Unmasking WASR-10: Affordable, Reliable AK Variant Review

The world of AK variants is as diverse as it is contentious, with every gun enthusiast seeming to have a firm opinion on which model reigns supreme. Among the cacophony of voices, one recommendation often rings out: “Just get a WASR!”

The Romanian-made WASR series has carved out a niche in the U.S. imported firearms market, often hailed as the gold standard of affordable AKs available in the country. Century Arms, one of the largest firearms importers in the U.S., attributes much of its success to the “massive demand” for the WASR.

The question that remains is whether the WASR lives up to its legendary reputation. Is it the go-to AK variant for those on a budget? To answer these questions, we’ll delve into our experiences with the rack-grade WASR-10 in 7.62×39, from firing and handling to a thorough inspection by a qualified AK gunsmith.

The WASR series, imported by Century Arms, is built by Cugir Arms Factory in Cugir, Romania. The factory has a rich history, evolving from an iron-processing facility established in 1799 in the hills of Transylvania. The WASR-10 is essentially a semi-automatic version of the Pistol Mitralieră model 1963 (PM md. 63), a licensed version of the Soviet AKM. With its simple wood furniture and well-known design, these Romanian rifles are a no-frills variant of the AKM.

The WASR we have today is the result of years of improvements. One of the most significant upgrades is the elimination of “trigger slap” in current models through an aftermarket trigger. This issue, which involves the bolt slapping back into the hammer as it travels, impacting the disconnector/trigger and snapping it back into the shooter’s trigger finger, is thankfully uncommon in modern AKs like the current WASR-10 offerings from Century.

Before testing, we had local AK expert Josh from Copperhead USA in Tempe, Arizona, inspect our WASR. It’s important to remember that AKs often require real gunsmithing, unlike other platforms where swapping internal components is relatively straightforward. AK tolerances can vary greatly, even from the same factories at different times. If you’re considering delving deeper into the AK platform, investing time and money in learning to be competent rather than just enthusiastic is well worth it.

Our WASR-10 was in good shape when we unboxed it, as expected from a basic imported AK. However, AKs require many parts to be pressed and/or riveted together, and if done incorrectly, it can lead to serious issues down the line. Josh checked the headspace, as it’s possible for an AK to fire out of battery, which can cause serious problems. Our WASR was found to have good headspace after appropriate gauging. Josh also noted that it had a tight chamber, which we’ll discuss later. It’s not uncommon to find a canted (i.e., tilted) front iron sight post on an imported AK, but luckily, our WASR’s sights were fine.

The rest of the issues were purely cosmetic, but it’s important to have some knowledge of the platform to make those distinctions. The gas block was slightly canted, and the slant brake muzzle device didn’t sit flush on the muzzle due to the detent retaining it being slightly too long. It appeared the bolt carrier had been dropped at some point, as there was a small ding on the top of the carrier just forward of the recoil spring assembly. The safety was also remarkably tight, even after bending it out, which is another common issue with many AKs.

The wood furniture was nothing special; in fact, it even manifested some unexpected issues during testing. The trigger was a typical spongy AK trigger with a tactile reset and a curved bow. Based on everything we saw, this wasn’t a cherry-picked rifle and is a good measure of what you can expect from a WASR-10.

Testing was straightforward — the best way to test a new rifle is to fire it. In particular, firing an AK with a tight chamber helps fit the bolt to the chamber, reducing that issue. We loaded 500 rounds of Red Army Standard steel case 7.62×39 ammo into four different types of mags for our break-in range day. These included US PALM AK30R magazines, XTech MAG47 polymer magazines with steel locking lugs, Magpul MOE magazines, and Bulgarian steel 30-round mags from GunMag Warehouse.

The first mags of all four types presented no issues. However, the second XTech mag failed to feed on the last round, which also set the bullet back in the casing far enough to make us discard that round. Other than that, the only magazine issue we experienced was difficulty seating them, which is a combination of needing to break in the mag release lever and the mags themselves.

As we fired round after round, the rifle’s entire barrel and handguard were rippling with heat and smoke, but it kept going. After firing 500 rounds of steel-case ammo in less than 30 minutes during our aggressive break-in test, the WASR-10 held up remarkably well. Sure, it had a few minor issues out of the box, but most were purely cosmetic, and none would be insurmountable without a minor repair or continued use to break in the components.

With an MSRP of $1,070, the WASR-10 from Century Arms isn’t the cheapest AK you can buy, but it remains one of the best value-for-money options on the market. If you’re shopping for your first AK or simply want a reliable, durable rifle, it’s worth considering. However, if you’re expecting a flawless finish, 1 MOA accuracy, and the ability to add a modern sighting system without purchasing an aftermarket mount, you might want to consider a different AK or even a different platform altogether.

AKs continue to be a staple of the American firearms market, even as prices rise. If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, and fun-to-shoot AK, the WASR-10 from Century is a solid choice. As it turns out, its reputation is well-deserved.

Our Thoughts

The WASR-10 is indeed an interesting piece of hardware. Its reputation as a budget-friendly yet reliable AK variant is well-earned, as our experience suggests. The Romanian roots and the long history of the Cugir Arms Factory lend an air of authenticity that is hard to ignore.

The AK platform is not without its challenges, as indicated by the need for real gunsmithing. That said, the WASR-10 seems to have overcome many of these issues, thanks to years of improvements. The elimination of the “trigger slap” is a significant enhancement, making the WASR-10 a more user-friendly option for AK enthusiasts.

We appreciate the thorough inspection by our local AK expert, Josh. It’s a reminder that a well-built AK requires careful assembly and the right expertise. The WASR-10 passed the test with flying colors, only showing minor cosmetic issues that don’t affect its functionality.

The WASR-10’s performance during testing was commendable, holding up well despite the aggressive break-in test. This robustness, coupled with its affordability, makes it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable AK variant.

It’s worth noting that the WASR-10 isn’t for everyone. If you’re after a flawless finish, pinpoint accuracy, or the ability to add a modern sighting system without additional expenditure, you might want to look elsewhere. However, for those seeking an affordable, reliable, and enjoyable AK experience, the WASR-10 is a solid choice, and its reputation is well-deserved.