I was wondering what I should expect to pay if I'm looking to buy a new WASR-10. I know the price has gone up a lot lately at places I've looked and I was just wondering if the prices have gone up accross the board or if I need to look in different gun stores.
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WASR-10's
- Thread starter malcolm
- Start date
I'd have to say that in reality they shouldn't be sold for more than $400 but it's more of a supply and demand issue right now so like the others said expect to pay more. Still though I own one and it is a great gun to own and fun shooter.
You mean, for something that should cost $76. That's the wholesale rate for an AK rifle in the third world.
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
On something like a WASR you are -ALWAYS- going to be paying "more than what it's actually worth" because of all the silly bullshit in terms of import bans, etc. This lies in the fact that the WASR-10 enters this country as a crippled rifle, and then CAI or whoever it is had to un-gay the thing so it will take large mags, maybe change stock and other parts around, etc. The guns have to be converted, which adds cost. (Those monkeys with the arc welders at CAI have to be paid, you know, otherwise there will be mutiny. ) Also throw in the plummeting value of the dollar against other currencies, and there's your $400 WASR.
Frankly some hunting can yield a better AK for that kind of money. WASRs made sense at $279 but IMO one is better off finding a used SAR-1 or something like that for probably about what a new WASR is selling, a MAK-90, or any number of other AK's out there.
-Mike
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Expect to pay almost $500 for any new AK type rifle in pistol grip configuration these days.
I was at Four Seasons this evening talking to Carl and a customer about them.
I was at Four Seasons this evening talking to Carl and a customer about them.
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Just a note for those looking for a WASR in Mass. Horton's has apparently "found" a few in the warehouse and is calling local dealers. Both Collectors and Four Seasons have them. Pricing is just under $500; discount for cash/check at FS. Packaged with two 30rd mags and a few other trinkets.
VT
VT
That's surprising... I have 2 current fliers from wholesalers, each of whom sell a "Romanian AK-47" for $300-$330, which is about the price range that WASRs were going for several years ago.
Of course, they're not MA-compliant... it could just be that the supply for new ban-configuration rifles is drying up?
When I say $500 I'm figuring in what I call the Massachusetts price increase.
Ok, gotcha.
I definitely wouldn't cough up $500 for a Romy, and I'd be surprised if there's a market for them at that price, even in the PRMA. If I wanted a new AK-style rifle badly enough to lay out that kind of cash, I'd step up to a ROMAK/PSL/FPK (Carl has 'em for $700... I'm thinking of taking a second look at one this weekend), or else try to find a ban-compliant Arsenal.
Speaking of AK types, Carl has (or did have a few weeks ago) a really nice Arsenal Inc RPK there for around $1000.
My Romak came from a distributor and was sent to an 01FFL about a year and a half ago I'd say. $499 w/out the scope. After shipping, scope, and transfer fee I was into it for about $660 but I got the Belarus 8x scope I wanted, not the lesser power ones that normally come with the rifles.
Romaks won't be around forever and once they dry up for good, the prices will easily reach close to $1000.
Man, that's another deal I missed the boat on. And I'm still kicking myself for passing on the last of the NDM-86s that CDNN had in stock several years back. Of course, when I go to Russia and see used Tigrs for sale for around $400, it really puts things in perspective...
Man $500 for a WASR is crazy! I paid $600 for my Arsenal. By comparison it should be worth $1000 now, I hope there is not a lot of people paying that just b/c of the "no more left" hype. If you look you can find a much better "AK" for a couple hundred more.
A search of a few listings has Four Seasons selling WASR 10s for $379 cash or check, $499 credit card. Zero Hour has a WASR 3 (.223 AK) listed at $495.
A distributor has the following add:
VERY SMALL SHIPMENT JUST BACK IN. EACH RIFLE COMES COMPLETE WITH RIFLE, 2-30 ROUND MAGS, SLING, POUCH CLEANING KIT , OILER, AND BAYONET WITH SHEATH. THESE HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SCARCE AS HENS TEETH. WE SOME RIGHT NOW IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP.
ROM-AK MV........ $399.95
They also list a dealer stock special at $375 for 3 or more but these are rifles with bayonet lugs. Russian Saiga rifles are almost $600.
Face it folks... everything is going up. Just like when a few years ago SVT40 rifles were $600, now they're close to $1000. The same goes for AK types, especially neutered Massachusetts ones.
Anyone looking to get an AK type these days for under $400 in Mass will have to buy it off someone who is selling one for what they paid for it years ago and either doesn't care or doesn't know about today's value.
A distributor has the following add:
VERY SMALL SHIPMENT JUST BACK IN. EACH RIFLE COMES COMPLETE WITH RIFLE, 2-30 ROUND MAGS, SLING, POUCH CLEANING KIT , OILER, AND BAYONET WITH SHEATH. THESE HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SCARCE AS HENS TEETH. WE SOME RIGHT NOW IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP.
ROM-AK MV........ $399.95
They also list a dealer stock special at $375 for 3 or more but these are rifles with bayonet lugs. Russian Saiga rifles are almost $600.
Face it folks... everything is going up. Just like when a few years ago SVT40 rifles were $600, now they're close to $1000. The same goes for AK types, especially neutered Massachusetts ones.
Anyone looking to get an AK type these days for under $400 in Mass will have to buy it off someone who is selling one for what they paid for it years ago and either doesn't care or doesn't know about today's value.
You used to be able to find a much better AK for a few hundred more fairly easily, but these days $700 might get you an Arsenal in 7.62 if you can find one. Even Norincos that were $600 not long ago are going for about $800 now.
I've seen some kits with build tools sell for about $400 recently on Gunboards. Kits are drying up pretty fast though. Most these days are going for $350. Hell, you can find WW2 Bren, PPSH, etc. parts kits cheaper than what you can AK parts kits.
My first build (a Romy which I'm putting the finishing touches on now) cost me somewhere in the $150-$170 range for parts (kit, receiver flat, center pin & sleeve, rivets and screws, and US compliance parts). Unfortunately, the days of $90 Romy kits is gone, and I haven't seen any parts kit group buys in a while, but a home build may still be an economical way to go.
That price doesn't include the parts and tools I'd bought for the project (including a bending jig, rivet removal jig, and shop press) which brought the total cost to quite a bit more. They'll be re-used for a few more kits and then perhaps sold. I was also able to make use of other people's equipment (spot welder, drill press, upper rail template) which kept my costs down.
If you do get a build party going in the near future, I'll be happy to lend my jig and press, and can supply some pointers (although I'm by no means an expert)
Very true. The demand for the AKM kits was driven by the fact that they're quite straightforward to build. The subgun builds, otoh, take skill and effort well beyond the average home builder... hence, the pile of Suomi parts gathering rust in my garage
![[sad]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/004.gif "Sad [sad]")
Hmmmm....Bren build party? That would be kickass!
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
Thanks Chris. I missed my chance at one a few years ago. A member on another forum had a huge build party and the rifles were all built for under $270.00 on Polish kits....Wouldashouldacoulda.... [sad2]
My builds cost closer to $250.00-$270.00, but that's because I used 100% receivers (NODAK), and added a few extras or two (side rail, nicer handguards, wood pistol grips,etc).
A few of the tools I made myself... rivet crusher, dimpler plates.
Fortunately I had access to a sandblasting cabinet, and already had a nice airbrush set-up to take care of the finishing aspect.
No kidding about the availability (and cost), of parts kits.
When I was doing my research on a few of the AK forums,there were guys buying a half-dozen (or more), kits at a time.
What made things even worse was the ban on the importation of the barrels.
Very true. The demand for the AKM kits was driven by the fact that they're quite straightforward to build. The subgun builds, otoh, take skill and effort well beyond the average home builder... hence, the pile of Suomi parts gathering rust in my garage
IMHO builds from subgun kits are more trouble than they're worth... 100% receivers are next to impossible to find (rolling your own receiver takes the aforementioned skill and a small machine shop).They have to be built so they fire from a closed bolt. Unless you obtain an SBR tax stamp, you either have to weld on a barrel extension or buy a 16" barrel (a 16" barrel on a Sten just looks plain stupid).
Yep - I stopped at 3 kits, but now I'm wishing I'd picked up a lot more. Even if I never were to build them, I could turn around and make at least 100% profit on them, probably higher. Back when Weaponeer was king of the group buys, there were so many opportunities I'd passed on that I'm kicking myself over now.
![[crying]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/006.gif "Crying [crying]")
There are 80% receivers and ATF-approved plans for lots of subguns, which would avoid having to form the base receiver tube, but would still require significant amounts of milling and welding (and as much as I'd love to learn both, I can't justify turning my garage into a machine shop). Not to mention the cost... 80% tubes are not cheap.
Some subguns do look better than others with 16" bbls (or welded extensions), but yes, most look pretty dumb. I'd considered buying a kit with an extended barrel shroud and paying to have my PPSH kit turned into an extended semi, but in the end, I think it'll just end up as a mocked-up wall hanger -- at least I don't need an SBR stamp for that.
I almost put it up for sale a little while ago, someone would have gotten a deal...
did someone say build party? lets do it!
Man, I would so be in that!
You'll be sorry later if you sell it.
