First Outing with WASR-2, 5.45

[Drakejake]

I took six loaded mags with me to the range, although I didn't empty all of them. I had jams and a failure to go into battery with the only steel mag, which resembles the standard AK-47 mag. The bolt carrier seems to have been hanging up on this mag, preventing the action from going into battery. And there were some jams. I have examined the mag and the only problem I see is some back and forth play. The E. German bakelite mags and the black plastic mag performed perfectly. I could not do accuracy work because both the iron sights and the scope were so low that I could not get the point of impact up high enough to meet the crosshairs. I have shimmed the scope and used the AK tool to lower the front sight. Great little rifle. But all the cleaning required to neutralize the corrosive 1988 ammo irks me. I never feel that I have done enough although I have ran patches soaked with water and patches soaked in Windex through the bore. I dipped the bolt and bolt carrier into Windex. I finished up with the usual cleaning routine. I cleaned the rifle before shooting it, although it seemed to be in ready to shoot right out of the box. I normally do not clean firearms every time I shoot because I do not shoot that many rounds. Sometimes when I clean, I merely run a brush through the firearm without breaking it down. Lazy bastard, eh, what! This Bulgarian is the first corrosive ammo I have ever shot.

Drakejake

 

[ATC]

Welcome to the addiction, Drake. I got bitten by the AK bug a few years ago when I purchased a ban model WASR-10 because it was under 300 bucks. Why not, right? Since then, I've learned a great deal about the AK platform and now admire it for what it is: a reliable, low maintenance rifle that is accurate enough for combat conditions at realistic engagement distances.

I now own 5 examples of AK pattern rifles and am looking at purchasing at least 2 more before the end of the year. Most certainly an RPK variant and likely a Chinese milled rifle.

My favorite by far is my Bulgarian AK-74. This little shooter in conjunction with the sweet 5.45 round belies all the myths I'd previously heard and believed about the AK's accuracy and it's just plain fun to shoot.

You should check out www.akforum.net for a wealth of information about the AK platform. You'll certainly be able to find assistance with the hiccups you're having also at that site.

 

[AJ Dual]

The easiest way is to just pour near-boiling water through the barrel and a little through the gas piston, and wipe the bolt-face and piston with a damp rag and hot water. I have a little funnel from the hardware store, and an old metal camping pot I was going to toss that I use to catch the runoff. Or I just do it over the laundry tub.

It'll self-dry from the heat, and you can then clean with solvents for powder/metal fouling at your leisure.

If you're in the field, you could even just bring a thermos of boiling water with you. If you have an air-compressor in the garage, you can use cold water, and just keep blowing out the bore and tube with air until it's dry.

Hell, it's an AK. I'd probably just swipe the bore and gas tube once with an oiled patch, and wipe the bolt pieces with a lightly oiled rag and leave it at that. I'd only really bother to aggressively clean it with solvents, brushes, and patches every 500-1000 rounds or so.

 

[Drakejake]

ATC,

I have some familiarity with AK type rifles because I have a Saiga .308 and a milled MAK-90. Both are fine rifles. I like the reliability and simplicity of the AK action. I must say, I am fond of the 5.45 round, for the same reasons that I like the .223--light yet effective.

Drakejake

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

How did it perform past the basics you covered. I'm considering getting one from AIM Surplus (or two for that matter), and I had to know.

 

[Drakejake]

I am happy with the rifle so far. If you can get a good one for $290 from Aim, I think you will be pleased. These are new rifles, so you do not have to worry about getting a corroded barrel. I find the rifle light and handy with minimal recoil. My rifle and my friend's both have very good triggers. 5.45 ammo is cheap right now, so survey says "buy."

Drakejake

 

[benEzra]

But all the cleaning required to neutralize the corrosive 1988 ammo irks me. I never feel that I have done enough although I have ran patches soaked with water and patches soaked in Windex through the bore. I dipped the bolt and bolt carrier into Windex. I finished up with the usual cleaning routine. I cleaned the rifle before shooting it, although it seemed to be in ready to shoot right out of the box. I normally do not clean firearms every time I shoot because I do not shoot that many rounds. Sometimes when I clean, I merely run a brush through the firearm without breaking it down. Lazy bastard, eh, what! This Bugarian is the first corrosive ammo I have ever shot.

Personally, I'd stick the corrosive ammo in the closet (it keeps forever, longer than noncorrosive ammo) and buy some new production noncorrosive, if I found cleaning a pain.

I clean my SAR-1 about once every three range trips, if that.

 

[strat81]

WASRs seem to require a break-in period. I think some of it is the wearing in of parts, as well as oil working itself into all the right places. If you keep having problems after a few hundred rounds, send it back.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Mine had a problem with the extractor being too sharp and thus "catching" the brass on the way out. It would fire, but would always have an FTE. I brought it to a gunsmith, he lightly sanded down the extractor (the sharp thing below the ejection port). Now it hurls brass 25ft like the best of them.

WASRs seem to require a break-in period. I think some of it is the wearing in of parts, as well as oil working itself into all the right places. If you keep having problems after a few hundred rounds, send it back.

Essentially, this will "wear" the extractor down to the point where I had it sanded. Either way will work.