5.45 rifles from dunhams

[Kaos]

Dunhams has some form of Wasr chambered in 5.45 for sale (usually every sunday)

Im thinking of putting one of these on layaway and grabbing a case or two of 5.45 while it's still dirt cheap $120 for 1k.

Any info on these rifles? A good buy?

Someone I know likened the 5.45 to the 5.56 in characteristics.

Thanks!

[Holleta]

The 5.45 was the Russians answer to the US 5.56 introduced in Vietnam. They are nice shooters, mild recoil and have a decent trajectory. The WASRs are decent AKs, nothing fancy but stone cold reliable and good shooters, they are from Romania. Dependent on what "cheap" is I would grab one. $120 per 1k is very cheap for ammo...going rate now is more like $160 before shipping.

[sigarms229]

The WASR's that dunhams has are extremely low quality. Most that I have seen have off center sights and rough actions. I'm not saying you cant find a decent one, but I have yet to see one.

Also, Rguns that advertises in shotgun news had 5.45 for $210 for a 2160rd wooden case, best deal I've seen yet.

[sigarms229]

Here's a link to the rguns ad if interested.

http://www.rguns.net/008_3.html

[Holleta]

Looks like the corrosive stuff....even if it is it's still a smokin' deal. Anybody know for sure if it's corrosive?

[Kaos]

thanks for the link to the ammo.

Anyone care to weigh in on a good source for the rifle itself? I havn't been able to get out at all this week to grab a SN, except when I put the XD on layaway..i should have done it then.

[Garpman]

Looks like the corrosive stuff....even if it is it's still a smokin' deal. Anybody know for sure if it's corrosive?

Nearly all military surplus ammo from the former combloc is corrosive. And when it doubt, treat it as if it were.

People make too big of a deal about corrisive ammo, cleaning it properly takes an extra 10 mins. Flush out your rifle with hot water, neutralize the salts, clean as normal. Done.

[nfafan]

If its the usual 5.45x39 at Dunhams, then its the WASR2 in Sporter form - low cap, PSL stock, no bayo lugs or muzzle nut.

Mine is probably the higest quality-of-build WASR I have.

All markings are nice and cleanly legible, no grit or crud, fit and finish was fine for a $214.99 out the door rifle cheaper than a WASR22!

No issues with it at all, ran like a top on the 10rd mags that came with it and the PSL stock made it a quick handling, zero recoil little sucker.

One reason it was in much better shape than my WASR10 is that Century did not touch it; it was in its completely stock "Sporter" config down to the Romy trigger group, and no quick, loose fitting - and dirty hi-cap work was done to it.

A caveat... Yes, the CORROSIVE Russ, Bulgarian, and Romy ammo is *relatively* cheap now, but as it dries up, be prepared to pay as much/more than 7.62x39 for the fresh stuff turning up.
Plus you don't have the same level of AKM parts interchangeability as you do with the 7.62 guns.

If you can only have 1 AK, get a 7.62 rifle, but as a second or 3rd AK, the WASR2 is a fine choice for such little funds.

All just my humble opinion.

[sigarms229]

Anybody know for sure if it's corrosive?

Yes, it is corrosive. Like someone else pointed out, most of the commie bloc surplus ammo is corrosive. It's really not a big deal, I shoot corrosive stuff all the time.