Red Dot Arms Forum

Hi all,

While at RDA the other day, I had a chance to see some lower priced AKs on the wall. Another bucket list item I'd like to get some time. Despite viewing some YouTube vids on the differences between N-PAP, O-PAP, WASR, I'm still a tad confused as to the real differences. One vid compared N vs O and it was a weight, metal thickness, heavier duty difference, but not sure how that compares to the WASR.

Anyone have a short bullet list of differences to consider?

Well, I am no Ak expert, but for a stamped receiver I'd look at alignment. Solid not loose fitting. I liked the C39 version. Cost a little more, but I could see the quality. A lot of AK guys don't care, to them it is a rifle for 150 yds and less.

I'd talk to some of the guys at RDA. They no way more about this platform than I do...

In my experience you really can't go too wrong with one of the Century C39s or one of their imports. The C39 is a milled receiver model made here in the US and their imports are mostly various Yugo models with stamped receivers. Arsenal also has good imports. Theirs are Bulgarian but can cost up to twice as much as a Century. CNC Warrior does a good modified version of the Century PAP M85 and M92, when they have them in stock. Those are Yugo models of the AKS-74U in 5.56mm and 7.62x39mm. The nice thing about the current model M85 is that it takes standard AR mags if you have any of those laying around.

Wasr are Romanians I believe. The magazine well can sometimes be a little loose. And the front sites can be canted. Mine is slightly canter to the left. But I didn't know until I placed an apature site on it. With regular iron sites it worked just fine. But you can bring a piece of string hold it in the middle of the front site, pull it back and see if it lines up with the notch in the rear site

The CN 39s and a few others have milled steel receivers. They tend to have a "better feel", but will weigh a little more than the stamped receivers. One of the great things about the traditional AK platform is that even thought fit and finish is not like an AR15 type, they are designed with loose tolerances and are very forgiving regarding using different types of ammo, and also operate well clean or dirty. The are great hard hitting guns in the out to 150 meter range. I wouldnt get caught up on the brand, more on the featues (ie, wood stock, synthetic, side fold, etc.)

Steve, when someone bring in an AK to sell, what do you look for to make sure it is not a lemon? On the C39, I liked the wood furniture. It seemed to be about the same weight wise as the synthetic. I also saw one that had wood furniture, but someone had refinished it and stain the wood black. It had a cool effect.

I really thought the C39 stood out quality wise. There wasn't even magazine wobble. The barrel even looked to be chrome lined. I just thought for a few bucks more, it was really an upgrade.

Yeah, the full sized C39s do have chrome lined barrels, which is a plus over most imports. For the life of me I don't get why Century didn't do the same with the C39 pistol. Are you sure the C39 with the black wood furniture was a refinished model? That is an option on the C39 from the factory. It should also be noted that Arsenal also has models with chrome lined barrels but they bring a higher price than the C39. If I were to buy a full sized AK it would probably be a C39.

No, I didn't know if the C39 with black wood furniture was a factory option, I just assumed it wasn't. I just thought the C39 was a really high end AK. I liked all the fit and finish on the one I saw, and it seemed to shoot really well compared to other AK's I have fired. I am pretty much sold on it, if I decide to add yet another caliber.

(01-29-2015, 03:45 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: [ -> ]No, I didn't know if the C39 with black wood furniture was a factory option, I just assumed it wasn't. I just thought the C39 was a really high end AK. I liked all the fit and finish on the one I saw, and it seemed to shoot really well compared to other AK's I have fired. I am pretty much sold on it, if I decide to add yet another caliber.

That's an example what the factory black one looks like. Don't know if it's like what you saw but thought I post the pic so others can see it. I agree they do seem pretty high end as far as their construction goes. I'm really surprised that they don't sell for more than they do.

It looks like it but a couple of shades lighter. I've pretty much made up my mind that it will be a C39 if I buy the AK. But it's not just the rifle, I'd need at least a dozen magazines and of course a couple thousand rounds to feed it. Add in a sling and optics mount and pretty soon it's a grand...

I hear ya. That's why I told my wife that I'm budgeting $2k out of our tax return for gun money. She didn't like that but Oh well. I could easily spent twice that I told her if she kept arguing.

I try to budget so much for guns'n'ammo every year, but these last two years of Obama has scared the living crap out of me. The real question is should I buy a PTR-91 or Ruger SR556E instead. It's always good to have extra backup guns.

(01-31-2015, 06:11 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: [ -> ]I try to budget so much for guns'n'ammo every year, but these last two years of Obama has scared the living crap out of me. The real question is should I buy a PTR-91 or Ruger SR556E instead. It's always good to have extra backup guns.

I have bought more than my share these past few years and I am not stopping yet.

I only have one AK and I started to customize it but then building AR's took over so now I need to finish other toys before I get back to really decking out the AK.

(01-31-2015, 05:58 PM)rwhite135 Wrote: [ -> ]I hear ya. That's why I told my wife that I'm budgeting $2k out of our tax return for gun money. She didn't like that but Oh well. I could easily spent twice that I told her if she kept arguing.

If that is the kind of return you are getting you are lending the government too much money at no interest...

(01-31-2015, 08:31 PM)AcilletaM Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-31-2015, 05:58 PM)rwhite135 Wrote: [ -> ]I hear ya. That's why I told my wife that I'm budgeting $2k out of our tax return for gun money. She didn't like that but Oh well. I could easily spent twice that I told her if she kept arguing.

If that is the kind of return you are getting you are lending the government too much money at no interest...

LOL, ain't that the truth.