Jpanzer 1,265 Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 (edited) Can someone clear up some questions on WASR's for me? I've read so much crap about them I don't know fact from fiction. Are they military "rejects tested to destruction"? Are they made from used mix-match parts or is each rifle newly constructed? Is opening up the mag well the only alteration US importers make to them? Are all WASR's the same (aside from the stock type)? Finally anything to avoid when it comes to considering a WASR? Edited December 7, 2009 by Jpanzer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalioth 405 Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 Are they military "rejects tested to destruction"? No. Originally, the WASR line was made from parts rejected for use in military Kalashnikovs, but still quite usable for civilian rifles. Currently, the Romanians have appeared to take a page from our book, and are rebuilding former Romanian military AKs into WASRs. This is where you might get a "well used" specimen. Are they made from used mix-match parts or is each rifle newly constructed? See above. Is opening up the mag well the only alteration US importers make to them? No. Century also replaces the FCG, pistol grip and gas piston (and the slant brake on the models that have one) for 922r purposes. Are all WASR's the same (aside from the stock type)? The WASR-10 (and 10/63) rifles are chambered in 7.62x39. The WASR-2 is chambered in 5.45x39 and the WASR-3 comes in .223 Remington/5.56x45 Nato. Finally anything to avoid when it comes to considering a WASR? If it passes a functions check at the shop, and the barrel attachments (front sight block, gas block, rear sight block) aren't WAY off center, it should be quite fine. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spartacus 1,619 Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 I'm considering a WASR as a cheap backup rifle. It would be fine with me if the barrel is well used and the fit & finish is crappy. If it goes bang and can get a 3" - 4" group at 50 yards that would be great. I also wouldn't want to pay much for it though, sub $300 for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 If you get the UF check the stock. I've found quite a few to be twisted/bent/canted just a little but noticable when shouldered. Also some are wooble while others are extreemly tight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
son of rooster 6 Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I have the WASR-3 (.223/5..56mm) and have had zero problems with it. It is a good SHTF rifle. I narrowed all my rilfes down to one caliber.....223 remington. so it was a good fit The only problem is that if I needed a bolt, firing pin,I don't know if it is a Ak-74 Bulgarian...can't find the origin. the gunsmith folks at CAI won't give you an answer for whatever reason. This is the only bitch I have about it. It eats my reloads, Wolf, winchester, Olin, Federal...eats anything. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the WASRs.... my .02 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalioth 405 Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I have the WASR-3 (.223/5..56mm) and have had zero problems with it. It is a good SHTF rifle. I narrowed all my rilfes down to one caliber.....223 remington. so it was a good fit The only problem is that if I needed a bolt, firing pin,I don't know if it is a Ak-74 Bulgarian...can't find the origin. the gunsmith folks at CAI won't give you an answer for whatever reason. This is the only bitch I have about it. It eats my reloads, Wolf, winchester, Olin, Federal...eats anything. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the WASRs.... my .02 It's Romanian and good luck finding replacement parts for it. Your best advice is to find SAR-3 or WASR-3 junk guns/parts. The problem is that the .223 AK was never standardized among the different countries, and each country built their .223 AK the way they wanted to, and not to the any standard (as the 5.45x39 and 7.62x39 AKs are). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jayjohnstone 3 Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 I am looking to possibly get an WASR from a major online gun dealer for around $500 with FFL and shipping. I know that this may sound like alot but I live in the Comi-run state of NY. And it actually seems like an OK deal considering the last gun show I went to all the AK's were going for like a $1000 (This was at the height of the gun ban fear from the new Obama Admin. a year ago) Plus it comes with a couple of Pre-ban mags that are hard to order online to NY. But, I do have serious reservations about buying a WASR sight unseen. I am also considering getting basic saiga instead. But I am sure the time and parts to convert it will cost me well more than $500. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paprotective 362 Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 jayjohnstone.. Basic 223 Saiga is under $350 and basic restoration is under $100 in parts.. Total is less than $500 easily. Others here can PM you on places to get Preban mags from dealers that will ship to NY. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jayjohnstone 3 Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 Ok, but I definitely want 7.62x39. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paprotective 362 Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 Jay, Peachstate (forum member) has the 7.62 for the same price.. Less than $350.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
volkov 318 Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 yeah jay.. theres a lot of good builds out there for 500 if you want to spend that kind of money.. Don't do that for a wasr.. bad idea Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jayjohnstone 3 Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 (edited) Probably can't go wrong with a regular saiga it is not like the parts to convert are going to dry up overnight. Thanks for the advice, will post a pictures when I get whatever I decide. Edited February 5, 2010 by jayjohnstone76 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
muhr 5 Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 The only problem I have had with the wasr I purchased last October(my first ak style riffle) is that it seems to reproduce once per month. Last time I checked my safe now has the wasr, an arsenal conversion Saiga 7.62x39, a couple of Mosin-Nagants, a newly converted Saiga 12, and a soon to be converted Saiga .308 that is do next week. The wasr has never failed to fire, never really shot it for accuracy, but it is fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Of course they're not all like this, but the GP WASR 10/63, (matching parts made in 1964), I owned, (and sold, about a year ago for $850 FTF), is nearly as accurate as my SGL21.. which suprised me. It's a fuckin nail-driver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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