Ak variant purchase

aupfeil · October 29, 2012, 06:01 PM

I'm looking for some advice on an ak purchase. I found a wasr with wood furniture for $525 and a polish tantal side folding stock for $485. Both are century arms. Trying to decide which is the better rifle and better deal. I have a few 7.62x39 rifles but no ak or 5.45x39. What do think?

DE Shooter · October 29, 2012, 08:12 PM

I've been lucky and unlucky with Century AK type rifles. I wouldn't buy another one unless I could give it a good inspection first; especially the FSG and the barrel. Test firing would be the final proof, but one is rarely offered the chance to do that. My only Century keeper, is a M74 (AK clone) in 5.45. I got lucky with that one, excellent performance and can put them in the black consistantly out to 200yds; my favorite plinker.

Mrgunsngear · October 29, 2012, 08:45 PM

How many rounds do you plan on putting through it? I ask because the CAI tantal isn't chrome lined....

FWIW---I love my CAI Tantal

amprecon · October 29, 2012, 09:19 PM

For the price of what a traditional AK is going for and if I really, really had to have an AK, I'd look long and hard at the Rock River Arms LAR-47.

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...ategory_id=558

The AR platform is more ergo-friendly IMO, also easier to hang all that extra crap onto if your so inclined.

bamaranger · October 31, 2012, 11:20 PM

Not a fan of folders unless you plan to store the rifle much and shoot little.

EdInk · November 1, 2012, 09:44 AM

The WASR is usually considered to be at the bottom of the barrel in the AK world. Century Arms is known for quality control problems. I would inspect the rifles in person before purchasing either. Have you considered buying a used better quality AK instead?

Valerko · November 1, 2012, 10:28 PM

As far as I'm concerned , those are all AKs
AK variant is something like VZ 59. Fires same cartridge , looks similar , but its completely differ rifle.

nfafan · November 2, 2012, 12:27 AM

If it is a Century Tantal - be very wary. They have a history of having been built with the wrong barrels causing keyhole issues. Plus the lack of chrome lined barrels - and the cheap 5.45 being highly corrosive.

OTOH, WASRs - while rough and tumble as an AK should be - are arsenal-built guns with correct CHF chrome barrels and factory recvrs. All you need to check is that Century's subs hogged out the magwells correctly. There are far more Romy AKMs in combat around the world than they are given credit for.

October 29, 2012, 06:01 PM	#1
aupfeil Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Posts: 8	Ak variant purchase I'm looking for some advice on an ak purchase. I found a wasr with wood furniture for $525 and a polish tantal side folding stock for $485. Both are century arms. Trying to decide which is the better rifle and better deal. I have a few 7.62x39 rifles but no ak or 5.45x39. What do think?

October 29, 2012, 08:45 PM	#3
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	How many rounds do you plan on putting through it? I ask because the CAI tantal isn't chrome lined.... FWIW---I love my CAI Tantal __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

October 29, 2012, 09:19 PM	#4
amprecon Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1999 Location: TN Posts: 786	For the price of what a traditional AK is going for and if I really, really had to have an AK, I'd look long and hard at the Rock River Arms LAR-47. http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...ategory_id=558 The AR platform is more ergo-friendly IMO, also easier to hang all that extra crap onto if your so inclined. __________________ "You can't get 'em all Josey." "That's a fact". "Well how come you doin' this then?" "Cause I got nothin' better to do."

October 31, 2012, 11:20 PM	#5
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	down on folder Not a fan of folders unless you plan to store the rifle much and shoot little.

November 1, 2012, 09:44 AM	#6
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	The WASR is usually considered to be at the bottom of the barrel in the AK world. Century Arms is known for quality control problems. I would inspect the rifles in person before purchasing either. Have you considered buying a used better quality AK instead? __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

October 29, 2012, 08:12 PM	#2
DE Shooter Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Posts: 215	I've been lucky and unlucky with Century AK type rifles. I wouldn't buy another one unless I could give it a good inspection first; especially the FSG and the barrel. Test firing would be the final proof, but one is rarely offered the chance to do that. My only Century keeper, is a M74 (AK clone) in 5.45. I got lucky with that one, excellent performance and can put them in the black consistantly out to 200yds; my favorite plinker.

November 1, 2012, 10:28 PM	#7
Valerko Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2012 Location: NY Posts: 184	As far as I'm concerned , those are all AKs AK variant is something like VZ 59. Fires same cartridge , looks similar , but its completely differ rifle.

November 2, 2012, 12:27 AM	#8
nfafan Member Join Date: October 12, 2009 Posts: 69	If it is a Century Tantal - be very wary. They have a history of having been built with the wrong barrels causing keyhole issues. Plus the lack of chrome lined barrels - and the cheap 5.45 being highly corrosive. OTOH, WASRs - while rough and tumble as an AK should be - are arsenal-built guns with correct CHF chrome barrels and factory recvrs. All you need to check is that Century's subs hogged out the magwells correctly. There are far more Romy AKMs in combat around the world than they are given credit for.