accurizing an AK

T

tahunua001

New member
hello all.

just curious about maybe doing some tinkering with my WASR-10/63
it has a cheap non coated bore and the standard tapco trigger. I am thinking about a couple options to accurize it.
1. is a new trigger, I've put about 500 rounds through it so if the trigger was going to loosen up it probably would have done it by now. does anyone know of a 922 compliant "matchgrade" trigger for a decent price?

2. is a "match grade" barrel preferably in chrome or melonite.


I am well aware that I'm not going to see MOA groups out of a x39 round so please don't lecture me on how I am better off l getting a good bolt rifle and forgetting the AK. this is going to be some spare time tinkering typed stuff. the trigger is a higher priority than the barrel at this point. I am well aware of the x39 range capabilities and ballistic characteristics.


thanks in advance for the info.
 
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Well, I would probably look at a couple of things...

1. I believe that Brownell's has a couple of trigger options for the AK.
2. For accuracy, I'd probably change things around a bit. You know that the AK barrel is pressed into the receiver--correct? Not the best for accuracy, as the firing impulse will loosen it over time.

My idea would take the AK receiver and put a mounting system on it with a barrel nut--kinda like a Savage rifle.

You could probably keep the same ammunition--but (with an unchromed barrel) perhaps you could improve the ballistics by making an "Ackley Improved" 7.62x39--takes all the taper out of the case, and sharpens the shoulder.

Of course, that would also affect the affordability factor--you'd have to use brass cased ammo, because you'd have to reload for it and the only source of cases would be normal 7.62x39 fired from your own chamber.

Still an interesting proposition, though....
 
Well, actually, you can get 1" MOA out of an AK with 7.62x39.... but I don't know about out of a WASR.

Don't be offended, but if you'd really like better accuracy or if you'd like to upgrade your AK, maybe start with Arsenal SGL21 instead?

You can get an SGL21 for a little under $800. If you'd like to stick with iron sights, go with Tech-Sights for about $100. They will pretty much double your sight radius and you will see much better accuracy.

The Arsenal trigger is most of a 2-stage with a good break. I'm not the best shot in world, but I've been able to get 1.5".

Obviously, it's your gun, so do whatever floats your boat... but I don't see much sense in spending a bunch of money on upgrading a chopped up parts bin gun. It's like putting a 6-foot bat wing on a Ford Escort...
 
I agree, rather than sinking money into the WASR, it would be better to purchase a better quality AK variant. You'll spend more money trying to improve the WASR than you would trading/selling it and buying an Arsenal SGL-21 and still not get as good of results. Just sayin.'
 
thanks for the suggestions. brownells has a wide selection but I just haven't messed with AKs enough to know what are high quality aftermarket companies and what aren't. also from my experience with their AR15 parts they are a good 10%-25% higher than other places online.

I am not offended by the suggestion of a higher end AK. my only problem with that is I kindof went off half cocked and overpayed for the gun in the first place so I already have way more into it than I'll ever get back out. it's already pretty bubba'ed up with a full set of polymer and my eyesight is kind of shoddy and my glasses are ineffective with irons so I pretty much have to go optics. I figure it's already too expensive to get rid of and since I already had money into it I am reluctant to buy a new gun just so I can put more into it as well.
 
I know you don't want to hear this but for the money you would spend modifying the AK, you could buy a decent bolt action rifle that really would be useable at longer range.
 
I'd just suggest the trigger, as you mentioned, and better sights for it. I have one of the Tapco G2 triggers on an AMD-65 that is really excellent. I do believe it is smoother than the RRMatch trigger in my AR, and that was honed and polished before installation. I've never tried polishing the mating surfaces on an AK trigger, but I'm sure it would help to some degree. Try shooting the rifle with different types of ammo and you might find the old girl shoots pretty well. I have a friend with a Maadi that will shoot under 1MOA with the Wolf fodder, but that is truly an exceptional AK. I've had many over the years and my friend's outshoots any of the ones I had, including one of the Arsenal milled rifles. He just was lucky, and maybe you will be too.
 
Sounds like you already have it a bit under control.

If it were me I would spend a little time with the gun you have. Don't buy anything else just shoot it. Tear it down and look at the trigger group. Polish the surface on the blot carrier where it resets the hammer and trigger. Polish the trigger surfaces on the hammer and trigger with some 600grit paper and oil. Also go over the axis pins with the sand paper. When don you should have a great trigger with out spending any $.

I would take the $ saved and invest in a Saiga then convert that later if you want to improve accuracy. Maybe on of the longer barrel saigas or a .308 were quality and surplus ammo can be purchased reasonably.

Here is an off hand rapid sustained fire 10 round group shot at 25yd. Norico mil surp.

1strun.jpg


While not sub MOA accuracy it is MOP (min of pin) which is what I intend on using the gun for.
 
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^^^This. Polishing up your G2 trigger will make a pretty big difference. I've polished all my AK triggers and they're obviously till a short single stage trigger, but they're much smoother/crisper.
 
After you clean up the trigger, and do other mods, start reloading for the cartridge. You can the tune the round for YOUR rifle. You will be amazed at the difference in accuracy. My reloads are FAR more accurate than factory ammo, especially the military surplus stuff.
 
I am not offended by the suggestion of a higher end AK. my only problem with that is I kindof went off half cocked and overpayed for the gun in the first place so I already have way more into it than I'll ever get back out. it's already pretty bubba'ed up with a full set of polymer and my eyesight is kind of shoddy and my glasses are ineffective with irons so I pretty much have to go optics. I figure it's already too expensive to get rid of and since I already had money into it I am reluctant to buy a new gun just so I can put more into it as well.
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Common mistake, thinking that just because you sank a bunch of cash into a bad idea, that you are somehow obligated to keep pouring money into it. ;)
Made that mistake a few times.

I'm with everyone here. Get an Arsenal SGL and just keep the WASR as a plinker. 5.45 will generally get you better accuracy than 7.62 but then you wouldn't have ammo compatibility with the WASR. Also use good quality ammo. Not some surplus stuff that was dug out of a warehouse god-knows where.
 
what it is

The AK is what it is.

My Tapco trigger was a positive upgrade on my variant. The best AK trigger I hear is the Red Star adjustable, Brownells sells it along with others.

The AK really needs good sights. I think an outfit called Accu-tech sells a mod that allows a aperature rear, big increase in sight radius and should help.

An optic is better, the Russians even lean that way in the end. either a side rail, or an Eothech forward rail. But an optic on an AK seems counter culture to me, but it should improve shootability.


Ammo..........I bet the Lapua FMJ factory stuff is the best x39mm out there.
 
What kind of groups are you getting at 100yds right now?
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I am getting 4-5 MOA right now, I'm hoping to get it to about 3-4 at 150 yards.

I have a friend with a Maadi that will shoot under 1MOA with the Wolf fodder
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I don't expect to get anywhere near that accuracy but an increase over minute of man would be nice.
start reloading for the cartridge. You can the tune the round for YOUR rifle. You will be amazed at the difference in accuracy.
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see now I'm probably going to get laughed off the firing line for this but I don't really buy into the whole argument that reloads gain incredible accuracy over factory or surplus. for the longest time I bought solid lake city reloads or ATK XM ammo for my AR and never touched cheap stuff until I got a good deal on several cans of loose 223/5.56 ammo and it did have a few boxes of wolf junk ammo in it. I rarely shoot it but after dropping in a rock river 2 stage into my AR I loaded up 20 rounds of wolf and shot the whole thing into an MOA group... I really dont see getting that much increase in accuracy from reloads. I think bullet weight/twist rate has more to do with it than anything.

so far I've only shot junk ammo out of my AK but so far wolf/tula has had more accuracy than yugo, czech(at least I think it was czech) and russian surplus.

thanks for the advice, a lot of the guys on the AK forums at arfcom are also recommending the red star. it's also a lot more affordable than I thought it would be.

I dont see making what you have better as a mistake. the way I see it, I wouldn't go out and buy a colt AR15 when I already have a DPMS AR15 that uses the same round and can perform the same duties. the colt may have better quality control, better fit finish and a brand name but if I all I need to make my cheap gun shine is a $50-100 upgrade why would I go out and spend $700+ to get a rifle that I will probably end up wanting to upgrade as well.
 
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