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SAR-1 vs. WASR: Difference?

BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
It seems that the WASR is about $50-$75 cheaper than the SAR-1.They look exactly the same to me. So whats the difference?
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Comments

  • GreenLanternGreenLantern Member Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    WASR has a single stack mag. Most often has Dragunov type stock. As far as I know that's the only difference. Not sure how easy it is to get single stack mags for it though. SAR is the typical AK. Accepts high cap mags. [This message has been edited by GreenLantern (edited 01-05-2002).]
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    Huh. That's odd.Copy of descriptions from aimsurplus.com:"Romanian SAR-1 7.62x39 RifleNew Romanian AK Rifles assembled with US made components make these legal for high capacity magazines. Each rifle comes with side mount scope rail, one 10rd and 40rd magazine.""Romanian WASR AK Rifle 7.62x39New Romanian AK Rifles Assembled with US made components make these legal for high capacity magazines. Built from the same top-quality components as the SAR Rifles. Each rifle comes with side mount scope rail, one 10rd and 40rd magazine."The pictures next to both of them are IDENTICAL.
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  • davcondavcon Member Posts: 139 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The WASR was originally designed to accept single stack mags but have been altered to accept high cap mags. Thats the only difference.
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  • GreenLanternGreenLantern Member Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hmmm.... my buddy picked up one (WASR) from a guy he works with and fer sure it's single stack. Took a look at it myself.
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  • davcondavcon Member Posts: 139 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some were altered some were not. I own a WASR and it accepts high caps. The one bullzeye saw at aimsurplus must have altered. This is the way it was described to me by the salesman at J&G sales.
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  • lrarmsxlrarmsx Member Posts: 791 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The WASR single stack receivers are the only receiver currently being imported from Romania. Century has found yet another loophole to continue the supply of a Romanian AK variant. Yes the guns are initially only able to take a single stack magazine when they arrive in this country. The new permits to import a receiver that takes a double stack mag have been restricted or not approved for over a year. The gov't has allowed the import of receivers that will accomodate a single stack magazine, of which there are only 5 and 10rd capacity. That is why there permits are being approved. After being approved and arriving in the US as a single stack receivered AK variant, the gun is or is not modified. In other words, it can be left alone as a single stack or can be (to my surprise and others I assume) legally modified to take a high cap, double stack magazine. This info comes directly from Century the importer of the SAR and WASR. (BTW, during this process, US parts are added as necessary for legality)Thus far the gov't hasn't either caught on or at least found a way of blocking this loophole, but just give it time. The guns (WASR's) can currently be found as a single stack or double with a dragunov style stock or a standard pistol grip model. The work done to the receivers does justify the substantial cost increase from the single stack to the double stack, but they can get away with it due to the desireability angle. Not many people want the single stack gun so they sell it cheap (given the low amount per rifle that they actually have to pay for these in Romania). The opening up of the receivers to a standard double stack size is not extremely easy, but with some CNC machining it can't be that tough. They don't even reblue the area they machine out. Anyway, they know that people will pay more for the option of the high cap mags, so they charge more, and people pay it. The reason the SAR's are more than the WASR's is that they are running low on those. As something gets harder to obtain, it usually gets to be more expensive. The WASR's are the current import, there are more of those coming in, the SAR's are over with or at least close to it, so they are more expensive. What you may find is some anomalies in the fit of your mags in the WASR's. I had to improve the opening for a gentleman on his WASR to fit a drum mag. His WASR took 30rd mags, no problem, but the opening was not properly done to accomodate a drum. It was a very minor adjustment, but the drum has beefier feed lips at the back than a regular stick mag and the opening had to be modified accordingly. In conclusion the WASR's are the lastest reincarnation or abomination in the long history of the government's attempts to stop the importation and availability of anything resembling an AK. From the Assault Weapons Ban of March 1989, the Crime Bill of September 1994, the Executive Order of October 1997, the mandate, order, or whatever it was in August of 2000. Each time the gov't has made rules or laws to block the importation of what they refer to as "Assault Weapons" (hate that term). Each time the lawyers of the importers have found loopholes in the way things were written to get around the new laws. The WASR is just the next chapter in this never ending story.
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