I have been looking for a good multi purpose rifle for several weeks now, and recently I have been presented with the opportunity to pick up a century arms WASR-10, a Romanian imported AK-47. It caught my eye initially when I saw its price tag, which was surprisingly low for a semi auto intermediate round rifle (though I suppose typical for an AK-47). I just wanted to ask if there was anyone who has had experience with these rifles and what their thoughts on them were. Also, is this a good choice for a rifle that could turn from target shooting to survival gun easily. Thank you for your wisdom and input.
2011-05-10T19:33:11Z
Although I have several family firearms, this would be the first rifle I have personally bought. I am also a poor college student, so money is definitely a concern
2011-05-11T13:22:12Z
The shop with the rifle is asking $500. Is this a good price?
METROPOLIS12011-05-10T20:37:30Z
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Thoughts on the WASR 10 AK47???........ Complete crap --- With a capitol "C" that is......
Mine exploded -- really - No kidding!... Take a look!......
Notice the blown out side of the receiver.....
http://www.dystopiat.com/images/wasr1.JPG
http://www.dystopiat.com/images/wasr2.JPG
Rivets blown off the side....
http://www.dystopiat.com/images/wasr3.JPG
http://www.dystopiat.com/images/wasr4.JPG
Notice how the top cover is spread open... That hit me in the head at 500 miles an hour....
http://www.dystopiat.com/images/wasr6.JPG
and check out how 1 of the extractor claws is blown off... A piece of this is still inside my head.... The doctor doesn't want to remove it....
http://www.dystopiat.com/images/wasr11.JPG
This was a well maintained firearm.... Cant explain it..... I wont own one of these WASR's again.....
I can hit a piece of paper at 50 yards with mine, and that is offhand. The sight radius and barrel are too short for me to get very good groups at 100 yards. I think they're pretty fun rifles, you'll have to go through it and clean it thoroughly, and most likely replace the shepherd's hook with a retainer plate (google that) which is about $10... Obviously, the fit and finish are not what you'd expect from a rifle costing twice as much, but it's serviceable. If you like the 7.62x39 cartridge, I would also look at the SKS. They are a little cheaper and probably better in most ways.
You'd be better served with a Yugo M70. If you care to know why, read on:
The WASR-10s from Century have a few repeated problems that keep showing up: The first is overtimed barrels, which leads to both tight chambers and a mis-aligned front sight ( I mean like 8 inches to the left at 50 yards), and occasionally one will rip the the base off the cartidge and leave you with a broken case in the chamber. It will still attempt to chamber the next round, but be unable to close the bolt, and leave you with a very stuck round in the chamber.
I have never seen an WASR-10 that you can use to target shoot with. You can plink with them, but you probably can't hit a 8 1/2"X11" sheet of paper with it at 200 yds. My son has one and it is decent for the price. It doesn't even come close to his AR-15 as far as fun to shoot and accuracy, but it is less than one half the cost of the AR-15.
You'll like it. The only thing I didn't like about it is that it jams when you don't use good ammo in it.
The one I fired was my co-worker's rifle.
I have the Arsenal AK in 7.62x39 with the AK74 style muzzle brake and the adjustable stock. It's a good rifle. And it's honeslty just as accurate as an AR if you use good ammo. Can't stress the ammo part of it enough. Ammo makes all the difference.