WASR series rifles

The WASR series (Wassenaar Arrangement Semi-automatic Rifle) is a Romanian variant of the Avtomat Kalashnikov series of rifles originally from Russia. They use a Romanian made receiver, unlike the SAR series that uses Romanian receivers with a dimple above the magwell. The equivalents with Russian models are:

*AKM: WASR-10 (7.62x39)
*AK-74: WASR-2 (5.45x39)
*AK-101: WASR-3 (5.56x45)

Construction

These rifles are made with stamped receivers that were originally intended for single-stack magazines. The rifles feature chrome-lined barrels and wood stocks.

These rifles are imported by Century Arms Intl., where they are modified to be sold. It is there that they widen the magazine wells and install Tapco-compliant parts including gas pistons, fire control groups (i.e. trigger), and pistol grips.

Many customers have complained that these weapons experience a low degree of "trigger slap", which is caused by the bolt slamming backward into the trigger assembly (causing discomfort to the trigger finger). [cite web|url=http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm|title=Ak-47.net.]

This line of rifles usually come with a side-mount scope rail, unless it was manually removed.

They are well-known for their low cost, making them considered "bottom of the barrel" when compared to Bulgarian/Yugoslavian variants, but the rifles are still just as reliable when they are functional (some have had issues with gas pistons, fire control groups, and wobbly magazines and canted sights). The rifles are very customizable, with hundreds of aftermarket stocks, optics, and other accessories.

WASR-10 & Variants

The WASR-10 is a post-ban version of the AKM assault rifle in 7.62x39mm caliber. Factory-original rifles only support single-stack, low-capacity magazines (ten rounds), but are frequently modified to accept double-stack, regular-capacity magazines (thirty rounds or more). Pistol grip and thumbhole stocks are both commonly found.

GP WASR-10

After the sun-set of the assault weapons ban, importers were able to legally equip WASR-10s with compensators, bayonet lugs, and folding stocks, thus making the GP WASR-10 (with GP standing for general purpose). One disadvantage of this rifle is that machining burrs on the magazine well causes some magazines to fit tightly. Some advantages of this rifle are the reliability, cheap ammunition and availability of aftermarket parts. [ [http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm#wasr10gp Romanian Kalashnikov Rifles ] ]

GP WASR-10/63 (Pistol Mitralieră 63)

These are Romanian military spec AKM clones. They are currently used by Romanian Special Forces. They are currently being made, and because they are mil-spec, they are of higher quality compared to normal WASR rifles.

The 2007 GP WASR-10/63 also has an updated front trunnion with added contact support for the bolt carrier.

A WASR-10/63 with an underfolding stock was introduced into the product line in 2007

WASR-22

The WASR-22 fires the .22 long rifle cartridge. They are good starter AKs for kids, or shooters who cannot handle 7.62x39, 5.45x39, or 5.56x45. They usually ship with two 10-round magazines.

WASR-2

The WASR-2 is essentially a WASR-10 chambered in 5.45x39, and usually does not come with any accessories (muzzle brake, bayonet), especially if it is ordered straight from Century Arms. [ [http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm#wasr2 Romanian Kalashnikov Rifles ] ]

Because it is not chambered in 7.62x39, the WASR 2 is legal in Connecticut despite the state's Assault Weapons Ban. Despite this, most dealers do not sell the WASR-2 Fact|date=June 2008.

WASR-3

This commercial export version of the WASR is chambered in 5.56x45 or .223 Remington. It usually comes in the same configuration as the WASR-2. [ [http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm#wasr3 Romanian Kalashnikov Rifles ] ]

ee also

SA M-7

References

External links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20070604162528/http://www.nrapublications.org/tar/CenturyGPWASR10.asp American Rifleman review of Century's WASR-10]
* [http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/model.htm Short description of commercial Romanian Kalashnikov clones]
* [http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/wasrwell.htm Instructions on how to modify the magazine well of the WASR-10]