Quote:
Originally Posted by boozebag
That seems about right for a WASR. NIB go for about $500, but usually come with extra mags and all that BS. I'm not a big fan of UFs, but WASRs are great guns that get a bad rep because Century is garbage. If you don't have canted sights/gasblock or mag well problems then you're good to go. It's an AK so it's going to be reliable. I know people who have beat on their WASRs and never had a problem. I wouldn't recommend that, but the problems people have generally aren't related to durability. Biggest thing is if you shoot corrosive ammo make sure you clean it immediately after. Nothing wrong with the surplus stuff, but it will eat your barrel if you aren't careful.
+1
WASRs (like all post ban AKs) are built on US receivers from kits the quality of the assembly and parts used varies wildly. The receiver they use is the primary culprit in problems since it was originally built for LOLsinglestack mags. They machine out the magwell to take a standard AK mag but don't do anything else. So issues to check for are the following in order of importance.
1: magwell; (mags wobbling around and causing missfeeds) it should lock up TIGHT on the mag and not allow for slop. If that seems ok then take the gun and press down hard on the deck while firing. A good AK will cycle perfectly even with your full body weight pressing down onto the mag and using it as a support.
2: canted sights; front or back sights or both can be mounted off center. on some rifles one or the other is off a little but if both are off by allot your screwed getting a good zero.
3: gas block canted or has a gap; not really important since a good AK will cycle even if you gut 1/2 inch or more out of the gas tube... but yeah it should be tight and straight.
anyway have fun with your new shooter, and be safe.
ETA: WTF kind of world do we live in where anything over $200 is a good price for a WASR? prices are sick these days.