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Posted: 2/25/2013 1:58:51 PM EDT
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My WASR was the first gun I ever purchased, and it has served me pretty well although I admit recently it had become sidelined for my newer SGL21 and Norinco SKS rifles. With that being said, its probably closest to my heart because it was the gun that I learned all about the basic AK design from.
Recently, I sat down to clean it (having not done so in a while), and while doing so I got to tinkering with things, and I decided I'd make some changes to it. First off, I decided to stain and refinish the wood so that all three pieces matched. I realize many of you don't like the idea of messing with the wood on AK's, but I think it turned out quite well and given that it was my first time doing such a thing I'm pretty happy with how it went though I'm sure many of you who do this sort of thing regularly could teach me a lot about it. Anyways, I decided to order a few other items, such as a new muzzle brake, new sling, a small tri-rail for a bipod, and a butt pad to cushion the recoil just a bit. I'd like to get a small reflex type of optic for it (my other optics are primarily used on my SGL21, so with that being said, I was curious....do any of you have any suggestions as to relatively inexpensive reflex red dot sites I could use on it? I'm not looking to spend through the roof or anything, but a cheap red dot I think would be fun. Thoughts? (For the record, I'm not doing any of this to sell it. I will keep this gun forever...just wanted to make a few small improvements to it.) Thanks! |
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I had a Barska red dot on mine for a while. Think I paid $40 at Big 5 sporting goods. Also bought a scope mount, think it was this one, was quite a while ago -
Scope Mount It sat high enough that I could still use the iron sights. Well, ya pretty much get what you pay for, took it off after a couple of months. |
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By Ultimak, I assume you are referring to their gas tube mounts?
As for the TRS-25, what is it that you like about it? It seems pretty reasonably priced, and although I admit to wanting something a bit more open (as opposed to the tube look of the TRS), I'm willing to give it a shot if its a good value for the money. Something else I thought of....I understand they make replacement receiver covers that have rails mounted on them. Now I realize that apparently these aren't stable and thus accuracy is easily lost, but given what I want to do with this rifle, I'm thinking it could make sense. I'd like to get a small lightweight red dot which allows me to cowitness the iron sights. Do these receiver cover rail systems allow that? |
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So my add-ons came today, and combined with the fact that my wood stainer and finish dried a few days ago, I think it turned out pretty well. I was happy to give my WASR a facelift.
So I stained and refinished the three wood pieces. I added a rubber butt to the stock to increase the length and provide a bit more comfort when shooting. I added a UTG tri-rail so I could use a foregrip or bipod. I also bought a Russian sling from Arsenal, and I bought two new muzzle add-ons. The first is an M16-style while the second resembles the AK-74 style brake. I'm sure the work I did on the wood is child's play to some of you but once I find a sufficient lightweight red dot/reflex then I think I'll be set. I added the EOTech for fun, but I normally use it on my SGL21. Anyways, just wanted to share the pictures. Hope ya'll enjoy! (I know it's nothing special, but it sure has been enjoyable for me.) http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/PhantomIIF4/WASRwM16brake.jpeg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/PhantomIIF4/WASRwAK74brake.jpeg Thanks for the comments! Gonna search for a suitable red dot/reflex type sight for it soon. (Oh, and no round in the chamber of magazine...I just like the mag in photos for looks. Safety is on too.) :) |
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Hmmm....Ill have to look into those sights. That's right in the price range I was looking for.
Thanks for the kind words about my gun all. I was a bit apprehensive about making changes to it, but I'm glad I did. I'm anxious to go out and shoot it, but I haven't had a chance yet. Ill try and remember to post when I do...hopefully next weekend. |
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Quoted:
So my add-ons came today, and combined with the fact that my wood stainer and finish dried a few days ago, I think it turned out pretty well. I was happy to give my WASR a facelift. So I stained and refinished the three wood pieces. I added a rubber butt to the stock to increase the length and provide a bit more comfort when shooting. I added a UTG tri-rail so I could use a foregrip or bipod. I also bought a Russian sling from Arsenal, and I bought two new muzzle add-ons. The first is an M16-style while the second resembles the AK-74 style brake. I'm sure the work I did on the wood is child's play to some of you but once I find a sufficient lightweight red dot/reflex then I think I'll be set. I added the EOTech for fun, but I normally use it on my SGL21. Anyways, just wanted to share the pictures. Hope ya'll enjoy! (I know it's nothing special, but it sure has been enjoyable for me.) http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/PhantomIIF4/WASRwM16brake.jpeg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/PhantomIIF4/WASRwAK74brake.jpeg Thanks for the comments! Gonna search for a suitable red dot/reflex type sight for it soon. (Oh, and no round in the chamber of magazine...I just like the mag in photos for looks. Safety is on too.) :) The refinish job on the wood looks great. What did you use as a finish? I really like the low gloss/flat/matte finish and it appears you nailed it. |
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So, is there a "cigar chopper" (sorry - don't know what they're called) inside the handgrip of your AK??? If not - that's really something you need to look into... 
Chop Chop ! |
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OP, that is a nice WASR. I did something slightly different to mine. http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/benelliwang/IMG_1792.jpg http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/benelliwang/IMG_1791.jpg I am likeing that folding mechanism that accepts a factory wood stock, spill the beans on who makes that if you dont mind, nice wasr2 also i have a sar2 and it is one of my favorite shooters. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
OP, that is a nice WASR. I did something slightly different to mine. http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/benelliwang/IMG_1792.jpg http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/benelliwang/IMG_1791.jpg I am likeing that folding mechanism that accepts a factory wood stock, spill the beans on who makes that if you dont mind, nice wasr2 also i have a sar2 and it is one of my favorite shooters. I made it myself using ACE mechanism. |
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Thanks for the kind words on my wood finish. After sanding all three pieces to ensure all the rough edges were gone, I used Minwax stainer (Walnut I believe...Ill have to look at the can when I get a chance). Once the two coats of that we're dry, I used a Minwax satin finish on the wood. I wanted just a hint of gloss, but nothing too reflective. I was worried it wouldn't turn out right as this was my first time to stain wood. I'm sure compared to what many would consider on here, it's an amateur's work, but I'm pleased with how it turned out.
I haven't had a chance to fire the gun yet since I improved it, but I hope the stainer and finish hold up well when the gun heats up.... Thanks again for the kind words! |
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Sorry late to the party and all but I wanted to add to the RDS pile by suggesting a vortex sparc. Looks very much like an Aimpoint micro but will only run you about $200. It comes with several risers that work well on most rifles. It has a nice bright dot that is NV capable. I was a tad rough on this thing when I had it mounted on my WASR and it still functions as it did on day one. Beats the heck out of paying $50-80 on a cheaper one that can't take the abuse/recoil.
I had to pull mine off of my WASR due to the fact that I built the wife her own AR. Below is the description pulled from their site. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It takes a SPARC to light a fire. The new, compact, daylight-bright SPARC (Speed Point Aiming for Rapid Combat) is packed with performance features and lends itself to a wide variety of firearm platforms—including AR15s, shotguns, and pistols. The modular three-piece base offers four separate mounting heights for user- and weapon-specific customization. Digital rear-facing and side controls for power on/off, dot brightness and night vision mode. Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum body. Get on target fast with the SPARC. The versatile multi-height mount system of the SPARC accommodates AR15s needing absolute or lower 1/3 co-witness heights and uses a standard Weaver or Picatinny base (not included). The SPARC is also threaded to accept accessory ARD and comes with a 2x doubler. INCLUDED •2x Magnifier •Extra-high riser •High riser •Low riser •Elastic, one-piece lens cover •Riser shims •(2) CR 2354 Batteries •(4) Short screws •(4) Long screws |
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Quoted:
OP, that is a nice WASR. I did something slightly different to mine. http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/benelliwang/IMG_1792.jpg http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/benelliwang/IMG_1791.jpg Very nice table you have there !! 
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| My wasr used to have a tacticool hg and cheap cover rail with a Bushnell TRS-25 a few years ago. I like the Bushnell and it held up well for about 1k rounds and it now resides on my PSA middie. I have since put Bulgarian 74 style wood furniture back on along with a US Palm grip, factory irons w/E German flip up night sights(work great and don't rattle - can't beat it for $10), and a tapco 74 style muzzle brake. Also I had a problem with a poorly machined bolt carrier/piston so I got a Polish carrier/piston as a drop in replacement. It runs so much smoother than my buddies 10/63. I also added a Tromix oversized charging handle and a krebs enhanced selector. I found the original leather sling in a box and put it on. Its my go to gun for just about anything and is super reliable with > 5K rounds through it. I've found that I like my AKs in factory trim/as issued, they seem to run better and they are lighter. Find what you like and wear the bbl out thats what its for. |
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Unless its one of the new Parabellum top cover mounts, or the TWS Dogleg, I would stay away from the top cover idea.
As someone who is also familiar with side-mounted optics such as the Kobra and PK01-V, I found that I really like the Ultimak + Primary Arms MD-07 system I have set up on my rifle currently. Add to that a Vltor offset scout mount with a surefire G2X, and you're set. I thought the weight would be more noticeable, but it really isn't. Even with a light up front, it's not enough of a difference to be a hinderance. Really like this set up. |
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