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Posted: 7/22/2015 7:04:18 PM EDT
| I have been looking for my first AK 47. I have done some research and am leaning towards the WASR10. I am aware to be on the look out for the canted sights and mag wobble. The price is good. There is the NPAP in the same price range. But if I understand correctly, the NPAP does not take standard AK parts. Does that mean The WASR will except all standard AK parts? for example, trigger group, bolt carrier group and receiver cover? Are there any other AKs that are in the $600 price range that I should be looking at? If so how does it compare to the WASR. |
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The WASR would be a good entry level gun to start with. The QC has gotten a lot better on them and depending on where you buy it, a few of the online dealers will inspect the gun for canted sights and other quality issues before they ship it to you. If your worried about mag wobble buy the Tapco 30 rd waffle mags and use some emery cloth to custom fit them to you gun.
For the NPAP there seems to be more options for parts than there used to be but you have to make sure they will fit a YUGO. For the WASR just about anything will fit but sometimes you might have to custom fit it to your gun so a Dremel would be a good investment if you don't have one. 
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Not all AKs are built on the same pattern. The most popular pattern was/is the AKM, which is what the WASR is based on. That means you'll have the largest pool of aftermarket and replacement parts if your buy something like a WASR.
The NPAP is a terrific rifle with typically beautiful fit and finish. It's based on the Yugo M70 pattern, however, so it will not accept most AKM parts. The popularity of M70-patterned rifles over the last few years means that the aftermarket has grown considerably, but it's still not comparable to the AKM aftermarket. Some parts - like the FCG - will interchange, but others - like the dustcover or furniture - will not. |
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When I bought mine I picked it up from a local shop, paid a little more vs online but after seeing some poor examples of WASRs I knew what to look for.
As mentioned above, WASR quality has improved greatly over the years and seems to keep getting better. I've seen poor examples of almost every make of AK, if I ever ordered one online I'd make sure I had the right to refuse if it wasn't straight. Lots of dealer sites have a zero return policy and local FFLs have no reason to support you after the transfer is complete. |
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WASRs, Yugo "-PAP" rifles, and Saigas/VEPRs are built overseas in actual military arms factories specializing in Kalashnikov designs. The receivers all say "made in . . ."
I consider that valuable, as these places have experience dating back years. In contrast, a lot of the remaining "AK" pattern guns on the US market were riveted together in the USA on U.S.- made receivers. Some are good. Some not so good. A few are terrible. If it is your first AK, I'd suggest a WASR. I have one of its old predecessors - the SAR-3 - and it is a great gun; canted sight and all! |
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