66/K a year or so ago.

As for reliability, heck, I just shoot it and put it in the safe. I have put several K of ammo down range with mine, maybe I should check it over and see if it needs cleaning. I got mine for around $275. I hear that they are over $300 now. I have also heard rumor of them quitting importing them. If you can get one at a decent price, maybe you should jump on it. It isn't the quality of an AR15, but I didn't pay the price of an AR15, either.

Safe shooting. Here is mine...

 

[MeatWagon]

Go HERE and HERE and HERE.


That should get you started "GrassHoppa"

 

[Nick1911]

I have a few questions for you on this topic; i'm sorry i know these have probably been anwsered about a bazillion times, but it fits in with this thread so nice...

OK, so to my knowlage in 1986 there was a ban passed on the production of fully-automatic firearms, but the semi-auto AK-47's are still in production (for the general public). Right?

Can you still buy a fully-automtic gun in the us? If so, how much do full-auto (i'm guessing "pre-ban") Ak's sell for? are they avaliable? As Mr. Chitlin implied they are great fun to shoot and quite reliable... (never shot one, but would consider getting one in the not to distant future)

Thanks Alot,
-Nick

 

[MAKOwner]

Definitely check out Linx310's website up above, has all the ins and outs of the Romanian AKs along with mods to do, etc.

I have both a SAR1 and SAR2 and like them both alot. You can buy a nicer fitted and finished AK for more money but functioning, accuracy and reliability wise the SAR is right there with every other AK unless you get a lemon. The cosmetic problems they may have is a canted front sight base and/or gas block (base leaning to one side so to zero the actual sight post must be adjusted to one side noticeably to offset), as well as usually pretty ugly wood with tool marks and such in the finish on the metal. A good chunk of the 03 models have some decent looking lightly colored wood though, you can refinish the wood yourself to good results if you're not happy with yours, or replace it altogether. Lots of types to choose from for a replacement...

You will most likely encounter some trigger slap, which if you don't know is where the trigger seems to snap back at your finger as you fire, can make your finger sore if it's bad enough. In this case it is due to a slight clearance issue with the disconnector and trigger base. Linx310's site above has the fix documented, basically with a file or a dremel you just need to remove a bit of material from the back/bottom of the disconnector, or you can replace the fire control group with a better aftermarket replacement. You can get them for as cheap as $29ish or as much as $80 for fully adjustable setups. You may not encounter any or it may not be enough to bother you so...

I really love mine, not pretty but a great AK for $300ish, with lots of potential for mods. They are regular spec European AKMs as far as parts, so just about all the parts and mags you find will work.

 

[SteelyDan]

Forget about the full autos. Depending on what state you live in, it may be legal to own and shoot them. Or not. But even if legal it's very expensive and bureaucratically intrusive and time-consuming, unless that's your ultimate goal.

Check out the Linx sites in MeatWagon's post. There is a ton of info there about the Romanians. Then get one and enjoy it. They're "accurate enough," they're very reliable, and they're a whole lot of fun.

 

[AK103K]

If you have the money, the full autos are a lot of fun and have been a great investment. Yes you do need to do some paperwork, but you do for every gun you buy at a dealer, so its really no big deal. You pay your tax get your gun and find a good ammo supplier.