AK upgrade
Readers may remember my WASR-10. Here’s what it looked like when I first got it:
Well, I couldn’t go having a gun in post-ban configuration since there’s no longer a ban so I added an evil, black folding stock. More importantly, I added a fine rail mount from UltiMAK (thanks to Kim for the pointer). I got this model. It’s awesome. It fixes the two problems most AK mounts have because it mounts to the barrel and locks tightly. Most AK mounts mount to the receiver cover, which sucks because that thing is too loose. Or they mount to side of the receiver, which sucks because it puts the sight at an awkward location; the sight loses zero when removed; and it doesn’t maintain alignment with the barrel.
I also put a TacPoint scope on it (a detailed review of the TacPoint can be found here). I went with the TacPoint because it gets good reviews, is moderately priced (about $140 compared to an Aimpoint or EOTech which run about three bills) and is quite accurate. It holds a zero and is reportedly as accurate as other red dot optics, though not as durable nor is it as water resistant. And its battery life is significantly shorter.
Here it is after (all viced up since I’d just finished it – and, yes, I had to use the big hammer):
After I got it mounted, I grabbed the gun by the sight and shook the living hell out of it to test durability. It didn’t move or budge a bit (thank you, LocTite). I was damn impressed with the UltiMAK and heartily recommend them. I particularly like the forward position with the TacPoint because the long eye-relief allows you to keep both eyes open when taking aim. I currently have an EOTech mounted on the AR-15 (see image here) and it’s a bit further back. That’s good for the EOTech but a tubular sight that far back doesn’t feel right to me.
I need to get it to the range, sight it in and function test it. Once that’s done, it’s the new truck gun.
July 19th, 2005 at 1:08 pm
So is it 922r compliant?
July 19th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
Yup. WASRs are only sold as compliant. Century imports them, cuts the receiver to accept AK mags and puts in new FCGs.
July 19th, 2005 at 2:17 pm
She’s real purdy.
July 19th, 2005 at 3:22 pm
So, what is the difference between a SAR and a WASR??
July 19th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Counter, nothing significant. They are the same except for the magwell, I think. The wasr started off taking low cap magazines and was adjusted to take regular AK mags. The SAR came that way from the factory. Here’s a good resource on Romanians:
http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/
July 19th, 2005 at 4:03 pm
Looks very nice! Waiting for the range report.
Of course, it would be PERFECT for AnalogKId’s postal match now underway…..
July 19th, 2005 at 4:13 pm
An AK in a postal match? Surely you kid 🙂
July 20th, 2005 at 11:55 am
Very nice. I am looking to do a similar project, Do you mind if I e-mail for pointers when the time comes?
Thanks
H2
July 20th, 2005 at 9:57 pm
May I ask, who made the folding stock? and roughly how much?
Been thinking about an AK, and this would finish one off nicely.
July 20th, 2005 at 10:08 pm
Tapco, bout $49.
September 7th, 2005 at 9:05 am
[…] A while back, I mentioned my AK upgrades. I installed the UltiMAK Scout Mount on my WASR-10. My only issue was that it, with a standard scope ring, did not cowitness with the iron sights. Cowitnessing is having your iron sights lined up with the red dot sight so that you have back up sights in the event your electronic sight fails (battery dies or you break it). Well, the folks at UltiMAK thought of that. I was talking to Joe Huffman and he said they make a mount just for that. Lyle from UltiMAK sent me an email and said this sight mount would allow co-witnessing as it sits lower on the scout mount. I was sold. I received mine last week and installed it. It aligns with the iron sights. The iron sights are clearly visible in the lower half of the TacPoint. I highly recommend it. […]
November 8th, 2005 at 10:26 pm
[…] […]