Finally an AK for my collection!

mrbray101 · 02-06-2010, 15:06

Finally got my first AK!!

It is a GP WASR 10/63 which from my research I guess is a lower end romanian AK imported by Century Arms. Its a little rough lookin but it didn't appear to have been shot yet. No residue on the inside except a bunch of cosmoline. (That junk is nasty) So far I have 8 full mags and about 700 rounds of ammo. It came with two circle 10 mags and I bought 6 more what I think are eastern bloc 30 rounders. The sights are straight and there is no mag wobble.

First of all, the stock doesn't really fit into the rear of the reciever well. Is there any way to fit it better or is that just how it is?

Also, Im going to sand down the furniture and put a fresh stain on it. What color stain would be appropriate? I really like the dark red look I have seen on some AK's posted here.

Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.

scromer · 02-06-2010, 15:14

That gap is normal and when the stocks were made of hardwood it kept them from cracking due to the recoil. All of the recoil impulse is transmitted through the trunnion inside the back of the receiver and not by the receiver itself.

Nice WASR!

markieboy · 02-06-2010, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbray101

Also, Im going to sand down the furniture and put a fresh stain on it. What color stain would be appropriate? I really like the dark red look I have seen on some AK's posted here.

Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.

Congrats on your new AK-47!

I'm planning to refinish my AK furniture with Minwax Red Mahogany stain. Then, with low gloss tung oil. I've seen stocks done with that color and it looks beautiful.

ChuteTheMall · 02-06-2010, 15:23

Even a lower-end AK such as a WASR is an excellent rifle!!!

I won't pretty my WASR up, I prefer to think of it as a rough tomahawk instead of a fine stilletto. It thrives on such abuse.

mrbray101 · 02-06-2010, 15:33

Thanks for the input guys. I'm not into prettying up guns too much but i have seen some with the reddish stain and it just looked awesome. I think i will give that a try when i have some free time. It is an awesome gun for sure, I'm still searching through the archives trying to learn as much as I can.

CarlosC · 02-06-2010, 16:17

Congrats! Another member of the dark side.

Here is my standard welcome...

Red Mahogany will come out really nice, especially if you strip it down all the way. Be sure to sand it smooth in between coats of finish. I did my Bulgarian stack that way...

Before:

After:

markieboy · 02-06-2010, 16:42

Absolutely beautiful, CarlosC!

The stock set is from Ironwood Designs? What wood is that? Is the stock one piece? I don't see any nails like in the romanian stocks.

CarlosC · 02-06-2010, 16:58

Yes, it is from Ironwood. Beech hardwood. It is actually their Hungarian set (note the extra lip in the before picture on the bottom of the pistol grip), but I cut, sanded, and blended that part off.

my762buzz · 02-06-2010, 17:34

It came out nice. Oil, polyurethane, or both?

jrs93accord · 02-06-2010, 18:04

This is my WASR-10/63 that I have had for about 4 years now. It still look like it did when I bought it.

This is a Maadi AK-47 I just bought. It is not as pretty as my other AKs, but it has character.

mrbray101 · 02-07-2010, 19:57

Carlos, that looks awesome. I have some red mahogany in the garage i will post some pictures when i get a chance to work on it. Thanks for the advice guys.

CarlosC · 02-07-2010, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by my762buzz

It came out nice. Oil, polyurethane, or both?

Red Mahogany and satin polyurethane.

toshbar · 02-07-2010, 21:37

Here's mine. It came with rough blond furniture. I sanded it and put 3 or 4 applications of red mahogany stain and then some boiled linseed oil. It looks and feels 100X better than when I bought it.

Before:

After:

AustinTx · 02-07-2010, 22:03

mrbray101
If that pic is your rifle, I wouldn't do anything at all to it. it looks great, to me.

BigJohnJr04 · 02-07-2010, 23:51

::Drool:: I love AK's :D

Jmzzl · 02-08-2010, 09:01

You can't really tell what color the wood is from the picture edit, but i didn't really stain it. I sanded and put wood finishing oil on it. ;]

toshbar · 02-08-2010, 09:13

This might be a little too critical of me, but i noticed that the 4th magazine from the top has the top cartridge on the opposite side of the others. Is there just a different number loaded into the magazine or what? Reason I ask is cause I know when I fully load my magazines, the top cartridge is always on the same side.

mrbray101 · 02-08-2010, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by toshbar

This might be a little too critical of me, but i noticed that the 4th magazine from the top has the top cartridge on the opposite side of the others. Is there just a different number loaded into the magazine or what? Reason I ask is cause I know when I fully load my magazines, the top cartridge is always on the same side.

Good eye lol. For some reason I can only get 29 rounds into that one. I took it apart, cleaned it and still could only fit 29 in there.

Teej · 02-08-2010, 09:41

I pick my WASR up the end of this week. Owner says he put less than 100 rnds through it.

Question for me and other 1st time Ak owners, do these imports have a break in period? If so, is there a certain or proper way to do it?

Thanks

CarlosC · 02-08-2010, 09:52

No, just shoot it like it's a rental.

Teej · 02-08-2010, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlosC

No, just shoot it like it's a rental.

So, shoot the **** out of it?!! Thanks I'm ordering ammo right now.