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2/21/2007 5:04:09 PM EDT
OK I have been reading up and just want to make sure I got all this right.  I am new to AK's, I was on the AR side of the forum but decided that I would rather get a slightly cheaper gun with cheaper ammo. Plus how can you not love the AK??

My questions:
I've read a lot of bad things about the WASR's here, but is it still recommended for a first AK?

How much would y'all suggest paying for an AK74. I am leaning towards this model now due to the cheaper ammo- also with such a light kick I could maybe convince some friends to enjoy shooting it with me. (I have a 1939 Ishvesk M91/30 now that scares away some people. <- Corrosive ammo is not new to me so no problem there.)

Basically what little things are going to distinguish a crum AK from a great AK? What should I search for, preferably for 400$ or less. Remember this is my first and I'd rather have a more "budget friendly" gun and a ton of mags and ammo then a expensive ak with one mag and enough ammo to fill it.

Thanks, sorry if this post is identical to others, I tried to research!

Evan
2/21/2007 7:51:26 PM EDT
[#1]
Post too redundant?
2/21/2007 8:28:00 PM EDT
[#2]
i bought my wasr 10 as my first, then bought 2 new yugos... promptly sold the yugos after not liking them, and i have no plans on selling the wasr. it shoots VERY accurately, and i have never had a single round fail to feed/eject, or anything. quality/fitment wise, they leave something to be desired. i would rate the fit/finish at about a 5.  id buy one again though, ONLY IN PERSON. i wouldnt  buy one online. need to check for canted sights, gas block and function.
2/21/2007 8:41:37 PM EDT
[#3]
Personally, I would avoid getting a WASR.   If you are good with tools, get a Saiga instead and convert it.   They are very nice rifles in comparison and when all is said and done they only cost a little more.   The one "downside" to them is that they don't have the traditional AK front handguard.
2/21/2007 8:53:26 PM EDT
[#4]
What do you mean by gas block and function? How would I check those?   I lean more towards the WASR's because they have the traditional AK look and are cheap. WASR's do not come in 5.45x39 do they?
2/21/2007 9:06:50 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:
i bought my wasr 10 as my first, then bought 2 new yugos... promptly sold the yugos after not liking them, and i have no plans on selling the wasr. it shoots VERY accurately, and i have never had a single round fail to feed/eject, or anything. quality/fitment wise, they leave something to be desired. i would rate the fit/finish at about a 5.  id buy one again though, ONLY IN PERSON. i wouldnt  buy one online. need to check for canted sights, gas block and function.


Exactly.  If you can't hand pick it to make sure there is no cant to the FSB, gas block or rear site block and don't know what you are looking for then you shouldn't be buying one.   Check out linx310's site before even thinking of picking up a WASR.  They aren't a bad rifle but if you are buying one over the internet you may not be happy.

For an AK-74 caliber an Arsenal of Nevada SLR-105R is the way to go now if you can find one as they are out of production.  An AK-74 from a parts kit used to be a great deal when kits were $168.00.  Those days are gone.  

The AK-74 rifles at Ohio Rapid Fire aren't bad in the price range but they are built on OOW receivers which I don't care for and the finished rifle may have issues with what appears to be rusting that I believe is an issue with there parking procedure.  I don't know if they still have that problem or not.
2/21/2007 9:43:35 PM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
What do you mean by gas block and function? How would I check those?   I lean more towards the WASR's because they have the traditional AK look and are cheap. WASR's do not come in 5.45x39 do they?
gas block can sometimes be canted just like the sights. make sure its straight. otherwise, just take off the lid and look at the parts, rack the bolt once or twice and make sure it feels ok. but again, this isnt a gun to buy online.
2/21/2007 10:00:54 PM EDT
[#7]
You need to do your research on linx310's site for Romanian rifles before buying one.  It will clue you in on what to look for.
2/22/2007 1:21:01 PM EDT
[#8]
Ok thanks guys, there is so much to learn about these rifles! In the paper today I saw a Mak90 for 365$, but again I would really prefer the AK74 caliber. The guns at ORF look fine, but what you said about the receivers makes me a little nervous. I suppose I will check out local gun shows for an AK74 variant-I suppose these rifles will run around 300$ for WASR and  more for other manufacturers?

Thanks guys!

PS thanks for that great link-answered alot of questions!
2/22/2007 1:57:28 PM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:
Ok thanks guys, there is so much to learn about these rifles! In the paper today I saw a Mak90 for 365$, but again I would really prefer the AK74 caliber. The guns at ORF look fine, but what you said about the receivers makes me a little nervous. I suppose I will check out local gun shows for an AK74 variant-I suppose these rifles will run around 300$ for WASR and  more for other manufacturers?

Thanks guys!

PS thanks for that great link-answered alot of questions!


You bein' in the great state of Alabama might help. Seems we still have realistic prices on weapons at the shows in the South. WASR 10's run 325-350 and up here in TX, you can buy a single-stack 7.62 WASR through mailorder for 280 (240 at a show).

As far as caliber, 7.62x39 will probably be around/easier to aquire in the long run than 5.45 but don't let that stop ya.

That said, welcome to the real darkside...and go back and buy that MAK! They're sweet shooters!

t

2/22/2007 4:24:08 PM EDT
[#10]
Haha yeah I am really glad I live in a state where we still retain some gun rights!  The Mak 90 was in the paper today, should I call the guy? 365 bucks. For some reason Euro guns appeal more to me than Chicom ones, why I don't know!
2/22/2007 5:22:33 PM EDT
[#11]
Trueno, it seems like you are familiar with prices in my area, what would expect to pay for an AK 74 at a show?  Also when yall say not to expect the 74 ammo to remain so plentiful, are we talking huge price jumps here or what?
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