Im looking to buy a Romanian AK and i think i have found one. A romanian WASR-10. what do you guys have to say about that type of AK? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
WASR-10s are newly manufactured and are generally reliable, though their fit and finish is of base quality. Each one is different, so inspect the whole selection for the best specimen. They are originally made as single stack low capacity magazine rifles but when arriving here in the states are machined out to accept standard military AK mags (except some that are unconverted and should be drastically cheaper.) Accuracy is about the mean for a commercial AK, generally 2-4moa, with a rare few getting 1moa and some getting as bad as 6-8moa. Note that ones made before 9-13-04 (the ban expiration) do not have a threaded muzzle or bayonet lug, while subsequent ones do. Note that these rifles use a US made trigger group, piston, and pistol grip of the lowest quality, but they are standard spec and can be replaced with better quality ones should you be dissatisfied, as can most parts of this rifle, though if you want better it's better to buy it first instead of buying the base and then buying upgrades.
If you want a standard AK of the lightest variety with combat accuracy and most interchangeable parts, the WASR-10 is a good choice. Expect to pay $350 or so for post-expiration models and I'd guess $320 or lower for pre-expiration ones.
While the WASR-10 is a good choice, it's not alone. Each option has its tradeoffs. For say $400 you could buy an SAR-1, a Romanian AK similar to the WASR-10 but that was never a single stack rifle. Fit and finish are generally similar, as is accuracy and excellent reliability. Both have a left side mounted scope rail for an AK standard series of optical accessories.
If you want better fit and finish and better accuracy and are willing to do some work and accept less interchangeability (or do more work to use certain standard parts), consider doing a conversion of a Saiga Sporter rifle to standard AK config. It involves some work with a dremel to install a standard trigger group and use standard magazines. These are built on the current AK-100 series pattern, but are "sporterized" for import, though they are readily able to be converted to standard config using legally requisite US parts. Expect to pay $250ish for a Saiga X39 and about $100 in US replacement/conversion parts.
A new option is a line built on Polish and possibly other makes of kit by Vector Arms using Ohio Ordnance Works receivers. Vector Arms is known for good quality builds. These are current production on surplus kits, and have a few options and should have all the previously banned features like bayo lug and flash hider. Expect to pay $450ish for these (or maybe that's wholesale pricing.)
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I have the Romak 99-1 AK, the one with the ten-round single-stack magazine.
It's reasonably accurate with a solid scope and side mount (don't bother with the top-cover style mounts!), and has always performed well. I'd sell it, but I have more into it than it's worth - I bought it at a bad time - just before Y2K!
Having shot it a fair amount, I can say it's NEVER hiccuped or bobbled - superbly reliable! Decent trigger - you'd have to be really picky to want to improve it, it's a battle rifle after all, not a target rifle.
I would go with at least an SAR-1. I looked at a WASR today and I don't think the fit and finish is anywhere close to the SAR-1. Also plan on spending $50 for a new FCG.
I have a WASR-10 from Atlantic Firearms, I totally love it! It had very little trigger slap, fixed that by getting the adjustable FCG from Red Star Arms. You may have to get a dremel tool and debur the mag well so the mags and drums fit better without having to "force" them in, But overall, it is a great basic AK and good deal for the price. For what you would spend on a MAK-90 or other AK, you can get a WASR and a couple thousand rounds of ammo. I paid about $70 plus shipping per 1,000 rnds of FMJ Wolf ammo, and it is a very fine round, I have had no trouble with them, and to date, PUT ABOUT 2,300 ROUDS OF WOLF AND SOME TRACERS THROUGH MINE. Also, you can find some amo they call Raufus, witch is a high explosive tip, and bursts with a brilliant white fireball and throws sparks 15 to 20 ft from impact point. And can flash burn or start fires, as it ignites at ~5,000 degrees, but they run about $2 each, but are fun as hell if you fire off 5 or 10 real fast at a steel target or some rocks, concrete blocks etc... just remember the possibility of ricochet!
I just bought a new WASR-10 a few weeks ago ($329+tax). Very nice looking AK. I don't see where the fit and finish is all that bad, except for all that "imported by..." crap they scroll all over the receiver. It came with the slant muzzle break, bayonet, sling, a couple 30 round mags and some other odds& ends. Now, the down side. Expect quite possible the worst trigger (FCG) you have EVER experienced. Also, expect not to be able to hit a bull in the butt at 50 yards (once I fix the POS trigger, accuracy will likely improve – it has to!). But, I still have a lot of fun with it.
P.s. You can hear the FCG creaking and popping with hearing protection on!
I have to agree with SilverRun. I have a WSAR-10, very fun gun, I re-did the wood furniture, to give it a better look. It has never failed. Accuracy is a huge problem, I got a scope and a matching scope mount for the rail, it helped the accuarcy somewhat. I did not have a real problem with trigger slap, until I got over 1500 rds through her. I do not know if I want to go with a "better quality" AK or if I should, keep this one and leave it at that.
I have the WASR-10 and you are right about fit and finish! The ones I looked at on the dealer shelves were absolutely horrible. Some of the worst I'd seen so I asked the guy to find me one in his back room and he came out with one that was great. It has nice fit and finish. It looks like a Weatherby compared to the others.
There are some nice ones, just gotta look.
And mine has also been perfectly reliable. Reasonably accurate too. I guess I got a good deal on mine. I paid $237 new.
Hi G3,well I am considering getting A Vector Arms AK,either under or side folding with other goodies on it.Will probably have to sink about $500 or so into it.
