Looking at an ak47, maybe a WASR-need advice

[Chris08110]

I'm thinking about getting an AK47. Everything I've read has really made me believe that there isn't a lot to be gained with spending the most money possible and buying a super high end model. Most people say it's mostly a difference in fit and finish as you move up the cost spectrum. Most things I've read said that WASRs performed flawlessly and were just as great as higher priced units and just to check out the mag wobble and front sights before bringing one home. I'm looking for a SHTF/home defense rifle and something that I can have fun at the range with. I have the basics covered, small .380 for cc, 12 gauge for home defense, .22 for plinking and small game hunting. Now I'm looking to step up to a larger handgun or semi-auto rifle. The AK seems like they are workhorses that require little to no maintenance and still run flawlessly. I'd also be open to looking into an AR platform. Seems like I can find ak's for $350-450 and ar's tend to jump up into the $600-1000+ range. I definitely think the AR would be out of my current budget at that price and may have to be an option down the road. What do you guys think? Are my prices right and which would work better for my situation. I would appreciate any advice on the matter.

 

[chubbs]

I was very neverous about getting a wasr, but after a year of having it i'm still loving it. I had heard all the storys online about them being junk, Don't believe them. Inspect it well before buying it. If it all looks good, buy it and enjoy

 

[JJGatesE30]

Most things I've read said that WASRs performed flawlessly and were just as great as higher priced units

I wish I still had mine, it was a great shooter and just has that straight up and simple AK look. You cant go wrong with a WASR or any AK really IMO, bump firing FTW!!

 

[Chris08110]

Where is a good place to buy. I've looked at Buds online-good prices but you don't necessarily get to look through and pick one out. Local stores around here don't tend to carry alot in the AR or AK platforms. Also did you have to look through a ton before you found a good one or was it easier than I'm thinking it would be.

 

[dukeboy_318]

Id get the ak for a beginners rifle. That's what I did versus an AR. I now have both, but at the time my budget didn't allow me to be able to get an AR plus ammo. So I went AK and spent the rest on ammo so I could actually shoot it. Its been a while since ive seen a decent AK for 350 bucks, most around me are going for around 450 for the low end ak models and 600 for the top end models. ARs are anywhere from 600 for used and around a grand for a new one. 7.62x39 is anywhere from 5 bucks to 9 bucks a box for surplus wolf or brown bear steel cased stuff in stores, a tad cheaper online. 5.56/.223 is around 9 bucks and up for brass cased stuff, there is cheaper steel cased but I don't run it in my AR so I can't tell you a price on it. Internet has some better ammo prices but take shipping into account, it lessens the gap some. Also AK mags tend to be a tad more expensive then ARs by a few dollars. Not always the case though. Hope that helps

 

[dukeboy_318]

Where is a good place to buy. I've looked at Buds online-good prices but you don't necessarily get to look through and pick one out. Local stores around here don't tend to carry alot in the AR or AK platforms. Also did you have to look through a ton before you found a good one or was it easier than I'm thinking it would be.

Post your location, that'll help. Acme in seymour usually has several of both platforms on their shelf as does keislers in clarksville. Bite the bullet just north of seymour usually wil have one or the other.

 

[JJGatesE30]

Where is a good place to buy.

I'm still fairly new to Indy but Bradis always seems to have a good selection of AK's and the service is good too.

 

[chubbs]

Watch duhnams, they run deals on them. From time to time they are around 350. You may also want to try centerfire systems in ky

 

[UncleMike]

Watch duhnams, they run deals on them. From time to time they are around 350. You may also want to try centerfire systems in ky

+1 for Dunham's, or any brick & morter store!
I've bought "several" AK's from them. You can look one over before you buy and avoid canted FSB's and excessively tight BCG's

 

[LPMan59]

Watch duhnams, they run deals on them. From time to time they are around 350. You may also want to try centerfire systems in ky

this.

i got mine from classic arms. a certain popular store usually has them in stock for the low low price of $500.

 

[indykid]

Don't forget that little gun show coming up in Indy!

(1500 is the 22nd - 24th in case you didn't know)

 

[subtlesixer03]

Where is a good place to buy. I've looked at Buds online-good prices but you don't necessarily get to look through and pick one out. Local stores around here don't tend to carry alot in the AR or AK platforms. Also did you have to look through a ton before you found a good one or was it easier than I'm thinking it would be.

look for this at the bottom of the page.
Classic Arms Inc.

ROMANIAN AK- MV SEMI AUTO RIFLE
[SIZE=+3]OUR EVER POPULAR ROMANIAN MILITARY VARIATION AK RIFLES[/SIZE]

 

[WillBrayJr]

Dunham's is a no-go 98% here in Auburn. Once in a while they have a 50% off sale on the WASRs. They're $600 at Dunham's and that's a huge rip-off in my opinion when you can get far better AKs for the same price online.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Guns - Online Gun Auction - Guns at GunBroker.com

search MAADI or Romanian AK or SAR-1 or MAK-90
win a bid and have it shipped to your FFL, the Indy 1500 sometimes has private sellers walking around with an AK For Sale on their backs.

 

[vitamink]

if kvar ever drops their prices again you can get an sgl in the mid 5's.

 

[Gillclaypot]

I bought a single stack at dunhams for 279 this summer.It was a single stack. I have a mill and now it is a double stack.Less than .005 clearance for the mag.Yes the front sight might lean to the right or left. you can tell because the sight pin in the front will stick out the opposite side the sight leans too.I actally took a dead blow hammer and popped one into place and sighted it for a friend. It has been staying tight and has not moved and it has been 4 years.Im sure those aks will be on sale for black friday this year as they have been for the past two years.

 

[Chris08110]

Christmas deals?? Kieslers selection, price, etc??

Thank you guys for all of the input. I'm in Southern Indiana by the way. Are there any good Christmas/Black Friday type sales anyone knows about. I saw an ad for Dunhams for $349 but there aren't any down here. Classic arms had decent prices but you can't browse for canted sights/mag wobble, etc. Kieslers is down here but it's been years since I've been there and I'm not even sure if they carry ak's or how their prices, service, etc. are. I know I'm asking a lot of questions. I just figured who better to ask than you guys. Thanks again for all of the help!!

 

[ghitch75]

look here..

Romanian WASR-10 AK-47 7.62x39 Rifle

Romanian AK-47 7.62x39 Single Stack

 

[vitamink]

you can pay classic arms 20 $ to hand pick one. THey did that for my draco.

 

[CraigMac]

+1 on classic arms, I have bought 10 aks from them with no issue and customer service is great.