Whats all the hate on WASR 10s?

[shocktokyo]

I have always heard and read that WASR 10s are cheap and unreliable, don't feed properly, blah blah.

I have been looking to purchase an AK-47 and have my eyes set on an Arsenal, but I love the wood stocks on the WASRs.

Any info out there from WASR owners regarding malfunctions?

 

[nalioth]

You're reading ancient history, parroted down through the ages, for the most part.

Nothing wrong with a WASR, provided you can inspect it prior to purchase (or buy from a reputable dealer).

Then again, this little rule of thumb applies to most guns you buy over the internet . .

 

[Deus Machina]

Inspect it in person.

The problem with WASRs is that they're (IIRC) made from used parts kits, and run the gamut of what can be considered 'operational'.

Match that with Century's method of throwing stuff together and out the door, and there are some bad ones.

I'm sure the 1/100 rule applies here--for every one loud complaint, there are another 100 satisfied owners.

 

[shocktokyo]

Thanks, I'll take my chances then. Can't beat $400 NIB!

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Most WASRs are decent rifles. They are a little rough around the edges and won't score as highly for fit and finish or, to a degree, accuracy as the more expensive AKs. But AKs are like sex--even when they are bad, they are still pretty good.

As far as I know, most of the earlier issues with canted sight blocks and really bad trigger slap have been resolved by them training their monkies better and installing TAPCO G2 trigger groups. Expect good reliability and 4 to 6 MOA. You may have to do some light machining to the mag well and/or magazines and such, but the WASR will do what most people do with AKs.

The WASR is probably best served as either a beater rifle or as a basic platform for customization. If you are looking for a rifle to throw in the trunk or behind the truck seat or just want something to take out to the gravel pit to bump fire and turn money into noise, the WASR will do it. Or if you are looking to get to know the AK inside and out by tinkering with it, replacing parts, ect, the WASR works really well. I had a basic general knowledge of the AK before I got my WASR. Since I've had it, I've replaces front and rear sights, trigger groups handgards, stocks, and pistol grips. I now feel like I have a mch better standing knowledge of the AK, what I like on it and what I don't, and what its capabilities and weaknesses are. It has been expensive, though. So if the OP wants a top quality rifle that will represent what the design is capable at the very up limits of it (your?) capability, an Arsenal or Saiga conversion will be slightly more accurate and will show better fit finish and quality control. If the OP wants to learn a new platform and isn't afraid of taking the scenic route, the WASR is a perfectly acceptable way to get there.

 

[possum]

in my experience they are good to go, and if for some reason you get one that is not, and or if you want it to be better than they are from the maker, send it to the Yoda of AK's Jim Fuller at Rifle Dynamics, and you will not recognize it when it gets to you.

 

[JDGray]

Looking down the sights of a WASR10, is like looking down a warped 2x4 at Menards! Mine shot just fine, but looking down the thing made me sick

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

^

But (Sing the following in Menards annoying as hell jingle)

"You save big money, when you buy WASR." :banghead:

 

[Jim_100]

Mine works great. Everything is straight and I can hit a white paper plate at 90 yards with no problem.
Just out of curiosity is it a crime to turn a single stack into a double yourself? I did not do this just curious!

 

[Weedy]

I've had the same experience as Jim 100...everything came to me nice an straight. A little magazine wobble but it functions fine. My only malfunctions have been with Wolf ammo primers failing to ignite, only Wolf. Brown Bear and Golden Bear have worked 100%. Its more accurate than the "urban myths" will have you believe.

 

[wally]

Looking down the sights of a WASR10, is like looking down a warped 2x4 at Menards! Mine shot just fine, but looking down the thing made me sick

This is why you inspect before you buy anything from Century.

 

[Tirod]

NIB?

Used parts kits. Previously issued to soldiers, removed from service, disassembled, re-imported, reassembled, and resold.

No different than a G3 kit reassembled with a new US receiver, a AR M16Anothing kit with a new lower, etc. Think about it - just like a rebuilder car with a frame from one, engine from another, interior from a third.

You could get a winner, you could get something less. You will get what you pay for. It will not be NIB by whatever stretch of the imagination.

 

[RustyHammer]

Like mentioned above ... check it hands-on. It is basically a quality of production issue.
My first AK was a WASR and it is still one of my favorites. It could hit iron plates all day long at 100 yards from standing position ... that's about all I exect from it as far as accuracy goes. Ammo .. .haven't found anything it wouldn't eat!

YMMV

 

[DeepSouth]

I have a WASR 10/63 that I HATE, I have been trying to shoot it to death since the day I bought it, but I just can't seem to do it.

I have not cleaned it since the day I bought it, it has never jammed, it shoots inside a 3" circle at 50 yards. I guess I'll keep trying to shoot it to death.


Seriously, it is a fine gun for what it is made for, but the finish on the metal is like spray paint. And mine does not look like a warped 2x4 at all, but I'm not surprised that some do.

 

[gotmine]

The WASR-10 is new and the WASR 10/63 is made from surplus. The machine work on surplus is generally better, but once you get past the myths most are fine.

 

[DMK]

I love the wood stocks on the WASRs.

You can get beautiful laminated AK stocks from ironwood.

It took a couple months to get mine, but it was well worth it.

http://ironwooddesigns.com

 

[Strahley]

My old WASR 10/63 was just fine. It didn't like the steel mags, but was 100% with polymers

 

[paintballdude902]

you risk canted sights, so just inspect it first.


you may want to just buy a single stack wasr and grind out the magwell yourself. thats what im gonna do, then you jsut have to make it 992r compliant

 

[nalioth]

Match that with Century's method of throwing stuff together and out the door, and there are some bad ones.

For the umpteenth time . .

Century does not make WASRs

They only import them.

 

[19-3Ben]

No. They make them. The intarwebz told me so.

Ok fine, I'm editing to add something on topic and worthwhile.

I don't have that much experience with the WASR. I shot my friend's a couple of times. It was great.
Sure it wasn't a fancy AK of some sort. It didn't all glide together with fit and finish worthy of the ages. but you know what it did do? Went bang, and put a hole in the paper where you pointed it. Every time.

That's what matters most right? All the other stuff like the subjective feel of the weapon is nice, but not ESSENTIAL to its function.

 

[nalioth]

Sure it wasn't a fancy AK of some sort. It didn't all glide together with fit and finish worthy of the ages. but you know what it did do? Went bang, and put a hole in the paper where you pointed it. Every time.

This is a large source of the "hate".

The poor brainwashed folks who buy AKs for $1200 (and more) sure do get hot under the collar when the guy with the WASR outshoots'em.

 

[WardenWolf]

I just took my new WASR underfolder to the range. Set the target at 50 yards, sight on battle mode, and found it produced a consistent pattern right around the center of the paper, with several shots in the bullseye. I didn't even have to adjust the sights. No complaints here. It's a very fine AK-47. I got what I wanted, a fun, reliable AK-47 to complement my converted Saiga .223 and my PSL. It's plenty accurate for what it is.