WASR 10/16 Quality

bal_g23 · July 7th, 2009, 07:48 AM

What exactly is it that makes WASRs looked upon as such inferior weapons compared to say, an Arsenal AK? Fit and finish? One inch added to groups at 100 yards? A little magazine wobble? Are those things worth paying another 600$ for or are the romanian parts themselves actually inferior and more prone to failure?
Thanks

Rob72 · July 7th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Well, if you read up on the most common WASR issues(there is a sticky under the AK47board on ar15.com), and you have a chance to look before you buy, $600 is pretty much fair market value right now.

Most of the issues are "buff-n-polish", the WASRs are much rougher, with some definite improvisation by Century.

Blackeagle · July 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM

A lot of it is fit and finish, but there are some functional issues. WASR's are a lot more likely to have a canted front sight base than higher dollar guns. Magazine wells are often out of spec, which can lead to feeding problems or difficulties inserting and removing magazines.

I wouldn't buy one online, sight unseen, but if you can find one locally and inspect it to look for any of these issues they can be a good gun for the price.

BAC · July 7th, 2009, 11:36 AM

The construction of the receivers compared to, say, Arsenal AKs also makes a difference in overall quality of the rifle (accuracy, durability, etc.). In the case of AKs, fit and finish actually is a decent indicator of the quality of the rifle. Whether or not the qualities of an Arsenal AK are worth a grand to you is a personal decision. I used to think no AK was worth a grand (heck, no AK was worth $500), but my opinion on that has changed. If you have a durable, functioning fighting rifle that can hold 2-4 MOA then I would call it fair to compare it's price to an AR with similar qualities (though I'd still price the AK a little less than an AR).

-B

obxned · July 7th, 2009, 11:30 PM

Just look at the gun. If the front sight and gas tube seem to be on straight, then buy it. I have seen a lot of WASRs, and only one example had any detectable cant of a front sight, and it was nearly impossible to see and would in no way effect accuracy or reliability.

Your WASR will last you through 2 major wars and a serious family feud or two and still be doing exactly what the AK is famous for: going 'bang' every time with any ammo regardless of dirt, rust, dung, or weather.

If you choose to spend more on an AK-47 than the $550-600 required for a nice, clean WASR, that is fine too, but if you expect your higher dollar gun to put more rounds on target downrange, you are not going to be a happy camper.

PointnClick · July 8th, 2009, 03:11 AM

I bought a milled Bulgarian AK for less than 600 bucks, tax, tag, and title. I also have a WASR. The Bulgarian seems more "rugged" and better built... definite difference in fit and finish.

If that 600 bucks isn't too hot in your pocket, hold out for a Bulgarian... you can find one for $500 or $600...

bal_g23 · July 11th, 2009, 01:30 PM

sorry for being a little unclear, my fault. I already have a WASR, one of the good ones (i.e. no canted front sight base, only a little mag wobble) and was wondering are the inside parts inferior to an Arsenal. What I mean by inferior is will they break sooner and be $600 dollars worth less accurate. I was able to pick my WASR up back in november for $450 new, while these days the Arsenal is about $600 more than that.

Rob72 · July 11th, 2009, 02:55 PM

Nope, most builders use the Tapco G2 trigger pack (probably what you have), and despite Tapco's other failings, the G2 is pretty much "the standard" for an AK trigger group.

wpk · July 11th, 2009, 03:46 PM

I have a WASR 10/63 and it's a fantastic shooter. Paid about $550 for it about two months ago or so. I had to clean it up real good and refinish the wood furniture, but it's a great rifle and I'm glad I got it.

bal_g23 · July 11th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob72

Nope, most builders use the Tapco G2 trigger pack (probably what you have), and despite Tapco's other failings, the G2 is pretty much "the standard" for an AK trigger group.

yep thats whats in there

do you know about the bolt carrier group and barrel?

July 7th, 2009, 07:48 AM	#1
bal_g23 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 270	WASR 10/16 Quality What exactly is it that makes WASRs looked upon as such inferior weapons compared to say, an Arsenal AK? Fit and finish? One inch added to groups at 100 yards? A little magazine wobble? Are those things worth paying another 600$ for or are the romanian parts themselves actually inferior and more prone to failure? Thanks __________________ GUN CONTROL IS USING BOTH HANDS I believe its a shoulder thing that goes up - Carolyn McCarthy (D) The muzzle end of a .45 pretty much says go away in every language. -Clint Smith

July 7th, 2009, 11:36 AM	#4
BAC Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,994	The construction of the receivers compared to, say, Arsenal AKs also makes a difference in overall quality of the rifle (accuracy, durability, etc.). In the case of AKs, fit and finish actually is a decent indicator of the quality of the rifle. Whether or not the qualities of an Arsenal AK are worth a grand to you is a personal decision. I used to think no AK was worth a grand (heck, no AK was worth $500), but my opinion on that has changed. If you have a durable, functioning fighting rifle that can hold 2-4 MOA then I would call it fair to compare it's price to an AR with similar qualities (though I'd still price the AK a little less than an AR). -B __________________ RIP, Jeff Dorr: 1964 - July 17, 2009. You will be missed. Defensive Carry Search Tips Step 1 - Choose a subforum on right side under "Search in Forum(s)" Step 2 - Type general topic of interest in "Search by Keyword" textbox. Step 3 - Read results and refine/repeat as necessary.

July 7th, 2009, 11:30 PM	#5
obxned VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OBX, NC Posts: 2,253	Just look at the gun. If the front sight and gas tube seem to be on straight, then buy it. I have seen a lot of WASRs, and only one example had any detectable cant of a front sight, and it was nearly impossible to see and would in no way effect accuracy or reliability. Your WASR will last you through 2 major wars and a serious family feud or two and still be doing exactly what the AK is famous for: going 'bang' every time with any ammo regardless of dirt, rust, dung, or weather. If you choose to spend more on an AK-47 than the $550-600 required for a nice, clean WASR, that is fine too, but if you expect your higher dollar gun to put more rounds on target downrange, you are not going to be a happy camper. __________________ http://www.obxammo.com/ There is only one gun law in this country, the 2nd Amendment. All else is bureaucratic nonsense that I choose to comply with or not at my discretion. When governments make laws, they must consider the unintended consequences.

July 8th, 2009, 03:11 AM	#6
PointnClick Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 618	I bought a milled Bulgarian AK for less than 600 bucks, tax, tag, and title. I also have a WASR. The Bulgarian seems more "rugged" and better built... definite difference in fit and finish. If that 600 bucks isn't too hot in your pocket, hold out for a Bulgarian... you can find one for $500 or $600... __________________ "Who is to say that I am not an instrument of karma? Indeed, who is to say that I am not the very hand of God himself, dispatched by the Almighty to smite the Philistines and hypocrites, to lay low the dishonest and corrupt, and to bust the jawbone of some jackass that so desperately deserves it?"

July 11th, 2009, 01:30 PM	#7
bal_g23 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 270	sorry for being a little unclear, my fault. I already have a WASR, one of the good ones (i.e. no canted front sight base, only a little mag wobble) and was wondering are the inside parts inferior to an Arsenal. What I mean by inferior is will they break sooner and be $600 dollars worth less accurate. I was able to pick my WASR up back in november for $450 new, while these days the Arsenal is about $600 more than that. __________________ GUN CONTROL IS USING BOTH HANDS I believe its a shoulder thing that goes up - Carolyn McCarthy (D) The muzzle end of a .45 pretty much says go away in every language. -Clint Smith

July 7th, 2009, 10:48 AM	#2
Rob72 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: OK Posts: 3,468	Well, if you read up on the most common WASR issues(there is a sticky under the AK47board on ar15.com), and you have a chance to look before you buy, $600 is pretty much fair market value right now. Most of the issues are "buff-n-polish", the WASRs are much rougher, with some definite improvisation by Century.

July 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM	#3
Blackeagle Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,997	A lot of it is fit and finish, but there are some functional issues. WASR's are a lot more likely to have a canted front sight base than higher dollar guns. Magazine wells are often out of spec, which can lead to feeding problems or difficulties inserting and removing magazines. I wouldn't buy one online, sight unseen, but if you can find one locally and inspect it to look for any of these issues they can be a good gun for the price.

July 11th, 2009, 02:55 PM	#8
Rob72 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: OK Posts: 3,468	Nope, most builders use the Tapco G2 trigger pack (probably what you have), and despite Tapco's other failings, the G2 is pretty much "the standard" for an AK trigger group.

July 11th, 2009, 03:46 PM	#9
wpk Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 274	I have a WASR 10/63 and it's a fantastic shooter. Paid about $550 for it about two months ago or so. I had to clean it up real good and refinish the wood furniture, but it's a great rifle and I'm glad I got it. __________________ "America is a nation of laws; poorly written and randomly enforced." -Frank Zappa

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