Need info on Romanian AK47's

[Bayou Blaster]

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First off. ALL AK's are roughly the same. Some of them are a little more accurate than others. Thats about the only difference really. VEPR's will shoot 1MOA, but who really needs that in a battle rifle? I can say from experience, that most firefights happen within 250m and closer. I have owned several models of AK, to include a VEPR. Now the only one I own is a bran new WASR-10 that accepts hi cap mags. It shoots a 3MOA which is completely sufficient for a battle rifle. And comes stock from the factory with a chrome lined barrel. Thats a huge plus in a EOTW/SHTF scenario. Also, dont be fooled about milled recievers being better than stamped ones. Ive owned both. The only real difference Ive noticed, is that you cant find as many parts for milled recievers. And most folding stocks wont fit them either. The only caution I can give about any weapon imported by CENTURY arms. Is that sometimes things like the gas block, or front sight post are canted. This can be avoided by inspecting the rifle before purchase

Lightfoot

I'm truly glad your WASR-10 suits your needs. In your AO it should suit your purposes well. If I may: One other caution/flaw I have experienced with the WASR or Century AKS platforms besides the canted front sight or misaligned gas block (which can effect operation) is that some have extremely poor feed geometry. I have personally seen some of these firearms fail to cycle any ammo reliably or not at all. Unless the firearm is test fired this is almost impossible to detect before purchase. Additionally the canted or misaligned gas blocks are harder to detect. Even a slight canting or misalignment will effect cyclic pressure/operation. This sometimes cannot be detected before purchase. Fit and finish on these firearms (WASR/Century AKSs) leaves alot to be desired. I don't doubt that many will run just fine within their limitations. I've considered purchasing a WASR as a Beater/Truck Rifle but then I'll go and purchase another Saiga AKS and convert it.

To me fit and finish translate to a quality firearm; yes even in the case of the AKS platform. You are correct that 3 MOA is sufficient for a Battle Rifle. But one has to remember that for others, their EOTW/SHTF senario firearm may also have to perform other duties such as taking game animals where a tighter MOA at distance is more benificial. I would not hesitate to utilize my milled reciever hammer forged barreled SLR-95 out to 200 plus yards to harvest game. Additionally the difference between 1 MOA and 3 MOA can mean the difference between life and death. One must take into consideration the firearm being utilized, it's limitations and effective engagement zone which can be a limiting factor as well from the standpoint of standoff distances.

As far as parts being hard to get for the milled receivers, as a Journeyman Gunsmith I have had no problems purchasing parts from multiple sources you can find easily over the internet. These parts are not limited to Gunsmiths. Folding stocks for milled recievers are easy to come by as well. Additionally the FCG (Fire Control Groups) are identical whether it's a stamped or milled AKS firearm. I like the milled and RPK (Heavier) recievers as they add robustness to an already reliable firearm. I also own several stamped variants and have no problems using one of them in a EOTW/SHTF senario.

I personally have never considered the 7.62 x 39mm intermediate cartridge as a Battle Rifle round. I leave the term Battle Rifle to those firearms which employ the 7.62 x 51mm round or higher: M-14, Garand, FAL, H&K 91, CETME, Mosin Nagant, 1903 A3 Sprinfield, K-98 etc. Enjoy your WASR and shooting experiences and welcome to the forum.

[methusaleh]

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Regarding Century Arms...I am not defending the company, just sharing some info...

I live about 20 miles from their facility, and about half the people on my paintball team work there, one of who is a manager and has been there 12 years. The problem is not the company, it is that when certain shipments come in they get overwhelmed and only have so many employees (it is not a huge place so it's not like they can hire much more without adding to the facility). It is basically an assembly line there. The brass pressures the guys at every step of the way from the pallets coming in the door, to the final QC checks, to work faster and faster when they get huge shipments in. Most people there who handle the weapons ARE firearms fanatics and DO KNOW what they are doing. It is the management who pressures them into working faster and having less QC. That is why you see things like factory-fresh WASR10s with screwed-up-looking barrels, I am talking barrels so poorly installed that the naked eye can see the front sight post is off! That's exactly the case with several I have seen with my own eyes.

Also, my friend who is in the management position said the company buys the pallets of rifles for "pennies on the dollar" and that within each pallet the condition of the rifles, as well as the quality of packing, can vary like night and day, some being basically a pallet of scrap metal, while others being pristine.

And I won't even go into some legal, moral, and ethical violations that I've heard numerous stories about...again, it ALL comes back to the higher-ups, it is not the choice of the guys who actually handle the weapons...

[Lightfoot]

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You are absolutly correct in everything you said. And I will admit, that I bought mine from a friend. Only after he allowed me to fire it a "few" times. The finish did leave a little to be desired. But I refinished it with Duracoat. And sanded the foregrip, and refinished it with a light coating of linseed oil. Over all though, I am pleased with it. Youre also right about the term Battle Rifle. I only use it as a generalization, of rifles used in battle. Other than sniper rifles of course. Ive seen alot of garbage AKs perform very well. And all the problems associated with, century AK's can be remidied with few tools, and minor knowhow. For the price, WASR 10s are worth it....IMO

[tarheelsman71]

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Just picked one up to throw lead down range. The Wasr-10 with HiCap ability is a great lead slinger. Mine is from century and it is just fine. I paid $400 plus tax, for bulldog bag, rifle, sling, and 4 magazine (3 thermold, 1 tapco). I thought it was a great deal. I dont intend on this being my battle rifle WTSHTF, but it will bolster the lines of our retreat. It will take someone that would have had to throw rocks to slinging lead. I have put about 4 mags thru the rifle and it seemed to respond just file. The tactical stock and galil grip were part of the deal.

[MasterMynd]

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I own a Saiga chambered in .223 and I have to say I am very impressed with how accurate it is! Reliability? Well, its a real deal AK made in the original factory and so far I have tossed over 500 chunks of lead though it without a hiccup. Its good stuff! I paid $400 for the "sporting" Saiga platform and have converted it to pistol grip, 6 position butt, and even sprung for an EOTech 512 Holographic optic for it and came out just under a grand! Try that with any AR-15 LOL! This is one fun carbine and it will eat anything you feed it. Cant go wrong with Izhmash

[Apocalyptic_Sojourner]

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This is a little late I guess, but I recently did a TON of research on AKs (mostly via forums), and from what I gathered the Romanians are about midway in terms of desirability. Not the best but not the worst. Much better than Century Arms'. But it looks to me like you can get a good Romanian for $400 on gunbroker. What really sounded best to me, was the Bulgarian Arsenal AK. I read a dozen or more range reports saying they were getting 2" groups with said rifle at 100m (though some were scoped). Which is pretty damned good considering the average AK shoots anywhere between 4" to 6" groups at 100m. I mean honestly, there are a lot of assault rifles out there that don't shoot 2" groups. And the ammo's so cheap too. But not only that, practically any & all mods you want to make are in the $30 to $40 range, whereas doing anything to any other assault rifle (AR, M1A, FAL) is always like a $100 to $300 endeavor. The Arsenal's are more expensive (about $700), but it sure doesn't seem like a bad way to go.

[jmrbsn]

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i have a romanian sar1 model i bought 12 years ago have about 1000 rounds threw it it is very acurate and i can actualy say i dont ever remember having any kind of jaming or cycleing issues chromed lined barrel and the whole nine yards love it never get rid of it

[Thebiglaskowski]

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I have owned serveral WASR's they are good they have fit and finish issues and I got one once with a canted sight post which makes no difference to me I use cobra sights on AK's or if its sans rail I use an ultimak mount and an eotech, Function you couldnt ask for better goes bang every time and I feed mine a diet of what ever is cheapest. I clean em with rags and motor oil every 1000rnds wether it needs it or not. But $700 is WAY too much go to JGsales there $399 and its an underfolder which you have to get up front dont get an after market side folder

[Kayso]

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Anymore the Romanians are becoming the better quality product dominating the market when it comes the cheap AK's. I say this because to get most of the features that come standard out of a WASR out of another AK pattern rifle your going to have to buy an Arsenal or something else pricey. Furthermore the AK patterns that where once cheap such as the Chinese rifles are hit with a huge "Collectors" mark up. Cheap AK's other then the Romanians these days don't have chrome lined barrels anymore which in my opinion is a huge detractor.

[oldsoldier]

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Hi guys the local gun store just got a pair of Romanian AK47's. I think he is asking about $700... I know less than nothing about AK's.... Do the Romanian's make good stuff? They AK's themselves are pretty bland no bells or whistles. Keep in mind things usually run a little on the expensive side here in NY

Thanks for any input

I've fired most AK foreign variants and the Romanian was my least favorite. It had an odd feel to it but that's just my personal opinion. As others stated it is an AK if that's what you're looking for. At $700 you might want to look at all the AR 15 models around and the respective ammo prices for both rifles. I would suggest a 20" barrel for the AR if you choose to go that route but again jmo. Good luck in your search.