WASR 10/63 vs Polish AK, worth the difference?

[The Exile]

The first post I've ever made on this site was a call for aid in determining what the first gun I should buy is and while I've aganoized over this decision in cycles of "okay, this is defintely MY gun" only to have a random change of heart and that just goes on indefinitely... but the cycle has been broken by external factors. Recently the NRA facebook page published a post claiming the Hilary Clinton had "big plans" for gun control and she wanted guns to be to her what Obamacare was to our current POTUS. So here I am shaking in my birches over the idea that it might be I won't have my guns of choice if I don't step up to the plate and I've decided to go with the semi auto military style rifles as those are always the most in danger.

So I've whittled down my options which are still sadly constrained by my budget and I've been watching a lot of AK videos and I've been confused by the WASR. At first I've had people caution me to stay away for dear life as they are horrible and I wasn't surprised considering they seem to bare the bottom of the barrel price, but than many people now tell me that they are really good, Nutnfancy claims that century has cracked down on quality control and ironed out the kinks and AKOperatorsUnion seems have to have a love affair with the controversial rifle. According to those guys they bought the rifle at AtlanticArms so that's where I am getting the price of around 550, however not far away is the polish model which is what I've always heard was really good for the price at around 840 (800 for an under-folder though)

So once again I turn to the experts... what do you guys think about the WASR?

 

[Jackal]

The Wasr is generally a functional rifle. While I dont know what your local gun market is like, Norinco AK's (arguably better rifles) seem to pop up fairly often in the $450-$500 region.

 

[M-Cameron]

i have a Wasr and am overall pretty please with it.....it shoots where i point it, and runs smoothly, pretty much the most i can ask of it.

The furnature is poorly finished......but thats kind of to be expected.......if you know how to finish wood, or if you plan on replacing the stock, its not really an issue.

its a solid little gun, and i wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.

 

[Fishbed77]

While I dont know what your local gun market is like, Norinco AK's (arguably better rifles) seem to pop up fairly often in the $450-$500 region.

I wish our local market was like yours - I haven't seen a Chinese AK priced that low in a long time.

 

[briansmithwins]

While I dont know what your local gun market is like, Norinco AK's (arguably better rifles) seem to pop up fairly often in the $450-$500 region.

Where is this? I'll drive there and pick up a couple.

While I don't have a Polish AK, I have picked up a quantity of Polish spare parts for my AK. The quality of the fit and finish rival new commercial work by reputable current manufacturers.

The WASRs I've seen mostly look like were chisled out of steel by Neanderthals with stone tools. And then assembled by CAI's 'lowest bid wins the work' crew.

BSW

 

[amd6547]

Really, if you want an AK, you should look for a saiga or vepr. There is something to say for a genuine Russian kalashnikov.

 

[Jackal]

Where is this? I'll drive there and pick up a couple.

Up here in WA. I got a new in box Mak-90 last month for $450, private party and a NHM-90 from my LGS for $489 last week.

 

[briansmithwins]

Up here in WA. I got a new in box Mak-90 last month for $450, private party and a NHM-90 from my LGS for $489 last week.

What town is the store in? Name of the store?

I'd drive to the Canadian border for deals like that.

BSW

 

[The Exile]

Really, if you want an AK, you should look for a saiga or vepr. There is something to say for a genuine Russian kalashnikov.

I'd love to but I want something with authentic AK furniture, not that weird hunting rifle style stocks I see on Saiga's and I don't even know what to say about Vepr stuff... I'm fine with dealing with it when I'm choosing between a 1k 7.62x54r and a 4.5k SVD but for AK's proper I'm not so out of options.

 

[atomd]

The WASR was really never THAT bad. There was just a lot more to choose from for right around that same price. For a while there you could have got a converted saiga for not too much more (along with a bunch of other variants which most are gone now). Heck, you could even get an arsenal for about $250 less than what they go for now. A lot of them went out years ago with canted sights among other things. People say the newer ones are nicer and there's not as many canted sight issues although they still pop up from time to time. The nice thing about the WASR is that it takes standard furniture which makes changing that out easy and they do have a CHF barrel. The ones I've owned always ran just fine. They probably won't win an ak accuracy award but they are known to be generally reliable. I would buy another one.

 

[amd6547]

A base Saiga with import required sporter stock is easily converted to standard AK furniture.

 

[BudgetBucks1]

I own two WASR's bought several years apart. Both have good accuracy with the right ammo. Neither has ever had a malfunction. Thousands of rounds through the guns. They are lighter than milled receivers, function flawlessly and are cheaper. I don't see a down side to this. I have about 20 friends with AK's of various make and model but have never liked any of theirs better than my WASR. Easy to change out to aftermarket parts with the WASR also. The only mods I've made to my WASR's is to smooth out the slot where the mag inserts with a dremel tool and smooth out the safety a little which are super easy to do. Using Golden Tiger and Remington psp's I can get under 2 inch groups at 100 yards with both guns. With any of the Bears(silver or brown) I can get three inch groups. In my experience Wolf ammo is a total crapshoot. Good luck with your decision. I hope this helps.

 

[dvdcrr]

For the price of either I can get almost 2 complete AR's. $385 ea right now. If I am going to blow that kind of money, I am getting an Arsenal.

 

[Rudedog]

I own a WASR that I bought before the current head of state came into office. At the time Century had a bad rep so I knew what to look for, saw none of those issues and bought one at a local gun show. It is accurate especially with Tula ammo.

I still have it. After a thousand or so of rounds with 8 different magazines (made by who knows what countries) the weapon has had only one failure. That was when a friend of mine accidentally loaded a 5.56 round in the mag with the 7.62x39 (he had loose ammo for his AR and SKS laying in a the same container). The 556 round ruptured in the chamber and we had to extract the casing, reinserted the magazine and kept firing. Later I bore-scoped the barrel and found no damage to the chamber and bore. The bolt looked fine too.
Yes the WASR looks cheap and maybe it is but mine runs fine.

 

[MAKster]

First, a President Hillary couldn't ban rifles even if she wanted to. If they couldn't do it after Sandy Hook it's never gonna happen. The people spreading this nonsense are just dealers who are desperately trying to boost sales. There is a huge glut in firearms and sales prices are dropping so they actually want to create a new panic.

Second, the WASR is a good AK and is reliable. There are better AKs, but since this is your first rifle it is unlikely you would be able to tell the difference so don't spend the extra money.

 

[Redlg155]

For the price of either I can get almost 2 complete AR's

Ok.gotta ask where you can get 2 complete AR15S for $385 each.

 

[Jackal]

Ok.gotta ask where you can get 2 complete AR15S for $385 each.

Palmetto State Armory. $299 for a complete rifle kit, ad your own stripped lower. I just built the exact same kit and it functions perfectly so far.

 

[Redlg155]

Ok..kit rifle. I was thinking factory built. Unfortunately they are sold out of the less inexpensive kits and only have the $300 plus kits in stock. Still a good price...

 

[medic15al]

WASRs are solid rifles in the AK lineup, especially the ones being brought in now. Newer wood that is better looking, good finish, less sight canting, and a Cold Hammer Forged Chromed-lined barrel. For the money these are an excellent value!

I'm sorry to say I do not have any experience with Polish rifles other than the Tantal in 5.45x39mm caliber. It was reliable but the barrel was key-holing all the rounds. I believe it was a U.S. barrel with incorrect rifling twist rate. I have head these issues have been addressed.

 

[jobu07]

The Polish Tantal issue was Century and Green Mountain making a mistake.

Century installed 5.56 barrels onto the 5.45 rifles. As there are a lot of AK's chambered in 5.56, someone keys the wrong button when fulfilling the order and suddenly a few thousand Tantals aren't ever going to hit paper.

Sad, too, because those are nice rifles.