Will it make me happy…or should I save my money? I have already owned a Norinco MAK 90 and a Saiga ak…will this compare? They are priced at $450.00 at a local shop. I really want another AK but do not have lots of cash. All opinions will be appreciated. Thanks
No, the WASR will not compare to your MAK 90 or a quality Saiga conversion. You missed out a few months back, Arsenal ran a special on the SGL 21 for $499.
WASRs are great for two things:
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Cheap project AK that you want to practice/learn AK specific gunsmithing on
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Loaner/backup/cannot afford any other option
Compared to either of your existing AKs, it likely won’t make you happy.
I would save the money for a better choice.
They may not be as pretty, the one’s I have had function the same as the arsenals, vectors, norincos, armory usa, etc… that I have owned or shot in the past.
They can work just fine.
I would not buy one sight unseen, unless I got one of the “certified” ones that Henderson Defense sells.
They are certainly rough around the edges but they can still shoot just fine.
Be on the lookout for canted sights, and a magwell that fits a couple different magazines.
The thing that got me about the WASR is how light they are. Yes they are not pretty…but I am looking more for function, and durability. Will be using for home protection. If they “work” and function as reliable as the other AK’s I have owned, I will be happy. I currently own an AR…That I do not trust completely (it really sucks when you have to rely on a followup shot…and all you get is a click) I have repaired it but do not trust it with my life.
In that case, many WASRs are fine.
Would I buy one without inspecting it? No.
Can you find good WASRs? Yes.
Ok, so look out for canted sights, and tight mag wells. Is there anything else to look for? Thank you all.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see some metal shavings on the inside of the receiver. Don’t let it freak you out, they have to open the mag well when they come in the country to accept standard AK mags.
I have no connection with Henderson, but they have this package…
http://www.hendersondefense.com/store/pc/Century-Certified-AK47-with-bayonet-and-pouch-3p10.htm
With shipping and transfer, it would probably run about the same as your local shop, and I do like to support local FFL’s if their pricing is reasonable.
Just ask what the WASR comes with. Take a look for cracked stocks, halfway decent trigger pull, straight sights, and magazine fit.
I think that’s about it if what you’re looking for is a good budget home defense rifle. The main things that go wrong with them are results of a hastily produced product.
My friend who owns Bravo Arms just recently tested/compared the WASR, Arsenal, Siaga AK rifles.
Interestingly enough the the WASR was as accurate as the high dollar AKs. 4 inch groups at 200 yards was the average. ALL of the rifles performed flawlessly as you would expect from the AK platform.
I do not think you need to spend a lot of $ to get a quality AK that is good enough/accurate enough.
Sure you need to be diligent and look for QC issues like canted sites and so on but I would do this with any rifle I purchase. Other non-AK rifles have recently suffered from QC issues.
If you want to shoot bug holes then purchase an F class rifle or something like that.
If you want to put steel on target accurate enough and have probably the most durable/reliable rifle you want an AK.
I love ARs. I think they are great and do some things much better than the AK. But IMHOP for sure utility the AK (ANY BRAND) is really tough to beat.
Don’t feel you have to buy the most expensive AK to get a rifle that will deliver the performance you need.
Of course don’t let me or anyone else tell you what to spend your money on. If you like the more expensive AKs and have the coin buy one. If not get a WASR but be smart about it.
Just my 2 cents.
Absolutely incredible.
Even compared with “internet groups” (versus how people actually shoot), that blows away every claim of ‘good’ WASR accuracy I’ve ever read.
It should be good enough for what it is intended for. I don’t need pinpoint accuracy inside the house, just the assurance of knowing for sure that there will be no unnecessary malfunctions. I personally think I am a better shot with my 20" AR, but when I had my either of my AK’s, I had no problem hitting targets from a distance.
I thought so also. Not being there I can not say I was a witness to this.
I have not reason to doubt him. Long time friend. Professional instructor working with other instructors and military at the time.
They equipped each AK with XS sites and were comparing each brand. I believe they might have been with the owner of XS sites also. These groups were stated as averages. So I would assume some are larger and some are smaller.
The point is that the AK platform is totaly capable of hitting a man at 200 yards regularly when used properly and by someone who knows how to use it. Even more to the point an expensive AK does not mean it will be a more accurate AK or even a better AK than a less expensive one
I am not saying the AK is more accurate than the AR or anything else. It is good enough for what it is intended to do.
I like the Yugo M70 AK. I like the looks of it and how they feel. Personal preference but I would not turn down an Arsenal or Saiga or Vepr (wish I never sold mine), or a Krebs. They all work. Some are just more refined than others.
The only AK I would be leary of is a homebuild by someone other than a qualified Gunsmith. I bet they still work but I might be a little freaked out the first time I shot one of those.
Stick with a factory AK or a KREBS custom or something like that and you should be good to go for as long as you have ammo to run through it.
Shoot safe.
I would not want to bet all the marbles on a Wasr. For a cheap AK look at a Yugo M70 and for a great AK look at the Arsenal SGL21.
Rifle Dynamics makes one incredible AK as well. My next Kalashnikov will be one built by Jim Fuller.
I hear good things about Rifle Dynamics also. Good call.
If one were looking for a reputable builder there are many which are available
Red Jacket Firearms
Marshall Arms
Azex
InRange
Lancaster
ORF - (Honestly their new builds are underwhelming, it seems quality has slipped)
to name a few, but right now the issue is finding plentiful parts kits on which to build. That part of the market ebbs and flows, and as of right now it seems to be ebbing.
If your sole experience with an AK is using a MAK-90 you may be dissapointed with a WASR.
Yes, beware of twisted receivers. I had a WASR that was twisted from front to rear, aside from having a canted front sight. Also the mag well can be loose, and the mags will slop around, from being ground too large.
I got rid of my WASR and bought a Saiga in 5.45 for $370 after taxes, and am putting a wire folding stock on it and moving the trigger group. The stock and trigger parts totaled about $100. The WASR cost me $450 after tax at a gun show, so the cost is about the same, but the Saiga will be far superior.
I believe there have also been a few cases of canted gas tubes which worked from a shooting perspective. However the gas piston ended up scraping against the inside of the tube itself.