Tell About WASRs

[HoosierQ]

My local gun shop (literally a mom and pop) has a bunch of WASRs they just got in. They're asking $410. So naturally, I want one.

I am relatively ignorant of WASRs in particular other than the fact that a) people love 'em, and b) they're made in Romania.

So my question is: are there any particular model numbers, types, markings, branding, or whatever that one should be mindful of when considering a WASR? Are there good ones and bad ones? Are there better or worse ones? All equal? Etc.

$410 seems like a lot of gun for the money but is not chicken feed either so I want to make an informed choice.

Thanks.

QB

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Just about every WASR will run like an AK is known to run, so you will not regret buying one.

Are there good ones and bad ones? Are there better or worse ones?

Yes, look down the sights and be sure the front sight is not canted to the left or right, and be sure there is no can't in the rear sight block or gas block either. Also look for EXCESSIVE mag wobble. I emphasize excessive because all WASRs will have mag wobble, and while it doesn't affect performance, some are worse and some are better.

If and when you buy one, you'll learn why people love 'em.

Hope this helps.

 

[kcshooter]

The ones in the last year or so have been much better, to the point that I actually have bought one not too long ago, when about 4 years ago I passed on one and bought a Yugo instead.

No cant, no trigger slap, minimal wobble, and was dead on at 50yds out of the box. Sure I could have spent a couple hundred more but when my main goal in a gun is function, not flawless fit and finish, why? This has been great and has seen several thousand rounds now.

 

[nalioth]

Reading this site will clue you in as to what to look for:

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/

Pay close attention to the left side tutorials where it has fixit techniques for possible problem areas.

When you have your prospective rifle in hand, check it out for those 'problem areas'. If you don't find any, you should be good to go.

 

[Redlg155]

The price seems a bit steep, but then everything is getting more expensive. There was a time where you could buy a SAR1 for less than you can get a WASR.

I may be mistaken about the current production Romanian AK clones, but in the past the WASR was a single stack AK converted to a double stack with all the necessry parts added by Century Arms. They also include the G2 trigger which eliminated the troublesome trigger slap associated with the original Romanian double stack ak clones, the SAR1.

The sights on a few may be canted. You can look down the sights to see this, but I find it easier to hold it about waist level with the barrel pointed away from me and the buttstock centered on my waist area. From there you have a reference point. Look at the relationship of the rear sight and barrel to the front sight. You may notice a degree of cant, meaning that the front sight may lean to one side or the other.

The mag woble is due to the conversion process. The SAR1s have an indentention on each side of the reciever in the mag well area to help stabilize the magazine. These are absent from the the WASR. Also, the workers at Century Arms have been likened to "angry beavers" with dremel tools. Keep that in mind while inspecting each weapon. I believe the reason the WASRS work so well is not a testament to the quality of work at Century Arms, but rather the robust design that neither Soviet Conscript nor Angry Beaver can destroy.

It's good you have several to choose from. I've owned a SAR1 at one time and now own a WASR. Mine works just as well as the former. For the intended purpose, the WASR will work just fine.

 

[sarduy]

just go back to the shop and check one out, look for a canted sight, if it looks straight enough, go for it wasr are very good rifles just like any other AK, not the best looking one, but work as good as any other variant.

 

[mio]

that price is pretty high i bought a wasr3 at dunhams 4 months ago for $300. you could get wasr in 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 for the same price