[Visper]

Can I install optics w/o the side mount ?

You can replace the hand guards with railed ones, for a red dot.

I have a N-PAP a WASR and a neat little variant called a vz2008. I love them all and not one cost me over $500.00.

My dad kind of claimed my WASR but its all good...

Still want to get an AMD 65 and a Polish Tantal (5.45x39) some day >.>

 

[Visper]

The WASR is pretty good for the money, of all them sold at the LGS, none have come back for me to repair.
Make sure the one you get if it is your choice is cut for standard 30 round mags.
There are some made for single stack 10 rounders for commie states like this one.
I have a Poly Legend from the first import lot when they came in, very well made.
Added an M1 carbine rear sight to it, that doubled the sight radius, and it really improved hit capability.
Another is a Norinco, very first import AK, closer to the WASR, never fails to do its part.
I don't like the Yugo's because of the lack of chrome lining.
The chrome ups the reliability of east block ammo cycling through.

Chrome is for: ease of cleanup, corrosive ammo, and it does effect accuracy. From what I have read a non-chrome lined barrel is more accurate. I never heard of chrome lining upping the reliability of cycling east block ammo, its the barrel that's chromed not the feed ramp from what I understand.

 

[Visper]

Accuracy with an AKM using COMBLOC surplus ammo is not great to begin with.:joyous:
I prefer the chrome lining, my Mosin's have it as well. Accuracy? If I can hit a man in the torso at 50 yards, both the rifle and myself have done our jobs.

True, so why make it worse? If you plan on using corrosive ammo (aka your mosin's) I totally agree. But helping with cycling? Never heard of that...

The serbian (aka yugo's) are fine without a chrome barrel. I don't shoot milsurp corrosive because 7.62x39 steel cased is cheap enough as is and its new production and non-corrosive.

 

[Visper]

I don't understand your reference to the feed ramp, I am not talking about feeding from the mag..

The reliability comes from the chrome lined chamber.
The chrome does two things, prevents micro pitting of the chamber wall and increases lubricity, needed when using coated cases.
The short of it is, it keeps the cases from sticking in the chamber, second, slows the washing out of the throat.
Accuracy changes between the two interiors are insignificant, we are not talking match grade rifles here, but short- medium range high volume fire weapons.
The chrome also extends the barrel's rifling life also.

Ok, never heard of that, but it makes sense. The barrels aren't like the old ones though, they are good for a ton of rounds. Unless you plan on shooting 50k or so.

***Ok Just read up on the NPAP barrel: 30-40k I was a little off. But damn that's a lot of rounds. From what I also read chrome lining extends it 500-2k so not a substantial difference when we're talking 30-40k.

Like I said, chrome definitely has its uses, but I don't consider it a "must have" on an AK.

 

[Visper]

I really don't think, given two identical AK's, one with and one without chrome, you could tell the difference in the accuracy.

You do and shoot what you want, I know what will keep my ass alive, if need be.

That steel cased ammo you speak of is most likely coated with a polymer or lacquer.

Why are all US military infantry rifles chrome lined???

Put a lot through it like in a firefight, you will see what I am talking about.

I have been in the gunsmithing business for a long time, I speak from application not some web page commando's posting.

You have your preference yes, from real life. I totally understand that. I have been shooting for a long time also. Maybe not in a firefight, but shooting none the less. I love my AKs, they have never let me down.

Like I said chrome lined has its uses, but I don't think it is a deal breaker when it comes to an AK, that's all I'm trying to say.

***Also no offense but I don't know you, so to me you are just some guy on a web page >.> But I am new here and I trust what you say until proven otherwise.