AKs

[DrakinClaw]

Originally Posted by DeltaII5

Check out an issue about Shotgun News magazine. I recall there was a place in NJ selling WASR10s for $280 I want to say. With a compliment of accesories.

When I turned 18 my first purcahse was a WASR10. Not the best gun, but alot of fun and fairly accurate.

A WASR-10 was my first rifle/AK purchase, i refinished the furniture and its still a dream to shoot, and very acurate for a AK, i got it from Aubie for a good price. If your looking for a good ak for a good price go ROMANIAN. My WASR is a Stamped reciever, not milled. Also Take a look at and see if it has a muzzle break or slant, try and go for ones that have those. And be carefull of the Canted sights, you want one that is straight on. An ak is a Ak, and a romanian is as good as your gonna get it for the price, and this is coming from some russians that i know .
Drakin

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Furious Styles

... but some examples of the AK that are sold here have been seen to have canted rear and/or front sight bases. Usually the cant isn't severe, and most people who have discovered this learn to make adjustments and go on enjoying their firearms. ...

I just posted this, but it looks like it got blown away. So, here goes again...

The gas cylinder block is indexed to the barrel the same way as the front sight block, so the alignment procedure is the same.



To correct cant, you'll need really hard drill bits, like Titanium Nitride (TiN) as a start. Pick a drill that's the same size as the index pins, maybe a few thousandths bigger than the original pins. Also grab a 1/8" (0.125") drill while you're in the tool cabinet.

You'll also need access to a decent drill press and some 1/8" steel rod. I use 1/8" piano wire, as it's really hard. The original pins are about 3mm (0.118") diameter, so unless you have hardened steel rod in 0.001" increments using 1/8" is about as close as you can get without fabricating the pins.

1. Drill out the retaining pins with the drill press, drill as close to coaxial alignment as possible and take your time to avoid damage to the gas block. If you're uncertain or inexperienced, pilot drill it first. Pilto drilling is simply drilling a very small hole first. It's just to locate exact center, nothing else. Gradually move up to bigger drill bit sizes until the pin is paper-thin, then use a pin punch to drive out the remains. If you *do* booger up the gas block, or you just want a new one try here.
   
2. With the pins out, set the rifle up in a rest or similar device to hold it. Allow enough room for easy access to the gas block. Make sure the rifle is plumb (perfectly vertical).
3. Set up an alignment gauge to measure the misalignment, a cheap laser line generator (not a pointer) works well for this. Make sure it's level.
4. Warm the gas block slowly and tap into alignment. Use a non-marking brass or lead hammer. A propane torch is hot enough, but protect or remove nearby wood first. use a heat dam (wet rag works well for this) if you need a lot of heat, or overshoot and find yourself moving it a lot.
5. When cool, redrill holes and install 1/8" pins. Cut flush. If using piano wire, you might need to cut with a grinding wheel at high RPM or a Dremel with a composite cookie cutter wheel. Redrive out and blue if you want them darkened to match. Reinstall with brass punch to protect blueing.
6. Admire your work while rigle cools off. Reoil when rifle cools.

[JayBell]

PA Rifleman:
Good post.

I just pressed the pins out, then redrilled, to straighten my old SAR-1.

my WASR3 sight was straight.

I did the same thing Drakin did with the handguards.
Mine came with a foreign buttstock, and US mde handguards, so....hmm, what to do...
I KNOW.
I'll swap on a romanian side folder..straight out foreign part for foreign part, no parts count issues, and it just became a little more evil.

cleaned up some burrs in the magwell/trunnion area

refinished the handguards myself.

all done!

I thought it turned out pretty good in my opinion.

Eventually I'll spend the cash to get the black synthetic handguards for it.

[Holleta]

Honestly, if you just want a beater I wouldn't sweat the details. Even if it does have a canted front sight (which I had a bunch of AKs that did). So what? It still shoots great and doesn't really effect accuracy. The only thing it seems to bother is the shooter who is looking at it wanting it straight! If at all possible find a straight (er) one but if you can't and the price is right...jump on it. Use it to get some bucks off or ammo.

The Rommys are great values and go bang just like all the rest. You can always add furniture or coatings down the road to make it what you want it to be if that's your thang. I'm selling one of my WASR-2s (AK-74s) for $340 (refinished wood and it's straight). I'm sure you can find similar deals where you are.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by JayBell

PA Rifleman:
Good post....

Why, thankee...

Here's a quick & accurate method of measuring cant...click any image to enlarge.



Red line is a $20 Home Depot laser line generator for household use. Got it straight as an arrow this way. Just remember to level the line generator and make sure the rifle is exactly plumb. I use my bandsaw table, as it tilts in degrees.

Here's the '74 a few years ago.

[snuffy19608]

You live in Lebanon County? After Christmas get in your car and drive to Harrisburg. Take 83N to Union Deposit Rd. Turn L at the top of the ramp. Drive about 1/4 mile till you see a Waffle House on your right. At that light make a left into the shopping center and park in front of Dunhams. Go in and walk all the way to the back of the store. Stare at the WASR's. DO NOT DROOL- THIS MEANS A LONGER WAIT TIME FOR STAFF ASSISTANCE.

Look over each rifle in turn, looking down the sights as you would at the range. If the front sight base is canted you'll see it. Pick the best one and buy it. Deal with the staff walking you to the door so you leave without shooting them.

Go home. If you drool in the privacy of your own home, that's ok. Just don't tell us, we do it too but don't admit it. Enjoy.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by JayBell

PA Rifleman:
... to straighten my old SAR-1.

my WASR3 sight was straight...

JayBell:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks like a Romanian SAR-2, maybe SAR-3. Is this correct?

The SAR-1 is 7.62x39, and uses a different magazine.

[DrakinClaw]

outside of reading it on the reciever, it all looks the same!
Drakin

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by DrakinClaw

outside of reading it on the reciever, it all looks the same!
Drakin

Ahhhh brasshopper, they *are* different in subtle ways. The factory-installed side scope mount suggests Romanian (Egyptian & Chinese lacked this), open front sight ears makes it Eastern European, the orange wide radius magazine hints that it's 5.45mm, making it an SAR-2 or SAR-3 (5.45mm or 5.56mm)

[JayBell]

PARifleman: I'm correcting you, since you are wrong...you told me to


the first series of Romanians came in with thumbhole stocks, i forget the names on them

second series that came in with pistolgrips and separate buttsocks were named the following models:
SAR-1 = 7.62x39
SAR-2 = 5.45 x39.5
SAR-3 = 5.56 x45

shortly thereafter, they had the WASR (same caliber progression) series that had single stack mags.
they had modified trunnions with ears inside that restricted the mags to single stacks, 10rd mags, and no US parts.
If no model number, these can usually be noted by the lack of a "dimple" stamped into the mag well.

later, they milled the 'ears " out of the well that restricted the mags, opening them to take a high cap magazine, and at the same time, added US made hammer/trigger/disconnector, gas piston, pistolgrip, and either a buttstock, or new US handguards.

they still called them WASRs, but they now took hicaps.

the above AK shown is a WASR-3 in 5.56, using modified East german AK74 mags

5.56 does not work well in the East german 5.45 mag unless some modifications are made.
you need to trim the feed lips back farther to allow better feeding, and its really best to change out the follower.

the WASR-3 i got works really well, and is standard euro AK like you note, only in a easy to get caliber.

I also use the black polymer bulgarian mags, and the east german 5.56 mags made by Weiger, they are steel.

below is one of my SAR-1s, I have one with the folder, and one with a full k-var us made longer stock set.