AKs

[PA Rifleman]

No problem Jaybell, you got me on the WASR designation, but turnabout's fair play [8^)

Seriously, we're in agreement on 99%, it looks like you just missed one very early model.

Originally Posted by JayBell

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

You are correct, there doesn't appear to be a mag dimple as found on the original AKM stamping pattern, and the rear sling swivel is set forward. That's what happens when I type half asleep from Christmas duty.

First series came in with skeleton ("Dragunov" style) stocks, they were the 990 series called "Romak"s. The 991s could take hi cap magazines, the 992s could take only low capacity magazines. There were some sub-variants of the 992, as I had one in 5.45mm that *could* take high-cap East German magazines. All the 990s I saw had a muzzle "nut" that was welded on the muzzle. The kindest description I can think of is zealously welded on.

The next batch (as I recall) were the WUM series. These had the circular thumbholes, and quality control varied wildly from outrageously bad (front sight bases on backwards) to HK/german-like perfection. The later WUM rifles had the more common thumbhole stock.

Originally Posted by JayBell

second series that came in with pistolgrips and separate buttsockswere named

SAR series, presumably for semi automatic rifle. However, these would have been the third generation, not the second. These were made by Ratmil Cugir in Romania and imported approximately from 1999-2003/04. The early ones had spotty quality control, mostly gas cylinder & front sight cant. Those with trigger slap also had US triggers that were improperly dimensioned. The middle and later SAR rifles were outstanding.

These were, according to some who follow importation issues, too close to the original AK receiver and the import licenses were "not renewed" for that pattern. Another rumor has it Century Arms failed to agree on a price with the Romanians. Irrespective of the true cause, no more SAR's. Thus the next batch called the ...

Originally Posted by JayBell

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...later, they milled the 'ears " out of the well that restricted the mags, opening them to take a high cap magazine, ... these can usually be noted by the lack of a "dimple" stamped into the mag well...

and is the current batch of AKs presently imported. I'm hearing reports that the mag fit in the receiver leaves something to be desired, have you noticed this?

Originally Posted by JayBell

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

Thanks for the clarification.

[JayBell]

thanks for teh corrections, I didn't bother checking the Romanian AK fact page I have saved, just went from memory.

as per the mag fit, on some of the guns they milled a mite too much out of the tabs in the mag well, leaving the mag wobbly from side to side..

best to check each one you look at buying for this issue.

also, on the importation front....no more ak (or other "nonsporting type" guns) parts kits with barrels will be allowed in, no more AKs will be allowed in with foreign recievers, this is the last bit for " factory " aks...buy legit kits while you can...ATF doesn't like that a whole cottage industry isprung up around parts kits....note that all the sellers say "for replacement parts only"....ATF doesn't want new guns built...so they screwed us with the "sporting " clause again.
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/112205openletter.pdf

also, about the crappy century trigger parts...yecccchh. triggerslaptastic, geometry way off all around.

When the G2 sets from tapco came out, I bought sets and replaced them in all my AKs....much better.

I have to grind a burr off my one set and reinstall, it clicks rubbing on the receiver a bit by the trigger, annoying more that anything else.

I know better ones are out there, like the red star arms and such, but WTH, its an ak made for minute of chest to 300m, not a match rifle:-)

my other SAR-1.

beater aks rule!

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by JayBell

...[good stuff edited for brevity]...
also, on the importation front........note that all the sellers say "for replacement parts only"....ATF doesn't want new guns built...so they screwed us with the "sporting " clause again....

Fortunately this only applies to imported parts, not to domestic parts or guns. Someone is making AK barrels in the US, so new AKs are still available, just not imports. Arsenal has a good reputation, I'm pondering another toy gun from them in a few months.

As long as the Dems don't get grabby in 2008-2012 we should be okay.

[JayBell]

true on the imported parts, but once the parts kit content dries up....everything will get much more expensive.
still need trunnions, gas blocks sight towers etc etc...carriers themselves will be expensive if they have to be domesticly produced.
if they still allow kits minus barrels, no problem.

either way, now is the time to stock up, if you havent already.

Hell, i'm debating whether or not to even sell my NIW bulgarian krinkov kit...at this point, its irreplaceable.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by JayBell

...
either way, now is the time to stock up, if you havent already.

Hell, i'm debating whether or not to even sell my NIW bulgarian krinkov kit...at this point, its irreplaceable.

If irreplaceable, you won't be replacing it. That should make the bidding interesting if you auctioned it. A little too soon to sell, IMHO. I'd sell, but wait a few more years. Let it marinate a while longer...let the collectors stew on it. You'll be the winner.

I think I might get another AK this spring as a hedge bet, too.

I was in your neck of the woods today. Took the family to Ikea in Plymouth Meeting. BTW, #2 daughter got one of these for Christmas. #253, stainless, red/white/blue.

[Suburban]

Originally Posted by PA Rifleman

I was in your neck of the woods today. Took the family to Ikea in Plymouth Meeting. BTW, #2 daughter got one of these for Christmas. #253, stainless, red/white/blue.

I didn't know Ikea sold guns.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Suburban

I didn't know Ikea sold guns.

Ever hear of a Swedish Mauser?

[Willtallica]

I like this NRA article on the WSAR:



They're not far over $300, not to much, and come with accessories.

Just wondering, if I bought one, could I have >>>this*<<< mounted on it?

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Willtallica

I like this NRA article on the WSAR:
...
They're not far over $300, not to much, and come with accessories.

For a few dollars more you can get a Yugo M70 or a Romanian SAR, which were both made to accept high capacity magazines from the onset. If you can invest even more, this is within your grasp. Note the absence of a magazine well dimple in the receiver on the WASR.

The SAR also has a scope rail on the left side, not sure if the WASR has this.

You might want to do a little homework, or search for the term "WASR" and see what people are reporting. The most common comment I've read is sloppy magazine fit, and the lack of the mag well dimple. The dimple is strictly asthetic, but people are commenting on it's absence on the WASR series. IMHO as long as there are so many Romanian SARs around, I'm not interested in a WASR.

Originally Posted by Willtallica

Just wondering, if I bought one, could I have >>>this*<<< mounted on it?

If it has the receiver rail, it will accept most ComBloc side mounts. Is this an asthetic improvement, or is there a specific function you're trying to perform?

[weaselchew]

I believe part of the reason people say about the lack of dimples on the magazine wells of the WASR is that it's supposed to help with magazine wobble. Also as PA rifleman states, it's pretty much all asthetic value anyway. If you get a singlestack WASR (One that hasn't been converted by Century to doublestack), and do the double stack conversion yourself, you can end up with a snug fitting magazine well. In fact, if you take your time, you can end up with less wobble than an original doublestack well with dimples. Dunham's sports had the single stack WASRs on sale during black friday for $189.99. I don't know how often they go on sale there other than that.

For even close to that price range and some time with a dremel, you really can't beat a WASR as a cheap and effective AK.

WASRs also have the side mount as well.