WASR 2 maybe?

[mickmten]

OK folks, I'm thinking about getting a WASR 2, http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Romanian_WASR-2_5.45x39_AK_Rifle.html. That would mean collecting another caliber, 5.45x39. I've read on several forums that the ammunition is cheap and available, but I'd like to see if anyone else has any other opinions. I acquired several M48/M48As last year when the 8mm ammo was available, but now that's dried up.

Before I commit myself to the care and feeding of another caliber rifle, does anyone have any ideas as to the availability of the 5.45x39 in the next year or so? Thanks.

Mick

 

[Bane]

Don't do it! They are complete junk. I just sent mine back to AIM Tuesday for a refund. They are much lower quality than the WASR-10s. Here is a list of the major problems with mine:

Rifle would not feed from the left side of a magazine (stoppage several times per mag)
Front Sight Canted (Canted to the right significantly)
Center support was located too far forward or it was too big (keeps most polymer mags from being inserted)
Mag catch stuck out to far causing mags to not be released correctly (the stop on the back had been ground down alot causing this issue)

 

[SnakeEater]

Rifle would not feed from the left side of a magazine (stoppage several times per mag)
Front Sight Canted (Canted to the right significantly)
Center support was located too far forward or it was too big (keeps most polymer mags from being inserted)
Mag catch stuck out to far causing mags to not be released correctly (the stop on the back had been ground down alot causing this issue)

You'll be able to check for those issues while you're there, except for the feeding issue. Everytime I drive past AIM I fight the urge to drop $289 on one of those. I'm slowly losing the battle.

 

[Drakejake]

I just got one of these Aim rifles yesterday. Hope to shoot it today. Stock wood and trigger pull are better than expected. Mags lock in OK. We'll see.

Drakejake

 

[buck00]

First, I would like to commend you on looking at an AK74 style rifle. I think 5.45 x 39 is a great round. It is a unique rifle to own.

At AIM, you are paying $290 for a no-frills AK74 clone. Cool. Sounds good for messing around and plinking. Personally, I think the rifle looks like garbage that a stoned Pakistani made in some village with spare parts. But you get what you pay for.

Although more expensive, I would advise you to cosnider looking into some of the higher quailty AK74s available.

Polish Tantal from Atlantic:

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/programming/expand.asp?Prodid=216

Ohio Rapid Fire:

http://rapidfire.targetweb.net/cgi-...omplete_AK_Rifles&cart_id=5739476.7902*oJ8w-3

You can currently get 5.45 x 39 (1080 rounds) for $118 from Southern Ohio Gun:

http://www.southernohiogun.com/ammo.htm

or for a similar price from Sportsmansguide:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=282658

(use this code: SPG2484, for $10 off to lower the cost)


5.45 x 39 will be cheap for another 6-12 months before the price goes up. Good luck.

 

[strat81]

Center support was located too far forward or it was too big (keeps most polymer mags from being inserted)

What kind of polymer mags? From what I've read, if they're USA-made, they'll most likely cause problems.

 

[Bane]

strat81: The polymer mags I refer to are surplus Bulgarian Cirlce 21 and Circle 25 mags. The rifle wouldn't accept either of those. It would accept Bulgarian Cirlce 10 mags but it wouldn't feed from them. The only mag it would feed from was the steel one it came with.

 

[strat81]

Bummer, Bane. It's a shame Century can't dremel out those magwells properly. I assume they do this to WASR-2s, I know they do it to GP-WASR10s. The Bulgy polymer mags are supposed to be pretty good. Have you tried any other steel mags with it besides the factory mag? Do it look like the problem could be fixed with a Dremel or file?

 

[Bane]

Strat81: The problem wasn't with the magwell. It was open enough for the mags to fit. The problem was with the receiver center support. It was either too large or located to far towards the front. The back of the mags would hit the center support and not go any further. The Circle 10 mags are a little thinner in the back so they could be inserted (however the wouldn't function). It is possible that grinding down the center support would allow the mags to be inserted full. However, due to this and all the other issues I didn't try to fix anything I just returned the rifle for a refund.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Bane,

that happened with my rifle too, but I think it was more related to the feed lips being coated with too much plastic. I shaved 'em down to the metal. Voila! All my mags fit.

 

[FMJMIKE]

DO NOT BUY A WASR-2 !!!

 

[The_Shootist]

Ammo

The thing thats stopped me is that there isn't the same widespread use of this rifle as opped to the Ak-47. Hence I have a feeling long term supply may be iffy, if we have to depend on the Russians.