WASR 10 could use some opinions

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CherenkovBlue

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i just got my tax return in (checks got sent to the wrong address, just now got them) so i have a little extra cash in my pocket, figured i'd drop it on another rifle. i was thinking about picking up a WASR 10 because well, they're affordable and i've always wanted an AKM/AK-47 style gun. now i've heard mixed opinions about these guns, some say they're junk, some say they're fantastic. i've heard theres pretty vicious trigger slap, but its an easy fix, is this true? are they reliable weapons? can it handle severe punishment?
 
Trigger slap isn't that vicious unless it's cold outside.
it is an easy fix though, if it really bothers you.
mine's had about 15k through it since I bought it 2 years ago and never had a jam except for one where the tapco sidefolding stock apparently blocked the charging handle. Most of the times I took it shooting it was just to make a lot of noise as well, and for long periods of time. handled it very well IMO.

shooting thousands of rounds in one day out on my land with all the mud and whatnot flying around everything gets dirty.. seems like it handles some pretty good beatings just fine.
 
What kind of prices are folks finding on WASR-10s these days?

Can they still be found dirt-cheap, or have they gone up like everything else? I heard of a few THR members finding them under $200 as late as last year.
 
I looked at two WASR rifles when I last went to purchase repeater. The front sight was cocked on one and the muzzle brake was loose on the other. The wooden foregrip was loose on both rifles IIRC. I bought the Saiga instead. If you don't need the pistol grip or thirty round mags that is another option.
 
I found a WASR 10 at a local pawnshop. With a 15% off coupon, I ended up with the rifle for $305 OTD. Absolutely nothing wrong with this rifle. Shoots well and fairly accurate. No trigger slap, great trigger, no canted sights. Just a rock solid firearm. It is a recent import and has the Tapco trigger.
 
yeah, the new ones come with the Tapco trigger already (at least mine did) which was the fix for the trigger slap problem, so that's not really an issue anymore unless you get an old one. Not a big deal to change if you do. Mine doesn't have any cant to the front sight, the forearm is nice and tight, it's quite accurate, has never had any sort of failure...what's not to love? They seem to go for around $400 in my neck of the woods, but NY can be expensive comparatively. I got mine at a gunshow supposedly discounted as it was the last one he had on the last day, so it was a but under $400 out the door with tax.
 
Went to a gun show this weekend. One table had a WASR 10 for $430 - $50 off for a total of $380.

Such a deal.

They also had a Saiga 7.62x39 for $285 and a Saiga 7.62x51 for $345. Both new, of course.

I bought the 7.62x51 for $35 less than the WASR and never looked back.

What a sweet deal on a really quality firearm.

The 7.62x39 would have been $95 less than the WASR.

The WASR 10 felt like a piece of junk. Subjective opinion, I know.

:)
 
I like my WASR 10 a lot. Reliability should not be an issue. Finish might be an issue for some but it's a battle rifle and not a safe queen. As to that front muzzle break being loose, that isn't an issue and is often the case with the way that it is held in place with the spring loaded button on the sight post and the notch in the break. A little Loctite is a "fix" if it's that much of a bother. Canted sights can be ruled out with a visual inspection. try here for more info: http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/

I'd also consider a Saiga but it will take a bit of work and $$ to convert it to a typical AK configuration. My .308 Saiga and .223 below have been modified (not a conversion) from the stock sporter configuration with easily installed aftermarket parts. A chimp could do it. You will end up with a superior base AK with the Saiga whether you convert the rifle, modify it, or leave it stock.
 

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A lot of people criticize the Romanian AK lookalikes, to some extent justifiably, but they are functionally excellent firearms. Fit and finish isn't up to that of the nicer AK's, but from a functional standpoint a Romanian AK will give you 95% of the functionality of a high-end AK for ~50% of the price. Personally, I'd rather have a $400 AK with a $200 Kobra optic on it than a $600 AK and no optics.

The newer WASR's have the Tapco trigger group, which is by all accounts pretty good. Just make sure everything is straight and tight before you buy, and you'll do OK. If the stock finish bothers you, you can refinish the wood with some polyurethane from Lowe's.

Yes, the Saigas are excellent guns, but if you prefer a pistol grip configuration (as I do), then the Saiga isn't cheaper when you factor in conversion cost and 18 USC 922(r) compliance parts.

I own a Romanian AK myself (SAR-1, 2002 model), and it's a darn good carbine for the money, IMO ($379 in 2003).

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I've got to agree about the Tapco trigger. My WASR 10 is a newer one with the Tapco and the trigger is sweet, surprisingly so.

Benezra is right about the Saiga, if you get to converting it you will have some bucks wrapped up into it. But, you will also have an outstanding AK. I'd be hard pressed to chose between the WASR 10 and the Saiga as to which to get first. They are both a lot of fun and you can't go wrong with either.
 
They are not junk. The finish is not great, and the higher priced AK will have a nicer finish. I could not have cared less because the AK to me is a short range rifle that makes Sarah Brady and Hillary Clinton kick puppies because I own it.

They do have a reputation for shall we say, "quality issues". I carefully inspected mine for canted front sight tower, which it didn't have. I have one of the newer ones which come with the Tapco trigger group so there's no trigger slap. The wood will need to be finished though. It will put shots into a fist sized group at 100 yds.

Bottom line: There are nicer semi-auto rifles in terms of finish and accuracy. The WASR will do anything you want except shoot nice, tight groups.
 
I bought mine a Dunhams for only $299.00! I like it. Mine has the standard set-up and pistol grip. It is quite pleasant to shoot. And it has an excellent trigger...Tapco. :)
 
ordered a WASR 10 from impactguns.com this morning, first time i've ever bought a gun from a website, wish me luck. its set up with a folding stock comes with 2 30rnd magazines, i ordered two additional 30rnd mags and a bayonet all for just under $450.00. thanks for your help guys. hopfully i dont regret the decision to buy from an online dealer.
 
I bought a 1911 from impactguns.com about 2 years ago. They're quality folks, and the only reason I'd never do it again is because it damn near killed me to wait almost 10 days for my gun. If Ohio had a waiting period and I was used to that kind of thing, it wouldn't have been a big deal. I'm used to leaving the store with my new toys right after I drop the cash, so the online thing just isnt for me.

If I were to do it again, I'd order from Impact - no questions asked.

That said, enjoy your new rifle. My WASR has been amazing so far... accurate, super reliable, and FUN! Mine also came with the Tapco trigger and the sights are straight as can be. My next AK clone will probably be an Arsenal, unless I can get my hands on one of the more rare (new) AK's - but I don't think I could have done much better for $350.
 
I agree with MMAFAN, if you are going to get a AK go with a Lancaster. I have two of their AK's and they are great guns. I also live near where they are built
 
i have absolutely had no problems with my wasr, works great, fire's great, just great all round, and i have a buddy that got one and he had problems with the front site being canted, he sent it into century and they fixed it for free, and all the aftermarket products that i have bought for it have fit on like a glove, below is a link of it being shot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvxln9MHdXg
 
If you buy a WASR, try and find a dealer who has several and pick the best one. Even if they're not on the rack, ask if he has a few you can look at.

A dealer up here got 10 in the same order. There were obvious differences in ALL of them. I don't know what it is about CAI. It seems some of their work force is indeed trained monkeys and others actually care about punching in....There were variations in everything from wood quality, to finish, to fit. Some had burrs on the metal edges, others had obvious paint runs, still others looked sweet, but had canted sights. A few looked, felt and appeared sweet. I have never seen 10 more diverse guns all come from the same batch...puzzling.
 
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