WASR 10 or Interarms IAC 47 or other?

[Wolfpackin]

Please help me decide, I'm starting to get information overload. And also keep in mind that I'm a newbie when it comes to AK's.

I've been doing research, on and off, for a few months trying to find a decent starter/entry level AK mainly for plinking and range fun but also incase the zombies do attack in 2012.

! This firearm will be purchased sight unseen from an internet vendor. !

The two that keep popping up are the Century WASR 10 and the Atlantic Interarms IAC 47. If I go with the WASR I'd like to purchase through Henderson Defense since they offer a "certified" version that's supposed to be free from excesive mag wobble and canted sights. Atlantic Firearms seems to have a good reputation and the Interarms IAC 47 has some good reviews and appears to be a step up from the WASR.
The IAC 47 is $100 more but offers a lifetime warranty versus only one year on the WASR.

Which would you recommend?
The $100 difference is a non-issue and I like the longer warranty.

Am I overlooking any other good, comparable options in this price range, $400-$550, that are equal or better in quality and have the same amount of buyer confidence when buying online?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gotboostvr]

Just like an AR, you can build your own from quality parts for not much more than what a entry level shooter would cost. Apex has Polish underfolder kits right now for 165.00 add barrel and reciever (175.00) and then send it to a qualified gunsmith (about 200)

Thats what I'm doing at least and I will have a great gun all in spec with a nice tight magwell, brand new great finish and any little small changes I wanted to have done without too much into this rifle.

 

[nalioth]

If I go with the WASR I'd like to purchase through Henderson Defense since they offer a "certified" version that's supposed to be free from excesive mag wobble and canted sights.

Henderson is making bank on that, too.

The majority of WASRs are not problematic whatsoever (don't you love memes?)

The IAC 47 is $100 more but offers a lifetime warranty versus only one year on the WASR.

Another "let's pull the wool over the customer's eyes" ploy.

The Interarms AK uses commercial-grade American parts for key components, and the WASR is as milspec as our laws allow.

The WASR will outlast the Interarms model. Factory AKs just do not wear out.


If you want the best bang for your buck, get a Saiga and convert it. Saigas are made with all new milspec parts (as many as our laws allow), unlike the WASR, which is made with recycled Romanian Army guns.

 

[rogertc1]

Really AK's are not that easy to build. They are not like an AR.
I have several WASR's which have cleaned up extreamy well.
(Psst they are made in Romania with new parts.) Leaves you $100 more for extras.
A Saiga conversion will cost you even more to make it look like an AK.

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/ak_firearms.aspx

 

[Babarsac]

The Saiga is probably the most affordable way to go if you want a quality AK. The other option would be to buy a kit and have a professional build it for you. If you want to go the WASR route look into buying through Atlantic Firearms, they'll make sure you get a good rifle.

 

[nalioth]

A Saiga conversion will cost you even more to make it look like an AK.

. . but less if you're not vain.



Besides the fact that even though it may cost more to "make it look like an AK", you'll still have 100% all new parts (no, sorry, the WASRs are not made with "new parts")

 

[Wolfpackin]

Thank you very much for the responses.

Your answers are not exactly what I expected but that's OK because my expectations were based on very little knowledge.
...and I'm learning.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Another +1 for the Saiga. I have done conversions where I leave the front as is, and ones where I have made it look like an AK. The real way, by removing both FS and GB and using a standard retainer and gas tube. Other than style and cost, there is no difference. If anything, I prefer the more comfortable, full length handguard that the Saiga comes with.

 

[A_Matthew]

Apex has Polish underfolder kits right now for 165.00 add barrel and reciever (175.00) and then send it to a qualified gunsmith (about 200)

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy this,

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30126,

then buy a Nodak Spud receiver, and assemble at home? From my research that I've done online, welding seems to be the preferred method of assembling over rivets and screws, (as long as you aren't worried about getting the 'original look' with rivets) and as long as you have access to a welder, it costs nothing. Another $50-75 for 922r compliance, and you're done!

Note: Even thought it says "ALLOW 7-10 DAYS FOR YOUR KIT TO BE PUT TOGETHER TO SHIP DUE TO HIGH DEMAND AT THIS TIME" on the website, they shipped mine out within 2 business days.

 

[nalioth]

From my research that I've done online, welding seems to be the preferred method of assembling over rivets and screws

I'm not sure where your research led, but I think they're sniggering behind their hands . . .

Rivets are the preferred method, followed a long way by screws.

Why?

Rivets are Mr. Kalashnikov's preferred method, and a screw build can be redone with rivets.

Welding up a gun bring lots of new variables into the mix, such as loss of heat treat (something you don't want in your barrel/barrel trunnion), etc.

Weld builds are a bad idea.

 

[A_Matthew]

Quote:
Originally Posted by A_Matthew
From my research that I've done online, welding seems to be the preferred method of assembling over rivets and screws
I'm not sure where your research led, but I think they're sniggering behind their hands . . .

Rivets are the preferred method, followed a long way by screws.

Why?

Rivets are Mr. Kalashnikov's preferred method, and a screw build can be redone with rivets.

Welding up a gun bring lots of new variables into the mix, such as loss of heat treat (something you don't want in your barrel/barrel trunnion), etc.

Weld builds are a bad idea.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663018

Here is a thread on welding an AK. I've only read through the first couple of pages of the thread, but it lists some of the cons and pros of welding. Seems like the guy didn't have to much trouble with loosing the temper of the steel. I'm going to be doing a weld build in a couple of days, so I'll let you know how it turns out for me.

 

[Wolfpackin]

Before this thread gets too derailed I doubt I will do my own build or conversion.
To be honest I just don't have the time or desire to do so.

I just want to buy an inexpensive, reliable and fun AK-47 that's ready to fire out of the box...after an initial cleaning.

I just got off the phone with Atlantic Firearms and they do have the WASR-10in stock. I was very impressed with their customer service and willingness to spend time on the phone with me.

I may go that route. I understand the potential issues but for a gun that will only be fired several times a year, at the most, I think it suits my needs.
What say you?