With the sunset of the AW Ban 922r compliant AK47s (correctly AKMs but that is another discussion) can now have folding stocks, bayo lugs and flash hiders.

And many quality preban config AKs from companies like Arsenal are out there. Their underfolding AK47s (milled receivers) now feature working stocks and are impressive in terms of quality.

However there are a batch of budget Romanians advertised as equipped with flash hider (this is actually a slant brake not a flash), bayo lug, bayonet and accepting high cap magazines. These are variously designated Romanian AK47 and if ordered from SOG for example they are the AK RWUM which is the same rifle as the AK RWUMPG only with a few preban features.

What they don't tell you is both rifles began life as a WASR 10 and were modified to accept high capacity magazines and are a far cry from the quality (for lack of a better word) of the earlier Romanian AKMs (Sar 1, Sar 2 & Sar 3) which were manufactured to accept a high cap mag.

Here is what you actually get.



This is what NIB looks like in terms of Romanian AKs complete with tradmark beat to shit oily box and a layer of shop debris and grease that must be experienced to be understood. Just in unpackaging and inspecting this rifle I gunked up my shirt so bad it was thrown away because I wasn't about to put that crap in with the rest of the laundry. To be fair, the earlier SAR rifles were just as bad and both will clean up eventually.

Here is the fatal flaw in a WASR 10 conversion.



The mag well WILL accept a high capacity magazine but the difference between putting a high cap in a WASR 10 and a SAR 1 is sorta like the difference between USGI AR15 mags and USA Magazines. In a SAR1 it is almost impossible to incorrectly insert a AK mag, in a WASR 10 it is almost impossible to correctly insert a AK mag. In a WASR 10 it is very easy to incorrectly insert a mag in such a way that it has to be removed with a rubber maller. Next time you are at a gunshow try one and see what I mean.

Here is why these will sell if you don't know better.



Simply because we haven't seen them in 10 years the removable slant brake with accessible threads and bayo lug will make you reach for a checkbook without even thinking. Some of you still may even buy one after this review simply because it has a bayo lug and removable slant brake with threads.

Just a note here. The cleaning rod needs to be removed to install a bayonet and this one was so damn tight I never did successfully install it on the rifle. I was stoked to see a expendable current production AK with preban features but I think I could more easily install the bayo on one of my postban guns that has NO bayonet lug. This one was a big letdown.



These are actually made in Romania so at least they are not your typical CAI scam like those so called Portugese manufactured semi G3s awhile back. In thet case only the receivers were manufactured in Portugal and not the entire rifle like the ad suggested.



Here you can easily see these are WASR 10 rifles. I only hope somebody imports the SAR 1 and SAR 2 rifles with preban features because I will buy one of each. They will still need a shitload of work to unfuck what CAI does to a gun but at least they can be corrected.



Also includes things like the trademark mismatched wood.



And the bayo itself is hardly anything to write home about. In addition to being extremely ill fitting (how hard it is to make a bayo that fits a lug?) the quality was about as poor as a $12.00 survival knife from the Bud K catalog.

I pretty much give this one an "F."

Looks like it's still missing a pair of bayo lugs to me, on the bottom of the FSB.

Quoted: will we ever see romanian AK's with mag dimples?(sar1-2-3) or is that a thing of the past?

I don't know. I hope so.

My next AKM projects are gonna be East German AKMs (underfolder and skeleton side folder) built on Arsenal stamped receivers in preban config. Only part that sucks is the gunsmith fees are gonna make both cost about as much as a decent AR15. Probably also do a Krinkov on a a Form 1.

Quoted: How does a magwell on a SAR and WSAR differ? and can it be fixed

Dramatically.

The SAR magwell was made to accept a high cap magazine and is like any preban AK.

The WASR magwell was made to accept a single stack 10 round magazine and then milled out to accept a high cap. Problem is even though it will fit it just ain't the same and it really sucks.

I am not aware of anything that will fix it.

Quoted: There are many people perfectly happy with their WASR10s, these are just evil feature equipped WASR10s, what's the big deal??

I know many people happy with their Lorcins too.

WASR 10s are a hunk of shit but if you WANT one after knowing that then go for it.

The big deal is to INFORM people of what things actually are BEFORE they buy it.

You may be happy with your WASR 10 but I imagine you'd prefer a SAR 1 with a correct mag well.

If after understanding the difference somebody STILL wants a WASR 10 then go for it. Hell some people like Oprah Winfrey.

Myself I'd prefer a rifle where you can actually change a magazine faster than you can load a magazine. But if you like Oprah, Lorcins or WASR 10s then that is your decision. Just don't say nobody warned you.

Quoted: Steyr, what is the retail on that POS?

According to the SOG flyer retail is $595.00 and dealer is listed as $277 but the dealer price is a typo, actual dealer is $336. Expect to pay about $450.00

Quoted: I could get  them all any day for 179.00 Or should say use to ??? Good lord why the big price jump???

That was the price for the unmodified single stack WASR 10.

Quoted: Geez, those things cost that much now?? wtf? Glad I picked up a SAR2 back when they were $270.....I guess that was 3 years ago though.

The WASR10 High Caps have always been about $250-75. And I paid $295.00 for my SAR2 at dealer price. When the SARs became unavailable the WASR 10 conversions sorta assumed the former SAR prices.


And I paid about $475 for my Egyptian Maadi. Glad I did now.

You can fix stubborn WASR's with a little file work, I did it for a friend that had stubborn insertion and removal.  See where it is binding the mag and file it with a fine toothed file.

Quoted: Saw a mak-90 on a table at the last gun show. $750

Seen Norincos for $950. Supply and demand. Won't be any more of either and price is only gonna go up. However I think money would be better spend on a higher quality domestic like the Arsenal AKs.

Quoted: You can fix stubborn WASR's with a little file work, I did it for a friend that had stubborn insertion and removal.  See where it is binding the mag and file it with a fine toothed file.

It wasn't "binding."

It can't be fixed with a file. Basically the problem is trying to hang the mag on the front shelf. It doesn't automatically line up like a correct mag well. Also it is easy to miss the shelf but still lock the magazine in place and then you are well fuxored.

Quoted: I was thinking of buying a WASR as a beater and putting one of those sidefolders on it... until I actually checked one out in the gunstore. shitty wood (no big deal since I was gonna change it to black polymer anyway), canted sights, but worst of all was the mag well. On top of that they wanted like $370 for it. I'll just wait till the new Arsenal stamped rifles come out in 7.62x39. I'd rather spend the extra $100 or so for a rifle where you can properly insert a mag, even for a beater. that remains to be seen tho. Those are also converted from single stack, BUT, I've heard its such a good job you cant even tell (and they have the dimples). once a few reviews pop I'll decide for sure.

Arsenal USA has stamped receiver AKs right now.

However they are not, and have never been, single stack conversions.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I was thinking of buying a WASR as a beater and putting one of those sidefolders on it... until I actually checked one out in the gunstore. shitty wood (no big deal since I was gonna change it to black polymer anyway), canted sights, but worst of all was the mag well. On top of that they wanted like $370 for it. I'll just wait till the new Arsenal stamped rifles come out in 7.62x39. I'd rather spend the extra $100 or so for a rifle where you can properly insert a mag, even for a beater. that remains to be seen tho. Those are also converted from single stack, BUT, I've heard its such a good job you cant even tell (and they have the dimples). once a few reviews pop I'll decide for sure. Arsenal USA has stamped receiver AKs right now. However they are not, and have never been, single stack conversions. I'm talking about the Arsenal inc ones.....

Gotcha, they got the stamped Bulgies in 762x39 in SGN now. Hard to believe they'd modify a single stack and not just make a proper AKM receiver.

But for what you want I'd recommend a Arsenal USA AKM. Only problem is they are a bit too pretty to turn into a beater gun. I keep cleaning mine.

Quoted: I believe I read Arsenal USA is actually going to start using converted FEG single stack receivers for their new guns as well shortly.  Apparently imports of any high-cap AK receivers are being frowned apon...  They make their own US made receivers for sale at Global Trades, I guess imported FEG receivers are still favorable for some reason??

When they ran out of the last imports they used Ohio Ordnance receivers. Currently they roll their own (as you noted) and probably will continue to do so. Imported receivers always add a touch of pedigree to a AK rifle.

Quoted: Hey SA, what is your opinion on the Vector Arms AKs? I have read good things and my Bros and I are thinking about placing an order for 3 underfolders... $498 seems pretty reasonable. Any experiences or comments? Thanks. Vector Arms AKs

No personal expereince. Whose receiver are they using?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Hey SA, what is your opinion on the Vector Arms AKs? I have read good things and my Bros and I are thinking about placing an order for 3 underfolders... $498 seems pretty reasonable. Any experiences or comments? Thanks. Vector Arms AKs No personal expereince. Whose receiver are they using? I believe OOW (Ohio Ordinance Works or somesuch.)??

Good receiver and hard to fuck up an AK so they should be decent.