Another AK Thread - $450 WASR 10, Good Price?

[average_shooter]

I'm not much of an AK guy, at least I didn't think I was, but I've tried to keep up with what people have been saying about prices of certain rifles around the country lately. I did a search and found a fair amount of discussion saying even low-end WASR-10's are upwards of $700 these days. Gunbroker has some listed at $300, but the reserve or "buy now" prices all seem to be at least $500, then factor in shipping, transfer fees, etc. I've played around with the idea of getting an AK before, but the price has kept me away.

However, today I went through a shop and noticed a WASR-10 on the rack and asked to look at it just for fun. The price was $450 with two poly/waffle mags. Not as expensive as I had thought they would be (though not as cheap as they once were I realize). This has me a bit more tempted to go ahead and get one.

Just wondering, is this still a good price, a steal perhaps, or are prices coming down all over and I should wait longer and maybe get it at $400 or less?

I don't really want to get into the quality aspect of WASR-10's versus others, just trying to get a handle on what prices are doing lately.

I guess price and availability of 7.62x39 also falls into this. I admit I have not bothered looking at x39 prices in years, quite out of the loop on that one.

Thanks for any friendly discussion, and (preemptively) I did use the search feature, just didn't turn up quite what I was looking for.

 

[bobotech]

WASRs should be at around 300-325 dollars if there was no panic going on. That is all they are worth. But these days, 450 is a "ok" price. Its the price that they are falling down to currently but I would bet that the price will continue to fall as the panic subsides. I bought a nice looking Yugo fixed stock from my gun dealer (not private sale) for 320 last week. Things are getting better.

 

[bobotech]

Also 7.62x39 has been falling. It was almost 500 a case of 1000 a few months ago. Its down to around 250 for a case of wolf/brown bear. I wonder if it will continue to fall?

 

[average_shooter]

Just want to give this a little nudge to the top, see if there's any more discussion or opinion on the matter.

How low have folks been seeing prices fall? Specifically on the WASR-10 (or other AK clones, I suppose) and 7.62x39 ?

 

[lipadj46]

Everything firearm related has been falling over the past month. Supply is coming up and demand is falling. Prices will continue to drop. My prediction is that we will see WASR's at the $400 mark in a few weeks. Same goes for 7.62x39. I would not buy in bulk now just what you need. Of course I could be wrong but so far my predictions have been fairly accurate so far

 

[average_shooter]

Thanks for the input. I'll wait a little bit and revisit the store, see if they lower the price. Maybe do some more research in the meantime.

 

[mp5a3]

You think 7.62x39 will go under $200 per 1000 ? It's all over the place for $250-$299 right now.

 

[TheBookGuy]

I picked up 500 rounds 7.62x39 Wolf for $185 at the gun show out here in Denver two months ago. Which is what I saw it going for online (minus the S&H).
Just looked up cheaperthendirt, they have 500 for $148...

that would be sweet Mp5!

 

[ilbob]

I would not be surprised to see prices go back to a more "normal" level this year.

 

[LemmyCaution]

WASRs are still listing for $650 up here. Up from $300 two years ago. But supply is coming up rapidly. I expect prices to drop soon.